5 stories to follow: June 26

Here's your daily look at five stories we're following:

1. U.S.-Germany match: The United States and Germany face off in the final Group G World Cup match today. The winner will advance, while the loser could be out of the contest and a draw would let both teams move on. The game is forcing German Americans in Philadelphia to decide where their loyalties are.

2. Neshaminy "Redskin" policy: A Neshaminy School District committee endorsed a policy earlier this week that allows editors of the Neshaminy High School newspaper to choose not to print a word -- like "Redskin," the name of the school's teams -- in news articles, but can't bar such words in editorials. The full school board will take up the proposal today.

3. State budgets: State legislators in New Jersey are scheduled to vote on a $34.1 billion state budget that includes tax increases today, though vetoes from Gov. Chris Christie are expected. Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, the state House approved a $29.1 billion budget that now heads to the Senate, though negotiations are expected to persist through the weekend and changes are likely.

4. Ride-sharing: Uber and Lyft are set to face the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission at a hearing in Pittsburgh today, and will be closely watched by those who use the ride-sharing services in Philadelphia.

5. Ticket-fixing: Mayor Michael Nutter has denied an allegation, which surfaced during the ongoing Traffic Court ticket-fixing trial, that his office had asked for someone to get a break on a ticket.