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  • How do the Sixers stack up as a LeBron James destination? Breaking down his reported top 3 contenders.

    How do the Sixers stack up as a LeBron James destination? Breaking down his reported top 3 contenders.

    LeBron James’ free-agency decision (4.0) still lingered through Wednesday.

    It looks like agent Rich Paul intends to continue turning this into content for his Game Over podcast. Bob Myers, the president of Harris Blizter Sports & Entertainment, was the guest on the episode released Wednesday to, among other things, make his pitch for the Sixers.

    Brad Stevens says he would rather have not traded Jaylen Brown to Philly, but the Celtics did what they had to do

    Though James’ answer could be far from imminent, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Sixers are now in the all-timer’s top three contenders. Philly joins the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, two former homes where James won NBA championships. And Paul has said James will make his choice based on “happiness,” which could pertain to basketball, to life, or some combination of the two.

    What are the cases for the three remaining possibilities? Here is a breakdown.

    Sixers

    Pros

    A perfect fit

    Paul said while breaking down his now-famous white board of possible James landing spots that “everything changed” with the Sixers once they pulled off the blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown.

    James would perfectly slide into the forward spot of a potent starting group, which also features former NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid, All-NBA third-teamer Tyrese Maxey, and standout young guard VJ Edgecombe.

    Though the cliché that James’ skill set and exceptional basketball IQ fits with any team is true, the Sixers do make a ton of basketball sense.

    A fourth title

    Coming to Philly also would allow James to chase a championship with a fourth team, enhancing his argument as the greatest player in basketball history.

    There also would be some oomph behind doing it with the Sixers, a storied franchise that has not advanced past the playoffs’ second round since 2001 and has not won a championship since 1983.

    If James helps the Sixers finally over the hump, that is a legacy-building final act.

    The Maxey connection

    James also has a longtime friendship with Maxey, another prime Klutch client. Maxey has worked out with James since his predraft process in 2020. Maxey’s name had an asterisk next to it on Paul’s white board.

    James also has ties to president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, who played against the NBA star in high school and worked in the Cavaliers organization for over a decade. His brother, Steven, even may have been the first to hint that the Sixers had a real shot to land James.

    Shortly after the Brown trade, Steven tweeted a photo of James and Mike Gansey together as high-schoolers with the eyeballs emoji.

    Cons

    No history

    Unlike Cleveland and Miami, James has no past connection to the Sixers. And like his Lakers tenure, it is worthwhile to consider how he would be embraced by a proud and passionate (and parochial) sports market.

    Cleveland Cavaliers

    Pros

    A storybook ending

    It would be the ultimate storybook ending for James to end his career with his hometown team — and where he began his NBA journey and ended the Cavaliers’ championship drought in 2016.

    It would be worthy of a documentary or miniseries, just in case anybody happens to be considering that. And that might trump, well, anything else on this list.

    Top-end talent

    The Cavaliers boast a talented roster — led by All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell, defensive big man Evan Mobley, and (likely) fellow longtime star James Harden — that just advanced to the Eastern Conference finals.

    LeBron James of the Lakers laces up his sneakers before warming up for their game at the Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 28, 2025.Charles Fox / Staff Photographer
    Front-office ties

    Brandon Weems, one of James’ closest friends and high-school teammate, is Cleveland’s assistant general manager. Interestingly, Weems could be promoted to general manager after Gansey left that position to join the Sixers.

    Cons

    Odd fit with Harden

    On the surface, it feels like an odd fit with Harden, though the former MVP and scoring champ is more of a table-setter at this point in his career. Harden also remains a free agent.

    Been there, done that

    There is a “been there, done that” element to returning to the Cavaliers for the third time.

    Is there a light risk in dimming his legacy — either in Cleveland or in the broader basketball universe — if this swan song backfires?

    Miami Heat

    Pros

    Heat culture

    James returns to the glamour market — and #HeatCulture —where he won his first two championships.

    Leadership continuity

    Though the roster obviously has changed, organizational continuity remains at the top.

    Miami is still coached by Erik Spoelstra and run by Pat Riley, with whom James has repaired his relationship after he left Miami to return to Cleveland in 2014.

    Dean Wade believes his self-made defense and ready-made shooting are a great fit next to Sixers’ stars
    The Greek Freak

    The Heat just traded for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

    Cons

    Been there, done that (too)

    Ditto on the “been there, done that” element. The Decision to go to Miami in 2010 was seismic. How would it feel 16 years later?

    Clunky offense

    Antetokounmpo pairing with versatile big man Bam Adebayo has the potential to be a clunky fit, at least initially. The Heat also traded much of their depth — including scoring guard Tyler Herro — in order to get Antetokounmpo.

    Because of all of that, right now Miami still feels a tick below the other top Eastern Conference contenders.

  • N.J. funds schools to build pipeline of air traffic controllers amid ongoing shortage

    N.J. funds schools to build pipeline of air traffic controllers amid ongoing shortage

    New Jersey officials have given three public colleges $3.5 million in state funding to train aviation professionals, amid a national shortage of certified air traffic controllers that has led to mounting safety concerns and flight delays.

    The state Office of the Secretary of Higher Education announced Tuesday that Kean University and Atlantic Cape Community College got $1.5 million each, and Warren County Community College received $500,000 under a grant program intended to grow New Jersey’s pipeline of aerospace professionals.

    Those schools offer curricula aligned with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative, which gets graduates to on-the-job training faster by allowing them to bypass some standard FAA Academy requirements.

    School administrators will use the money to expand aviation and aerospace programs.

    Kean plans to create a new FAA-aligned bachelor of science degree in aviation management, expand its drone minor into a drone operations major, house a Center for the Study of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, create a similar center focused on drones at its Skylands campus, and partner with K-12 schools to develop a pre-college aviation and drone pipeline program, according to the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.

    Atlantic Cape Community College plans to expand its FAA-aligned curriculum, add advanced simulation training, and expand teaching staff. Warren County Community College plans to develop an air traffic control certificate program and add an airport management and operations course.

    “By supporting institutions to build programs and enhance training opportunities that feed into FAA certification pathways, we are developing routes into well-paying, stable careers for residents who will serve New Jersey and the nation over the decades to come,” Acting Secretary of Higher Education Margo Chaly said in a statement.

    The funding came from former Gov. Phil Murphy’s final budget and was distributed last month.

    The Trump administration announced a plan last year to “supercharge” hiring to reduce a shortage of 3,000 air traffic controllers nationally. The move came after a deadly air crash in Washington, D.C., and chaos from coast to coast, including at Newark Liberty International Airport.

    The number of applicants spiked, but the shortage persists due to an increase in flights, high workforce attrition, difficult and lengthy training requirements, and the lingering impact of pandemic and government shutdowns, the U.S. Government Accountability Office found in January.

    This story originally appeared on New Jersey Monitor.

  • Justin Verlander plans to retire after this season, will be honored at All-Star Game in Philly

    Justin Verlander plans to retire after this season, will be honored at All-Star Game in Philly

    DETROIT — Justin Verlander plans to call it a career later this year.

    The three-time Cy Young Award winner, two-time World Series champion and 2011 AL MVP will retire after this season with the Detroit Tigers.

    Verlander made the announcement on Wednesday, shortly after he was added as a “Legend Pick” to the American League All-Star roster.

    “While I’m fully committed to giving my team everything I have for the rest of this season, I’ve decided this will be my last,” Verlander, a right-handed pitcher, shared on social media. “It’s fitting that I get to finish where it all started — with the Detroit Tigers, the organization that drafted me and gave me my first opportunity.”

    All-Star Game tribute

    While he will not play in the All-Star Game, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said Verlander will be at Tuesday’s game at Citizens Bank Park and will be honored during the festivities.

    “The opportunity to attend once again is something I’ll cherish and it will be an incredibly special moment for me and my family,” said Verlander, who is married to model Kate Upton and has two children.

    Verlander has a career record of 266-159 with a 3.33 ERA in 556 starts across 21 major league seasons with the Tigers, Astros, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants. He has 3,554 strikeouts and has tossed 26 complete games, including nine shutouts.

    He joins Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper as a Legend Pick for the 2026 Midsummer Classic. Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, and Clayton Kershaw were honored at previous All-Star games.

    Oldest player in the majors

    Verlander, 43, is the oldest player in Major League Baseball. He signed a one-year, $13 million contract to rejoin the Tigers in February.

    Verlander allowed five runs in 3⅔ innings in his only start this year, a 9-6 road loss at Arizona on March 30.

    “It’s time for the next chapter,” Verlander said. “But first, I’m excited to finish this season the only way I know how — with everything I’ve got.”

    MLB All-Star Week brings a Philly MVP back to Citizens Bank Park’s food lineup

    Injuries this season

    He went on the injured list with hip inflammation early in the season, and, when he was nearing a return last month, he pulled a hamstring during a bullpen session.

    “I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number, or a date on the calendar,” Verlander said. “I wanted the game to tell me when it was time. Over the last several months, I’ve realized that time has come.”

    He was scheduled to pitch in June and make what would have been his first start with the Tigers at Comerica Park since Aug. 30, 2017 — the day before he was traded to the Astros.

    Cy Young winner, World Series champ

    He went 183-115 from 2005 to 2017 with the Tigers. He won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2006 and was the AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner in 2011. He helped Detroit reach the World Series in 2006 and 2012 along with four straight division titles from 2011 to 2014.

    Verlander was drafted second overall in 2004 by the Tigers. Their front office at the time was led by Dave Dombrowski, who’s now the Phillies’ president of baseball operations.

    Verlander was the 2017 ALCS MVP in Houston and helped the Astros win the World Series that year and was a key player for them when they won another title in 2022. He won his second and third Cy Young Awards in 2019 and 2022.

    “I’ve been fortunate to play with and against incredible players, for outstanding organizations, and compete in front of fans who deeply appreciate the game,” Verlander said.

  • Two children, dozens of cats taken from Northeast Philadelphia home in ‘deplorable living conditions’

    Two children, dozens of cats taken from Northeast Philadelphia home in ‘deplorable living conditions’

    Two children were removed from a Northeast Philadelphia home and two adults were arrested after federal authorities discovered hazardous living conditions at the property Tuesday.

    The FBI was conducting “court-authorized law enforcement activities” about 11 a.m. Tuesday, and discovered the children, an 8-month-old and a 5-year-old, inside the home on the 7100 block of Whittaker Avenue in Castor Gardens, the Philadelphia Police Department said. The home was deemed unsafe due to “deplorable living conditions,” and the children were taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

    Megan Bach, 44, and Thomas Bach, 43, were taken into custody at the scene, and have been charged with offenses including endangering the welfare of a child, criminal conspiracy, and possession of an instrument of crime. It was not immediately clear what prompted the search of the home, and authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the adults’ relationships to the children found at the property.

    The PSPCA said the FBI called in its Animal Law Enforcement team, which discovered the home was housing multiple animals in unsanitary conditions. PSPCA investigators found feces, urine, empty food bags and boxes, and an “overabundance of belongings” in the home, the organization said in a statement.

    Though it remains unclear how many animals were on the property, PSPCA workers have removed 48 cats and one dog since arriving on the scene Tuesday. A majority of the rescued cats were removed Tuesday, with 10 more rescued Wednesday after workers set humane traps at the home. Animal rescue efforts are continuing, and it is not uncommon for cases involving large numbers of cats to go on for several days, the group said.

    Animals from the property were taken to the PSPCA’s Philadelphia headquarters, where they were slated to undergo forensic examinations and receive medical care, the organization said. The rescued animals, it added, have not been signed over to the custody of the PSPCA, but will remain in its care until the case is resolved.

    “Our Animal Law Enforcement team sprang into action yesterday upon learning that animals were living in deplorable and unsanitary conditions inside this home,” said Nicole Wilson, director of the PSPCA’s animal law enforcement and shelter operations. “It is our hope that, in time, each of them will find the loving new homes and new beginnings they deserve.”

    Additional information about the FBI’s activity at the home was not immediately available. A spokesperson for the bureau’s Philadelphia office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

  • MLB All-Star Week brings a Philly MVP back to Citizens Bank Park’s food lineup: It’s the Schmitter

    MLB All-Star Week brings a Philly MVP back to Citizens Bank Park’s food lineup: It’s the Schmitter

    One of Philadelphia’s signature sandwiches is heading back to Citizens Bank Park after a decade away.

    The Schmitter, the classic cheesesteak-salami creation from McNally’s Tavern in Chestnut Hill, will return during the forthcoming Major League Baseball All-Star festivities, Aramark announced as it unveiled a lineup of foods and merchandise at the ballpark Wednesday.

    A Schmitter on display at the All-Star media preview Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    The Schmitter, which has a spot on The Inquirer’s list of 76 essential foods, will be served at Pass & Stow, the sports bar accessible to ticketed fans, throughout All-Star Week. Aramark, the Phillies’ concessionaire, plans to keep it on the ballpark menu through at least the end of the season.

    It joins a lineup of fan-voted creations and Philadelphia chef collaborations at Citizens Bank Park, which hosts four days of events starting with the HBCU Swingman Classic on Friday.

    At All-Star Village, which runs Saturday through Tuesday at the Convention Center, Aramark will offer signature dishes from ballparks around the majors, including a pastrami sandwich from Citi Field, the Crawford Dog from Houston’s Daikin Park, and Taco Momalona from Coors Field in Denver.

    Del Rossi’s cheesesteak will be offered at Citizens Bank Park during the All Star Game festivities. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    The food is only part of the attraction.

    The two-level Phillies Team Store at the ballpark — open to the public without a ticket every day except Sunday — has been completely reset with merchandise exclusive to the All-Star Game. The usual Phillies caps, jerseys, drinkware, and other souvenirs have been packed into storage for the week while Major League Baseball takes over.

    The store is stocked with about 400 All-Star items, “about 80% of them exclusive to the ballpark,” said Francis Winkey, Aramark’s senior merchandise manager. Winkey, an avid trading-pin collector, said he designed and sourced 84 exclusive pins, including one representing each major-league team.

    More than 80 original pins will be sold at the Phillies Team Store during All-Star Game events.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    “I’ve spent way too much of my life over the last two years developing and dreaming up the bobbleheads, the pins, the bats and balls and pennants, and all the other merchandise we’re offering,” Winkey said.

    Additional All-Star merchandise will be sold at All-Star Village.

    On the ballpark menu for the All-Star events, the showcase dish will be Betsy’s Banana Split Sundae, the winner of a fan vote. The dessert combines banana pudding and vanilla soft serve with crushed vanilla wafers, peanut brittle, hot fudge, strawberry sauce, toasted marshmallow topping, and red, white, and blue sprinkles, all served in a commemorative cap. Because voting was close, Aramark will also feature the runner-up, a rib melt made of braised short rib, sharp provolone, charred onion jam, fried peppers, and pickle butter on ciabatta.

    The Revolutionary Rib Melt will be served at Citizens Bank Park during All Star events. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    Inside the premium Cadillac Hall of Fame Club, Aramark will feature dishes from Philadelphia chefs and restaurateurs, including Marc Vetri’s meatball Parmesan sandwich from Salvy, Matthew Cahn of Middle Child’s honey mustard chicken wrap, Nish Patel’s Del Rossi’s cheesesteak, and Evan Snyder’s Emmett lamb merguez hot dog. Pricing was not announced.

    But the loudest applause at Wednesday’s unveiling was reserved for … a sandwich.

    The Schmitter was a Citizens Bank Park staple from its opening in 2004 through the 2015 season. McNally’s owner Joe Pie said it arrived at the ballpark at the request of late Phillies chairman David Montgomery, whose family lived near the tavern. It was originally prepared in a full kitchen near Section 140, but after being moved to an open-air stand near the left-field gate in 2013, Pie said the quality suffered.

    Michael Harris, a Phillies vice president, speaks at the preview of All-Star food and merchandise.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    “We were serving a sandwich that wasn’t up to par,” Pie said.

    McNally’s ended its partnership after the 2015 season, though the Schmitter continued to be sold for a time at Lincoln Financial Field.

    Pie said he and Aramark general manager Kevin Tedesco stayed in touch over the years. Aramark nearly revived the Schmitter before last year’s postseason, but the Phillies’ early playoff exit ended those plans. Tedesco approached Pie again while planning this year’s All-Star festivities.

    A commemorative jacket festooned with teams logos is shown at the preview of All-Star merchandise. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    “Chef Vonnie [Negron] is totally invested,” Pie said of the ballpark’s executive chef. “He said, ‘I understand the sandwich.’”

    The Schmitter dates to the late 1960s, when McNally’s founder, Hugh J. McNally, improvised a sandwich for a regular customer who drank Schmidt’s beer. Built with chopped steak, grilled salami, melted cheese, tomatoes, fried onions, and the tavern’s signature Schmitter sauce on a Kaiser roll, it has become one of Philadelphia’s defining sandwiches and earned a place on The Inquirer’s list of essential local dishes.

    Its appeal lies somewhere between a cheesesteak, a deli sandwich, and a burger — indulgent enough that former Inquirer columnist Steve Lopez famously joked it came with “a paramedic.”

  • Philly music with Patti LaBelle, Bob Dylan, Tame Impala, Alex Warren, Todd Rundgren, Megan Moroney, and more

    Philly music with Patti LaBelle, Bob Dylan, Tame Impala, Alex Warren, Todd Rundgren, Megan Moroney, and more

    This week in Philly music features a triumvirate of legends with Patti LaBelle, Bob Dylan, and Todd Rundgren. Plus, a trio of summer arena tour headliners with Alex Warren, Megan Moroney, and Tame Impala, all coming to South Philly.

    Thursday, July 9

    Patti LaBelle

    July 4 has come and gone, but America 250 celebrations go on. Patti LaBelle headlined the Essence Festival in New Orleans on the holiday, but now she’s back in her hometown. Chester Grammy-winning singer Avery Sunshine is also on the bill along with Jeff Bradshaw and Pieces of a Dream. 7 p.m., Dell Music Center, 2400 Strawberry Mansion Drive, thedellmusiccenter.com

    Singer Patti LaBelle is photographed at Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia on Jan. 22. LaBelle will play the Dell Music Center in Strawberry Mansion in an America’s 250th birthday celebration concert July 9. Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives

    Philadelphia, Miss., native Marty Stuart and his band, which includes drummer Harry Stinson, guitarist Kenny Vaughn, and bassist, steel guitar player, and drummer Chris Scruggs, is aptly named. Among other surprises at their terrific show in Phoenixville this spring, the country-surf band sang a fab close harmony version of the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses.” 8 p.m., Sellersville Theater, 18 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville, st94.com

    Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band performs at the Railbird Music Festival in Lexington, Ky., on Aug. 29, 2021. The band plays two shows at the Freedom Mortgage pavilion in Camden this weekend. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)Amy Harris

    Friday, July 10

    Dave Matthews Band

    It’s time again for the annual DMB two-night summer stand in Camden. This is the third year of the environmentally conscious band’s “On the Road to Zero Waste” campaign and the group continues its work with the Nature Conservancy. Pennsylvania DMB fans take note: The Ben Franklin Bridge will be closed to celebrate its 100th birthday in the hours before the show, so if you intended to “Drive In Drive Out” to the show, make alternative plans. 8 p.m., Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd, Camden. freedommortgagepavilion.com

    Vince Gill

    Too often country acts that aren’t the biggest mainstream stars of the moment skip Philadelphia, and play only in what the music business considers secondary markets. So if you want to see and hear Vince Gill, the 22-time Grammy winner and stellar singer and guitarist, you’ll have to go to Hershey. Now a member of the Eagles, which is doing dates at the Sphere in Las Vegas this fall, Gill is on a creative jag. He has been releasing one EP per month over the course of a year for his 50 Years From Home project. 7:30 p.m., Hershey Theatre, 15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey, hersheytheatre.com.

    Alex Warren

    The winner of last year’s song of the summer sweepstakes with “Ordinary” is on his first arena tour. When the tour was initially announced, the Californian former YouTuber, whose father died when he was 9 and mother died when he was 21, called it the “Little Orphan Alex” tour. That has now been amended to the “Finding Family on the Road” tour. Warren’s third album, Wildchild, comes out in August. Noah Cyrus opens. 8 p.m., Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 S. Broad St., xfinitymobilearena.com

    Philly band Hurry celebrates the release of their new album “Zoned Out” at Johnny Brenda’s on Friday.Luke Ivanovich

    Hurry & Sad13

    This is a double release party, with two of Philly’s most consistently rewarding acts. Headliners are Hurry, Matthew Scottoline’s formidable four-piece power-pop band, which is celebrating their sixth album, Zoned Out. It’s a 10-song platter of jangling, bittersweet bliss, that features a cameo from Gerard Love of Hurry heroes Teenage Fanclub. Love sings on “Moving After You” and refines the band’s memorably melodic attack.

    Hurry will be preceded by Sad13, the solo endeavor of Speedy Ortiz leader Sadie Dupuis. Her cool, compelling new project is 1331, a 13-song, 16-minute mixtape whose concise approach finds inspiration in jingle writing and Tierra Whack, among other sources. Its synthy self-produced songs are shaped by Philadelphia: from Dupuis’ organizing efforts with the United Musicians and Allied Workers to a 2024 biking accident that broke the elbow of the guitarist that Rolling Stone named the 176th greatest of all time. 8 p.m., Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., johnnybrendas.com

    Megan Moroney performing in Nashville in 2025. The country singer plays Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday.John Shearer / Getty Images

    Saturday, July 11

    Louis Tomlinson

    Former One Direction boy band star Louis Tomlinson’s new album asks the musical question How Did I Get Here? By singing pop songs that send young fans into paroxysms of pleasure, presumably. Canadian rock band Beaches and English indie outfit Picture Parlour open. 6:30 p.m., Skyline Stage at Highmark Mann, 5201 Parkside Ave., highmarkmann.org

    Megan Moroney

    The country songwriter has sharp words for foolhardy dudes on songs like “Stupid” and “Medicine” on her third album, Cloud 9, featuring guest spots from Ed Sheeran and Kacey Musgraves. Openers are J.P. Saxe and Solon Holt. 8 p.m., Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 S. Broad St., xfinitymobilearena.com

    Miami rapper Rick Ross performs at Rolling Loud Miami, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, in July 2021. He play the Met Philly on Saturday. (Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald/TNS)Daniel A. Varela / MCT

    Rick Ross & the Renaissance Orchestra

    Rick Ross is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his 2006 debut album, Port of Miami, in style. The Florida man will perform reworked version of his songs with orchestral arrangements, and its billed as “Black Tie Affair,” so get dressed up. Philly State Property rappers Beanie Sigel and Freeway open, going on much earlier than they did last weekend with The Roots. Also, anytime Ricky Rozay is in town, it’s a safe bet frequent collaborator Meek Mill will show up. 8 p.m., Met Philly, 858 N. Broad St., themetphilly.com

    Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12

    Todd Rundgren

    Upper Darby’s own reluctant Rock & Roll Hall of Famer is playing the hits. The “Damned If I Do” tour is subtitled “The Fan-Favorite Classics Return,” and he’s playing with a full band as well as doing an acoustic interlude. So get ready to “bang on the drum all day.” 8 p.m., Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave, Glenside, KeswickTheatre.com

    Sunday, July 12

    Shovels & Rope

    South Carolina folk and Americana band Shovels & Rope is a true duo: Married singers and songwriters Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst are both multi-instrumentalists who play drums, guitars, and whatever else is necessary to bring their sound to life on albums like 2024’s Something Is Happening Up Above My Head. Intriguing openers are the Golden Hours, featuring members of the David Wax Museum and the Lowland Hum. 7 p.m., Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts, 9 S. Bryn Mawr Ave, Bryn Mawr, brynmawrtwilightconcerts.com

    Kevin Parker of Tame Impala. He brings his “Deadbeat Tour” to Xfinity Mobile Arena on July 15.Julian Klincewicz

    Tuesday, July 14

    Bob Dylan

    The world’s greatest living songwriter is having difficulty keeping his band together this year. Longtime guitarist Doug Lancio left the band in June, followed by the exciting news that jazz guitar standout Julian Lage joined. Then, second guitarist Bob Britt quit, replaced by Chicago blues guitarist Joel Paterson. He was the lone guitarist in the band for one gig missed by Lage, who now seems to be back in the band. Dylan has not commented. Jimmie Vaughan & the Tilt-a-Whirl Band and Brittney Spencer open. 7 p.m., TD Pavilion at the Highmark Mann, 5201 Parkside Ave., highmarkmann.org

    Wednesday, July 15

    Tame Impala

    Australian psychedelic rock mastermind Kevin Parker is Tame Impala. And on Deadbeat, the 2025 album that was its first in five years, Tame Impala became a psychedelic disco Dad Rock band, transformed by Parker’s experience as a father, with a newfound compulsion to head to the dance floor. DJO opens. 8 p.m., Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 S. Broad St., xfinitymobilearena.com

  • Mahershala Ali seen jumping rope behind the scenes of ‘Task’ in Manayunk

    Mahershala Ali seen jumping rope behind the scenes of ‘Task’ in Manayunk

    Mahershala Ali is staying warmed up amid filming for Season 2 of the HBO series Task.

    The Oscar-winning actor was spotted on Grape Street in Manayunk, jumping rope between scenes. Wearing a gray polo shirt, blue jeans, and a Phillies hat, Ali seemed to be getting in quick exercise while the Task crew set up equipment behind him, according to a video posted to the Roxborough Rants & Raves Facebook group on Tuesday.

    The video was posted by Facebook user Trevor D’Arcy, a Doylestown native, per the social media profile.

    The second season of the Mark Ruffalo-led, Delco-set series has been filming in the area since Monday. Ruffalo will be reprising his role as FBI agent Tom Brandis while Ali will be playing a longtime Philadelphia DEA agent named Eddie Barnes. Barnes will reportedly rival Ruffalo’s efforts in his new task force.

    The first season was filmed in the Greater Philadelphia region, with the production team having deep Philly roots. Executive producer Jeremiah Zagar is a South Philly native, and is the son of the late Philadelphia mosaicist Isaiah Zagar.

    The show’s creator Brad Ingelsby resides in Berwyn, where he was born and raised.

    Ali grew up in Oakland, Calif., but his wife, Amatus-Sami Karim, spent part of her childhood in Philadelphia. Ali, raised Christian, converted to Islam after attending a prayer at a Philadelphia mosque with Karim and her mother, according to People.

    “I converted Dec. 31, 1999. It was a Friday. That was my second time going to the mosque,” Ali said to Kansas City NPR affiliate KCUR in 2017. “I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with her … and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer.”

    In 2017, Ali became the first Muslim actor to win the Academy Award for best supporting actor, for his role in Moonlight. He won the same award two years later for Green Book.

    Task is Ali’s second HBO venture after the third season of True Detective, where he played Arkansas State Police Detective, Wayne Hays. He was most recently seen in Jurassic World: Rebirth.

    No premiere date for Season 2 of Task has been announced.

    This article has been updated to include Mahershala Ali’s wife, Amatus-Sami Karim, and details about her connection to Philadelphia.

  • Bob Myers pitches Sixers to LeBron James’ agent as they reportedly remain among NBA star’s top three teams

    Bob Myers pitches Sixers to LeBron James’ agent as they reportedly remain among NBA star’s top three teams

    For likely the last time, the Sixers are in the hunt to acquire LeBron James.

    Philly has been burned before, dreaming of signing James in 2010, 2014, and 2018, only to wind up empty-handed as he used that leverage to sign elsewhere.

    Even now, it seems like the favorite in the clubhouse is a return to Cleveland for what could be his final NBA season. But after acquiring Jaylen Brown, the Sixers have been aggressive in pitching James on coming to Philadelphia. The latest involves the man who led the search to replace Daryl Morey — Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment president Bob Myers — pitching James’ agent Rich Paul directly.

    The one reason you can’t completely rule out the Sixers for LeBron James | David Murphy

    Bob Myers joins Rich Paul’s podcast

    On Friday’s episode of Paul’s Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman, Paul, the head of Klutch Sports and James’ longtime friend, used a whiteboard to break down the teams interested in his client, spawning many conspiracy theories about where the four-time MVP could land. Less than a week later, Myers made an appearance to make his case for the Sixers, one of the first teams on Paul’s viral whiteboard.

    “If he was here, I’d say I honestly believe [Philly] is your best chance to win,” Myers said. “… What I would just say is, if it’s about winning, let’s talk about this team. Because you can win here in Philly.”

    Previously on the podcast, Paul said “everything changed” for James when the Sixers acquired Brown, turning Philly into a much more attractive destination. He also pointed to James’ relationships with executive vice president Jameer Nelson, who was an early NBA contemporary, and president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, against whom he played in high school in Ohio. And Paul discussed how James would fit with some of the current Sixers, including fellow Klutch Sports client Tyrese Maxey.

    “He loves Maxey, so we don’t even have to talk about that,” he said. “I think VJ [Edgecombe], he helps VJ understand really how to play the game. Obviously, Jaylen Brown. Embiid, his health and habits, the health and habits of Embiid are there. [James] enhances everything there. He unlocks everything there.”

    If the Sixers don’t land LeBron James, who should fill their final roster spot? Here are a few options.

    Sixers still among LeBron’s top teams

    Does that all mean there’s actually a chance? Or is it still a leverage play? After their offseason signings, the Sixers only have the space to sign James to a veteran minimum. That shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for James, who reportedly is more interested in his legacy than money, but it could indicate that the Sixers don’t have much confidence.

    ESPN NBA insiders Brian Windhorst and Shams Charania believe the team has a real shot. And, according to Charania, Philly is among his top three teams.

    “When the Sixers got Jaylen Brown, I did some research, and [LeBron] is taking their pitch very seriously,” Charania said Tuesday. “When I talk to teams now I have a hierarchy of Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, and then some teams on the peripheral.”

    The Sixers are in the hunt for LeBron James and Philly is losing its collective mind

    Meanwhile, Windhorst reported that while there’s a lean toward Cleveland, the Sixers don’t feel like they’re out of it.

    “While there is a ‘vibe’ pointing toward the Cavs, coming off their best non-LeBron season in more than 30 years and signing Donovan Mitchell to a four-year maximum contract extension, other teams are not counting themselves out,” Windhorst wrote. “The Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Philadelphia 76ers each believe they have a compelling case, per sources.“

    It’s not clear when James expects to make a decision, and the speculation could continue deeper into the summer. But it does appear James is at least considering the Sixers. Then again, he said that last time.

  • State probe confirms poor conditions and needless euthanasia at wealthy Montco SPCA, leading to reforms

    State probe confirms poor conditions and needless euthanasia at wealthy Montco SPCA, leading to reforms

    A nearly two-year probe led by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office found the Montgomery County SPCA violated state nonprofit laws, euthanized animals unnecessarily, and failed to use its $67 million in charitable assets to maintain healthy animal shelters, officials announced Wednesday.

    The probe began in October 2024, weeks after an Inquirer investigation revealed signs of mismanagement, hazardous conditions, and animal mistreatment at the state’s wealthiest animal shelter.

    Attorney General Dave Sunday said his office reached a settlement requiring the nonprofit to replace its board of directors, hire new executive management, bring facilities up to code, and revise old bylaws. The shelter also must pay $21,040 in fines as part of the settlement.

    The Montco SPCA said many of the terms of the settlement agreement were either well underway or completed as of Wednesday. The organization touted in a statement its “extraordinary progress” over the last two years, including a $26 million commitment to facility upgrades and an improved save rate for animals.

    Following The Inquirer’s reporting on shelter operations, and outcry from animal welfare advocates, some donors pulled the Montco SPCA from their wills, amid concerns that the funds were being misused at the century-old institution.

    The Inquirer found squalid kennel conditions, inadequate foster programming, and undertrained staff. The Montco SPCA’s wealth dwarfed that of most animal shelters in the region, yet it spent comparatively little on operations. At the time, it also saved the fewest number of animals among regional shelters, euthanizing nearly one in five that entered the main branch in Conshohocken.

    The local SPCA leaders responded with a complete overhaul of operations, beginning with the ouster of its executive director, who had run the shelter for more than 50 years.

    The shelter also replaced most members of its longtime board of directors, named a new executive director, improved training for staff, and invested heavily in shelter infrastructure. Plans are underway to build a new shelter.

    It is a stark change from just two years ago, when the cash-rich shelter hoarded millions in investment accounts as complaints piled up.

    Between 2021 and 2024, the attorney general’s probe found, the board of directors “failed to exercise due diligence and reasonable care” that resulted in multiple violations of Pennsylvania laws governing nonprofits and trade practices, according to the settlement agreement.

    The agreement cited “potentially undue and precipitous euthanization of animals,” as well as mistreatment of pets, unsafe conditions, and “undue” stockpiling of charitable funds.

    Sunday said that over the four years examined by his office, the Montco SPCA failed donors by spending an insufficient amount to advance the shelter’s mission.

    “Pennsylvanians who donate to charities should be able to trust that their money is being used to support an organization’s mission,” Sunday said in a statement. “This settlement holds the Montgomery County SPCA accountable, puts important safeguards in place, and serves as a reminder to other charitable organizations that they will be expected to fulfill their mission and comply with the law.”

    Shelter officials said the reforms are ongoing. The Montco SPCA expects to invest $25 million to build a new veterinary clinic and adoption facility in Blue Bell, where the nonprofit purchased a building for $5 million in September, according to a spokesperson. Estimated grand opening: 2027.

    Meanwhile, the SPCA’s Conshohocken and Perkiomenville locations remain open for business, while its Abington branch plans to reopen in the fall after a $500,000 renovation.

    “The resolution reflects both the substantial progress we have made, and a shared commitment to continue building a stronger, more sustainable organization for the future,” the nonprofit’s statement said.

  • Montgomery County DA drops assault charge against Mike Missanelli in domestic dispute

    Montgomery County DA drops assault charge against Mike Missanelli in domestic dispute

    Montgomery County prosecutors have withdrawn criminal charges against longtime Philly sports personality Mike Missanelli, ending their investigation into an alleged domestic dispute between him and his fiancee.

    Missanelli, a former Inquirer sportswriter best known for his 15-year stint as a host at 97.5 The Fanatic, was arrested in April and charged with simple assault and harassment after his fiancee accused him of slapping her across the face during an argument inside their home in Lower Merion.

    During a preliminary hearing late last month, prosecutors declined to move forward with the case.

    In a statement Wednesday, Kate Delano, a spokesperson for District Attorney Kevin Steele, said that “after reviewing additional information, the office made the determination that it would withdraw the charges.”

    “In every case, we are always continuing to investigate after charges are filed,” she said.

    Missanelli’s attorney, Brian McMonagle, declined to comment Wednesday. Missanelli did not respond to a request for comment.

    In the affidavit of probable cause filed by Lower Merion police, officers wrote that Missanelli, 70, was in a heated argument with his fiancee over their engagement. His fiancee’s name was redacted from court records.

    Police responded to a 911 hangup shortly after midnight, and Missanelli told officers the argument led to a “scuffle.”

    The fiancee struck him in the chest and Missanelli’s “open hand slapped her on the left side of her face/head,” the affidavit said. One officer said he saw fresh blood on the woman’s forehead from a laceration allegedly caused by the slap.

    Missanelli was fired from WIP in 2006 after he punched a producer. He was then fired by 6abc in 2017 for misogynistic comments he made about Beth Mowins, an ESPN broadcaster.

    In recent years, Missanelli has been in the news for various job changes. After 15 years with 97.5 The Fanatic, he was pushed out by management in 2022, then brought back in 2024, only to be ousted once more last August.

    Currently, he is embroiled with a legal battle with JAKIB Media and its owner, Joe Krause, for their alleged failure to pay him $85,000.

    Staff writer Rob Tornoe contributed to this article.