Invasive ticks swarm southeastern Pennsylvania
A longhorned tick is seen in a file photo. (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania)
A potentially serious threat is spreading through the commonwealth.
Asian longhorned ticks were first discovered in the U.S. in 2017 on a New Jersey sheep farm just north of Philadelphia, wrote Liz Tung and Alan Yu.
“Longhorn ticks are found in 27 counties in Pennsylvania — almost the entire southern half of Pennsylvania,” said Keith Price, who manages the Vector Management Laboratory at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
As the calendar turns to 2026, Pennsylvanians will want to keep a close eye on the invasive species, with the hope it does not become a public health threat.
A former Eagle and Super Bowl champ goes to prison
Wendell Smallwood scored eight touchdowns for the Eagles over three seasons. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Wendell Smallwood Jr. was a reserve running back and kickoff returner for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016 to 2018, which included the Super Bowl-winning squad in 2017.
In court, Smallwood stated that he had defrauded federal government programs, and he admitted to fleecing the Internal Revenue Service for $645,000, reported Cris Barrish.
On Sept. 18, Smallwood was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
“I make no excuses for what I have done,” Smallwood said in court before being sentenced. “I have nobody to blame but myself.”
Here’s the full story on Smallwood’s path from a Super Bowl championship to incarceration.
What’s the buzz with 6-7?
A hot topic this year was the phrase “6-7.” The two digits combined were named Dictionary.com’s word of the year.
The song by Philly rapper Skrilla, “Doot Doot,” includes the lyric, “The way that switch, I know he dyin’ … 6-7.”
Though the track was released last year, the phrase found its way into widespread public vernacular in 2025.
The global phrase has Philadelphia roots and mass appeal — that’s why it’s rounding out our top five stories from 2025.
Dillon Dodson wrote about the phrase’s origin and meaning.