Good morning. We’re one day closer to a beautiful weekend.
Prohibiting some sports betting programs could lessen the likelihood of ruinous addiction, a state study suggests. The industry is pushing back.
Philadelphia’s taxicab business is in trouble and an increasingly popular solution seems out of reach.
Plus, Pennsylvania state lawmakers whiffed on the bipartisan desire to limit data centers, and more news of the day.
— Alyssa Passeggio and Ellen Dunkel (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Enact gambling restrictions? Don’t bet on it, group says
The tension between the rise of legalized sports betting and the potential for ruinous gambling addictions is heating up.
Nearly one out of two American men under 50 have an account with a sportsbook company, surveys show. More than half of those have increased their bets after losing.
A Pennsylvania commission wants to see stricter limits on in-game microbets and VIP programs it says could amplify addictions. The Sports Betting Alliance disagrees.
The friction comes after Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper said he was deceived in relation to one such program and a video he made.
Reporters David Gambacorta and William Bender break down proposed restrictions and the pushback.
Philly taxis need help — and a possible solution
The taxi business has been declining in Philadelphia for more than a decade, coinciding with the arrival of Uber and Lyft and then the pandemic. According to the parking authority …
🚕 There are 58% fewer cabs available.
🚕 The number of rides has dropped 88%.
🚕 The average price for a taxi medallion has plummeted.
Boston is the latest of several cities responding to the slump with an app called Curb Flow. It allows drivers of licensed taxicabs to also respond to rideshare trip requests. But Pennsylvania state law wouldn’t make it easy to try this in Philly.
Reporters Thomas Fitzgerald and Frank Kummer explain the not-so-simple solution.
What you should know today
- ICE has formally withdrawn plans for two Pennsylvania detention centers that would have held up to 9,000 people.
- Pennsylvania can begin paying for abortions through Medicaid while an appeal of a ruling that recognized “a fundamental right to reproductive autonomy” plays out.
- The Trump administration is using N.J. Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s announcement that 6,600 noncitizens were improperly registered to vote in a push to pass its controversial election-security bill.
- It’s confirmed that Tuesday’s waterspout over Cape May became a tornado. It was visible from Rehoboth Beach, Del.
- Democrats and Republicans had a rare consensus in Harrisburg: The state’s data center boom needs guardrails. They left without enacting any, though.
- The Philadelphia-founded auto-service chain Pep Boys was sold by a billionaire to private equity-backed Mavis Tire Express Services.
- Philadelphia isn’t applying to host the Oscars of the restaurant industry, and insiders say it’s a mistake.
Quote of the day
For a few weeks last fall, former Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick and his wife, Stephenie, weren’t sure if their 12-year-old son would ever be able to get back in the batting cage or to playing baseball.
🧠 Trivia time
Pennsylvania snack maker Utz will be partly acquired by a German company under a deal that makes it a private company again. What snack doesn’t Utz produce?
A) On The Border tortilla chips
B) Zapp’s kettle chips
C) Pirate’s Booty popcorn
D) TGI Fridays bagged onion rings
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🏀 Asking: The Inquirer’s Bronometer: Will LeBron James be joining the Sixers?
🎵 Awaiting: Philly’s own Jill Scott, who performed at the July Fourth concert before the storm hit. Now she’s back with four full-length shows.
🤣 Laughing at: MLB stars (non-Phillies, of course) unknowingly getting cursed by the Rocky statue.
🐈 Craving: Cuddles and Hot Kit-Tea from a cat cafe that’s already helped three animals find new families.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: A one-hour flight from Philly
LAME ORBIT
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Theresa Raufer, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Fox Chase Farm. Volunteers with Philly’s largest farm have disbanded after more than 30 years, with members citing conflict with the school district.
Photo of the day
Gov. Josh Shapiro visited a University City life sciences incubator on Tuesday to celebrate a new $125 million fund aimed at boosting Pennsylvania’s life sciences industry. Ethan Young has the story, along with photos by Tom Gralish.
👋 Have a good day, Philly.
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