🌡️ Temperature seesaw | Morning Newsletter

Morning, Philly. Our weird weather continues this week, both locally and nationally, as much of the country faces extreme conditions.

In the Philadelphia region, we can expect another big temperature swing and possible health consequences.

And Uber Eats delivery bots are rolling around Center City. Sharing the sidewalk with them is a whole new level of dystopia, columnist Stephanie Farr writes.

Plus, an influential coalition of congregations called on City Hall to address affordability, and more news of the day.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Stubborn winter, impatient spring

It feels like just yesterday we were salting our sidewalks and using snow emojis in newsletter subject lines.

🌡️ But in the past week alone, the Philadelphia region has seen record 83-degree days, near-freezing temperatures, and a brief tornado watch — plus sun, rain, and (almost) all in between. Don’t forget the discombobulating effects of daylight saving time, too.

🌡️ March is notorious for temperature swings as cold air masses from the north encounter encroaching warmth, Inquirer weather expert Anthony R. Wood reports. But normally, they aren’t quite so dramatic.

🌡️ And we likely haven’t seen the last of them this season.

Before the spring equinox Friday, Wood explains what’s going on with the atmosphere and its impact on health.

These robots give the ick

Uber Eats’ anthropomorphized delivery bots are now rolling through downtown Philadelphia.

Columnist Stephanie Farr encountered several of the wheeled robots in Chinatown and Center City last weekend. She’s not a fan.

“These robots were breaking folks out of their everyday and pausing people in mid-conversation, and not in a good Philly way, like the unexpected art that adds whimsy and beauty to our city, but in a dystopian way,” Farr writes. “I found myself creeped out by the robots and what their presence here might portend.”

She’s also not alone, as evidenced by her fellow pedestrians pointing and laughing at the bots. A video making the rounds on social media shows that someone wrote “DESTROY ME PLZ” on one. Redditors are, of course, making connections to the 2015 murder of fellow robot traveler HitchBOT.

Farr reflects on the very human, very Philly interactions that could never be replaced by whatever ease automatons offer.

In other unwelcome news: A new ad campaign from the New York-founded Philadelphia cream cheese brand introduces “Phillyboy,” a mascot who rides a dairy cow — and has nothing to do with Philly.

What you should know today

• POWER Interfaith called on City Hall Monday to act quickly to counter the impact of state and federal funding reductions and improve affordability for Philadelphians.
• A Maryland man who sent dozens of threatening letters to Jewish institutions across the country, including Center City’s Jewish history museum, was sentenced to federal prison.
• A Wynnefield man created false title, registration, and insurance documents for 65 stolen luxury vehicles, putting them in the hands of criminals, state investigators said.
• A South Philadelphia man who orchestrated a scheme to peddle more than $200,000 worth of phony Jason Kelce autographs and memorabilia was sentenced to probation.
• Bucks County’s Sesame Place theme park is at risk, as the nonprofit behind the “Sesame Street” brand says it is not being paid royalties. There’s a request to terminate their agreement.
• The fake historic plaque that an artist put up at the scene of an immigration arrest has disappeared from its spot on Fairmount Avenue.
• Major League Soccer suspended Union sporting director Ernst Tanner after an investigation. He was accused of racist, sexist, and homophobic behavior.
• Wawa Welcome America will host concerts with Queen Latifah, Eve, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and more this summer before its big July 4 concert. Plus, the Liacouras Center felt like 1991 Sunday when Boyz II Men reunited during the Philly leg of New Edition’s tour, columnist Elizabeth Wellington writes.

Quote of the day

Downingtown teacher Chris Kearney tried for years to get on the longest-running game show. He finally made it on TV last week and placed second.

🧠 Trivia time

Stephen Starr’s next restaurant, the Pelican Club, will be a Greek spot on Rittenhouse Square. Which famous couple is featured on posters already displayed in the windows of the future location?

A) Orpheus and Eurydice

B) Toula Portokalos and Ian Miller

C) Eros and Psyche

D) Jackie and Aristotle Onassis

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🗳️ Remembering: When Philly hosted three political conventions in one year.

🍺 Embracing: Zebra-striping on a night out, aka switching between booze and non-alcoholic drinks.

🎫 Buying tix for: All the Broadway blockbusters headed to Philly this year.

🏀 Noting: Who’s playing and how to get tickets when the NCAA Tournament comes to Philly.

☘️ Considering: Philadelphia’s immigrant roots on this St. Patrick’s Day.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Minor tributary of the Delaware River

FROCKED FRANKER

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

Cheers to M. Chapman, who solved Monday’s anagram: Aston. Neumann University’s Sister Marguerite O’Beirne can’t differentiate between offensive or defensive rebounds. But with tutoring — and prayer — the Ireland-born nun keeps student athletes at the Delaware County school eligible.

Photo of the day

Wishing you a lucky Tuesday. See you back here tomorrow.

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