Category: Inquirer Morning Newsletter

Good morning. We’re one day closer to a beautiful weekend.

Prohibiting some sports betting programs could lessen the likelihood of ruinous addiction, a state study suggests. The industry is pushing back.

Philadelphia’s taxicab business is in trouble and an increasingly popular solution seems out of reach.

Plus, Pennsylvania state lawmakers whiffed on the bipartisan desire to limit data centers, and more news of the day.

— Alyssa Passeggio and Ellen Dunkel (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Enact gambling restrictions? Don’t bet on it, group says

The tension between the rise of legalized sports betting and the potential for ruinous gambling addictions is heating up.

Nearly one out of two American men under 50 have an account with a sportsbook company, surveys show. More than half of those have increased their bets after losing.

A Pennsylvania commission wants to see stricter limits on in-game microbets and VIP programs it says could amplify addictions. The Sports Betting Alliance disagrees.

The friction comes after Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper said he was deceived in relation to one such program and a video he made.

Reporters David Gambacorta and William Bender break down proposed restrictions and the pushback.

Philly taxis need help — and a possible solution

The taxi business has been declining in Philadelphia for more than a decade, coinciding with the arrival of Uber and Lyft and then the pandemic. According to the parking authority …

🚕 There are 58% fewer cabs available.

🚕 The number of rides has dropped 88%.

🚕 The average price for a taxi medallion has plummeted.

Boston is the latest of several cities responding to the slump with an app called Curb Flow. It allows drivers of licensed taxicabs to also respond to rideshare trip requests. But Pennsylvania state law wouldn’t make it easy to try this in Philly.

Reporters Thomas Fitzgerald and Frank Kummer explain the not-so-simple solution.

What you should know today

• ICE has formally withdrawn plans for two Pennsylvania detention centers that would have held up to 9,000 people.
• Pennsylvania can begin paying for abortions through Medicaid while an appeal of a ruling that recognized “a fundamental right to reproductive autonomy” plays out.
• The Trump administration is using N.J. Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s announcement that 6,600 noncitizens were improperly registered to vote in a push to pass its controversial election-security bill.
• It’s confirmed that Tuesday’s waterspout over Cape May became a tornado. It was visible from Rehoboth Beach, Del.
• Democrats and Republicans had a rare consensus in Harrisburg: The state’s data center boom needs guardrails. They left without enacting any, though.
• The Philadelphia-founded auto-service chain Pep Boys was sold by a billionaire to private equity-backed Mavis Tire Express Services.
• Philadelphia isn’t applying to host the Oscars of the restaurant industry, and insiders say it’s a mistake.

Quote of the day

For a few weeks last fall, former Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick and his wife, Stephenie, weren’t sure if their 12-year-old son would ever be able to get back in the batting cage or to playing baseball.

🧠 Trivia time

Pennsylvania snack maker Utz will be partly acquired by a German company under a deal that makes it a private company again. What snack doesn’t Utz produce?

A) On The Border tortilla chips

B) Zapp’s kettle chips

C) Pirate’s Booty popcorn

D) TGI Fridays bagged onion rings

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🏀 Asking: The Inquirer’s Bronometer: Will LeBron James be joining the Sixers?

🎵 Awaiting: Philly’s own Jill Scott, who performed at the July Fourth concert before the storm hit. Now she’s back with four full-length shows.

🤣 Laughing at: MLB stars (non-Phillies, of course) unknowingly getting cursed by the Rocky statue.

🐈 Craving: Cuddles and Hot Kit-Tea from a cat cafe that’s already helped three animals find new families.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: A one-hour flight from Philly

LAME ORBIT

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

Cheers to Theresa Raufer, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Fox Chase Farm. Volunteers with Philly’s largest farm have disbanded after more than 30 years, with members citing conflict with the school district.

Photo of the day

Gov. Josh Shapiro visited a University City life sciences incubator on Tuesday to celebrate a new $125 million fund aimed at boosting Pennsylvania’s life sciences industry. Ethan Young has the story, along with photos by Tom Gralish.

👋 Have a good day, Philly.

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Welcome to Wednesday. After yesterday’s round of severe weather throughout the region, there’s another chance of showers.

Dig into how Philadelphia’s iconic food brands are cooking up new recipes to draw calorie-conscious customers.

We’re also looking at what $1,500 can land you in rental space around Philadelphia compared with other cities.

Plus, the DA’s office probes undisclosed payments to an inmate, and more news of the day.

— Paola Pérez and Ellen Dunkel (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Competing for consumers

If you ever wished your soft pretzel packed a bit more of a protein punch, you’re in luck.

The Philly Pretzel Factory is developing a high-protein option for those concerned about weight loss and looking to maximize their intake. Meanwhile, Campbell’s just dropped a new lineup of soups.

As more U.S. adults turn to appetite-suppressing medications like GLP-1 drugs, more food companies in the Philadelphia area and beyond are finding ways to tweak their formulas and provide “functional food”-friendly options. It’s a move reminiscent of the low-fat and carb-phobic diets of decades past.

Meanwhile, Honeygrow’s approach involves giving diners the power of personalization. The fast-casual chain allows for detailed customization of meals, like choosing whole-wheat noodles for stir-fries.

Notable quote: “Even though you’re on a GLP-1, that doesn’t mean that you don’t want delicious food,” said Todd Miller, Honeygrow’s senior vice president of marketing.

Olivia Prusky has the story.

What $1,500 can rent in Philly

Apartment renters with $1,500 a month to spend would get very different-size homes in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Manhattan.

That’s according to an analysis by RentCafe, a national apartment search website, based on average price per square foot for apartments in properties with 50 or more units.

💵 In Philadelphia, $1,500 would cover a studio.

💵 In Pittsburgh, that $1,500 would get tenants a one- or two-bedroom apartment.

💵 In Manhattan, $1,500 only pays for the equivalent of a dorm room.

Urbanism writer Michaelle Bond has more details in her new report.

What you should know today

• The Philadelphia Police Department and FBI will start excavating part of the Olney house at the center of a monthlong investigation into the disappearance of two women, law enforcement officials said Monday.
• The District Attorney’s Office is investigating ties between one of Larry Krasner’s top advisers and a man serving life in prison after prosecutors found that the official sent the man money years ago and didn’t disclose it.
• Two Philly prosecutors also accused Krasner of telling them to “protect the office” in a controversial appellate case.
• Penn and CHOP researchers lost millions in federal funding for healthcare research last week, forcing programs to close.
• A memorial honoring Barbara Friedes, a pediatric doctor who was struck and killed by a drunk driver, was moved hours after its installation on Spruce Street, sparking outcry from organizers. The city said its crews were not responsible.
• A Philly teacher died after a pole on Roxborough High’s field fell on her. Her family says the school district should have prevented it.
• A glitch allowed roughly 6,600 noncitizens to be improperly registered to vote ahead of the 2024 election in New Jersey, the governor said.
• South Street bar Tattooed Mom is unable to host events with music indefinitely, following an order from the Department of Licenses and Inspections.
• A roughly 100-year-old Strawberry Mansion church is being turned into affordable housing with 44 units.
• Former Philadelphia labor leader John Dougherty asked President Donald Trump to cut his prison term short. Trump denied the request.

Quote of the day

U.S. Sen. Andy Kim is introducing a plan called MediKids to provide free healthcare to every child in the country. The New Jersey Democrat hopes his idea is a jumping-off point for his party’s universal healthcare debates.

🧠 Trivia time

Middle Child’s BLT season frenzy starts today.

What is the value of local heirloom tomatoes on each prepared sandwich?

A) $5.00

B) $2.60

C) $3.00

D) $3.50

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🍨 Craving: A sundae. Here are the best ones in Philadelphia right now.

📿 Not surprised by: People are selling the free World Cup bracelets they waited hours in line for.

📺 Watching: West Philly’s Colman Domingo to kick off his Jimmy Kimmel Live! takeover with a surprise makeover.

👀 Curious about: Rita’s new water ice flavors inspired by The Office and Friends.

♿ Considering: Why Pennsylvanians should celebrate disability pride.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Philly’s largest farm

ACME FAX FROSH

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

Cheers to Chris Eaton, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Cirque du Soleil. The contemporary circus group’s next performance, Twas the Night Before …, is coming to the Met Philadelphia for a limited theatrical run from Dec. 17-27.

Photo of the day

👋🏽 Thanks for reading. 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.

Good morning, Philly! 👋 Expect a warm one today with highs in the mid-80s, but don’t forget the umbrella. ☂️ Be prepared for some rain and possible thunderstorms.

Freedom Fuel gas stations are eyeing expansion, according to the company’s website. But the Philadelphia-area network of gas stations no longer appears to be selling fuel at the deep discount originally linked to the president.

Did you know the Delaware River is home to over 100 islands? Some are large with historic significance, and others are more like sandbars. We’ll help you fly over the river and check them all out.

Plus, Delco officials are investigating a racist voicemail threatening the county sheriff, and more news of the day.

— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Freedom Fuel eyes expansion as prices rise

Even the Freedom Fuel Network, promoted by President Donald Trump, isn’t immune to rising gas prices. Yet, the Philadelphia-area network of gas stations is expanding anyway, according to the company’s website.

The enterprise, made up of 25 stations spread across the region, garnered national attention when it began selling regular gas for $3.47 a gallon — a nod to Trump, and 40 to 50 cents cheaper than other stations.

Despite the White House’s involvement in promoting Freedom Fuel, a spokesperson said the company received no government subsidies nor obtained fuel at a lower cost. The below-market prices would exist “for as long as the company chooses.” If that’s the case, the business itself was already absorbing dramatic losses before the United States resumed attacks on Iran, leading to a jump in gas prices over the past week.

Still, the people behind Freedom Fuel are looking at expansion. The website did not give a timeline for when those additional stations could come online.

🏝️ Cruising up the Delaware

The Delaware River flows 330 miles from Delaware to New York, harboring roughly 123 islands as it carves a ragged border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Some islands are mere shoals or sandbars, while others span hundreds of acres. Some are no longer true islands after reattaching to mainland via nature or human engineering.

🏝️ Pea Patch Island, for example, is owned by Delaware and is 225 acres large. It is home to Fort Delaware, which served as a camp for up to 10,000 Confederate POWs at a time during the Civil War. The island stopped being manned after World War II, and today, it’s a state park.

🏝️ Little Tinicum Island, on the other hand, is only 80 acres in size and is owned by Pennsylvania. There’s a primitive campground accessible by boat and a wildlife viewing area. The island is home to a variety of birds.

The Inquirer can help you tour the other islands of the Delaware River.

What you should know today

• Delaware County detectives are investigating a racist, threatening voicemail left for county Sheriff Siddiq Kamara, officials said Monday. The caller, whom police are working to identify, used a racial slur to refer to Kamara, who is Black, and called for “death to Islam.”
• A Bucks County sheriff’s deputy used his personal cell phone to take naked pictures of two people he encountered as part of his job, including a mentally ill man at whose home he was serving a search warrant, prosecutors said.
• An incendiary device was deployed Monday morning outside a New York City federal building and officials have taken a person into custody, the FBI said.
• Pennsylvania and New Jersey are among the 27 states seeing recalls of shredded lettuce products sourced to Taylor Farms, the produce company at the center of a food safety investigation into an outbreak of “explosive” diarrhea caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis.
• Delaware reported Monday the state’s first case of measles in more than 10 years. The case was identified in an unvaccinated man in central Delaware, health officials said in a news release.
• Drivers should expect backups and delays near Amtrak’s 30th Street Station as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation carries out roadwork nearby in the coming month.

Quote of the day

More than 400 people have already applied for just 20 spots in the city’s first-ever parallel parking competition, the 2026 Philadelphia Parallel Parking Association Championship. Judges will score each contestant on a 10-point scale based on speed, competency, proximity to the curb, and flair.

🧠 Trivia time

Which alumni will present a new Villanova University-created award in their name that recognizes outstanding leadership in sustainability?

A) Jill Biden

B) Jalen Brunson

C) Pope Leo XIV

D) Maria Bello

Think you know? Check your answer.

What (and whom) we’re …

🦅 Learning about: Some new additions to the Eagles! Get to know cornerback Riq Woolen and wide receiver Erik Ezukanma.

🍧 Celebrating: Two Philly water ice shops claimed the top spots at Ocean Casino Resort’s first ever water ice festival.

⚾ Excited to see: The 1939 throwback uniforms the Phillies are expected to wear during the Field of Dreams Game in August.

🎓 Admiring: Pennsylvania’s 10 state universities will consider offering some three-year bachelor’s degrees. It’s a way to make college more affordable and allow students to get into the workforce more quickly.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Contemporary circus group 🎪

CIRO QUILL SUEDE

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

Cheers to Annette Lofft, who solved Monday’s anagram: Longwood Gardens. A couple celebrated their gender reveal with a dazzling light show at the gardens over the weekend.

Photo of the day

⚽ Oh, and one last thing: Columnist Kerith Gabriel considers how our country can push U.S. soccer further. He believes it starts with children and their parents.

Have a good day, everyone! 👋 I’ll be back in your inboxes next week.

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 Monday.

Kenneth Houseknecht, who murdered his 12-year-old Deptford neighbor 38 years ago, recently spoke out extensively for the first time since the 1988 killing.

Philadelphia’s Burns Services invented the TommyCart as a better way to sort, save, and sell recyclable materials from construction sites. Now, they’re in construction sites around the United States.

Plus, two French creators fell in love with Philadelphia, and more news of the day.

— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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‘I am truly sorry’

Nearly four decades after a 14-year-old boy killed his 12-year-old neighbor by stabbing her 95 times in one of South Jersey’s most infamous crimes, the killer spoke extensively for the first time about that day, according to a newly released recording.

“I am truly sorry,” Kenneth Houseknecht, now 53, said of the events in April 1988, when he attacked Kim Marie Anderson as she was getting ready for school in her family’s home in Deptford.

Houseknecht’s comments came during an unusual hearing in Gloucester County Superior Court. After serving 38 years, Houseknecht was seeking a reprieve from a life sentence. Describing it as “the most gruesome homicide of my time,” Superior Court Judge Kevin T. Smith ultimately affirmed the original sentence.

An audio recording of the proceeding, obtained through an open public records request, offers a compelling window into Houseknecht’s imprisonment since he was a student in junior high school, his family’s pledge of support for his potential release, and the continued anguish and anger of Anderson’s parents, Stephen and Esther.

The invention of the TommyCart

The TommyCart, a durable, bar-coded, welded-steel recycling wagon made in Philadelphia, is popping up at U.S. construction sites from the Wanamaker Building’s apartment conversion in Center City to the Tennessee Titans’ new stadium in Nashville.

The carts, specialized for recycling, were developed by Richard S. Burns & Co. at its 13-acre Hunting Park complex, where demolition debris is sorted for resale to steel mills, building-materials makers, plastics plants, and other reusers.

The family-led team invented and patented a heavy-duty cart, more nimble than the heavy dumpsters used to collect industrial waste. With the carts, they could more easily weigh, measure, and handle materials at crowded building sites. The process was efficient enough to resume hand-sorting and recover far more material to resell.

Using the TommyCarts, the company can sell about 80% of the recyclables it collects for reuse.

What you should know today

• Experts say the ongoing wildfires will threaten air quality in the region, while the longer dry seasons, droughts, and high winds associated with climate change mean that such fires — and the smoke they send downwind — may become more common.
• New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani says his administration is still weighing whether to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he arrives in the city in September for the U.N. General Assembly.
• Federal agents around the country were told in recent days that the FBI would no longer investigate confrontations with immigration agents — cases that sometimes yield evidence that could be used to prosecute Department of Homeland Security agents implicated in violent encounters, according to people briefed on the decision.
• The Trump administration has filed a first-ever petition to a secretive and dormant court created 30 years ago to consider government requests to deport so-called “alien terrorists” from the United States.
• As part of its full-court press on immigration, the Trump administration has increasingly sought to punish Democratic-led states that have tried to curtail their cooperation with federal immigration agencies.

Quote of the day

French social media creators Alex Durand and Tom Carles visited Philadelphia for the World Cup and left captivated by the city’s sports fans, honesty, Wawa, and unmistakable spirit. Philadelphia’s unpolished authenticity is what made the pair fall in love with the city, they said.

🧠 Trivia time

Abington Township is paying the U.S. Department of Agriculture to evict what bird from a local park?

(The birds are attacking locals and dropping bacteria-laden feces, authorities say.)

A) Geese 🪿

B) Ducks 🦆

C) Turkey 🦃

D) Owls 🦉

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

📚 Reading: A thriller, a memoir, and a love story. These books are perfect for a beach day read.

🧡 Loving: The new Nike Air Force 1 shoes, which bear a striking resemblance to our favorite orange menace: Gritty.

🥘 Wanting to try: Chibanos, Washington Square West’s latest restaurant, brings Chinese flavors to Cuban classics.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: One of the world’s premier botanical display gardens

GONDOLAS WRONGED

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

Cheers to Kenneth Grubb, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Frog Commissary. Filled with unique recipes, the cookbook remains a must-read for Philadelphia home chefs more than 40 years after its debut.

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 Shirley Hill, who describes how she fell in love with Philly:

I fell in love with Philly when I first went to the Plateau back in the ’70s. I was in high school and amazed at how friendly everyone was.

We were invited to eat with people we didn’t know, asked to sit down and play various games. And we sure did dance our booties off. No fighting, everyone just enjoying being alive.

I’m from Jersey, and my friends would always ask: “Are we going to the Plat next weekend?” The Spectrum and South Street was another eye-opening experience.

👋 Have a good day, folks! Thanks for starting your week with The Inquirer.

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Good morning. It should be a sunny day with a high near 87, and an overall reprieve from storms and elevated smoke levels.

Our main Sunday read is about a Shore town’s transformation and why its residents are divided.

Later on, we hear from Philly alt-rock star Kurt Vile on his love for the city, and why he made it the focus of his new album.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Squeezed by success

Sea Isle’s raucous old party days are gone.

To some, its newfound maturity can feel like a betrayal, or as a sign that the town is growing up.

For instance, blue-collar neighbors say the town’s upscaling comes at a cost, and that it no longer feels like a “workingman’s beach.” Property values have skyrocketed, bringing new revenue to the town while also making the place feel oversaturated.

And on any given busy summer weekend, Sea Isle can swell to 70,000 people, compared to its year-round population of 2,019.

“Is it still pleasant on Pleasure Avenue?” asks Shore reporter Amy Rosenberg.

Read Rosenberg’s story for more on Sea Isle’s identity and how it has changed due to its success.

‘I’m the OG’

Philadelphia’s Been Good To Me.

That’s the name of Kurt Vile’s new album, marking yet another spotlight on the city in his music.

Ahead of a show with his band the Violators at Connor Barwin’s Make the World Better Concert on July 25, pop critic Dan DeLuca spoke with Vile about the roots of his record and much more, including:

🎸 His top five Philly artists. Two of them are Purling Hiss guitarist Mike Polizze and psychedelic folk singer Meg Baird.

💿 His thoughts on the streaming era. He’s a fan of physical media, but likes that fans can listen to his entire catalog on demand. “I can tell that they know all of my music,” Vile said. “I just feel that people are connected.”

🌳 What he loves about his neighborhood. “I love that there’s forest, and I have room to think.”

Read the full story here.

What you should know today

• The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency opened three resource centers this weekend in Philadelphia to aid the hundreds of people who experienced damage from last weekend’s major storms.
• Taylor Farms is recalling iceberg lettuce that had been shipped to retailers in 27 states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, due to potential contamination of the cyclospora parasite.
• Citing safety concerns for staff and visitors, the Trump administration is tightening security at the President’s House after the exhibit swap.
• A Mayfair man was arrested and charged in connection with an arson attack last week at a Northeast Philadelphia mosque.
• A federal appeals court ruled Friday that New Jersey’s bans on assault firearms and magazines holding more than 10 rounds are unconstitutional.
• A real estate developer sued a South Jersey township for $300 million after it banned data centers. Now, the case has moved to federal court.
• A ship-repair company’s long-term contract with General Dynamics Electric Boat is expected to sustain about 700 jobs in Philadelphia through work on U.S. Navy submarines.
• Lawmakers in Harrisburg have funded the SEPTA special prosecutor position through the end of the year, but the office’s fate beyond that is uncertain.
• Despite concerns about hazardous air conditions, a Guinness World record-breaking crowd attended comedian Shane Gillis’ Friday night show at the Linc.

This week in history

🎤 Here’s Tommy Rowan with a look back at the defiant Phillies fan who helped make foul balls a ballpark souvenir.

It may be important to note that Bob “Toughie Reds” Cotter did not pay for his ticket to that fateful Phillies-Cubs game on July 18, 1923.

The kid and his brother, Raymond, climbed up a rain spout and into the ramshackle ballpark unofficially nicknamed (derisively by The Inquirer) “Baker Bowl.”

But not paying the price of admission seemed to pale in comparison to his attempt at taking home the foul ball he caught in the right-field stands.

Read on for the full story.

❓Pop quiz

Temple University said a record number of first-year students submitted deposits ahead of the fall semester.

What’s the deposit cost?

A) $200

B) $50

C) $300

D) $750

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🌭 Devouring: Dog Days hot dog specials, among the best things we ate this week.

🏀 Reading: How Sixers executive Mike Gansey earned LeBron James’ respect back in high school.

🏆 Debating: Who will win Sunday’s World Cup final. (Paola’s prediction: Spain 3, Argentina 2, in extra time).

🏡 Inspired by: A North Philly man’s quest to own in his hometown became a reality in our latest “How I Bought This House” series.

🍨 Thanking: Philadelphia for ice cream sodas and root beer floats.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

It’s the ultimate Philly cooking bible.

Hint: 🐸

GASSY MICROFORM

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

Cheers to Richard Verbit who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: Kai Wagner. The Union and Wagner made the surprising decision to get back together. He’s happy to return — and to be one of the team’s leaders.

Photo of the day

🎶 Today’s song goes like this: “Gather on the hillside / The wind knows all of our names.”

👋🏽 That’s it for now. Thanks for reading, and have a good 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.

Saturday is here.

Smoky conditions are expected to persist into the afternoon, followed by a chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Is it ever too late to correct a newbie’s blatant mispronunciation of a Philly mainstay? Inquirer staffers discuss.

Plus, we’re talking about what changed at the President’s House, allegations of collusion in the Philadelphia DA’s Office, and our report card for this week in Philly news.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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What you should know today

• A former Philadelphia prosecutor said bosses strategized with defense attorneys to overturn a murder conviction, without a meaningful review of the case.
• DraftKings is suing the city of Philadelphia in an effort to stop an investigation into the sports betting company’s marketing practices.
• An informational presentation on data centers before the Philadelphia Planning Commission sparked controversy Thursday, as more than a dozen community groups opposed bringing the energy-intensive facilities to the city.
• A Philadelphia man has pleaded guilty to stealing nude images of five victims from their cell phones and posting them online without their permission.
• Special immigration status is ending for Haitians in America. They could be sent to a homeland that the U.S. government calls dangerous.
• President Donald Trump cast aspersions on election integrity in a televised address Thursday. Gov. Josh Shapiro said the speech was “not connected with reality.”
• Screens that played reenactments depicting the daily lives of people enslaved at the President’s House in Philadelphia were turned off, among other changes to the site.
• A couple quietly collected rotten-smelling extraterrestrial material for scientists after a meteorite crashed into their New Jersey home two years ago. A study says it contains “alien world chemistry.”
• South Philly’s newest cafe has a home-run breakfast sandwich and lines out the door.
• From Citizens Bank Park getting national praise to a $5 Shore bus raising some questions, catch up on the good, bad, and weird from recent stories out of Philly.

Wait … wa-WHAT?

A reader asked: My new-to-the-area coworker keeps calling Wawa “waWa” where she emphasizes the second syllable more than the first. The first time it happened, I just made sure to say it correctly so she’d get the hint. It didn’t work. The second time, I let it go. The third time, I told her the deal but was maybe too subtle because I didn’t want to seem rude. Now, she’s still saying it that way. And to be clear: She has no distinguishable accent. Do I say something more explicitly or has the time passed? I’m trying to help!

To handle this case, we tapped in Inquirer columnist and Wawa superfan Stephanie Farr, along with life and culture reporter Dugan Arnett.

Arnett, who seems to enjoys the mispronunciation, came to a simple conclusion: They’re probably doing it on purpose to poke a bit of fun.

But the Philadelphia dictionary is sacred, after all. Farr, who recounted an embarrassing moment after committing a Philly faux pas, is wary of letting it slide.

“As someone who was a transplant many moons ago I say to you, a recent Philly transplant, that is not going to go well,” Farr said.

Read their full chat here. Need advice, or want to share your thoughts? We want to hear it. Email us here.

One viewpoint

In this week’s Shackamaxon, Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson unpacks Philadelphia’s success as a host city for major events, the emergence of self-driving cars, and chatter about a progressive takeover for incumbent Council seats in next year’s races.

“As someone who closely follows City Council, I have mixed feelings about this news,” Pearson writes.

Read on for Pearson’s perspectives.

📍 Find the location

Think you know where these moviegoers are set up? Our weekly game puts your knowledge of Philly’s streets and places to the test. Check your answer.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: 🎶 Reunited (with the Union) and it feels so good 🎶

REAWAKING

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

Cheers to Ed Rivkin who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: I Play Rocky. The trailer for the forthcoming biopic shows iconic Philly scenes and gives glimpses of the many hardships that went into making the first movie.

Plus: Rocky always represented the best of Philly. The city is finally loving him back, writes columnist Mike Sielski.

We were there

President Donald Trump attended a Defense and Innovation Summit hosted by U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle on Wednesday, marking his second stop in three weeks to Pennsylvania. National politics reporter Sam Janesch has the story, with photos by staff photographer Tom Gralish.

Somewhere on the internet in Philly

😳 Don’t mind us. We’re just casually replaying the video of LeBron James saying the magic words “trust the process” over and over again. He says it’s not a Sixers hint … but we’re still closely monitoring the Bron-O-Meter.

🌆 I’m here for the orange-on-blue contrast captured in this hazy skyline photo.

💵 People are booking last-minute trips to Sunday’s World Cup final. We have a guide to get there and back from Philly for $60.

🎛️ A hip-hop producer shared his creative sampling of the classic 6abc Action News song.

👋🏽 Thanks for stopping by. Have a good one, and I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.

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Good morning. Let’s finish the week off right.

First, learn how Philly’s kitchen professionals manage to stay as cool as possible throughout the hottest days.

Then, get a look at where all of the tangible signs of the World Cup in Philadelphia have gone to.

Plus, we have updates on the wildfire smoke and its health impacts, and more news of the day.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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If you can’t take the heat …

Trying to cook up a meal on a scorching hot day can turn real uncomfortable, real fast. It’s a surefire way to feel immediate regret.

🥵 This reality is part and parcel for Philly-area food and restaurant professionals. Toasty days only amplify what they already have to cope with inside their sizzling kitchens.

⛔ They may shut down if temps threaten the integrity of certain dishes.

🧊 To handle one heat wave after another, their solutions require preparedness, hydration, and lots of icy treats.

Food writer Kiki Aranita has the story on how local chefs get through their stifling shifts.

After the final whistle

Goodbye, Philadelphia Stadium. Welcome back, the Linc.

Now that the World Cup takeover is effectively finished (at least as far as Philly games go), FIFA flags and team bench caps are nowhere to be found, and the pitch is returning to its usual form.

But where does everything go after the teardown? What happened to leftover food, and to items like television monitors? Apparently, there’s a WhatsApp group for that.

Sports editor Kerith Gabriel reports on how all the big game gear is finding a second life.

What you should know today

• Pa. officials advise that all residents limit their time and exertion levels outside Friday due to “very unhealthy” air from Canadian wildfire smoke. Whether you are planning to go out or stay home, see what experts suggest to stay healthy, and visit Inquirer.com for updates.
• Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner rallied protesters on Capitol Hill, thumbing his nose at Republicans a day after they subpoenaed him for immigration records.
• The city filed stop-work orders for the redevelopment of a handful of historic rowhouses along Mole Street following an Inquirer article about the project.
• An Inquirer staffer’s interview notes came into the possession of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office during an investigation that led to the high-profile, and recently abandoned, racketeering indictment against South Jersey power broker George E. Norcross III.
• Nineteen people have been hospitalized for measles since April in Pennsylvania, state health officials reported in a new online data dashboard launched this week to track the spread of the highly contagious disease.
• Prosecutors withdrew charges against a Philadelphia Family Court judge accused of assaulting his wife and daughter, citing the victims’ wishes and evidence of mitigation.
• After a failed vote that could have ended aid to Israel, Sen. John Fetterman said he’d consider leaving the Democratic Party over a lack of support.
• New Jersey state energy regulators will examine utilities’ handling of recent heat-related outages that affected thousands of residents.
• Amtrak and the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority will work together to revive passenger train service between Philadelphia and Reading after an absence of 45 years.
• The U.S. Mint on Independence Mall will soon begin producing $1 gold-hued coins featuring a portrait of President Donald Trump.

Plus: Can you park in school zones during the summer in Philly?

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’re resurfacing an explainer on school zones and whether or not ticket-free parking is possible during the summer months.

While Philadelphia schools are not in session, there may be summer programming to consider. 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

This local personality has the most-searched Wikipedia pages of celebrities born in Lower Merion or Narberth:

A) Kylie Kelce

B) Beck Dorey-Stein

C) Sabrina Carpenter

D) Kobe Bryant

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

What (and whom) we’re …

🎤 Ready for: Bebe Rexha’s FIFA Fan Fest concert and more shows around Philly this week.

🧀 Proud about: Even the internet’s toughest food critic can’t deny that Philly cheesesteaks rule.

⚾ Applauding: Cole Vanderslice, the former Villanova pitcher who caught the winning Home Run Derby ball — and then did what “felt natural.”

👀 Watching: The Bron-O-Meter updates while we wait on pins and needles, and “King James” quietly lives his best life.

🧠 Considering: Ways to save Pennsylvania’s crumbling behavioral health organizations.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: “Yo, Adrian!” biopic

PICKY ROYAL

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

Cheers to Dustin Flay, who solved Thursday’s anagram: The Sandlot. Eleven locals took part in a tribute to the 1993 classic film at Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park.

Photo of the day

👋🏽 Thanks for reading. Have a great start to your weekend when you get there.

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Good morning, Philly. We’re in for a hot and smoky day.

We start with beef between Philly City Council members and the mayor’s office over rising property assessments. And Council members say: Homeowners “deserve answers now.”

And smoke is drifting into Philly from Canadian wildfires, and from a large junkyard fire in Delco. It’s enveloping the region.

Plus, Philly DA Larry Krasner was subpoenaed over immigration records, and more news of the day.

— Tommy Rowan (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Fighting a tax hike

Members of Philadelphia City Council say they are concerned that the city’s recently released property reassessments will mean tax hikes for thousands of residents — and they are demanding to know more about the methodology used to determine property values.

Councilmember Mike Driscoll, a Democrat who represents the Lower Northeast, authored a letter sent Monday to Chief Assessment Officer James Aros Jr. and other top officials in Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration, expressing concerns on behalf of a half dozen Council members.

He wrote that his office has received “numerous” calls from constituents whose homes will see sharp increases in valuation, the measure that is used to calculate property tax bills.

Citywide, there was a 3% median change in valuations from the 2025 tax year, the last time there was a mass reassessment, according to an Inquirer analysis of assessments of single-family homes.

But some neighborhoods saw much steeper increases.

Get the full scoop from reporter Anna Orso.

Smoky forecast

It’s about to get both hot and smoky in the Philly region.

High temperatures and high humidity, which started on Wednesday and will continue into Friday, will be met by smoke drifting south from a batch of Canadian wildfires.

The smoke will bring hazy skies and fine particle pollutants that can irritate lungs and increase health threats to those with asthma and respiratory illnesses.

Additionally, smoke from a large scrapyard fire in Delaware County has prompted the Health Department to urge residents to take precautions to avoid exposure.

Read the full report from Frank Kummer here.

Also: Amtrak and SEPTA were slowing trains down by 5 to 10 mph on Wednesday, and Amtrak was canceling some Acela and Northeast Regional train trips, because of the heat.

And in related news: New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Mayor Parker are assessing whether they’ll need to ask the federal government for help following recent storms in Philly and Camden as President Donald Trump rejects more disaster aid from blue areas.

What you should know today

• A U.S. House committee has asked District Attorney Larry Krasner to turn over documents related to his office’s handling of immigration matters. They want the documents by the end of July.
• The Trump administration has installed its own version of history with new displays at the President’s House site. Meanwhile, President’s House advocates are vowing to keep fighting.
• President Trump used a visit to Central Pennsylvania as a chance to promote defense investments in the state and say Gov. Josh Shapiro is “overrated.”
• A former Bucks County man who voted twice for Trump in the 2020 election was sentenced to six months of house arrest and three years of probation.
• The city government will assume control of the Philadelphia Sexual Assault Response Center, the only program in the city that offers free sexual assault exams, after years of uncertainty over how the center would be managed and financed.
• Three major Philadelphia-area health systems — Jefferson, Nemours, and Temple — are exploring an alliance to support financially struggling St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in North Philadelphia, its leaders announced.
• Almost half of Pennsylvania voters say they are worse off financially compared to one year ago, while nearly 3 in 4 say they don’t want an artificial intelligence data center in their backyard, according to new poll.

Quote of the day

Sports columnist Marcus Hayes thinks Phillies star pitcher Zack Wheeler and star slugger Bryce Harper are acting weird. He wonders: Is it the pressure for the Phillies to win, or is it just us?

🧠 Trivia time

This Washington, D.C.-based bagel sandwich shop has signed for a third Philly location before its first two have spread a single schmear.

A) Text Your Sister

B) Help Your Father

C) Call Your Mother

D) Walk The Dog

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🕙 Waiting on. The House passed a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent across the nation. Critics have concerns. And, yes, we have tried this before.

🙏 Mourning. Mark Donovan Hagins, an actor, teacher, and producer who knew everyone in Philadelphia’s theater community, from the upstarts to the grizzled veterans, died at his home on June 24. He was 56.

⚾ Anticipating. Baseball celebrated itself with a sparkling All-Star Week in Philadelphia. Next up: Avoiding self-destruction with a looming labor fight.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Eleven locals took part in a tribute to this 1993 classic film at Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park.

HOTEL STAND

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

Cheers to Ann A. Walker, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Federal Donuts. The restaurant group Cook N Solo will close three Center City Federal Donuts & Chicken locations and shrink its Goldie falafel chain from four shops to one.

Photo of the day

And we end today with this lovely shot of a father and daughter fishing on the Cooper River on Wednesday in Collingswood.

👋 Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. Paola Pérez has you covered 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, everyone! Be prepared for another scorcher, with highs expected to be around 99 degrees.

Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt said the state will not hand over voter rolls to the federal government in response to a threatening Department of Justice letter. Schmidt stressed that the state was not in violation of any voting regulations.

And The U.S. Department of Education is cracking down on sexual abuse by teachers with investigations into public school districts. Among those under investigation are the Cheltenham and Gloucester Township School Districts.

Plus, the Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park will be open this weekend despite recent storm damage, and more news of the day.

— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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🗳️ ‘Only eligible voters have access to the ballot box’

Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt stressed that the state was not in violation of any voting regulations in a response letter to a Department of Justice inquiry that threatened criminal charges over suspicions of noncitizen voting.

The letter pushed back against the Trump administration’s insistence that allowing federal assistance in inspecting of voter rolls was the best way to avoid criminal prosecution for “aiding and abetting the violation” of federal voting laws. Schmidt’s reply made it clear that Pennsylvania would not hand over voter rolls to the federal government and reiterated that voting regulations were followed meticulously.

The DOJ letter comes after President Donald Trump’s long history of spreading voter-fraud conspiracy theories and falsely claiming that he won the 2020 election.

Pennsylvania officials have warned since last year that turning over the voter rolls to the federal government without redactions could put sensitive information at risk.

Local school districts under federal investigation

The Cheltenham School District is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education as federal officials target sexual misconduct by teachers that they say schools nationally have been too lax in addressing.

Cheltenham is one of 20 public school districts under investigation by the DOE’s Office for Civil Rights based on responses the districts provided to a federal civil rights data collection survey in 2023-24. The responses “suggest that districts might not be addressing staff on student sexual misconduct appropriately,” the Education Department said in a statement Friday.

The Gloucester Township School District in Camden County is also under investigation, according to a list obtained by ProPublica.

The investigations were announced as part of a broader initiative by the Education Department “to protect students from adult sexual predators in schools,” with guidance sent to all school districts outlining federal legal requirements for responding to sexual harassment and abuse.

The Inquirer’s Maddie Hanna has the full story.

What you should know today

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has temporarily instructed officers to refrain from making traffic-stop arrests in most cases, according to several people with knowledge of the directive, a policy shift spurred by a pair of fatal shootings involving officers who fired into vehicles over the last week.
• Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday visited Vare-Washington Elementary School in South Philadelphia to tout the $678 million in new education funding included in the state budget deal finalized over the weekend.
• A Malvern man was sentenced to more than three years in prison for having a collection of homemade bombs at his house — a discovery police made after he was arrested for bringing guns to a “No Kings” protest in West Chester last year.
• A United Kingdom man who was shot and killed while doing contracting work in Roxborough last week was a member of the so-called Traveling Conmen criminal organization and was not authorized to be in the country, officials with the Department of Homeland Security said.
• As details emerge on the personalized video that Bryce Harper says he unknowingly recorded on behalf of FanDuel for a sports-gambling addict, Major League Baseball is confident that the Phillies star didn’t violate any league policies. “I think the important thing is that Bryce’s activity was not a violation of the basic agreement,” commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday.
• Genetic testing company 23andMe and a group of attorneys general nationwide have reached a multimillion-dollar settlement following the major data breach that led to the company’s demise three years ago. More than 40 attorneys general, including Pennsylvania‘s Dave Sunday, announced the national $18 million settlement with the genetic testing company.

Quote of the day

Tom Burgoyne had long insisted that he’s not the Phanatic. He’s the Phanatic’s best friend. But now a new documentary has convinced Burgoyne, the man behind the mascot, to admit he’s so much more.

🧠 Trivia time

Tideline, Margate’s latest bayside restaurant, just added an eyebrow-raising cocktail to the “House Favorites” drink menu. The Liquid Asset consists of top-shelf tequila, a big ice cube, and a red chili pepper, and comes with a custom-built 39-foot speedboat.

How much does the new menu item cost?

A) $10 million

B) $1,100

C) $1.1 million

D) $1

Think you know? Check your answer.

What (and whom) we’re …

🏡 Gushing about: A 19th-century, four-bedroom home in Chestnut Hill. The 1,520-square-foot house is listed for $699,900.

⚾ Booing: Everyone who’s not a Phillie! And according to columnist Stephanie Farr, people have to get over it.

⛈️ Impressed by: The Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park. Though most vendors sustained significant damage due to storm microbursts, the market will carry on this weekend.

🤩 Star-struck over: The best looks from the MLB All-Star Game red carpet. Everyone came dressed to impress.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Food chain known for its doughnuts and fried chicken

ADORNED FLUTES

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

Cheers to Michelle Farzetta, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Louis Tomlinson. The former One Direction member was meant to perform at Philadelphia’s Mann Center for Performing Arts over the weekend, but couldn’t because of severe weather. Some fans were devastated.

Photo of the day

👋 Have a good day, folks! Stay cool.

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. It’s expected to be another warm one today, with highs in the low 90s. The rest of the week will be just as hot.

Philadelphia has seen a boom in e-bike and e-scooter use, but the vehicles come with a more dangerous price than traditional cycling. Injuries from electric bikes and scooters rose by 40% between 2024 and 2025.

Three Philadelphia City Council districts have emerged as key battlegrounds in the 2027 election. All 17 sitting City Council members appear poised to seek reelection next year, but a wave of potential challengers are gearing up to take on the old guard.

Plus, Bryce Harper spoke out about a video he made that went to a FanDuel customer with a gambling addiction, and more news of the day.

— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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The dangers of e-bikes and e-scooters

Last year, more traffic crashes causing injury and death in Philadelphia involved electric bikes and scooters than manual ones, according to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation data. The finding highlights a new reality in which e-bikes and e-scooters present a major safety problem, the state confirmed.

The high numbers of injuries and deaths point to the need for legal clarity, statewide safety regulations, and new infrastructure to protect users of e-bikes, e-scooters, and bicycle riders from cars and trucks, advocates contend.

E-bikes and scooters are poorly defined in Pennsylvania law. The ambiguity makes it hard for governments to identify problems; PennDot did not analyze separate crash data for the electric devices until 2024, for instance.

Several bills to regulate these vehicles have been proposed in the state legislature, but none have been passed.

City Council gears up for elections

Philadelphia City Council is already looking to 2027. And with all 17 seats on the ballot next spring, the elections are shaping up to be a pivotal test of whether the city’s established politicians can withstand a rising tide of frustration with the party among Democratic voters.

Every incumbent has said they intend to run for reelection, and several are likely to face serious challenges from new candidates focused on grassroots organizing and progressive groups. Three districts have emerged as key battlegrounds.

In the North Philadelphia-based 5th District, at least four people are considering challenging Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr., a freshman lawmaker who has championed controversial legislation and at times publicly clashed with constituents.

And the city’s progressive organizations, emboldened by a series of wins locally and nationally, are targeting two other districts: the 1st, which stretches from South Philadelphia to Fishtown and is represented by Councilmember Mark Squilla, and the 8th, which includes parts of North and Northwest Philadelphia and is represented by Councilmember Cindy Bass.

The Inquirer’s Anna Orso and Sean Collins Walsh have the full story.

What you should know today

• Bryce Harper, the Phillies’ All-Star first basemen, claimed that he was unknowingly working on behalf of FanDuel when he recorded a personalized video for a man with a gambling addiction who had placed millions of dollars in bets on the site.
• Temple University will make student retention a focus in the year ahead with new programming for the first-year student experience and other efforts in the works as it seeks to reverse troubling trends in enrollment and matriculation.
• Thomas Jefferson University is bringing its medical education offerings to Allentown, with a new four-year regional campus set to enroll students in 2029, officials announced.
• For the first time in two decades, more money will soon be flowing into the pockets of Pennsylvania’s retired public school teachers, firefighters, police officers and other state employees.
• A Philadelphia judge has blocked the city from resuming work to upgrade protections for the bike lanes along Pine and Spruce Streets in Center City, the latest turn in a high-profile legal battle.
• Philadelphia last week took a step toward renewing its contract with a controversial Chester trash incinerator after a high-profile bill to ban the city from doing so failed to garner enough support in City Council.
• Asylon Robotics, a 100-employee robot software and hardware maker based in Norristown, says it has been selected to test its network of doglike robots, flying robots, and software links at the Air Force’s Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex in Georgia.

Quote of the day

Richard D. Wood Jr., chair emeritus and former CEO and president of Wawa Inc., Convenience Store News Hall of Famer, lawyer, trustee, mentor, veteran, and philanthropist, died on July 10. He was 88. For more than 40 years, Wood supervised Wawa’s multistate expansion, and through it all, he remained affable and curious, friends and family said.

🧠 Trivia time

Which Phillies legend made an appearance behind the counter of Sarcone’s Bakery earlier this week?

A) Jimmy Rollins

B) Ryan Howard

C) Chase Utley

D) Cole Hamels

Think you know? Check your answer.

What (and whom) we’re …

⚽ Looking forward to: The U.S. women’s soccer team returning to Subaru Park in October. They’ll face the reigning World Cup champion, Spain.

🦅 Learning about: Jonathan Jones and Samori Touré, who have just joined the Eagles.

👀 Keeping an eye on: Pennsylvania lawmakers have only days to set sentencing guidelines for felony murder cases. Hundreds of cases are on the line.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: 🎶 Baby, you light up my world like nobody else / The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed / But when you smile at the ground, it ain’t hard to tell / You don’t know, oh-oh, you don’t know you’re beautiful. 🎶

INSULT MOON SOIL

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

Cheers to Lori Franzke, who solved Monday’s anagram: Cristopher Sánchez. Sánchez, the Phillies’ ace, has been informed he’s the choice to start for the National League on Tuesday night in Citizens Bank Park, a league source confirmed.

Photo of the day

🌳 One last thing: Hundreds of trees fell in Philadelphia within a matter of minutes during Saturday’s storm. “We’ve never seen anything like this,” said the Parks and Recreation commissioner.

👋 Have a good day, everyone. I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning.

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