WPVI-TV, Philadelphia’s longstanding ABC affiliate, said the Federal Communications Commission is threatening to remove the station from the air, and is urging viewers to submit comments to the agency in support of the station.
In a message posted to its website and social media channels Tuesday, 6abc said it “has proudly served Philadelphia for 80 years” and that “the FCC is questioning our commitment to viewers by threatening to take us off the air.”
The message continues, “Use your voice and tell the FCC that Philly deserves to keep its trusted local station WPVI. You have until July 29,” and includes a link to an FCC comment submission form.
6abc is one of eight ABC-owned-and-operated stations seeking viewer support in a battle with the FCC that stems from the agency’s review of ABC stations’ licenses in April.
That review came just after President Donald Trump urged ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel because the talk show host joked about first lady Melania Trump having “a glow like an expectant widow” following an attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
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Our country is celebrating a milestone birthday next Saturday, July 4, and we’d like to know: How are you planning to celebrate America’s 250th birthday?
Here’s how your fellow Pennsylvanians are planning to mark the occasion:
“By getting stinking drunk, something I find myself doing more and more of having to live under this current administration.”
—Frank T., Olyphant
“We are grilling then going to see the Big Boy train after the fireworks. God Bless America.”
—Karla, Philly
“Listening to a reading of the Declaration of Independence. I conduct a local community band that practices at a church in Harrisburg. They asked us to participate by playing patriotic music beforehand and to top it off after the reading by playing John Philip Sousa’s ‘The Stars and Stripes Forever.’”
—Donna D., Mechanicsburg
“With the Dare to Declare event at the historic Duportail House in Chesterbrook. A dozen residents, including myself, will proclaim our independence from the front porch of this circa 1740 home, which served as the quarters for French Gen. Louis Lebègue Duportail at Valley Forge.”
—Jim McKinley, Chester County
“Avoiding any semiquincentennial event even remotely connected with the so-called Freedom 250 organization.”
—Craig, West Chester
“Same as every July 4: Family, fireworks, swimming, and grilling. God bless EVERYONE in America, no matter who you vote for, who you love, or where you came from.”
—Paula Quigley, Somerset County
How are you going to be celebrating America’s 250th birthday? Reply with your plans, and please let us know where you live!
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You can view the Union Pacific train known as Big Boy No. 4014 at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton through June 30. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)
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Union Pacific’s Big Boy train is pulling into Scranton this weekend in the midst of a statewide tour to honor America’s 250th birthday. A little further south, you can watch the World Cup with other soccer fans in Bethlehem. And out west, the annual Pennsylvania Firefly Festival lights up Tionesta.
Those are just a few of the fun things happening across the state this weekend. Here’s a closer look at what’s going on.
Lehigh Valley SoccerFest — Through July 19 (Bethlehem)
Philadelphia’s expansive FIFA Fan Festival isn’t the only place in the commonwealth where you can gather shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow soccer fans to watch thrilling World Cup action. The Lehigh Valley SoccerFest at SteelStacks in Bethlehem features all the matches live on giant screens, along with live music, global cuisine, youth soccer clinics, and a special exhibit highlighting the legendary Bethlehem Steel Soccer Club.
Big Boy Reunion — Through June 30 (Scranton)
The world’s largest operating steam locomotive, the Union Pacific train known as Big Boy No. 4014, began its first-ever voyage through Pennsylvania near Erie on June 9. It’s currently stopped at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton undergoing maintenance, but visitors can still hop on board to take a tour of one of the most iconic locomotives in railroad history.
Pennsylvania Firefly Festival — Friday and Sunday (Tionesta)
You can celebrate Pennsylvania’s official state insect, the firefly, at the 14th annual Pennsylvania Firefly Festival in Forest County’s Tionesta. Tionesta Market Village is the setting for this year’s festival, which includes educational exhibits on fireflies and the surrounding environment during the day, and guided tours to see fireflies—including synchronous firefly displays—once night falls. The festival also features local vendors and food, live music, and more.
Carlisle Summerfair — Friday through July 5
Where else will you find a reenactment of a 19th-century baseball game, food trucks, baby races (you read that right), live music, historical walking tours, and a live reading of the Declaration of Independence, but at the long-running Carlisle Summerfair? This year’s fair marks the 49th edition, with events being held all over town through July 5, including fireworks at the Carlisle Fairgrounds on July 3.
Berry Festival & Craft Show — Saturday and Sunday (Valencia)
You can celebrate the flavors of the season at the Berry Festival & Craft Show in Valencia, Butler County. This berry-focused fest features plenty of kid-friendly activities like tractor rides, face painting, and a petting zoo, along with more than 50 vendors, a beer and wine garden, and plenty of berry-forward foods and drinks to satisfy any taste.
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• President Donald Trump visited a Mack Trucks facility near Allentown on Tuesday, delivering a speech that often felt more like a reelection rally from 2024 than an effort to promote his second-term accomplishments ahead of the midterms. Here’s a recap of Trump’s Lehigh Valley visit.
• Less than two months after endorsing Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti in her race against Republican US Rep. Rob Bresnahan at the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters, the union is now backing Bresnahan’s reelection campaign. Sean Kitchen has more about the reversal in this story.
• The Pa. House just passed a bill that aims to put a cap on how much utility companies can profit from customers, while giving Pennsylvanians a tax cut on electricity. Get the details here.
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Toni Smith emerges from a meeting at the York Democratic office on Thursday, June 2, 2011. (USA Today via Reuters Connect)
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I’ve said it before, and I’m saying it again: the best part about this job is learning so much about our state and its residents, like Toni Smith, a longtime member of York City Council who died last week at age 92.
Smith was born in Rome, but left Italy for the US in the early 1950s, leaving her family behind. After working as a hairdresser for years, she got into politics, initially going door-to-door for local candidates and becoming a Democratic committeewoman.
Smith was elected to the City Council in 1995, where she earned a reputation as a hellraiser, someone who would speak her mind and take on anyone in her quest to do what she believed was right.
Current York Mayor Sandie Walker said the woman known as “Ms. Toni” was instrumental in encouraging her to become civically engaged and pursue public service.
“Ms. Toni was truly one of a kind,” Walker said. “York is a better place because of her life.”
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