Author: Julie Zeglen

It’s a foggy Friday, Philly.

Spending five-plus weeks under snowpacks hasn’t been all bad for local plant life. But as the thaw accelerates, home gardeners should watch their step.

And area legislators are responding to President Donald Trump’s new Department of Homeland Security secretary pick after the firing of Kristi Noem.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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How plants weathered Philly’s winter

It’s not quite spring, but warmer weather is on its way. How is the region’s plant life holding up after all that snow and ice?

🌷 Horticulturalists say the harsh winter brought some benefits to local plants. The snow cover, in particular, “insulated” dormant plants and roots.

🌷 However, that snow cover also allowed destructive voles to stay active and protected from predators underground, where they nibbled on (and killed) roots and grasses. Deer had a tougher time finding food. And plants near salted driveways may be dehydrated.

🌷 With the recent thaw, “mud season” has arrived in Philly. Avoid walking on the compacted ground, which can further tighten the soil and reduce its air spaces, experts say.

Weather reporter Anthony R. Wood has more details on how foliage fared, and how gardeners can prepare for next season.

P.S. Cherry blossom season is on its way, too: The National Park Service predicts D.C.’s blossoms will peak between March 29 and April 1.

Moving on from Noem

President Trump on Thursday announced that he is replacing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem with GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin after Noem faced increasing criticism of her oversight of deportation operations. She will take on a newly created role called “the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.”

Pennsylvania and New Jersey lawmakers were quick to comment on the leadership change.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.), who called for Noem to be fired after federal immigration agents killed two American citizens in January, committed to supporting Mullin. U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R., Pa.) also plans to vote to confirm Mullin.

U.S. Sen. Andy Kim (D., N.J.), who had also called for Noem’s termination, said the change is “only the start of” needed reform at DHS.

Politics reporter Fallon Roth has more regional reactions.

In other ICE-related news: The Montgomery County commissioners further limited the county’s cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement by passing a resolution restricting the agency from using county property or resources for noncriminal investigations. And Gisele Fetterman’s X and Instagram profiles are now inactive, weeks after she spoke against ICE.

Plus: The House narrowly rejected a war powers resolution Thursday to halt Trump’s attacks on Iran, an early sign of unease in Congress over the rapidly widening conflict.

What you should know today

• The investigation into the cause of a Wednesday explosion at a Gloucester County cocoa butter processor continues. Conditions have improved for some victims injured in the blast.
• A body was discovered on a Central Bucks West High School practice field Wednesday night, school officials said. And a human skull and other remains were found this week in a wooded area of Cape May County.
• Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro joined Democratic leaders from nearly two dozen states in challenging Trump’s latest global tariffs.
• A former Bucks County man who moved to Florida and voted in person for Trump in 2020, then mailed in a Pennsylvania ballot for the same election, was convicted of voted fraud Wednesday. And an undocumented West African immigrant in Philly has been charged with fraudulent voting after casting a ballot in the 2024 federal election, authorities said.
• Quakertown residents berated the borough council at a public meeting Wednesday for refusing to discipline the town’s police chief after student protesters’ arrests last month.
• Flyers fight coach and bare-knuckle brawler Johnny “Cannoli” Garbarino sparked a melee outside Barstool Sansom last weekend. A cop at the scene reportedly gave him a fist bump.
• Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration sent Philadelphia City Council a bill on Thursday to encourage more apartment construction around SEPTA stations. And more than 60,000 people living in poverty rely on subsidized SEPTA passes — but it’s unclear if Parker is funding the program in her budget next week.
• City Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson on Thursday introduced legislation that would more tightly regulate smoke shops and the products they sell. Council also formally honored a Philly-born Palestinian American killed last month by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
• William Way LGBT Community Center is set to demolish and replace its historic headquarters with a new building and apartments.

Plus: Why do some Philly sidewalks say they’re ‘not dedicated to the public’?

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 2018 on what those angled plaques in the sidewalk really mean when they say the areas around them are “not dedicated to the public.” (If you’re unfamiliar: Look down the next time you’re, say, on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus, or near the Federal Detention Center downtown.)

No, it’s not that pedestrians can’t walk there. Those markers are signaling that the space of sidewalk between where that metal sign stops and the building begins technically isn’t public property. 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

A Fishtown resident has gotten attention for posting fliers across town with fun facts about which topic?

A) Eagles

B) Frogs

C) Snoopy

D) Fish

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

What we’re …

☀️ Noting: Philly Parks & Rec’s new summer camp lotto system at these in-demand locations.

💅 Asking: Where chefs and bartenders get their long-lasting manicures.

🍎 Welcoming: The sixth-season renewal of Quinta Brunson’s Philly-set Abbott Elementary.

🏒 Recapping: Our Reddit AMA on the Flyers, including what to expect at the trade deadline.

🏠 Surprised to learn: Wallpapering is back for Philly homes — and the rules have changed.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Women’s sports hub and cafe coming soon 🐦

OPPOSING TOE

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

Cheers to Catherine Mineo, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Metropolitan. After a 33-year run, the bakery brand has sold. Its Rittenhouse shop closes this month, but the breads will live on.

Photo of the day

🎒 One last congratulatory thing: Preschool classroom assistant Angela Feliciano is the first from Camden to be named New Jersey’s teaching assistant of the year. The Camden Education Association’s president called it “a proud moment” for the city.

Thanks for ending your week with The Inquirer. Paola has you covered with the weekend’s news. I’ll be back with you Monday.

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Happy Thursday, Philly.

What would hosting the 2028 Democratic National Convention mean for the city’s economy? It depends whom you ask.

And the decline of Philly basketball’s onetime legendary alliance began a long time ago, our sports columnist writes. Now it isn’t much of anything anymore — and the reasons are many.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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‘A chance to show off Philadelphia’

If Philadelphia lands its pitch to host the 2028 DNC, the city could see big economic gains — or not, experts say.

🔵 City and state officials and other boosters say the thousands of visitors expected to attend the convention would spend their money on hotels, meals, and attractions. A Visit Philly-commissioned report on the 2016 DNC found the event brought $230.9 million to the local economy.

🔵 Economists who have studied conventions say tourism groups’ lofty claims can be overblown. But at least one economic winner is clear: the hospitality industry.

🔵 “I can think of a few of examples of hotels making their annual budget based on the DNC alone,” the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association’s chief told The Inquirer, about a past convention held in the city.

🔵 And hosting the next DNC could have other benefits for Philly — breathless international media coverage, for one — with minimal financial tradeoffs.

City Hall reporters Sean Collins Walsh and Anna Orso have more.

In other local government news: City Council’s housing committee on Wednesday advanced two bills meant to help Philadelphia renters living in unsafe or unhealthy homes. And Mayor Cherelle L. Parker this week appointed former prosecutor Tito Valdes as Philadelphia’s new director of LGBTQ+ affairs.

What happened to Big 5 basketball?

🎤 Now I’m passing the mic to sports columnist Mike Sielski.

These days, most people who follow college basketball, if they’re being honest, have to acknowledge that the Big 5 isn’t much of anything anymore.

The round-robin rivalries among La Salle, Penn, St. Joe’s, Temple, Villanova, and more recently Drexel have lost most of their juice. That white-hot competition, fueled by the benign hatred that only proximity and familiarity can ignite, used to define Philadelphia hoops. It has cooled.

Now, just one school, Villanova, enters each season with the baseline expectation that it will qualify for the NCAA Tournament, and the pipeline of local recruits that once sustained these programs has all but dried up. — Mike Sielski

Ahead of March Madness, read his deep dive on what changed about the once-glorious Big 5.

More basketball news: Sixers center Andre Drummond always wanted a signature shoe. Instead, he got an entire brand.

What you should know today

• Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democratic senator to vote against curbing President Donald Trump’s power to order strikes in Iran.
• A statue of a founding father who enslaved people was taken down in Wilmington. It’s now moving to D.C.’s Freedom Plaza as part of Trump’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
• Pennsylvania voters broadly oppose some of Trump’s immigration enforcement tactics — but there’s a stark partisan split, a new poll found.
• Youth- and immigrant-rights advocates on Wednesday called on Gov. Josh Shapiro to close a Berks County center that holds immigrant children.
• At least four people were critically injured after a large explosion destroyed a commercial production building Wednesday in Logan Township, Gloucester County.
• A convenience store worker shot during a September armed robbery has sued a “skill games” manufacturer, alleging the casino-style devices on the Frankford premises motivated the attack.
• Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has been $7.25 since 2009. Last year, 81% of workers who earned that much or less were women.
• SEPTA expects to receive about $5.5 million from a federal appropriation to offset the cost of providing transit service in Philadelphia during the FIFA World Cup.
• Lankenau and Robeson High Schools are still fighting their proposed closures, even after Philadelphia school officials tweaked plans to appease them.

Quote of the day

While workplace gossip might not always be a wise idea, the practice has its benefits — like bonding among coworkers, this researcher says.

🧠 Trivia time

The mustard-yellow building of the former Italian bistro La Locanda del Ghiottone in Old City is set to be demolished and replaced with what?

A) Luxury condos

B) A performance space

C) The new Painted Bride headquarters

D) La Locanda del Ghiottone II

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🚘 Testing: E-ZPass stickers in place of those white windshield transponders.

🪻 Learning: The origins of the Philadelphia Flower Show.

🇵🇷 Answering: Why were the Parkway flags taken down this week?

⚽ Anticipating: Rob Mac-owned Wrexham AFC’s match at Subaru Park this summer.

🪴 Considering: This grieving mother’s plea to keep Lankenau High School open.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: _ Bakery

INTERPOL MOAT

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

Cheers to Nick Horiates, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: NASCAR. South Jersey’s Lavar Scott is NASCAR’s third active Black driver. He’s “trying to change the whole dynamic of motorsports.”

Photo of the day

🎉 One last hyped-up thing: Philadelphia Soccer 2026 marked the 100-day countdown before kickoff of the FIFA World Cup with a rally. The Tuesday event was emceed by Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham — who admitted to being a new fan of the sport.

Find something to celebrate today. Back at it tomorrow.

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Good morning, Philly.

As Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro seeks reelection, his business-friendly brand has drawn millions from CEOs — including some with interests in Harrisburg.

And can legacy brands like Coach bring Gen Z shoppers to the mall? Cherry Hill Mall executives think so.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Deep pockets

Gov. Shapiro has sought to build a profile as a pragmatic, business-friendly leader who can “get s— done.” He has also proven adept at raising campaign cash from people who have business interests before state government.

By the numbers: Nearly 240 executives gave almost $8.6 million to Shapiro’s reelection campaign last year, including 27 who gave $100,000 or more.

Industry ties: CEOs in industries ranging from coal mining to gambling to real estate are among those helping to bankroll the campaign. Many donors are based outside Pennsylvania, including the head of a Baltimore company seeking to restart a nuclear reactor near Harrisburg, and the Florida data center developer eyeing locations in the state.

Eyeing 2028: Shapiro’s fundraising could invite scrutiny if he makes a run for the White House, particularly among voters dismayed by the role of money in politics.

Reporters Andrew Seidman and Joe Yerardi dig into the data.

Retailers’ resurgence

Mall executives are counting on legacy brands to inspire consumers’ love of IRL shopping.

Consider Coach, the 85-year-old high-end retailer that has found renewed popularity among Gen Z and millennials. Younger fans say they like that it’s more affordable than other luxury brands, and that it lets them lean into the “Y2K, late-’90s, early-’90s nostalgia” fueled by social media.

Coach’s new shop in the Cherry Hill Mall is seen by the shopping destination’s leaders as one sign of its success — especially as other area malls close.

Consumer reporter Erin McCarthy explains how other legacy brands are faring amid shifting trends.

What you should know today

• The Trump administration has given shifting rationales for its decision to attack Iran, from regime change to eliminating its nuclear program. Plus, oil prices surged after the U.S.-Israel strikes, and the impacts have already started to trickle down to gas stations.
• The University of Pennsylvania was cut from the Pentagon’s list of colleges that will lose tuition assistance for military officers.
• Commerce Secretary and Haverford College mega-donor Howard Lutnick will testify before the House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
• Nine firefighters were injured after a floor collapsed as they fought a two-alarm fire Monday night in Wynnefield.
• A former Burlington County mayor pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and child endangerment after an incident last March that prompted calls for her resignation. And a Montgomery County school bus driver was charged with driving under the influence and related crimes after she drove children while intoxicated, officials said.
• A federal jury in Philadelphia awarded $1.67 million to the sons of a diabetic man who died in a city jail in 2023.
• Pennsylvania had 12 confirmed cases of measles among state residents and two more involving visitors to the state as of Tuesday.
• Philly school officials want to close Harding Middle School in Frankford and replace it with a K-8. Teachers worry programs will be lost.
• Philadelphia launched a high-stakes charm campaign to lure the 2028 Democratic National Convention. With the city now a host finalist, what comes next is a public relations effort and fundraising push.

Quote of the day

Burpee, the Philly-born seed seller, celebrates 150 years in business alongside the country’s Semiquincentennial. It’s thriving again after past periods of financial trouble.

🧠 Trivia time

Former Phillies pitcher Phillippe Aumont left professional baseball in 2020, but the 37-year-old is returning with Team Canada — and he’ll face his old team today. What has he been up to the past few years?

A) Modeling

B) Studying for the bar exam

C) Coaching

D) Running a pig farm

Think you know? Check your answer.

🏒 Hockey fans: What is the Flyers’ plan for the NHL trade deadline? You can ask that question and more during a Reddit AMA with The Inquirer’s Jackie Spiegel today at 2 p.m. EST in the r/Flyers subreddit.

What we’re …

🛒 Remembering: When the A&P grocery chain said it was closing its city stores on this week in Philly history.

🍴 Eager to watch: Cherry Hill chef Nana Araba Wilmot on Top Chef.

🦐 Already tasting: The full-flavored cooking of the legendary Peter Chang, now in the Philly burbs.

🥯 Anticipating: The Philly area’s crop of new restaurants for March.

⛪ Considering: What today’s American churches can learn from Germany’s past theologians.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: 🏁 🏎️

AN ARCS

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

Cheers to Byron Peebles, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Christiana. Delaware’s only Nordstrom, in the Christiana Mall, is closing. But the luxury retailer is opening more Nordstrom Rack locations, including in Deptford, Exton, Marlton, and Media.

Photo of the day

🏛️ One last affordable thing: The Franklin Institute and five other cultural institutions will continue to offer $2 tickets for low-income patrons, thanks to $7.6 million in grants from the William Penn Foundation.

Go look at something beautiful today. See you back here tomorrow

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Morning, Philly. Expect snow and ice this morning, but it won’t be anywhere close to this winter’s previous storms. If you’re feeling nostalgic, see satellite images of the city’s big freeze and slow thaw over January and February.

Converting historic buildings into apartments might solve some of Philadelphia’s housing woes. Just ask the architects transforming a historic Greek Revival mansion into a 32-unit building.

And in efforts to disrupt U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement agents at work, the whistle has become an instrument of choice.

Plus, Philadelphia is on the short list to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention. Read on for these stories and more.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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How preservation can aid affordability

What role could the preservation of Philadelphia’s oldest and historically significant buildings play in the housing crisis?

🏠 Pro-development activists have long argued that there is a link between the city’s preservation laws and the scarcity of affordable housing.

🏠 Yet local architects have shown that historic buildings can be a tool to create more housing for less money, using fewer natural resources, architecture critic Inga Saffron notes.

🏠 Consider her case study of Lea and Evan Litvin’s latest project: Their Lo Design firm is converting a 19th-century complex at 15th and Waverly Streets into a 32-unit apartment building.

Read Saffron’s argument for why historic preservation isn’t the villain in the debate over housing affordability.

In related news: The Washington Square West historic district, which covers 1,441 properties in Center City, was overturned Monday by a local judge.

‘We’re interrupting them’

In Philadelphia and across the United States, the humble whistle has become a signal of resistance.

Activists have been using them to alert neighbors, especially undocumented immigrants, that ICE is on patrol nearby. Locally, they can also be heard at weekly “Noise Demo” protests outside the agency’s Center City office, where the goal is disruption.

The instrument has become so ubiquitous at anti-ICE actions, President Donald Trump has sought to ban “loud or unusual noises” at federal facilities.

Notable quote: “There’s not much more shrill or penetrating than the sound of a whistle,” a Temple University professor who studies protest and dissent told The Inquirer.

Immigration reporter Jeff Gammage explains why whistles have become popular among protesters, and why some advocates aren’t sure it’s the best approach.

What you should know today

• Trump’s communications strategy about the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran — walking the line between claiming victory and avoiding blame — veers from past presidents’ approach to discussing American military actions.
• A former Delsea Regional High School student has accused a math teacher of sexually abusing him in the 1980s and is suing the South Jersey school system for failing to protect him.
• A 76-year-old Hatboro man has been charged with soliciting sex acts with a 15-year-old girl after paying for pictures of her feet, Montgomery County officials said.
• Philadelphia’s school board just adopted the district’s first-ever comprehensive wellness policy, including guaranteed recess and bathroom and water breaks.
• Chester County CEO David Byerman left his role on Monday, officials said. The county’s deputy administrator will replace him under a new title.
• One of Philly’s most famous pizza makers, Pizzeria Beddia’s Joe Beddia, is opening a bar in London. And in Kensington, Manna Bakery will take over Essen’s former space for a bakery-cafe and restaurant.
• Longtime Fox 29 sports director Tom Sredenschek, aka “Sreder,” is calling it a career after four decades at the station.
• Phillies pitcher Jhoan Duran was once a hard-throwing minor leaguer with no nickname. Then, a coach gave him one that stuck.

Plus: Philly on the DNC short list

Philadelphia is being considered to host the Democratic National Convention in August 2028.

The city has hosted eight major party conventions, during which delegates nominate a candidate for president. Most recently, the 2016 DNC was held at what’s now called the Xfinity Mobile Arena.

The event could generate millions of dollars in economic impact. Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, and Denver are also contenders.

City Hall reporter Anna Orso has more.

🧠 Trivia time

The city’s newest pro sports franchise is called the Philadelphia Phenoms. What sport does it represent?

A) Ultimate frisbee

B) Jai alai

C) Jujitsu

D) Overwatch

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🇺🇸 Learning: Which other National Park Service displays were flagged in response to Trump orders.

🦅 Following: Eagles free agency, and the possible changes and new faces coming on offense.

🩰 Anticipating: Philadelphia Ballet’s newly announced 2026-27 season.

🐱 Watching: Delaware native Aubrey Plaza’s latest directorial venture.

🏛️ Considering: City Council president Kenyatta Johnson’s take on the battle over the President’s House exhibit.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Delaware mall

ARACHNITIS

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

Cheers to Karen Mirabelli, who solved Monday’s anagram: Villanova. At a Saturday university event to promote his memoir, Gov. Josh Shapiro discussed his love of basketball alongside decorated coach Jay Wright.

Photo of the day

Hurry! The rest of your life begins today. Have a good one.

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It’s a new week, Philly.

A political consultant kept working as fraud claims piled up against her. One of the many people who say she owes them money is a Philadelphia congressional candidate.

And Angelo’s Pizzeria is expanding into a new South Philly location on an industrial stretch, giving the popular chain “room to grow without bothering anyone nearby.”

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Missing checks and balances

Third Congressional District candidate and State Rep. Chris Rabb made headlines last month when he said Yolanda Brown, his former campaign treasurer, made “unauthorized withdrawals” from his campaign account.

It’s not the first time the Florida-based Brown, a consultant who works primarily with Democrats and social justice groups, has faced such allegations: The financial misdeeds she’s been accused of span at least four states and total more than half a million dollars, The Inquirer found.

Yet she avoided jail time, and, using three different surnames, continued to work on political campaigns across the country. Now, the campaigns she once worked for don’t know where she is.

Her attorney says it’s all a misunderstanding.

City Hall reporter Anna Orso has the story.

Another Angelo’s

Last April, we asked: Has Angelo’s Pizzeria become too big for Bella Vista?

The answer appears to be yes — and the local chain is doing something about it by expanding into the just-closed, industrial-scale Federal Donuts & Chicken location at Wolf and Swanson Streets.

Since attracting national fame, Angelo’s takeout-only South Ninth Street shop had become a headache for neighbors fed up with the long lines and litter. That flagship location will remain, but owner Danny DiGiampietro hopes the new South Philly spot — which will also serve as a production hub and commissary — will take the pressure off of it by offering delivery, takeout, and seating.

Restaurant reporter Michael Klein has more details.

In other food news: Almost Home General’s Old City coffeehouse has closed, months after severing ties with Glu Hospitality, the now-disbanded restaurant group that operated the location.

What you should know today

• A rally at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to mark the fourth anniversary of the Russian war on Ukraine war also drew a small group of Iranian demonstrators Sunday.
• A motorcyclist from Northeast Philly died Saturday after being struck by a car that detached from a tow truck, police said.
• An employee of Radnor Middle School was arrested last week and charged with sexually assaulting a child in Texas, authorities say.
• All charges were dropped against personal injury attorney Leonard Hill in connection with the 2023 shooting of a man outside a Center City cigar bar.
• Domestic violence homicides are on the rise in Philadelphia, even as killings overall are down. A police unit is expanding to work with victims of abuse.
• More Philly-area students are majoring in neuroscience. For some, it’s about wanting to find cures for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s because of personal connections to those diseases.
• Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, half days will be eliminated from Philadelphia School District’s calendar.

Quote of the day

Overdose deaths in Philadelphia have hit the Puerto Rican community hard as the city remains divided on how to respond. Santos Jr. says the barriers his father faced in the ’90s persist today.

🧠 Trivia time

Which Philly suburb was named the first Fair Trade town in the United States 20 years ago?

A) King of Prussia

B) Media

C) West Chester

D) Doylestown

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🍨 Following: This University of Pennsylvania expert’s rules for a healthy, fulfilling life.

🏡 Ogling: Fletcher Cox’s $1.5 million Mullica Hill home, now on the market.

🥜 Trying: Pietramala chef Ian Graye’s recipe for raw asparagus salad, plus this Deptford shop’s Kelce Klusters.

🦅 Wondering: What the NFL’s new salary cap means for the Eagles.

🕊️ Considering: Pope Leo’s message to Catholics the day after the U.S. bombed Iran.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Where Jay Wright coached

OVAL ANVIL

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

Cheers to Chris Singer, who solved Sunday’s anagram: David’s Bridal. The King of Prussia-based wedding dress retailer is staging an AI-fueled, post-bankruptcy comeback. Next up: a docuseries.

Photo of the day

📬 Your ‘only in Philly’ story

Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if you’re not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again — or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

This “only in Philly” story from Inquirer health reporter Aubrey Whelan was originally published in 2024, and appears here again following last week’s news that the dreaded “courtesy tow” may see reform:

You can’t truly say you live in Philadelphia until you’ve been courtesy towed. This is something I tell myself because I have to believe that my suffering at the hands of this citywide tradition must mean something.

For those blissfully unfamiliar, the courtesy tow is that thing where the Streets Department or a construction company is performing some kind of task on your block that requires your parking spot, and they just … take your car away. Sometimes there are signs warning you of the potential of a courtesy tow; sometimes there are not. Technically, whoever tows your car has to tell the police where they put it, but frequently this does not happen, and you are left to shamble, panicked, in increasingly wide circles around your house until you come upon your car by chance.

I have been courtesy towed from my South Philly neighborhood three times, a sentence that enrages me every time I type it. [Editor’s note: And remember, this often happens even when a car is legally parked — then towed to an illegal spot.]

I wish I could say that waiting in line to get my car back at the PPA lot with dozens of other hapless souls, squinting into the setting sun of a late August evening as it sank behind the rowhouses, became some sort of bonding experience where I learned and grew and changed and ultimately understood my fellow Philadelphians better. The hottest club in Philly is the Weccacoe Avenue tow lot! But everyone was mostly just angry. I came home hungry and annoyed and $300 lighter and ready to perform a blood sacrifice for a parking spot.

Could I avoid this problem by moving to a house with a driveway? Yes. Would that also require me to probably leave South Philly? Also yes, and that’s something I hope I never do. I suppose there’s value in learning that you love your neighborhood enough to endure the unique derangement of multiple courtesy tows, an experience that would probably break brains in lesser cities. It would be nice to get my $300 back, though.

Wishing you a tow-free week. I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow.

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It’s set to be a sunny Friday, Philly.

Drivers who illegally park in SEPTA trolley lanes and stops could soon be caught in the act by automated enforcement cameras.

And two of 20 city schools slated for closure would be spared under a revised district plan, presented during a heated school board meeting Thursday.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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The trolleys have eyes

A warning to all who insist on double parking in the path of the 34 while they make a quick stop into a shop on Baltimore Avenue: The trolley will soon be watching — and tattling.

🚎 As of Monday, artificial intelligence-powered cameras will be mounted on 30 trolleys on six lines in Philadelphia to catch drivers breaking no-parking rules. Violations will carry a $51 fine beginning April 1.

🚎 The new system is meant to benefit riders whose commutes are slowed by stagnant vehicles — trolleys run on fixed rails, so they are unable to steer around them — or who must dodge them when alighting.

🚎 The technology is already at work on 152 SEPTA buses.

Transportation reporter Tom Fitzgerald explains how it works.

In other SEPTA news: Chief executive Scott A. Sauer on Thursday was given a three-year contract with an annual salary of $395,000.

And more AI news: A Gloucester County lawmaker’s new bill aims to get ahead of AI surveillance in New Jersey schools.

Off the chopping block

Conwell Middle School in Kensington and Motivation High School in Southwest Philly, both small magnets with powerful political allies, have been cut from the Philadelphia School District’s proposed closure list.

The district’s revised $2.8 billion facilities plan was announced by Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. at a Thursday school board meeting. Eighteen schools are still slated for closure, while six would be colocated, and 159 would be upgraded.

Watlington also shared a new plan for Lankenau High: The city’s environmental science magnet is still slated to close, but is now pitched to move into Saul High instead of Roxborough High.

Next, the board is expected to vote in the coming weeks. Schools would begin closing in 2027, and building upgrades would take several years.

Education reporter Kristen A. Graham has more details.

Further reading: See more from Thursday’s lengthy meeting, where school community members shared their frustration and anguish over the district plan.

What you should know today

• New Jersey joined the growing list of states sued by the Department of Justice after refusing to share personal information of voters.
• Gov. Josh Shapiro on Thursday pledged to block the Trump administration’s plans for immigration detention centers in Berks and Schuylkill Counties.
• An affidavit about the student arrests that came after a Quakertown protest last week offers the most detailed account yet of what law enforcement officials say happened that day, but doesn’t mention what appeared to be the chokehold of a teen girl. Community members accused the Quakertown school board Thursday of failing to keep students safe. Plus: The protest has brought scrutiny to Quakertown police chief Scott McElree’s unusual dual role — he is also borough manager — and his controversial social media posts.
• A sixth person associated with the Young Bag Chasers gang was arrested Wednesday and is expected to be charged with two homicides, prosecutors said. See a timeline of the crimes authorities say led to the arrests of 19 people affiliated with several Philadelphia gangs, including YBC, who they say are responsible for shooting nearly three dozen people in two years.
• Five city police officers say in a new federal lawsuit they were skipped over for promotions because of a policy change to promote diversity in the municipal workforce.
• Should Philly politicians have to resign to campaign for new seats? After Thursday’s City Council approval, voters will get to weigh in — again.
• Walmart delivery drivers in Pennsylvania will receive about $1.4 million as part of a multi-state settlement over withheld tips and other fees.
• While Congress debates a ban on hemp-derived THC, a smaller push for regulation in Pennsylvania hopes to put THC drinks in beer stores and regulate hemp alongside medical marijuana.

Plus: What do museums do with their items that aren’t on exhibit?

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 Michelle Myers on what happens to artworks, artifacts, and other museum ephemera when they’re not on display. Surely they’re not just stacked in a basement, collecting mothballs — right?

Indeed, oftentimes they’re on loan, used for research, or undergoing restoration. Some items are so fragile, they could even be damaged if they’re not stored away for most of their lives. 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

When Team USA beat out Canada for the men’s hockey gold medal in the 2026 Winter Olympics, how did the players honor late New Jersey native Johnny Gaudreau?

A) They wore special jersey patches with Gaudreau’s initials

B) They announced a new scholarship during a postgame speech

C) USA Hockey renamed the trophy in honor of Gaudreau for 2026

D) They carried Gaudreau’s No. 13 jersey on the ice

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🐄 Remembering: When William Penn presided over Pennsylvania’s one and only witch trial.

🚗 Noting: The 250th anniversary license plate design that’s leaving some drivers with false tolls.

🏀 Cheering on: Father Judge’s 76-year-old basketball coach and school symbol.

🩰 Welcoming: Alvin Ailey’s dance company back to Philly this weekend.

🗣️ Considering: A combative political culture’s impact on American children.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: This year’s One Book, One Philadelphia pick

ERASING HUMORISTS

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

Cheers to Darrell Klassen, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Germantown Mennonite Meetinghouse. The site will host Philadelphia Historic District’s latest firstival, focused on how Germantown became the building block of the abolitionist movement.

Photo of the day

Thanks for ending your week with The Inquirer. Paola has you covered with this weekend’s news. Until we meet again in your inbox, be well.

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.

Hey there, Philly.

After a yearslong legal battle, the city tentatively agreed to start requiring tow truck drivers to keep track of where they leave vehicles, signaling a fix to the long-maligned “courtesy tow” problem.

And a suburban office park in Chester County is getting converted to apartments. Is it a sign of things to come?

Plus, we asked you where South and Central Jersey start. The results are in.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

‘A due-process violation’

Have you ever felt bewildered after your car went missing from its legal parking spot, only to be found blocks away, thanks to a towing company that never bothered to let you or police know they were moving it? Maybe you’ve even had to pay to get your vehicle back from the Parking Authority lot after it was moved to a no-parking zone and towed again?

🚙 Congratulations: You’ve been the victim of so-called courtesy towing, a very Philly problem.

🚙 After a protracted legal battle in federal court, reform of the maddening practice may be on the way: Lawyers for the city have tentatively agreed to require tow truck drivers who participate in its vehicle relocation program to keep track of where they unhook them.

🚙 The settlement agreement will also pay $750,000 to 36 courtesy-tow victims.

🚙 As of Wednesday evening, a judge still needs to approve the court settlement.

Reporter William Bender, who has been tracking the courtesy-tow saga for years, has the story — including tales from towing hell.

Suburban conversion

Several former office buildings in downtown Philadelphia are being converted for residential use as housing demand increases and workspace demand decreases. A high-profile case is the historic Wanamaker Building, where 600 loft apartments will be constructed in former office and retail areas.

But the suburbs have been lagging in replacing vacant offices with housing, due in part to architectural challenges — their developers tended to build out, not up, which means lots of dark interior space — as well as hyperlocal zoning regulations and remote locations.

One new project, a sprawling office complex in Tredyffrin Township that will become 162 apartments, indicates that could be changing. It helps that its buildings aren’t big glass boxes, leaders say.

Commercial real estate reporter Jake Blumgart has more.

What you should know today

• A former child abuse investigator was killed by Lower Merion police on Wednesday, hours after charges of child rape were filed against him, authorities said.
• Nineteen people are expected to be charged in connection with a yearslong West Philly gang war that investigators say fueled nearly two dozen shootings.
• President Donald Trump spread falsehoods and lashed out at opponents in his historically long State of the Union address Tuesday. Pennsylvania popped up throughout the evening.
• A new poll of Pennsylvania voters indicate varying support of Gov. Josh Shapiro, Sen. John Fetterman, and Trump ahead of the 2026 midterms.
• How did a proposed security fence around Shapiro’s Abington home land in federal court? The messy land dispute has brought accusations of a political hit job. Plus: Learn more about the dueling lawsuits between the governor and his neighbors.
• Families of people killed in Philadelphia will be eligible to receive up to $2,000 to help cover funeral costs under a city program announced Wednesday.
• Students walked out of Parkway Northwest High School on Wednesday to protest its potential closure. They say they’re concerned about a larger school’s impact on their education and safety.
• The Franklin Mall is temporarily closed after a small fire over the weekend.
• When her late husband’s gem went missing, a Kennett Square woman figured it was gone forever. Then it turned up 1,100 miles away — in a shoe.

Plus: The lines are drawn

As we noted here last month, South and Central Jersey are nebulous concepts. For one: Does Central Jersey even exist?

📍 We asked readers to draw a line where they believed each section starts. Factors that influenced their lines included highways — say, I-195 — and area codes.

📍 And on that existential question, 74% said yes, Central Jersey is real. But they strongly disagreed on where it is.

See the full map, based on thousands of reader suggestions.

In other Jersey news: Attorney General Jennifer Davenport marked her first official day in the office exchanging lawsuits with the Trump administration.

🧠 Trivia time

The latest Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations were announced on Wednesday. Which Philly-tied musical act has never been nominated?

A) Lauryn Hill

B) Chubby Checker

C) Pink

D) The Roots

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🦪 Congratulating: Oyster House for its America’s Classics Award win from the James Beard Foundation.

🌈 Visiting: Philly’s new LGBTQ+ visitor center, one of few in the country.

🐴 Trying to adopt: One of 30 miniature horses up for sale in Gettysburg.

☕ Standing in line for: Powelton’s buzzy new Yemeni coffee shop.

📖 Considering: How Black History Month teaches us to learn from our past, flaws and all.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Historic Germantown _ Meetinghouse

NO EMINENT

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

Cheers to Keyana Kutney, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Pennsport. The development group behind a 36-story apartment tower planned for the Delaware River-adjacent neighborhood secured a $150 million construction loan and plans to break ground next year.

Photo of the day

🟫 One last wordy thing: Feeling competitive? Go inside the Delco Scrabble Club, a home for the thriving local Scrabble scene including some of the best players in the country.

Enjoy the rest of your Thursday. I’ll be back with you tomorrow morning to close out the week in news.

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.

Hi, Philly. More than a foot of snow did indeed fall across the region — the most in a decade, even if it’s not yet clear if it became a blizzard.

Snowstorms in the region may not be a given, but certain Philly snowstorm habits are. Read on for an ode to the weird and wonderful wintry traditions we can rely on.

And workers have started setting up the Philadelphia Flower Show, despite the snow and years of weather curses.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

Philly snowstorm traditions

Philadelphia doesn’t get snow every year. But when it does, you can count on a few constants, columnist Stephanie Farr writes. Among them:

⛄ Sledding and even snowboarding on the Art Museum steps, with seemingly no concern about the bumpiness of the ride down

⛄ Shorts shovelers, aka the guys who insist on pretending their legs don’t feel the stinging pain of frozen air

⛄ “Snowstalgia” for the Blizzard of ‘96 — though, hey, maybe kids 30 years from now will be regaled with tales from the Winter of ‘26

Farr has five more Philly snowstorm traditions to make you laugh, then (maybe) question your life choices.

More snow news:

• This storm likely won’t have the staying power of last month’s — and nature will help with the cleanup. Next up: Light snow is possible this week.
• Fourteen inches fell at Philadelphia International Airport, Langhorne got 22, and parts of the Jersey Shore were hit with a whopping two feet. Compare more snow totals in the region.
• Philly schools buildings will opt for another day of virtual learning. Other Pennsylvania and New Jersey districts will have the day off, virtual instruction, or operate on delays.
• From Haddonfield to Boathouse Row to the Main Line, see photos from a wintry Monday.

Visit Inquirer.com for the latest.

The Flower Show must go on

Want to escape the snowglobe-like conditions? Head to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where starting this weekend you’ll find mulch, flowers, and floor-to-ceiling horticultural masterpieces.

Yes, the annual Philadelphia Flower Show has returned — despite Mother Nature’s best efforts at delaying setup.

It’s far from the first time inclement weather has threatened the nearly 200-year-old show, which is typically held in late winter or early spring.

Reporter Dana Munro has more.

What you should know today

• Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity will be a guest at Tuesday night’s State of the Union address. Some Democrats are boycotting or bringing their own guests to send a message.
• Pennsylvania leaders want to avoid another lengthy state budget impasse. But a $4.3 billion budget shortfall is expected, as is disagreement over how to fix it.
• The Quakertown Community School District is planning to offer counseling and has requested a police presence this week after a student walkout Friday to protest federal immigration enforcement ended in a clash with police and multiple student arrests.
• The former Chester County detective who served as a technical adviser for the HBO crime drama Mare of Easttown is suing her past employer and supervisor over alleged sex discrimination.
• The Chinatown Stitch, which would cap the Vine Street Expressway, is in limbo after the Trump administration yanked funds. Planners are looking for ways to keep the project alive.
• Students would transition from a closing North Philadelphia elementary school in a “very high risk” neighborhood to worse-performing ones, if the district’s plan is approved.
• An Arizona State University dean will become Temple University’s next provost, the school’s number-two leader.
• The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech” wouldn’t be the same without North Philly’s Clarence B. Jones. He’s now the subject of Steph Curry’s directorial debut coming soon to Netflix.

Quote of the day

Two weeks after the last big snowstorm, Saladine Sharad’s car was towed, and SEPTA was still unreliable. But the handyman had a job to get to in Roxborough. So, he bought an electric scooter and began traveling on Google Maps’ prescribed bike route. But after hitting a closed path, he ended up on one of the city’s most dangerous roads — and soon after, on social media.

🧠 Trivia time

The former Mac’s Tavern in Old City will become a Celtic bar called the Monto in April. Two of its owners, Fergus Carey and Jim McNamara, also own which other Philly establishment?

A) Fergie’s Pub

B) Poison Heart

C) Poe’s Side Piece

D) Plough & the Stars

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🕺 Applauding: Penn State’s THON for raising a record $18.8 million.

🍣 Mapping: The best delivery sushi in and around Center City.

🏘️ Noting: That Philly is one of the most popular destinations for apartment hunters.

🏈 Keeping: The Tush Push, it seems, as supporters of a ban stay quiet.

⚽ Considering: How Philadelphia can shine on the FIFA World Cup stage.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Dunder Mifflin’s hometown

TAN CORNS

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

Cheers to Harry Escarge, who solved Monday’s anagram: Tom Shirley. The longtime Thomas Jefferson women’s basketball coach will be inducted into Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame this year.

Photo of the day

Stay cozy — or if you need to go outside, try to make some friends like the smiley guy above. I’ll be back with more news 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.

Morning, Philly. While it’s a new week, you’d be forgiven for feeling some weather-related deja vu, as Sunday snow has turned into a messy Monday.

More than a foot of snow was predicted to fall on the region overnight through this afternoon. Below, find a rundown on what to know about schools, city services, and more.

And amid the Trump administration’s anti-labor push, how did union membership fare in Pennsylvania and New Jersey last year? Take a look at the local and national data.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

Snow arrives in Philly (again)

A rare blizzard warning has led to disruption in Philadelphia and around the region. Here’s what to expect today:

❄️ City schools will be virtual, while Camden and several suburban districts are closed.

❄️ Trash and recycling collection in Philly has been suspended Monday and Tuesday. A two-day delay will remain through the week.

❄️ SEPTA, PATCO, NJ Transit, and Amtrak have all planned service disruptions or suspensions. Hundreds of flights were canceled at Philadelphia International Airport for Sunday and Monday.

❄️ The city’s Code Blue designation, set to last until 9 a.m. Tuesday, means additional shelter beds are available. The city also opened several warming centers, including at Prevention Point in Kensington and Hub of Hope in Suburban Station.

Read more on city service changes, the difference between a blizzard and a bomb cyclone, and how Philadelphians prepared for the storm (in some cases, at their corner bar).

Plus: See how much snow is forecast across the region with our weather data map, updated every six hours. For the latest storm updates, visit Inquirer.com.

State of the unions

Despite President Donald Trump’s administration moving to end union contracts and cut positions for federal workers, union membership remained fairly steady across the United States in the last year.

Union rates over time: The percentage of U.S. workers who belong to unions has halved since the Bureau of Labor Statistics started collecting this data in 1983, from 20.1% to 10% in 2025.

Local membership: Workers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are slightly more likely to be unionized compared to the national rate, at 14.7% and 10.9%, respectively. Still, both states saw a decline of around one percentage point from 2024.

Recent labor action: Philly-area labor moves in the past year have included an eight-day municipal workers strike, a threatened SEPTA strike, and a Whole Foods unionization.

Business reporter Ariana Perez-Castells has the story.

More union news: University of Pennsylvania’s graduate student workers last week reached a tentative agreement on a first union contract, averting a strike.

What you should know today

• Petitioners are calling for the longtime Quakertown Borough police chief to resign, days after videos emerged that appear to show him barreling into a crowd of teenagers, sustaining a barrage of punches, and grappling with a girl on the ground.
• Lincoln University announced new safety plans for large events after the on-campus shooting at homecoming last October that left one dead and six others shot.
• Nearly a year after Crozer-Chester Medical Center closed, Chester residents say they are still struggling to access healthcare.
• Of the 20 schools the Philadelphia School District has recommended closing, six are middle schools — though others will stay open, or even grow. The district says it’s “an efficiency issue.”
• A Penn OB-GYN who studied antidepressant use during pregnancy saw that patients often get mixed messaging from providers. Here’s what her research found.
• Jessica Chopin Roney will take over the Library Company of Philadelphia after it merges with Temple University. She has ties to both institutions and will be the first woman to lead the group in 295 years.
• Team USA men’s hockey team honored Johnny Gaudreau, the late hockey star from Salem County, after winning Olympic gold in Milan on Sunday. South Jersey fans were “proud they remembered him for how great he was.”

Quote of the day

As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity has picked up nationally and in the Philadelphia region, volunteers such as Hernández aim to help undocumented people afraid to leave home.

In other ICE news: Philadelphia’s federal courthouse is managing hundreds of lawsuits filed by undocumented immigrants challenging the government’s attempts to detain them, an Inquirer review found. That includes 168 filed in the first six weeks of 2026 alone, compared to eight total from 2020 through 2024.

🧠 Trivia time

Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper has previously donned cleats that give a nod to Wawa and the Phanatic. What do his latest themed spikes represent?

A) Roy Rogers

B) Gritty

C) East Falls native Grace Kelly

D) Jersey Shore boardwalk funhouses

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🗺️ Mapping: The late Isaiah Zagar’s mosaics around Philly.

📷 Documenting: The President’s House saga through Inquirer photographer Tom Gralish’s lens.

⚽ Anticipating: Delran native Carli Lloyd’s return to Fox coverage of the World Cup.

🏀 Bidding on: A rare Wilt Chamberlain rookie uniform.

🦅 Wondering: Why do NFL players keep professing their love for Eagles fans?

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Longtime Thomas Jefferson University women’s basketball coach

MILTY SHORE

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

Cheers to Aaron Thomas, who solved Sunday anagram: Colman Domingo. The West Philly native and Temple alum is up for three NAACP Image Awards, including the President’s Award.

Photo of the day

📬 Your ‘only in Philly’ story

Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if you’re not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again — or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

This “only in Philly” story comes from reader Deb Olsen, who recalls how her love of a certain annual event bloomed:

I attended Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences in the late ‘70s. As a horticulture major, I was chosen among a dozen other students to help out in the set up of the Philadelphia Flower Show for each of my high school years. This was a great honor because we got to take off two weeks of school and see how all the exhibits were put together.

About three days before the show opened, we worked a late night when a giant tractor trailer pulled in with a hundred flats of flowering bulbs. We had to unload them and place them around the showroom floors. The first year I did this, it seemed a monumental task. There were no hand trucks or trolleys. We just all lined up on the loading dock and formed a chain into the building, passing heavy wood flats filled with soil and fragrant hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils into the Convention Center, one after the other.

It took four hours. Our arm muscles were screaming; we were cold and covered in dirt. But when it was done, the place looked fantastic.

It really is a wonder to see a huge hall converted into a garden wonderland in the middle of winter. I hope everyone plans to come and enjoy it. Stop by Saul High School’s exhibit. The kids worked hard to design and put it together. Show them your appreciation.

🌱 Want to plant your own roots of appreciation? Before the 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show begins on Saturday, check out our guide for info on the schedule, tickets, exhibits on display, and more.

Thanks for starting your week with The Inquirer. See you back here 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.