Still figuring out how you’re going to celebrate America’s 250th birthday? We’re here to help.

Given Pennsylvania’s pivotal role in the American Revolution, it should come as no surprise that the state is hosting a number of exciting events to mark the country’s 250th anniversary.

From big-city fireworks to historic reenactments to small-town parades, our Kalena Thomhave is highlighting some of the best events happening across the commonwealth for a very special Fourth of July weekend.

Check out Kalena’s story here.

Quick safety note: Whether you’re in Philly, Pittsburgh, NEPA, Erie, Central Pa., or anywhere in between on July Fourth, it’s going to be a scorcher. The National Weather Service said high humidity could lead to heat indexes of 100 to 110 degrees, and as high as 115. Whatever you’re doing and wherever you’re doing it, make sure to limit outdoor activity, stay hydrated and ensure access to air-conditioning and other cooling areas.

Our summer supporter drive wraps tomorrow at midnight, so if you haven’t donated yet, there’s still time.

Any amount helps us to keep our community-focused reporting free and accessible to all Pennsylvanians.

Not able to give right now? You can still support our work by sharing this newsletter with someone who cares about local news in Pennsylvania.

Thanks for being part of The Keystone community!

“Penn’s Treaty with the Indians” is a famous 1771 painting depicting an idealized version of William Penn entering into the 1682 Treaty of Shackamaxon (in present-day Philadelphia’s Fishtown) with the Lenape. While Penn and the Lenape committed to peace, it wasn’t long until Penn’s descendants cheated the Lenape and pushed them out of their territory. (Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts/public domain)

Our history is our history, the good, the ugly—all of it. We can’t attempt to whitewash it or erase it because we feel it represents an “improper ideology.” 

So in the midst of all the America250 hoopla, let’s not lose sight of the fact that the area we call Pennsylvania had a long history before it was known by that name. Numerous Indigenous tribes occupied different parts of the area, migrated through and away from it, engaged in conflict and alliances, and in some cases, vanished due to disease or warfare before European settlers ever met them.

Many tribes were decimated by colonization, either directly through violence and forced removal or indirectly through the spreading of disease. Others were displaced or weakened by wars with neighboring tribes, often driven by colonial pressures.

But many Native Americans still live in Pennsylvania, carrying on their traditions and maintaining their cultures, despite the fact that the commonwealth is one of the few states that does not have a federally recognized Native American tribe or any tribal reservations. The state also does not officially recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day with roots that go back to 1977.

In this story, we take a look at the nine Indigenous tribes who were the real founding fathers of our state.

• Following a recent report in the New York Times, US Rep. Dan Meuser, who represents a number of counties in central Pa., confirmed that federal officials are canceling plans for proposed ICE detention centers in Berks and Schuylkill counties. Find out more here.

• A lawsuit filed against the US Department of Health and Human Services claims that family planning and health organizations that serve tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians could see federal funding delayed or denied by a new Trump administration policy. Get the details here.

• Data center expansion is a major issue in Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial race, and both candidates—incumbent Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican challenger Stacy Garrity—are accusing each other of flip-flopping on the issue. Get the story here.

• Wawa’s expansion into Sheetz territory is creeping further west. Find out where this new location is slated for in this report.

West Yorker Matt Snow will attempt to cross the United States aboard his skateboard to promote mental health awareness, going from New Jersey to California. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

On Sunday, West York native Matt Snow embarked on a skateboarding trip across the country to raise mental health awareness. 

Snow is working with Building Bridges For Brianna, an organization that helps deal with and prevent suicidal and non-suicidal self-injury in York County.

Snow said he’s had his own struggles with mental health. Those struggles increased after an accident three years ago where he was burned with boiling corrosive acid.

You can learn more about Snow’s journey in this story.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from Kalena Thomhave, The Associated Press, USA Today via Reuters Connect, and Ian Karbal of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. It was edited by Paula Solis.

The Keystone is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.