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  • Eagles vs. Titans: Predictions, odds, injury updates, and why everyone is talking about the weather in Week 2

    Eagles vs. Titans: Predictions, odds, injury updates, and why everyone is talking about the weather in Week 2

    Jordan Davis didn’t think for very long before offering an answer to the hottest football game he has ever played in.

    “It has to be Tampa two years ago,” Davis said Friday.

    The Eagles, in their last game before an early Week 5 bye that changed the trajectory of their Super Bowl season, were dominated by the Bucs, 33-16, in a game that wasn’t even that close. The real feel on the field reached triple digits.

    Davis, who is from North Carolina and played his college football at Georgia and all across the American South, knew he was in for a long day long before the game started.

    “It’s when you’re walking out, the warmup before the warmup, and you’re already sweating in like two minutes,” he said. “You didn’t even finish stretching yet, and you’re dripping.

    “I don’t like that feeling.”

    He won’t be able to avoid it Sunday. The Eagles and Titans play in Nashville at noon local time, and the city is under a heat advisory. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-90s, and the feel on the field could reach triple digits, just like it did in Tampa, Fla., each of the last two years.

    Sunday will be the Eagles’ seventh game against the Buccaneers (including playoffs) — and their sixth in Tampa — in Nick Sirianni’s six seasons. They are 2-4 in the previous six.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    Nick Sirianni studies everything his team does, down to travel times and all that goes into a trip. The Eagles had another early-season game in Tampa last year, and they took their data from 2024 and left a day earlier to try to acclimate. Sirianni doesn’t like to be entirely results-oriented, but the Eagles left Florida with a 31-25 victory.

    That’s in part why they left for Tennessee on Friday evening.

    “It benefited us,” Sirianni said of leaving early last year, “and that’s why we decided to do that again.”

    What are some of the worst parts about playing in extreme heat?

    “It kind of slows your cognitive ability,” Davis said. “You can’t think as fast. You’re just kind of fighting for survival and also playing a football game at the same time if you really feel it.

    “You really have a second opponent if you’re not careful.”

    Mind over matter, right?

    “It’s mind over matter until your body is cramping up and locking up,” center Cam Jurgens said. “Then you’re like, ‘Well it’s a little bit of matter now.’”

    — @Jeff_Neiburg

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

    How to watch Eagles vs. Titans

    The Eagles and Titans kick off at 1 p.m. Philadelphia time on Sunday (noon central time). The game will be broadcast on Fox with Adam Amin (play-by-play), Drew Brees (analyst), and Kristina Pink (reporter) on the call.

    As always, 94 WIP is where you can hear longtime Eagles play-by-play voice Merrill Reese call the game on the radio with Mike Quick.

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

    Final injury report

    Eagles assistant coach Jeremiah Washburn (left) speaks with linebacker Jonathan Greenard, who didn’t play last week and is out again Sunday.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    The Eagles again will be without top edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, who continues to practice in a limited capacity but is not ready to play as he recovers from a pectoral injury.

    “I feel like they’ve done a great job here with the rehab process,” Greenard said Thursday. “I’m feeling better. I’m getting more and more confident in it and just only going to stack days to where I can eventually get out there.”

    Eagles

    Out

    • OLB Jonathan Greenard, pectoral

    Questionable

    • S Andrew Mukuba, knee

    Titans

    Questionable

    • CB Cor’Dale Flott, quad
    • LB Cedric Gray, concussion
    • LB James Williams, elbow

    Storylines to watch

    Jalen Hurts was sacked three times last week as Landon Dickerson tried to play through an injury.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    The biggest takeaway from last week’s 24-22 win over Washington probably was the offensive line’s inability to consistently protect Jalen Hurts from pressure and create lanes for Saquon Barkley.

    The line will look different Sunday in Nashville. The Eagles have been keeping Landon Dickerson’s replacement close to the vest, but it’s expected to be Drew Kendall. Could this be addition by subtraction for the Eagles? We’ll find out Sunday.

    Elsewhere on offense, Makai Lemon’s first real NFL game went about as well as his first preseason game. It’s way too early to be alarmed by Lemon’s usage and production, but the Eagles are going to need more from their first-round pick if the offense wants to be more dynamic. Lemon knows he has “lots to improve on” moving forward.

    • Could Hollywood Brown get more involved this week? The receiver Howie Roseman signed to a deal worth $5 million in guaranteed money didn’t see the field in Week 1 and was surprised by it.
    • Jalen Carter and Cooper DeJean sat out on Wednesday, the first practice day of the week, before returning Thursday. Both are set to go Sunday, but Carter was sporting a cast on his right wrist.
    • DeJean, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from a Week 1 performance he said “wasn’t good enough.”

    Our Eagles Week 2 preview show

    Landon Dickerson’s health was a major topic on this week’s Gameday Central preview show.Staff Illustration

    I said that and more on this week’s Gameday Central preview show with my beat partner Olivia Reiner. Watch our full Week 2 show here.

    Want instant reaction after Sunday’s game? Ryan Novozinsky will be live from Nissan Stadium after the final whistle to recap what he saw.

    Eagles-Titans predictions

    Jeff McLane: Eagles 25, Titans 10

    Jeff Neiburg: Eagles 27, Titans 10

    Olivia Reiner: Eagles 31, Titans 17

    Ryan Novozinsky: Eagles 28, Titans 13

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

    One number to know

    Jalen Hurts found success throwing the ball downfield in Week 1, and could have more opportunities against the Titans.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    176

    Jalen Hurts threw for 203 yards in Week 1, and 176 of them came on throws that traveled at least 10 air yards, according to Next Gen Stats, which counts any throw of 10 or more air yards as a “downfield” pass.

    Hurts completed six of his nine downfield attempts and the Eagles scored all three of their touchdowns that way.

    The Titans were susceptible to the deep ball last year and that carried over into Week 1.

    There are other numbers working in the Eagles’ favor, too.

    Latest Week 2 odds

    The Eagles are favored by a touchdown in their road game Sunday in Nashville, a number that has held steady at most sportsbooks throughout the week.

    The over/under for the game, 39½, is the lowest of the 16 Week 2 NFL games.

    As for what oddsmakers think about Hurts’ ability to throw against a Tennessee defense that isn’t all that strong? They don’t expect Hurts to throw for a whole lot more than he did against Washington.

    What we’re saying about the Eagles

    Nick Sirianni (right) flew his team down to Nashville a day early due to the heat.Monica Herndon / Staff Photo

    Here’s what our columnists are saying this week, starting with David Murphy, who ponders if “expecting a 40-spot is really too much to ask?”

    David Murphy: “Every week, Nick Sirianni reminds us that winning is hard in the National Football League. Every victory is like a delicate child, something to nurture and cherish. … But, please, convince us. Forget all of that mumbo jumbo about a win being a win on any given Sunday. Wins are great. They’re much better when you feel good about them.” Read more.

    Mike Sielski: “You ask why Landon Dickerson played against the Commanders, why in doing so he basically dared coach Nick Sirianni to make the difficult decision to bench him, why he was willing to damage the cohesion and performance of the Eagles’ offensive line, and the question answers itself. Next man up is a convenient cliche. Too many people forget or don’t give a damn about its corollary: First man, out. Sometimes for good.” Read more.

    Murphy: “Two plays from Sunday illustrate the blurry line between results and reality. Both involve Makai Lemon, the rookie wide receiver who is currently threatening the integrity of the space-time continuum with a career average of minus-1.7 yards per reception on three catches.” Read more.

    What the Titans are saying

    Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons had social media buzzing after his comments about Jalen Hurts.Stew Milne

    Titans star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons certainly provided some bulletin board material earlier in the week when he said the Titans “just need to make Jalen Hurts be a QB.”

    Perhaps he didn’t mean it as a slight, but the reaction to Simmons’ comments took it as one.

    Eagles left tackle and captain Jordan Mailata, though, didn’t take the bait.

    “I don’t see them,” Mailata said when asked about Simmons’ comments. “I don’t pay attention to that stuff. That’s clickbait stuff. That’s what you guys get paid for, you guys that promote that stuff.

    “He can say it. You guys don’t need to say it to me. That’s all I know. I don’t listen to that stuff. I only care about everybody in this locker room. This locker room is the only thing I give a damn about. I don’t care what you guys say about this locker room, and I don’t care what any other locker room says about this locker room.”

    Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll on playing the Eagles: “Coach Sirianni is an excellent head coach. 42-4 when he wins the turnover ratio, which is a pretty impressive stat. So that’s going to be paramount. Coach Fangio has done this for about 40 years in the NFL, plus whatever he did in college. Tremendous scheme, very sound. … And then, you add the players, a collection of players that Howie [Roseman] assembles each and every year. It’s a tough challenge.”

    Hear more about what the Titans are saying heading into Sunday’s game.

    What the national media is saying

    Second-year quarterback Cam Ward was 19-for-32 for 140 yards in Tennessee’s Week 1 loss to the Jets.George Walker IV

    How bad were the Titans in Week 1? Here’s what ESPN’s Ben Solak had to say earlier in the week:

    “I cannot remember a team that looked less functional on offense in Week 1 than the Titans in Sunday’s loss to the Jets. I went back and looked at the past few seasons of Week 1 travesties — Russell Wilson’s Giants had six points in 2025; Daniel Jones’ Giants had six points in 2024; Jones’ Giants also had zero points in 2023; oh my goodness, are all of these just Giants games? — and I still don’t remember seeing something I found this particularly problematic.

    “The Titans looked as if they had never played together before.”

    Yikes.

    Jason Kelce on Dallas Goedert: “This offense I think will fit [Goedert] pretty well,” Kelce said. “All this misdirection and stuff, they scheme things up, and it stresses those linebackers.”

    What else we’re reading and watching

    Thanks for reading. The weekly Eagles newsletter will arrive in your inbox on Sunday next week, a day ahead of the team’s Monday Night Football game in Chicago.

  • The schoolyard helicopter parent | Morning Newsletter

    The schoolyard helicopter parent | Morning Newsletter

    Rise and shine, Philly. Saturday should be sunny, followed by clouds rolling in overnight.

    A reader asked us for advice on dealing with an overly involved parent at school drop-off.

    Plus, we’re talking about “Cybercabs” spotted in Philly, the closure of a Center City steak shop, and our report card for this week in local news.

    Scroll along for these stories and more.

    — Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    What you should know today

    Helpful or hovering?

    This week’s dilemma reads: At school drop off, a mother likes to hover around the kids and discipline all of them for every little thing. If there were any actual issues, we’d step in of course, but if they’re bumping into each other on purpose and laughing, for example, she tells them things like, “Stop doing that it’s almost school time!” or “Francesca doesn’t like that!” (Not the kid’s real name.) Also it’s very clear that Francesca does in fact like it, so we just tell our kids it’s fine. The mom stands right over her daughter and says things like, “We don’t do that, right?” It’s very performative and very annoying.

    Now I respect that she can parent her kid however she wants to, but forcefully talking to our kids is driving some of us nuts. I believe kids usually can and should work out issues amongst themselves (again, though, we haven’t actually seen an issue!). She’s not only a helicopter parent, she’s a military-helicopter parent hovering over her kid and attacking the rest. Do we just keep telling our kids it’s fine and maybe, in private, tell them to not listen to her or do we take her aside and tell her what’s what?

    This situation got the attention of life and culture reporters Zoe Greenberg and Mike Newall. They discussed what may motivate a “performative parent” and ways to set boundaries with kindness and compassion.

    “You don’t parent other people’s kids,” Newall said. “Unless the kid is in danger or a danger to someone else.”

    Jump into the group chat here. And if you need advice, or just want to share your thoughts, we want to hear it. Email us here.

    One viewpoint

    The Inquirer Editorial Board has endorsed Larry Krasner to lead the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office in previous elections.

    But the board now writes that it believes Krasner “has created an untenable situation that could impact the treatment of crime victims and wrongdoers.”

    “A series of legal setbacks has cast doubt on Krasner’s ability to administer fair and impartial justice, let alone manage his office,” the board argues.

    Read on here.

    ❓Pop quiz

    Superman star David Corenswet grew up in Philadelphia loving the Eagles, but that didn’t stop him from saying yes to donning a jersey for this team in the forthcoming biopic, Mr. Irrelevant.

    A) New York Giants

    B) Dallas Cowboys

    C) Baltimore Ravens

    D) Washington Commanders

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: Philly-founded coffee company

    ALEC BLOOM

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

    Cheers to Melinda Williams, who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Independence Hall. The official naming of the United States will be remembered at a “firstival” there today.

    We were there

    A group of Philly-area women — many in their 70s and 80s — have banded together as the scrappiest dragon-boating team on the Schuylkill.

    The Inquirer’s Dugan Arnett takes us along for a ride with the “renegades” of the river.

    Somewhere on the internet in Philly

    🎤 People are closely watching developments to Ed Sheeran’s tour stop in South Philadelphia on Saturday. As of Friday afternoon, his concert at the Linc is still on. It’s slated to start later (so perhaps there are no openers) and protesters plan to rally outside the stadium.

    🤔 Redditors caught a now-deleted Facebook post by Visit Philly that featured a peculiar “Philadelphia” skyline.

    🎟️ SEPTA is giving away two tickets to the Phillies’ Sept. 25 game. Fingers crossed for Red October.

    👋🏽 That’s it for now. Thanks for reading, 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.

  • 🍂 Best spots to peep leaves | Outdoorsy Newsletter

    🍂 Best spots to peep leaves | Outdoorsy Newsletter

    Autumn is knocking!

    This liminal space between summer and fall always feels like it has a little bit of everything for us. I’m enjoying the cooler conditions that have begun to blanket evenings in the region.

    Word to the wise, though: Mosquitoes are still lurking, so don’t forget bug spray. Sincerely, an itchy person who got carried away by the nicer weather and deeply regrets not applying repellent.

    Here’s what we’re up to today:

    ⛅ Your weekend weather outlook: Friday and Saturday should be mostly sunny, while Sunday may see showers.

    — Paola Pérez (outdoorsy@inquirer.com)

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    Make your leaf-peeping plans

    Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.Courtesy of Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art

    If the rest of September’s weather cooperates, we’re due for a vibrant foliage display this season. Peak viewing times are expected throughout October.

    In Philadelphia and beyond, there are several great vantage points from which you can get a good glimpse of the transforming leaves, including:

    West Fairmount Park. Don’t miss the views around the Skew Arch Bridge, and be sure to visit the Trolley Trail.

    Delaware Canal State Park. You can stroll, kayak, or canoe along the 58-mile towpath from sunrise to dusk to determine which way you best enjoy the fall scenery.

    See all of our favorite spots for leaf peeping around the region, ordered closest to farthest away from Philly.

    News worth knowing

    • This year’s El Niño has contributed to a historically quiet Atlantic hurricane season.
    • A Philly Parks and Rec leader said she approved renovations to FDR Park’s Ashburn Field without required state permitting because she wanted renovations to be complete by the MLB All-Star Game last July. The missing permit was designed to address erosion control and stormwater release at the site.
    • Supervisors in Willistown tabled a decision on a settlement that would limit the development of Rock Hill Farm. Officials are looking for more certainty in the preservation of the land.
    • Much of the Wetlands Institute site in Stone Harbor, N.J., sits in low marsh and has become increasingly at risk due to flooding. This week, nonprofit staff will pack up and move to a temporary headquarters.
    • The Trump administration has blocked more than 130 projects in national parks across the country worth at least $25 million without providing a reason, according to internal documents reviewed by the Washington Post.

    🌳 Your outdoorsy experience

    Yoo-hoo, is this thing on? I want to hear from you, dear reader. Whether you’re hitting your go-to trail or trying kayaking for the first time, this is your time to shine. What are you doing out in the wild?

    Write me an email to tell me about your unforgettable memories adventures or favorite moments outdoors. Pictures, if you have them, are more than welcome. You might see your adventures featured here.

    The perfect pick-me-up

    🎤 Let me pass the mic to my colleague Beatrice Forman with an adorable dispatch.

    Dolly is an Aries. She likes pink accessories, the feeling of freshly brushed hair, and morning coffee with friends. She also has to be the center of attention.

    No, Dolly is not a teenaged girl. She’s a three month-old Hereford calf with a job: To snuggle up with as many guests as possible at Rose Bridge Farm, a Montgomery County animal sanctuary.

    Rose Bridge Farm sits on almost 13 acres of land at 1314 Limekiln Pike in Dresher, once part of an estate owned by William Penn in the mid-1700s. When steward Kristen Sutch took over the property in 2013, she transformed it into a sanctuary for farm animals rescued from livestock auctions, dairy farms, and breeders. — Beatrice Forman

    Keep reading to learn more about the sanctuary and its cuddly animals.

    Paola’s picks

    🔎 An activity: Mix archaeology and history at Newlin Grist Mill’s annual Fall Festival with fun for all ages (Saturday, free).

    ♻️ A proud moment: Reading Terminal Market attracts attention for its food-waste-prevention efforts.

    🌕 A celestial treat: Philly’s most unique mooncakes.

    🍒 A song: “Return to Cherry” by Part Time: “Wishful thoughts of another chance, to make things right again.”

    🦉 A good read: Tom Pluck’s latest, “Owl Be Seeing You.”

    A fungal view

    Colleen Farnsworth of Ardmore and her son Ambrose Farnsworth, 4, touch the mushrooms in the mushroom exhibition.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

    🍄‍🟫 Last weekend, Kennett Square’s 41st Mushroom Festival celebrated the family farms that have cultivated the crop for generations.

    👋🏽 I’ll catch you next time.

    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 lifespan of Philly restaurants | Morning Newsletter

    The lifespan of Philly restaurants | Morning Newsletter

    It’s Friday, Philly. Expect mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid-80s.

    What does it take for a restaurant to last in Philadelphia? An Inquirer analysis found that new food licenses are outpacing closures in the city.

    We also dig into why Washington Square has a new surveillance camera.

    Plus, Philly City Hall was evacuated due to a suspicious package, and more news to know before your weekend begins.

    — Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    Chew on this churn

    Philly is a foodie’s paradise with thousands of restaurants that call it home. But it’s a notoriously difficult business, and recent high-profile closures in the city reinforce that reality.

    According to our analysis of business licenses since 2006, the median lifespan of a restaurant is seven and a half years.

    To examine what has changed in that time frame, we looked into what happened in 2018. That year’s data shows:

    ✅ The city had a little more than 8,000 active licenses for food preparing and serving. (A new licensing process that year gave this figure a boost.)

    ⛔ Around 1,000 new licenses were issued throughout that year, but around 650 of those businesses have since closed.

    That short forecast, coupled with the volatile dining scene, hasn’t deterred new places from opening up shop, though. And there’s one West Philly block in particular that represents this turnover trend.

    Follow along with senior interactive designer Garland Fordice as she explains the data and takes us to the neighborhood.

    👀 Who’s watching?

    There’s a new fixture on Washington Square that doesn’t exactly obscure its presence.

    The fenced off, solar-powered security camera has sparked questions about whether it was a Flock camera, a type of surveillance device that has raised privacy concerns.

    But it’s not a Flock device, my colleague Abraham Gutman reports. He tracked down more information on the camera, including:

    Who installed it. The National Park Service did so in July, according to City Councilmember Mark Squilla.

    Why they put it there. A handful of vandalism incidents in the area prompted the additional surveillance measure.

    Get the full story here.

    What you should know today

    • South Jersey power broker and former Inquirer co-owner George E. Norcross III on Thursday filed a $100 million defamation and conspiracy lawsuit against the newspaper and one of its editors.
    • Sheriff’s deputies investigated a package found in Council chambers, Council President Kenyatta Johnson said. No injuries were reported and police have determined it was not a bomb.
    • The cousin of a woman believed to have been killed by Raymond Horsch criticized police for sharing graphic details with the public before conferring with family.
    • Upper Darby passed an ordinance this week aiming to restrict the township’s cooperation with federal immigration agents.
    • The head of the Conviction Integrity Unit in the District Attorney’s Office has stepped down from his supervisory role, sources said, days after a federal judge said his actions in a contentious post-conviction case could amount to crimes.
    • Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker ordered a task force to explore whether the city should place new regulations on the construction of data centers that power artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, Gov. Josh Shapiro called for the federal government to establish “strict rules of the road” to guide the AI industry.
    • Atlantic City’s iconic Steel Pier, home to diving horses, Miss America pageants, and lately rides, has gone up for sale at $85 million.
    • Old City is one of the few Philadelphia neighborhoods that still sees condo development. A new 43-unit project, which would preserve historic features, could become part of the trend.

    Plus: Avenues in Philly begin at 64th. What happened to 1st through 63rd?

    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 Philadelphia street nomenclature. A reader, self-described as obsessed with avenue numbers in Philadelphia, wanted to know why they start at 64th. And why 63rd Street, not 63rd Avenue?

    We asked multiple city departments, but as it turns out, no one really knows why. Still, Inquirer reporter Michelle Myers uncovered some history of Philly’s street naming conventions, and how it may be related to the city’s addressing system. 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

    Biology students at Stockton University are monitoring this Jersey Shore icon and say the species could be in danger:

    A) Turtles

    B) Horses

    C) Horseshoe crabs

    D) Ospreys

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

    What we’re …

    🌕 Highlighting: Philly’s most unique mooncakes, according to The Inquirer’s food writer Kiki Aranita.

    ⚽ Impressed by: Union phenom Cavan Sullivan, 16, and two other teammates got the call-up to play with the senior U.S. men’s national team.

    🎸 Listing: Concerts to catch as we wrap up the last big weekend for outdoor shows in Philly.

    ⛳ Following: Why the plan to build a warehouse on a shuttered South Jersey golf course has yet to break ground.

    ☕ Curious about: A West Philly coffee shop’s new bagel-themed fall drink. The Inquirer’s Emily Bloch says it’s a “must-try.”

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: The United States got its name at this Philadelphia site on Sept. 9, 1776. (At the time, it was called the Pennsylvania State House.)

    ENPLANED LICHENED

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

    Cheers to Khalil Garriott, who correctly guessed Thursday’s answer: Reading Terminal Market. The beloved Center City institution recently tallied up its local economic impact, to the tune of $126 million last year.

    Photo of the day

    A pedestrian walks across Logan Square near the Swann Memorial Fountain during a clear, sunny day.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    Thanks for starting your weekend with us. 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.

  • ⚽ Cavan’s turn | Sports Daily Newsletter

    ⚽ Cavan’s turn | Sports Daily Newsletter

    Cavan Sullivan can play it cool if he wants, but we know he was as happy as a little kid to hear that at just 16, he could become the second-youngest player ever to play in a match for U.S. Soccer’s senior men’s national team.

    We know, because at the end of the day — he is just a kid.

    On Thursday, he and two other Union players, Neil Pierre, 18, and Frankie Westfield, 20, were named to the U.S. men’s roster ahead of four matches in the first FIFA international window since the World Cup ended on July 19. It’s also the first time for Westfield and Pierre, the latter who made a point to voice his excitement about getting called into a senior team camp alongside his “brothers.”

    Expect a little drizzle, but nothing too crazy as highs will creep into the mid-80s today.

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

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

    ❓Who’s a young phenom you can recall? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    Welcome back, hockey!

    The Flyers opened up camp in Voorhees on Thursday ahead of their season opener on Sept. 30.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    While football is in full swing after last weekend’s Eagles opener, hockey is just around the corner.

    Thursday brought the latest sign of that, as the Flyers were on the ice for the first day of training camp in Voorhees. How’d they look? As Gabriela Carroll writes, there was a different feel and buzz around the team, especially after last year’s playoff run and the expectations that come with that.

    Speaking of new beginnings, star winger Matvei Michkov is hoping for one this season after a disappointing sophomore campaign. Thursday hinted he might just be poised for a breakout season on and off the ice.

    ‘Ready to play’

    Jalen Carter cracks a smile in Sunday’s game against the Commanders.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    There was certainly cause for concern when Jalen Carter missed practice on Wednesday and nursing a wrist injury. Would he play this Sunday against the Titans or sit this one out?

    Ask him, and Carter, 25, contends that the injury is minor and that he intends to play, though he wouldn’t get into the specifics of what’s ailing him.

    “Just a minor adjustment, and I’m still out there practicing and ready to play,” Carter said.

    Inquirer writer Olivia Reiner has more on Carter preparing for the Titans this weekend.

    Speaking of what they’re saying, we rounded up of what local and national pundits are saying about the Eagles’ chances in Sunday’s matchup.

    Phillies add a veteran pitcher

    Veteran right-hander José Urquidy will pitch for the Phillies on Friday, one day after getting claimed off waivers from the White Sox.Paul Beaty

    Two days after getting designated for assignment by the White Sox, Jose Urquidy was claimed off waivers by the Phillies. The veteran right-hander is set to meet the team in New York and is scheduled to pitch tonight, according to interim manager Don Mattingly, likely providing bulk innings within a bullpen game.

    The Phillies have a hole in the rotation after star lefty Jesús Luzardo went on the injured list with an inflamed left shoulder. Aside from being a critical blow to their chances for a deep postseason run, it left them with a short-term need for a starter against the Mets.

    Aaron Nola turned back the clock with a dominant outing in the Phillies’ shutout of the Mets.

    Next: The Phillies continue their series in New York at 7:15 p.m. tonight (NBCSP).

    Clownin on ‘em

    Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey leaps defending Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards during the first quarter on on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Anthony Edwards has never been one to watch what he says. It’s why, despite playing for the Timberwolves, one can’t help from laughing hysterically at his antics. On Thursday, he went in on a number of NBA players, including LeBron James, who Edwards admits he tried to woo to Minnesota before King James took his talents to Philly.

    So what did Edwards say? You’ll have to read all about it.

    In more serious Sixers news, Adem Bona suffered a foot sprain while participating in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers for Turkey. Here’s how soon he can get back on the floor.

    On this date

    Sept. 18, 1963: In the final game at the famed Polo Grounds in New York City, the Phillies smacked the Mets, 5-1 (Queue the smiling Shrek meme).

    Our best sports 📸 of the week

    Shirtless Santa cheers after the Eagles score in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over the Washington Commanders. David Maialetti / Staff Photographer

    The Eagles won (again) in Week 1 as the NFL season kicked off. They haven’t lost an opener since 2020, the year before Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts took over. While the Birds weren’t the only game in town this week, they were the biggest sports story — and a pair of players even made some headlines off the field. Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors picked the best sports images from the last seven days. Here’s this week’s Big Picture.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    SERY DUQUJOI

    The Phillies just claimed this pitcher off waivers; he can take the mound as soon as tonight. Think you know? Take a guess and then click here to see if you’re correct.

    What you’re saying about high school sports

    We asked: What sports did you play in high school? Did you have a favorite?

    Played football just in junior high at then-little Springfield Delco. Moved to a much larger district for high school and was too small to continue. Only lost one game, and my proudest moment was beating Radnor, 14-0, who featured Eagles 1960 tailback Ted Dean on their field. We did not know his name at the time, but knew that he was big and fast. — Everett S.

    I had a “Moonlight Graham” career in baseball at Germantown Friends. I actually was a statistician. I didn’t get into distance running until after college, 48 years ago. However, that leads into an historical point on high school recruiting. This is hardly a new phenomenon locally. Germantown Friends pulled out of the Inter-Ac League in the mid-60s because of the other schools’ athletic recruiting … mainly Penn Charter and Germantown Academy, although Malvern Prep should not be overlooked in this regard. Let us not forget, these were, and still are, private schools. Arguably the best athlete to graduate from Penn Charter, Matt Ryan, was from Radnor, which is hardly in the neighborhood of East Falls.

    At about the same time that GFS pulled out of the Inter-Ac, Germantown Academy did not pull out, but pulled out of Germantown entirely, migrating to Ft. Washington where it still exists … as Germantown Academy … an anachronism if there ever was one. — John S.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jonathan Tannenwald, Becca O’Reilly, Conor Smith, Olivia Reiner, DeAntae Prince, Scott Lauber, Jackie Spiegel, Gabriela Carroll, Mariam Akraz, and The Inquirer’s photography staff.

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

    Thanks for riding with us today, and here’s hoping all week. We’ll be back on Monday. Oh, and if you’re headed to Nashville for the Eagles game, enjoy. — Kerith

  • 🎸 🩰 A weekend of tunes, grooves, and moves | Things to do

    🎸 🩰 A weekend of tunes, grooves, and moves | Things to do

    This weekend is for lovers of performance art.

    British pop tunes, pulsating electro-funk, retro-soul, and other genres will take center stage across several concerts and music festivals — everywhere from Revolutionary War grounds to the Delaware waterfront.

    There’s also the opening of Philadelphia Ballet’s new home, the celebration of Latin culture and heritage, and more to explore this weekend.

    Read below to see what’s happening this weekend:

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

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

    Grand opening of the Philadelphia Ballet Center

    The Philadelphia Ballet Center for Dance on North Broad Street on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    Philadelphia’s new eye-catching, four-story home for ballet on North Broad Street officially opens its doors Friday.

    After 19 years of trying to consolidate its operations in one building, the Center for Dance on North Broad Street’s arrival is a significant feat.

    Architecture critic Inga Saffron argues that the ballet’s building has missed an opportunity to show, as well as tell, what’s going on inside.

    Take a peek yourself during the center’s open house. Guests can enjoy studio tours, dancer meet-and-greets, arts and crafts, and beginner-friendly dance lessons.

    Read Inga’s review of Philadelphia Ballet’s new home here.

    The best things to do this week

    Atlanta-based Verdict Still Out sends Philly Fashion Week collection down the runway that’s as rebellious as it is patriotic.Courtesy of Philly Fashion Week

    🎨 Sho your creativity: Food vendors, street dancers, musical ensembles, and of course, the work of artists from across the city, will be on display at LOVE Park during the ODUNDE Art Sho on Friday.

    🎺 Jazz up your weekend: More than 20 locations will be celebrating Montco Jazz Fest with live performances, free swing dancing, and an outdoor movie night. Swing by for special tributes to jazz greats across 30-plus events.

    🧵 Straight from the runway: Watch stylish Philadelphians strut their finest garments during Philly Fashion Week. There will be runway shows, shopping events, a design competition, and the Avant-Garde Ball and Philadelphia Fashion Awards at Vault XXVII.

    🎉 Happy birthday to the Kimmel: In celebration of the Kimmel Center’s 25th anniversary, the venue is hosting the FREE Philadelphia Fall Arts Fest on Saturday. The event will shine a light on performance groups such as Opera Philadelphia, the Philly Pops, and others.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Show, Upper Darby International Festival, Hero Thrill Show. Here’s our full list for the week.

    Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off this week

    This Hispanic Heritage Month, don’t miss out on these free events.Fairmount Park Conservancy

    Philadelphia will honor the culture and contributions of the Latin American community through Hispanic Heritage Month.

    Upcoming events include international dance celebrations, music performances, and food festivals from now through Oct. 15.

    On Saturday, salsa your way to the Esperanza Arts Center to see international dancers Ashley Rivera and Elian Gomez. They will join the local salsa orchestra, Siempre Salsa All-Stars, who will be backed by singer Carlos Sanchez and percussionist Willie Torres.

    There will also be the Sazón Latin Food Festival at Two Locals Brewing on Saturday. The event will boast Caribbean, Central and South American cuisine, plus other pay-as-you-go offerings throughout the day.

    Additional events will take place at various Free Library of Philadelphia branches throughout the month-long celebration.

    Late summer fun this week and beyond

    The inaugural “StrEAT Food Festival” on Main Street Saturday launches Manayunk’s first Restaurant Week.

    🍲 Restaurant week in Manayunk: Have a festive evening at Manayunk Restaurant Weekend. Prix fixe lunch and dinner specials, ranging from $15-$45 per person, and other offerings will take place at local faves like Lucky’s Last Chance, Mia Ragazza, Bayou Bar & Grill, and others through Sunday.

    🎃 Experience Halloween underwater: Who says it’s too early for Halloween? Fintastic Pumpkin Glow is bringing the seasonal treat to Adventure Aquarium. Glowing pumpkins in the shape of stingrays, sharks, and sea turtles will be on display through Nov. 1.

    🎷 Celebrating Coltrane: The celebration of John Coltrane’s 100th birthday continues at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. On Sunday, activities include hands-on art making, gallery activities, and a live performance by The Hines Creative Arts Legacy Youth Ensemble.

    🖼️ New exhibition at the Barnes: The Barnes Foundation’s newest exhibition, “Noguchi to Asawa: Designing Postwar America,” highlights Asian American artists affected by incarceration and forced relocation during World War II. The exhibition opens on Sunday and runs through Jan. 10, 2027.

    Staffer picks

    Ed Sheeran played an intimate concert at Royal Dublin Society Nov. 3, 2025 as part of Spotify’s Billions Club recognition.Courtesy Spotify

    Here’s pop music critic Dan DeLuca’s list of the best concerts this weekend.

    🎤 Friday: After an earlier show at Liacouras Center, Boyz II Men is back. Only this time, as headliners with the Philly Pops at TD Pavilion at the Highmark Mann on Friday.

    🎸 Friday and Saturday: The War on Drugs returns to action for a headlining performance at the Queen in Wilmington on Friday. On Saturday, the group heads to the Jersey Shore for Asbury Park’s Sea.Hear.Now Festival at 8 p.m.

    🔊 Friday to Sunday: XPoNential Music Festival is back on the Delaware River waterfront in Wiggins Park in Camden. The weekend kicks off with Los Angeles brother act Dawes headlining, followed by performances from Alaska-born singer John Gourley’s Portugal. The Man, retro-soul band St. Paul & the Broken Bones, and others.

    ♾️ Friday to Sunday: David Pianka’s electronic music-plus fest, Making Time ∞, is in its sixth year at Fort Mifflin, the Revolutionary War-era fort near Philadelphia International Airport. Over 120 acts will perform this weekend, including DJ-producers like Bicep, Daphni, Skee Mask, and Jewelsea.

    🎤 Saturday: British megastar Ed Sheeran is slated to take center stage at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday for his “Loop Tour,” which he plays solo, building layered tracks by triggering prerecorded instrumentals with foot pedals.

    Check out Dan’s full concert list here.

    ❓Pop quiz

    What was the original name of Philadelphia Ballet?

    A) The Philadelphia Ballet Company

    B) Commonwealth Ballet Dancers

    C) Pennsylvania Ballet

    D) PA Dance Co.

    Here’s the answer to last week’s question: How many groups were a part of the first Philadelphia Fringe Festival in 1997? Answer: 60

    Ask Earl anything

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

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

    That’s all, folks. Make time in your schedule for some of these picks this weekend.

    – Earl Hopkins

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

    Courtesy of Giphy.comCourtesy of Giphy.com
  • Our most fatal highway stretches | Inquirer South Jersey

    Our most fatal highway stretches | Inquirer South Jersey

    Good morning, South Jersey.

    Hundreds of people die on state highways every year. Based on fatal-crash data, an Inquirer analysis shows the most dangerous areas in South Jersey.

    And the Washington Township school board decided not to renew its contract with its superintendent — and denied his $27,000 merit pay for the fourth time.

    Plus, Clementon voters rejected a $13.5 million bond referendum, and more news of the day.

    — Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

    P.S. Send your questions about the region to Curious South Jersey. The answer could turn into a story and then show up in this newsletter.

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

    Digging into our region’s fatal-crash data

    A string of four crashes that killed five people on Route 55 this summer has inspired calls for safer highways.

    After analyzing seven years of NJDOT data about 330 fatal crashes that led to more than 360 deaths across the region’s highways, the Inquirer found seven stretches that are particularly precarious.

    The area where I-76 meets Route 42 and I-295 in Camden County tops the list. Commuters, Shore-goers, and truck drivers traverse the intersection. Within a 1.3-mile stretch, it has the more deaths than any other corridor.

    Reporters Sarah Nicell and Lizzie Mulvey share more data, and the latest on the recent efforts to make highways safer.

    There won’t be a new contract for Hibbs

    Washington Township decided it will not renew its contract with schools Superintendent Eric Hibbs, after a 5-4 board vote this week.

    That means Hibbs, who has led the district since 2023, will be out after his current contract expires in June.

    The board also denied a motion to award him $27,000 in merit pay, the fourth time Hibbs requested the performance-based bonus.

    These decisions come after months of legal fights between the board and its superintendent.

    Meanwhile, he still has a pending whistleblower lawsuit against several members of the board.

    Reporter Melanie Burney provides a full recap of the meeting, as well as an overview of the contentious relationship among the school leaders.

    What to know today

    • Investigators in the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office are calling a Wednesday incident in which a brother and sister died in Pennsauken a murder-suicide.
    • Clementon voters rejected a $13.5 million bond referendum that would have raised property taxes to fund an early childhood center for preschoolers. Another vote in Cinnaminson for a referendum of $76 million is still too close to call.
    • The Pennsauken Township school district has agreed to pay $93,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging a school staffer uttered racial slurs to a Black middle school student, NJ.com reports.
    • The candidates running for Cherry Hill’s board of education in November agreed during a forum this week that funding for the school budget is among its biggest challenges, according to 70and73.
    • The students of a Lindenwold elementary school will pivot to remote learning at least through Monday after a fire damaged the building Tuesday night.
    • Warehouse construction on the site of a shuttered golf course in Chesterfield Township hasn’t started despite getting the necessary approval nearly two years ago.
    • The Athletes for Vets Foundation and UrbanPromise Camden will host an event in Camden on Friday to provide sneakers, backpacks, and school supplies to children. Derek Faulkner, former Eagle and founder of Athletes for Vets, leads the initiative.

    🗓️ The best things to do this week

    🏍️ Cruise Night: Start your weekend plans early with the season’s last Cruise Night featuring food trucks, a car show, and live music. ⏰ Thursday, Sept. 17, 5-8 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Burlington City Waterfront Promenade, Burlington

    🎶 XPoNential Music Festival: The annual WXPN festival returns with headliners Dawes, Portugal. The Man, and Little Feat. South Jersey melodic rock quartet Te Vista will play on Friday. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 18-Sunday, Sept. 20, various times 💵 Various prices 📍 Wiggins Park, Camden

    🪲 South Jersey GreenFest: Throughout the weekend, families will get the opportunity to listen to educational discussions, try treats made of edible insects, see prehistoric fossils, and explore bug walks. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 18-Sunday, Sept. 20, various times 💵 Free/included with museum admission 📍 Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, Mantua

    See more event listings here.

    🧠 Trivia time

    Matt Cord, the longtime voice of the Sixers, is coming back for one final season. He retired in May after how many years as the public address announcer?

    A) 30

    B) 28

    C) 25

    D) 20

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    🦅 Anticipating: Eagles-themed $1 mini art prints that will soon be available through vending machines at Lincoln Financial Field.

    🏀 Eyeing: The design of Jaylen Brown’s new 3D-printed shoes.

    💭 Wondering: What will the plot be for a third National Treasure movie?

    That should get you started for the day. I’ll catch you 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.

  • Reparations for a down payment | Real Estate Newsletter

    Reparations for a down payment | Real Estate Newsletter

    Charmira and Quincy Pilgrim had wanted to become homeowners for a decade. But saving money was impossible with a growing family, job losses, and jobs that didn’t pay enough.

    The Pilgrims were finally able to start saving at the end of last year and found a home they wanted to buy in West Oak Lane this spring. But they were thousands of dollars short for their down payment and closing costs.

    What finally turned their homeownership dream into a reality was an assist from a Quaker congregation in Germantown.

    Keep scrolling for that story and more in this week’s edition:

    • Downtown housing boom: Center City is a major driver for Philadelphia housing, with room to grow, report says.
    • Home renos gone wrong: A contractor who’s accused of defrauding homeowners in three local counties is a former South Philly cop with a history of citizen complaints and lawsuits.
    • Cozy but dated: This first-time homebuyer bought a “granny special” in South Philly.
    • Property revival: Peek inside this Doylestown property that has two homes.
    • Market update: Scroll to see what local homebuyers and sellers were up to last month.

    — Michaelle Bond

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

    Reparations for homebuying

    When Charmira and Quincy Pilgrim bought their home, the money they got to help cover their down payment and closing costs came from an unusual source.

    Most first-time homebuyer grants are funded by governments, mortgage lenders, or nonprofits. But the Pilgrims’ grant was funded by a group of Quakers in Germantown.

    Green Street Friends Meeting is helping Philadelphians become homeowners with $10,000 grants to overcome a common barrier to homebuying: the up-front cost.

    The grants are part of the congregation’s racial justice plan to redistribute wealth to Black residents in the Germantown area as a form of reparations.

    In 2021, Green Street pledged to spend $50,000 a year for 10 years as part of its reparations work. Members said they were spurred by a moral calling and the realization of just how much money the congregation had sitting in unrestricted reserves.

    Keep reading to learn more about the Quakers’ housing work.

    Center City drives housing

    Downtown is a hot spot for home construction in Philly.

    Two in five homes built in a recent 18-month period were built in greater Center City, according to Center City District, a business improvement organization.

    More than 4,000 homes were completed in greater Center City — defined as the area from Girard Avenue to Tasker Street and from the Schuylkill to the Delaware River — last year and in the first half of this year.

    Center City District says there’s still plenty of room to build a lot more homes on properties in the area. Parking lots, for example.

    Greater Center City remains a destination for newcomers and established Philadelphians alike. One in eight Philly residents lived there last year.

    Keep reading to learn why home construction in Center City matters for the rest of Philadelphia.

    The latest news to pay attention to

    Home tour: Two homes in Doylestown

    Nate Reuther has two homes on his 1.3-acre property in Doylestown: a purple Cape Cod that spans 1,200 square feet, and a tiny home in the form of a 13-by-6-foot tractor trailer.

    He lives in the tiny home when he rents the main house as an Airbnb for part of the year.

    Reuther has spent years renovating the house. He’s gutted most of the rooms, replaced the roof, and created a bedroom with a plant nook.

    Reuther is a landscape designer and built the garden behind the house from scratch. That included tearing down an existing deck and creating a sculpture garden.

    Beyond a meadow of native wildflowers sits the tiny home, which Reuther picked up from a Camping World store in Virginia.

    Peek inside the property Reuther revived.

    📊 The market

    In August, homebuyers in the Philly region had more choices than last year. New home listings and the overall supply of homes on the market were up.

    But those increases didn’t do much for sales or affordability, especially since mortgage interest rates “have remained persistently high this summer,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at the multiple listing service Bright MLS.

    “With home prices still rising in most markets, some homebuyers are simply hitting an affordability ceiling,” Sturtevant said in a statement. “Others are waiting for more certainty in both the economy and the housing market.”

    In the Philadelphia metro last month, according to Bright MLS:

    🔺The median sale price was $425,000 — up about 5% from the same time last year.

    🔻New pending home sales were down 3% from last year.

    🔺The market added 6,500 new listings, up roughly 5% from last August.

    🔺The number of active home listings was up about 14% from the same time last year.

    📷 Photo quiz

    Where was this photo taken?

    📮 If you think you know, email me back.

    A lot of you were confident but wrong in your answers to last week’s photo quiz. I wasn’t trying to trick you, but two neighboring buildings on the Parkway do look similar.

    The quiz featured a photo not of the Free Library but of the former Family Court building.

    Shout-out to Jay S. and Susan T. for knowing that. As they noted, the building has been empty for a while, and several plans for redevelopment have fizzled.

    ―

    A project that actually happened was the construction of the Philadelphia Ballet’s new home on North Broad Street. The organization is celebrating the grand opening over the next three days.

    But architecture critic Inga Saffron says she’s frustrated with the new building. She said the ballet has repeated “the architectural mistakes of an earlier generation of cultural venues.”

    Keep reading to see what she means.

    And enjoy the rest of your 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.

  • Seven dead or missing women | Morning Newsletter

    Seven dead or missing women | Morning Newsletter

    Good morning, Philly. Temperatures may creep into the mid-80s this afternoon, with a slight chance of storms overnight.

    Today, we start with an unsettling development in a sweeping Olney missing persons investigation that continually raises more questions than answers. Police found photo evidence of two more lifeless women in their ongoing investigation into violent pornographer Raymond Horsch and his son, Eugene.

    Then, we’ll take a journey along South Jersey’s most dangerous roadways, as analyzed by The Inquirer.

    Plus, we cover a strange incident at a No ICE in Philly meeting, and more news of the day.

    — Laura Benshoff (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

    Two more women linked to Olney house

    And then there were seven.

    Philadelphia police on Wednesday said investigators had recovered images from the home of Raymond “R.C.” Horsch — the now-deceased pornographer, illicit drugmaker, and chemist — that appeared to show two more dead women. It was the most significant update since police began poring over more than a million photos, videos, and pieces of writing found inside the house a month ago.

    Despite the major announcement, there was a haunting lack of answers in the update. No remains have been recovered from the house and the two additional women’s names were not released.

    Police also officially confirmed details of one videotaped death first reported by The Inquirer last month.

    Read The Inquirer’s Ellie Rushing, Max Marin, Ryan Briggs, and Barbara Laker.

    And, if you need helping keeping track of updates to this case, we have a timeline for you.

    South Jersey’s deadliest roadways

    If you’ve ever white-knuckled the steering wheel taking Route 42 down to the Shore, or while driving north along I-76 into Philly, the next fact might not surprise you.

    The tangled interchange where these two meet I-295 has recorded some of the highest rates of fatal accidents in the region, according to a new Inquirer analysis.

    Our newsroom looked into 330 fatal crashes in South Jersey between 2019 and July 2026 to identify the corridors that were most crash-prone, and to figure out what about their design makes them so deadly.

    Indeed, the geography of the road often bears some blame, according to Chris Pollard of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Highways such as I-76 with tricky merges, heavy congestion, and sharp bends are more likely to be fatal than calmer sections of road.

    The Inquirer’s Sarah Nicell and Lizzie Mulvey break down the other hot spots here.

    What you should know today

    Quote of the day

    Updating a beloved library should be easy win for a local politician.

    But as The Inquirer’s Nate File reports, Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. got an earful from unhappy North Philly residents like Estremera, and community organizers like David Evans (pictured), at a meeting on Tuesday night.

    🧠 Trivia time

    Big Daddy Graham was an overnight host on what Philadelphia radio station?

    A) KYW Newsradio

    B) WMMR

    C) 97.5 The Fanatic

    D) 94 WIP

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re…

    🍽️ Reviewing: The Blue Warbler in Chestnut Hill tries to be a lot of things: a day café, a neighborhood hub, and a trendy dinner spot, all while eschewing meat from its menu. Food critic Craig LaBan writes that it fulfills much of that tall order.

    ✈️ Ranking: For the sixth year in a row, Philadelphia International Airport ranked dead last among similarly sized airports, per JD Power. The Inquirer’s Ariana Perez-Castells says its aging buildings are to blame.

    🏛️ Pondering: Despite its 150 years as a local institution, the Academy of Natural Sciences building is not historically protected. The Inquirer’s Michaelle Bond reports that fact surprised many in the conservation community.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: This Philadelphia institution saw around 6 million visitors last year.

    A DETRIMENTAL REMARKING

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

    Cheers to Roserita Fratoni, who correctly guessed Wednesday’s anagram: The Bear. Ceramicist Jono Pandolfi is selling cups and plates like those seen on the Hulu series for a limited time in Philly.

    Photo of the day

    A cyclist pedals along the Girard Avenue Bridge on a sunny, clear morning Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Philadelphia.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    This picture does a good job of capturing the feeling of being outdoors in this week’s nearly perfect weather.

    👋 Thanks for spending some of your week with The Inquirer. Paola Pérez will be tapping in for me tomorrow. See you Monday!

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

  • Creating a third space in Narberth | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Creating a third space in Narberth | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Hi, Lower Merion!

    A new general store, complete with a craft counter and floral bouquets, is coming to Narberth, with a goal of creating a third space for area residents. Here’s what to expect. Also this week, township police are looking to add a “first responder” drone, the school district is urging a judge to deny a parent-led lawsuit over device use, plus a Gladwyne resident and TikTok personality has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend.

    Have a question about town? Submit it to Curious Lower Merion and one of our reporters might track down the answer.

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

    A new general store looks to create a ‘third space’ in Narberth

    Narberth is getting a new take on the old-school general store this fall when borough resident Jen Kurland debuts her new spot, Jeneral Store, in the former home of Danny’s Guitar Shop.

    The storefront will offer a mix of home goods, DIY floral bouquets, penny candy, and a craft counter in the vein of delis. There, shoppers will be able to order art supplies à la carte.

    Kurland hopes it will become something of a third space, with plans to offer craft nights and workshops down the line.

    The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner spoke with Kurland about her vision and what else visitors can expect.

    💡 Community News

    • Lower Merion police are seeking funding for a drone that could be automatically deployed for certain emergency calls, a tool they say could provide crime scene information before officers even respond. Commissioners expressed skepticism, particularly over privacy, at last week’s budget workshop. Here’s what the program could look like.
    • At the same 2027 budget workshop, township officials warned of financial headwinds that could mean possible real estate tax increases next year. Additional workshops will be held throughout the fall before a decision is made.
    • Gladwyne resident and personal injury lawyer Thomas Bosworth has been charged with simple assault and harassment after allegedly choking his girlfriend and throwing her to the ground during a dispute on the Cynwyd Heritage Trial in Bala Cynwyd. The 37-year-old is known as “Tommy the Lawyer” on TikTok, where he has hundreds of thousands of followers.
    • Men’s footwear company Sherman Brothers has officially opened its doors at 42 Greenfield Ave. in Ardmore, relocating from its longtime home in Center City.
    • The owner of Dane Fine Art has been named in a lawsuit for allegedly participating in a scheme to sell fraudulent artwork, including fake Andy Warhol paintings. The Haverford gallery was raided by the FBI earlier this summer. Owner Nathan “Nicky” Isen has denied the accusations.
    • Downtown Ardmore District will hold a ribbon cutting tomorrow to officially unveil the transformation of the alleyway wall along Past Present Future into a mural. It will also include a dedication to the shop’s owner, Sherry Tillman, as she winds down the beloved business.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • The school board voted unanimously on Monday to accept former board member Jennifer Rivera’s resignation, which she tendered last month after being charged with embezzling more than $50,000 from her employer, The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner reports.
    • After a group of parents filed a lawsuit against the district over opting their children out of school-assigned computers, the district has asked a federal judge to deny the request, accusing them of “fearmongering.”
    • The school district is closed Monday, which is Yom Kippur. There’s a special board meeting Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Two new eateries are coming to Bala Cynwyd on City Avenue in 2027. French-inspired chain Paris Baguette is slated to open a location in the spring, while all-you-can-eat revolving sushi concept Supra Sushi is planning to open sometime in the middle of next year.
    • Nanu’s Hot Chicken has reopened at 59 W. Lancaster Ave. in Ardmore after being forced to close at the end of July when a vehicle damaged the store.
    • Tired Hands Brewing Company in Ardmore has released a new Rose Panna Cotta milkshake IPA. The 7.2% ABV beer has notes of bubblegum, pink grapefruit, raspberry honey, and mango.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎪 Bryn Mawr Day: Celebrate the community with local businesses, food, drinks, and a circus. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 North Bryn Mawr Avenue parking lot

    🎨 Chalk Mob 2026: Watch as artists transform the plaza at Linwood Park or try your hand at it yourself. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-noon 💵 Free 📍 Linwood Park

    🍿 Back to the Future: This month’s family movie night features the first installment of the Michael J. Fox film series. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. (rain date: Sept. 20) 💵 Free 📍 Narberth Park

    🏴‍☠️ Pirate Day Crafternoon: Pirates and their mateys can make themed crafts in honor of National Talk Like a Pirate Day (parrots and eye patches optional). ⏰ Wednesday, Sept. 23, 3-5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Gladwyne Library

    🍖 KB Foundation’s Fall Fundraiser: Chef Nick Elmi will dish up barbecue for this benefit, which also includes a silent auction, a DJ, candy and cigar bars, and an awards ceremony. ⏰ Thursday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m. 💵 $175 and $250 for individual tickets 📍 Pump House

    🏡 On the Market

    A four-bedroom Narberth home with a pool and a conservatory

    The home has a conservatory and courtyard-style entryway.A1RMedia | Courtesy of Arielle Roemer/ BHHS Fox & Roach at the Harper

    This mid-century Penn Valley home has undergone a number of updates, including a private wing addition for the primary suite. Located on the second floor, it has vaulted ceilings, dual vanities, a dressing room, walk-in closets, a laundry room, and a balcony. Other features of the four-bedroom home include a dining room, a kitchen with a butler’s pantry, an office, a parlor with an antique marble fireplace, and a conservatory. Outside, there’s a patio with a pergola and a pool. There are open houses today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $1.595M | Size: 4,412 SF | Acreage: 0.96

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