🌳 How more trees could make Philly healthier

More SEPTA Workers to Vote on Striking

SEPTA is facing more labor difficulties after the unions representing Regional Rail engineers and conductors said their members would vote on whether to strike. These workers have not received raises in about four years and have some of the lowest wages compared to their peers nationwide, according to union officials. Meanwhile, representatives from SEPTA and Transit Workers United are already working around the clock in a hotel to reach a deal to keep buses, trains, and trolleys running. [Inquirer]

Pennsylvania Joins Suit Against Instagram

Our state is one of 33 now suing Instagram parent company Meta for failing to protect vulnerable young users. The federal lawsuit alleges that the social media company engineers its platforms to addict kids, contributing to a rise in youth mental health problems nationally. [CNN]

Panera Suit Blames Lemonade for Student’s Death

A University of Pennsylvania student with a heart condition died after drinking Panera’s highly caffeinated “Charged Lemonade,” according to a wrongful death lawsuit. It alleges that the bakery chain’s marketing for the drink fails to warn customers about what it calls a misleadingly labeled “dangerous energy drink.” The large size contains nearly 400 milligrams of caffeine, which is the maximum the FDA says is safe for healthy adults to consume in a day. [NBC News]

Funeral for Officer Killed at PHL Airport

The city paid its respects to Richard Mendez, the Philadelphia police officer who was shot and killed while trying to stop thieves breaking into a car at Philadelphia International Airport two weeks ago. Police motorcycles led a funeral procession from Northeast Philadelphia to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Logan Square Wednesday morning. Mendez was remembered by his daughter as the family’s “backbone.” [CBS News Philadelphia]

🦉 Nature at Night: Birds of Prey | Thursday | 7 p.m.

Kids and adults can see owls and hawks up close and learn about the traits that make them such good hunters in this event at the Tyler Arboretum. [$10 - $20, Media]

🌸 Longwood Gardens’ Chrysanthemum Festival | Through Nov. 12 | Times Vary

“Fall’s favorite flower” is featured in this exhibition at Longwood Gardens’ Conservatory. [$25, Kennett Square]

🪄 Boos & Brews at the Museum of Illusions | Thursday | 6 p.m.

Trick your senses and treat yourself to Evil Genius beer at this 21+ event where you can explore illusion rooms and installations modified for Halloween. [$45, Old City]

🐶 Hound-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest | Saturday | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Pet owners parade their decked-out doggies through Liberty Lands Park to compete for a $500 grand prize. There will also be a raffle, beer, food vendors, and music, with proceeds benefiting Street Tails Animal Rescue. [Free to attend, $30 donation to enter the contest, Northern Liberties]

How More Trees Could Make Philly Healthier

Philly recently won $12 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to plant more trees. This money will go into the city's new tree plan, a 10-year roadmap for making the city greener, cooler, and healthier. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Kristine Gonnella, managing director of strategy development at the Public Health Management Corporation, about why Philly made this plan and how more trees are associated with a range of benefits, from lowering rates of asthma to reducing gun violence.