⚖️ 6abc threatened by Trump

Action News Could Be Kicked Off the Air

After 75 years, the local ABC affiliate, Channel 6, is under threat of losing its broadcast license. The Federal Communications Commission is investigating diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at 6abc, along with seven other stations owned by Disney, ABC's parent company. The probe began after President Trump called for ABC's Jimmy Kimmel to be fired. [🔒The Inquirer]

• Related: The station says "no one supports your community like 6abc, but the FCC questions that commitment." Public comment on the review is open until June 29. [6abc]

Why the Housing Market Remains 'Deeply Unaffordable'

There aren't a lot of houses for sale, and what little is on the market is expensive. With prices at one of the highest rates around the country, it could be years before conditions improve. [WHYY]

• Related: If you're a renter, make sure you know your rights. [🎧City Cast Philly]

Mussels May Have Saved the Manayunk Canal

Around 5,000 mussels were used to filter out algae and bacteria from the water. Now the canal running alongside the Schuylkill River through parts of Roxborough and Manayunk is getting cleaner (and less smelly), which is attracting pedestrians, joggers, and anglers back to the area. Just don't eat the fish. [The Citizen, 🎧City Cast Philly]

Another Day, Another Headliner

The rebranded One Philly Unity Concert for America (you may know it as the Wawa Welcome to America concert) just added Meek Mill to its Fourth of July lineup. You can catch the rapper alongside Christina Aguilera, Jill Scott, and The Roots at the concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway marking America's 250th anniversary. [City of Philadelphia]

• Related: Free museum days, hoagies, and movies are just a few of the no-cost features this annual celebration is offering. Here's the full deets.

Spend MLB All-Star Weekend at This Phanatic-Themed Apartment

If you’re a baseball fan looking for a quirky stay-cation 一 and don't mind a Phanatic plushie watching you sleep 一 this special offer through Booking.com gets you a two-bedroom apartment plus tickets to the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. Mark your calendar for noon on July 6 to lock down this $19.78-per-night deal. [Philly Voice]

• Related: Don't understand the “1978” reference? Brush up on your Phanatic knowledge. [🎧City Cast Philly]

PA Lawmakers Race the Budget Buzzer

State legislators have less than a week to meet the June 30 deadline for the state budget. Last year, it took an extra 135 days for a budget to be approved and signed by the governor, and many of the same challenges plague negotiations between lawmakers this year.

But there’s optimism for a speedier conclusion to budget negotiations this time around, according to Spotlight PA capitol reporter Stephen Caruso, who told City Cast Philly: “ There is, I think, real forward momentum. I don't know if it's enough to get it done by June 30. And I should also say, if they are two weeks late, is it a little bit of egg on their face?... Maybe. But at that point you haven't harmed too many people.”

• It’s an election year: The governor, all state House seats, and half of the Senate is up for election in November. This puts pressure on lawmakers in the politically divided legislature to get things done. Last year’s budget impasse forced nonprofit organizations such as rape crisis centers to scale back, and school districts had to take out loans to keep running. Elected officials running for reelection don’t want to be blamed for that. [Spotlight PA]
• Gov. Josh Shapiro pitched a $53.3 billion budget: Now the question is, where will the money come from? Some lawmakers want to tax the casino-style machines commonly found in corner stores. There’s an existing 55% tax on electronic games and casino slot machines that could be applied here, but Shapiro is asking for 52%, and state Senate Republican leaders say they want a 35% tax rate. Another proposal to help fund the spending is to roll back tax breaks for data center developers, since current incentives could cost the state $2 billion by 2031. Lawmakers could also extend the 5% gross receipts tax to firms that sell digital ads. This could bring in hundreds of millions of dollars a year in new revenue. [Spotlight PA, City Cast Philly]
• What other issues are a factor here? Democrats say the Republicans are distracting from budget negotiations by asking for a vote on legislation that would ban transgender athletes from participating in school sports not aligned with their assigned gender. And while legalizing recreational cannabis has been a priority of Democrats for years 一 and could bring in revenue to close budget shortfalls 一 it is seen as unlikely to pass this year. Meanwhile Mayor Parker was in Harrisburg this week pushing for more school funding, given that the state has to abide by a court ruling to increase funding for public schools. These different priorities can complicate budget negotiations. [Spotlight PA, WHYY]

For more about the state of the state budget, listen to today’s episode.