WASHINGTON, September 1, 2026 — Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O'Connor, today announced the addition of Rodney Whitlock, Debbie Curtis, Katie Waldo, and Maddie News to the firm's federal health policy practice in Washington, D.C.
Philadelphia is directing $211 million in opioid settlement funds toward Mayor Parker’s Wellness Ecosystem, supporting treatment, housing, behavioral health, and recovery programs across the city. The settlement dollars include long‑term payments from the statewide opioid trust, projected to run through 2040, along with a $110 million Walgreens settlement that continues through 2029.
Immigrant advocates say the Parker administration has agreed to begin rolling out several key components of Philadelphia’s new ICE OUT laws following a pre‑Labor Day meeting with city officials. According to advocates, the city committed to posting new signage marking restricted areas on September 8, launching mandatory employee training beginning September 14, and confirming by October 1 that the Police Department and Department of Prisons have no agreements allowing local participation in federal immigration enforcement. Coalition leaders described the meeting as productive and emphasized that implementation will take time.
Hundreds gathered outside the Academy of Natural Sciences to protest Drexel University’s plan to close the museum on September 30, urging the university to treat the situation as an emergency and pursue every option to keep the institution open. Speakers included Councilmembers Ahmad, Young Jr., and Landau, and State Senator Chris Rabb, all of whom criticized the lack of communication from Drexel and outlined potential strategies such as rezoning the site to block redevelopment, seeking emergency grants, leveraging the endowment, or petitioning Orphans’ Court to lift restrictions. Demonstrators, scientists, and educators emphasized the museum’s 200‑year legacy and its role in inspiring future generations, while calling on Drexel, Mayor Parker, and Governor Shapiro to intervene.
President Donald Trump has commuted the six‑year federal sentence of former Philadelphia labor leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty, according to his attorney. He had four years remaining on his sentence and is expected to be released soon.
Philadelphia’s 39th Annual Tri‑State Labor Day Parade drew large crowds of union members and families who celebrated recent contract wins while voicing concerns about rising costs. Local labor leaders pointed to economic pressures including inflation, healthcare expenses, and tight job markets, even as they praised the strength of union solidarity and noted victories such as wage increases secured by Peco workers and hotel employees. City officials also emphasized organized labor’s role in Philadelphia, with Managing Director Carlton Williams noting that union workers have cleaned more than 150,000 blocks under Mayor Parker’s administration.
State prosecutors have asked a federal judge to bar District Attorney Larry Krasner and his office from continuing to handle a contentious post‑conviction case, arguing that internal disputes and alleged comments by Krasner created a conflict of interest. In filings, the Attorney General’s Office said Krasner acted to protect his office rather than the Commonwealth, while Krasner’s team countered that he managed the matter appropriately, consulted outside experts, and appointed an external prosecutor to oversee the case. The decision on whether Krasner’s office will remain involved now rests with U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond.
The 76ers and Flyers released the first renderings of their new privately funded arena planned for the former Spectrum site in South Philadelphia, with construction expected to begin in 2027 and opening slated for 2030. Comcast and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment will co‑own the venue, and Comcast holds the naming rights. Mayor Parker shared the renderings on social media, while labor leader Ryan Boyer praised the project’s job creation potential. The arena still requires regulatory and legislative approval before construction can begin.
Dennis Mahoney, a 34‑year‑old humanitarian aid worker from South Philadelphia, is running as an independent in the November general election for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, where he will face State Representative Chris Rabb, who won the Democratic primary in May. Mahoney, backed by the Forward Party Victory Fund, is centering his campaign on poverty reduction, affordable housing, and education, drawing on his decade of disaster‑relief experience in the U.S. and abroad. Mahoney says he hopes to offer voters an alternative and has been focusing on community outreach, including meeting residents through running clubs and local organizations.
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Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.
September 10, 2026
September 10, 2026
September 9, 2026
