City Cast Philly
🌿 Smoke shops targeted in new bills
June 8, 2026 · — Siani Colón
Good morning, Philly! Today is National Best Friends Day, and we’re well aware that man’s best friend is the dog. Did you know you can take one out of the shelter for a day to go on a Philly Pupventure? Pups Rainbow, Sugar Dumpling, and Lucky Girl loved their field trip! 🐶
What's CITY Talking About
Reading Terminal Market Opens Plaza for World Cup
The 1100 block of Filbert Street will be closed to traffic to make room for outdoor seating, pop-up shops, lawn games, and live music taking over the street. The market is also extending its hours on several days this summer to align with Philly’s World Cup matches. [Philly Voice]
- Related: Philadelphia Soccer 2026 CEO Meg Kane explains why this month’s tournament will be a game-changer for Philly. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
City Council To Crack Down on Smoke Shops
A new bill passed by City Council defines kratom and hemp-based THC as “intoxicating substances,” demanding that retailers obtain a special permit to sell these products. Another related bill targets landlords renting space to smoke shops operating without a proper license. [🔒 The Inquirer]
- Related: Unregulated psychedelics can be easily bought over the counter in local smoke shops. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
School Staff Positions Won’t Be Saved Despite One-Time Allocation
After City Council scrapped plans to fund the district with a rideshare tax, Superintendent Tony Watlington told lawmakers in a memo that the one-time funding wouldn't be enough to restore eliminated positions. [Chalkbeat]
- Related: Education chair Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who has been especially outspoken about school closures, called the letter “offensive and disrespectful.” [🎧 City Cast Philly]
Get a Rare Look at van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” Side by Side
Two versions of Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” are on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art now through October. The yellow version crossed the Atlantic for the first time from London, as a rare loan to the PMA. [The Art Newspaper]
- Related: Check out more of van Gogh’s work at the Barnes Foundation, or visit one of Philly’s other art museums. [📝City Cast Philly]
Chilly Spring Hits PA Crops Hard
Farmers are experiencing devastating losses after an unexpected freeze damaged an estimated 70% to 90% of fruit yields. Popular crops such as apples, peaches, and cherries were hit hard, alongside nurseries and Christmas tree farms. [Penn State University]
- Related: Support local farmers directly by shopping at your neighborhood farmers market. [📝City Cast Philly]
What To Do
Monday, June 8
- 🎬 cinéSPEAK Movie Mondays at Two Locals Brewing (University City)
- 🎭 "But I'm a Cheerleader": A Live Reading at Tattooed Mom (South Street)
- 📚 Author Talk | “Gather: Black Food, Nourishment and the Art of Togetherness” at Parkway Central Library (Logan Square)
- 💻 Make Your First Website at Iffy Books (Southwest Center City)
- 🎵 Little Beets Music Class at Rutabaga Toy Library (East Falls)
- 🎷 Musical Mondays: Jazz Night at Malelani Cafe (Mt. Airy)
Tuesday, June 9
- 📺 Bravo Summer House Reunion Watch Party at Dock Street South (Point Breeze)
- 🏒 Heated Rivalry Trivia Night at Ballers (Fishtown)
- 🍽️ Warak Workshop at Bok Building (South Philly)
- 🕺 Learn to Dance Shuffle at Mishana Yoga & Wellness (East Falls)
- 🎭 Improv Night at PhilaMOCA (Callowhill)
🗣️ Haters love to talk smack about Philly, accusing us of having the worst behaviors, personalities — you name it. But we’re actually pretty darn friendly! If you stand still for at least a minute somewhere in the city, a stranger will come to chat you up. This creator describes Philadelphians best: “They will find that commonality, and they will talk to you about it.”
So don’t be shy! I challenge you to strike up a conversation with a stranger this week. You never know what you’ll learn.
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