Category: Inquirer Morning Newsletter

It’s Saturday.

Snow is a near certainty this weekend, with a winter storm watch starting early Sunday for the Philly area. Coastal flooding is possible at the Shore. Resident weather expert Tony Wood (or “AccuTony,” as we like to call him) has the forecast details.

Philly runs on Wawa. What endears people to the store? Scroll along for a deep dive into how hometown fans fuel the beloved chain’s success, and our staffers’ takes on its food quality over the years.

Plus, we’re talking about a battle of the beer festivals brewing in Philadelphia, a new all-day cafe dosing drinks with controversial psychoactive plants, and our report card for this week in news.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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What you should know today

• The Supreme Court ruling against President Trump’s global tariffs is good news, Pennsylvania lawmakers say. The state’s dairy industry has suffered. And in other federal news, a judge ruled that the Trump administration doesn’t need to finish restoring the President’s House for now.
• A 260-apartment development, largely composed of one-bedroom units, is the latest residential project slated for Ridge Avenue in East Falls.
• Several Quakertown High School students were taken into custody on Friday after a student walkout protesting federal immigration enforcement escalated into a confrontation that left at least one teenager bloodied and in handcuffs, according to witnesses and video footage from the scene.
• Philly Bierfest and the NYC-rooted Philly Beer Fest will be held on the same date this year, and their names sound nearly identical, but the similarities mostly end there. One wants the other to stop confusing customers.
• Two men have been arrested after breaking into a Lululemon store in Ardmore and allegedly stealing nearly $11,000 in merchandise, police said.
• A man was arrested after he allegedly placed hidden cameras inside restrooms at a Gloucester County barbershop where he worked.
• A new all-day lounge in Old City is betting on kava and kratom to pull crowds away from bars. The substances are associated with stress relief — and health risks.
• Haverford College could convene a committee to review whether U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s name should remain on the campus library, following newly revealed details of the mega-donor’s ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The school has also vowed to amend its events policy after a disturbance at a talk by an Israeli journalist.
• Tired Hands Brewing has turned its original Ardmore outpost into a private event space, for now, as its owner navigates the future of the beer company.
• Chicken bones, potholes, Bruce indoors, and a rush to book the Shore — this week’s Philly Report Card grades the city’s late-winter mood.

Quality check

Loyal customers in the Philadelphia area love Wawa. But as the chain grows, its expansion has tested the brand. With shifting menus and quality, how does it keep people coming back? To find out, consumer reporter Erin McCarthy spoke to the experts about Wawa’s “secret sauce” and how it set a national standard for success in the convenience store industry.

And for a dose of hometown critical analysis, Inquirer editor Evan Weiss polled features columnist Stephanie Farr, programming editor Tommy Rowan, and deputy food editor Jenn Ladd. They sound off on Wawa’s transforming food quality, and whether or not it’s changed too much, for better or for worse.

Got thoughts, opinions, or other ideas for topics we should debate? Send in your suggestions here.

One viewpoint

In this week’s Shackamaxon, Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson gets into the numbers of the state of crime, public transit, and the economy in Philadelphia.

“Homicides are down, SEPTA ridership is up, and the city’s job growth proves unsurprising,” Pearson writes.

Get Pearson’s perspective on where these and other metrics stand.

📍 Find the location

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

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: A new streaming series that tells the story of America through the lens of Philadelphia

INUIT SPUR

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

Cheers to Kate Vengraitis, who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Chris Rabb. The state representative from Northwest Philadelphia said he will not seek reelection while he runs in the Democratic primary for the 3rd Congressional District.

We were there

Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, better known as La Scala, is one of the world’s most famous opera houses in the world. It’s a popular stop for Winter Olympics spectators when they’re not at a sporting venue.

If it looks familiar, it’s no coincidence. Philadelphia’s Academy of Music was designed after La Scala.

My colleague Ellen Dunkel, who is in Milan covering the Olympics, takes us with her to the theater that inspired our own.

Somewhere on the internet in Philly

Have you seen these brightly colored apartment buildings in North Philadelphia? It sure seems like SpongeBob, Patrick, and Squidward relocated from Bikini Bottom.

While we’re talking colors, check out this stunning Eagles green painting of the Ben Franklin Bridge. One Reddit user said it “should be the Pantone color of the year.”

And watch out, Bella Vista: A new driver is hitting these ruff roads. Could he be with the “Philadelphia Barking Authority”?

👋🏽 Have a good day, OK? I’ll catch up with you again tomorrow.

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It’s Friday, Philly. Don’t put away the winter boots yet: Accumulating snow is looking more likely Sunday into Monday.

National Park Service employees began restoring the slavery exhibits to the President’s House on Thursday. See how a Black history tour kept the historic site’s story alive after the Trump administration tried to erase it.

And the Philadelphia Housing Authority took over its first private-sector apartment building last year. Some tenants say the transition has not gone smoothly.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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‘We can tell the full story of America’

Almost a month after abruptly dismantling exhibits about slavery from the President’s House, National Park Service employees began reinstalling the panels late Thursday morning ahead of a court-imposed deadline.

The site’s restoration comes after weeks of community pushback and legal action against President Donald Trump’s administration, which removed the panels last month because they were deemed to “inappropriately disparage” the United States.

The exhibits may face further legal scrutiny. But the groups that have rallied for them to be reinstalled are committed to keeping the stories they tell about Black history in Philadelphia alive.

Notable quote: “We’re here and you can try and erase whatever you want, as much as you want, but guess what? There are lots of us and we’re just going to keep moving and moving and moving toward truth,” said Mona Washington, a playwright and board member for Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, which fought to develop and now protect the site.

Reporter Fallon Roth joined The Black Journey, a walking tour that includes a stop at the President’s House, for this look at the local response to the site’s changes.

A long troubled apartment building’s new landlord

PHA last year began buying struggling private-sector apartment buildings with a goal to expand the affordable housing supply in the city. The agency plans to fill these buildings with Section 8 voucher holders, though many still have tenants paying market-rate rents.

Tenants at its first acquisition, The Dane in Wynnefield, report a rocky transition, including lost access to a rent payment portal and delayed maintenance. A high turnover rate not seen at PHA’s other properties hints at challenges within the new model.

Still, they say, PHA is a better landlord than the company that ran the building before — and is now no longer in business.

Real estate reporter Jake Blumgart has the story.

In other housing news: A $105 million mixed-use complex with apartments is set to rise in the shadow of the Willow Grove mall.

What you should know today

• Pennsylvania State Police identified the teen who died in a crash while allegedly fleeing from troopers in a stolen vehicle in Montgomery County on Saturday.
• A street shooting in Norristown last week led investigators to discover two sex-trafficking operations, prosecutors said Thursday.
• The Upper Darby Township Council passed a resolution Wednesday to restrict cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following a resident’s death in the agency’s custody.
• In a letter to the Justice Department that was kept secret for months, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker administration’s wrote that Philly is a “welcoming city” for immigrants, but won’t stop federal enforcement.
• A high-stakes fight is brewing between the Trump administration and states such as Pennsylvania and New Jersey over the regulation of prediction markets.
• A three-year ban on puppy breeding in Philadelphia is likely to become law after City Council members on Thursday passed a bill to relieve overcrowded animal shelters.
• Haverford College has vowed to make changes to its events policy following a disturbance by protesters at an Israeli journalist’s talk on campus.
• Students are making gains at Blankenburg Elementary School in West Philly. Supporters fear closing it will threaten kids’ progress.
• About 300,000 Pennsylvania residents risk losing Medicaid next year when new eligibility rules take effect. Advocates worry too few people are aware.

Plus: Why does Philly have so many chicken bones lying around?

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 Nate File on where the heck all these strewn-about chicken remnants are coming from. Why does it seem like every other city block is the scene of a fowl crime?

As a dog owner who must dig a bone out of a drooly mouth on just about every walk we take through West Philly, I’m thrilled to have someone to blame. 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

For the 800th episode of The Simpsons, the show showcased Philadelphia and parodied National Treasure. Which Philly-tied celebrity was not featured in the episode?

A) Kevin Bacon

B) Questlove

C) Taylor Swift

D) Quinta Brunson

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

What and whom we’re…

🪩 Mourning: Magic Gardens creator Isaiah Zagar, who has died at 86.

⛸️ Applauding: South Jersey’s Isabeau Levito for her impressive first turn in the Olympics.

🪿 Concerned about: The 50-plus dead geese found at Alcyon Lake in Gloucester County.

🚎 Sorry to say: Some Delco SEPTA riders will have longer commutes, beginning Monday.

🏥 Remembering: When a nearly 250-year-old hospital’s closure was announced on this week in Philly history.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: State representative from Northwest Philadelphia

RICH BARBS

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

Cheers to Bob Brauckmann, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Morey’s Piers. A man was arrested this week in the theft of more than $175,000 worth of metal and mechanical components from the iconic Wildwood theme park.

Photo of the day

See? We’re so close to baseball season, and spring. ’Til then, be well.

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Welcome to Thursday, Philly. First, see the latest details on the region’s weekend snow threat.

A members-only cop bar in the Far Northeast has been linked to two DUIs — plus a third crash previously kept secret.

And the city’s No. 2 public official has been noticeably absent during major events in the last year. His increasingly low profile in Philadelphia City Hall has generated frustration and fueled questions.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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‘It’s just not something that would have happened maybe if it didn’t involve the police or the FOP’

7C Lounge, a members-only club in the Far Northeast for active and retired cops, has been connected to multiple drunken-driving incidents in the last few years.

The most severe incident left a woman in a coma for more than two months. An off-duty police officer who had been drinking at 7C just down the street plowed his car through the front of her home, striking and dragging her into another room.

It was the second time the family’s property had been damaged by a patron who left 7C impaired.

The bar is operated by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, inside the union’s headquarters, raising questions about how drunken-driving cases are investigated when they involve a powerful police union operating its own bar.

The officer behind the near-fatal crash was ultimately sentenced to prison. But records show that in the immediate aftermath of the incident, he had been allowed to confer with FOP representatives and delay a blood-alcohol test for nearly six hours.

Reporters Barbara Laker and David Gambacorta investigate several apparent alcohol-related crashes linked to 7C — including one in the union’s own parking lot that was kept secret.

In other police news: Dozens of drug and gun convictions were vacated Wednesday, the latest batch in what could grow to 1,000 cases tied to three narcotics officers who prosecutors say repeatedly gave false testimony in court.

MIA managing director

As Philadelphia’s managing director, Adam Thiel is tasked with overseeing the delivery of city services. Yet the top-ranking official has been noticeably absent from public view in recent months.

An Inquirer review found that Thiel was out of office last year for a total of nearly five months, much of which he spent on military leave. In addition to his high-profile role with the city, he serves as a major in the U.S. Army Reserves, works as a consultant, and is an adjunct faculty member at two universities.

Almost half of his $316,200 city salary — more than the mayor’s — in 2025 was for paid time off, according to payroll records.

His extended absence has prompted frustration at City Hall.

City Hall reporter Anna Orso has the story.

More on local government: Philadelphia has spent about $59 million in snow response since January’s massive storm. That includes spending on the extended activation of warming centers, plowing operations, and more.

What you should know today

• Federal authorities in New Jersey violated judicial orders in recent immigration cases, the Department of Justice noted in a court filing, such as improperly deporting a man to Peru.
• President Donald Trump’s administration must restore the slavery exhibits to the President’s House by Friday evening, a judge ruled.
• Bucks County officials voted to oppose immigrant detention or processing centers in the county. The feds have already approached two warehouse owners there.
• Stetson Middle School was neglected for decades, district officials admit. Now, they’re trying to close the school.
• A Chester County planning commission on Tuesday recommended township supervisors deny a developer’s plan for a data center at the historic Pennhurst site.
• QVC Group in West Chester faces a $30 million “unjustified termination” lawsuit following a report of its potential bankruptcy.
• Johnson & Johnson plans to spend more than $1 billion to build a cell therapy manufacturing facility in Montgomery County.
• Robert Indiana’s bright red AMOR sculpture has been removed temporarily from Sister Cities Park for conservation and restoration.
• The Simpsons snuck a cartoon version of the late writer Dan McQuade into its Philadelphia episode. Here’s how it came together so quickly.

Quote of the day

Lingel interviewed hundreds of Craigslist users in Philadelphia for her book An Internet for the People: The Politics and Promise of Craigslist. She says the platform functions as a kind of parallel infrastructure to the more polished Facebook Marketplace and Depop, particularly for people with fewer financial resources.

🧠 Trivia time

Philadelphia’s Chinatown gate isn’t the oldest in the country, but does have the distinction of being the first Chinese American archway that was what?

A) Built over 20 feet tall

B) Built with materials from Asia

C) Built to match another U.S. city’s gate

D) Reconstructed after a massive fire

Think you know? Check your answer.

What and whom we’re …

🏡 Remembering: Marie Whitaker, whose Media organization bridged racial divides.

🫁 Checking: Philly’s new real-time public air quality monitoring network.

🍲 Suggesting: Where to break Ramadan fast around Philadelphia.

🌊 Eager to see: A concert on the Atlantic City beach.

📜 Considering: The pitch to get this Old City print shop a blue historic marker before July 4.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Wildwood amusement park

ROSY EMPIRES

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

Cheers to Nereda Jones-Pugh, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: NovaCare Complex. The Eagles’ training facility in South Philadelphia will have a new name this coming season: Jefferson Health Training Complex.

Photo of the day

⛄ One last creative thing: Narberth artist Emily Stewart is making public art out of snow in her own front yard, including Swedish lanterns and sculptures of a giant eagle and orge-like creature. The art form is “ephemeral,” she said. “Like, enjoy it, and it’s not yours to keep.”

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

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Good morning, Philly. It’s official: One of the region’s longest snow-cover streaks is over, just in time for a possible weekend storm.

Across Philadelphia, churches and neighborhood groups are preparing to confront U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement if the federal agency undertakes a large-scale deployment of agents.

And could city bars stay open past 2 a.m.? Go inside the new push for late-night hangout spots ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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‘Courage is contagious’

Philadelphia has so far not been the target of a massive ICE operation like the one seen in Minneapolis this winter. It’s not clear if or when a bigger push will come from President Donald Trump’s administration.

Immigration advocates aren’t waiting around. From block leaders to religious communities, Philly groups are preparing to confront federal immigration agents pursuing their undocumented neighbors for arrest.

A Presbyterian church in Spring Garden, for instance, created what its congregants call Fourth Amendment areas to shield immigrant families in case ICE enters the building, while a Center City synagogue ordered 300 whistles to be able to quickly alert neighbors to ICE presence. Know-your-rights trainings and ICE-watch chats are active across the city.

“While you’re here, you’re safe, is what we want to assert,” the Rev. Peter Ahn, pastor of the Spring Garden church, told The Inquirer.

Immigration reporter Jeff Gammage has the story.

In other federal government news:

• The Trump administration has appealed a federal judge’s order requiring that the National Park Service restore all the slavery-related exhibits it abruptly removed last month from the President’s House. Another lawsuit filed Tuesday by conservation and history groups is challenging censorship at national parks.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cuts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are taking a toll on thousands of low-income Pennsylvanians.
• Sen. Dave McCormick says Chester County’s recent pollbook error proves the need for national election rules. But the GOP proposal wouldn’t have solved the county’s problems.

Late-night kicks

Philadelphia is not known as a late-night hotspot, with closing time at 2 a.m. and crowds diminished since the pandemic.

🍻 That’s a potential problem for the estimated 500,000 World Cup fans visiting this summer, many of whom will be used to later last calls. A handful of matches set to broadcast in from other North American host cities won’t even start until midnight.

🍻 Some hospitality organizations are proposing a solution: Let Philly bars stay open until 4 a.m. for the duration of the tournament.

🍻 It’s been done on a limited basis before, during the 2016 Democratic National Convention. And it’s not just a chance to earn more money, but to “prove that 4 a.m. nightlife can work in Philadelphia,” as one sports bar owner put it.

Will legislation meet the moment? Reporter Henry Savage has more.

More hospitality news: Inquirer staffers tried R&D’s new Philly-themed cocktail menu, from the HitchBOT to the Crum Bum. Their (largely positive) review includes the word “wackadoodle.” Plus, Sheetz could soon stake a claim in rival Wawa’s home, Delaware County.

What you should know today

• The Diocese of Camden has agreed to help pay $180 million to more than 300 people who said they were sexually abused by clergy members.
• A former Philly drug kingpin, once ordered to life behind bars, had his sentence reduced to 25 years after federal laws changed.
• New Jersey prosecutors are dropping racketeering charges against Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III, ending a case framed as a reckoning.
• Sue Altman, the former state director for Sen. Andy Kim, was thrown out of a hearing as a critic of Norcross in 2019. Now, she’s running for Congress.
• City Council members on Tuesday grilled school district officials on their plan to close 20 schools. One on the list is William T. Tilden Middle School in Southwest Philadelphia, despite getting extra resources thanks to the soda tax.
• NJ Transit commuters out of Philly can expect modified schedules and fewer trains for next four weeks. The agency recommends working from home.
• The Broad Street Diner’s days may be coming to an end, as plans for a six-story Hyatt Studios hotel appear to be moving forward. And redevelopment is coming to a former factory in East Kensington after years of delay.
• CBS killed Stephen Colbert’s interview with a Democratic candidate. So why was Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro allowed on the show last month?

Quote of the day

The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. helped set the stage for modern-day American politics, columnist Jenice Armstrong wrote last fall. After the civil rights leader died Tuesday at 84, Armstrong reflected again, noting that Jackson’s death during Black History Month “only magnifies the sense of loss.”

Plus: See images of Jackson’s visits to Philadelphia dating back to the 1970s.

🧠 Trivia time

After 96 years, Pat’s King of Steaks is changing how it makes cheesesteaks. What’s different?

A) The cheese is melted into the meat on the grill

B) All rolls are now seeded

C) The shop is introducing pepperoni as a topping

D) There’s now a vegan option

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🪑 Anticipating: The return of Major League Wrestling to 2300 Arena this summer.

🎸 Queueing for: “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour tickets for the Philly show.

✨ Dazzled by: Isabeau Levito’s figure skating costumes over the years as well as her Olympic short program Tuesday.

🍔 Eager to try: Northern Liberties’ TikTok-famous Dominican smashburgers topped with queso frito.

🇺🇸 Considering: Why this South Jersey guy became the face of ICE resistance.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Former name of the Eagles’ training facility, the _ Complex

ACORN AVE

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

Cheers to Devynn Chester, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Jill Scott. The North Philly singer just made her debut on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert series.

Photo of the day

Keep going, Mason! We’re about halfway to the weekend. ’Til then, be well.

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Morning again, Philly.

High school students in Philadelphia’s suburbs used artificial intelligence to create deepfakes of classmates. Parents say schools aren’t doing enough to stop it.

And one of the nation’s oldest hospitals will soon become one of the city’s newest museums.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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AI-generated images and the law

So-called AI deepfakes — pictures of a real person manipulated with technology, sometimes with “nudify” features that can turn clothed images pornographic — are prompting concern among parents in the Philly region.

📱 Deepfake incidents have been reported in recent months in the Main Line’s Radnor Township School District and in Bucks County’s Council Rock School District. Both led to criminal charges against students who made sexually explicit videos of their classmates.

📱 Schools say they are limited in their ability to police students off campus, and that they have no role in criminal investigations. But parents want them to do more to protect students who are targeted.

📱 Notable quote: “They kept saying, ‘This is off campus,’” the parent of a deepfake victim told The Inquirer. But “my daughter could not walk around without crying and feeling ashamed.”

Education reporter Maddie Hanna has the story.

‘A very Philadelphia story’

At 275 years old, Pennsylvania Hospital’s Pine Building is the United States’ oldest chartered hospital — and older than the country itself.

The building at Eighth and Pine Streets is still in active use as a medical facility. Come this spring, its long history will be honored with a museum, too.

The Pennsylvania Hospital Museum will feature a restored medical library, surgical amphitheater, and apothecary, as well as archival objects describing the history of the hospital and the care it delivered.

Among the items on display: a “tonsil guillotine,” anatomical casts once used in place of cadavers, and a preserved tumor from 1805.

Kayla Yup and Bedatri D. Choudhury have more details.

In other cultural news: The Circle Theatre in Frankford, built in 1929 for what was once the largest movie theater chain in the country, is now officially recognized as historic.

What you should know today

• A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore the slavery exhibits that the National Park Service removed from the President’s House last month.
• Police on Monday released images of a distinctive vehicle that left a 9-year-old boy injured in a hit-and-run that happened over the weekend in Southwest Philly.
• The Philadelphia School District released details about $2.8 billion in modernization projects proposed for schools in each City Council district. Plus, the city’s teachers union has significant concerns with the district’s sweeping facilities plan, and has taken them to a Council committee.
• A person infected with measles traveled through Philadelphia International Airport last week, city health officials are warning.
• The University of Pennsylvania is getting $7.8 million over the next two years to study the lymphatic system, an overlooked aspect of human health.
• Former Penn president Liz Magill has been named the head of Georgetown University’s law school.
• La Salle University’s loyal baseball community restored the program after it was cut in 2021. Now they say it’s time to get the Explorers “back on the map.”
• Frederick Wiseman, the documentarian behind the controversial, 1968 Northeast High-filmed High School, has died at 96.
• Inquirer food reporter Hira Qureshi is fasting for Ramadan. See her guide to observing and celebrating in Philly.

🧠 Trivia time

Sixers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. on Monday released a new rap song, “Fast & Furious.” What is his stage name?

A) Jewels-40 Bars

B) The Philly Special

C) t$unami

D) Oubre

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

📺 Saving money on: YouTubeTV by way of this sports-specific plan.

🍸 Curious about: Why three Philly bars serve this rare Portuguese spirit.

🧁 Eager to try: Gluten-free bakery Flakely, now open in Bryn Mawr.

🍝 Visiting: The new Italian bar-restaurant at the Society Hill Hotel.

🎤 Considering: Bruce Springsteen’s long arc of protest.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: North Philly singer

COLT JILTS

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

Cheers to Christine Macdonald, who solved Monday’s anagram: Isabeau Levito. The 18-year-old South Jersey figure skater makes her Olympic debut today. Catch up on her homegrown lore and find out when to watch her skate.

Photo of the day

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Welcome to Monday, Philly. If the weekend’s warmer temps had you craving summer, just pretend you’re in Clearwater, Fla., where spring training continues for the Phillies under palm trees and blue skies.

The Philadelphia School District tried to shut down Paul Robeson High School before. Now, it’s back on the chopping block as one of 20 schools recommended for closure.

And days after the arrest of Iriana DeJesus’ alleged killer, family and friends gathered in Hunting Park to honor her memory, 25 years after the 5-year-old’s death.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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‘We need a different plan’

Back in 2013, West Philadelphia’s Robeson High narrowly avoided a shutdown after its community pushed back against the district’s plan to move its students into William L. Sayre High, two miles away.

The small, human services-focused school is on the brink again: The district last month named Robeson on its recommended closures list, along with Roxborough’s Lankenau High School, Southwest Philly’s Motivation High School, Kensington’s Conwell Middle School, and 16 others.

That’s despite Robeson earning praise in recent years as the district’s most-improved high school.

Now, like they did over a decade ago, its students and other community members are pushing back.

Education reporter Kristen A. Graham explains Robeson’s deja vu.

In other education news: Quakertown Community School District Superintendent Matthew Friedman is on leave as of Friday for an undisclosed reason.

Remembering Iriana

🎤 Now I’m passing the mic to reporter Michelle Myers.

Lizasuain DeJesus, 65, had received many calls from Philadelphia homicide Detective Joseph Bamberski since her daughter Iriana disappeared in 2000. But Thursday’s call was different: He was calling to tell her that the police had made an arrest in Iriana’s case.

DeJesus called her daughter Iyanna Vazques, 34, to deliver the news. “It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders,” Vazques said. She was 8 years old when her little sister disappeared, the week of her birthday.

“I lost my best friend and I remember it like it was yesterday,” Vazques said. She could recall what her sister was wearing and how her hair was done the day she disappeared. An arrest in the case felt “like a dream,” she added. — Michelle Myers

Read on for details of Sunday’s memorial event and the decades-spanning case.

What you should know today

• A person infected with measles traveled through Philadelphia International Airport on Thursday, city health officials are warning.
• The University of Pennsylvania soon may be off-limits to Army officers and other military service members who are seeking tuition aid to further their educations amid a push from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
• A Trenton man was sentenced to up to 60 years in Pennsylvania state prison for fatally shooting a bystander at a Morrisville strip club in 2024.
• After Absolom Jones’ history was removed from the President’s House Site, a church service honoring him took on new meaning this year.
• ArchWell Health opened its first three of eight planned primary care centers for Philadelphians with Medicare Advantage. Five of its clinics will be in former Rite Aid stores.
• Two university-run science summer camps that have each served Philly kids for more than two decades will not run this summer due to budget limitations.
• After a Philadelphia cancer patient ran out of options, a novel T-cell therapy at Rutgers University has kept her alive and looking forward to future milestones.
• The 800th episode of The Simpsons was set in Philly and full of local references. That’s thanks to writer Christine Nangle, who grew up in Oxford Circle.
• Meet the Pennsylvania 6-year-old who has sold 100,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies — and is now aiming to crush the lifetime sales record.

Quote of the day

The new bakery opened this weekend at Fifth and Dickinson Streets. Offerings include chewy Bavarians and big-bellied Swabians, which are fat enough to stuff. Just look at the long hot-provolone pretzel.

🧠 Trivia time

Shane Gillis’ hit Netflix series Tires received $6 million in tax credits from the state to film its third season in the Philly area. Where is the show set and filmed?

A) Coatesville

B) Ambler

C) Upper Darby

D) West Chester

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

📚 Eager to visit: The 150-square-foot used bookshop now open on Passyunk Avenue.

🎪 Impressed by: This former South Jersey kid’s turn as the script writer for Ringling Bros.

🥙 Sad to see: Lebanese restaurant Manakeesh is closing its West Philly location.

🦖 Sneaking a peek at: The Franklin Institute’s new Universal theme parks experience.

⚽ Reviewing: The Union’s players and schedule highlights as the 2026 season gets underway.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: South Jersey figure skater

VIOLA BEAUTIES

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

Cheers to Joanne Walsh, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Mel Greenberg. The Inquirer staffer’s poll brought cohesiveness to women’s college basketball and created a platform for household names today.

Photo of the day

The weekend’s near-balmy weather left Philly’s streets littered with artifacts from a bygone era — January — including Wawa cups, parking tickets, and a truly unfortunate amount of dog poop. See what else is left behind as the city thaws.

📬 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 Jasmine Chiu, who describes a comfortingly familiar neighborhood scene:

I live in the Fairmount/Center City area and without fail, every Thursday night, I see a big group of guys playing basketball right outside my window. It could be sub-Arctic temperatures, like we’ve experienced these last few weeks, or it could be pouring rain — these guys are STILL out there playing ball. When it’s nice and warm out, I see them set up some chairs in the parking lot and sit in a circle and share a cold one together.

I haven’t had a moment to introduce myself or learn more about this weekly tradition, but I have so much respect for how they show up week after week for each other. There’s something heartwarming about a bunch of dudes committing to their community and making time to play a sport and keep up with each other’s lives (or at least that’s how I imagine it peering from my window).

Wishing you a week full of connections to your own community. Thanks for starting it with The Inquirer.

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.

We’re promised a sunny Saturday with a high near 44.

The snow, which is melting at a historically slow pace, has reached a 65-year milestone in Philadelphia for the length of time spent with at least three inches still on the ground.

Did an Inquirer reader cross the line by hitching a ride from a kind stranger? Who was responsible for the uncomfortable trip?

Scroll along to read our advice chat, as well as details of a new bill that could help save historic Jersey diners, ChatGPT’s “opinion” of Philadelphia, and our report card for this week in Philly news.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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What you should know today

• State Rep. Chris Rabb reported his now-former campaign treasurer to the feds. He is in a competitive primary for Philly’s open congressional seat.
• A Philadelphia jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $250,000 to the family of a York County woman after finding the company’s baby powder product caused her fatal cancer.
• Children ran from a Lindenwold bus stop in a panic on Thursday when an ICE operation was carried out nearby. About 60% of the district’s students are Hispanic. Also, in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Gov. Josh Shapiro said he plans to fight the development of warehouses into ICE detention centers.
• In recent years, a string of iconic diners in New Jersey have shuttered their doors. New state legislation aims to keep the lights on at those still in business.
• The daughter of man who prosecutors say ran a human trafficking ring in Northeast Philly pleaded guilty to helping manage the finances of the criminal organization.
• An Abington high school principal was placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into “inappropriate” social media posts.
• A Pennsylvania company has pleaded guilty to a crime stemming from its work installing hundreds of illegal video gambling devices across the state — but charges will be dropped against the owners.
• Two Jersey brothers discovered their ancestors came to the U.S. on a schooner that was illegally transporting enslaved people. A new film tells their story.
• Philadelphians are annoying, but we have the best sandwiches and iconic branding, according to a new analysis into ChatGPT’s views. Here’s how it ranks us and other cities.
• From Philly’s Super Bowl cameo to the emotional investment in avian domestic life, catch up on the good, bad, and weird from recent stories out of our region.

Carpool courtesy

Consider the following problem, presented to us by a reader:

A friend and I were waiting for Regional Rail for Center City when the announcement came that the train was canceled. It being freezing weather, I asked other passengers what their transit apps were saying, and what their plans were. A man said he was planning to drive to Center City, and his car was parked in the lot. Before I could stop myself, I asked for a ride. His wife did not like the idea, giving a wide-eyed look, but the man agreed after hesitating.

The husband was very nice, as was the car, but the wife was irritated the whole way into the city — she never said hi or introduced herself and when we tried to include her in the conversation, she sat silent.

Was it weird for me to ask for a ride or was it weird for her to treat us like a nuisance?

For this tricky situation, Inquirer editor Evan Weiss recruited features columnist Stephanie Farr and food and dining reporter Beatrice Forman. They hit several key points: the kindness of strangers, Philly’s helping spirit, and the importance of reading the room. To them, it sounds like all parties involved left the wife out in the cold.

“My 2026 resolution was to be less of a hater and I do fear this question has set me back,” Beatrice said.

Read along for my colleagues’ verdicts. And if you’re looking for advice, we’re all ears. Send in your pressing Philadelphia problems here.

One viewpoint

As more fare-evasion-resistant gates pop up at SEPTA stations, some riders look to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s efforts to make bus fares free, and wonder why Philadelphia can’t do the same with its transit.

In this week’s Shackamaxon, Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson considers the suggestion: “While that all sounds exciting, it isn’t a good idea. Especially not here,” Pearson writes.

Get Pearson’s take on the cost of free rides, along with his thoughts on the city school district’s facilities plan “going the way of SEPTA’s Bus Revolution.”

📍 Find the location

Think you know where this cherry blossom-filled kiss took place? Our weekly game puts your knowledge of Philly places to the test. Check your answer.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: A new European destination from PHL

TROOP

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

Cheers to Jan Dalina, who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Limerick. Sheetz opened its first Philly-area store in the Montgomery County township — right across from a Wawa. The rivalry rages on. Or, as reader Gerry Frank put it, “Bad for Wawa but good for customers.”

💡 We were there

Staff photojournalist Monica Herndon captured these ice sculptures made by artist Emily D. Stewart in Narbeth. Their days are numbered as temperatures rise, making them an “ephemeral” art form.

Stewart said she was inspired to craft them after reading about Swedish lanterns.

“I love working with snow in my yard or other public places because it is inherently social,” Stewart said. “As I work, people walk by, cars pull over. I get to have conversations with neighbors and meet new friends.”

Somewhere on the internet in Philly

It seems like it was just yesterday that we shared theories of what Nick Castellanos might have said or done to get benched. Now, Phillies fans are bidding him adieu. “This feels like the new Jersey Shore note,” commented Q102 Philly radio host @rach_ontheradio.

The new Sheetz is also a big talker on our Instagram. Among the hilarious reactions on FOX 29’s Facebook: “Sheetz is just Wawa with a deep fryer.” “this was the first shot in the Gastaurant wars.” “Are you Sheeting me?” (lol)

Abbott Elementary posted some cute candygrams for Valentine’s Day.

And as we continue to thaw out, let this reel be a reminder that we’ll be rewarded real soon.

👋🏽 That’s it for now. 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.

It’s Friday the 13th, Philly, but perhaps today’s sun means better luck is on the way.

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s clergy abuse investigation boosted his reputation in Pennsylvania and beyond. Years later, some survivors feel he abandoned them.

And U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s name is on the library at Haverford College. Will that change after his appearance in the Epstein files?

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

P.S. Yesterday’s newsletter included two broken links. Here are those stories again:

• A Southwest Philadelphia woman’s brother was killed in the 2023 Kingsessing mass shooting. This year, more gun violence took the life of her only son.
• Cameras will soon enforce speed limits in five Philly school zones, complete with $100 fines.

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‘Now he’s forgotten’

As Pennsylvania attorney general in 2018, now-Gov. Josh Shapiro oversaw the release of a bombshell grand jury report that revealed thousands of cases of abuse by priests across the state.

The nearly 900-page report was lauded as the most comprehensive review of clergy abuse across a single state and prompted new laws clarifying penalties for failure to report and allowing survivors more time to pursue criminal or civil cases against their abusers.

But a key step in delivering justice to those survivors — establishing a two-year window for the filing of lawsuits over decades-old abuse that falls outside the statute of limitations under existing law — remains unfinished.

Nearly a dozen interviews with survivors, their family members, and advocates reveal a deep frustration with the inaction in Harrisburg. Some question whether Shapiro has done enough to use his power as governor to advocate for them.

Could progress come this year? Politics reporter Katie Bernard investigates.

More on Shapiro:

• Big-money and out-of-state donors helped the Democratic governor raise $30 million for his reelection campaign, while likely Republican challenger Stacy Garrity raised $1.5 million from grassroots donors in Pennsylvania.
• Shapiro unveiled a broad plan Thursday meant to grow and preserve Pennsylvania’s housing supply as the state faces a shortage of homes residents can afford.
• Shapiro said Thursday that he will not attend any White House event that excludes another governor ahead of next week’s gathering of the nation’s governors in Washington.

A college’s ties in question

Haverford College is grappling with its connection to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick after his appearance in the Epstein files.

Lutnick is a 1983 graduate of the Main Line school and a mega-donor who also served as the former chairman of the university’s board. According to the files, he had contact with Jeffrey Epstein as recently as 2018, long after the financier pleaded guilty to obtaining a minor for prostitution.

The commerce secretary maintains he had limited interactions with Epstein and has not been accused of wrongdoing. Since the Epstein documents were released, Lutnick has faced bipartisan calls to resign.

In light of the documents, some students are asking the school to cut ties with Lutnick and to remove his name from the Haverford library building, to which he donated millions for upgrades. If school leadership pursues the renaming, the process could take years and would involve a review process with university stakeholders.

Higher education reporter Susan Snyder has more.

What you should know today

• A Bucks County woman reported her ex-boyfriend to police after a sexual assault. Hours later, he fatally shot her, authorities said. Her family now hopes for justice.
• The suspect in the rape and killing of a 5-year-old Philadelphia girl is now in custody, authorities said. He had been on the FBI’s most-wanted list for nearly 20 years.
• A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot a gun near New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s former district. One of the candidates vying to replace her wants to abolish the agency.
• U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick said reforms to ICE, including mask bans for agents, should be part of any funding extensions for the Department of Homeland Security.
• Philadelphians continue to pay for the alleged misconduct of former Register of Wills Tracey Gordon — at a cost of more than $900,000 — two years after she left office.
• Low-income Pennsylvania families and older adults have been dropping out of Affordable Care Act health plans at the greatest rates after a key financial incentive expired.
• PennDot is giving Philadelphia $13 million for six traffic-safety projects across the city. The money comes from speeders caught and fined by automated enforcement cameras.
• Under new leadership, the Women’s Community Revitalization Project is developing apartments on public land in Kensington.
• A “Cease Operations” notice was posted on World Cafe Live’s door this week. What does that mean for the embattled venue’s future?

Plus: Is Philly dumping snow in the Schuylkill?

Welcome back to Curious Philly Friday. We’ll feature both new and timeless stories from our forum for readers to ask about the city’s quirks.

This week, we have an explainer from reporter Nick Vadala on a possible solution for getting rid of all this icy slush still piled in mounds. Couldn’t the city just toss it in the Delaware River or the Schuylkill?

While it’s been done in the past — including after the blizzard of ’96, when around 500 tons were dumped — the practice is now seen as an environmental hazard. Here’s the full story.

Have your own burning question about Philadelphia, its local oddities, or how the region works? Submit it here and you might find the answer featured in this space.

🧠 Trivia time

Just two blocks from Independence Hall, Carpenters Hall is where Pennsylvania declared its independence from Britain in June 1776. To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, what will be installed outside of Carpenters Hall in June?

A) A bronze Benjamin Franklin statue

B) A historical marker

C) A time capsule

D) An outdoor stage

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

What we’re …

🏈 Remembering: When the inaugural NFL draft was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

⚾ Looking back on: The newly released Nick Castellanos’ most memorable Phillies moments.

📖 Reading: About World War II-era Philadelphia in Sadeqa Johnson’s latest book.

🥃 Not sure about: $100 for a single shot.

🗳️ Considering: How the SAVE Act would change how Americans vote.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: _ Township in Montgomery County

MILK RICE

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

Cheers to Luke Coulter, who solved Thursday’s anagram: P.J. Whelihan’s. The Haddon Township restaurant chain is officially moving into Newtown’s shuttered Iron Hill Brewery.

In other business news: West Chester-based home shopping company QVC may file for bankruptcy. Saks Fifth Avenue will be closing its Bala Cynwyd location. The operator of Eddie Bauer filed for bankruptcy and is liquidating its stores in New Jersey and beyond. And 17 months after Taylor Chip came to Philadelphia with cookies, ice cream, and hype, it’s gone, with bankruptcy on the way.

Photo of the day

🎒 One last motivated thing: Students staged a walkout this week over plans to close Southwest Philadelphia magnet school Motivation High. They have the backing of Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton.

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

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. The city is finally warming up after that historic cold snap. Some people are already wearing short sleeves and planning vacations.

A South Jersey man died after Penn Medicine doctors failed to diagnose him in time. A simple blood test could have saved his life.

And Philadelphia’s recycling rules have changed. Test how well you know them with our quiz.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Missed medical clues

The doctors couldn’t explain Louis-Hunter Kean’s symptoms: high fevers, a swollen liver and spleen, low blood cell counts.

Over six months, more than 30 doctors tried to figure out what was causing a previously healthy young man to become so sick. Kean was admitted five times to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. His electronic medical chart grew to thousands of pages. Along the way, doctors missed critical clues.

When they finally found the cause, the diagnosis came too late to save the Haddonfield native’s life. Kean died less than two weeks later at age 34.

A key test that might have led to a much-earlier diagnosis and thus could have saved him was never conducted. Kean’s family is now suing Penn’s health system for medical malpractice.

“It was horrible when we lost him, but now it’s horrible finding out that we didn’t have to lose him,” his father told The Inquirer.

Health reporter Wendy Ruderman investigates what went wrong.

Further reading: The infection that killed Kean is treatable when caught early but often fatal if not. Here’s what to know about the parasite that causes it, which is active in Southern Europe.

Where to toss it

You probably know the general rules of recycling — paper, glass, and some kinds of plastic are OK, while everything else gets trashed. Right?

♻️ Within those parameters is plenty of nuance. And in Philadelphia, the rules of the city’s curbside collection program changed in January.

♻️ Think you know what to do with rinsed shampoo bottles? Greasy pizza boxes? Packing peanuts? Batteries?

What goes in the blue recycling bins? Let us help with this guide.

More on city services: Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on Wednesday unveiled PHL PRIME, a program to help businesses navigate Philly’s red tape.

What you should know today

• A grand jury declined to indict six Democratic lawmakers, including U.S. Reps. Chrissy Houlahan and Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, over their video urging service members to “refuse unlawful orders.”
• Two Philly men on Tuesday were convicted of first-degree murder for gang-related shootings that left three dead and five others wounded.
• A former criminal defense attorney was sentenced to probation for smuggling contraband — including Suboxone and a cell phone — into Philadelphia’s Federal Detention Center.
• Shareholders of Camden’s American Water Works and Bryn Mawr’s Essential Utilities voted to create a combined company serving Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
• Chester County is confronting the fallout from another mistake by its voter services department, soon after residents said their faith in voting security is shaken.
• Cameras will soon enforce speed limits in five Philly school zones, complete with $100 fines.
• The Philadelphia Stars Negro Leagues mural in West Parkside was taken down — but a new one is set to be re-created just across the street.
• At 91, Joe Pagliei is believed to be the oldest living ex-Eagle. It’s a title that has made him popular at his New Jersey nursing home.

Quote of the day

The Art Commission voted Wednesday to move the Frazier statue from the South Philly sports complex to the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s steps, where the original Rocky statue currently stands.

The Rocky statue will be installed at the top of the museum’s steps. Columnist Stephanie Farr echoes the concerns noted by some of Frazier’s family members: Shouldn’t the statue of the real legendary Black boxer be placed above that of a fictional character?

🧠 Trivia time

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner on Wednesday denied rumors that he may challenge which elected official when they are up for reelection?

A) Mayor Cherelle L. Parker

B) Gov. Josh Shapiro

C) City Council President Kenyatta Johnson

D) Sen. John Fetterman

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🥌 Trying: Curling, because how hard can it be?

🦅 Watching: Two bald eagle eggs hatch in Lancaster County via livestream.

🍟 Visiting: The Center City steakhouse home to a viral “girl dinner” offering.

♨️ Eager to try: The Nordic-style sauna and cold plunge at the Schuylkill Center.

📜 Learning: The history of the Pennsylvania Abolitionist Society, which turns 251 this year.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Regional restaurant chain

WHIPLASH JEN

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

Cheers to Phil Fantozzi, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Di Bruno Bros. The last of the brand’s three stores set to close permanently did so this week. The former Di Bruno’s space in Ardmore will be redeveloped.

Photo of the day

🍴 One last miniature thing: A Rittenhouse Square restaurant regular’s devotion inspired his son to build a $1,500 Lego replica. See the tiny Friday Saturday Sunday complete with action figures of co-owners Chad and Hanna Williams.

Enjoy your Thursday. Back at it 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, Philly. Sun and high temps near 40? What is this, summer?

The city spent millions to expand a single anti-violence nonprofit. Instead, it nearly imploded — facing evictions and a federal tax lien. Our investigation examines why the NOMO Foundation shut down its affordable housing program only a few years after launching it.

And Tyrese Maxey has leveled up to become a starter in this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game. Step into his New Balances and see if you can read the game like the star 76ers guard.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Politically connected, financially unstable

In 2021, the NOMO Foundation won a $1 million grant from the city to provide after-school programming for young people affected by violence.

With that backing, the nonprofit — formally known as New Options, More Opportunities — expanded quickly, launching a low-income housing initiative and opening youth centers across the city.

NOMO ultimately received more than $6 million in public funding. Yet in 2025, less than three years after the housing program began, it was forced to end the effort while facing evictions, an IRS lien, and lawsuits alleging hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid rent.

Why did the nonprofit receive so much public funding despite repeated warnings from city grant managers about improper spending and mismanagement?

Reporters Ryan W. Briggs and Samantha Melamed investigate.

What you should know today

• An off-duty sheriff’s officer on Tuesday shot a 17-year-old who was allegedly breaking into his car in Southwest Philadelphia.
• A Norristown police sergeant who struck a naked, unarmed man with his patrol SUV last week has been charged with assault and other crimes, prosecutors said Tuesday.
• Hundreds rallied at the President’s House Site on Tuesday afternoon to demand the restoration of its slavery memorial after the National Park Service removed the exhibit.
• Federal immigration agents broke down a family’s door in Montgomery County on Monday to arrest a man. Officials are condemning what they call needless cruelty.
• A lawsuit against the city included accusations of sexual harassment against Sharif Street Jr., who was an aide in Councilmember Jim Harrity’s office.
• Analilia Mejia appeared to cement victory in the 13-member Democratic primary to replace New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill in Congress after her top opponent conceded Tuesday.
• Some Philly libraries acted as warming centers during the extended deep freeze, straining workers and leaving people without help for complex issues, staff say.
• Russell H. Conwell Middle School in Kensington just celebrated its 100th year. Now, community members and local officials are fighting its proposed closure. Plus, Esperanza Academy Charter High School teachers and staff have unionized.
• A burst pipe at the Tasker-Morris SEPTA station left a geyser of ice hanging from the ceiling early this week.

Pull up, drive, or wait?

Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey will have a big presence at the NBA All-Star Weekend: He’s both a starter in Sunday’s All-Star Game and a competitor in Saturday’s three-point contest.

🏀 Maxey joined Philly’s team as a rookie in 2020 and is now in the midst of a breakout season as the Sixers’ top scorer, averaging 29.2 points per game and making 38.2% of his shots from deep.

🏀 As he steps into this leadership role — especially as other top players sit out — every decision Maxey makes on the court dictates the Sixers’ chances of contention. So far, plenty of those decisions have led the team to victory.

🏀 Can you make the right reads that he has all year? When he’s mismatched against Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis, for instance, how should he make use of his quickness advantage? When coming down the court in early offense, should he pull up, drive, or wait?

Play along to predict what the Sixers guard does next in this lo-fi game.

More on the Sixers:

• “Everybody is getting on the plane and I’m just crying“: Ex-teammate Jared McCain shared his emotional reaction to being traded to the Oklahoma Thunder.
• Former Sixers first-round pick Ben Simmons starred in a Super Bowl commercial about helping people get over their celebrity exes. Also featured: Travis Kelce’s ex.

Quote of the day

The Council president has largely taken a measured approach on national politics, opting to address President Donald Trump’s actions by convening task forces and holding public hearings. After watching federal agents’ deadly campaign in Minneapolis, Johnson now says he’s leading an “activist body” to push back on the administration.

🧠 Trivia time

The historic former visitor center in LOVE Park could soon get a revival, as the city seeks project ideas. What is the building shaped like?

A) An octopus

B) A flying saucer

C) A kite and key

D) The Liberty Bell

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🐎 Celebrating: Chinese New Year with these chef collaboration dinners and special menus.

🥊 Recounting: The history of Philly’s Joe Frazier statue, from inception to a potential Art Museum move.

🎥 Anticipating: This Old City studio’s doc about Mount Airy-born comedian Bob Saget.

⚾ Asking: Nine questions about the Phillies as spring training opens.

🍼 Considering: The impact of the Bryn Mawr birth center’s closure.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: High-end grocery brand

INDOOR BURBS

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

Cheers to new reader Mattingly Cohen, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Vanguard. Hundreds of Infosys workers are returning to the Malvern-based investment group, which sent them to the contractor in 2020.

Photo of the day

🔨 One last rebuilt thing: With federal money targeted for boardwalks, Ventnor is one of several Jersey Shore towns replacing their signature walkways. Take a look at how they’re doing it.

Be sure to catch the sun before more clouds are expected tomorrow. ’Til then, have a good one.

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