Local Girl Made the Finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee

Plus: Philly Beer Week starts today, the SRC passed a $2.5 billion budget, politicians are still divided on the AVI tax reassessment, and more of what the city is talking about today.

Local Girl Comes Up Short in Spelling Bee Finals. Lena Greenberg, of Chestnut Hill, made it to to the Championship Finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee last night. The 14-year-old spelled catallactics, contrecoup, cholecystitis, otosteon and yttriferous in the semifinals and finals before misspelling geistlich. [Inquirer]

Philly Beer Week Starts Today. Only one work day stands between you and Philly Beer Week. All hail the Hammer of Glory! [Foobooz]

SRC Passes $2.5 Billion Budget. Much to the chagrin of the hundreds of protesters interrupting the proceedings with chants and other verbal outbursts, the School Reform Commission voted last night to adopt a $2.5 billion budget for the 2012-13 school year. [Inquirer]

Outdoor Feeding Ban Begins Today. As of today it is illegal to feed large amounts of people on city parkland. Mayor Nutter insists that the measure was adopted to ensure the cleanliness of the city and help the homeless maintain their dignity. [CBS 3]

AVI Still a Divisive Issue. With less than a month to pass a budget, many city and state politicians are still at odds over Philadelphia’s proposed actual value assessment project, which would alter property taxes. State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams said that anyone opposed to the AVI is simply trying to protect constituents who have been getting a tax break for years. [Inquirer]

Pronger Not Retiring? Chris Pronger—the Flyers captain who missed much of last season with post-concussion syndrome—will be spending some time in St. Louis due to an illness in his wife’s family. When people saw moving vans at their Haddonfield home, many thought that Pronger was calling it a career. Not so, says GM Paul Holmgren. Homer was adamant that Pronger has not yet retired. [Philly.com]

SEPTA Employee Dies From Shooting. The SEPTA employee who was shot on his way to work early Thursday morning died from the multiple gunshot wounds he suffered during the attack. Authorities say he lived a complicated personal life and believe he was targeted. [6 ABC]