Category: Inquirer Morning Newsletter

Howdy and hello, fine humans. It’s looking like a stormy Fridee Jr. According to superb weather reporter Tony Wood, “the Philly region may be in for tropical-storm force gusts and strong thunderstorms Thursday.”

Otherwise, we’re starting with a look at the Sheriff’s Office, which announced new top officials but kept their names secret.

We also have a quiz that will help you find your new favorite restaurant from The 76.

Plus, an activist offered money to a committeeperson and asked him to vote against Councilmember Cindy Bass, and more news of the day.

— Tommy Rowan (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

New leaders, questionable qualifications

Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal announced last week that she has appointed new top officials to fix a series of financial issues, including the dysfunctional sheriff’s sale process.

She just won’t say who the people are.

But The Inquirer has learned that two individuals she has tapped for those roles have each lost their own properties in a sheriff’s sale and faced other serious financial issues.

Read the full story from investigative reporters William Bender and Ryan W. Briggs.

Find your new place to eat

In case you missed it, The 76, The Inquirer’s annual list of the most essential restaurants in the Philadelphia area, returned in October 2025 for its second year.

The new list looked a little different, with more than half the restaurants changing from the previous year. It’s still just as comprehensive, so we forgive you if you don’t know where to start.

That’s why we’re here to help you narrow down your favorites with our 76 quiz. Answer a few questions, and we’ll recommend a few spots based on your preferences.

What you should know today

• In a 22nd Ward election controversy, an activist offered money to a committeeperson and asked them to vote against Councilmember Cindy Bass, videos obtained by The Inquirer show.
• Police say a firearms instructor who cared about gun safety and reducing crime shot three Philly officers. Those who knew him are perplexed.
• Three weeks after members of Congress listened to and then publicly shared concerns from inside Pennsylvania’s largest immigrant detention center for the first time, U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean said she was blocked from speaking with detainees while visiting the same facility.
• More people in Philly and the surrounding region are struggling with insufficient food after President Donald Trump’s cuts have increased hunger to the highest levels in six years, according to a study released last week by the New York Federal Reserve.
• Measles was detected in wastewater samples taken in Delaware County on two days last week, officials said.
• The union representing transit police and SEPTA reached a tentative deal on a new three-year contract Wednesday that includes a 12% raise and avoids a possible strike during the region’s summer of big events.
• Citing increased safety concerns, a Burlington County township has canceled this year’s annual Independence Day celebration.

Quote of the day

Philadelphia School District bus drivers, maintenance workers, cleaners, and tradespeople are entering contract season. Leaders of 32BJ SEIU District 1201, which represents 2,000 workers, are scheduled to begin talks with Philadelphia School District officials Thursday. Their current contract expires Aug. 31. The bottom line for members of 32BJ SEIU District 1201 is higher pay, officials said.

🧠 Trivia time

Before Leon Rose built the NBA’s New York Knicks, he was a gym rat at this local high school.

A) Father Judge

B) Haverford

C) Cherry Hill East

D) Roman Catholic

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🎨 Appreciating. A pop art mural painted on the side of a Point Breeze rowhouse is the last of its kind. And you can live there.

⚾ Sad about. The Phillies demoted up-and-coming pitcher Andrew Painter to the minor leagues.

🏡 Lamenting. Villanova is the only community in the Philadelphia region with million-dollar entry-level homes. Since the pandemic, the number of these communities in the U.S. has tripled.

⛳ Respecting. Charlie Sifford is known as the Jackie Robinson of golf. Now, a scholarship in his honor helps students attend historically Black colleges and universities.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: This sacred place is the canvas for a new immersive light show.

ABRA CLASHED ITALIC

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

Cheers to John Piernikowski, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Whole Foods. The grocery store’s Philly workers voted to join a union in 2025. This week they cleared a major hurdle, paving the way to negotiating their first union contract.

Photo of the day

We end with this lovely photo of a worker painting the steeple atop Trinity Presbyterian Church on a sunny day in Cherry Hill, N.J.

👋 This newsletter will be taking a break in observation of Juneteenth, but we’re still reporting the latest news over on Inquirer.com. Paola Pérez will catch up with you here again on Sunday. Until then, be well.

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.

Good morning, Philly! We’re officially halfway through the week. There’s a chance of rain today with highs in the low 80s.

Julian Lurie, son of Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, is the future of the business. But how much do we really know about him? And how will he run the Birds once he takes the reins? The Inquirer asked around to find out.

A group of students were asked the question: What will Philly look like in 25 years? They wrote plays in response, detailing the changes they want to see.

Plus, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court blasted DA Larry Krasner’s office, and more news of the day.

— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

A new Lurie to take the reins

Julian Lurie is not just Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie’s only son, he is his intended successor. And while that reality has caused occasional challenges since he took a formal role in the family business four years ago, many key figures within the organization believe the younger Lurie is already an asset.

Interviews with Eagles sources revealed Julian’s already considerable prominence. They depicted an intense but thoughtful young man who was born not only into great privilege, but with a shared civic passion for the football team his father bought in 1994, the year before Julian was born.

Jeffrey Lurie is widely considered one of the NFL’s best owners after his three-plus decades in the league. His son will have big shoes to fill when the time comes. Julian is an outside-the-box thinker like his father, but he also wants to bring a younger sensibility to the Eagles, sources close to him said.

Notable quote: “If I lived in Philadelphia and I was an Eagles fan, I would feel really good about him as a steward of the franchise in the future. I really do think he cares about the team and the city and the players.”

The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane has the full story.

🎭 The show must go on

A group of students spent nearly a year thinking, researching, and writing about changes they want to see in Philadelphia. This month, their work culminated in professional performances of original plays based on how they envision Philly in 25 years.

The student work is part of What Now: 2026, a new arts festival marking the country’s Semiquincentennial. Students of the Civic Theater Project were prompted to imagine Philadelphia 25 years in the future, to dream about what should be changed, and to see their work as the beginning of that shift.

One play chronicles two young women’s rise to stardom and the effect of substance use on their lives. It was shaped by events the writer experienced growing up in North Philadelphia and attending an elite private school.

Part of the students’ process was finding resources that might help with the issues they tackled — from recovery and housing assistance organizations to groups that support survivors of sexual assault.

What you should know today

• The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that District Attorney Larry Krasner’s office misled the courts, “violated its duty of candor,” and submitted false statements when asking a judge to vacate a 2004 murder conviction.
• The parents of CHOP physician Barbara Friedes, who was killed in 2024 while riding her bike in Center City, have sued the drunk driver who hit her.
• Three Philadelphia-area athletes were recently arrested in connection with an April assault in Old City that left the victim with a concussion, broken nose, and two chipped teeth, among other injuries.
• Over the weekend, the Philadelphia Parking Authority said it issued nearly 2,500 tickets for illegal parking in the FIFA Fan Festival parking enforcement zone, with 173 of those tickets written in error to residents with valid parking permits.
• Women working in Philadelphia continue to make less than their male counterparts, according to a new report from the Forum of Executive Women. Women in the local workforce still earn on average about 89 cents for every dollar men make, according to the organization’s annual report.
• A scrap-metal recycling facility in Camden that has been prone to fires is suing the city for suspending its operations after its 13th fire in six years. In the complaint, the company argues that the city acted outside of its power and did not provide due process by issuing the suspension.

Quote of the day

Tanya Clark waited four years to face the person who killed her nephew in court and hear him admit what he’d done. His guilty plea brought some answers — but not enough.

🧠 Trivia time

1,200 union nurses at which Philly hospital voted to authorize a strike this week?

A) Temple University Hospital

B) Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital

C) Roxborough Memorial Hospital

D) Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🦀 Craving: Soft shell crabs! ’Tis the season for them. Check out where you can find them in Philadelphia.

⛪ Wanting to see: “Luminiscence,” a new immersive experience that uses light to alter one of Philly’s most famous altars — the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.

🥤 Sipping on: Surfside, which has taken over the nation’s alcohol industry. But fear not, its founders say: The brand is staying put in Philly.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: A multinational supermarket chain.

HOOFED OWLS

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

Cheers to Bob Centonze, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Annie McCormick. The former 6abc reporter’s new book, Restless Ghosts, is about the deaths of two South Jersey socialites in 1929.

Photo of the day

👋 That’s all from me! Have a great day, everyone.

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.

Good morning, Philly! Happy Tuesday. Get ready for another sunny day with temps expected to be in the high 70s.

A former Delaware County gym manager was once a startup sensation, raising over $30 million for technology that cleaned up problematic social media posts. Now, he’s facing two lawsuits after the downfall of his company.

After being closed for a year, the Highmark Mann Center debuted its new look this week. Leaders say they want to establish the space as a cultural hub with a serious artistic history.

Plus, the James Beard Awards ceremony took place last night, and more news of the day.

— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

The rise and fall of LifeBrand

T.J. Colaiezzi was a former gym manager from Delaware County who’d dropped out of college and couldn’t write code. But with $27 million in venture capital in the bank, he began his AI-powered startup.

His company LifeBrand, he said, was a safeguard for the cancel culture era, with software that could scour years of social media in seconds and flag compromising posts.

Hundreds of pages of court documents and internal company records reviewed by The Inquirer, as well as interviews with a dozen people involved with LifeBrand, tell the story of how a fledgling CEO won over deep-pocketed athletes and business owners. Then Colaiezzi — following a series of admitted missteps and alleged misspending — was forced to sell the $137 million tech company he built for next to nothing.

In two lawsuits, investors say Colaiezzi squandered their money on a marketing blitz, hired unqualified friends at inflated salaries, and pocketed $6 million to finance a lavish lifestyle.

The Inquirer’s Max Marin has the full story.

Mann, it’s good to be back

Greener and roomier with a chic naturalistic look, the Highmark Mann Center officially reopened Monday after the final phase of a yearslong renovation. Construction at Philadelphia’s outdoor arts center in Fairmount Park went not just down to the wire, but a few weeks beyond it, delayed by this past winter’s stretch of snow.

The renovations include a redesigned plaza three times the size of the previous one, and a substantial new gateway entrance structure. A spectacular digital screen now bedazzles the main concert shed, greeting visitors with a stream of video art and programming rendered in images vivid and saturated even in bright sunlight.

The Satell Centennial Wall East on the side of TD Pavilion won’t carry advertising, Mann leaders vow, but instead will offer digital sequences on culture, history, and the like.

Notable quote: “The Highmark Mann has a lot of people who love us. We want to become their premier destination, for them to come here and bring family and friends and say, ‘Oh my God, look at what we have in Philadelphia. This is world class.’”

Arts reporter Peter Dobrin has more.

What you should know today

• Seven Philly finalists were up for major acknowledgments from last night’s 2026 James Beard Awards in Chicago. The Inquirer has the latest on the winners.
• One of three Philadelphia police officers wounded in an exchange of gunfire that left a retired firefighter dead in West Philly over the weekend was released from the hospital Monday, as authorities continued to investigate the shooting.
• Bucks County prosecutors said they have resolved the case of the last teenager arrested during an anti-ICE protest in Quakertown that turned violent. The 16-year-old agreed to enter into a diversion program in exchange for the dismissal and expungement of the charges.
• An ICE agent was hit with a vehicle in Manahawkin early Monday, as he tried to arrest the individual who later fled in the car, according to local police. As the suspect got away, the agent fired and struck the vehicle.
• The Philadelphia Democrat whose congressional district includes Independence Hall accused President Donald Trump of trying to transform the 250th anniversary into a celebration of himself rather than the country.
• The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Monday that so-called skill games are slot machine devices and should be regulated as such.
• Britain will ban children aged under 16 from using a range of social media apps, including Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, to protect them from harmful content and excessive screen time, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

Quote of the day

Players and parents from Cheltenham High School feel “betrayed” after the district canceled the 2026 varsity and junior varsity football season. It all stems from an investigation of an alleged hazing incident that prematurely ended play last season.

🧠 Trivia time

Fox Corp. is buying which of these streaming platforms in a cash-and-stock deal valued at approximately $22 billion?

A) Netflix

B) Fubo

C) Pluto TV

D) Roku

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🍻 Toasting to: The return of Iron Hill Brewery in Huntingdon Valley. It’s set to reopen next week.

🏠 Admiring: A West Philly apartment decorated entirely in black, white, and gray. Take a look inside!

🛒 Following: The Inquirer’s guide to Cherry Hill’s newly improved H Mart. It’s a 39,000-square-foot store.

🧜‍♀️ Wondering: What does Mermaid Italian Ice taste like? Rita’s just dropped the new limited-edition flavor.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: This author was, up until recently, a local broadcast reporter in Philadelphia.

CIRCE MANIC MONK

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

Cheers to Ken Schwartz, who solved Monday’s anagram: Chartreuse. Supply of the liquor may be dwindling, but some Philly bars have a stash.

Photo of the day

👋 That’s all for today, folks! Talk to you again Wednesday 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.

Good morning, Philly! Welcome to a new week. We may see a bit of rain today, and highs are expected to be near 80.

Philly progressives are eyeing the mayor’s office after State Rep. Chris Rabb’s win in the 3rd Congressional District. But any challenger to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker would be considered a significant underdog.

And a group of 1960s Haverford College alumni has been writing to school officials, urging them to form a committee to consider removing U.S. Commerce Secretary and mega donor Howard Lutnick’s name from the library.

Plus, three Philadelphia police officers were wounded in a shooting late Saturday, and more news of the day.

— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

Could an underdog take office?

In a little more than 10 months, Mayor Parker, a centrist Democrat and Philly’s first female mayor, will be up for reelection. She has not officially announced a campaign, but all signs indicate she intends to run again.

Any challenger to Parker would be considered an underdog, though. The mayor has the power of incumbency; no mayor in the last eight decades in our deep-blue city has lost a bid for a second term. And Parker is backed by the city’s long-powerful Democratic establishment, contributing to the foregone conclusion that their allied mayor would win again.

However, some on the left see a coalescence of forces that could bolster their chances: national frustration with the Democratic establishment and a widespread anti-incumbent sentiment, among other factors. They also see potential signs of Parker’s power waning.

But the biggest question for progressives in the approaching mayoral race remains: Who could be their candidate? A Democratic strategist based in Philadelphia said there are few, if any, challengers to Parker who could pull off a win in 2027.

Alumni weigh in on controversial library name

About a dozen vocal Haverford College alumni have come out in strident disagreement with president Wendy Raymond’s decision to not take steps toward considering the removal of Howard Lutnick’s name from the school library.

Several in the group have called for Raymond’s resignation, while at least one said he had withheld his donation.

Some were critical of Lutnick even before Department of Justice documents released earlier this year showed he had contact with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as recently as 2018, long after Epstein pleaded guilty to obtaining a minor for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute.

But Raymond stood by and explained her decision during a Zoom call this week with former board members, and the current board chair said Lutnick himself feels that he is being targeted in a witch hunt, according to accounts of the meeting.

“I am appalled,” one alumni wrote to Raymond. “You should resign immediately so Haverford‘s board can replace you with a leader who puts principle ahead of principal.”

What you should know today

• Three Philly officers were wounded in a shooting after a verbal altercation with a retired city firefighter escalated, and the man opened fire on them, officials said. The gunman, identified as Eric Franks, was killed by officers in response, according to authorities.
• The feud between Anthropic and the Trump administration escalated again Saturday after the government took the unusual step of demanding that the artificial intelligence company cut off foreign access to its latest models.
• Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell was admitted to a hospital Sunday, his spokesperson said. McConnell’s health has been a subject of scrutiny for years.
• The Urban League of Greater Philadelphia is opening a free clinic in West Philadelphia for people without health insurance. The $8 million Center for Well-Being will also offer workforce development, housing, and other services.
• Jalen Brunson, a Villanova alumnus, and the Comeback Knicks did it again. Now they’re the Champion Knicks for the first time in 53 years after beating the Spurs 94-90.

Quote of the day

Jayzen Smith, a recent graduate of West Philadelphia High, overcame housing and food insecurity. He graduated with honors last week and is employed full-time in operations with the Penn Medicine health system. But the diploma, the accolades, and the steady path were not a given, said Smith.

🧠 Trivia time

What animal appears on Wawa’s iconic logo?

A) A moose

B) A goose

C) A mouse

D) An eagle

Think you know? Check your answer. And be sure to take the rest of our quiz to see if you can identify the current logos for other Philly businesses.

What we’re …

😋 Dying to try: Samosas and viral dot cakes from Manayunk’s Saffron Cafe.

👂 Listening to: Advice from five Chester County centenarians, who range in age from 99 to 104. They’re sharing some of their life secrets.

♟️ Playing: Chess! Philly is home to a thriving community of chess players, bringing together people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: A botanical liqueur produced by monks in France. (Hint: It’s one word.)

CURE EARTHS

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

Cheers to Lorraine Haggerty, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Benny McLaughlin. The Philly soccer legend couldn’t play in the epic 1950 World Cup because it would have cost him his job.

Photo of the day

📬 Your ‘only in Philly’ story

Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if you’re not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again — or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

This “only in Philly” story comes from reader Keith Vine, who describes why Philly is the best sports city:

I grew up in New Jersey, about a 15-minute ride to the stadium complex in South Philly. So naturally, I was a Phillies / Eagles / Flyers / Sixers fan. Philadelphia is a great sports city, but I get why most of the country doesn’t understand us.

Having rejoiced (but mostly suffered) through the ups and downs of our teams, Philly fans have developed a hard edge. After numerous collapses, we have always been nervous if a season is going too well. Other cities’ fans wonder why we can’t relax and enjoy the prosperity, but we are too afraid that it will end any minute.

We are, for the most part, a pretty intelligent fan base, and will not put up with any nonsense being passed off as wisdom. When Bill Giles told us that Philadelphia was a small-market team, we scoffed.

A sports writer (I can’t remember who) captured the very essence of being a Philly fan by saying that, “Philadelphia fans will tolerate losing, barely. What they won’t tolerate is not trying.”

It’s a great time to be a sports fan in Philadelphia, especially with the World Cup finally here. 👋 Have a great day, folks! Be back in your inbox 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.

Welcome to Sunday. The high will be near 91, and evening storms may dampen Philly’s first World Cup match.

In today’s main read, we explore how one of Philadelphia’s most recognizable organized-crime figures went from wiseguy to influencer.

And with the FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill now in full swing, residents in the area say it has caused disruptions to daily life.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

Teaching an old don new tricks

Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino is now 64, and he’s five years removed from the criminal justice system.

The onetime alleged head of Philadelphia’s underworld is also enjoying a second act that few could have predicted: podcaster, social-media personality, and cheesesteak entrepreneur.

To start, family friend Joe “Lil Snuff” Perri gave him a mic and camera for a new second act — complete with cheesesteaks.

As Merlino opens his cheesesteak shop on the Wildwood boardwalk, The Inquirer’s Mike Klein dives into the world of “MobTube” and how Merlino’s new career fits into the true-crime subculture.

Lemon Hill neighbors demand action over Fan Fest

Through July 19, Lemon Hill will be bumping with activity as thousands of people gather to party and watch World Cup games for free.

But residents in the area, who were given a little more than three weeks to prepare, say this once-in-a-lifetime experience is all happening at their expense.

In their own words: “Everybody’s feeling pretty resentful, maybe cautiously optimistic, but also just not feeling respected as residents,” said one Fairmount resident and local neighborhood group organizer.

Traffic issues: There is confusion surrounding road closures and parking limitations, pushing drivers onto narrow side streets and making it harder for residents to find parking spots near home.

The city’s response: Officials say they are adding signage, adjusting traffic controls, and working with rideshare companies to address access issues. “More work remains to be done,” said Councilmember Jeffery Young.

Henry Savage reports on both the short-term issues and the long-term concerns about the longevity of Lemon Hill Park.

Plus: Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr braved the sweltering heat and spent five hours at Fan Fest’s opening day. Follow the minute-by-minute account of her experience.

What you should know today

• Local doctors say they’re worried that more measles cases are spreading under the radar as parts of Lancaster County remain unvaccinated.
• Independence Blue Cross launched a policy designed to move care into lower-cost surgery centers and away from hospitals and clinics that can generate payments twice as high for the same treatment.
• A former Philadelphia police officer who pepper-sprayed several people on I-676 during the 2020 protests over George Floyd’s murder has pleaded no contest to assault and related crimes.
• Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity lawfully refused to pay more than $1 million in security upgrade bills for Gov. Josh Shapiro’s private home, the attorney general’s office said Friday.
• The city of Philadelphia installed educational play structures for kids at 11 city landmarks, including LOVE Park, the Philadelphia Zoo, and Reading Terminal Market.
• Pennsylvania colleges are among the least successful in training future educators to teach kids to read, a new study has found.
• A Chester County cop made an illegal recording of the school board he served on. He lost both jobs.
• Some North Philly baseball coaches feel overlooked by the MLB’s decision to not invest in fields or programs they say are in desperate need.
• New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker toured Camden’s police department Friday and praised its crime-fighting strategies as “innovative and cutting edge.”

This week in history

🎤 Here’s my colleague Tommy Rowan with a look back at the Philadelphia Music Festival.

Remember Made in America? Have you been to the Roots Picnic?

Today we take for granted that Philadelphia has an international reputation for hosting major music festivals.

But in a post-World War II America, the city simply wanted to create something for the kids that offered a distraction from war, and also helped celebrate Philly’s legendary music scene.

Leaders called it the Philadelphia Music Festival. The Inquirer, which sponsored the event, called it a “symposium of the arts.” Here’s the story.

❓Pop quiz

Herr’s just debuted three new limited-time, Philly-inspired flavors.

Which of the following is NOT one of the new flavors?

A) Freedom Loaded Cheese Fries

B) Liberty Hickory Barbecue

C) Declaration Dill Pickle

D) United Jalapeño Cream Cheese

Think you know? Check your answer.

What (and whom) we’re …

🍝 Obsessed with: The cavatelli Amatriciana at Angelina’s Pizzeria, among the best things we ate this week.

🔔 Moved by: The Liberty Bell popup exhibit on Cherry Street Pier.

💿 Browsing: One of the country’s best record stores, just 50 miles northeast of Philly.

🏠 Impressed by: How a Philly couple bought a $975,000 Fairmount home with no money down.

⛩️ Grabbing: Dinner in Chinatown during Mural Arts founder Jane Golden’s perfect day in the city.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: One of Philadelphia’s true soccer pioneers

BELLY CUNNINGHAM

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

Cheers to Elinda F. Kiss who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: Mole Street. The historical holdout in the heart of Center City is getting redeveloped and losing its affordable houses.

P.S. Shoutout to Elinda and others for kindly pointing out some missing letters in that puzzle. “Must be a typo or I did not have enough coffee,” Jim Diamond said (LOL). 😅 Sorry about that, and thanks for being good sports.

Photo of the day

🎶 Today’s song goes like this: “Sometimes, all I think about is you / Late nights in the middle of June.”

One more musical thing: The new Bruce Springsteen museum is a giant scrapbook that validates New Jersey’s role as a music incubator, columnist Inga Saffron writes.

👋🏽 Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. Have a great one.

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.

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)

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

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.

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 atmosphere may feel like an obnoxious broth, but at least we made it to Friday, Philly.

With thousands of travelers trying to navigate the city during the World Cup, SEPTA has recruited workers and volunteers to help show them the way. Transportation reporter Tom Fitzgerald took us along for the training class.

Two Philadelphia police officers stopped and searched hundreds of Black men on the street. Defense lawyers say the stops were illegal and racially biased.

Plus, City Council plans to investigate the police response at Pride celebrations, and more news of the day.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

Translating SEPTA speak

To become a SEPTA ambassador, Tom Fitzgerald went through a bit of boot camp.

From June 13 through July 19, employees and volunteers will be posted at critical transit and Regional Rail stations as the city plays host to a handful of big summer events. As ambassadors, Fitzgerald and others would offer information, directions, and crowd control — baked in with a friendly Philly welcome.

His training included:

Cultural diplomacy: For instance, you should never flash the “OK” hand gesture to a Brazilian. It’s offensive, like flipping the bird.

Emergency scenarios: How to “bring the temperature down” if and when tensions rise or conflicts break out, or handle a more serious situation.

In Tom’s own words: “It’s a lot, which is why up to 1,000 employees have spent half a day in training with a detailed curriculum that feels like cramming for finals.”

Join Fitzgerald’s journey to get certified and help newcomers navigate SEPTA.

🚌 In other SEPTA news: SEPTA is extending Route 45 to provide direct daily bus service to the Navy Yard for the first time in more than a decade.

Police stops face bias claims

Over the course of two years, two Philadelphia police officers systematically targeted hundreds of Black men for unlawful searches, according to lawyers with the Defender Association of Philadelphia.

Since the lawyers challenged the legal justification for the stops, prosecutors have dropped firearms charges against 24 men the officers arrested.

In recent court filings, the lawyers said their review found that the officers mislabeled stops as voluntary encounters, delayed body-camera activation, and avoided required documentation of the stops.

The allegations raise questions about the city’s compliance with a federal consent decree meant to curb unconstitutional stop-and-frisk practices. Philadelphia entered that agreement more than a decade ago.

Criminal justice reporter Jillian Kramer has the story.

What you should know today

• Philadelphia City Council will hold public hearings to examine the police department’s crowd-control tactics used during last Sunday’s Pride festivities in the city’s Gayborhood, a response that drew criticism from LGBTQ+ community leaders who have called the display of force unacceptable.
• City Council approved a bill Thursday to encourage denser and taller development around Philadelphia’s transit stations. The law comes with a caveat: the council must opt stations into it. City Council also voted to ban noncommercial and commercial horse carriages, with exceptions that will be regulated by animal control.
• A new public safety hub is opening on Market Street to coordinate police responses in the area.
• The body of a Philadelphia teenager who vanished earlier this month while swimming in the ocean at the Jersey Shore has been recovered, the Wildwood Police Department said.
• A Chesco judge quashed a land use appeal seeking to halt the construction of a 1.5 million-square-foot data center proposed for East Whiteland Township.
• A Delco-based medical logistics company ceased operations last week, eliminating dozens of workers.
• New Jersey secured a federal disaster declaration for the crops damaged in April’s rare heat-freeze sequence.
• Drexel University received a historic $112.6 million gift to establish its new college of engineering and computing, renovate space in two buildings to foster programs within it, and provide more scholarships.
• Philly artisan brewery Punch Buggy Brewing Company is opening a second location in the suburbs on Saturday.

Plus: What are those colorful markings on the ground?

Welcome back to Curious Philly Friday. We’ll feature both new and timeless stories from our forum for readers to ask about the city’s quirks.

This week, we have an explainer from Michelle Myers on some mysterious-looking symbols and writings on Philly-area streets and sidewalks.

It might look like a bunch of nonsense, but they all mean something. It’s a language by which utility companies communicate what’s happening underground. Here’s the full story.

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

Philly is opening a “hospitality hub” for visitors this summer along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. What is the hub’s main feature?

A) Misting fans

B) Public restrooms

C) Branded sunglasses

D) Water ice

Think you know? Test your local news know-how and check your answer in our weekly quiz.

What (and whom) we’re …

👟 Rooting for: This 90-year-old Havertown man competing for track and field medals.

🧤 Testing: How hard can it be to stop a penalty kick?

⚽ Recapping: The first jam-packed day of Fan Fest at Lemon Hill (see all the pics here!) and our full guide to the World Cup in Philly.

🥨 Revealing: The final top 10 in our full list of the 76 most iconic Philly foods.

🍧 Asking Philadelphians: What’s the best water ice in Philly? The most popular response might surprise you.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: If you ask some Philadelphia 🏀 fans, this pop star’s claim to the city should be revoked for repping the Knicks.

FLOATY WRIST

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

Cheers to Clare Cosenza, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Reading Terminal Market. The market will be part of a new expansion by the Philadelphia Visitor Center ahead of the large influx of tourists expected this summer.

Photo of the day

🎨 One more artsy thing: Roughly 1,000 of Philly’s murals are on private homes. The Inquirer asked six homeowners why they wanted their properties to join the city’s rich tapestry of murals.

👋🏽 Thanks for reading. Have a great weekend when you get there, 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.

Good morning, Philly! Get ready for a hot one today, with highs expected to hit the 90s. The city’s even declared a heat health emergency.

More than a decade ago, the Fraternal Order of Police was able to persuade the city to significantly boost how much it would pay to cover funeral expenses for fallen officers. But an Inquirer investigation found the union has billed taxpayers for questionable expenses.

City officials encouraged local organizers to have neighborhood parties this summer in honor of the nation’s 250th, the World Cup, and more. But now permit requests are being denied, and confusion is mounting as to why.

Plus, the Philly School District will not make 340 classroom job cuts after all, and more news of the day.

— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

Funeral bar tabs on taxpayer dime

After a tragic and unprecedented spike in officer deaths, Philadelphia’s police union made an emotional plea for help: Its charitable organization was running low on funds and struggling to give fallen officers the respectful burials they deserved.

City officials stepped up, agreeing in 2014 to significantly boost how much they would pay to cover funeral expenses. Since then, for each officer who died in the line of duty, the city has contributed up to $75,000 in tax dollars.

But an Inquirer investigation found that the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 has billed the city for an array of expenses that are far outside the scope of funeral home and cemetery costs. The union has asked to be reimbursed tens of thousands of dollars for bar and restaurant tabs, alcohol, catering costs, car repairs, carpet and upholstery cleaning, socks and underwear, garbage bags, and paper towels.

The city’s $75,000 contributions for officer funeral expenses, which had not been previously reported, prompt new questions about the FOP’s Survivors’ Fund, the union’s own charitable organization that raises money to pay for funerals and support the families of officers who were killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.

The Inquirer’s Barbara Laker has the full story.

There goes the neighborhood (party)

Philadelphia is slated to have an abundance of block parties and street festivals this summer after the city encouraged neighborhoods to join in celebrating the nation’s 250th with their own events, even offering financial support for hosting through various grants.

But some organizers who responded to the calls are now learning there’s a limit on so-called festival street closure permits for events between June 11 and July 18. That’s essentially the duration of World Cup, July Fourth, and MLB All-Star events. The Office of Special Events did not immediately say how many street closure applications were denied for that period of time.

Notable quote: “The city government, in this case the Commerce Department, is literally trying to give communities money to host events and yet the city is also, on the other hand, denying the ability to host events.”

Though some of these events plan to move forward as “sidewalk activations” that organizers say will still be fun, frustration remains over an already complicated permitting process, made more difficult by what organizers argue has been confusing messaging from the city.

What you should know today

• Philadelphia School District officials will move to restore 340 classroom-based jobs that were slated to be cut, despite district leaders saying last week that they did not have the recurring funding needed to keep the positions.
• It’s the eve of the World Cup and the night before Philly bars can remain open until 4 a.m. But many are still waiting to see if they’ll qualify.
• Today is the last day of classes for the Philadelphia School District’s 216 schools. A quarter of them will dismiss early because of hot temperatures.
• Philadelphia’s Democratic City Committee is likely to take the rare step of ordering a redo of Monday’s controversial 22nd Ward leader election, in which City Councilmember Cindy Bass declared herself the victor after a closely divided voice vote.
• A race for a key swing district in Northeastern Pennsylvania has caught the eye of a major Democratic super PAC that plans to spend around $50 million on advertising targeting Republican-held seats, according to the New York Times.
• Christen “Chris” Woods, the former leader of one of Philadelphia’s largest labor unions, was acquitted of theft and conspiracy charges by a judge who rejected prosecutors’ allegations that he used a union-funded renovation project to secretly funnel money into local political campaigns.
• Johan Rojas will not play for the Phillies in 2026 after suffering an elbow injury. Rojas is already serving an 80-game suspension without pay for testing positive for boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance.

Quote of the day

After 15 people were arrested on Sunday during Pride celebrations, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said she is investigating and meeting with community leaders.

🧠 Trivia time

Who is the comedian and actress who was once cursed out at Philadelphia International Airport? (Hint: She’s talked about it on her hit podcast.)

A) Tina Fey

B) Nikki Glaser

C) Amy Poehler

D) None of the above

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

😋 Craving: The most iconic dishes in Philly! Check out The 76 list for must-try bites around the city.

🗓️ Planning for: The 2026 Odunde Festival, Philly’s annual African cultural celebration. We have everything you’ll need to know.

🎉 Celebrating: Time magazine dropped its inaugural list of the 100 most influential people in sports, and it’s loaded with Philly faves!

🧠 Learning: Did you know Philadelphia is the birthplace of the Continental Army, the first branch of the American military? It all began in 1775.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: This iconic Philly food spot was recently voted Best Public Market in the country.

ADMIRER MENTAL RETAKING

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

Cheers to Kate Hetherington, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Jamie Apody, who’s getting an expanded role at Fox 29. “I’m so thrilled to be doing what I love again,” Apody said.

Photo of the day

FloatLab, a public art feature that will offer an eye-level view of the Schuylkill, finished its voyage up the East Coast from North Carolina to Southwest Philly.

👋 That’s it from me, folks! Have a great day!

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.

Welcome to Wednesday. Showers are possible, and it’s going to start feeling a lot hotter soon.

As students in Philly prepare to receive report cards and wrap up the academic year, some teachers are sounding the alarm on what they call an open secret.

And the Philadelphia Police Department is under scrutiny from the federal government for its policies on revoking gun permits.

Plus, a beloved Main Line gift and craft store is closing after five decades.

Scroll along for these stories and more news of the day.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

Grade inflation

When report cards go out on Thursday, the last day of the 2025-26 school year, some students will learn that they earned a passing grade.

But Philly schools reporter Kristen Graham heard from two dozen teachers who say they were pressured to mark them that way, even if those students performed poorly or didn’t show up. Some say they’ve given out failing grades that were overridden.

✏️ Notable quote: “There’s a push right after grades are due,” said one teacher, who noted that administrators will say, “‘Is there anything you can do to bump these up?’”

✏️ In being discouraged from flunking students, the teachers said they are concerned about the long-term implications for kids who are passed along without the necessary skills to advance.

✏️ One K-8 teacher, a veteran of district schools for three decades, told The Inquirer a “subtle shift” started since the early 2000s, the era of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Read on for the district’s response, a history of its grading policies, and the ripple effect of this approach to grades.

In other Philly schools news: Olney High School stands to lose 17 staff because of budget cuts. At their graduation ceremony, some students included a protest against the looming losses.

Gun permit probe

The Justice Department is looking into whether Philly police violated the Constitution by improperly revoking people’s licenses to carry guns, officials announced Tuesday.

In the city, which has unique laws surrounding gun permits, the police department has broad authority to revoke them.

This comes weeks after five members of the Panthers, a Philadelphia-based armed Black citizens group, reportedly had their gun permits terminated. The Panthers’ leader called the move unconstitutional.

Chris Palmer and Jesse Bunch report.

In other federal news: Three Philly hospitals are among 500 that have been warned by the Trump administration to provide the public with basic pricing information or face fines.

What you should know today

• Councilmember Cindy Bass rejected a roll call vote and declared herself the winner of a Philly ward election. It might have violated party rules.
• A new local improvement district may be needed to care for the Chinatown Stitch cap over the Vine Street Expressway, a city official said.
• A Brooklyn man was convicted of manslaughter as a hate crime and other charges in the 2023 killing of beloved Philadelphia dancer O’Shae Sibley.
• A man who called himself “the Beast” targeted defenseless Philadelphians, including his own mother. A jury has convicted him of all crimes.
• Pennsylvania lawmakers could still deliver additional revenue to Philadelphia, even after City Council last week largely rejected Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s proposed tax increases for the next fiscal year.
• 160,000 Pennsylvania residents who bought a healthcare plan through Pennie, the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace, have dropped their coverage following price hikes.
• Lower Merion is advancing a policy to eliminate iPads and laptops for K-2 students after facing intense pushback from parents who say kids are getting too much screen time in school.
• Plenty of Philly hotel rooms and Airbnbs remain available just days before the FIFA World Cup kicks off.
• One of Philly’s last independent accounting firms was just acquired amid an “unprecedented” spree of mergers and deals.
• After 18 months and traffic snarls, Market Street improvements in Old City are complete. The transformation permanently narrowed vehicular traffic, added bike lanes, and built a new public plaza.

Quote of the day

Past Present Future, the Main Line shop that owner Sherry Tillman calls “part gift store, part mini-museum,” is shutting its doors. She plans to sell the Lancaster Avenue building, and will stay open until all the merchandise is gone (“hopefully”).

🧠 Trivia time

A delegation of Philadelphians, on behalf of the National Constitution Center, brought which of the following to Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican this week?

A) A bundle of Villanova swag

B) A replica of George Washington’s Acts of Congress

C) A Wawa tote bag filled with Tastykakes

D) All of the above

Think you know? Check your answer.

What (and whom) we’re…

🍼 Congratulating: Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast and Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee, who are both expecting.

🤓 Testing: Our knowledge of the World Cup players and nations coming to Philly.

🍋‍🟩 Anticipating: The East Kensington debut of a Mexican agave bar by a James Beard Award-winning duo.

⚽ Planning: Where to watch the games around Philly, from bars open to 4 a.m. to beer gardens in the suburbs.

🍉 Counting: The 76 most iconic Philly foods. Among the newly revealed entries (numbers 54-33) are Carter’s delicious watermelons.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Prior to joining Fox 29, she spent 18 years as part of 6abc’s Action News team.

JADE MYOPIA

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

Cheers to Lars Weintraub, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Five Below. The Philly-based discount retailer recently ditched an unpopular section of its store.

Photo of the day

👋🏽 Thanks for starting your day with us. Take care.

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.