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  • Horoscopes: Saturday, June 13, 2026

    ARIES (March 21-April 19). This Venus transit: Fit is everything. Love mantra: I find and hone the best matches. Reciprocal relationships only. My affection is returned in kind, filling my days with an ever-growing sense of belonging. No chasing, only facing.

    TAURUS (April 20-May 20). This Venus transit: Stop treating crumbs like a banquet. Love mantra: I release bargain-bin affection to make room for love’s luxurious and delicious feast. I attract connections that nourish my spirit and strengthen my sense of worth.

    GEMINI (May 21-June 21). This Venus transit: Declare new relationship rules and goals. Love mantra: My heart’s horizon is wide open and filled with a colorful hope. Oddly enough, trying new frameworks can liberate an era of love that’s boundless and free.

    CANCER (June 22-July 22). This Venus transit: Your own preferences go to the top of the list. Love mantra: To learn what I like is a pleasure that fits into my life’s purpose. Others benefit from this pursuit too, which is ultimately unselfish.

    LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). This Venus transit: Settle into the throne. Wielding power responsibly is a gift to your realm. Love mantra: Accepting a leadership position with grace and creativity is my gift to relationships, which thrive in my care.

    VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). This Venus transit: Choose lovers and friends who expand your world. Love mantra: All gets lighter and brighter as I learn new love languages. Possibilities open. Thriving fascinations become the new norm.

    LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). This Venus transit: Flirt shamelessly with life. Love mantra: Delight is my purpose, my aim, my middle name. Love comes to me as I pursue what feels playful, interesting and fun. Aesthetics matter like the right music, lighting, styles and ideas.

    SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). This Venus transit: Make peace with your desire to be cherished. Love mantra: Wanting affection is a strength to be embraced, not a weakness to be confessed. My longing leads to connection, tenderness and the delights of a rich human experience.

    SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). This Venus transit: Tap into your heart’s daring. Love mantra: To be courageous in love is always a valuable education, regardless of outcome. Your heart’s wings either fly or learn what to try for the next liftoff.

    CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). This Venus transit: Retire from one-sided emotional labor. Love mantra: I stop pulling entire relationships uphill alone. Love meets me halfway. Love reaches back. Love carries weight with willing hands and open eyes.

    AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). This Venus transit: Make sure you’re really seen before you enjoy being chosen. Love mantra: Real belonging begins with honesty. I share my tastes, humor, dreams, and strange little passions with confidence. The right person loves the real me.

    PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). This Venus transit: Protect your own beautiful softness. Love mantra: My heart stays warm without becoming reckless. I refuse the armor that blocks future joy. Tenderness remains part of my strength and part of my beauty.

    TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (June 13). It’s your Year of the Brushstrokes — you’re the artist, not the painting. The product is wonderful, but it’s the time spent making it you love the most. You’ll share your process for fun and profit. More highlights: Loved ones celebrate you at five milestones. Auspicious collaborations are gold in the bank. You’ll renovate, trade and talk your way into gorgeous environs. Aquarius and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 33, 29, 2 and 15.

  • Dear Abby |Gabby co-workers make it impossible to get things done

    DEAR ABBY: At the company where I work, multiple departments share a workspace. While most of my colleagues are quiet and considerate, certain members of one department are very loud. They talk nonstop (nothing work-related) and have no consideration for others who are trying to work and concentrate. It has reached the point that it is next to impossible to accomplish any work on a daily basis.

    These individuals’ managers not only refuse to correct these behaviors, but often join in themselves. I understand I don’t work in a library, but I and others are desperate for a reasonable work setting and are trying to find the best approach to take. Help!

    — DISTRACTED IN COLORADO

    DEAR DISTRACTED: Not knowing the corporate structure in your company, I will guess that there is someone there who supervises the managers. You and the other employees who are encountering the disruption on a daily basis should discuss this as a group with that person to see if some accommodation can be made. If your complaint falls on deaf ears, a solution to your problem might be noise-canceling headphones. Another might be to look for a job with another company.

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: Every year for birthdays and holidays, my in-laws give cash as gifts to their children and their spouses. Should I be hurt that my in-laws always give an equal amount to my brothers-in-law and their spouses, while I always receive half the amount? I don’t need the cash, but the blatant difference makes me feel less valued than their other daughters-in-law.

    I host all the family celebrations, visit my in-laws weekly and help my husband with repairs and upkeep around his parents’ home. My brothers-in-law and their spouses give their parents only limited amounts of time on holidays and limited physical assistance to their parents only if my husband begs for help.

    I would never say anything to my husband because I don’t want to hurt his feelings. I just want to know if I am being petty.

    — LESS THAN IN NEW YORK

    DEAR LESS THAN: It appears your in-laws do not appreciate your efforts to be a good daughter-in-law. You are not “petty” for noticing the discrepancy, and I don’t blame you for feeling “less than,” because that is how you are being treated.

    I do think you should have mentioned this to your husband when it first started happening. That kind of gift-giving is supposed to be equal. When it isn’t, there is something wrong. Whether you choose to continue helping them to the extent you have in the future is up to you.

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: I’m not sure what to make of a strange thank-you note I got from a relative. I gave a generous gift, and one year after the wedding, I received an acknowledgment thanking me for the gift and saying that she was no longer married to “John” because she wasn’t being treated with the respect she deserved. What do I say when I see her — “thanks for the note — sorry about your marriage,” or should I just let it go?

    — PERPLEXED IN DELAWARE

    DEAR PERPLEXED: It might be better simply to say, “It’s nice to see you. How are you doing?” and leave it at that.

  • Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic star as the USMNT wins its World Cup opener

    Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic star as the USMNT wins its World Cup opener

    INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Simply put, the U.S. men’s soccer team’s World Cup got off to a dream start.

    Folarin Balogun’s goals and Christian Pulisic’s playmaking led the Americans to a 4-1 win over Paraguay in their tournament opener, the highest-scoring performance ever by the U.S. men in a World Cup.

    The crowd of 70,492 played a role too, belting out out the national anthem along with celebrity singers Dan + Shay and chanting “USA!” throughout the game.

    With that as fuel, the U.S. needed just seven minutes to get on the scoreboard.

    Weston McKennie created the opener in tandem with Pulisic. McKennie drove hard up the middle, including a cutback between two Paraguayan players, then fed Pulisic on the left. The Hershey, Pa., native uncorked a dazzling split of two players and a slip past a third, with the latter move sending the ball to McKennie. He aimed to lay it off for Balogun, but Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla did the job instead by deflecting the ball into his own net.

    It could have been 2-0 in the 28th, but Pulisic was offside in the buildup, and Balogun was off at the end. But the real thing arrived three minutes later, and this time, it was a no-doubter.

    Pulisic was front and center again, seizing a sharp through ball from Antonee Robinson and charging up the left flank. The centering pass was on the money for a charging Balogun, who held up behind Paraguay’s back line and easily slotted home.

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    The crowd erupted again, a real roar despite FIFA’s price-gouged tickets that have kept so many soccer fans out of World Cup stadiums. There were pockets of empty seats, especially in the most expensive sections, another indictment of the governing body.

    But the fans who were here, for all they paid, delivered. From the anthem to thunderous “USA!” chants, they showed up in a way the U.S. team often hasn’t felt — especially in Southern California. One need only think back to last year’s Concacaf Nations League final four in this same stadium, when indifference and unhelpful kickoff times left the Americans drowned out.

    The U.S. lost both of those games. Now, in their first of two group games here, they were rolling — and not done scoring yet.

    In the last minute of first-half stoppage time, Antonee Robinson corralled a loose ball in his own half. He gave it to Tim Ream, who had no pressure on him and took his time before passing to Tyler Adams. Paraguay again did not press, so Adams offered the ball to Malik Tillman. He turned, took one touch, then zinged a low pass through four Paraguayan players.

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    Balogun saw it coming even before Tillman had fully turned and was off to the races. He was past Paraguayan centerback Omar Alderete — of English Premier League club Sunderland — and stayed on his feet as Alderete tried to slide at him. He then cut left past a spinning Gustavo Gómez and slammed a shot into the top corner.

    The goal made Balogun the first U.S. men’s player to score multiple goals in a World Cup game since Bert Patenaude at the first ever World Cup in 1930, coincidentally also against Paraguay. And the half was the highest-scoring by a U.S. men’s team since the famed 3-2 win over Portugal in 2002.

    The second half started with a shock: Pulisic was subbed out. Sebastian Berhalter replaced him and went to a deeper central midfield spot, which sent Tillman up to Pulisic’s spot.

    “I just got a bit of a kick in the first half,” Pulisic said postgame. “Back of my leg, sort of my calf area. Staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything.”

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    A U.S. Soccer spokesperson said manager Mauricio Pochettino would address the matter postgame.

    Ream and Adams drew yellow cards early in the second half, though Ream’s was canceled. The Adams booking was especially significant, given the roster’s lack of central midfield depth.

    Tyler Adams (right) will have to be careful to not get a yellow card in the next game against Australia. If he does, he’ll be suspended for the group stage finale vs. Turkey.Mark J. Terrill

    Adams must now avoid cards through the second group-stage game, against Australia next Friday in Seattle (3 p.m., Fox29, Telemundo 62), to avoid being suspended for the crucial group-stage finale against Turkey on June 25.

    With 25 minutes to go, the joy of the first half was replaced by nerves. Even though the U.S. was up, 3-0, Pulisic’s departure and Adams’ yellow put the building on edge.

    As the World Cup begins, Mauricio Pochettino sets out his true expectations for the USMNT

    Pochettino made two more substitutions in the 72nd, Tim Weah for Sergiño Dest and Ricardo Pepi for Balogun, but Adams stayed in.

    Seconds later, Paraguay scored far too easily. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill sent a long ball forward, Miguel Almirón knocked it down to Julio Enciso, and he fed Maurício for an open shot.

    The crowd could tell the vibes were changing and tried to stir the home team with another loud “USA!” chant. Weah shot high, and Tillman shot straight at Gill.

    Gio Reyna was the last substitute, replacing Tillman in the 82nd.

    There were seven minutes of stoppage time to endure at the end — and quite a few hard hits from Paraguayan players.

    But the Americans endured and even earned one of the sport’s most famous compliments. As they ran out the clock in stoppage time, the crowd chanted “Olé!” as they passed the ball around the field.

    In the final seconds, Reyna gave them an electric parting gift. A long passing sequence finished at his feet just outside the 18-yard box, and he stepped up unmarked to smash in the finale.

  • Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski blanks Phillies in series opener

    MILWAUKEE — For five innings here Friday night, Andrew Painter and Jacob Misiorowski shared a mound.

    That was all they had in common.

    While Painter got roughed up again in an increasingly tough-to-watch rookie season, his Brewers counterpart unleashed 58 — 58! — 100-plus-mph pitches, collected 15 — 15! — strikeouts, faced the minimum 27 batters, and gave up one hit.

    And when “The Miz,” as he’s known around these parts, whiffed Justin Crawford on his 95th pitch to cap a 6-0 undressing of the Phillies — on the one-year anniversary of his major league debut, no less — he clapped his glove, looked skyward, and raised both arms to mark his first career complete game.

    Phillies put Adolis García on 60-day IL with shoulder tear, call up OF Gabriel Rincones Jr.

    One word: Wow.

    Four more: Your move, Cristopher Sánchez.

    Sánchez will have a chance Sunday in the series finale to submit his midseason case in what’s shaping up as an epic Cy Young race. But first, let’s talk about this Misiorowski fellow, who dominated from first pitch (103.4 mph) to last (103.1).

    “I’m glad we faced him,” said Bryce Harper, who struck out on a 104.1 mph fastball in the first inning. “I’m glad we were able to see that. Obviously, we’ve got a chance to play those guys in the postseason, so happy we were able to face him today.”

    Misiorowski’s opening statement: swinging strikeouts of Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Harper on 12 pitches, including a 104.5 scorcher that set a velocity record for a starter since tracking began in 2008. He fanned eight of the first nine batters on 34 pitches. The Phillies had one baserunner, Schwarber on a leadoff single in the fourth inning on a first-pitch slider.

    “Obviously, a unique fastball,” Schwarber said. “You try to adjust to different things, and it just kind of finds a way around you. You’ve got to tip your hat. Not much else to really say.”

    But even if Misiorowski’s dominance wasn’t so … what’s the word? … absurd, the contrast between him and Painter would have been impossible to miss.

    And yes, it’s perfectly fair to compare them. Painter is 6-foot-7 and right-handed, just like Misiorowski. Painter is 23, only 372 days younger than “The Miz.” They were high draft picks, one year apart, and hyped as prospects in the minors.

    Yet there’s Misiorowski, leading the majors in ERA (1.34) and strikeouts (131) and the planet in heat-seeking fastballs. And here’s Painter, with a 1-7 record, coming in behind an opener to lessen his exposure to the top of the Brewers’ lineup, and still giving up five runs in five innings to raise his ERA to 6.43.

    Is there a better duo in baseball than Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez? We asked the experts.

    Interim manager Don Mattingly thought it represented progress. He cited improvement in Painter’s offspeed pitches, said the first-pitch sweeper that Jake Bauers hit for a three-run homer “wasn’t a terrible pitch,” and observed “better aggression” in going after hitters.

    Still, the results weren’t good. So Painter sat facing his locker, dressed in full uniform and deep in thought as teammates moved around the quiet clubhouse after the game.

    “Hard to tell right now so fresh off it, but the emphasis has been being super-aggressive in the zone early and kind of pitching on offense, almost,” Painter said. “I thought [there were] a lot of first-pitch strikes, a lot of early contact.”

    And yet …

    “Just those walks,” he said, referring, in particular, to a free pass to William Contreras that preceded Bauers’ homer. “I think a lot of them are not competitive where it’s four- or five-pitch walks. I’ve got to limit that.

    “I’ve just got to take it and move on.”

    OK, some perspective: Even Misiorowski struggled as a rookie. Maybe not to Painter’s extent. But after a sensational start that got him named as an All-Star (much to the chagrin of several Phillies players, who thought Sánchez got snubbed), he had a 6.06 ERA over his last eight starts.

    Maybe it’s a lesson for Painter, even as the flashes of promise from his first few starts have begun to flicker and dim.

    “Everything’s there, you know?” Schwarber said. “It’s just, this is the big leagues. It’s the highest form of competition, and it’s hard to just always succeed.”

    Said Harper: “I said it in camp, right? We need him. And we still do. He’s still in the beginning of his career, and he’s going to have success and he’s going to get better. We believe in him.

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    “We need to him to establish his pitches a little more, have confidence out there, not look at his numbers. I think that’s a big thing, not looking at your numbers. I think he’s, what, 1-7? Just throw that out the door. He’s really good. We know he’s going to be good.”

    Misiorowski is already great. Maybe he took the mound with a chip on that lightning-bolt of a right shoulder from the Phillies’ complaints last July. Maybe not.

    Either way, the Phillies had no chance.

    Misiorowski doesn’t merely throw harder than anyone else. He gets more extension through his delivery, which somehow makes 104 mph look even faster than it is.

    Brandon Marsh asked Harper postgame if he has ever faced anyone like “The Miz.” Harper compared him to former Mets ace Matt Harvey.

    “He had the extension heater, and he was one of the first guys that really rode that heater at the top of the zone,” Harper said. “I mean, 104 is a little bit different. It’s going to be tough at any point. He might be throwing 106 with a big [postseason] crowd, you know?

    “But, yeah, it’s a different animal when he’s on the mound. Just like what Sánchez is for us. He’s their guy.”

    The Miz has spoken. Time for Sánchez to have his say.

  • 55 children and teenagers charged in Hersheypark brawl

    Fifty-five children and teenagers have been charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses for allegedly starting and participating in a large group fight at Hersheypark in April.

    Children as young as 12 were among those charged, and all but three are younger than 18. The charges, according to police, include riot, aggravated assault, theft, and failure to disperse. The three adults charged are Omar Ibraham, 19, Jerome Ross, III, 18, and Quaneek Williams, 18, all of Harrisburg.

    Officers were called to Hersheypark around 7 p.m. on April 3, the park’s opening day. Eyewitnesses told CBS News that a large group of teenagers ran through the food court, knocking over tables and chairs as security chased them. Videos posted from that day also showed teenagers running through the park while being pursued by security.

    Charges were not announced until this week, after police reviewed park security footage and social media videos, and worked with schools to identify those allegedly involved. Derry Township Police Chief Garth Warner said that while arrests involving two or three juveniles are relatively common, the size of this group made the case notable.

    “Because it was such a large incident where multiple [people] were involved, and there were other children there, it was prudent of us to hold everyone involved accountable,” Warner said.

    No serious injuries were reported and no one outside the group involved was hurt.

    More broadly, videos circulating online suggest that some teenagers in Pennsylvania are participating in a trend of public fights or “wilding out,” raucous behavior that is often filmed, posted, and treated as entertainment by peers.

    One Instagram account, “Harrisburg the Best,” is filled with videos of teenagers fighting. The captions often include laughing emoji and, in some cases, first names of the people shown. In several videos, other teenagers appear to act as referees.

    Kate Burdick, a senior attorney at the Juvenile Law Center, said cases like these are difficult because they involve both public safety concerns and adolescent development.

    “Kids are going to convene, and that is a positive, prosocial event,” Burdick said. Although she does not condone fighting, she said she worries about the harm that can come from criminalizing adolescent behavior.

    “Our recourse tends to be very punitive, whereas what we know about kids is that they’re still developing and have an immense capacity for change and growth,” she said. “A punitive response can cause additional trauma and doesn’t increase safety.”

    Still, not every juvenile case results in a trial. Steve Jarmon, a Philadelphia lawyer who specializes in juvenile criminal defense, said juvenile courts are designed to consider what is in the best interest of the child. In some cases, that can mean probation or diversionary options that allow a child to avoid formal adjudication.

    Because the charges were announced only this week, it remains unclear how many of the 55 cases will proceed to adjudication or trial.

  • Pa. will pay for security upgrades to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home but treasurer was right to initially deny $1 million payment for the bill, AG says

    Pa. will pay for security upgrades to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home but treasurer was right to initially deny $1 million payment for the bill, AG says

    HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity acted lawfully when she declined to pay more than $1 million in bills related to security upgrades made on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s personal home in Abington Township following an arson attack on his state mansion, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office announced Friday.

    In a memo detailing a settlement agreement between the state and the unpaid contractors who provided security upgrades to Shapiro’s private home, the attorney general’s office said that Pennsylvania would foot the $1 million bill “on a one-time basis,” noting the extraordinary circumstances and the threat on Shapiro’s life that led to the upgrades being requested.

    Current state law does not account for the increasingly dangerous position public officials face in today’s political climate, and the GOP-led state attorney general’s office encouraged the General Assembly to find a legislative solution for these issues going forward.

    However, Shapiro’s administration and Pennsylvania State Police failed to follow proper procurement processes and should have approached the legislature for approvals for the security upgrades, according to the memo authored by Executive Deputy Attorney General Eisenberg and Chief Deputy Attorney General Amy Elliott.

    “Going forward, we expect that such expenditures will result from specific legislative appropriation or new general laws,” they wrote in the memo. “We looked forward to working with the administration to accomplish these goals.”

    Shapiro’s personal home received more than $1 million in security updates, including a new security system and landscaping that Pennsylvania State Police determined was necessary after a man attempted to murder Shapiro by setting several firebombs inside the governor’s residence in Harrisburg while he and his family slept.

    The attack on the Pa. governor’s mansion revealed critical — and nearly deadly — weaknesses in the state’s security for Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family
    Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks during a news conference at the governor’s official residence about a suspected arson fire that forced him, his family and guests to flee in the middle of the night on the Jewish holiday of Passover, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)Marc Levy

    Garrity, a Republican who is challenging Shapiro in November’s gubernatorial election, announced in April she could not pay the security upgrade bills, arguing that state law prohibits her from approving payment on work done on a privately owned property without legislative approval. The move was criticized by the incumbent Democratic governor’s office at the time, arguing it was a “shamefully political action.”

    In a statement Friday, a spokesperson for Shapiro said the governor appreciates the attorney general’s office acting “without political interference” to approve the settlement so the contractors can be paid.

    “As the Attorney General demonstrated, the safety of the governor and his family should never be weaponized for partisan gamesmanship, and our administration will continue to work with law enforcement and elected officials across the commonwealth to keep our leaders safe,” said Shapiro spokesperson Rosie Lapowsky.

    After Garrity declined to pay the bills, the state had two options to address the outstanding payments: a review and settlement by the attorney general’s office or legislative approval of the funds. Shapiro’s administration chose the review by the state AG’s office, which is led by Attorney General Dave Sunday, a Republican who supports Garrity’s bid for governor.

    Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity speaks to the audience after taking the oath of office for her second four-year term in the Forum Auditorium across the street from the Capitol, Jan. 21, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)Marc Levy

    The security upgrades on Shapiro’s personal home — plus $32 million in upgrades to the state-owned governor’s residence — were made under emergency contracts, which allow state agencies to quickly respond to emerging problems without waiting for legislative approval. However, Garrity argued — and the state attorney general’s office on Friday affirmed — that the emergency process does not allow the state to spend taxpayer funds on private property, such as Shapiro’s personal residence.

    “Current procurement law does not account for the increasing reality of threats to public officers and their families,” the AG’s office wrote in the settlement agreement. “Because the law does not allow for public funding of construction on private residences, the Treasurer had no legal option other than to deny payment.”

    In a statement Friday, Garrity said the settlement makes it clear “my sworn duty is to uphold the law, protect taxpayers, and only act with explicit legal authority.”

    Her office has not yet received a request to pay the contracts, she said. Once it does, she will “carefully review each one” and pay the outstanding bills.

    “Safety and security matter to everyone, but good intentions can never excuse ignoring the law,” Garrity added.

    Shapiro has faced scrutiny from some Republican lawmakers over his administration’s rapid and sweeping response following the arson, while Democratic lawmakers rallied around him to ensure his and his family’s safety. Republican legislators have said they believe Shapiro and his family should be safe, but should follow proper channels and regulations when spending taxpayer funds.

    A committee in the Republican-controlled state Senate in December took the unprecedented step to subpoena Shapiro over the security upgrades to his personal home, arguing that his administration had not been transparent in previous inquiries about how state taxpayer dollars were being used to upgrade security there.

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    Shapiro’s personal property upgrades also resulted in a land dispute with one of his neighbors, who argued in federal court that Shapiro was violating their constitutional rights by using his power as governor to seize a portion of their property. Shapiro, in a separate suit filed in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, argued that the disputed land had been his for years.

    Shapiro and his family split their time between the state-owned governor’s residence in Harrisburg and their Montgomery County home, where his two youngest children still attend school.

    This story was updated to note Sunday supports Garrity’s campaign for governor.

  • Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba launches Mukuba Miracles Fund to benefit foster children

    Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba launches Mukuba Miracles Fund to benefit foster children

    Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba knows exactly how it feels to grow up facing an uncertain future. Years before he nabbed a starting role as a rookie in 2025, he grew up in Zimbabwe as his family sought refuge from Congo. Mukuba recently launched his new foundation, Mukuba Miracles, which held its first event Thursday night.

    The defensive back partnered with Turning Points for Children, a Philadelphia-based organization focused on providing care to foster children and their families. Together, they hosted over 30 foster children at the Dave and Buster’s in Penn’s Landing. Over dinner, Mukuba gifted items kids had requested, ranging from art supplies to basketball shoes to a bicycle. Afterward, the 23-year-old played arcade games with the kids.

    Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba smiles after presenting D’avion Faison, 10, with a new bike during a launch of the Mukuba Miracles Fund at Dave & Buster’s on Thursday.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    “I’m just trying to make an impact in the communities that I’m involved in … and help in any ways that I can,” Mukuba said. “Being able to put smiles on the kids’ faces … that’s the goal for me.

    The most fulfilling part of the night for Mukuba, he said, was seeing the reactions of those to whom he gave gifts.

    “I was once a kid as well, and I know what a gift can mean to somebody, especially something so valuable to them,” he said.

    The children attending the event had not been made aware that Mukuba would be there. As the 64th overall pick in 2025 was being introduced by Eartha Holland, Turning Points for Children’s director of stakeholder engagement and events, a large ovation ensued.

    “Our kids are so humble, and they express great gratitude for the gifts,” said Ciera Carter, the organization’s director of family support services. “Our kids have been through a lot, and our program seeks to find permanent resources and connections for them.”

    The event held a special meaning for Lorraine Dredden, a foster mom invited by Holland. Over the last 35 years, the Winslow Township school board member has fostered over 100 children and adopted 13. The Berlin Township native also was honored by the state’s Department of Children and Families last month for her commitment to giving foster children a home. Dredden, who had two children in attendance, felt touched during the ceremony.

    “I didn’t know all of the children in here, but I was clapping so hard for them,” Dredden said. “Some of the children I had, they never knew about Christmas, so when Christmas came, they were so excited about Santa, they didn’t know what to do.

    Andrew Mukuba is grateful to be back on the field and in the community after an ankle injury prematurely ended his 2025 season. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Along with growing his foundation, Mukuba is excited to get back on the field this fall. A fractured ankle ended the safety’s rookie season last November.

    “The toughest part [last year] was just not being on the field,” he said. “But mentally, I felt like I was right where I needed to be at, as far as attacking rehab.”

    Mukuba, who has made a full recovery, is projected to start for the Eagles alongside veteran Marcus Epps, who is in his second stint with the team. In a safety room now without Reed Blankenship, who departed for the Houston Texans, the former Clemson standout is anticipating the opportunity he likely will receive.

    “I feel like a lot of people didn’t get an opportunity, and I [am] fortunate enough to get an opportunity after the injury I suffered,” he said. “So going out there and having fun all over again … that’s what I’m really looking forward to.”

  • Philadelphia releases initial schedule of pool openings amid record heat

    Philadelphia releases initial schedule of pool openings amid record heat

    Philadelphia public pools finally began to open Friday, just in the nick of time as a suffocating mixture of heat and humidity are breaking city records.

    Those looking for relief will be limited to just a handful of spots this week, as the city rolls out pool openings and ramps up hiring lifeguards.

    “We are moving with urgency and intention to ensure every neighborhood has dependable spaces for recreation and relief,” Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said in a statement. “These pools reflect our commitment to fairness in access to healthy public spaces where children can learn, play, and thrive safely during the summer months.”

    The city plans to open 63 pools this summer, up from 41 pools last year. The rollout began Friday with two locations — Hunting Park Pool and Kelly Pool in Fairmount Park.

    By Sunday, six pools will open, increasing to 10 by Tuesday. The city is aiming to have the rest of the pools open by the second week of July at the latest.

    The issue, as it is every year, is hiring enough lifeguards to staff the pools. Philly aims to hire and train nearly 400 lifeguards and maintenance staff to keep pools open across the city during the summer.

    “Our pools and spraygrounds are essential community assets during the hottest months,” said Susan Slawson, commissioner of the city’s Parks & Recreation department.

    A new sprayground at Wharton Square Park will open Saturday, with City Council President Kenyatta Johnson joining community leaders at noon to celebrate. There are more than 90 spraygrounds and splash pads spread across the city, with a new one planned for Miles Mack Playground in Mantua.

    To find pool hours, swimming lessons, and updated opening information, visit the Parks & Rec Finder App at phila.gov/parks-rec-finder.

    2026 Philadelphia Public Pool opening schedule

    Friday, June 12

    • Hunting Park Pool – 1101 W. Hunting Park Ave.
    • Kelly Pool – 4231 Lansdowne Dr.

    Saturday, June 13

    • Max Myers Pool – 1601 Hellerman St.
    • Sacks Pool – 400 Washington Ave.

    Sunday, June 14

    • Gathers Pool – 2501-19 W. Diamond St.
    • Bridesburg Pool – 4625 Richmond St.

    Monday, June 15

    • Marian Anderson Pool – 740 S. 17th St.
    • Lackman Pool – 1101 Bartlett St.

    Tuesday, June 16

    • Tiffany Fletcher Pool – 743-81 N. 48th St.
    • Schmidt Pool – 113 W. Ontario St.

    7 Philadelphia pools won’t open this summer

    The city said seven pools will remain closed all summer as long-term improvements totaling $70 million, which includes upgrades and reconstruction, are completed.

    • Lonnie Cohen Recreation Center 
    • Cecil B. Moore Recreation Center
    • Vogt Recreation Center 
    • Feltonville Recreation Center
    • McVeigh Recreation Center
    • Lawncrest Recreation Center 
    • Cherashore Recreation Center
  • Interested in tickets to the MLB All-Star Game or Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park? Here’s what it’ll cost you.

    Interested in tickets to the MLB All-Star Game or Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park? Here’s what it’ll cost you.

    Many of baseball’s biggest stars are coming to Philadelphia next month, but fans hoping to see them in person may have to dig deep into their wallets.

    MLB All-Star week begins July 10 with a week of activities, culminating with the 96th All-Star Game on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park.

    Seats on StubHub for the All-Star Game range from $651 to more than $7,000 for two seats together, as of Friday evening. A single ticket starts at $645. Standing-room-only tickets start at $667 each.

    For the Home Run Derby on July 13, the cheapest price is $509 for one ticket and $503 each for two tickets together. Outfield tickets in the 100 Level, which offer the greatest chance of catching a home run ball, start at $1,201.

    Phillies fans cheer and look to catch a home run hit by Kyle Schwarber in March.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Last year in Atlanta, prices were lower. Ticketmaster listed seats starting at about $221, while StubHub and SeatGeek were just under $300.

    The soaring ticket prices hardly are surprising, given the city’s historic summer. The All-Star Game is returning to Philadelphia for the first time since 1996, and the city also is hosting FIFA World Cup matches and celebrations surrounding America’s 250th anniversary.

    Is there a better duo in baseball than Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez? We asked the experts.

    With the FIFA World Cup, the PGA Championship, and the MLB All-Star Game happening within weeks of one another, Philadelphia sports fans are soaking up one of the busiest stretches in sports history.

    Starting Sunday, Philadelphia is hosting five group-stage matches and a Round of 16 match at Lincoln Financial Field (temporarily known as Philadelphia Stadium). World Cup tickets have become one of the hottest commodities in sports this summer, and he cheapest single ticket for the July 4 Round of 16 Match is $1,333, and $1,286 each for two tickets together on StubHub.

    A $663 ticket to the All-Star Game doesn’t seem as outrageous now.

    Just over 20 miles outside the city, Aronimink Golf Club hosted the 2026 PGA Championship. It drew such strong interest that tickets for the championship rounds sold out on official sites months in advance.

    Fans turned to resale markets to secure tickets to golf’s second major championship of the year. Daily tickets were resold on SeatGeek starting at $423.

  • ‘This is not about Pride’: Police Commissioner Bethel addresses criticism of police response to Gayborhood

    ‘This is not about Pride’: Police Commissioner Bethel addresses criticism of police response to Gayborhood

    Addressing criticism of his department’s handling of crowd control at a Pride celebration in the Gayborhood over the weekend, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said Friday that his officers became overwhelmed by dueling events and unruly behavior from large groups of teenagers.

    The turmoil — which led police to arrest 15 people and shut down street festivities in the LGBTQ+ neighborhood earlier than anticipated — stemmed from a change in the way the city celebrated Pride this year, Bethel said in a news conference at police headquarters.

    The decision to hold Philadelphia’s official Pride celebration on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sunday deviated from the tradition of holding it in the Gayborhood, according to Bethel, who said the competing events created a public safety risk.

    In retrospect, he said, barricades that police set up on the Gayborhood sidewalks — another deviation from past celebrations there — might not have been a wise move.

    “We now know that might not have been the right decision,” he said, noting they caused ‘frustration” among guests.

    Bethel said the evening took a turn when large groups of people began arriving at both the Parkway and the Gayborhood, overwhelming the 600 officers dispatched across both events.

    And in the Gayborhood, that included crowds of teenagers, some breaking out into fights, he said.

    The commissioner said commanding officers made the decision to close down the streets near popular gay bars like Woody’s around 8 p.m. as a consequence.

    To underscore the point, Bethel played a video of one of those altercations, which showed a throng of young people acting erratically, some yelling and pushing each other.

    He called the arrival of young people to the Gayborhood a “surge” that saw teens “taking over” a parking lot and getting on top of cars.

    “At that point there are some decisions that have to be made,” Bethel said. “We can’t have thousands of individuals swirling together.”

    Bethel also acknowledged public outcry over images of police officers on horseback and motorbikes engaged in crowd control. Those officers had been dispatched to the Gayborhood from the Parkway event once crowds began to get out of hand, he said.

    “That is not pretty — it is not pretty when you move people,” he said.

    Responding to questions over the department’s enforcement at LGBTQ+ festivities, Bethel repeated his earlier assertion that the nature of the event had nothing to do with police response.

    “All of this is not about Pride, it is not about the Gayborhood, it is not about anyone’s feelings about anything,” he said. “It is about safety.”

    The commissioner added that he welcomed speaking again about the issue at City Council hearings called on the matter that will likely take place in the fall.