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PHILADELPHIA - Pennsylvania officials kicked off a 13-day tour on Monday to celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, with Philadelphia serving as the launch point for a statewide tribute to every county.

Statewide tour highlights local history and community pride

What we know:

The America250 PA tour began in Philadelphia, where officials unveiled dozens of colorful fiberglass liberty bells that will be installed in neighborhoods across the city.

The tour’s second stop was Delaware County, home to what officials call the oldest settlement in the country in Chester.

The tour will visit courthouses and historic sites in Montgomery, Bucks and Chester counties, as part of a journey to all 67 counties in Pennsylvania.

"We are actually kicking off our 2026 kick off tour," said Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America250 PA.

Officials say the tour is designed to encourage everyone in Pennsylvania to participate in the nation’s birthday celebrations, regardless of where they live. "To really talk about those contributions that each county that they’ve made to the Pennsylvania American story," said Coleman.

The tour also highlights significant local achievements.

"Between 1852 and 1854 we had the first women’s suffrage convention in the country right here in West Chester in this building. And two years later we founded the first HBCU in the country. Lincoln University 9 years before the 13th Amendment passed," said Josh Maxwell, Chester County commissioner.

The backstory:

America250 PA was established eight years ago to prepare for the 250th anniversary celebration.

The organization is working to ensure that every community in the state is recognized for its role in shaping the country’s history.

The tour is part of a broader effort to showcase the people, places and events that have defined Pennsylvania and the nation.

Events, concerts and special merchandise are planned as part of what officials call a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

Officials say the semiquincentennial is a unique opportunity for Pennsylvanians to come together.

"I think folks need to understand the Semiquincentennial is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we all need to come together and we cannot miss the mark," said Coleman.

Why you should care:

The America250 PA tour is not just about marking a milestone—it’s about recognizing the diverse stories and achievements that make up Pennsylvania’s contribution to the United States.

The celebration aims to bring communities together and inspire pride in local and national history.

The tour’s events and installations, including the liberty bells and planned concerts, are intended to engage residents of all ages and backgro unds in the upcoming semiquincentennial.

For more information, visit america250pa.org

More than 120 restaurants will be offering special dinner and lunch as part of Center City District Restaurant Week from Jan. 18 to Jan. 31.

PHILADELPHIA — More than 120 restaurants are on board for Center City District Restaurant Week, which begins Sunday.

Dozens of restaurants across Center City will offer exclusive limited-time menus at a discount Sunday through Jan. 31.

Three-course dinners will be available starting at $45 per person, with select locations offering a $60 premium option. Some participating restaurants will also offer two-course lunch menus for $20. Gratuity, special dietary options and hours of operation vary by location.

Reservations are recommended and can be made directly with participating restaurants.

A full list of participating restuarants is below.

Front- and back-of-house workers are vital to the success of CCD Restaurant Week. Center City District strongly encourages diners to tip restaurant staff generously. Additionally, CCD has asked participating restaurants to nominate members of their staff for the chance to win a $500 “tip.” Five winners will be selected at random, with all nominees receiving a small gift as a token of appreciation. Winners will be announced at the end of Restaurant Week.

Restaurant Week diners will also be treated to discounted parking for $10 or less every night of the promotion, from 4:45 p.m. through 1 a.m. Partners include LAZ, BexPark by Brandywine and the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Go online here to find the closest garage to your dining destination and follow the instructions provided. Some locations allow the use of a digital parking voucher, which can be accessed directly on the website, while others require reservations made in advance.

"For more than two decades, Restaurant Week has been a cherished tradition that brings people together," CCD President and CEO Prema Katari Gupta said. "The ritual of gathering around a table to share a meal reminds us that Center City is where our community comes together. Our restaurant scene doesn't just feed people—it creates moments of togetherness and connection that remind us why downtown matters.

CCD’s is also offering their Dinner for a Year promotion again. Four people will each win a year’s worth of restaurant gift cards Center City dining destinations. Entries can be submitted at online here for a chance to win. No purchase necessary.

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Phillies have resigned their franchise catcher J.T. Realmuto to a three year contract worth $45 million, according to multiple news sources, bringing to an end months of negotiations that held the immediate direction and strategy of the franchise in a suspended state.

The signing was first reported by Ken Rosenthal and Matt Gelb of The Athletic and later confirmed by Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The news came just moments after their arch rivals, the New York Mets, announced they had signed infielder Bo Bichette to a massive three year, $126 million deal. The Phillies had been connected to Bichette over the past week after meeting with him on Monday, and the two sides expressed strong interest in each other.

The Mets, however, had just lost out on the sweepstakes for the other top available free agent, Kyle Tucker, to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tucker signed an absurd four year, $240 million deal in LA. The Mets had offered four years and $220, and immediately pivoted and used that money to sign Bichette, even though he's a less perfect fit in an already crowded infield in Queens.

Twisting the dagger, Nightengale further adds that the Phillies had a 7 year, $200 million contract agreement in place with Bichette late Thursday night before the Tucker deal. It appears the Tucker signing incentivized the Mets to go big on Bichette, and possibly incentivized Bichette to bet on himself on a shorter term deal.

The Phillies immediately turned back to Realmuto, as they have little interest in anyone else left on the market this winter.

The contracts for Tucker and Bichette are stunning in part because they award very good players, players in the top 20 or 30 of the league, more money annually than the game's elite. Tucker's $57 million per year and Bichette's $42 million per year are more than better players like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Trea Turner make.

But because the contracts are so short, they allow teams to avoid the long relationships that stars typically demand. Bichette and Tucker will still be in their prime years, their early 30s, when the deals expire.

The Phillies pivot to Realmuto, who is 34 but will be 35 on opening day, will keep their catcher in town through his age 37 season. It's the second contract he's signed with the Phillies since he was acquired from the Miami Marlins in a Feb. 2019 trade.

That deal proved to be a huge win for the Phillies, as the prospects they gave to Miami did not pan out, and Realmuto established himself as the most consistent and perhaps the best catcher in baseball for years to come. He was resigned to a record-setting five-year contract ahead of the 2021 season. During his Phillies tenure, he's been named to two All-Star teams, finished as high as 7th in MVP voting, and been a critical part of a core that has made four straight playoff appearances, won two NL East titles, and won the National League pennant in 2022.

Realmuto may not be the best catcher in baseball anymore, and he has shown signs of decline in his bat over the past few seasons. However, he remains a very good baserunner, a good pitch framer, and still has one of the best arms in the league. His pop time (measured as how quickly he throws out runners stealing a base) remains elite. Perhaps mostly importantly, he has developed an excellent relationship with the Phillies star pitching staff.

He was also by far the best catching option available to the Phillies in either free agency or the trade market. Without Realmuto, the Phillies would have entered a season of World Series aspirations with unproven backup Rafael Marchan and part-timer Garrett Stubbs as their only options.

It had been believed that the money the Phils used to sign Realmuto could have been redirected to sign Bichette, but it likely would've required the Phillies to both lose Realmuto and to trade third baseman Alec Bohm to free up the necessary salary space.

Still, many analysts believed the Phillies were the most likely destination for Bichette up until Friday morning, and indeed, a deal was in place overnight until the fallout from the Tucker signing changed everything.

This is a breaking story. Refresh the page for more details.

BENSALEM, Pa. -- A suburban Philadelphia shop selling President Donald Trump-themed merchandise that became a magnet for die-hard supporters announced it's closing its doors, six years after opening.

The Trump Store, which sells hats, flags, T-shirts and other items in hotly politically contested Bucks County, posted on social media that its storefront will be closing at the end of the month.

Owner Mike Domanico said in a phone interview Tuesday that he's closing the store because he's focusing on another business, selling firearm targets and other items at gun shows, and he's semi-retired. But the closure is also an acknowledgement that business has slowed down.

"The store has kind of run its course," he said. "You know, it's been six years and the elections are over. Trump's not gonna be in another election, even though he'll be part of it."

The store sells Trump 2028 gear despite the president being constitutionally prohibited from running in 2028. Trump has said it's "too bad" he can't run, though he's also handed out Trump 2028 souvenirs at the White House.

"That's just to get people riled up," Domanico said.

The Facebook post announcing the store's closure attracted gloating comments from apparent Trump skeptics.

"Are you no longer winning?" wrote one commenter. Another said: "Trump must be doing wonders for the economy."

Domanico said there was a time when he'd respond to all the comments, but no longer.

"No matter what the president does, they hate him no matter how good anything is," he said.

Dave Russell, 81, is a longtime Trump supporter and was at the shop when it opened in 2020 to buy a Trump for Veterans hat. In a phone interview Tuesday, he said he wasn't surprised the shop was closing.

"Because most of the stuff they sell was to promote Trump. He's already in this last term. You can't do much more for him than he's already gotten," Russell said.

Bucks County is often viewed as a crucial bellwether in presidential elections. Trump narrowly carried the county over Kamala Harris in 2024 on his way to winning back Pennsylvania as he did in his first victory in 2016.

Asked if he'd go back for any final sales items, Russell laughed and said no. "I am so loaded up with Trump stuff. I don't need anything."

Some Philadelphia-area families are starting 2026 with new additions!

Temple Women & Families Hospital, located in Philadelphia, welcomed their first baby of the year at 12:10 a.m. on New Year's Day.

Baby boy Ezekiel Hall was born to Natalie Rivera.

At Penn Medicine Doylestown Hospital, baby Henry Schamp was born exactly at midnight to parents Sarah and Ryan Schamp.

Penn Medicine shared additional photos of some of their New Year babies:

The first baby at St. Luke’s University Health Network's Anderson Campus in Easton, Pennsylvania, was Ja'coby Asher Roberson, born at 1:11 a.m.

From gift guides to local events, we're here to help you and your family celebrate the special days of the year.

Ja'coby weighs 8 pounds and 6 ounces and was welcomed by parents Brian Roberson and Kobie Smith.

St. Luke's shared that both the baby boy and the mom are healthy and doing well.

At Lankenau Medical Center, part of Main Line Health, baby Elliott Sarnoff was born at 12:22 a.m. to parents Kim and Jason Sarnoff.

The hospital shared that he was born weighing 8 pounds and 13 ounces.

Jefferson Health also shared that several families across its hospitals welcomed many babies this New Year.

At Lehigh Valley Hospital—Cedar Crest, Carissa Corneil and Victor Caraballo-Bourdier of Zionsville welcomed Isabella Mia Bourdier-Corneil.

Baby Isbella was born at 12:11 a.m., weighing 7 pounds and 10 ounces.

Then at Lehigh Valley Hospital—Muhlenberg, Priscilla Flores and Jason Olowoyo of Bethlehem welcomed Elliana Tola Olowoyo at 12:42 am, weighing 5 pounds and 2 ounces.

Lindsay and Matthew Logan of Chalfont welcomed Dawson Logan at Jefferson Abington Hospital. Baby Dawson was born at 1:01 am, weighing 6 pounds 13 ounces.

At Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital, Rhondica Cash of Philadelphia welcomed Yara Cash at 3:28 a.m., weighing 3 pounds and 3 ounces.

Heather Dietz and Zachary Jones of Lansford welcomed Jasper Thorn Jones at Lehigh Valley Hospital—Hazleton. Baby Jasper was born at 3:38 am, weighing 7 pounds and 2 ounces.

Capital Health Medical Center-Hopewell in Hopewell Township, New Jersey, shared that they welcomed their first baby of the year at 3:27 am.

Parents Rhiannon and Jorden Kook-Miller of Florence, New Jersey, welcomed a baby boy, Derek.

The hospital said that Derek is a rainbow baby and the family sported matching shirts made by Grandmom. Both parents and baby, Derek, are doing well.

Virtua Health also shared that their first arrival of the year is Landon, an 8-pound, 10-ounce baby boy born at 12:29 a.m. at Virtua Voorhees Hospital.

The hospital shared that parents Caitlyn and Mark, along with his older brother, were excited to ring in the new year with their newest family member.

Congratulations to all the families!