Morning, Philly. First, a weather update: Yes, it’s still cold out, and will continue to be so as forecasters monitor the potential for another storm this weekend. City schools will be virtual again today.
Designers of the President’s House are grappling with the dismantling of its slavery exhibits last week following orders from the Trump administration.
And federal immigration tactics in Minneapolis have set off a political firestorm. Read on for the latest from Philadelphia City Hall, Harrisburg, and Washington.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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‘A memorial to the death of democracy’
The public received no notice that the President’s House exhibits at Independence National Historical Park would be coming down last week. Neither did the artists, architects, historians, attorneys, and writers who helped create the site in the early 2000s.
Those exhibits, which memorialize the nine people George Washington enslaved at the house once located there, were removed alongside other national parks’ signage deemed by President Donald Trump’s administration to “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.”
The City of Philadelphia — now backed by Gov. Josh Shapiro — has sued the federal government to restore the panels. But in the meantime, the site’s creators are grappling with what its now-blank walls say about the country.
In their own words: “It’s sort of now a memorial to the death of democracy and truth,” said Troy C. Leonard, an architect who helped design the site.
Further viewing: Grassroots signs have replaced informational panels at the President’s House. See the resistance art left on Independence Mall.
A political firestorm
Political backlash to the tactics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol in Minneapolis is growing locally and across the United States.
In Philadelphia: Two Council members on Tuesday unveiled legislation that would formally limit the city’s cooperation with ICE.
In Harrisburg: A top Democrat floated making Pennsylvania a so-called sanctuary state to protect undocumented immigrants.
In D.C.: Lawmakers face mounting pressure to hold up funding for the Department of Homeland Security, an effort that could result in a government shutdown by the end of the week. Members of the U.S. House representing Pennsylvania, for instance, cosigned a letter to Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick calling them to vote against the funding.
Reporters Sean Collins Walsh, Jeff Gammage, and Anna Orso have the full story.
More ICE news: Activists demonstrated at Philly Target stores on Tuesday, attempting to slow business operations at a company that they say wrongly cooperates with federal immigration enforcement.
What you should know today
- Three people were found dead Monday at a Bucks County home where a man barricaded himself before being arrested. Neighbors on Tuesday described the hours-long police standoff.
- Bucks prosecutors announced charges related to a multistate investigation that led to the recovery of eight firearms and $4 million in drugs.
- The federal commission seeking personal contact information for faculty and staff at the University of Pennsylvania has accused the school of engaging in an “intensive and relentless public relations campaign” to avoid complying with the subpoena.
- Philadelphia health officials are warning of a “small but notable” uptick in chickenpox cases after outbreaks at two city schools in recent months.
- New Jersey and Pennsylvania are poised to regain roughly $144 million in federal funding for electric‑vehicle charging stations after securing a legal victory.
- Parents of deaf and blind infants in Bucks County are worried about losing a “lifeline” as an early intervention contract ends.
- All Amazon Fresh stores, including six in the Philly area, are closing. Some stores will be converted to Whole Foods Markets.
- Her adult autistic son was kicked off a cruise ship after what she calls a misunderstanding. Now this South Jersey mother is on a mission to better awareness.
Quote of the day
A rural county in New York is claiming a familiar moniker. Columnist Stephanie Farr needs to set the record straight: No one does Delco culture quite like Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
🧠 Trivia time
Lincoln, the bald eagle that soars across Lincoln Financial Field before Birds games, befriends what type of animal in a new Budweiser Super Bowl ad?
A) Clydesdale
B) Osprey
C) Dalmatian
D) Pigeon
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🦅 Noting: The Eagles players fans most — and least — want to see back next season, and the steps the team could take to get back to the Super Bowl next year.
💸 Learning: How Philly helicopter makers cope with uncertainty at today’s Pentagon.
🍝 Eager to visit: Chef Greg Vernick’s new restaurant, Emilia, now open in Kensington.
🥯 Anticipating: The latest bagel chain coming to Philly.
🗳️ Considering: Lessons from Chester County’s adaptation after election mistakes.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Center City commercial strip
TEAMSTER TREK
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Dawn Harris, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Wistar Institute. The University City biomedical research org’s president and CEO, Dario Altieri, is stepping down after 11 years.
Photo of the day
Still waiting for your street to be plowed? You’re not alone. The city says it’s working through 311 requests while citing worker safety and the difficulty of navigating Philly’s narrowest roadways.
Be safe out there. I’ll be back with more news tomorrow.
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