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  • Gamblers turn the tables | Morning Newsletter

    Gamblers turn the tables | Morning Newsletter

    Good morning, Philly. Showers are forecast in the afternoon and evening.

    The impact of the online gambling industry might be felt more acutely in Pennsylvania than anywhere else. Anger over rising addiction and devastating losses has fueled a backlash and demands for accountability.

    And at-home baristas are mastering their craft with the help of Philadelphia-area coffee shops.

    — Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    Pa. at ‘the epicenter’

    The advertisements are seemingly inescapable. From billboards to sponsored segments in sports broadcasts, the saturation of sports betting is nearly everywhere Americans look.

    As the industry booms, a backlash is also taking shape, as the repercussions of nearly unlimited access to gambling have become impossible to ignore, too.

    An estimated 2.4% to 6.4% of Pennsylvanians might be problem gamblers, a Penn State study found.

    The state is home to the largest online gambling market in the U.S., according to the American Gaming Association.

    A recent lawsuit by a half dozen former customers of FanDuel and DraftKings accuses the companies and their apps of using “hyper-personalized algorithms” and loyalty programs to target “the most addicted” users. These users make up a disproportionate chunk of the sportsbooks’ revenue.

    Read the full report from investigative reporters Dave Gambacorta and William Bender.

    What you should know today

    We have lattes at home

    More people are turning their home-brewed caffeine boost into an elaborate affair, and Philly coffee shops have taken notice.

    ☕ As the global espresso machine market expands, cafés are leaning in to the trend by offering classes to aficionados looking to perfect their favorite lattes.

    ☕ Sharing tricks of the trade hasn’t hurt sales. If anything, it has helped them. It’s also part of a larger food industry trend to diversify revenue, build relationships with customers, and let customers peek behind the curtain.

    Emily Bloch has the story on the rise of the at-home barista.

    This week in history

    🎤 Here’s Tommy Rowan with a flashback to the smashing of three portraits of Philadelphia mayors.

    Faces from the past were dragged into the present.

    Oil portraits in City Hall of three former Philadelphia mayors were defaced on Sept. 27, 1978.

    Around 4:30 p.m., a former city employee smashed the portraits that were hanging in a gallery on a lobby wall outside the second-floor Mayor’s Reception Room. The gallery features stately portraits of the city’s dozens of former mayors.

    Read the full story here.

    ❓Pop quiz

    The Atlantic Basin hasn’t spawned a single hurricane this season. It could become the first season without a verified hurricane in:

    A) 5 years

    B) 65 years

    C) 132 years

    D) 150 years

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    🐦 Wondering: Why it seems like more wayward birds are appearing across Philly.

    🍞 Hungry for: Traditional Italian holiday sweet bread from a pop-up bakery.

    🐈 Loving: Community murals along the length of the Kensington Avenue underbridge, among our favorite Philly art this week.

    🎻 Comparing: The New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra’s recent performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5. Who did it better?

    🦅 Predicting: The Eagles have had good luck in recent seasons against the Rams, but will it run out Sunday? Our writers have made their picks.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: Down the Shore

    TINY TACTICAL

    Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.

    Cheers to Mary Welte who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: Wanamaker. The historic building in Center City will soon be home to a new $4 million event space.

    Photo of the day

    Photographs of Machi Hall, 17; Susan Borders, 68, director of the Darby Free Library; and Paul Feldman, 78, (left) and William Hall, 73.
    Clockwise from top left: Machi Hall, 17; Susan Borders, 68, director of the Darby Free Library; and Paul Feldman, 79, (left) and William Hall, 73.Photos by John Pendygraft

    Using a vintage tintype camera, photojournalist John Pendygraft captures the people of Main Street and the history, resilience, and changing face of Darby. See his photo essay here.

    🎶 Today’s song goes like this: “What if leaves were worried where they went and never fell?”

    👋🏽 That’s it for now. Take care, and go Birds.

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

  • 🍧 The case for saving water ice | Morning Newsletter

    🍧 The case for saving water ice | Morning Newsletter

    Welcome to Saturday. We’re promised a nice day out with temps in the 70s.

    As summer fades away, a reader decided to stuff his freezer with water ice. Was it a smart move? His wife doesn’t think so. Here’s what Inquirer staffers had to say.

    Plus, we cover a rabies warning for South Jersey residents, Eagles fans landing “a seat at the table” to negotiate changes to tailgating, and our report card for this week in Philly news.

    — Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    What you should know today

    Water ice hoarding

    A reader asked: John’s Water Ice just closed for the season, so I decided to do something smart this year: I stocked up. Almost half our freezer is filled with it.

    But, my wife says it’s too much, that we have to have people over soon to eat through it so we actually have freezer space, and that it won’t even taste as good a month from now. But I say: Some John’s is better than no John’s. Did I go too far? Or not far enough?

    Life and culture reporters Mike Newall and Abigail Covington duked this one out in the group chat. “It’ll be gone before Halloween,” Newall said, pitching in favor of preserving the seasonal treat.

    But Newall got cold feet when Covington reminded him that “freezer burn fuzzies” exist. (I also shuddered at the thought.)

    Read their full conversation here. And if you need advice, or want to share your thoughts, we want to hear it. Email us here.

    One viewpoint

    This week, Cherelle L. Parker capped her 1,000th day as mayor of Philadelphia by breaking ground on a big renovation project at McPherson Square Library in Kensington.

    In this week’s Shackamaxon, Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson unpacks this mayoral milestone, and why he considers Kensington to be a microcosm of Parker’s tenure.

    “If the mayor intends to reach 2,000 days in office without becoming yet another tired and unpopular chief executive, she’ll have to step up her game,” Pearson writes.

    Read on for Pearson’s perspective on Parker’s mixed record, along with thoughts on neighbors fighting historic district designation, and the push for a district Council member to retire.

    ❓Pop quiz

    Abbott Elementary is nearly back in session.

    In the new season 6 trailer, it’s revealed that first-grade teacher Gregory, played by Tyler James Williams, will now also serve as what?

    A) The school’s assistant principal

    B) A custodian apprentice to Mr. Johnson

    C) A teachers’ union representative

    D) All of the above

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: This historic building in Center City will soon be home to a new $4 million event space.

    KARMA WANE

    Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.

    Cheers to John McKeever, who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Philadelphia Museum of Art. Earlier this year, a peregrine falcon with lead poisoning was recovered from the Philly landmark and rehabilitated by the Schuylkill Center.

    We were there

    Fringe Fest marked its 30th year with more than 338 bold productions across Philly. A variety of delightfully strange shows moved our team of reporters to tears, confusion, and amazement.

    From solo shows to interactive experiences, here are some of their favorites from this year’s big, bizarre, and bold festival.

    Somewhere on the internet in Philly

    🏒 Phoebe Bridgers’ dog Maxine 🧡’s Gritty.

    📺 LeBron James’ first photo shoot as a Sixer + the Action News Theme = golden video.

    🧀 On Reddit and beyond, people are talking about the influencer who hurled a cheesesteak at the general manager of Pat’s King of Steaks. The suspect turned himself in, but not before his behavior — which police charged as harassment — birthed new clapbacks. That’s how you internet in Philly.

    👋🏽 Thanks for reading. Take care, and I’ll catch up with you again tomorrow.

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

  • Eagles vs. Rams: A mystifying trend the Birds must fix, and everything else to know ahead of Sunday’s game

    Eagles vs. Rams: A mystifying trend the Birds must fix, and everything else to know ahead of Sunday’s game

    A normal NFL halftime typically lasts between 12 and 14 minutes, give or take, from the final first-half whistle to third-quarter kick.

    For Eagles coaches, it’s a pretty frenetic period. Offensive coordinator Sean Mannion takes an express ride on an elevator down from the coaches’ booth and gets together with his staff. They talk about the looks they’re seeing, the notes they’ve taken.

    “We quickly put together and chart our course for the second half, communicate it with the players, and then we’re out,” Mannion said Thursday.

    Nick Sirianni, who usually is pretty guarded, didn’t want to go into too much detail about the halftime routine when asked about it a day later. But he did mention that the idea is to be making adjustments on the fly between series as the game goes on.

    “That’s so important that they’re going through that process at that time because halftime, there may be certain things that you say, ‘OK, we can’t get that drawn up right,’” he said. “‘Hey, we want to put this in here. Hey, we can’t get that drawn up. Draw it up for halftime. We’ll put it in there.’

    “There are some things that are saved for halftime, but the majority of it is happening within the game.”

    Nick Sirianni and the Eagles are looking to bounce back after their first loss of the season.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Regardless of when and how the Eagles are adjusting, whatever is happening at halftime might need a makeover. It’s only been three games, but no one is worse in the third quarter right now than the Eagles, who have eight three-and-outs on 11 third-quarter drives. That’s three more than anyone else in the NFL.

    There have been various reasons for each punt. No series is identical. The Eagles have had negative runs, negative swing passes, penalties, and other detrimental plays. But the play sequencing and planning certainly has contributed. It’s something Mannion, a first-time play caller, said the staff is trying to correct.

    “Certainly, as a staff and as a team, we’re working through getting better there,” Mannion said. “You hate to do a lot of nice things in the first half of some of these games and kind of fall into a rut in the second half.

    “We’re working at that. We’re attacking it each day to be better there coming out of halftime.”

    — @Jeff_Neiburg

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    ❓Have a question you want answered in a future edition? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    How to watch Eagles vs. Rams

    The Eagles and Rams kick off at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. The game will be aired on Fox29 and called by the network’s top duo of play-by-play man Kevin Burkhardt and analyst Tom Brady. Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi are the sideline reporters.

    As usual, Merrill Reese and Mike Quick will have you covered for the local radio broadcast on 94 WIP.

    Looking to watch the game somewhere in the city with fellow Eagles fans? Here’s our latest list of places to watch.

    Final injury report

    DeVonta Smith scored a big fourth-quarter touchdown against the Rams last season, but he won’t be available for Sunday’s game — and likely longer.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    Eagles

    Fixing the ugly third-quarter trend won’t get any easier with DeVonta Smith slated to miss Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. He may be out beyond this week, too.

    The Eagles also will be without a key defensive starter in Zack Baun, who remains in the concussion protocol. Those absences mean Dontayvion Wicks is slated to be the No. 1 wide receiver on Sunday while Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is the next man up at linebacker.

    Out

    • WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring)
    • LB Zack Baun (concussion)
    • TE Dallas Goedert (knee)
    • S Marcus Epps (groin)
    • WR Hollywood Brown (ankle)
    • T Fred Johnson (knee)

    Rams

    Puka Nacua is on track to the return for the Rams, who, entering Week 3 and dating back to when he was drafted in 2023, were averaging 6.1 yards per play with Nacua on the field, compared to 5.1 yards when he’s off the field. But the big news of the day Friday came when Sean McVay ruled Aaron Donald (back) out.

    Donald came out of retirement and rejoined the team after training camp. His absence means Los Angeles is without two of the better defensive front-seven players in the NFL in Donald and Myles Garrett, who is on injured reserve with a knee injury.

    Out

    • DT Aaron Donald (back)
    • TE Terrance Ferguson (ankle)
    • CB Jaylen Watson (shoulder)

    Questionable

    • TE Colby Parkinson (shoulder)
    • OLB Josaiah Stewart (groin)

    Storylines to watch

    Smith’s absence is a big blow to the Eagles. In previous seasons, they have withstood the loss of Smith or A.J. Brown knowing the other would be out there. Can Wicks provide the same comfort? We’ll find out Sunday, and maybe next week in London, too.

    “Being me,” Wicks said Thursday when asked what gives him confidence he can thrive in a larger role. “I already had that confidence. Been had it.”

    The team’s best pass catcher being out comes at a pivotal time for an offense that needs to start putting things together. The Eagles haven’t successfully married their run and pass games the way they said they wanted to. The running game showed some signs of life in the first half on Monday night, and the Eagles will hope to build off of that Sunday.

    Our Eagles Week 4 preview show

    What went wrong Monday, and what can we expect Sunday vs. the Rams? Plus, what are the biggest concerns so far for the Eagles? I broke it down with my colleague Olivia Reiner earlier this week in our latest Gameday Central pregame show.

    Be sure to check out the latest episode of unCovering the Birds, including a fresh mailbag. And after the game, Ryan Novozinsky will be live from the press box breaking down the action.

    Latest Week 4 odds

    The Eagles are a home underdog for the first time since 2023. They were 10-1 when they hosted the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13 of the 2023 season. A 42-19 beat down at Lincoln Financial Field started a late-season collapse.

    Check out this week’s odds and props here.

    Eagles-Rams predictions

    Jordan Davis and the Eagles blocked a last-second field goal attempt last season to complete their comeback win against the Rams.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer

    A clean sweep, all by double digits. That means the Eagles probably win by two scores, right?

    Check out the reasoning behind our picks and McLane’s keys to the game. As for the rest of the country, here’s a look at the national media predictions for Sunday.

    One number to know

    32.9% — That’s DeVonta Smith’s target share through three games. Brandon Graham, now away from football and in the podcasting world, got some traction last week after the Eagles’ Week 2 win when he said he thought Jalen Hurts was playing freely and not having to force the ball to certain players.

    Maybe he meant the way the offense is designed gives Hurts more answers, or maybe he was referring to Hurts not having to force the ball to A.J. Brown. Either way, the numbers tell a different story. If Smith’s target share number holds up, he would have the highest single-season target share of any Eagles player since at least 2000, according to Next Gen Stats.

    Smith is slated to miss this week’s game and possibly next week’s in London. Goedert still isn’t back from injury. Hurts is going to have to put his trust in others.

    There are other numbers worth paying attention to this week, too.

    What the Eagles are saying

    Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026 in Nashville, Tenn.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    “Who are we?”

    Well, that’s kind of existential, Jalen.

    But it’s the question the quarterback said he posed to the locker room in the aftermath of their 27-7 loss on Monday night.

    “Ask yourself that question because that’s a choice you can make, and being deliberate and intentional on how we move forward, so we can continue to improve,” Hurts said.

    Here’s more on Hurts challenging his teammates to look inward.

    What the Rams are saying

    “Humility is one play away if you’re sleeping on somebody, so we don’t take anybody lightly at the end of the day,” Davante Adams said.

    The Rams are road favorites Sunday afternoon in Philly, but they know wins don’t come easy in the NFL.

    Rams QB Matthew Stafford on the Eagles: “They’re always a tough out, especially at their place.”

    It won’t be snowing this time, though.

    McVay gets to coach against one of his former quarterbacks, too, in Mannion.

    What else we’re reading and watching

    Thanks for reading. The weekly Eagles newsletter will be back again next Saturday sent to your inbox all the way from London, where the Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5.

  • 🎉 Fall festivals to enjoy | Outdoorsy Newsletter

    🎉 Fall festivals to enjoy | Outdoorsy Newsletter

    Happy October, friends.

    How’s “false fall” treating you? If you pulled your sweaters out thinking summer was done and dusted, you’re not alone. Soon enough, it’ll start to feel like autumn (real autumn).

    As the clock ticks on, we’re losing roughly 2½ minutes of sunlight each day, The Inquirer’s weather whisperer Tony Wood reports. One sure way to combat the negative effects of shorter days? “Get outside and move your body daily,” an expert told Wood.

    You don’t have to tell me twice.

    Here’s today’s itinerary:

    ⛅ Your weekend weather outlook: A mix of sun and showers. Friday will be warm, but temps will cool off Saturday and Sunday.

    — Paola Pérez (outdoorsy@inquirer.com)

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    From First Fridays to the Philly Bike Ride

    In Philly and the surrounding region, we have a variety of fall festivals and markets to embrace the season in good company.

    Here’s a preview of some lively events to look forward to:

    🏺 Mt. Airy Arts Fest (Oct. 3) at Allens Lane Park will have stations for painting, printmaking, and ceramics to make art with your own hands, along with live performances and food to enjoy.

    🧀 Manayunk Fall Festival (Oct. 17) lets you mac-and-cheese-crawl your way through local vendors. Plus, just one neighborhood over, enjoy free pumpkin decorating and more fun for all ages at East FallsFest.

    🍁 Cherry Hill Harvest Festival (Oct. 18) at Croft Farm will host a beer garden, free pumpkins, and a petting zoo.

    See our full roundup.

    News worth knowing

    🌳 Your outdoorsy experience

    My colleague Sam Stewart recently spent a couple of days in the Poconos and was excited to share this with us:

    These pics are from the Little Falls Trail in Promised Land State Park! It was SO beautiful, lots of water along the trail (including a waterfall!), and it was a super easy, 1.5-mile loop. It was my first fall hike of the year, the weather was incredible and the sun was shining 🙂

    Such a spectacular sight! I’m already planning my own trip up there. Thanks, Sam.

    How about you, dear reader? What’s happening in your neck of the woods? Email me with your favorite adventures or special outdoor memories (and pictures, if you have them). You may see it featured here.

    Tapping into agritourism

    🎤 Here’s rural reporter Jason Nark.

    Pennsylvania is home to tens of thousands of farms, and Airbnb wants you to stay on them.

    The short-term rental giant is partnering with the American Farmland Trust and recruiting Keystone State farmers — and even offering grants — to host guests and tap into the growing agritourism industry. The average farm stay listing on Airbnb, the company said, can make an extra $9,600 per year.

    Valerie and Jeff Fellenbaum said they’re making much more than that at Pleasant Pines Stables, their horse farm dating to the early 19th century in Lancaster County.

    “Once we started, we never looked back,” Valerie Fellenbaum said. “I would say, from March to about the end of October, we’re anywhere from 85% to 90% booked.” — Jason Nark

    Discover how farms in Pennsylvania and beyond are looking to agritourism to stay profitable and find alternate sources of revenue.

    Paola’s picks

    🚣 An activity: Find a good spot to watch sailboats hit the Delaware for the annual Philadelphia Regatta Cup.

    👟 A shoutout: Look out for these runners at the Delco 10 Miler.

    🐕 A fun pup-ortunity: Join “The Dogist” for a walk along the Schuylkill Banks and up the Rocky steps on Sunday.

    💡 A fall fact: According to Merriam-Webster, the term “autumn” entered English in the 1300s, and “fall” became the shortened version of “the fall of the leaves” in the 1600s.

    🎵 A song: “Fall in Philadelphia” by Daryl Hall & John Oates.

    An unassuming view

    There are spotted lanternflies hidden among these vines.Paola Pérez

    I believe this is a Virginia creeper plant, also known as woodbine. It also bears some resemblance to poison ivy. Avoid its berries, though — while wildlife can feed on them, they are toxic to humans.

    👀 Can you spot a spotted lanternfly among the leaves? By my count, I think there are at least two.

    Speaking of the invasive species, my colleague Nick Vadala reported this week about a man tricking at least 80 Pennsylvanians into paying for fake trainings and permits to contain the invasive species. Be wary of scams like that, folks.

    👋🏽 Our next adventure awaits!

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

  • Caldwell’s church has questions | Inquirer South Jersey

    Caldwell’s church has questions | Inquirer South Jersey

    Good morning, South Jersey. We’re finally out of a drought after the governor’s office lifted the statewide warning.

    After former New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned following an investigation into his conduct, he’s now defending himself against his church.

    And the federal government will spend $2.5 million to clean up underground contamination in Camden.

    Plus, Bancroft NeuroHealth seeks to build a school on its Mount Laurel campus, and more news of the day.

    — Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

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    Caldwell faces another investigation

    Former Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is being investigated by his own church.

    A bishop of the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey Episcopal Area sent an email about the probe to colleagues on the same day of Caldwell’s resignation last week, which followed the release of the initial report finding evidence of sexual harassment.

    Caldwell, who is a senior pastor at Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield, told the Inquirer that the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey Episcopal Area was “investigating the investigation, based on the same information” and referred to the examination as a “piling on.”

    He is suspended from his church duties until the investigation is complete.

    The Inquirer’s Susan K. Livio has the story.

    A $2.5 million environmental cleanup

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $2.5 million grant to dig up layers of a 1.6-acre site to get rid of contamination.

    It’s from a 45-foot-high pile of illegally dumped construction waste that was removed years ago in Camden’s Bergen Square neighborhood that left behind lead, arsenic, and PFAS, aka “forever chemicals.”

    The EPA, Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen, and other officials announced the grant on Thursday. The money will come after the city finds a developer and submits plans for new use at the site, the EPA said.

    Reporter Frank Kummer explains the next steps of the project.

    What to know today

    • An investigation from Floodlight and The Guardian revealed that the DataOne data center in Vineland emitted large amounts of air pollution for almost a year before regulators stepped in. The center was recently hit with a $1 million fine for violating clean-air laws by operating dozens of natural-gas power generators without the required state permits.
    • Bancroft NeuroHealth seeks to build a two-level school for 160 students on its Mount Laurel campus. The proposal will go before the township’s planning board next week, according to 70and73.
    • A new Rutgers University poll shows South Jersey residents are less supportive of Gov. Mikie Sherrill than the rest of the state.
    • A recently introduced bill would allocate $60 million in state grants for farmers who lost crops from the surprise April freeze. Under the proposed legislation, farmers would need to apply and the most impacted would have priority, according to New Jersey Monitor.
    • Fresh off its recent rebrand, Cooper Norcross Health released the first renderings of its planned $650 million Camden patient tower, which is set to open in 2028, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports.
    • A small shark was captured on video swimming in Surf City’s flooded streets during last weekend’s nor’easter.

    🧠 Trivia time

    Which celebrity popped into Haddonfield’s Inkwood Books after seeing their memoir in the shop window?

    A) Jennette McCurdy

    B) Patti Smith

    C) Michelle Zauner

    D) Cher

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    🏒 Reliving: The day Gritty visited the Inquirer office.

    🦅 Listening to: The performance of the one-woman band who does the Eagles fight song on game days.

    🎃 Preparing: Halloween decorations — but probably not to this impressive level.

    📸 Photo of the week

    Philadelphia 76ers LeBron James poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day at the team’s training facility in Camden on Monday. Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    Enjoy your weekend! See you on Monday. 😎

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

  • 🗳️Voting with their wallets | Morning Newsletter

    🗳️Voting with their wallets | Morning Newsletter

    Happy Friday, Philly. Temperatures are expected to creep into the mid-80s this afternoon and there’s an off chance of showers overnight.

    Today, we start by hearing from voters in all four Pennsylvania swing districts about the top-of-mind topic this midterms: affordability.

    Then, we have the story of a local family whose Disneyland dreams were derailed when ICE arrested the mother at the Los Angeles airport.

    Plus, a scandal-prone Philly judge could be removed from the bench, and more news of the day.

    — Laura Benshoff (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    Voter math

    A landlord whose tenants can no longer pay rent. A man in Allentown who now stops short of filling his gas tank. A professional chef who’s stressed about the price of groceries.

    These three Pennsylvanians all share concerns about rising prices. And they all live in Pennsylvania swing districts that could shape who controls the next Congress.

    Among likely voters in Pennsylvania, 75% disapprove of how President Donald Trump is handling the cost of living, compared with just 25% who approve, according to a recent poll from The Inquirer, the New York Times, and Siena University.

    But Trump is not on the ballot, and these approval ratings don’t necessarily indicate whether people will back the local Republican or Democrat running to represent them.

    To find out more, our reporters fanned out around the region to ask Pennsylvanians directly how their bills would impact their votes.

    Vacation arrest

    Delaware County nurse Monica Ryadi and her husband couldn’t wait to take their 3-year-old son to Disneyland, so he could meet his favorite characters from the Cars movies.

    But shortly after their plane touched down in Los Angeles on Sept. 15, they faced a sudden crisis. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement appeared and surrounded Ryadi.

    Despite her legal standing in this country, which she has maintained for more than 20 years since her parents brought her to this country at age 9, ICE arrested Ryadi and sent her to detention.

    Legally, Ryadi cannot be sent back to Indonesia, where her family fled religious persecution all those years ago. But per a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the U.S. can continue to speedily deport people to countries other than where they came from, something Ryadi said ICE agents told her was coming.

    Inquirer immigration reporter Jeff Gammage has the full story.

    What you should know today

    • A disciplinary court is weighing whether Philly Judge Scott DiClaudio can remain on the bench. DiClaudio was accused by another judge of trying to sway the outcome of a case involving a friend of rapper Meek Mill.
    • Records obtained by The Inquirer indicate that the Pennsylvania Department of Health repeatedly reached out to the Lancaster County coroner before announcing the state’s first measles-involved death, despite statements from the coroner indicating a lack of communication.
    • A pedestrian who was struck and killed in Center City earlier this week has been ID’d as elementary school teacher Zoe Schemm.
    • During a two-day hearing this week, representatives from the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office told a judge that they had found $20 million in unspent sheriff sale proceeds, among other revelations.
    • Eleven Philadelphia-area small-business owners stole nearly $1 million in public funds by defrauding WIC, a program designed to support low-income mothers and their children, authorities said Thursday.
    • A former Philadelphia woman who voted twice — once here and once in North Jersey — in the 2024 presidential election was sentenced Thursday to three years of probation.
    • Philadelphia City Council voted unanimously on Thursday to make the city one of the first in the country to explicitly endorse a nationwide boycott of Starbucks amid a unionization drive.

    Plus: How the Philadelphia city flag got its colors

    Welcome back to Curious Philly Friday, our forum for readers to ask about the city’s quirks and then we report the answers.

    This week, we’re resurfacing an article from reporter Michelle Myers that breaks down how Philadelphia’s city flag got its distinctive hues.

    Yes, it’s blue and yellow, but not just any blue or any yellow. It turns out the exact colors are spelled out in the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter.

    Read on for Michelle’s full breakdown.

    Have your own burning question about Philadelphia, its local oddities, or how the region works? Submit it here and you might find the answer featured in this space.

    🧠 Trivia time

    Which beloved Chinatown restaurant reopened its renovated dining room this week?

    A) David’s Mai Lai Wah

    B) Dim Sum Garden

    C) Terakawa Ramen

    D) Spice C

    Test your local news expertise and check your answer in our weekly quiz.

    What we’re …

    🤖 Gawking at. What’s pink, has four wheels, and may shock or delight you, depending on your mood? The Inquirer’s Stephanie Farr takes a spin with Philly’s answer to those Uber Eats robots, Orifice the Awebot.

    🥖 Following. After a man filmed himself throwing a cheesesteak through the open service window at Pat’s King of Steaks in South Philly, the owner is offering a $5,000 reward to help bring him to justice, food writer Michael Klein reports.

    🏠 Learning. With mortgage rates hitting 7.28% this week, Inquirer real estate reporter Michaelle Bond talked to experts about how to still get the best rate you can.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: Earlier this year, a peregrine falcon with lead poisoning was recovered from this Philly landmark and rehabilitated by the Schuylkill Center.

    APPLAUSE HALFTIME HUMIDOR

    Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.

    Cheers to Loretta DiPietro, who correctly guessed Thursday’s answer: Clementon Park. The 119-year-old amusement park is heading back to auction just weeks after announcing its closure, and five years after it was last sold at a bankruptcy auction.

    Photo of the day

    Windows on the Excelsior Scottish Rite Temple in Collingswood. The Scottish Rite Auditorium inside is a 1,050-seat venue built in 1931, making it one of the largest privately owned theaters in South Jersey. Among its previous owners was Edward Collings Knight Sr., inventor of the Pullman sleeping car for railroads. He was also a descendant of the Collings family for whom the borough and Knight Park are named.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    Some gorgeously detailed architecture and a little bit of history to wrap up the week.

    👋 Thanks for spending some time with The Inquirer this week. Catch you Monday!

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

  • ⚾ A-BS outcome | Sports Daily Newsletter

    ⚾ A-BS outcome | Sports Daily Newsletter

    Well, the Phillies’ hunt for Red October crashed and burned on the first day of the month. Last night’s 6-2 wild card loss in Atlanta ended a season that lasted 165 games and cost $322 million in payroll.

    The Phillies have made the postseason in five consecutive years but haven’t won a postseason series since the 2023 National League division series against the Braves. Now, like the rest of us, the team will watch as the Braves take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.

    Probably won’t be watching too intently, though, as Monday kicks off Sixers preseason; all eyes will be on whether the Eagles and Flyers can rebound from tough losses, and whether the Union can finish off its resurgent season on a high note.

    However, for those of us who need to relive the Phillies loss:

    Enjoy one more unseasonably warm day with temps expected in the 80s on this first Friday in October. Enjoy.

    — Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    ❓What did you think of this Phillies season? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    ‘Who are we?’

    Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said he asked the team to take an inward-facing look at itself following Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bears. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Jalen Hurts said that’s the question he asked his Eagles teammates following Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bears.

    “Ask yourself that question because that’s a choice you can make, and being deliberate and intentional on how we move forward, so we can continue to improve,” Hurts recalled.

    The Eagles’ identity crisis is one the team hopes to figure out sooner rather than later with the Los Angeles Rams coming to Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday (1 p.m., Fox29). Inquirer writer Olivia Reiner has more on Hurts and the state of the offense.

    What we’re …

    🏈 Sharing: What the Rams are saying about playing the Eagles at the Linc this Sunday.

    🤔 Wondering: What goes into the decision to play a sport as demanding as football with a wrist hairline fracture?

    ⚽ Reading: How playing soccer has gotten more “fun” for Union striker Milan Iloski in a return to his rightful position.

    🪗 Watching: This one-woman band and superfan when it comes to the Eagles fight song.

    🎧 Doing: Getting up to speed on all things Eagles courtesy of the unCovering the Birds podcast with Jeff McLane.

    Locking in

    Jaylen Brown (center) practices at the Sixers’ practice facility Thursday.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    Jaylen Brown was once again the last player to leave the floor after practice on Wednesday, an encouraging sign heading into the first official preseason game against the New York Knicks on Monday (7 p.m., NBCSP).

    After working on post-ups and back-to-the-basket moves on Wednesday, Brown was particularly in small group workouts with members of the player development staff and players like Justin Edwards and Rayan Rupert.

    That facet of training camp — the ability to work with and impart knowledge to some of the younger players — has been a highlight for Brown so far.

    “A lot of them have shown me a lot of respect,” Brown said. “Ask me questions, or ask to jump in my workouts, and I’m welcome, and I’m open to all of that, being a teacher. I was a guy who was always asking questions, so I appreciate it when the young guys are asking questions.”

    High expectations

    Villanova guard Jasmine Bascoe is expected to lead the Wildcats once again this season as a team ranked second in Big East preseason polls. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Villanova is usually high atop the list of the coaches who help compile preseason basketball polls, but this year both the men’s and women’s programs are ahead of the pack. On the men’s side, the Wildcats are picked third in the polls, while the women were picked to finish second behind Geno Auriemma’s perennially dominant UConn program.

    It’s where both teams ended last year, at least on paper, but what’s different about this year? Yesterday, Inquirer writer Jeff Neiburg attended Big East media day to take a look.

    On this date

    Oct. 2, 1991: The day that kickstarted the move of former Flyers great Eric Lindros to Philly, after he refused to play for the Quebec Nordiques after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft. Lindros landed in Philly a few months later on June 1992.

    Our best sports 📸 of the week

    Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day at the team’s training facility in Camden on Monday.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    The Eagles hit the first bump in their 2026 schedule with a 27-7 loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday night, but the day wasn’t a total loss for Philly sports fans: it was also their first chance to see LeBron James in a Sixers uniform during the team’s media day. The Phillies also clinched a playoff berth a day earlier and traveled to Atlanta for a wild-card series against the Braves.

    Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors picked the best sports images from the last seven days. Here’s this week’s Big Picture …

    Mike Sielski’s take …

    A dejected Flyers group looks on following the team’s season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

    Amid the most optimism and the highest expectations around them in years, the Flyers opened their regular season Wednesday night and were bad. More than just bad, actually. They were horribly bad. They were terribly bad. They were Plan 9 from Outer Space bad, left-the-milk-out-too-long bad, Andy Dalton-on-third-and-goal bad. — Mike Sielski’s latest looks at whether or not the Flyers’ 7-0 season-opening loss is cause for concern or a fluke.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    SPAT NETEN

    Which team held a players-only closed-door meeting this week to “get back on track” following a demoralizing conference loss? Think you know? Take a guess and then click here to see if you’re correct.

    What you’re saying about the Flyers

    We asked: After the Flyers’ opening night, share your prediction for this year’s squad. How far do you think they’ll go?

    All right: last night was the worst home opener loss in 55 years. In 1971, the Flyers lost to the Kings by an identical 7-0 score. Let’s assume they got it out of their system, and that Vladař cleaned off the rust. (One has to hope he wasn’t playing hurt: if he was, that’s trouble.)

    Two things were deeply disturbing: the pass-first mentality is still there, and the power play is completely inept. If either is allowed to persist, the playoffs may well be a long shot at best. If both persist, say hello to a lottery pick.

    About all I can offer is the recommendation of going completely outside the organization and hiring the best available power play coach — that is, one with a proven record of success — and effectively giving them autonomy. As to the pass-first mentality…maybe it’s time to bar the old boys and the lifers from practice except from the stands. Keep them out of the locker room unless invited specifically, and don’t invite them to address the team under any circumstances. — John B.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from David Murphy, Mike Sielski, Lochlahn March, Jeff McLane, Kerith Gabriel, Olivia Reiner, Jeff Neiburg, Ariel Simpson, Lexie Linderman, Chris Hine, Mike Sielski, Becca O’Reilly, and The Inquirer’s photography staff.

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    Thanks for reading, and enjoy your first weekend of October. We’ll be back in your inboxes on Monday. — Kerith

  • 🍻 Grab a stein at Roxtoberfest and more | Things to do

    🍻 Grab a stein at Roxtoberfest and more | Things to do

    Hey folks! I’m back with another random assemblage of events, attractions, and competitions happening this week.

    Some may leave you frightened, while others make up your favorite seasonal activities — pumpkin picking and Oktoberfest-themed entertainment.

    Then there’s one that may fuel your competitive spirit when it comes to squeezing your car into an impossible parking spot.

    Read below to see what’s happening this weekend:

    – Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    The Please Touch Museum turns 50

    Memorial Hall, which now houses the Please Touch Museum, is pictured in West Fairmount Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The building is one of the few surviving structures from the 1876 Centennial Exhibition.Tim Tai / Staff Photographer

    The Please Touch Museum turns 50 with two days of events for children and their caregivers.

    Guests can enjoy toddler sing-alongs, juggling, music, dancing, art-making, story times, and an end-of-day parade on Saturday and Sunday.

    While both days are currently sold out, museum organizers are taking walk-ins when possible.

    Click here for more information on the two-day celebration.

    The best things to do this week

    Eastern State Penitentiary hosts Halloween Nights, a festival-like attraction with characters dressed as scary clowns, zombies, vampires and other ghouls — but not prisoners or prison guardsEastern State Penitentiary

    🇺🇸 A trip to historical grounds: The Revolutionary Germantown Festival, which marks the devastating loss George Washington endured before retreating to Valley Forge in 1777, is happening this Saturday. The free event will feature living history interpreters, hands-on activities with craftspeople, tours of the Chew House, and other activities.

    🎭 A Broadway classic: The Broadway classic, Mamma Mia!, is hitting the stage at the Academy of Music for a limited run. Make your way to the Center City theater before the final curtain call on Sunday.

    🍺 Celebrate Oktoberfest in Northwest: Head to Roxborough on Saturday for the 14th annual Roxtoberfest street festival. Visitors can enjoy German-themed entertainment, including live music, a stein-holding competition, a scarecrow walk, and more.

    👻 Frightening nights: Visit the haunting cell blocks and frightening attractions at Eastern State Penitentiary during Halloween Nights. The month-long experience kicks off Friday, likely giving even the bravest of guests a scare or two.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Philadelphia Regatta Cup, Proximity: A Street Photography Exhibition, In Community Exhibition. Here’s our full list for the week.

    Philadelphia Parallel Parking Association Championship

    A sign advertising the 2026 Philadelphia Parallel Parking Association Championship is affixed to a pole across from some fine examples of parallel parking in the city.Courtesy of Adam Wodka

    Adjust your mirrors. Strap in your seat belt, and roll up to Headhouse Plaza for the Philadelphia Parallel Parking Association Championship.

    Fifteen competing drivers will test their skills across three events. The first gives drivers a chance to park as close to the curb as possible. The second challenges drivers to navigate a tight squeeze while making the fewest maneuvers. The third will test how well drivers can park under duress.

    The free event will take place from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday. It will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend.

    Click here for more details.

    Fall fun this week and beyond

    Tanelsa Franklin-Phillips outside the Film Society Center, in Philadelphia, Oct. 5, 2025.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

    🎥 A reel movie fan’s dream: Experience classic movies in 35mm for the 35th anniversary of the Philadelphia Film Festival and the 25th anniversary of the Philadelphia Film Society. Screenings for REEL October are happening at the Film Society Center and running through Oct. 11.

    🎨 Builders and makers: Street art and architecture collide at the 22nd Design Philadelphia Festival starting Thursday. The nearly two-week festival will feature lectures, panel discussions, and installations for emerging and seasoned designers.

    🎃 Pumpkin patch at Liberty Point: Make your way to Liberty Point this Saturday for pumpkin picking, carnival games, a photo booth, and other fall-themed activities through Nov. 1.

    Staffer picks

    The Jonas Brothers perform during halftime of an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (AP Photo/Scott Barbour)Scott Barbour

    Here’s a list of the best concerts this weekend.

    🎤 Thursday: Rapper Logic will hit the Highmark Mann stage alongside Memphis legend Juicy J and Bay Area native G-Eazy for a supreme rap show.

    🎸 Friday: The Jonas Brothers are dropping into South Philly to perform at Xfinity Mobile Arena, with support from singer-songwriter Magnus Ferrell and DJ Deleasa.

    🔊 Saturday: South Korean rock band Wave to Earth will grace the Met Philadelphia stage with their lo-fi, indie surf-rock jams as part of their “Pieces Tour.”

    🎤 Monday: Stanley Simmons, whose music floats between folk and indie-rock, is set to headline at World Cafe Live on Monday.

    ❓Pop quiz

    Where did the Please Touch Museum originally open its doors?

    A) Memorial Hall

    B) Academy of Natural Sciences

    C) Franklin Institute

    D) Parkway Central Library

    Here’s the answer to last week’s question: What year was the first Concilio’s Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in Philadelphia? Answer: 1964

    Ask Earl anything

    Many of you have questions about each week’s listings, and others about Philly’s arts, culture, and entertainment scene.

    I have you covered. Have a question? Email me for a chance to have it answered in an upcoming newsletter.

    That’s all folks! Enjoy your weekend, and feel free to sharpen up your parking skills if you feel so inclined. This writer here will certainly appreciate it.

    – Earl Hopkins

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    Giphy.comCourt
  • What it’s like to live by a data center | Inquirer South Jersey

    What it’s like to live by a data center | Inquirer South Jersey

    Good morning, South Jersey. Welcome to October. Hopefully, the sun will return and it won’t be as gloomy as September.

    Vineland residents who are some of the first in the Philly area to know what it’s like to live next to a massive AI data center share their experiences.

    And the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission wants to know where you’re headed every day — and how you get there.

    Plus, Clementon Park & Splash World is back up for auction, and more news of the day.

    — Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

    P.S. Submit a story idea via Curious South Jersey. Ask a question about the region, and the answer might just show up in a future article.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    When a data center is your neighbor

    Several South Jersey municipalities are considering or have already passed data center bans before any ground broke. Those include Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Medford, Millville, and Monroe Township.

    But a handful of local homeowners have the unique experience of seeing one from their houses — the DataOne facility in Vineland.

    They used to have more neighbors before the data center developers and associates bought several homes that now appear to be abandoned.

    Multiple residents commented on the excessive sound.

    “I think of a prison, and I’m the prisoner with the noise,” said a homeowner of more than 47 years. “You get up in the morning and you’re in a foul mood.”

    Follow along as The Inquirer’s Erin McCarthy visits some of the few in the region with firsthand knowledge of living near a data center.

    🚗 Tracking daily travels

    The DVRPC wants to know just about everything about people’s daily travel habits.

    No, this is not about surveillance. After 13 years, the commission needs an updated survey to help guide funding decisions for infrastructure projects and transportation plans for the nine counties it serves, which include Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester.

    Since January, it has been recruiting participants by mail to randomly selected households. Sorry, you can’t nominate yourself.

    Those who opt in will have to track their household trips for 24 hours using a phone app. It’ll also ask the household basics: size, age, income, etc.

    But how exactly will the experts use this information?

    Transportation reporter Thomas Fitzgerald has that answer and more.

    What to know today

    • Five years after Clementon Park & Splash World was purchased at a bankruptcy auction, the recently shuttered 119-year-old amusement and water park is going back to auction this month.
    • Researchers have found microplastic pollution in every one of the 22 stream and river segments along the Delaware River tested in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York. This includes Cooper River in Camden County.
    • Willingboro will unveil its new 570-seat Performing Arts Center on Saturday with its first concert.
    • New Jersey’s minimum wage will increase to $16.48 for most employees beginning in the new year.
    • Residents in Camden and Cherry Hill should be aware of possible detours and prepare to take alternative routes because of roadway projects scheduled for this week.
    • The Inquirer’s editorial board, which is separate from the newsroom, wrote that Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s call for now-former Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign set “an ethical example for a corrupt era.”

    🗓️ The best things to do this week

    🔮 Boos & Brews Witches Market: Check out this witch-themed market full of themed vendors and activities. Stick around for food trucks, a costume contest, performances, and a beer garden. ⏰ Friday, Oct. 2, 5-9 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Rancocas Woods Events and Shops, Mount Laurel

    📚 Collingswood Book Festival: The 24th annual festival is back spanning six blocks of Haddon Avenue. Come to meet booksellers and stay for author and poetry readings, performances, and workshops. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood

    🎨 Cranberry Fest: The 36th annual cranberry fest returns with live music, a food court, a beer garden, and more than 100 artisans. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown

    See more event listings here.

    🧠 Trivia time

    How many dispensaries were open on the day New Jersey first began recreational cannabis sales in 2022?

    A) 25

    B) 20

    C) 12

    D) 3

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    🍿 Watching: Netflix’s reboot of A Different World.

    🐕 Finding: A quality groomer.

    📚 Choosing: My next read at Words Matter Bookstore in Pitman.

    And that’s all I have for you today. Expect more news tomorrow morning. ☀️

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

  • Home-buying mistakes | Real Estate Newsletter

    Home-buying mistakes | Real Estate Newsletter

    You probably know Abigail Covington, my colleague who regularly helms the How I Bought This House column. In the year since she joined the team, she’s become one of The Inquirer’s home-buying experts.

    So I couldn’t believe it when she told me that she’d opted for an information-only inspection when she bought her first home a few weeks ago.

    I wanted to shake her by the shoulders and say: Haven’t you learned anything from all the real estate stories you’ve written?!

    But in a new essay, Abigail explains why. Keep scrolling for that story and more in this week’s edition:

    — Erica Palan

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Real estate reporter bought a house. Here’s what she got wrong.

    Buying a home is a huge financial decision — and an emotional one. Balancing the two can be tricky when your head knows what to do but your heart is pulling you in the opposite direction.

    After a year writing about real estate, my colleague Abigail Covington felt prepared to stand up to sellers and get a great deal. But when her dream house came along, she ditched her careful plans to make sure she got it.

    See what she got wrong (and right!) as a first-time homebuyer.

    Airbnb tension in Jenkintown

    In Jenkintown, neighbors are disagreeing over Airbnbs. The town’s zoning board denied its first short-term rental request last week after residents complained about noise and unexpected visitors.

    It made me wonder how I’d feel if my next-door neighbor was a rotating cast of visitors. On the one hand, I’ve stayed in dozens of Airbnbs and had memorable, comfortable travel experiences. On the other, I understand being worried about safety.

    Read more about how Jenkintown is dealing with these issues.

    📮 Would you be comfortable living next to an Airbnb? For a chance to be featured in next week’s newsletter, email me.

    The latest news to pay attention to

    Home tour: A haven in Havertown

    There is just something about a Tudor-style home that feels so cozy — the steeply pitched roofs, the storybook arches, the tall windows. Talk about curb appeal.

    The interior of this Havertown home is just as warm and comfy with unexpected color combinations, a grandfather clock, and a lot of floral wall paper.

    The Finnegan family moved in five years ago and have spent that time redesigning their home to be a haven. Take a peek inside.

    📷 Photo quiz

    Do you know the location this photo shows?

    📮 If you do, email me back. You and your memories of visiting this spot might be featured next week.

    Shout out to Don L. who correctly guessed that last week’s image depicted workers cleaning the glass pavilions over the subway stairs at Dilworth Park.

    ++

    Have a great week. Michaelle will be back next Thursday.

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.