Good morning, Philly.
As hotter summer temps continue to creep up, Inquirer staffers try to help a reader with a timeless issue: how to compromise on setting the air conditioner.
Plus, we’re talking about same-day delivery drones coming to the city, our new daily South Jersey-centric newsletter, and our report card for this week in Philly news.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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What you should know today
- More Philadelphians struggling to pay their water bills would be able to apply for help under new legislation from City Council.
- Six city pools will be opening by the end of the weekend, with more rolling out in the coming days and weeks. Here’s the initial schedule.
- University of Pennsylvania president J. Larry Jameson will conclude his presidency next year, he announced in an email on Friday.
- Congress will gather at Independence Hall during the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. It’s the first such gathering in Philly since 1987.
- A global meat producer is closing a beef processing facility in Souderton that employs about 1,700.
- Family and friends gathered in South Philadelphia on Thursday night to mourn William Schmidt, a Penn State student they all knew simply as “Billy.” Police are trying to identify his killers.
- A St. Joe’s Prep grad is recovering from a traumatic brain injury after a violent high school “tiki party” in Wissahickon Valley Park.
- Bucks County U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has stepped up public criticism of House Republican leaders while he starts to lean on their campaign cash.
- Walmart plans to offer same-day delivery via drone in Philadelphia next year. It’s a race against Amazon in who can get to customers fastest.
- From cheesesteak culture going global to Pope Leo getting Tastykakes and more, catch up on the good, bad, and weird from recent stories out of Philly.
Love in the time of ACs
A reader asked: Hi we decided to write this together so you have both sides fairly represented. We recently moved in together and it’s going great (young, gay, in love!) but we only have AC in the bedroom. One of us prefers the room wayyyy hotter than the other at night (80 degrees vs. 70 degrees). One of us argues that at 70 degrees, the other person can just wear sweatpants. The other one argues that at 80 degrees it’s not that hot, it saves money, and the other person can focus the fan on themselves. What do we do??
To help this couple divided by 10 degrees meet somewhere in the middle, Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr joined forces with arts and entertainment reporter Earl Hopkins.
I think it’s fair to say this situation hits home for many. It’s the sort of disagreement that could very well make or break a relationship. Beyond general ambient room temperature sensitivities, cultural differences could be at play, too.
“It’s something you may not even think about until you move in with someone and realize they are the Human Torch or Mr. Freeze,” Farr commented. She also gave props to the writers for addressing this issue diplomatically before things got too heated. (Or turned cold …)
Read their full conversation here. Need advice, or want to share your thoughts? We want to hear it. Email us here.
One viewpoint
After reaching an agreement to stave off painful cuts at the Philadelphia School District, city leaders now have a year to work out the funding.
In this week’s Shackamaxon, Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson unpacks what happened in the switch-up.
“Threatening to make cuts without additional revenue, only to cancel the cuts despite failing to secure new money, makes everyone look opportunistic,” Pearson writes. “What was the fight all about in the first place?”
Read on for his take, as well as a recap of ward leader elections and efforts to make community events affordable.
📍 Find the location
Think you know where these kids are being coached? Our weekly game puts your knowledge of Philly’s streets and places to the test. Check your answer.
Let’s talk South Jersey
🎤 Allow me to pass the mic to former morning newsletter emcee Taylor Allen.
Hi, and thanks again for allowing me to fill in for a few days a week here during the last month to share your daily dose of Philly news.
While I was writing to you, I was also working on the launch of The Inquirer’s South Jersey newsletter with a wonderful team of editors and new reporters. Starting on Monday, I’ll be curating a rundown of the most relevant news catered to our readers in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties.
Our reporters have always covered South Jersey schools, politics, and communities, but now, we’re investing more resources in the region — including by hiring two new reporters based in the counties we are covering. This means brand-new journalism delivering what you need to know, from date-night restaurants to neighborhood stories to can’t-miss breaking news. And yes, we’ll have some fun entertainment and lifestyle news in the mix as well.
Selfishly, I’m just happy we’re able to give some love to my home state. Although we love our Philly neighbors, we have our own identity across the bridge.
If you’re interested, join me and sign up here. — Taylor Allen
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: A lone historical holdout in the heart of Center City
MOTEL REELS
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Yvonne Bedden-Johnson, who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: Taylor Swift. The pop star repped the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, leaving some Philly fans feeling betrayed. But she’s had a “magical opinion” of MSG and the Knicks since she was a kid.
💐 We were there
DaJuan Brown, 15, was killed in a mass shooting in 2023. His high school’s graduation ceremony brought his family joy, grief — and an unexpected reunion. Criminal justice reporter Ellie Rushing and staff photographer Jessica Griffin take us to the emotional scenes.
Somewhere on the internet in Philly
🪡 Philly whisperer Betsy Kenney plays the role of Betsy Ross.
🌿 Redditors are on the case of the missing basil in South Philly.
⚽ Wawa dropped some soccer merch. My favorite reactions: “i love you Wawa, cater my wedding.” “It’s the little things that keep me going to @wawa.” “Wawa will win the World Cup.”
👋🏽 That’s it for now. Let’s do this again tomorrow.
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