🏟️ Wells Fargo Center without the ‘Wells Fargo’

🏟️ Say Bye to the ‘Wells Fargo’ in Wells Fargo Center

The bank will remove its name from the South Philly sports arena in August 2025, when its current naming rights agreement expires.

• We talk about that — and New Jersey’s pursuit of the future Sixers arena — on today’s Friday News Roundup. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

🚇 Green Light for New El Car Contract

The SEPTA Board approved a $725 million contract with a Pittsburgh-based company for 200 Market-Frankford Line train cars to replace the current, three-decade-old fleet. They’re all expected to be in service by 2031. [KYW]

🏠 Funding for Statewide Right-to-Counsel

This year’s Pennsylvania budget includes $2.5 million to launch a program offering free legal counsel to low-income renters facing eviction. Philly already has its own program, but it’s only available to renters in certain zip codes. [WHYY]

• Want to know more about what’s in the state budget? You could scroll through nine pages of tiny-print line items, orrrrr … you could listen to this 20-minute breakdown. [PA Office of the Budget/City Cast Philly 🎧]

I recently asked Hey Philly readers to share your favorite Philadelphia season, and what makes that time of year so great here in the city.

The overall takeaway seems to be that, for those who answered, fall and spring take the cake as Philly’s top seasons.

Let’s Hear It From the Autumn Enthusiasts

🍁 Tina C. loves “the color of the season and the fresh crisp air.”

🏈 Football season is a highlight for Roz S. and Karen O. “Everyone has Eagles Fever!” Roz wrote.

☕ “Fall is the peak time for city living,” wrote Cat C. “Fall is the perfect time to grab a coffee and go for walks to explore different neighborhoods — it’s not too hot or cold and you don’t mind walking home and skipping out on public transport.”

Spring Lovers Weigh In

🌸 Melissa B. loves seeing cherry blossoms and everything in bloom as the city transitions out of wintertime.

🌡️ The temperature is a highlight for Michael T. “No heat or air conditioner needed,” Michael wrote. “Great time to be outside and do whatever.”

🌳 “Spring has always been my favorite season,” wrote Ruslan S. “It’s a time of renewal and hope. The world comes alive, and so do I. I plant my own tree this year, eager to be part of the beautiful cycle of life.”

What About Winter and Summer?

Not a single Hey Philly reader advocated for summer as Philly’s best season. (After this year’s brutal heat waves, can anyone really blame you?)

We did have one Philly winter apologist, Tammy B. Their reason? “Christmas 🎄 and [it] used to snow until climate change.”

Let’s Talk This Week’s News

Bridge tolls across the Delaware River are going up, local athletes are in Paris for the Olympics, and New Jersey wants to lure the Sixers across the river. Also, we’ve got details on the mass shooting in Carroll Park last weekend and the overall state of gun violence in Philly.

City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri is joined by Philadelphia Tribune sports correspondent O.J. Spivey, and Mensah Dean, staff writer at The Trace.