The last 18 months or so were a boon for housing construction in Philly, much of it concentrated in the heart of the city, according to a new report by the Center City District.
Two out of every five of the homes recently built in the city were in the greater downtown section, roughly from Girard Avenue to Tasker Street, and from river to river.
The last two years have also seen the biggest number of new units downtown come online of the last decade, often in big office-to-residential conversions.
“This matters for the whole city, not just for the downtown,” said Prema Katari Gupta, Center City District’s president and CEO. “When Center City and the neighborhoods around it keep adding supply, it takes pressure off rents elsewhere,” by keeping wealthy residents from pushing into more affordable areas.
Anti-data center activists rallied outside of Philadelphia City Hall on Monday, hoping to kick off a conversation about a local moratorium.
These massive developments have recently come under fire as the backlash to the AI boom they power grows.
As the debate heats up, let’s cover some basic facts about data centers in Philly:
Eight. The number of smaller data centers constructed in Philly before the issue was widely controversial.
Two. The number of parcels that could host a massive “hyperscale” data center in the city: the Bellwether District, and a city-owned plot of land next to the Northeast Philly Airport.
Zero. The number of specific hyperscale data center proposals under consideration within the city’s borders.
A North Philadelphia charter school up for renewal this year suffers from administrative infighting and poor financial controls, according to Inquirer interviews with staff.
The Jefferson County coroner has updated the cause of death for a 40-year-old unvaccinated woman from a “suspected” case of measles to a “probable” case.
The Philadelphia Police Department is firing an officer who left a man lying in a bike lane before he was fatally struck by a car, said Commissioner Kevin Bethel.
A New Jersey mom is headed to prison for defrauding a pandemic relief fund. What lavish event did she throw that drew attention to her ill-gotten gains?
Cheers to Patty Penn, who correctly guessed Monday’s answer: Girard College. Over the weekend, this historic institution hosted the Philly Black Wine and Spirits Fest, an event aimed at making wine more approachable and promoting Black winemakers.
Cardinal Michael Czerny is the inaugural winner of Villanova University’s sustainability medal, which carries Villanova alumnus Pope Leo XIV’s name.Courtesy of Villanova University
👋 Have a peaceful Tuesday. See you tomorrow!
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Greater Philadelphia will welcome a host of new restaurants this fall. Among the newcomers will be Glenside’s Capperini, an upscale Italian-Mediterranean concept complete with a liquor license. The spot is anticipated to debut by November.
Meanwhile, a trip to Marshalls in Willow Grove will place you across the street from the latest location of popular breakfast-and-lunch chain Nudy’s Cafe. It’s targeting a late-September open.
And soon, local couple Mike and Joy Grafenstine, owners of Glenside’s Roberts Block and Abington’s Bonnet Lane Family Restaurant, will take to Doylestown to launch an upscale American concept dubbed Tusk.
Whet your appetite with The Inquirer’s look at all 60 spots slated to bring fresh bites to the region in the coming months, including in nearby Ambler and Hatboro.
Cheltenham’s new manager is ready for a challenge.
Jonathan Altshul, who stepped into the role last week, has a full docket of to-dos, including figuring out how to balance updating aging infrastructure with “holding the line” on tax increases for residents — who are already the most property tax-burdened in Montgomery County.
With midterm elections less than two months away, much of the focus in the Pennsylvania governor race is on incumbent (and Abington resident) Josh Shapiro and his Republican opponent, Stacey Garrity. And yet, another name with local ties will appear on the ballot in November: Abington-based libertarian Ken Krawchuk, the only third-party candidate vying for the position, Spotlight PA reports.
Cheltenham police issued 32 violations to drivers during the first week back to school after school bus-mounted cameras captured them passing buses using red lights and stop signs to indicate student boarding.
A northbound lane will be closed in Cheltenham on Washington Lane between Ashbourne Road and Rock Lane through next Tuesday due to pipe replacement work. Additionally, paving will prompt an overnight lane closure in the township from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday on Ashbourne Road, Montgomery Avenue, and Central Avenue between Washington Lane and Route 73.
“Why is Crestmont, a mostly Black community, sitting right in the middle of overwhelmingly white suburbs?” That’s the question Philly-area creative DJ Atkins looks to answer in this opinion piece about the unincorporated community in Abington Township.
🏫 Schools briefing
New state legislation mandates that elementary schoolers have at least 30 minutes of recess, according to WHYY. Cheltenham students in third through fifth grade will soon see current recess time doubled in order to comply, The Inquirer’s Jess Rohan confirmed, and in Abington and Jenkintown, K-5 students already have 30 minutes of recess.
Following charges against Cheltenham High School football coaches and students over alleged hazing incidents, child welfare expert Janet Rosenzweig wrote an opinion piece about the “heroes” of the case that has shocked the community: the victim’s mother and the person who reported the attacks to the state’s Safe2Say system.
🍽️ On our plate
Glenside Local takes a look inside the recently opened Bella’s Cremeria, a dream project from local resident Amanda Sheridan, who also launched Steak It Easy in Willow Grove earlier this year alongside her husband.
🎳 Things to do
😂 Yammering Into The Void Tour: Laugh ‘til your belly aches at a live set from acclaimed comedian and podcaster Marc Maron, known for his many appearances on late-night comedy shows. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 18, 8 p.m. 💵 $64.39-$319.42 📍 Keswick Theatre, Glenside
🃏 Life of the Party: See if comedian and illusionist Jonathan Burns, who previously appeared on “America’s Got Talent,” can pull one over on you. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19, 8 p.m. 💵 $35-$45 📍 Smoke & Mirrors Theater, Glenside
🏎️ Roslyn Fall Festival & Car Show: Check out head-turning vehicles at this 26th annual event hosted by Abington Township, the Roslyn Boys and Girls Club, and the Roslyn Business Association. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 19, noon-5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Easton Road from East Avenue to Woodland Road, Abington
This three-bedroom, three-bathroom house built in 1850 brings nearly 200 years’ worth of character to the Elkins Park East neighborhood. It features a fireplace, classic inlays, and a covered front porch, plus a family room with ample windows that bring natural light into the space. A walk-up attic adds extra storage space to the abode, which also has a deck and a fenced-in backyard. The house is under contract.
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.
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
Ryan Richter, known to many as the Union’s interim manager, was once a three-sport athlete at William Tennant High School.
The 37-year-old Bucks County native grew up captivated by NBA culture, particularly Allen Iverson. He’d wear a headband during basketball games. He pierced both ears and gave himself nicknames, like “Shaq Daddy.”
While the moniker is long gone, that side of Richter isn’t.
The La Salle graduate was drafted by his hometown MLS team in 2011, began coaching for them in 2018, and has gradually worked his way up.
Now, he’s leading the Union from the worst record in the league to playoff contention. The soccer world might be surprised by Richter’s accomplishments. But those from his hometown are not.
Jalen Hurts threw three touchdown passes to start a 2026 season where his every move will be evaluated (as usual).David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Jalen Hurts made several big-time throws against Washington, and at times looked like the explosive runner that made him one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL.
He also addressed some doubts about how he would adjust to another change in coordinator and scheme. But the game plan didn’t quite represent the dramatic shift that was anticipated. Instead, it was a blending of the old and new.
There was still much more of the old bad than the good in Week 1, writes Jeff McLane. That meant too many three-and-outs and too much of Hurts under pressure.
Speaking of offensive line struggles, Hurts was sacked three times on Sunday. Now, the Eagles are placing Landon Dickerson on injured reserve.
Cooper DeJean also didn’t look great. He allowed six catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. But this was his first game in his new role. So the second-year defensive back has no plans to overreact. However, he knows his performance “wasn’t good enough.”
Read more of our Eagles coverage and what Nick Sirianni said in his Monday press conference here.
What we’re …
🤔 Wondering: What the national media is saying about the Eagles after they escaped with a Week 1 win.
🏈 Learning: The Ivy League is adding a bye week and starting the college football season earlier in 2027.
🔎Analyzing: Villanova men’s basketball complete 2026-27 schedule after the Big East games were released.
📖 Reading: St. Joe’s track and field terminated its jumps program. The phase-out process started in 2023-24.
Andrew Painter’s bullpen experience is limited, but that’s a route the team could choose to go for the rookie in the postseason.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Andrew Painter has done some struggling, failing, learning, and improving in his rookie season. But when the regular season ends after the next 12 games, Painter could see his role change.
In a best-of-three wild-card series, the Phillies would only need a maximum of three starters. In the best-of-five National League Division Series, clubs usually have a four-man rotation.
Either way, the Phillies will have some decisions to make about how they will set up their starting pitching. Is it possible that the rookie could be an option for the postseason bullpen?
Winger Owen Tippett has become the Flyers’ ambassador for the team’s Learn to Play Program.Courtesy of the Flyers
Owen Tippett is entering his seventh season in the NHL. The 27-year-old will sometimes recall his days skating as a kid in Toronto, which is why he’s entering his third straight season as an ambassador for the Flyers Learn to Play Rookie Program.
And curious how the Flyers’ Rookie Series went? Check out Jackie Spiegel’s takeaways from Game 1 and 2 this past weekend.
Cavan Sullivan (right) celebrates after scoring one of his two goals in the Union’s 5-0 win on Sunday against San Diego.Philadelphia Union
On Wednesday, U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to announce his 26-man roster for a series of four upcoming friendlies.
There’s a good chance that Cavan Sullivan will earn his first call-up to the senior squad. On Sunday night, the 16-year-old recorded his first two-goal game in a 5-0 rout of San Diego. He now has five goals and six assists in his last seven MLS games.
The Union are also unbeaten in their last 10 matchups. The group can tie the franchise’s longest unbeaten streak with a win or draw against Sporting Kansas City this Saturday.
How much will Jalen Hurts miss A.J. Brown, who was traded to New England in the offseason? If Sunday is an indicator, maybe not as much as expected.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Jalen Hurts, after a poor 2025 season, made a strong opening statement Sunday afternoon. If he strings together a dozen or so games like this in Sean Mannion’s system this year, expect the 28-year-old to sign an extension to be the Eagles’ quarterback for the next seven or eight seasons, writes columnist Marcus Hayes.
🧠 Trivia time
When was the last time the Eagles lost in a season opener? Bonus points if you can guess which team it was against.
A) 2022
B) 2020
C) 2019
D) 2017
What you’re saying about the Eagles’ opener
We asked: What did you think of the Eagles’ win over the Commanders? Among your responses:
At this point, it is difficult to tell who these Eagles are, especially on the offensive side of the ball. However, the play of the “O” line was concerning and the “D” line was underwhelming in getting to the QB. Nonetheless, a Week 1 divisional win is much better than a Week 1 Divisional loss. Now on to Tennessee. — Jim V.
The days of the Commanders being almost a guaranteed win are long gone. Daniels and his team took the Eagles almost to the very last second. Zach Baun was outstanding and along with Hurts definitely the players of the game. O-line needs work, but thank goodness Dallas Goedert is still there and came through in a big way, Cooper looked somewhat lost out there, but Baun covered up the mistakes. Kept us fans very nervous throughout, but an excellent win. — Everett S.
Actually Washington lost the game rather than the Eagles winning the game on that stupid 15 yard penalty after a touchdown celebration. Our center still can’t block. Time for Kelsey to come out of retirement. A win is still a win and we should have 13-14 this year. The Giants really looked good! — Ronald R.
Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert congratulates receiver Dontayvion Wicks after a second quarter touchdown at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
When you get right down to it, the main reason the Eagles won at home over a poor Washington team was a blocked extra point. The line play on both sides of the ball was mediocre at best. I don’t think Eagles fans should be happy with this game in spite of the win. — Tom E.
When you beat the lowly Commanders by two points at home, you have nothing to be proud of. Sean Mannion was supposed to have a new offensive scheme. He didn’t. Saquon was going to run thru the line like 2024. He didn’t. Hurts was going to spend much of the time under center. He didn’t. None of the starters played a single down in pre-season. It showed. They were all exhausted in the second half. Thank goodness for Goedert, Baun, and Mann. But it takes a village…. — Michael H.
It’s wasn’t pretty and I was holding my breath in the 4th quarter! There are obviously areas that still need work, but hey, a win is a win. Congrats to team to begin with a win. The Eagles looked better in the first half; perhaps the excessive time on the field and humidity really took its toll in the second half. Kudos to Godert, Baun, Hurts, and several others for giving us moments to cheer about. It was a good weekend for Philly sports fans. — Karen Laughlin
Solid performance except for the O-line. Dickerson needs help on every play. Jalen was very good and showed he could still run if he has to. A little disappointed with DeJean, but I think he’ll come around. Overall, a good win and a Dallas lost makes for a great first week of the NFL.— Tom G.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Alex Coffey, Jeff Neiburg, Jeff McLane, Marcus Hayes, David Murphy, Kerith Gabriel, Ryan Novozinsky, Jackie Spiegel, Lochlahn March, Mia Messina, Conor Smith, Finn Courtney, and Ariel Simpson.
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.
As always, thanks for reading and have a wonderful Tuesday. That’s it for me this week. Maria will be back in your inbox tomorrow. — Bella
Automated license plate readers have become nearly unavoidable in New Jersey.
Major retailers cite loss prevention and employee safety for their use, while the vast majority of the state’s law enforcement agencies have used them since at least 2023.
The Cherry Hill Police Department is one of the agencies using the tech:
Last year, the majority of its system’s 2.2 million alerts were for expired registration and suspended plates.
The alerts connected to criminal activity during the same year were for 800 stolen plates, 212 stolen vehicles, and 15 missing persons.
Organizations like DeFlock South Jersey are aiming for more regulation, due to their concerns about privacy. They are part of the growing pushback against the technology among both conservatives and progressives.
According to the Cherry Hill Special Education PTA, the group has tabled back-to-school nights at district schools to educate parents about their rights for 12 years.
But this year, the request was denied.
The organization has since filed a grievance with the school board, alleging discrimination for denying an independent group.
The district is saying that organizations like the special education PTA will have to coordinate with Zone PTA, the umbrella group of the district’s various parent-teacher associations.
The Medford mother who spent more than $27,000 on her daughter’s prom two years ago was sentenced to about a year in federal prison for a pandemic-relief fraud scheme worth over half a million dollars.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew will debate his Democratic challenger, Zack Mullock, in the 2nd Congressional District race at Stockton University next month.
A quiet Sunday afternoon in downtown Haddonfield.Taylor Allen
I spent my sunny Sunday afternoon walking down Kings Highway in downtown Haddonfield after the morning rain cleared up.
What does your community look like? What South Jersey memory would you like to share? Submit a photo and/or a brief description for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.
On the outer rim of a Home Depot parking lot in West Berlin, N.J., around two dozen people stood in the searing August sun.
They were there to protest the black, solar-powered license plate reader perched on a pole above them.
“They’re watching you! And you!” shouted one man, pointing as cars rolled past.
Groups like this one, called DeFlock South Jersey, hoped to ultimately limit the use of these readers due to privacy concerns.
But in New Jersey, they face an uphill battle, reports The Inquirer’s Ximena Conde. Simply put, the readers are already all over the place.
The vast majority of New Jersey’s law enforcement agencies, more than 520 entities, use automated license plate readers. Major retailers, like Home Depot, also deploy the cameras, saying they help with loss prevention and employee safety.
After years of giving every student a computer, public school districts across the Philadelphia region are starting this school year differently: They’re pulling back on screens, particularly for early grades.
Some examples:
The Tredyffrin/Easttown School District in Chester County has stopped assigning iPads to kindergartners.
In the Colonial School District in Montgomery County, elementary school students have time limits on using their Chromebooks.
The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District in Delaware County has restricted YouTube access for kids up to the fifth grade.
The rollback comes in response to parent concerns about an overreliance on computers as teaching tools, and concerns that kids can browse sites like YouTube without adequate parental controls.
A former Philadelphia police officer faces fraud charges in three local counties for allegedly starting contracting jobs and leaving them unfinished — and in one case, leaving a house uninhabitable.
The Jefferson County coroner has confirmed another suspected measles-involved fatality in the commonwealth, this time of a 40-year-old unvaccinated woman.
A Main Line art dealer faces a lawsuit for allegedly participating in a scheme to forge Andy Warhol paintings and prints and sell them through a gallery in Miami.
Family members are planning to sue a Reading-area nonprofit that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, after a man died following a choking incident there last month. The facility has been operating after its license was revoked.
Langhorne Borough residents aren’t pleased with PennDot’s newest proposal to build a partial cloverleaf interchange on Route 1, saying the measure would still push highway traffic onto local streets.
Philadelphia-set Abbott Elementary is up for seven Emmy Awards tonight. Go, Quinta, go!
🌶️ Eating. Chiles en nogada, a traditional Mexican dish of stuffed poblano peppers in white walnut sauce, are briefly in season. Inquirer food writer Kiki Aranita has where to get them right now.
Hint: Originally founded as a school for white, male orphans, this North Philly institution became the site of pitched legal battles over integration during the civil rights era.
Cheers to Joe Zalewski who correctly guessed Sunday’s answer: Connor Barwin. On Barwin’s “perfect day” in the city, the former Eagles linebacker orders an open-faced burrito (like a burrito bowl) from the same NoLibs cafe he’s visited for about 12 years.
Photo of the day
Eagles super fan Kenny Torres, AKA Eagle Libre, of Prospect Park, poses for a portrait while tailgating before the Eagles play the Commanders in Philadelphia on Sunday.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Today’s story comes from reader Sam Waltz, who describes hitchhiking to North Philly’s Connie Mack Stadium with his friend Eric back in 1969. A police cruiser stopped to pick them up. I’ll let Sam finish the story, which has been edited for length:
… Eric and I walked to the back of the Philly Police paddy wagon, opened the door, stepped inside, closed the door, and took a seat.
We could watch out the windows as the cops drove up Broad Street, finally pulling over to the curb at the intersection of Broad and Lehigh [a few blocks from the stadium].
Through the window, I heard the cop — not getting out of his seat — rap on the window and yell out, “Hop out, boys, we’re here.”
I pushed open the back door. As I did, I spied a young boy about 9 years old standing right there, watching me curiously.
As I stepped down, suddenly he yelled out, “RUN, MISTER, RUN!”
Of course, he thought I was escaping!
👋 Happy Monday! May the children of Philadelphia be on your side today as well.
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The first NFL Sunday feels like Christmas morning, and at least you can head into work Monday on a high note after the Eagles held off the Commanders in a 24-22 win.
First, we have to give credit to Moro Ojomo, who reminded the NFL why he is going to want a hefty pay raise when the season concludes. Ojomo denied John Bates a two-point conversion attempt to tie the game and sealed the win for the Birds.
Across the board, Jalen Hurts was solid in his debut, despite Sean Mannion’s offense bringing inconsistent results. Hurts showed he hasn’t lost his touch on the deep ball as he tossed three touchdowns. He also made plays with his legs.
And on defense, All-Pro inside linebacker Zack Baun was arguably the best Eagles defender on the field. Jeff McLane gave out high grades for the two, among other thoughts from the Eagles’ season opener.
Alec Bohm celebrates his bases clearing double in the eighth inning of the Phillies’ win on Sunday.Erik S. Lesser
Alec Bohm changed the Phillies’ fortunes and the tide of the game on Sunday, with one swing. From there, the floodgates opened, and the offense strung together six two-out hits and a walk in a 9-4 victory over the Braves.
“Finally to get to break through and put some runs up was huge,” said interim manager Don Mattingly, especially after the Phillies were stuck in neutral for the first two losses of the series.
Earlier on Sunday, the Phillies activated lefty Tanner Banks from the 60-day injured list.
What we’re …
👂 Hearing: The highlights of the Eagles’ win from the broadcast booth on Fox, which included Tom Brady’s return as a color commentator.
🤔 Wondering: How was the Birds’ first tailgate of the season? We captured the best moments prior to the Eagles vs. Commanders.
🙌 Praising: The journey to Temple linebacker Reggie Jones’ first tackle after three seasons playing college football.
📖 Reading: About girls’ flag football in South Jersey and the excitement around the sport becoming sanctioned by the NJSIAA.
⚽ Relishing: Cavan Sullivan scoring two goals for the Union to extend the team’s unbeaten streak to 10 games in 5-0 win over San Diego.
We answer your questions about a potential historic Sixers season.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
The Sixers are two weeks away from training camp. There’s been plenty to talk about this summer with Jaylen Brown and LeBron James coming to Philadelphia, and it very much could be a historic Sixers season.
While everyone waits for opening night on Oct. 20 at the Knicks, new Sixers beat writer Chris Hine answers the biggest issues facing the team, who the glue guys off the bench might be, and if there’s room for Justin Edwards.
After a pair of underwhelming seasons in junior, Jett Luchanko will look to get back on track this season as he makes the full-time jump to professional hockey.Courtesy of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Jett Luchanko is known for his high hockey IQ and speed. The knock on the Flyers’ 2024 first-round pick has been his lack of goal scoring. But the reality is that just having Luchanko on the ice is a big step.
The centerman missed development camp and rookie camp last year because of a groin injury. He also missed development camp this summer after undergoing a procedure on his core about a month prior. It’s possible that better health and more stability will help him get back on track in 2026-27.
And with several Flyers prospects converging on Allentown and Voorhees this week for rookie camp, here’s our updated top 20 prospect rankings.
Penn State tight end Ben Brahmer (18) runs after a catch against Temple on Saturday.Isaiah Vazquez / For The Inquirer
Matt Campbell said that he’d know the true identity of this Penn State team when it faces adversity. That moment came against Temple on Saturday, when the Nittany Lions failed to score on their first two red zone opportunities.
However, Penn State got things rolling in the second half, thanks to tight end Ben Brahmer, who believes his position is the “heartbeat” of offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser’s offense.
And in case you missed it, Saturday’s game was the first time Temple and Penn State faced off in a decade, renewing a 95-year-old rivalry.
Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs hugs the goalpost after scoring a touchdown on Sunday. He was penalized on the play, denying Washington a standard attempt at a two-point conversion.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Stefon Diggs caught a touchdown pass, but then hopped onto the goal post and gave it a brief, full-body hug. That behavior is illegal. The Commanders trailed by 2 points, and had the Eagles on their heels. But a 15-yard penalty pushed a two-point conversion try from the 2-yard line to the 17-yard line.
It was a foolish mistake, and there were several that did happen on Sunday. This was essentially a preseason game for the Eagles starters. Though, it was not bad for a dress rehearsal, writes columnist Marcus Hayes.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jeff McLane, Olivia Reiner, Jeff Neiburg, Marcus Hayes, Matt Breen, Jackie Spiegel, Lochlahn March, Mia Messina, Ariel Simpson, Lexie Linderman, Faiyaad Kamal, and Lauren Jones.
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.
Happy Monday! Thanks for getting your morning started with me, I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow. — Bella
Philadelphia’s new eye-catching, four-story home for ballet is making a daring leap onto North Broad Street. It will officially open on Sept. 17.
But despite the cultural significance of its arrival on the corridor, 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.
Once the dazzle of its solid, pleated metal facade fades away, Saffron notes, the intent to mimic a theater curtain results in a blank, daunting wall. She makes the case that these shortcomings in design, including its lack of street-level windows and a door along Broad, risk isolating the public.
Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park first opened in 1885. Located about 190 miles northwest of Philadelphia, it’s the site of a vast underground cave full of frigid water and mineral deposits, as well as a park with animals like bison and elk.
The Central Pennsylvania park, which has been run by the same family since 1908, is hoping to become the 126th state park by transferring stewardship of its acres to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Acquisition may require legislation, according to a DCNR spokesperson. Russ Schleiden, CEO of the attraction, called the decision “difficult,” but said it was the only way to avoid development of the property.
In Schleiden’s own words: “But we feel that it’s a very important part of not only Centre County, but the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and that it should be preserved in perpetuity.”
A new motion filed Friday in the controversial case that has roiled Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s office argued that a federal judge should not overturn a man’s murder conviction.
A man was sentenced to prison Friday for killing two teens in 2022 and 2023 — including firing dozens of bullets outside Roxborough High School in a shooting that left one teen dead and four others seriously wounded.
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.
Pennsylvania’s highest court struck down automatic life sentences for second-degree murder months ago. On Thursday, four prisoners asked the justices to extend that ruling to everyone still serving one — and to change how the state handles unconstitutional punishments going forward.
🎤 Here’s Tommy Rowan with a look back at a fudge shop magnate who was killed outside a Jersey Shore nightclub.
Philadelphia native Harry Anglemyer made a name for himself at the Jersey Shore in the middle of the 20th century with his Copper Kettle fudge shop, which grew into a lucrative chain.
But he also became known for speaking out against the outdated blue laws, and for being gay.
And then on Sept. 7, 1964, Anglemyer was found dead.
Cheers to Michaelene Fanelli who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: Meek Mill. The North Philly native and rap star’s Dream Chasers Summit has returned to Temple University after 13 years.
Photo of the day
Members of the Transportation Security Administration honor guard, joined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Philadelphia Police Department Airport Division officers, pose for a photo after marching through the airport terminals, stopping at each security checkpoint for a moment of silence to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks at Philadelphia International Airport.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
🎶 Today’s track sounds like this: “But there’s truth and consolation in what I’m trying to say / Is that nobody ever had a rainbow, baby, until he had the rain.”
One more musical thing: British pop star Charli XCX opened her Music, Fashion, Film tourin South Philly on Friday night with an “electrifying, existential dance party.” Don’t miss pop critic Dan DeLuca’s dispatch from the show. (For what it’s worth, I have major FOMO.)
👋🏽 Thanks for reading, and 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.
The woman who police believe was killed by pornographer Raymond Horsch on camera has been identified as Nicole Amanda Fusaro. She was last seen in Kensington in 2018.
Bald Birds Brewing Co. violated state wage law at its Montgomery County and Lycoming County locations, with some workers going unpaid for five weeks, according to state regulators.
After Meta debuted its new AI agent “Muse” this week, Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr connected the dots on why its logo rang a few bells: It resembles Mural Arts Philadelphia’s logo.
Cherry Hill’s new Asianfresh Food Market officially opens to shoppers on Saturday. Take a peek inside.
Beauty brand Dove is picking up the tab at South Street’s Marsha’s on Saturday, as part of a partnership with select women-owned bars across the country.
City crews officially began installing the Rocky statue at the top of the Art Museum steps on Friday. Construction is slated to be completed over the next two weeks and will cost roughly $150,000.
A reader asked: On Regional Rail, I often sit in the aisle of a three-seater, knowing the car will fill up at rush hour. When it does, I stand up so another passenger can take the middle seat, then return to my aisle seat. My friend says that’s awkward on a busy car, and I should just slide over. Who’s right?
Personally, I think both achieve the same objective — namely, offering a seat at all — but the first option takes up more time, and feels like the less socially acceptable move.
To analyze the moral situation, my colleagues Beatrice Forman and Abigail Covington lit up the group chat with some unfiltered thoughts. “Everybody knows the middle seat is terrible,” Covington said.
Forman suggested that taking ownership of the end of the row comes off as a defensive posture. “I think it’s weird because it treats the middle seat kind of like a punishment? And most Regional Rail rides aren’t long enough to the point that it matters,” Forman said.
Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson was 12 years old when the 9/11 terror attacks happened. In reflection on the anniversary of the terror attacks, he argues that America lost its way afterward, and traces much of what went wrong to the nation’s initial efforts to avenge the fallen.
“When the planes hit the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001, most of us did not realize it was the first step in the dismantling of the world we knew,” Pearson writes.
Cheers to Terry Hafler, who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Penn Medicine. Earlier this week, the hospital system announced a $50 million gift to accelerate work on therapies for cancer, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases with the hope of bringing treatments to market faster.
The Academy of Natural Sciences Museum is closing its doors, but its “beating heart” will remain, to the tune of 19 million specimens amassed over more than two centuries. Think bird carcasses, fish, mollusks, minerals, and bones of various kinds.
Culture writer Peter Dobrin takes us backstage beyond the museum walls to show one of the world’s largest repositories of natural specimens, and what will happen to the trove.
There is always a feeling of a fresh start at the beginning of every NFL season, but this week there was an extra sense of newness mixed with intrigue at the Eagles’ Jefferson Health Training Complex — a name that is still taking some getting used to.
The Eagles have a new offense under a new offensive coordinator, Sean Mannion. They are beginning life without A.J. Brown. And for Lane Johnson, the team’s future Hall of Fame right tackle, this Week 1 is new, too, after he announced during training camp that this season probably would be his last.
Emotional week? Johnson said in August that he wanted to take time to appreciate all of the little things.
“I try not to get too emotional with it,” Johnson said this week.
Any emotional moments, though?
“We got some new restrooms installed,” he quipped. “I got pretty emotional seeing that, not having to go in that crowded stalls. Thank you, Mr. Lurie, for your contributions. We’re all very happy.”
Ah, nothing like some new showers.
New season, new-look locker room. When the locker room doors opened to reporters on Wednesday for the first time since the Eagles cleaned the room out in January, gone were the center locker stalls given to practice squad players that made the narrow room look cramped. Gone was the back wall, which now opens up to an area where some practice squad lockers live along with a few couches and, most importantly to Johnson, more showers and bathrooms.
Johnson, a New Jerseyan, thanked Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, but he also can thank his teammates with Pennsylvania addresses. The Eagles, in an effort to upgrade facilities their players have been critical of in recent years, received a $4 million grant from the state of Pennsylvania to help fund their renovation project.
The remodel extends beyond the locker room — including work on the training room and upgrades to the cafeteria — but Johnson, it seems, is content with the extra showers.
The changes aren’t just happening at the NovaCare Jefferson Health Training Complex. You might have also noticed something new at The Inquirer as well — in addition to our mid-week Eagles preview show and live postgame show. Each week throughout the football season, we’ll be sending a special edition of Sports Daily the day before the Eagles play to get you prepared with anything you may have missed leading up to the game.
Tom Brady (left) also was on the call during the last Eagles game that mattered — their wild-card loss to the San Francisco 49ers.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
The Eagles and Commanders kick off at 4:25 p.m. Sunday on Fox29, which will send its top broadcast team of Kevin Burkhardt doing play-by-play and analyst Tom Brady. Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi are the sideline reporters.
You can listen to longtime radio play-by-play voice Merrill Reese call the game on 94 WIP alongside Mike Quick. Reese is entering his 50th season calling Eagles games, and in case you missed it this week, The Inquirer’s Matt Breen wrote about Reese and his wife, Cindy, who has helped the 84-year-old broadcaster stay sharp through all of these years.
Final injury report
The Eagles’ biggest offseason acquisition will miss the opener. On Friday, the team ruled out edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, who missed all of training camp with a pectoral injury but returned to the practice field this week.
“I feel good, though. I will say, I feel I’m in a good spot,” Greenard said Thursday. “Just know that. I know that I’m working every day to continue to try to get this thing stronger. We’re close, I know that.”
With Greenard out, the Eagles will need a lot from Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith, as well as significant contributions from Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa. The Eagles have three edge rushers on the practice squad if they decide to elevate one and dress a fifth body on game day: Keyshawn James-Newby, Mason Reiger, and Joshua Weru.
Eagles
Out
Questionable
Stowers said Friday that he expects to be available for the game.
Commanders
Washington did not rule anyone out for Sunday’s game, and no one on the team’s active roster carries a game designation into the weekend, but that injury report does not tell the full story.
Washington will be without many key players.
Most notably, left tackle Laremy Tunsil (triceps), the team’s best offensive lineman, is on injured reserve. Edge rushers Dorance Armstrong (suspended) and Deatrich Wise (physically unable to perform list) also will miss the game, as will other key defensive players like cornerback Trey Amos — who is on IR with an ankle injury — and defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton (pectoral).
Backup running back Jeremy McNichols also is on IR with a quadriceps injury.
Storylines to watch
Sunday will be offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s first game with the Eagles.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
All eyes are on Mannion. His predecessor, Kevin Patullo, oversaw an offense that took a major step back in 2025, and he was fired after his first season on the job.
Mannion is just 34 and calling plays in the NFL for the first time, but he’s been preparing for this moment since his days playing high school football under his father, John, in California. And maybe even before that. (Spoiler alert on that link: Mannion has a Delco connection because, well, of course he does.)
It’s not just Mannion under the microscope, though. There’s also Jalen Hurts, who regressed in 2025 and has a murky contract situation beyond this season. Hurts’ latest effort to evolve could determine his future.
Here are a few more storylines to follow:
The Eagles were so good in 2024 because they ran the ball so well, and they struggled in 2025 in part because they didn’t. Mannion, a quarterback, “loves the run game,” according to his colleagues, and the Eagles are revamping how they run the ball in 2026.
With Brown no longer ahead of him on the depth chart, DeVonta Smith is the unquestioned No. 1 receiver in the building. He’s a team captain for the first time, too. “The guy was built to do this,” said James Madison coach Billy Napier, who recruited Smith when Napier was the wide receivers coach at Alabama.
There won’t be a Brandon Graham return in the middle of the season like last year. The legendary Eagles defensive end sounds like he’s done with football. Up next? A budding media career.
Latest Week 1 odds
The Eagles, as of Friday, were six-point favorites over Washington at DraftKings and favored by 5½ at FanDuel. Both sportsbooks listed the over/under at 44½.
Eagles-Commanders predictions
The Eagles defensive line, including defensive tackle Jordan Davis (second from right) line up against the Washington Commanders during last year’s regular-season finale at Lincoln Financial Field.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Here’s what our columnists are saying this week, starting with Mike Sielski, who wrote about the dominant defense the Eagles are poised to have:
Mike Sielski: “Will the 2026 Eagles’ defense be as great as the 1991 Eagles’? No. Will it have to be? Probably not. … The most important questions the Eagles have to answer this season don’t have much to do with their defense, if any of them have anything to do with the defense at all.” Read more.
Marcus Hayes: “Is this the make-or-break year for Jalen Hurts? Or is it a make-or-break year for Nick Sirianni? Both? Neither? … An offseason of communications with various NFL sources indicated two things:
The Eagles do not consider 2026 to be a make-or-break season for either Hurts or Sirianni. That’s because …
Installing an offense that is so philosophically different than what’s come before it is not a 17-game undertaking. It’s a two-season project.” Read more.
David Murphy: “23rd. That’s the average ranking from last season of the 14 pass defenses the Eagles will face in 2026. It is the softest schedule in the league by a wide, wide margin. The Eagles couldn’t have handpicked a better setup for Jalen Hurts and first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. Right out of the gate, they’ll face a Commanders defense that finished tied for 30th in yards per pass attempt allowed.” Read more.
What the Commanders are saying
The Eagles aren’t the only team on Sunday with a new offensive coordinator. David Blough, a former quarterback, will make his Commanders debut.Nick Wass/AP
The Commanders have two new coordinators to start the 2026 season. David Blough is taking over the offense after Kliff Kingsbury and the Commanders parted ways. Blough, like Mannion, was a quarterback in the NFL as recently as 2023 and has been a coach since 2024, when he joined Washington as an assistant.
On the other side, Daronte Jones, a longtime defensive coach who most recently was with the Vikings, steps in for Joe Whitt.
There was a bit of uncertainty in both buildings this week. The Eagles didn’t know what exactly to expect from both of Washington’s units, while the Commanders were preparing for a new offense.
They are, however, familiar with what the Eagles will be doing on defense.
Blough on Vic Fangio’s defense: “They’re so sound as a defense, how they attack you, where they try to stress you as an offense and they got a lot of really good players who have been there for a long time. We’ve seen matchups with some of our familiar players. We’ve seen things that Jayden [Daniels] does well. We’ve seen ways that they’ve tried to attack us. So, all of those data points for us kind of go into how we build the plan to to get after him this week.”
Jones on Saquon Barkley: “Saquon is special. It’s not a one-man job. It’s a it’s a team effort, and even with that, I mean, his explosiveness, his playmaking ability, he’s very dynamic and they’ve done a great job of using him in that way and finding different spaces to get him touches. And so, you take your hat off to the organization how they utilize their personnel over there.”
ESPN polled more than 60 writers and analysts to predict the big winners for the 2026 NFL season. How many of them have the Eagles playing in the Super Bowl in Los Angeles come February? Just four. And two of those four, national reporters Kevin Clark and Cameron Wolfe, have the Eagles hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Meanwhile, none of our beat writers have them reaching the Super Bowl — but you’ll be happy to know I picked them to win the division.
As for this week’s matchup, are the Commanders wasting Daniels’ rookie contract? That’s the view here, and also from The Athletic’s Nick Kostos.
“I feel bad for Jayden Daniels. Less than two years ago, he had the Commanders in the NFC Championship Game as a rookie (coincidentally in Philly against the Eagles),” Kostos wrote. “And it feels like the Commanders are wasting the years on his rookie deal. I love Daniels, but the Eagles might have the best defense in the NFL — and I’m a Jalen Hurts believer.”
NFL.com editor Gennaro Filice on Sunday’s game: “I have serious doubts about Daniels’ supporting cast, especially the Laremy Tunsil-less offensive line,” Filice wrote. “That’s a recipe for disaster against Vic Fangio’s defense.”
After the game, be sure to tune into our live postgame show, hosted by Ryan Novozinsky. We’ll be back in your inboxes Monday with a regular edition of Sports Daily — and keep an eye out for another special Eagles edition next weekend.
A “critical” Peco project to install new utility poles in West Philly has been paused after residents expressed outrage over plans to trim their tree canopy.
Don and his three oldest kids rowing as a family, with Ava in the second position.Cour
🎤 Here’s Becca O’Reilly with a story for The Inquirer on a rower’s “surreal” journey.
On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Ava Smith crossed the finish line in Bulgaria as a proud member of an elite eight-person boat representing the U.S. Under-19 national women’s rowing team.
“Crossing the finish line, it was a feeling of accomplishment,” said Smith, who took up the sport only four years earlier at Mount St. Joseph Academy in Flourtown, Montgomery County. “A sort of relief, in a way, just knowing it’s done. We put it all out there.”
Smith picked up an oar for the first time as a freshman at Mount St. Joseph, but rowing runs in her blood. Her father, Don Smith, competed for the U.S. at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics; her older brother, Luke Smith, rows at Stanford and made the Under-19 national men’s team; and her sister, Addy Smith, now rows at Texas. Even the youngest Smith, Arden, plans to row as she starts her freshman year at Mount St. Joseph.
This summer, that legacy came full circle. After years of sibling-fueled rivalry, Ava earned a spot in the women’s eight as the seven seat and traveled to Plovdiv, Bulgaria, to compete at the World Rowing Under-19 Championships, a spot secured after a whirlwind six weeks that took her from a selection camp in California to the start line across the world. And all of it just days before she leaves for her own next chapter: Rowing at the University of California, Berkeley. — Becca O’Reilly
🎸 An activity: Bryn Mawr Twilight Concert series with Mdou Moctar (solo) and Tim Motzer (Friday; $26), and the third-annual Spring Garden Sunflower Fest (Saturday; free).
A blissful view
Breathe in…and breathe out.Paola Pérez
Take a moment to soak up this sunrise with me. I was blessed with it while visiting family in Florida.
👋🏽 Have a good one out there.
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