Welcome to a chilly and partly sunny Sunday.
It’s the first weekend of 2026, marking the start of a busy year ahead for the city of Philadelphia. Before everything — and everyone — gets here, we asked readers to share ways they think the city could improve. After more than 600 submissions, Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr presents your wishes.
We’re also following developments, and state and local reactions, after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro early Saturday.
Read on for these stories and more.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Big ideas for a big year
Philly is preparing to welcome the world for the nation’s Semiquincentennial and a handful of major sports events in 2026, like the FIFA World Cup.
At the request of Stephanie Farr, readers sent in suggestions for things the city should create, destroy, or fix in advance.
Some dreams were lofty — it’s unlikely we can “turn Regional Rail into a German-style S-Bahn by next year,” as Farr noted — while others aim to turn up the fun, aesthetics, and educational entertainment.
Here’s a preview of what you came up with:
💡 On the simpler side, restaurants could offer meals for $17.76, and the William Penn statue would be illuminated atop City Hall at night;
💡 Fun activities include a tour and music festival highlighting The Sound of Philadelphia artists, or transforming Headhouse Square into a “European-style plaza”; and
💡 Off-the-wall-ideas mention an “Epcot Village” that could show off our diverse food-and-drink scene, and an official SEPTA cheesesteak joint.
See the full list compiled by Farr.
Attack on Venezuela
The United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a military operation early Saturday. They face criminal charges in connection with an indictment by the U.S. Justice Department accusing them of a narco-terrorism conspiracy.
President Donald Trump, who called the strike a success, said the U.S. would temporarily “run the country” and sell its oil abroad.
Philadelphia reacts: The Venezuelan community expressed a mix of hope and concern for the future, and a cohort of area politicians denounced Trump’s actions.
Escalating pressure: Here’s a timeline of the buildup and strikes on Venezuela leading to Maduro’s capture.
Closed airspace: The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily banned U.S. airlines from flying near Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and other parts of the Caribbean through Sunday.
Visit Inquirer.com for the latest updates.
What you should know today
- A suspect in a West Philadelphia carjacking briefly stole a Philadelphia police car in the city’s Frankford section Friday night before finally being arrested.
- Shoppers across Philadelphia are increasingly favoring secondhand and lightly used items in an effort to save money and live more sustainably.
- Bucks County agreed to pay nearly $1 million to a woman with serious mental illness who was pepper-sprayed and restrained for hours in jail.
- Police said a pit bull attacked three other dogs and two owners in Center City in three separate attacks in the week after Christmas.
- Montgomery County’s bipartisan board of commissioners is expanding homelessness services with a plan to open three short-term shelters by the end of this year.
- Steve Sweeney, who finished last in the Democratic primary for New Jersey governor in June, has landed a six-figure salary in a newly appointed role with Gloucester County.
- Over Jim Donovan’s 22-year long career at CBS Philadelphia, fans sent him thousands of socks. The former anchor set a Guinness record with his collection.
❓Pop quiz
This Philly-based restaurant chain continues to expand nationally, with 71 existing locations across the country and plans for 18 more in 2026.
A) Goldie
B) Honeygrow
C) Taco Heart
D) Federal Donuts
Think you got it right? Test your local news know-how and check your answer in our weekly quiz.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Host on 92.5 XTU, Philadelphia’s country music station
AI CHECK MILLION
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Charlene M. Wiltshire who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: Wynn Thomas. Once a theater kid from West Philly, the Hollywood production designer has won an overdue Oscar at 72.
❤️🩹 Photo of the day
This is Ray, a 7-year-old goat at the East Germantown nonprofit Philly Goat Project who helps bring comfort to people. After experiencing a rough 2025, Ray needs assistance moving about. Loving volunteers and a wheelchair are helping make that possible.
🎶 Today’s track goes like this: “Our love is rhythm and charm, it resonates / In every space, it fills the place.” Legendary singer Jill Scott (aka “Jilly from Philly”) is out with a new single as an offering from her first new album in more than a decade.
👋🏽 That’s all for now. Take care, and have a great day.
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