🏢 City sued over return-to-office policy

🏢 City Workers Union Files Return-to-Office Lawsuit

AFSCME District Council 47, a union that represents 6,000 administrators and supervisors, has sued the city for requiring a return to in-person work. The union alleges that the requirement is a contract violation. [Inquirer 🔒]

• Context: Mayor Cherelle Parker announced in May that all city workers will need to return to the office full-time by July 15, a decision that quickly prompted pushback. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

🛜 Internet Coming to All Rec Centers

As part of Verizon’s recently renewed franchise agreement with the city, the company will provide broadband internet access at 183 recreation centers and 261 other city-owned properties. [NBC10]

🌝 Sudden Bar and Nightclub Closures

The piano bar Howl at the Moon and the affiliated Down Nightclub next door shuttered permanently on Monday. The two venues abruptly announced the closures on social media, but did not share the reason behind the decision. [PhillyVoice]

🚧 Road Closures To Watch Out For

Tomorrow’s the biggest day of the Wawa Welcome America Festival — which means a lot of city streets will be blocked off as part of the celebrations. See the city’s list of road closures here. [City of Philadelphia]

• View the closures in map form here (courtesy of yours truly). [Google My Maps]

Is Old City Ready for 2026?

The nation’s 250th anniversary is coming up in 2026, and preparations have already begun. City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri talks with Stephanie Farr, Philly culture columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, about why Philly is “woefully behind” on this front, and whether Independence National Historical Park — the place where Americans declared independence from the British — will be ready for the semiquincentennial.