Author: Paola Pérez

Good morning.

The bitter cold is here, and a winter storm is on the way. The latest forecasts call for more ice in Philadelphia. Be sure to visit Inquirer.com for weather updates.

Does a week at the boardwalk beat a trip to the ballpark down South? Inquirer staffers make their case for the better vacation option.

Plus, there’s news about a grocery store chain collecting biometric data, the aftermath of the removal of slavery exhibits at the President’s House, and our report card for this week in Philly-area news.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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What you should know today

• All Philadelphia schools will be closed Monday. Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said he wants students to focus on having fun after the incoming snowfall.
• The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the suspension of a former Philadelphia judge who was ejected from the bench in 2024 after refusing to stop posting political statements on Facebook.
• Wegmans recently started collecting shoppers’ biometric data at its New York City stores, but the company won’t say if it’s happening at Philly-area locations, too. And in other grocery store news, more options are coming to Chester County this year.
• Parents and teachers at Southwark School in South Philadelphia are sounding an alarm about building conditions, including mice, graffiti, and broken bathrooms.
• Philadelphia-based telecommunications giant Comcast is one step closer to settling class-action lawsuits for $117.5 million over a data breach that potentially impacted over 30 million customers.
• The abrupt removal of all exhibits about slavery at the President’s House Site on Thursday has rocked the city. Philadelphians are asking: What could happen next?
• The developer behind a massive mixed-use project in South Jersey has filed a lawsuit accusing a “rogue” employee of derailing municipal approvals and plotting to steer the property to Rowan University and a rival firm.
• A Florida fraudster who fooled 60 mostly Philadelphia-area investors into contributing $5 million to develop biometric anti-addiction systems was sentenced to 5½ years in prison.
• Remnants of a 19th-century shipwreck washed up on a New Jersey beach after weeks of erosion from high winds and rough surf.
• How did Philly get dragged into a Palm Beach reality show? Catch up on this and more among the good, bad, and weird from the region’s recent stories.

Spring training vs. peak Shore summer

We’re answering this reader question: What’s a better vacation: a week at the Jersey Shore or spring training in Clearwater? (It’s real chilly out. Of course you’re thinking about warmer environments.)

To reach a verdict, Inquirer editor Evan Weiss recruited regular Shore-goer and past spring training attendee Sam Ruland, as well as Shore resident and correspondent Amy Rosenberg. They get to the core of the decision: the timing, the costs, and what either trip delivers.

For instance, Rosenberg notes that there’s “almost nothing” happening down the Shore in February or March, so maybe baseball is your best bet. Then Ruland points out how one can gain something different from each experience: “Spring training wouldn’t fill the void of missing a week down the Shore in the summer,” she said.

In their chat, Rosenberg also shared an incredible life hack to save money while traveling to Florida.

Read along for my colleagues’ full discussion. And if you’re looking for advice (or just want to share your takes), we’re all ears. Send in your pressing questions here.

One viewpoint

In this week’s Shackamaxon, Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson unpacks a compromise agreement between Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and City Council that would make Parker’s $800 million H.O.M.E. proposal a reality.

Get Pearson’s perspective on the return of City Council and much more.

📍 Find the location

Think you know where this person is waiting for the bus? Our weekly game puts your knowledge of Philly’s streets to the test. Check your answer.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: New York Times crossword editor and NPR puzzle master

STROLL WHIZ

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

Cheers to Joann Polk, who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Stixers. The Sixers’ drum line provides opportunities for young people in the city, alongside bringing the team’s game-day beat.

We were there

The Sixers beat the Rockets, 128-122, on Thursday night. Between “vintage” Joel Embiid out in full force and Kelly Oubre Jr. showing why he should stay in the starting lineup, it was a thrilling overtime victory.

See more in our roundup of the week’s best Philly sports photos.

Somewhere on the internet in Philly

To the tune of Semisonic’s “Closing Time,” people are paying respects to Drexel’s shuttered Wawa.

A.J. Brown has been low-key since the Eagles’ season came to an end, but a video of him making a kid’s day in Miami is making the rounds on social media.

And I’m not even going to try to describe what happens in this recent chaotic Gritty video, but the caption sums it up pretty well: “shoey? no, leggy.” As my favorite comment put it, this couldn’t be more Philly if you tried.

👋🏽 Time to bundle up. Enjoy your Saturday, and I’ll catch up with you again tomorrow morning.

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.

Good morning. More snow is expected across the region today.

Prior to the explosion of a nursing home in Bucks County last month, the facility was cited for multiple violations. Our main Sunday read examines the safety lapses that preceded the deadly incident, as well as the records of other homes in Philadelphia and surrounding counties.

And while Ocean City will never be the same without Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, boardwalk merchants are holding on — and they want a say in what comes next.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Repeat citations

Three people died after a natural gas explosion flattened Bristol Health & Rehab Center just before Christmas.

While the cause has not yet been determined, an Inquirer data review found that state regulators had cited the facility for over 70 health and safety violations in the three years leading up to the tragedy.

Highest in the region: The Bristol facility that exploded has been hit with $418,000 in fines since 2023, more than any nursing home in the Philadelphia area.

All other offenders: In the same time span, almost half of the Philadelphia-area’s 182 facilities have faced over $5 million in financial penalties for safety violations.

Reporters Lizzie Mulvey and Harold Brubaker break down the details on other regional nursing homes that have been fined, and the history of inspections and citations at the Bucks facility.

In related news: Muthoni Nduthu, a nurse who was killed in the blast, was laid to rest Saturday. She was memorialized by family, friends, and a nurse honor guard as a dutiful nurse and faithful mother.

‘They have galvanized us’

🎤 I’m passing the mic to Amy Rosenberg down the Shore.

Along the commercial stretch of Ocean City’s boardwalk, from Sixth to 14th Streets, there are 167 storefronts, including four Kohr Bros. Frozen Custards, three Johnson’s Popcorns, three Manco & Manco Pizzas, and eight Jilly’s stores of one type or another.

There are eight mini-golfs, nine candy shops, 18 ice cream places, 10 pizza shops, 18 arcades or other types of amusements, five jewelry stores, three surf shops, five T-shirt shops, and 47 clothing or other retail shops. There is one palm reader.

Even without Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, the iconic amusement park at Sixth Street that famously closed in October 2024, it still adds up to a classically specific, if repetitive, Jersey Shore boardwalk experience. Many of the shops are owned by the same Ocean City families, some into their third generation.

But now these very shop owners are sounding the alarm.

“This is a group that’s been hanging on for a long time,” Jamie Ford, owner of Barefoot Trading Co., at 1070 Boardwalk, said in an interview last week. “These places are hanging in there. They’re not going anywhere, but we’re nervous.” — Amy Rosenberg

Read on to learn why the merchants are urging city officials to green-light a plan for a hotel at the Wonderland site.

What you should know today

• Two Philly-area children’s hospitals are under federal investigation for their gender-affirming care for transgender children.
• Police are investigating the cause of a deadly three-car crash on Lincoln Drive on Thursday night.
• Bensalem Township police arrested two men and a 17-year-old boy for allegedly stealing $16,000 worth of weight-loss drugs being delivered to a pharmacy.
• Small-business advisers and advocates in Philadelphia are bracing for a big tax headache as the city’s municipal tax expands to cover tens of thousands more small businesses and self-employed workers.
• A federal lawsuit alleges misconduct by two Pennsylvania state troopers who investigated the case of a former pastor who was acquitted of a 1975 killing.
• In an interview with Pennsylvania’s two U.S. senators, CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil asked about “extreme rhetoric” in Minneapolis. Here’s what Dave McCormick and John Fetterman said.
• Springfield Hospital has a new buyer: the same local investor group that bought Taylor Hospital in September.
• The universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education were flat-funded this year for the first time since 2021-22. They’re preparing for another enrollment cliff.
• An Old City establishment now offers a GLP-1 menu, making it one of the country’s first full-service restaurants to do so. It’s part of a trend of restaurateurs adapting to diners’ shifting preferences amid economic uncertainty and the rise of appetite-curbing medications.
• Center City District Restaurant Week returns Sunday for the first time in a year, with 120 restaurants offering fixed-price lunches and dinners — the largest lineup since the pandemic.

❓Pop quiz

The Inquirer will make an appearance in an upcoming episode of which TV series?

A) The Pitt

B) The Paper

C) Abbott Elementary

D) The White Lotus

Think you know? Check your answer.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Drag queen repping Philly on RuPaul’s Drag Race

GYM MADONNA

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

Cheers to Chris Lewis, who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: Inglis House. Five residents of the home for people with severe physical disabilities are taking classes at Community College of Philadelphia. It’s the largest group to start since the 1990s.

📼 Photo of the day

This is Charlotte Astor, a high school junior from Cherry Hill. She’s trying to track down a long-lost demo tape recorded by her mom’s band in the ’90s. The hardcore community banded together to help Astor on her quest.

🎶 Today’s track goes like this: “As crazy as it may seem / I will change my whole life today.”

👋🏽 This newsletter is taking a break in observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We’ll be back in your inbox bright and early on Wednesday. Until then, stay warm and take care.

Rise and shine, Philly.

Some snow is expected Saturday, but exactly how much is still up in the air.

In today’s edition, we’re talking about a new podcast that explores the city’s influence on a late filmmaker’s distinct style.

But first, there’s good news on students’ academic performance, another historic event added to the city’s busy schedule this year, and our weekly report card for the latest regional news.

Read on for these stories and more.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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What you should know today

• Philadelphia students are performing the best they have in math in years. There has been steady improvement since the pandemic.
• North Philadelphia restaurant Bella Vista is temporarily closed after a fire caused severe damage to the building on Friday morning.
• Police are investigating whether a string of Philadelphia murders of workers in the towing industry are connected.
• Federal grant recipients faced fresh uncertainty this week as $2 billion in mental health and addiction grants were abruptly cut and then restored with little explanation. Meanwhile, Philly groups secured about $3 million in new grants despite recent cuts and an uncertain future.
• About 70,000 Pennsylvania residents have dropped health coverage through the state’s Pennie marketplace, with sharp price hikes on the horizon.
• The Franklin Institute is debuting an “immersive multimedia show” about Ben Franklin on Saturday, marking his 320th birthday.
• A group seeking to open a charter school on the Valley Forge Military Academy campus has withdrawn its plans as Radnor pursues eminent domain.
• Apartments have come to Suburban Square, the first of their kind in the Ardmore shopping destination.
• Subaru Park will host the inaugural Women’s Lacrosse League championship in August, during the Philadelphia Waterdogs’ homecoming weekend.
• From Philadelphians saying goodbye to Ranger Suárez to rejecting a vibes-only Wawa, catch up on the good, bad, and weird from recent stories out of Philly.

This week’s obsession

Friday marked one year since the passing of David Lynch, the cult-classic filmmaker and onetime Philadelphian known for his beautifully strange storytelling. Lynch being one of my favorite directors, I got really excited to hear about Song of Lynchadelphia, a new deep dive into the profound impact this gritty city made on him and his artistry.

Lynch, a PAFA alumnus, would not have made films if it was not for the time he spent in Philadelphia in the mid-1960s. He called it one of “the sickest, most corrupt, fear-ridden” cities, as well as one of his “greatest influences.”

Podcast host Julien Suaudeau, a writer and film professor at Bryn Mawr College, said Song of Lynchadelphia explores “the encounter of the 1950s American innocence with a place where the dream had already, and very concretely, turned into a nightmare.” These themes are notable in projects like Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks.

The unsettling feeling of something lurking below the surface is pervasive in Lynch’s works. I personally enjoy any opportunity to learn how his cinematic universe came together, and how his foundational Philly years led him to become a key fixture in the world of surrealist American film.

One viewpoint

In the aftermath of Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal making national headlines for her comments about ICE, Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson argued that Bilal’s point is moot as she is unable to protect Philadelphians from the agency.

“Americans take their heroes where they can get them, but they should look past Philly’s sheriff,” Pearson writes.

Get Pearson’s perspective in this week’s Shackamaxon, as well as thoughts on SEPTA’s starts and stops, and America’s 250th birthday celebrations.

📍 Find the location

Think you can pinpoint where this car-free recreational spot can be found? Our weekly game puts your knowledge of Philly’s streets to the test. Check your answer.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: A Philly home for people with severe physical disabilities

ELUSION SIGH

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

Cheers to Kathleen Wersinger, who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Charles Dickens. Philadelphia’s favorite Victorian novelist made his second, and final, visit to the City of Brotherly Love on this week 158 years ago.

🔔 We were there

On Friday, the city revealed the 22 large replica Liberty Bells that will be installed across Philadelphia this year as part of the city’s Semiquincentennial celebration.

Each painted bell depicts the histories, heroes, cultures, and traditions of Philly neighborhoods. Here’s where you can find them this spring.

Somewhere on the internet in Philly

Vintage Philadelphia posted a picture of 15th and Chestnut in the 1940s. Recognize anything? 😉

Why are Redditors so excited about University City’s new Taco Bell? Food writer Beatrice Forman looked into it.

Over on Instagram, people are reacting to the Phillies re-signing J.T. Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million contract. Comments range from excitement (“I love this and tolerate no JT slander. This man needs to retire with Philly”) to ambivalence (“Happy for my mom, I guess”).

And Jimmy King shared some stunning sunset photos, with an encouraging reminder: “Longer and warmer days aren’t too far away.”

👋🏽 May your day be a good one. I’ll catch up with you again tomorrow.

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.

Good morning. It’s finally Friday.

Our top story looks at how Philly-area governments are (or aren’t) working with federal immigration agents.

We’re also following a basketball gambling conspiracy that federal prosecutors say involved tens of thousands of dollars in bribes and millions in fraudulent bets, some of which were placed in Philly.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Taking a stand

Between the newly inaugurated Bucks sheriff canceling an agreement with ICE and Haverford Township banning participation in such deals, top officials across the region are taking a stand against cooperation with ICE.

As they grapple with ever-shifting policies, here’s a brief overview of how they’re handling interactions with federal immigration authorities.

In Philadelphia, ICE is still active, but President Donald Trump has not sent troops as he has to other major cities. Philly calls itself a “welcoming city,” and a 2016 directive orders authorities to not comply with ICE-issued detainer requests unless there is a judicial warrant.

In Bucks County, sheriff’s deputies are no longer allowed to act as immigration officers. However, it is not a sanctuary county, and its corrections department will still share information with federal agencies, including ICE.

In Montgomery County, officials approved a policy that limits communication with ICE, but no formal ordinance labels it a sanctuary or welcoming county.

Politics reporter Fallon Roth explains county-level immigration policies and what local leaders are saying about ICE.

And in related news: The judicial district that oversees the Philadelphia court system says that the authority for managing ICE’s controversial presence at the Criminal Justice Center rests on Sheriff Rochelle Bilal and that decisions around that are her “sole responsibility.”

‘Historic’ gambling case

Federal prosecutors charged dozens of people Thursday in a wide-ranging scheme to fix basketball games in the NCAA and China.

Some of the bets in the “point-shaving” operation, placed at Rivers Casino in Philadelphia, were for hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to U.S. Attorney David Metcalf.

Who was charged: Twenty basketball players and six so-called “fixers.” They are accused of crimes, including bribery, conspiracy, and wire fraud. A number of Division 1 college players from programs including Northwestern State University and La Salle University were reportedly involved.

How they allegedly did it: The fixers would bribe players to underperform in games, then bettors would wager against that player’s team and collect millions in illicit winnings, Metcalf said.

Chris Palmer and Ryan W. Briggs have the story.

What you should know today

• Nearly 20 people witnessed an assault in the Cheltenham High football team’s locker room last fall, and no one tried to stop it, according to an external investigation.
• The Norristown Hospitality Center, a nonprofit day shelter for people experiencing homelessness, will shut down if it can’t find a new home quickly.
• A Republican state senator from Allentown called Philadelphia a nasty word. He doubled down on his remarks despite heavy backlash from prominent Philly Democrats.
• Penn has refused to comply with a federal subpoena seeking a list of Jewish students and faculty as part of a federal antisemitism investigation. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing the university for the data.
• Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration sued a former vendor for failing to deliver 3.4 million pieces of state agency mail to residents. In Shapiro’s first public remarks on the matter, he called the situation “absolutely unacceptable.”
• Families have flooded Yeadon police with concerns for their buried dead after more than 100 human remains were stolen from Mount Moriah Cemetery.
• Emergency medical services at Riddle Hospital in Media will be rebranded as Main Line Health EMS. The seven-ambulance fleet serves Main Line’s four-hospital system.
• Two former employees described safety issues and a culture hostile to women in their lawsuits against Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey.
• Rosemont College’s accrediting body has asked the school for information on its student records and finances and policies “to ensure truthfulness in public relations announcements.”
• Love City Brewing will take over a historic two-story building on Main Street in Manayunk.

Plus: Why isn’t the Philadelphia Art Museum more lit up at night?

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’re resurfacing an explainer from reporter Michelle Myers on why the Philadelphia Art Museum looks so dull and dim at night after a reader lamented the “shyness of such a gorgeous building.”

The reason it is kept looking gloomy in the dark involves infrastructure, money, and negotiations. 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

Erin Andrews’ coat at the Eagles-49ers game stole the show. What was it made of?

A) Chinchilla

B) Vintage mink

C) Eagle feathers

D) Faux fur

Think you got it? Test your local news know-how and check your answer in our weekly quiz.

What (and whom) we’re …

🏅 Honoring: These Eagles with end-of-year awards and other superlatives.

✅ Noting: What’s open and closed in the Philly area on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

⚽ Interviewing: USMNT stalwart Antonee Robinson, whose return to action for Fulham shows what the U.S. has missed.

😋 Discovering: How a crusty, crackling bun topping traveled from Mexico to China — and where to eat them in Philly.

⚾ Getting to know: The Phillies’ new 17-year-old center fielder Francisco Renteria, a top international prospect.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Philadelphia’s favorite Victorian novelist

CHASED CRINKLES

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

Cheers to Tommy Joyce, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Brent Celek. The former Eagles tight end is using his platform to raise awareness on men’s health.

Photo of the day

Thanks, as always, for reading. Have a great weekend.

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.

Rise and shine, Philly.

Thursday will be freezing — literally — and another cold stretch is coming. Resident weather expert Tony Wood explains what may be ahead for the rest of this season.

In today’s main read, turning ordinary Phillyspeak into a relaxing sound has created an unlikely local celebrity. Get to know the comedian behind the viral Wawa whispers.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Hoagie-mouthed ‘ASMR’

Some may find the Philadelphia accent “to be like nails on a chalkboard,” as Betsy Kenney put it. But with millions of views on social media, she has managed to make her hometown way of talking a comforting noise for the world to hear.

For the uninitiated: ASMR is a soothing sensation by way of soft sounds or repetitive patterns. Think soft tapping or scratching.

Where Kenney comes in: She records herself whispering in her native Philly tongue and combines it with sounds that some find relaxing, like a spoon scooping Rita’s water ice.

Like music to Philly’s ears: Kenney found success doing impression videos, and noticed viewers were vibing with her uniquely Philly voice. Even Kylie Kelce rated Kenney’s accent an 11.

Abigail Covington has the story on Kenney’s comedy career taking shape since returning to her roots.

Winter nearing halftime

Bundle up — it’s about to get much colder, if not snowier, around here.

🥶 Our coldest stretch is coming soon. Starting Sunday, Philadelphia will experience a dramatic drop into next week. We’re talking lows in the teens.

🌨️ Snow or no snow? “We’re kind of in a waiting game,” one forecast specialist told Tony Wood.

❄️ Winter so far has been pretty “normal” around here, as it relates to snowfall and temperatures, according to the raw stats, but not behavior.

Let Wood guide you through what may remain of winter.

What you should know today

• Some elected city officials and community leaders on Wednesday called for ICE to get out of Philadelphia, saying agents had become a threat to safety and to the orderly administration of justice.
• Bucks County Sheriff Danny Ceisler terminated his office’s controversial partnership with ICE, citing negative impacts on public safety and immigrants’ trust of law enforcement. Haverford Township officials also voted this week to bar its police department from cooperating with the agency.
• Federal prosecutors have reportedly requested documents and information tied to the 2011 case of Ellen Greenberg. Sources say the inquiry appears to involve the handling of her death investigation.
• While the cause of last month’s fatal helicopter crash in South Jersey remains undetermined, investigators released a preliminary report piecing together a timeline detailing what happened before and after.
• St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, a key safety-net provider in North Philadelphia, on Wednesday announced its third leadership change in less than three years.
• Pennsylvania Horticultural officials have billed the 2026 Flower Show — Philly’s first major event of its yearlong festivities planned for the 250th anniversary of America — as a celebration of the history of plants and gardening culture in the United States.
• At local colleges with major sports programs, some student athletes are now getting paychecks — from their athletic departments. Here’s how it’s going so far at Penn State, Temple, and other schools.
• The Art Museum steps will keep one Rocky statue — at the top. Another statue, which has not yet been determined, will be installed at the bottom of steps.

🧠 Trivia time

After eight seasons with Philadelphia, Ranger Suárez is headed to the American League. Which team just signed the left-handed pitcher?

A) Minnesota Twins

B) New York Yankees

C) Kansas City Royals

D) Boston Red Sox

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🛍️ Explaining: What the Saks bankruptcy means for Philly-area shoppers.

🍸 Enjoying: Discounted cozy cocktails and small bites in Media.

🎤 Attending: Philly shows this week, which include Public Enemy and a Bob Dylan tribute.

💸 Noticing: A new service charge on OpenTable.

🇮🇪 Considering: How the Irish helped shape Philadelphia — and the United States.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Former Eagles tight end and Super Bowl champion

NECK TREBLE

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

Cheers to Robin Connell, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Pennsylvania Convention Center. The United Soccer Coaches Convention returns to Philly this week, with extra interest in a World Cup year.

Photo of the day

👋🏽 Thanks for reading. The weekend is almost here. Take care, and I’ll catch up with you again tomorrow morning.

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.

Welcome to Sunday. The clouds should part for some sunshine today.

Philadelphia’s ramen power couple are getting ready to reboot their noodle game in Japan. They took restaurant critic Craig LaBan on a slurping tour of their favorites abroad.

And anti-ICE protesters swept onto the streets of Philadelphia on Saturday, with more demonstrations expected today. Clips of Sheriff Rochelle Bilal calling the agency “fake, wannabe law enforcement” went viral over the weekend.

Scroll along for these stories and more.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Thriving in noodle paradise

They set the gold standard for ramen in Philadelphia at Neighborhood Ramen in Queen Village, which closed at the end of 2024. Now, Lindsay Mariko Steigerwald and Jesse Pryor are living their best lives in the ramen capital of the world.

🍜 Their move was driven by a desire to make their famed noodles alongside the best, as well as to explore and enjoy the upper echelons of Tokyo’s artisan ramen.

🍜 It will likely take many more months before they can open up shop there. In the meantime, the duo have launched ramen tours, which map out a taste of their favorite spots.

🍜 Pryor told Craig LaBan: “I want to eat ramen every day. I want to go to different shops all the time, be inspired and just soak it up. It’s hard to do that in Philadelphia.”

Join LaBan for a taste of their fledgling ramen tour.

‘ICE out’ protests

Demonstrators took to Philadelphia’s streets and those of other cities across the country on Saturday in response to the killing of Renee Good by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis this week.

Activists have condemned the fatal shooting as evidence of a violent federal agency, while Trump administration officials insist the agent who shot Good three times had fired out of self-defense.

More rallies are planned on Sunday in communities including Trenton, Abington, Cherry Hill, Ardmore, and Ambler.

Read more in Michelle Myers and Jeff Gammage’s dispatch from Philly’s Saturday protest.

In related news:

• As the Trump administration sends more federal officers to U.S. cities, a local resurgence of the Black Panthers militant group is making its presence known in Philly.
• Sheriff Rochelle Bilal has made headlines and invoked criticism for sending a blunt warning to immigration officers who commit crimes in the city.

What you should know today

• A man was charged with stealing skulls and bones from a Philly cemetery. Police say he may have tried to sell them on Instagram.
• A Philadelphia man who went by the alias “YP SlumBoy” was arrested Thursday by U.S. Marshals and charged with killing the mother of his child, tampering with evidence, and other crimes.
• Investors have turned vacant Exton office buildings into a suburban rarity: 24 studio and 8 single-bedroom apartments.
• It’s no secret that Philly has an action-packed year ahead, but there’s more happening beyond the FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th birthday celebrations. Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr lists 14 other events to look forward to.
• The playoffs are finally here, as the Eagles officially kick off their quest to repeat as Super Bowl champions on Sunday at the Linc against the 49ers. Use our quick viewer’s guide to get ready for the game.
• When we debated the best ways to snuff out bad SEPTA etiquette, you responded with your own ideas. Here are our favorite suggestions from Inquirer readers on how to handle subpar public transit manners.

❓Pop quiz

Which billionaire is behind a plan to redevelop much of downtown Gladwyne?

A) John Mars

B) Jeff Bezos

C) Jeff Yass

D) Elon Musk

Think you know? Check your answer.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: This New-York born author “took to Philly like a fish to water” 15 years ago.

CAMERA SADE

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

Cheers to Bernice Kaplan who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: East Falls. Crust Vegan Bakery has relocated to a larger location in the Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood.

🦅 Photo of the day

This Birds devotee has made a name for himself on social media through his Eagles-centric parodies, to the tune of popular songs by Billy Joel and Hall & Oates. His many fans include the famously estranged duo, as well as Questlove and State Rep. Joanna McClinton.

⚽ One more sports item to go: England’s famed Premier League gets a lot of coverage in the United States. But there’s nothing like seeing the spectacle in London, especially as races for World Cup squads play out on PL stages. Soccer reporter Jonathan Tannenwald has the story from the capital city.

🎶 Today’s track goes like this: “The thrill, unknown, you will or you won’t / A dream to try for, hope that you’d like more.”

👋🏽 Thanks for spending part of your morning with us. Go Birds.

Good morning. Grab an umbrella on your way out — Saturday’s forecast calls for showers throughout the day.

Today, I’m talking about bars swapping liquor displays for vinyl records.

Plus, there’s news on a convenience store chain officially encroaching into Wawa territory, a secret menu sandwich that’s making a Philly restaurant TikTok-famous, and our report card for this week in Philadelphia news.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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What you should know today

• A $11.5 million beautification and anti-graffiti project to clean up Philly is underway ahead of an event-packed summer.
• A longtime Philadelphia resident who was arrested by ICE at a routine immigration appointment was deported to Indonesia, his family said, leaving behind his wife and two children who are American citizens.
• Sheetz is set to open its first Philly-area store next month — across the street from an existing Wawa.
• A New Jersey school resource officer faces charges of misconduct and child endangerment after an altercation with a juvenile in 2024.
• 72-year-old Marie Scott started her new life in Philadelphia this week, months after her life sentence for a murder was commuted.
• A Renoir painting was removed from the Barnes’ walls last year. Now it’s coming back with brighter colors.
• For the first time in the tournament’s history, cities are charging World Cup fans to attend FIFA fan festivals. Philly will not be one of them.
• A Scranton neighborhood group put up a “hometown hero” banner for Joe Biden outside of his childhood home. They expected a bit of blowback, but what was initially political has turned into a veterans’ issue.
• Grad Hospital takeout shop Falafel Time has long had a secret menu, but now that crispy shawarma has gone viral, one of its if-you-know-you-know sandwiches has become a hit.
• Between barrel fires resurfacing on Ninth Street and an “Avoid Philadelphia” road sign going viral, catch up on the good, bad, and weird in the latest stories out of Philly.

Immersive music experiences

This week, food writer Kiki Aranita put the spotlight on vinyl, hi-fi sound, and cocktails fueling a growing wave of listening bars in Philadelphia.

Heralded as the “antidote to the loneliness,” these immersive, sonic experiences are popping off here and across the country. They are places where shelves are stacked with less liquor and more records, your DJ might also be your bartender, and you might discover music for the first time.

Spots like 48 Record Bar in Old City and Solar Myth on South Broad are just two examples of participants of the listening room boom in Philly. They integrate music into drinking experiences beyond a run-of-the-mill playlist humming in the background of a typical bar. These lounges spin curated collections through high-fidelity sound systems, and put people onto everything from small, avant-garde artists to local musicians.

And while Aranita notes that “thoughtful, elevated beverages still reign,” I imagine bars swapping alcohol for vinyl can be an added benefit if you’re sober-curious this Dry January.

Is 2026 the year of the listening bar in Philly? Read on to learn how they operate here, and why Japanese “jazz kissas” cafes play an influential role.

One viewpoint

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier wants to produce more affordable housing. But her policy may be doing the opposite, argues Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson.

“When it comes to public policy, good intentions are not enough,” Pearson writes.

In this week’s Shackamaxon, Pearson tackles what happens when City Council members try to use a bad practice to serve the public good, and explores the kickoff of the race for Pennsylvania governor.

📍 Find the location

Think you know where this mural is located? Our weekly game puts your knowledge of Philly places to the test. Check your answer.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood

FALSE SALT

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

Cheers to Mary Liz Jones who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Petty’s Island. The 300-acre island in the Delaware River is now owned by Venezuela’s Citgo, but will soon likely belong to a major conservative donor’s firm.

We were there

Hundreds of fans attended the Flyers’ first-ever Phish Night at Stateside Live! on Thursday. Tribute band Rift performed a 90-minute pregame show as well as a postgame concert. Get a recap of the event from sports reporter Ariel Simpson and photographer Yong Kim.

Somewhere on the internet in Philly

Shoutout to Tricia for this adorable art of Snoopy in a Phillie Phanatic suit.

Over on Facebook, Taqueria Amor patrons expressed appreciation for the Main Street restaurant. “We’re really excited for 2026 as we have an exciting announcement over the next few weeks,” chef Tim Spinner wrote on the post. We’ll be on the lookout for developments. 👀

And a Redditor flagged something weird going on with our mobile app: “Why does the Inquirer need 12 GB?” Rest assured, our next app update should fix the space-hogging problem. Senior software engineer Joe Russell’s theory for the bug made me lol: “Because we digitally encoded Gritty and now he lives in your phone.”

👋🏽 Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day, and I’ll catch up with you again tomorrow.

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.

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)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

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.

Good morning. It’s set to be a mostly cloudy Saturday with a high near 33.

Today, we’re talking about the pure love that poured out from the Mummers Parade.

But first, we have updates on disruptions coming to SEPTA’S Fox Chase Line, another Philadelphia bar that has gone to the dogs, and the Philly area’s first babies of 2026.

Let’s get into it.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

What you should know today

• Expect service disruptions starting Monday on SEPTA Regional Rail’s Fox Chase Line as crews install new tracks. Shuttle buses will replace midday trains for several weeks.
• The Boozy Mutt, Fairmount’s pup-friendly pub, is closing its doors Saturday after just over two years in business. Its owners cited rising costs as a factor.
• Philadelphia recorded 222 homicides in 2025, which is the fewest in more than half a century. Officials caution that the improvements are fragile.
• Police have arrested a California man in connection with the hit-and-run death of a man who was riding an e-bike in South Jersey this week.
• Suraya, the Michelin-recognized Lebanese restaurant in Fishtown, closed temporarily after a nearby rooftop fire left the restaurant without gas.
• Henry Schamp was the Philadelphia area’s first baby of 2026, born at the stroke of midnight. Meet Henry and several others who were welcomed into the world with sparkling fireworks outside their window.
• Former Phillies star Lenny Dykstra was arrested for drug possession during a traffic stop just after midnight on New Year’s Day in Northeastern Pennsylvania, state police said.
• A lawsuit by a violinist accuses actor and musician Will Smith of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation over the course of a 2024 tour.
• A shopping center near downtown Phoenixville recently sold for nearly $7.4 million. The fully occupied property is less than a mile from the borough’s bustling downtown.
• How much caring is too much caring? A reader asked The Inquirer for advice on keeping their New Year’s resolution to not let Philly team losses ruin their day. Here’s what we recommend.

A romantic Mummers

When considering the good, bad, and weird in the region’s latest happenings, editor Sam Ruland looked to two special stories out of the Mummers Parade that captured hearts across the city of Philadelphia.

The nation’s oldest folk parade drew thousands who braved the bitter cold and high winds to participate in the annual tradition. Unfortunately, those winds prevented the string bands from competing, marking the first time in Mummers history that was suspended.

But because this is Philadelphia, the show still went on, and we got to see uplifting things happen amid the dancing, sequins, and feathers: There was a couple who got married in the middle of the parade, and an adorable Mummers-obsessed 93-year-old Welsh grandma who flew here to finally see them in person. A uniquely Philly love was palpable at the event, now in its 125th anniversary.

“This New Year’s Day delivered a reminder of what this thing actually is: unshakable, irrational, deeply sincere devotion,” Ruland writes. Both stories earned an A+.

Catch up on these stories and more from this week in Philly news.

One viewpoint

In this week’s Shackamaxon, Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson proposes some New Year’s resolutions for key players in City Hall, Harrisburg, and everywhere in between.

For instance, Pearson argued City Council should work toward eliminating micromanagement, and called on SEPTA “to stand and deliver.” Read his suggestions to state and local leaders, including a bonus resolution for everyday Philadelphians.

📍 Find the location

Think you know where this was taken? Our weekly game puts your knowledge of Philly locations to the test. Check your answer.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Hollywood production designer from West Philly

MONTHS YAWN

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

Cheers to Melissa Pergine, who correctly guessed Wednesday’s answer: Manayunk. Acclaimed gluten-free bakery Flakely will move from an industrial kitchen in the Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood to a bigger storefront in Bryn Mawr by February 2026.

🎤 We were there

The free New Year’s Eve concert in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum was a frigid, fireworks-filled affair, kicking off the city’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

LL Cool J and DJ Jazzy Jeff headlined the show, with Philadelphia-based rapper Freeway making a surprise appearance just before midnight.

Somewhere on the internet in Philly

Why is Wawa called Wawa? There are degrees of knowledge to unpack here, so WHYY’s Avi Wofman-Arent walked us through the lore (with some Sheetz shade to boot).

Streets Dept posted a crabby art installation at Washington and Passyunk Avenues. The video title is timeless: “Philly is not a real place.”

Meanwhile, Philadelphians on Reddit are talking about Stranger Things apparently confirming “Philly is the center of the universe.” Spoilers ahead: This is why fans are buzzing about the finale.

One more thing: Before I let you go, allow me to congratulate my colleague Diane Mastrull on her retirement. She is a longtime editor of this newsletter and a titan of journalism and public service. This edition is the last to be expertly edited by her eagle eye. Thank you, Diane.

👋🏽 Thanks for stopping. See you again tomorrow morning.

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.