It’s Friday the 13th, Philly, but perhaps today’s sun means better luck is on the way.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s clergy abuse investigation boosted his reputation in Pennsylvania and beyond. Years later, some survivors feel he abandoned them.
And U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s name is on the library at Haverford College. Will that change after his appearance in the Epstein files?
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
P.S. Yesterday’s newsletter included two broken links. Here are those stories again:
- A Southwest Philadelphia woman’s brother was killed in the 2023 Kingsessing mass shooting. This year, more gun violence took the life of her only son.
- Cameras will soon enforce speed limits in five Philly school zones, complete with $100 fines.
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‘Now he’s forgotten’
As Pennsylvania attorney general in 2018, now-Gov. Josh Shapiro oversaw the release of a bombshell grand jury report that revealed thousands of cases of abuse by priests across the state.
The nearly 900-page report was lauded as the most comprehensive review of clergy abuse across a single state and prompted new laws clarifying penalties for failure to report and allowing survivors more time to pursue criminal or civil cases against their abusers.
But a key step in delivering justice to those survivors — establishing a two-year window for the filing of lawsuits over decades-old abuse that falls outside the statute of limitations under existing law — remains unfinished.
Nearly a dozen interviews with survivors, their family members, and advocates reveal a deep frustration with the inaction in Harrisburg. Some question whether Shapiro has done enough to use his power as governor to advocate for them.
Could progress come this year? Politics reporter Katie Bernard investigates.
More on Shapiro:
- Big-money and out-of-state donors helped the Democratic governor raise $30 million for his reelection campaign, while likely Republican challenger Stacy Garrity raised $1.5 million from grassroots donors in Pennsylvania.
- Shapiro unveiled a broad plan Thursday meant to grow and preserve Pennsylvania’s housing supply as the state faces a shortage of homes residents can afford.
- Shapiro said Thursday that he will not attend any White House event that excludes another governor ahead of next week’s gathering of the nation’s governors in Washington.
A college’s ties in question
Haverford College is grappling with its connection to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick after his appearance in the Epstein files.
Lutnick is a 1983 graduate of the Main Line school and a mega-donor who also served as the former chairman of the university’s board. According to the files, he had contact with Jeffrey Epstein as recently as 2018, long after the financier pleaded guilty to obtaining a minor for prostitution.
The commerce secretary maintains he had limited interactions with Epstein and has not been accused of wrongdoing. Since the Epstein documents were released, Lutnick has faced bipartisan calls to resign.
In light of the documents, some students are asking the school to cut ties with Lutnick and to remove his name from the Haverford library building, to which he donated millions for upgrades. If school leadership pursues the renaming, the process could take years and would involve a review process with university stakeholders.
Higher education reporter Susan Snyder has more.
What you should know today
- A Bucks County woman reported her ex-boyfriend to police after a sexual assault. Hours later, he fatally shot her, authorities said. Her family now hopes for justice.
- The suspect in the rape and killing of a 5-year-old Philadelphia girl is now in custody, authorities said. He had been on the FBI’s most-wanted list for nearly 20 years.
- A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot a gun near New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s former district. One of the candidates vying to replace her wants to abolish the agency.
- U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick said reforms to ICE, including mask bans for agents, should be part of any funding extensions for the Department of Homeland Security.
- Philadelphians continue to pay for the alleged misconduct of former Register of Wills Tracey Gordon — at a cost of more than $900,000 — two years after she left office.
- Low-income Pennsylvania families and older adults have been dropping out of Affordable Care Act health plans at the greatest rates after a key financial incentive expired.
- PennDot is giving Philadelphia $13 million for six traffic-safety projects across the city. The money comes from speeders caught and fined by automated enforcement cameras.
- Under new leadership, the Women’s Community Revitalization Project is developing apartments on public land in Kensington.
- A “Cease Operations” notice was posted on World Cafe Live’s door this week. What does that mean for the embattled venue’s future?
Plus: Is Philly dumping snow in the Schuylkill?
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 have an explainer from reporter Nick Vadala on a possible solution for getting rid of all this icy slush still piled in mounds. Couldn’t the city just toss it in the Delaware River or the Schuylkill?
While it’s been done in the past — including after the blizzard of ’96, when around 500 tons were dumped — the practice is now seen as an environmental hazard. 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
Just two blocks from Independence Hall, Carpenters Hall is where Pennsylvania declared its independence from Britain in June 1776. To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, what will be installed outside of Carpenters Hall in June?
A) A bronze Benjamin Franklin statue
B) A historical marker
C) A time capsule
D) An outdoor stage
Think you got it? Test your local news know-how and check your answer in our weekly quiz.
What we’re …
🏈 Remembering: When the inaugural NFL draft was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
⚾ Looking back on: The newly released Nick Castellanos’ most memorable Phillies moments.
📖 Reading: About World War II-era Philadelphia in Sadeqa Johnson’s latest book.
🥃 Not sure about: $100 for a single shot.
🗳️ Considering: How the SAVE Act would change how Americans vote.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: _ Township in Montgomery County
MILK RICE
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Luke Coulter, who solved Thursday’s anagram: P.J. Whelihan’s. The Haddon Township restaurant chain is officially moving into Newtown’s shuttered Iron Hill Brewery.
In other business news: West Chester-based home shopping company QVC may file for bankruptcy. Saks Fifth Avenue will be closing its Bala Cynwyd location. The operator of Eddie Bauer filed for bankruptcy and is liquidating its stores in New Jersey and beyond. And 17 months after Taylor Chip came to Philadelphia with cookies, ice cream, and hype, it’s gone, with bankruptcy on the way.
Photo of the day
🎒 One last motivated thing: Students staged a walkout this week over plans to close Southwest Philadelphia magnet school Motivation High. They have the backing of Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton.
Thanks for ending your week with The Inquirer. Paola has you covered this weekend. ’Til we meet again in your inbox, be well.
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