We know who King LeBron James is. But LeBoul James? He’s one of us.
Mere hours after James announced he was signing with the Sixers, Philadelphia fans started honoring him with public artwork, billboards, merch, sunburned backs, and his own state-designated day.
But among fans’ biggest gestures of goodwill is trying to find James a Philly-coded nickname.
“I like LeJawn. It’s so Philly,” said Saleem Lewis,owner of clothing label What Happened to Love and a Frankford native.
Lewis said the rush to give James a local nickname reflects the NBA superstar’s natural kinship with Philadelphians.
“If you’re not from here, you might not get it. But the jokes are all out of love,” he said.
“I like the one I came up with, ‘Abdul Maalik James,’” said social media creator Jamaal Thomas, who created an AI image of James wearing a thobe and kufi.
A billboard welcoming LeBron James along Packer Avenue, in South Philadelphia on July 24, 2026.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Anothermoniker doing the rounds on social media is “LeIbrahim Muhammad.”
The root of the nicknames and ensuing AI-generated memes is a fusion of hip-hop and Muslim cultures. These two elements are deeply embedded in the fabric of the city’s Black community, as evidenced by the influence of rappers like Freeway, Beanie Sigel, and PnB Rock, who “weaved the imagery, religious symbology, and practice of Islam into their lyrics,” said James Peterson, professor of literature at Delaware State University and host of Evening WURDs.
Within this meme and nickname multiverse, Philly slang like jawn and boul — both with roots in the city’s African American Vernacular English — coexists with Black Muslim content creators throwing in names like Ibrahim and Abdul. The result is a high form of welcome extended to the King of the Hardwood from the City of Brotherly Love.
A welcome sign for new Sixers LeBron James on a SEPTA bus shelter along Market Street in Center City on Saturday, July 25, 2026.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
“This is part of the reason the memes resonate with Philadelphians because whether you’re Muslim or not, the culture of Philadelphia is Islamic,” Peterson added. “You can’t go through places like Malcolm X Park or other areas of Philly without seeing the accouterments of the Islamic faith all around us. It’s not just the mosques; it’s the brothers and the sisters in the streets. It’s in the air in Philadelphia.”
Also,as Lewis points out, “Philly embraces people who work, compete, and don’t back down. LeBron has been doing that for over 20 years.”
A passerby is seen with a mosaic of LeBron James on Eighth and Market Streets in Philadelphia on July 28, 2026.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
The ‘Philly beard,’ a thobe, and LeIbrahim Muhammad
For West Philly native Max Johnson Dugan, a visiting professor of Islam at Trinity University, the memes highlighting Philly’s Black Muslim culture through James, who is a Christian, are a “brilliant” balance of humor and “self-seriousness.”
“I’ve prayed next to people, packed food boxes, and volunteered at parks, or been in dialogue with folks who are dressed like those memes,” he said. “To me, it’s a beautiful thing that people can chuckle about this and live in a way that’s serious and significant to them.”
Dugan said James’ beard may be familiar to Philly’s Black Muslims because it resembles a style many followers believe was donned and ordained by the Prophet Muhammad. It’s commonly known as a “Sunni” or “Sunnah beard” in Philly, and those outside of the city call it a “Philly beard.” Dugan said it’s possible content creators saw the similarity between James’ beard and others by practicing Muslims, and “put two and two together.”
The Miller Theater in Philadelphia welcomes LeBron James on July 29, 2026.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
The memes may be fabricated, Peterson said, but have a “kernel of truth,” that James is coming into a “Black Islamic world.” The doctored images of James in a kufi and thobe, shared by the likes of educator, author, and media personality Marc Lamont Hill and hip-hop artist D Sturdy, acknowledge James as a Philly guy, one of us, even before he steps foot in the city.
“LeBron coming to Philadelphia means that all of Philadelphia embraces him. And that also means one of the largest Black Muslim populations [in the U.S.] and one of the most distinct Black Muslim cultures is embracing him, too,” said Peterson.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James shares a laugh with Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey during a game on Dec. 7, 2025, in Philadelphia.Chris Szagola / AP
For Dugan, the memes are interesting in the way newly-traded star Jaylen Brown, who is Muslim and has traveled to Mecca to perform Umrah, hasn’t been welcomed with similar nicknames or memes in the same breath as James.
“I don’t want to speculate,” Dugan said, “I would say it points to [James’] visibility and significance. It’s funnier to share a meme of [James in Muslim traditional wear] than it is to share a meme of [Brown].”
“It has irony and tongue and cheek-ness,” he said.
Photo collage of LeBron James throughout his NBA career.John Duchneskie
LeBoul James, the NBA champion
North Philly-native Salim Weldon, co-owner of Whimsicle fruit pops, is confident James will live up to the name of “LeBoul,” another nickname that has appeared under scores of AI-generated social media posts.
Some show James ordering at a Wawa, some have him astride dirt bikes and four-wheelers, and some show him standing outside of “papi stores” — a friendly term used by Black Philadelphians for corner stores often operated by Latin American men.
The Philly word boul meaning boy, is a word James is already familiar with, thanks to his friend and North Philly-native Kevin Hart. The Sixer even said it in a recent Instagram post with the actor, who was giving his friend a crash course in Philly-isms while the two were golfing.
“We’re going to help [James] with a Philly barber to make sure that he keeps his beard a certain way,” Weldon joked. “And as you can see, he and Kevin Hart are close, so he will help him get that Philly swag.”
Quincy Harris, a Germantown-raised media personality and former host of The Q on Fox 29, said the early reactions are because of the championship dreams James helps Philadelphians imagine.
USA’s #11 Joel Embiid (left) and #06 LeBron James react from the bench in the men’s semifinal basketball match between the USA and Serbia during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Aug. 8, 2024. (Photo by Aris Messinis / AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images
“He’s a top five player to ever play the game of basketball,” he said. For him, the energy James sparked is reminiscent of the Allen Iverson era in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Peterson doesn’t quite agree. For him, Iverson remains the “archetype of a Philadelphia athlete.” Plus, can LeBron James truly ever be LeBoul, if he doesn’t live in the Philadelphia region?
“Philadelphia fans want to hold you close. They want to see you walking around and moving around in the community,” he said, while acknowledging that James’ signing has brought a new level of excitement to Philadelphia.
“I think that energy is just going to be injected back into the city. It’s going to be a great time,” Harris said, adding that he won’t “cosign” the trending nicknames.
But there’s one he thinks will resonate with Philadelphians the most.
As the afterglow of the world’s largest sports tournament and the country’s formal 250th birthday party in Philadelphia fades, the city is returning to its regularly scheduled programming.
But those months of celebrations came with significant investments into the city: building up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, hosting Grammy Award-winning stars, renovating Lemon Hill to welcome half a million people, and, of course, the cleaning and maintenance work that made Philadelphia look fresher than it has in years.
SEPTA and the city partnered to landscape and beautify major traffic intersections, sometimes with a new mural provided by Mural Arts Philadelphia. SEPTA stations alsoreceived a much-needed deep clean and graffiti removal, all before and during the summer celebrations.
PHLASH buses got an extra stop to get to Lemon Hill; fans got free rides on the Broad Street Line after World Cup games. And, just as the international fans packed up their bags to head home, it’s time for many of those features to go, too.
But what about all the things staying in Philly? The city is not getting just generational memories and a summer party out of the deal. Here are some of the major legacy projects remaining in Philadelphia for years to come, perhaps even until the tercentennial celebration in 2076.
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New mini soccer pitches across Pennsylvania
Location: Throughout Pennsylvania.
The project: How does the United States grow the next crop of elite soccer players? By making it easier to play soccer starting at a young age. At least 13 mini soccer pitches are being installed at schools, recreation centers, and parks across Pennsylvania.
The first two of Philly’s mini pitches were installed at West Oak Lane’s Building 21 and the Swenson Arts and Technology High School in Northeast Philadelphia. According to the U.S. Soccer Foundation, which is overseeing the project, each mini pitch costs $150,000 to install.
The U.S. Soccer Foundation has committed $2 million to install mini-soccer fields like this one in Northeast Philadelphia ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Kerith Gabriel
Who is behind it: The city and several nonprofits and private companies are backing this initiative, mostly through a $2 million investment from Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the city’s host committee for the 2026 men’s World Cup. Additional backers include the Philadelphia School District, Independence Blue Cross, and Comcast, among others. The U.S. Soccer Foundation is administering the funds and overseeing the installation of the pitches.
The project: The transformation of Fishtown’s TipTop Playground into two mini, enclosed turf soccer pitches, with additional event space and field lighting for night play. The pitches are now open for kids and adults.
Fishtown’s street soccer park will host leagues, free training clinics, and youth soccer programs. Casual pickup soccer is available outside of scheduled programming, led by Street Soccer USA, the organization that helps run such soccer parks across the country.
Who is behind it: You guessed it: Bank of America and Visa. Street Soccer USA will run programming at the park in collaboration with local groups.
Lemon Hill Park
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, center, will visit Lemon Hill Park on Thursday, April 10 for an operational planning tour of Philadelphia Soccer 2026’s FIFA Fan Festival siteJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Location: Sedgley Drive and North Lemon Hill Drive.
The project: Lemon Hill Park received some updates ahead of hosting the official FIFA Fan Festival, and is now getting a much-needed makeover after 39 days of World Cup festivities. The restoration of the grass is underway, with more permanent amenities soon to be constructed.
Some upgrades are complete:
Other upgrades are coming soon:
Who is behind it: Philadelphia Soccer 2026 is committing $4 million to park upgrades, with help from the city, to repair the grass fields, bring new modern amenities to parts of the park, and outfit the space with new electrical service, provided by Peco, to prepare for future large events.
FDR Park’s Ashburn Field
The MLB is renovating Ashburn Field in FDR Park, a city field managed and maintained by the Phillies that hosts a variety of youth baseball programs.Colin Evans / For The Inquirer
Location: 1500 Pattison Ave.
The project: Ashburn Field at FDR Park has been resurfaced with a new turf field, meant to better handle wet weather conditions. The 135,000-square-foot field was built in 1998, using funds generated from the 1996 MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia.
Who is behind it: Major League Baseball and the Phillies, as part of a combined investment of more than $5 million in various projects tied to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, including revitalizing the Negro Leagues Memorial Park and mural at 44th Street and Parkside Avenue in West Philly.
Independence National Historical Park
The rotunda inside the First Bank of the United States is pictured on Monday, June 29, 2026 in Philadelphia.Erin Blewett / For The Inquirer
Location: 599 Market St.
The project: Several improvements have already come to Independence National Historical Park and Independence Mall to commemorate the nation’s Semiquincentennial, and more are on the way. They include:
A $3.9 million “Join or Die” sculpture on Independence Mall, inspired by the truncated snake in Benjamin Franklin’s cartoon of the same name. The 46-foot-long granite work is expected to be unveiled this fall.
Beautification and horticultural work. This includes work at the Benjamin Rush Garden at Third and Walnut Streets, which showcases the 1976 Bicentennial Bell, a 10-ton Liberty Bell replica gifted by Queen Elizabeth II.
The reopening of the First Bank of the United States, on Third Street between Walnut and Chestnut Streets. The bank had been closed for 50 years but is now open for visitors thanks to a $43 million renovation.
Who is behind it: Independence Historical Trust, the city, the state, private foundations, philanthropists, and legacy groups.
Germantown Historical Society Visitor Center
Location: 5501 Germantown Ave.
Tuomi Forrest, executive director at the Germantown Historical Society, and Kaila Temple, curator of collections at GHS, at the Germantown Historical Society building located at 5501 Germantown Ave. in Philadelphia, July 21, 2026.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
The project: The Germantown Historical Society has its first visitors center, thanks to a $100,000 renovation of a section of its headquarters. It is modest but will host rotating exhibits, maps and pamphlets, and a gift shop.
Historic Germantown consists of various landmarks and attractions in Northwest Philly, including the Aces Veterans Museum, Awbury Arboretum, and the Germantown White House, where George Washington once lived.
Who is behind it: The Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, a philanthropic group organized by the Connelly Foundation that donated to many initiatives and projects related to the 250th anniversary celebration.
School begins Monday for about 113,000 Philadelphia School District students.
Janis Butler, the interim principal of Fanny Jackson Coppin Elementary in South Philadelphia, has decades of experience in teaching and administration.
But she is still thrilled at the prospect of personally welcoming back Coppin’s 500-plus students.
“It’s a rah-rah, we’re back in business now,” Butler said.
Here is what to know about the 2026-27 school year.
Book cover posters highlight positive emotions in the second grade classroom of teacher Gabrielle DiCrosta at Fanny Jackson Coppin Elementary Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026 ahead of the start of the school year on Aug. 24 for the School District of Philadelphia.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer
But on the cusp of that cutoff, 52 schools remain inadequately cooled. That is likely to come into play as school starts in August, with weeks to go before temperatures cool down.
The district’s extreme-weather protocol calls for schools that lack sufficient air-conditioning in classrooms and other learning spaces to dismiss early if temperatures are forecast to reach or go past 85 degrees by noon. The protocol mandates remote learning if temperatures are expected to hit 85 degrees by 9 a.m.
That means an unequal experience for students across the system, with students in some schools not missing any instructional time when it’s hot, and those in a quarter of schools subject to interrupted schedules.
Gloria Casarez Elementary School, in Kensington, got window units in all of its classrooms in 2024. As of the start of the 2026-27 school year, 52 schools still have no air conditioning.Kristen A. Graham / Staff
The holdup in air-conditioning all district schools is not related to the cost of air-conditioning units, but rather upgrading old electrical systems in the 52 schools.
Such upgrades are tricky. An HVAC project at Kensington High went awry this summer, triggering asbestos issues that forced students and staff to relocate for the rest of the calendar year.
Watlington cited dips in student attendance around half days, and said they are inconvenient for parents who must scramble to plan for childcare around the irregular schedule.
Eight half days had been previously scheduled for this year.
This is the final year before some schools close, and others merge
The school board voted in April to move forward with a $3 billion facilities plan that will close 17 schools and renovate 169.
The first closures are expected at the end of the school year. That means that this is a planning year for 50 schools — those that are closing, beginning phaseouts, or receiving students in the 2027-28 school year.
Students, teachers and supporters rally before a community meeting at John B. Stetson Middle School in this February file photo. Stetson is one of 17 schools ordered closed by the Philadelphia school board.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
The district is forming transition committees at those 50 schools, and will begin accepting applications Aug. 31 for roughly 20 spots on each transition committee.
Plenty of administrative shifts have happened
Watlington has made a number of changes at the top of his administration, some as a result of departures. Other leaders were given new roles or responsibilities.
Among the changes are: a new chief of talent, Kristi Murphy Baldwin; a new deputy superintendent of academic services, Brenda Elliott; a new chief academic officer, Michael Farrell; and additional responsibilities for Nathalie Nérée, who becomes chief of special education, diverse learners, and wellness.
Nyshawana Francis-Thompson has a new title:senior adviser for strategic initiatives and innovation.
Jamina Clay-Dingle is now assistant superintendent of school management and organization.
Kahlila Johnson, a former principal of Overbrook High, is now an assistant superintendent responsible for a district learning network.Courtesy of the Philadelphia School District
There are some new assistant superintendents for various learning networks around the city: Kelly Espinosa and Kahlila Johnson will serve full-time, and Wilfredo Ortiz and Lucy Feria on an interim basis.
Noah Tennant is now associate superintendent for secondary schools, and Tomás Hanna is now associate superintendent for student life and school operations.
A number of schools have new principals, too: Adaire Elementary, Amanda Strain; Bridesburg Elementary, Louis Depa; Clemente Middle School, Regina Barr; Edison High, Albert Sniezevage; Benjamin Franklin Elementary, Ryan Sullivan; Heston Elementary, Kamia Smith; Lawton Elementary, Michelle Todd-Coleman; Memphis Street Academy, Wayne Diggs; Northeast High, Andrew Lukov; Southwark Elementary, Mason Luksch Wilson; Bayard Taylor Elementary, Claire Charles; Tilden Middle School, Jessica Culp; Waring Elementary, Cathryn Anderson.
Makini, the last African lion at the Philadelphia Zoo, has died, zoo officials announced Friday.
Makini, who was about 17.5 years old, suffered from advanced arthritis, and he recently began showing signs of weakness in his hind end and was struggling to navigate, zoo officials said.
“The team made the difficult and compassionate decision to humanely euthanize him,” the zoo said in a statement.
“At 17.5 years old, he was considered geriatric and surpassed the life expectancy for this species. The life expectancy of lions in the wild is 10-14 years,” the zoo said.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo website said that a lioness in the wild can live up to 16 years, but males rarely live past the age of 12. In zoos, the website said, lions may live into their teens or early 20s.
Makini arrived in Philadelphia in December 2011 from the Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma where he was born. His name means “dignity” in Swahili.
“Makini was a force to be reckoned with and he made sure you knew that. He was all sorts of tough and manly, yet was goofy and would have you laughing several moments later. His presence is something that is surely going to be missed. I will cherish all the time we spent together,” said an animal care specialist identified by the zoo as Shannon K.
“He served as an incredible ambassador for his species for the hundreds of thousands of guests who had the chance to know him,” the zoo said.
The zoo said it was having conversations with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums “on the future of lions at the Philadelphia Zoo. We will keep you informed as the process progresses.”
Makini and Tajiri at the Philadelphia Zoo in an undated photo. Tajiri, Makini’s partner, died late last year.Philadelphia Zoo
Jason Kelce wants your pee to cool artificial intelligence data centers.
Not really. But if you take a recent advertisement from Garage Beer and Liquid Death for its word, you would think so. On Tuesday, the two beverage companies released an ad starring Kelce, a cofounder of Garage Beer, where the former Eagles center takes aim at AI data centers.
“This one, as soon as we started brainstorming it, was just so topical and a way that we felt like we could both be farcical in a way that relates to both of our brands,” Garage Beer CEO and co-founder Andy Sauer told The Inquirer. “If you drink beers, if you drink energy drinks, you’re going to have to pee. What could you do with pee? I don’t know. Maybe let’s cool some data centers.”
The ad opens with Kelce urinating in a glass jar, stating, “AI data centers waste millions of gallons of water. That’s why Liquid Death and Garage Beer have decided to team up. We want your pee to cool these data centers.”
Kelce promptly breaks into song, belting, “We want you pee, please give us your pee.” Kelce is joined by Liquid Death mascot Murder Man and people from all walks of life — including a farmer and a skater. Each appears to be holding a jar of their own urine, taking it to a post office to send to a data center.
“It was funny to watch,” Sauer said. “It was like a lemonade mix to make the pee, and like the folks who do the prop work were so funny — just making some darker and some lighter.”
The construction of data centers has become a hot-button issue. A June poll conducted by Quinnipiac University found that 76% of registered Pennsylvania voters would oppose a data center being built in their community. On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro, who previously championed the projects, signed an executive order that requires local approval for the construction of data centers before they can receive state permits.
The outrage around data centers is centered on the projects’ environmental impact on the communities they reside in. A typical data center uses 300,000 gallons of water a day, the equivalent of around 1,000 households, according to NPR.
“[Garage Beer and Liquid Death] kind of treat both of us, our brands, a little bit like writers’ rooms,” Sauer said. “A little [Saturday Night Live]-esque in a way where we are always brainstorming, ‘What are the things that are topical at the moment that we could, in a relevant brand way, comment on?’ And that was that. It just created a great backdrop. We’re like, ‘Everybody’s talking about AI and data centers and the water surrounding it.’”
Along with releasing the ad, the two beverage companies sold “Data Center Coolant Collectors” — glass jars similar to the ones shown in the ad. The jars quickly sold out.
Jason Kelce (right), with Liquid Death mascot Murder Man, are collecting “pee” in this ad.Garage Beer
With the ad taking on a contentious issue, the reactions to it have varied. Some, who are against the construction of the centers, have celebrated the spot. Others have condemned the ad, claiming Kelce is not “informed on data centers.”
“It is still funny to me how unserious this is and how serious some of the responses are, which, to me, almost just makes it funnier,” Sauer said. “I saw one comment that said, ‘I think this is taking it a little too far. I don’t think we actually need to send them pee.’ Like, clearly, we’re not actually collecting urine.
“[Kelce’s] been equally surprised at the seriousness of the comments. He’s having to hold back from responding with jokes to those things. So he’s getting a kick out of it. I think he thinks it’s just very funny because in his mind, it’s so obviously ridiculous.”
Jason Kelce is “getting a kick out of” the response to his Garage Beer ad, its CEO says.Courtesy of the Philadelphia Eagles
Sauer noted that, before this ad, Garage Beer had maintained an “apolitical, always positive tone” in its marketing. The company’s CEO clarified that their trademark style is not going anywhere. Cofounder and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Jason’s younger brother, is starring in a “five-part series” of ads that is “very heartwarming” and more aligned with the company’s usual tone.
“I think our goal is just to perpetually be entertaining,” Sauer said.
Think you know your news? There’s only one way to find out. Welcome back to our weekly News Quiz — a quick way to see if your reading habits are sinking in and to put your local news knowledge to the test.
Question 1 of 10
What’s SEPTA’s name for its new bus route changes and updates?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
This weekend, the region’s transit agency will roll out the first phase of its New Bus Network, the bus system’s first significant update since the agency was formed in the 1960s. Once dubbed Bus Revolution, the project began in 2021 after transit agencies around the country saw massive declines in ridership. SEPTA’s Bus Revolution was set to launch in 2025 but faced significant community pushback and coincided with the state funding crisis that halted many planned transit initiatives. Two years after being shelved, a slimmed-down version of the plan has a new name and a new approach.
Question 2 of 10
In an interview with Kevin and Michael Bacon about their Philly roots, Kevin revealed he indulges in this treat, which he’ll snag at Wawa, every time he’s in town.
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
“I go to Wawa and get a Tastykake Jelly Krimpet,” Kevin said. “The secret to eating a Jelly Krimpet is you delicately peel back the cookie dough, and extract a jelly ball. You actually hold the jelly ball in your hand, and pop it in your mouth. And then you can eat the rest of it.”
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Question 3 of 10
A small town in this state will attempt to break Philly’s record for the world’s longest cheesesteak on Sunday:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The bad news: Lewiston, Idaho, is coming for Philly’s newly established “longest cheesesteak” world record. The good news: It’s an unofficial attempt — preserving Philly’s Guinness honor — and the proceeds are going to charity, which is kind of hard to bash.
Question 4 of 10
Viral French musician Plumes, known for serenading wild animals around the world, took his talents to the Philadelphia Zoo. When he first arrived in the city on Tuesday, he greeted these animals first with a tune:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
He visited the zoo Tuesday — after running up the Rocky steps — and serenaded the tortoises ahead of sessions on Thursday and Friday, where he played for other animals.
Question 5 of 10
Crossing Broad reported that this store was keeping LeBron James jerseys behind the counter to avoid theft. But store managers told The Inquirer that wasn’t the case:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
A representative from the Dick’s Sporting Goods corporate offices, located in Coraopolis, Pa., confirmed that no jerseys were reported stolen. Jerseys were initially kept behind the checkout to boost sales, but are in the process of being moved to the floor. Some stores already have them on the floor.
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What is being proposed to replace the current site of the Walnut Gardens beer garden on Walnut Street and the previous site of three historic buildings demolished after fire damage?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The proposed building is a two-story retail site with a roof deck. The property is owned by the Gridmark Group, which was founded by Ari Weber, a Brooklyn-based real estate investor. The building is being designed by Philadelphia-based JKRP Architects. After Weber acquired the property, he said he eventually planned to build a 30-story apartment building on the site. Now he has decided that conditions are not favorable for such a large-scale project.
Question 7 of 10
This local journalist’s likeness is at the center of an ongoing catfishing scheme, emailing authors and other personalities about being interviewed on their show — for a fee:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
A recent string of scams and catfish-style attempts, targeting stars and other media personalities, are using Philly’s own Terry Gross as the bait. Writer Bruce Vilanch says he was the latest victim. WHYY says it’s investigating.
Question 8 of 10
Philly is one of three finalist cities to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention. What are the other two?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
In addition to Philadelphia, the Democratic National Committee said it is also considering Denver and Boston on its narrowed short list of cities to hold the next presidential nominating convention. The announcement means that Atlanta and Chicago, which were on a previous list of five potential host cities, have been eliminated from contention.
Question 9 of 10
A new food vendor is replacing Poe’s at Human Robot’s Kensington and Brewerytown locations. Who is it?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Poe’s will be replaced by Cantina La Martina, the acclaimed Mexican restaurant from James Beard-nominated chef Dionicio Jimenez and his wife, Mariangeli Alicea Saez. The move is both an expansion of the couple’s relationship with Human Robot — Cantina La Martina has been serving brunch, tacos, and enchiladas at the brewer’s Jenkintown location since 2024 — and a homecoming.
Question 10 of 10
Which local university will, for the first time, require most freshmen students to live on campus for the 2027-28 school year?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Temple University will require freshmen under the age of 21 to live on campus, with certain exceptions for students living locally with parents or guardians and others facing financial hardship. The university’s decision comes as the school makes an effort to improve the first-year experience and stem a declining retention rate. It’s a significant change for a university that for much of its history was largely a commuter school and only transitioned to a major research university with an on-campus living community in recent decades.
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The Philadelphia area, which is not exactly known for its voracious college football fan base, continues to produce high-end college football talent. Over the last decade, the area’s high school football programs have been a gateway for many players to reach the NFL.
Last year, the area featured a national-level player in La Salle College High’s Joey O’Brien, who’s now at Notre Dame. This year features two top-10 national players in their respective classes: Coatesville’s 6-foot-5, 305-pound offensive tackle Max Hiller, committed to Florida, and ranked No. 3 in the nation by ESPN and No. 1 offensive tackle for the Class of 2027; and Jett Harrison, the youngest son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison and younger brother of Marvin Harrison Jr., the former St. Joseph’s Prep star and Arizona Cardinal receiver who was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Jett is ranked No. 6 in the Class of 2028 and the No. 2 ranked wide receiver in the nation.
Here’s the area’s top 20 players, according to area coaches, college scouts, and recruiting services, to watch this season.
Cooper is committed to Louisiana State University after a junior season in which he caught 44 passes for 644 yards and six touchdowns. He is rangy, explosive, and impossible to cover one-on-one at the high school level, where his ability to high point the ball is nearly unstoppable. He’s an exceptional route runner and possesses a high-end work ethic.
Cade Cooper plans to play at Louisiana State University next fall.Steven M. Falk / For The Inquirer
Sammy Dantonka
Cardinal O’Hara, 6-2, 230 pounds, Edge, Sr.
Dantonka is one of the more underrated players in the area and really blossomed last season. He was the cornerstone of O’Hara winning its first District 12 Class 4A championship and first state playoff game in 2025. He committed to Wake Forest after a junior season in which he had 83 tackles (40 solo) as a defensive end. He had seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss. He may play both ways this season, possibly playing some tight end in addition to defensive end. He is projected to be an edge rusher at Wake Forest. Dantonka started playing football as a freshman at O’Hara.
Sammy Dantonka had 83 tackles as a defensive end with Cardinal O’Hara last season.Cardinal O'Hara Athletics
Tyrie Davis-Winn
Bonner-Prendergast, 6-8, 270 pounds, OT, Jr.
Davis-Winn is receiving interest from Notre Dame, Penn State, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Florida, Florida State, and Texas, among others. Davis-Winn is a two-year starter and very good athlete. He has an 84-inch reach and will play both sides of the ball for the Friars at offensive tackle and as a rotational defensive tackle. He was on the Friars’ Class 5A state championship basketball team, but his college ticket will be in football.
Ezeukwu, a three-year starter, and is already committed to Oregon. He is a rangy athlete who can cover open ground and the scary part is, he’s still improving. Ezeukwu was a one-man wrecking crew for the PIAA Class 5A state champions, who will face a tougher task this season in its move up to 6A, where defending state champion La Salle and perennial powerhouse St. Joe’s Prep reside.
Victor Ezeukwu is a three-year starter for Roman Catholic.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Mekhi Graham
Owen J. Roberts, 6-foot, 210 pounds, RB, Sr.
Graham, who’s bound for Maryland next fall, rushed for 1,732 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He will be a key cog in OJ Roberts’ quest to win a Pioneer Athletic Conference championship, which the Wildcats last won in 2010 (shared with Boyertown). It last won the PAC outright in 1993.
A two-year starter at right tackle, Graham is headed to Duke next year. The converted tight end has great balance and great coordination. He is a first-team All-Inter-Ac choice and will play some defensive tackle.
Malvern Prep’s Tyler Graham has been a two-year starter at right tackle.Steven M. Falk / For The Inquirer
Matthew Gregory
Owen J. Roberts, 6-1, 180 pounds, WR, Sr.
Gregory is a UCLA pledge and one of the fastest athletes in the state. He’s ranked as the No. 7 wide receiver nationally, after catching 58 passes for 911 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior. Something to think about: Gregory’s talent is so respected, UCLA came across the country to snare him over major programs like LSU, Notre Dame, and James Franklin’s Virginia Tech.
The youngest son of former Roman Catholic star and NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, Jett is already committed to Ohio State, where is older brother played. Jett is considered by many recruiters as the top 2028 prospect in the country. As a sophomore, Jett broke the Catholic League single-season touchdown record with 15 last season and will likely by double and sometimes triple teamed this season. He’s the No. 6-rated recruit in the nation for the Class of 2028 and recently signed a deal with New Balance.
Hiller committed to Florida in April and signed with mega-agent Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which also signed his brother, basketball standout Colton Hiller. Max will play both ways this season, though he is projected to be an offensive tackle at Florida. What makes him unique is how quick and nimble his feet are for someone so large. The only thing missing from his resume is a PIAA District 1 Class 6A championship.
Maxwell Hiller is considered the best recruit in the state in the Class of 2027.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Trey Hopkins
La Salle, 6-2, 195 pounds, CB, Sr.
Committed to UCLA, Hopkins was a shutdown cornerback who had one interception last season. At 6-2, he is a rangy corner who uses his hands well, and is very good at playing the ball in the air. He can play both cornerback and safety, though he is projected to be a corner at UCLA. He will go both ways for the Explorers this season as a defensive back and wide receiver.
Trey Hopkins celebrates after intercepting the ball during the PIAA Class 6A football semifinal game on Nov. 29, 2025.Colleen Claggett / For The Inquirer
Walter Hudson
Roman Catholic, 6-1, 215 pounds, LB, Sr.
Hudson is bound for Pittsburgh next year, after a junior year in which he made 77 tackles (13 for loss). A three-year varsity starter, Hudson was a keystone of arguably the best team in the state last season, winners of Roman’s first-ever state football championship. The Cahillites and Hudson face a steeper test this season moving to Class 6A.
As a junior, Walter Hudson had 77 tackles and 13 tackles for loss.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Owen Johnson
La Salle, 5-10, 190 pounds, WR, Jr.
He has offers from Notre Dame, Penn State, Oregon, Alabama, Auburn, and Ole Miss, with more to follow. As a sophomore, Johnson performed well in significant games. He hauled in 73 catches for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. He had a game-high nine catches for 96 yards and scored two of La Salle’s three touchdowns in a 24-14 victory over Prep in the PCL championship. He followed that with three touchdowns in the state title game. It helped getting single coverage with Notre Dame-bound O’Brien on the other side of the field. This year, Johnson will be the focal point of opposing defenses.
Owen Johnson caught 73 catches for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
Marcus Jones
The Haverford School, 6-3, 190 pounds, S, Sr.
Jones is a four-year starter and committed to Tennessee, where his uncle Mark Jones played. Marcus is the son of former Strath Haven great and Purdue receiver Ike Jones, who caught passes from two Hall of Famers: Drew Brees and Peyton Manning. Marcus is projected to play safety at Tennessee. Marcus plays on both sides of the ball for the Fords, as a wide receiver and defensive back. He is coming off a junior season in which he caught 38 passes for 542 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, he made 52 tackles (37 solo) and four tackles for loss.
Marcus Jones caught 38 passes for 542 yards and four touchdowns last season.Haverford School Athletics
Brandon Lockley
St. Joe’s Prep, 6-2, 216 pounds, LB, Sr.
Lockley may arguably be the best linebacker in the state. A physical, versatile defender, Lockley is a three-year starter bound for Oregon, after coming off a first-team, all-Catholic League junior season. He has the ability to play in space, support the run, and matchup in multiple offensive groupings. He won’t come off the field this season.
Brandon Lockley (right) of St. Joe’s Prep tackles Zah Pollard of Imhotep Charter on Nov. 16, 2024.Charles Fox / Staff Photographer
Stanley Montgomery
Archbishop Ryan, 6-3, 300 pounds, DL/OT, Sr.
Montgomery is rare in this age of specialization as a two-sport standout in football and wrestling, both of which he plans to do at Penn State. A three-year starter, Montgomery is coming off a junior season in which he tallied 45 tackles, 8½ sacks and 19 tackles for loss. He’s explosive, quick, and carries himself low. He’s projected to be a defensive tackle at Penn State. He’s unblockable at the high school level.
A long, strong, athletic edge rusher with a non-stop motor, he is getting attention from Penn State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU, Oregon, and Ohio State after a sophomore year in which he had eight sacks, 35 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 16 hurries. He runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash and jumped 37 inches. He played primarily edge rusher. And will play some defensive tackle and linebacker. He is being recruited as an edge rusher.
George Parkinson IV had eight sacks, 35 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 16 hurries last season.Steven M. Falk / For The Inquirer
Ben Sakyiama
Archbishop Wood, 6-8, 320 pounds, OT, Sr.
A two-year starter, Sakyiama is a Syracuse pledge, where he is projected to be a left tackle. He will be a two-way starter as a left tackle and situational defensive tackle for coach Brian Goettner, who enters his second season as head coach. Sakyiama has grown an inch since last year and is down to around 320 pounds from playing at 345 last year. Sakyiama started playing football three years ago. He is still learning the game, with a tremendous upside.
Archbishop Wood’s Ben Sakyiama just started playing football three years ago.Francesca Rossillo / Archbishop Wood Athletics
Abraham Sesay
Downingtown East, 6-6, 230 pounds, Edge, Sr.
Sesay continues to blow up, even though he’s committed to Notre Dame. As a junior, he had 13 sacks and 89 tackles and will double up as a tight end. He is rated No. 90 overall in the country by ESPN for the Class of 2027 and is a three-year starter, projected to be an edge rusher at Notre Dame. He has been clocked at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash and is an early admittance to Notre Dame. He has signed with the Octagon agency, which represents Steph Curry. He has grown an inch and gained 20 pounds since last season. Sesay’s East team plays Hiller at Coatesville on Oct. 23.
Abraham Sesay had 13 sacks and 89 tackles as a junior.Downingtown East Athletics
Terrance Smith
Lansdale Catholic, 6-7, 290 pounds, OT, Sr.
Smith is headed to LSU and projected to be an offensive tackle, though will be a defensive tackle and left tackle for the defending PIAA District 12 Class 2A champions. The Crusaders move up to Class 3A this season. Smith, a three-year starter, has a high football IQ, great feet, and played on both sides of the ball. He did not play until the last seven games, recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee during his sophomore season. He has since made a full recovery and is expected to play his entire senior season. He is related to former Sixer great and Hall of Famer Allen Iverson. He did not start playing football until seventh grade. Lansdale Catholic opens the season at Pope John Paul II on Aug. 28.
Terrance Smith will play defensive tackle and offensive tackle this season for Lansdale Catholic.Lansdale Catholic Athletics
Andrew Sorge
La Salle, 6-3, 290 pounds, OG, Sr.
Sorge was the cornerstone of an offensive line that won the Catholic League Red Division and PIAA Class 6A state title last season. Committed to Lafayette, Sorge will again be counted on to stabilize the Explorers’ front. He is a returning All-Catholic League selection, a league that produced two PIAA state champions, and is known for his strength as a pass blocker. La Salle coach Brett Gordon calls him the best interior lineman in Pennsylvania.
Offensive guard Andrew Sorge is one of La Salle’s leaders this season.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
The Philadelphia School District will soon offer a new way to have a say in how Philadelphia school closings, mergers, and other transitions happen.
The district announced Thursday that it will soon open applications for 50 transition teams to help manage what comes next for a host of schools — those closing or beginning phaseouts at the end of the 2026-27 school year, and those receiving students from those schools in 2027-28.
The school board voted in April to close 17 Philadelphia schools, some as soon as the end of the 2026-27 school year. It’s also ordering mergers and other changes. The $3 billion plan, the funding for which is not assured, also plans for 169 renovation projects at schools around the city.
The aim for the transition committees, officials said, it to “bring together students, families, educators, staff, and community partners to provide input, help identify priorities, and support the development of transition plans that reflect the needs of each school community.”
“We know that successful school transitions require more than a plan — they require meaningful partnership with the students, families, staff, and communities who will experience these changes,” Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said in a statement. “This next phase gives communities a clear opportunity to help shape the transition process and ensure that we are planning thoughtfully, collaboratively, and with students at the center.”
The applications will open Aug. 31 and can be filled out through Sept. 18.
Transition committees, made up of up to roughly 20 members, may include teachers and staff, parents and families, community members, and students.
Officials said the committees won’t be the only way for people to have their say. School-specific feedback opportunities will be announced later, they said.
Which 50 schools are forming transition teams?
The schools closing in 2027-28 are:
Blankenburg
Fitler
Lankenau High School
Robert Morris
Overbrook Elementary
Parkway Northwest
Parkway West
Pennypacker Elementary
Paul Robeson High School
John Welsh Elementary
The schools beginning phase-outs in 2027-28 are:
AMY Northwest
Penn Treaty
Harding Middle School
Stetson Middle School
Tilden Middle School
Wagner Middle School
The schools receiving students starting in 2027-28 are:
2026 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn vs. Hyundai Elantra N vs. Mazda3 2.5T Premium Plus AWD Hatchback: Let’s have some fun without breaking the bank.
This week: Mazda3 Hatchback
Price: $41,560 as tested. Ouch. Some bank-breaking this week after all.
What others are saying: “Highs: Posh interior, engaging to drive, manual transmission and AWD options; Lows: The stick is limited to a single setup, abysmal rear visibility with the hatchback,” reports Car and Driver.
What Mazda is saying: “For the fun of the drive.”
Reality: Fun comes at a cost.
What’s new: The aging little hatchback (or sedan) gets some added standard features and packaging updates. Its last major redesign came pre-pandemic in 2019.
Competition: In addition to the comparison vehicles, there are the Honda Civic Si, Honda Civic Type R, Toyota GR Corolla, Volkswagen Golf GTI, and Volkswagen Golf R.
Up to speed: The Mazda3 is fast enough to get you out of jams. Hit the sport mode switch, and the power really comes through.
The 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine definitely adds oomph to the experience, boosting the 186 horsepower in lesser models to 250. That means you’ll get to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, according to Car and Driver, compared to 7 for the base front-wheel-drive model or 7.5 seconds for the all-wheel drive. The turbo tested matches the Jetta but falls behind the Elantra N.
Shifty: Knock the PRND gear selector to the left, and you can slice through the six gears on your own. Pull for upshift, as with the Hyundai; the Jetta is the odd sedan out here, with the upshift push.
Somehow Mazda’s small SUV, the CX-30, felt a lot more fun. Maybe it was the shifter, maybe it was the whole feel, seating position, drivability. Among our test group, though, the Mazda3 is the winner for shifting fun.
A stick is also available, but not if you want the turbo or all-wheel drive. But clutching could add enough fun to the slower ride and put the vehicle around a more reasonable $30,000 (the manual hatchback starts at $25,650).
On the road: The Mazda3 provided some joy but not Elantra N-level highs. It also didn’t have the Elantra N-levellows — hitting road seams and bumps with thunderous force. Similarly, the Mazda kept its composure throughout the drive, not frightening me like the Jetta GLI with frantic dances when the gas pedal was stomped. Here, the Mazda3 wins out.
The interior of the 2026 Mazda3 Hatchback keeps the same look it has for years. The dial controller for the media system and simple gauges remain.Mazda
Driver’s Seat: The leather-trimmed Driver’s Seat provided plenty of support and comfort and didn’t feel at all too firm on my travels. The gauges remain what Mazda owners are familiar with, and that’s fine — they’re really all you need. Mazda doesn’t have a Toyota or BMW budget for updating willy-nilly, and that suits my ilk. In this category, the Elantra N lags the other two.
Friends and stuff: Here’s the really nice part about this Mazda3: It was a hatchback. So of course its spaciousness wipes the board compared to the Jetta and the Elantra.
Cargo space is 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seat. There’s also a bunch more space when the seat is folded, but Mazda doesn’t share those measurements.
The rear seat has plenty of foot room, and the hatchback boosts the headroom a bit, but legroom remains a bit challenging. This category is a draw.
In and out: The Mazda3 skirts sports car territory with its height, so if you’re of a certain age, you’re going to feel it here. (I’ve learned how to stand up leaning on the doorway so it looks nothing at all like I’m approaching age 60, he said delusionally.)
Play some tunes: Speaking of old, the Mazda3 keeps the dial and buttons for stereo control, in addition to the touchscreen that’s so ubiquitous it must be required by law. The touchscreen does have its uses, but the dial and buttons allow for moving around the choices without looking with some practice. Perfect for, you know, driving, which is kinda why we’re here, no? (That guy driving in front of us obviously disagrees.)
The sound, unfortunately, is not up to the latest from the competition, a B+ at best. The bass either thudded or was lacking and song clarity was hit or miss. (Shockingly, the CX-30’s got an A rating.)
Keeping warm and cool: This system also matches all the other Mazdas, dials for temperature and horizontal buttons operating the rest of it, with a small readout.
Fuel economy: The vehicle averaged 24 mpg over its lifetime, kinda par for the course, tied for the loser spot in this category.
Where it’s built: Hofu, Japan, and 85% of its components hail from the Land of the Rising Sun, with none from the U.S.
How it’s built:Consumer Reports rates the Mazda3 a 4 out of 5 for reliability, as it has for the previous two years.
In the end: Mr. Driver’s Seat is faced with one of his biggest dilemmas ever with this comparison. The Jetta brings so much to the game for a bargain price, which we should reward, but a Volkswagen with a 2 out of 5 reliability rating will not stay a bargain.
I still daydream about the Elantra N slicing through the curves north of Reading (and Mrs. Passenger Seat probably still cringes when thinking about that ride), but everything else is so less-than. Still, take a spin in the Elantra N.
The Mazda3 has fun, space, all-wheel drive, and the best reliability rating. But, oh, that price. It’s the same as a similarly equipped CX-30 Turbo, so I’d probably send you to the Mazda dealer and let you choose. Maybe learn to drive a stick if you have to save some dough.
Three properties that span 27 acres and include two homes, two pools, and a two-story barn are for sale for $8.95 million in Willistown Township, Chester County.
The three parcels, situated among the area’s pastures and horse farms, together form the largest package of land currently for sale along the Main Line whose use is not restricted by a conservancy, according to listing agent Karen Strid of Compass Real Estate.
“Each parcel is worth something, but together they’re worth so much more,” Strid said.
That a buyer can do whatever they want on the land, including building more homes, “is what makes [the listing] so rare,” she said.
“It’s such a special purchase for someone who really understands the area,” Strid said.
The three combined parcels for sale at 416, 418, and 420 Dutton Mill Rd., spanning 27 acres in Willistown Township, are outlined in red.Billy Kyle
Willistown Township, which neighbors Malvern Borough and includes the 19th-century village of Sugartown, is a desirable location for people who want land and a more rural feel and also access to mountains, beaches, and major cities, Strid said.
These parcels are “appealing to the people who want privacy and can have whatever they want and don’t want to be in the middle of nowhere,” she said. “You’re really close to everything, but you feel like you’re in your own world.”
The seller owns all three parcels, which together are called Sugartown Springs Farm. Strid said it would make a good family compound. Across the parcels, buildings and property features are “spread out in a really nice way,” she said.
The parcels were privately listed for sale on the Compass and Redfin platforms the second week of August.
Two homes and a two-story barn
At 418 Dutton Mill Rd., a stone main house dating to the mid-1700s offers four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and one half bathroom. The primary en suite bedroom includes a fireplace, soaking tub, shower, and double vanities.
The stone main house at 418 Dutton Mill Rd. has four bedrooms and a two-story solarium that serves as the dining room.Billy Kyle
The 7,559-square-foot house features interior stone walls, exposed timber beams, hardwood floors, and more fireplaces throughout. The two-story solarium serves as the dining room and highlights views of the grounds. The home also has an elevator.
The 10-acre property includes an in-ground pool and a spring-fed pond. A detached garage off the circular driveway can fit six vehicles and also includes a full bathroom and a second laundry room.
The 10-acre property at 418 Dutton Mill Rd. includes an in-ground pool and a detached garage that can fit six vehicles.Billy Kyle
To the right of the main house is a two-story timber-frame barn at 420 Dutton Mill Rd. The barn was once used as an art gallery for Andrew Wyeth’s paintings.
The structure features a glass atrium, a room that could be a bedroom or office, 1½ bathrooms, a kitchenette, and multifunctional space. The upper level has beamed ceilings and gathering spaces.
The upper level of the barn at 420 Dutton Mill Rd. can be used as a gathering space.Billy Kyle
The property includes a stone-walled courtyard and spans 12.8 acres.
These two parcels are listed for sale for a combined $5.975 million.
A second home at 416 Dutton Mill Rd. is listed for sale for $2.975 million. The Colonial spans 6,032 square feet and was built in 1963.
The home has six bedrooms, three full bathrooms, two half bathrooms, formal living and dining rooms, and a walkout finished basement. It features fireplaces and brick wall accents and has a finished attic.
The 4.2-acre property includes a rear stone patio, a detached three-car garage, an in-ground pool, and a timber-frame barn built in 2024.
The home for sale at 416 Dutton Mill Rd. in Willistown Township features an in-ground pool, a timber-frame barn, and a detached three-car garage.Billy Kyle
This home is currently being rented for $9,000 per month under a lease that ends in early 2028.
Strid said standing on Sugartown Springs Farm highlights why people value the lifestyle it represents.
“It’s so serene and calm and beautiful,” she said.
