Saturday’s here. Afternoon showers are likely, and a heat advisory remains in effect until the evening.
A reader wants to know how to go about charging an electric car without causing too much trouble on their block.
Plus, we have updates on those mysteriously cheap Freedom Fuel stations, water systems being targeted in a cyberattack, and our report card for this week in Philly news.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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What you should know today
- There’s been a surge of arrests by ICE at Philly’s airport in the last few weeks, immigration advocates say, including a grandmother and a babysitter.
- Water systems serving several Jersey Shore towns were hacked as part of attacks across the country, officials confirmed. Water remained safe to consume.
- Philadelphia’s chief paramedic said in a whistleblower lawsuit that he was stripped of his leadership position for sounding the alarm about allegations of favoritism in the city’s fire department.
- Some families say that the violent problems at Cheltenham schools go beyond the locker room and that there’s been a “lack of urgency” in response.
- Chris Rabb’s former campaign treasurer was charged with wire fraud after she allegedly defrauded more than 20 clients out of about $1 million, according to federal prosecutors.
- Funding was cut to life-saving medical research programs in Philly. Rep. Brendan Boyle demands to know why.
- A website is asking President Donald Trump to free the founder of Par Funding. He’s serving more than 15 years for his role in an investment scheme.
- Four new Freedom Fuel stations opened in Philly this week, while an existing location faces closure following a failed inspection.
- Among the good, bad, and weird from recent stories out of Philly: We debated ketchup on cheesesteaks, LOVE Park nears 1,000 weddings, and Gov. Josh Shapiro makes an unexpected music video cameo.
Cord courtesy
Today’s question is: I’m thinking of getting an electric car even though I don’t have a driveway. I’ve seen some of my neighbors run the cords out of their rowhouses across the sidewalk to charge their cars. I’m intrigued! What’s the etiquette?
Reporters Mike Newall and Zoe Greenberg jumped on this question with a handful of things for our “Intrigued-by-Electric” reader to consider. For starters, beware creating a tripping hazard, as the city could enforce it as a violation. As Newall pointed out, living in a city means being considerate of your neighbors.
Greenberg, who is a new mom, spoke to navigating sidewalks as if they were “an obstacle course” while pushing a stroller. “I say you can run the cords from the rowhouse, but you have to REALLY secure it to the sidewalk,” Greenberg said.
They also did some research on a program that would bring charging ports to neighborhoods.
Read their full discussion here. Need advice, or want to share your thoughts? We want to hear it. Email us here.
One viewpoint
In October 2023, a SEPTA bus driver named Bernard Gribbin was shot and killed in Germantown. He was the first city transit operator to die by gunfire while on the job.
Gribbin’s killer was convicted of third-degree murder last week. In the latest edition of Shackamaxon, Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson argues that the DA’s office missed an opportunity to convey a stronger stance in defense of transportation workers.
“The death of Gribbin seemed like a case in which prosecutors could send a message that violence against SEPTA workers will be met with serious consequences,” Pearson writes. “Instead, District Attorney Larry Krasner opted to accept a plea bargain.”
Read on for Pearson’s perspective on the case and other happenings at City Hall and in Harrisburg this week.
🧠 Trivia time
When the Philadelphia Zoo opened, it was the first in the nation. (That was just the first of many firsts in the zoo’s history.)
When did it debut?
A) 1799
B) 1865
C) 1810
D) 1874
Think you know? Check your answer.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Cherry Hill-born celebrity of The Walking Dead fame
ANNUAL CHORE
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Peggy Bogart, who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: BlackStar Film Festival. Ahead of the 15th annual celebration of films by Black, brown, and Indigenous filmmakers, we spoke to the local filmmakers whose projects will be featured at this year’s festival.
We were there
This is Sam Okyere, a 12-year-old with sickle cell disease. When it came time to choose his Make-A-Wish dream, he used it to help the homeless.
Reporter Dana Munro and staff photographer Tyger Williams take us to his donation drive and block party at a homeless shelter in Philadelphia.
Somewhere on the internet in Philly
🐈 Philadelphia Mail Cats is still meeting and greeting friendly felines on his delivery route. This orange buddy has captivating eyes.
🌳 People are raving over Cira Green. It was recently named one of Pennsylvania’s best places to catch a sunset.
📍 “My idea of a date is touring David Lynch’s Eraserhood.” Real talk.
👋🏽 A cafecito is calling my name. Thanks for waking up with The Inquirer, and I’ll catch up with you again tomorrow.
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