Category: Inquirer Morning Newsletter

Rise and shine, Philly.

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

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

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

Read on for these stories and more.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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What you should know today

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• A group seeking to open a charter school on the Valley Forge Military Academy campus has withdrawn its plans as Radnor pursues eminent domain.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

This week’s obsession

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

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

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

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

One viewpoint

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

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

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

📍 Find the location

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

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: A Philly home for people with severe physical disabilities

ELUSION SIGH

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

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

🔔 We were there

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

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

Somewhere on the internet in Philly

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

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

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

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

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

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning. It’s finally Friday.

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

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

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Taking a stand

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘Historic’ gambling case

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

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

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

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

Chris Palmer and Ryan W. Briggs have the story.

What you should know today

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

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

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

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

The reason it is kept looking gloomy in the dark involves infrastructure, money, and negotiations. Here’s the full story.

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

🧠 Trivia time

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

A) Chinchilla

B) Vintage mink

C) Eagle feathers

D) Faux fur

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

What (and whom) we’re …

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

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

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

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

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

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Philadelphia’s favorite Victorian novelist

CHASED CRINKLES

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

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

Photo of the day

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

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Rise and shine, Philly.

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

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

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Hoagie-mouthed ‘ASMR’

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

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

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

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

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

Winter nearing halftime

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

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

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

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

Let Wood guide you through what may remain of winter.

What you should know today

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

🧠 Trivia time

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

A) Minnesota Twins

B) New York Yankees

C) Kansas City Royals

D) Boston Red Sox

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

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

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

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

💸 Noticing: A new service charge on OpenTable.

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

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Former Eagles tight end and Super Bowl champion

NECK TREBLE

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

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

Photo of the day

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

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, Philly.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker wants Philly police to live in Philly, but more cops live outside the city than ever before. Does it matter?

And where does South Jersey start? The geographical debate rages on. Join it by drawing your own lines on our interactive state map.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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‘Where they lay their heads at night’

The number of Philly police living outside the city has doubled in less than a decade, despite efforts from Mayor Parker and her predecessors to tighten residency requirements.

Changing policies: Most municipal employees must live within city limits. For cops, that requirement has been eased in recent years amid complaints from the Philadelphia Police Department that it made recruitment too difficult. Now, officers can live outside the city after serving on the force for at least five years, though they must also have lived in it for at least one year prior to their hiring.

By the numbers: About one-third of the department’s 6,363 full-time staffers live elsewhere. Nearly half of all captains, lieutenants, and inspectors live outside the city, too. (Even Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel maintains a second home in Montgomery County.) The most popular destination for expats is Lower Bucks.

Unclear impact: Parker maintains that Philadelphians are better served when their police hail from the place they’re patrolling. But public safety experts say that might not bear out in the data.

Reporters Ryan W. Briggs and Anna Orso have the story.

Drawing the line

Some parts of South Jersey are clearly South Jersey. Cherry Hill is minutes and one $6 toll from Philly. You’ll find way more Eagles fans than Giants fans in Atlantic County.

📍 But elsewhere, it’s not so obvious. Ocean County, for instance? Vibes-wise, depends on which side we’re talking. Trenton seems to straddle the state, but can one end claim it?

📍 Adding to the confusion is Central Jersey, a concept so nebulous that Gov. Phil Murphy’s office had to put forth an official definition in 2023.

📍 According to the state, it’s Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset Counties — yet somehow, not Monmouth County, which is about as geographically central as it gets.

To help settle this never-ending debate, tell us where you think South Jersey begins — then, if you believe Central Jersey exists, where that begins, too.

In other Jersey news: State lawmakers approved a bill that would make it easier for development projects in Camden to qualify for hundreds of millions of dollars in tax credits. A new minor-league hockey team in Trenton will be named the Ironhawks. And following the death of its own “Milltown Mel,” the Jersey town wanted to import out-of-state woodchucks for Groundhog Day celebrations — but Gov. Murphy vetoed it.

What you should know today

• A 16-year-old was found shot to death inside the bathroom of a Chipotle near Temple University’s campus on Monday in what investigators say may have been an unintentional shooting.
• Union Trinity AME Church, one of Philadelphia’s historic Black religious institutions, was vandalized with racist graffiti over the weekend.
• Few candidates have stepped up so far to be the running mate of State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, the Pennsylvania Republican Party’s endorsed candidate for governor since September.
• Temple University Health System and Jefferson Health are the latest area health systems to sue pharmacy benefit managers and pharmaceutical companies over high insulin pricing.
• A disability watchdog group has closed its investigation into child abuse in the autistic support program at a Central Bucks elementary school.
• Thousands of University of Pennsylvania graduate student workers could strike next month if they do not reach a contract deal with the university by then.
• Ena Widjojo, the owner and longtime celebrated chef at Indonesian restaurant Hardena in South Philadelphia, has died at 73. And Temple assistant men’s basketball coach Bill Courtney died suddenly at the age of 55, the school announced Tuesday.
• A $150 million streetscape project will break ground this week to bring South Broad Street more trees, public art, traffic calming, and redesigned medians and sidewalks.
• Kevin Patullo is out as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, the team announced Tuesday, a widely expected move that came two days after they were knocked from the playoffs. Plus, meet the viral 11-year-old Birds fan who wants Patullo “flipping burgers.”

Quote of the day

The viral, 93-year-old Avril Davidge wants to keep in touch with her new Mummer friends after making the transatlantic flight to see them perform. But her Instagram account was mysteriously taken down. She’s part of a growing number of people allegedly being banned by faulty artificial intelligence systems.

🧠 Trivia time

Another Wawa is closing in Philadelphia — the latest in a string of closures in recent years — after its new digital-order-only system fell flat. Where is it?

A) Across from Independence Hall

B) On Aramingo Avenue

C) At 17th and Arch Streets

D) On Drexel University’s campus

Think you know? Check your answer.

What (and whom) we’re …

🍹 Attending: Philly’s first-ever Dry January bar crawl.

🦅 Meeting: The local team who took us behind the scenes of this Eagles season on HBO’s Hard Knocks.

🥊 Reading: This Inquirer archive dive on the Rocky statue’s arrival controversy.

🐟 Tentatively trying: Trout chowder and other Pennsylvania delicacies at the Farm Show.

🌲 Considering: The majesty of America’s national parks, including those in our own city.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Center City events hub, the Pennsylvania _ _

OVEN INTERCONNECT

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

Cheers to Adam Lees, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Max’s Steaks. The North Philadelphia sandwich shop is being sold after three decades. Far from tourist hubs, it was recently featured in the Creed movies.

Photo of the day

Paola has you covered for the next few days. 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.

Hi, Philly. Expect a sunny Tuesday.

A new Montgomery County office helped the suburb identify $14 million in savings over the past year. County commissioners are proud the team has “outlived DOGE” while prioritizing efficiency and avoiding layoffs.

And another day removed from the Eagles’ loss that crushed the city’s repeat-Super Bowl dreams, we have plenty of analysis on what went wrong, as well as reactions from the team’s true bosses: angry Philadelphians.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Lessons from Montco

In its first year, Montgomery County’s Office of Innovation, Strategy, and Performance has helped the county find $14 million in savings and reduce the deficit by half, officials say.

The 11-person office’s goals may sound familiar.

“It’s kind of like DOGE,” said Montco Commissioner Vice Chair Neil Makhija, referring to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which upended federal agencies and haphazardly slashed jobs in the name of cost cutting during its peak last year. “We didn’t just take the richest person in the county and tell them to cut, you know, benefits for poor people, which is what the federal DOGE was.”

The Montco version is also here to stay, with a focus on finding repeatable savings. Next up: assessing where artificial intelligence could fit into county services.

Politics reporter Fallon Roth has the story on the blue suburb’s efficiency efforts, and the lessons they could offer other cash-strapped local governments.

‘We had higher hopes’

The Eagles’ hunt for a second consecutive Super Bowl ended Sunday with a 23-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at home. So, after a frustrating season, now what?

🦅 What the pros are saying: Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and receiver A.J. Brown each face a possible end to their time with the team, but head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts aren’t going anywhere, Inquirer reporters predict.

🦅 What fans are saying: Everyone is being very calm, kind, and understanding. Just kidding! Fans immediately after the game and on Monday were shaking their heads in disbelief, analyzing failed plays, and calling for mass firings.

🦅 What comes next: This offseason brings plenty of questions about roster shake-ups, the team’s salary cap, draft picks, and the efficacy of the Tush Push. Plus, we rounded up key dates to know, from free agency to opening kickoff of the 2026 season. Because there’s always next year, right?

What you should know today

• A South Philadelphia mother’s youngest son was killed in a mass shooting. Two years later, her eldest was charged with committing one. It’s a symmetry almost too painful for her to reconcile.
• A man was killed and a woman was injured Sunday after two shooters fired into a tow truck parked in Northeast Philly, police said.
• Dina Powell McCormick, a former official in President Donald Trump’s administration and the wife of U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R., Pa.), has been hired as Meta’s new president.
• Health officials are warning of a potential measles exposure at Philadelphia International Airport, 30th Street Station, and an Amtrak train on Wednesday.
• New Jersey officials have filed suit against the large scrap metal recycler EMR over a string of hazardous and “especially dangerous” fires at its facilities, especially in Camden.
• A family leader of the Santucci’s Original Square Pizza empire was sentenced to one day in jail for tax evasion. Co-owners underpaid $1.4 million.
• A pit bull that recently attacked several dogs in Center City is now in city custody, officials said.
• Jeffrey Rosen has stepped down as president and CEO of the National Constitution Center after 12 years of leading the institution.
• A consortium to train future shipyard workers says it will get $8 million from a new federal program to prepare workers for Korean-owned Hanwha Philly Shipyard.

Quote of the day

Bella Vista’s acclaimed Mawn is among the hard-to-get-into eateries where customers have tried to auction off reservations. Frustrated restaurant owners are doing what they can to stop the practice, but it may be tough to ban the sellers from making future bookings.

🧠 Trivia time

A rare “classic” location — red plastic cups and all — of which popular chain can you find in Northeastern Pennsylvania? (Hint: It’s the only one in the state.)

A) Roy Rogers

B) Pizza Hut

C) White Castle

D) Wendy’s

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🃏 Anticipating: The Mummers string band competition at the Linc on Jan. 31.

🥃 Entering: Pennsylvania’s lottery for rare whiskeys.

🔥 Watching: The Philly region’s hot housing market, according to Zillow.

🥾 Planning: A trip full of antiques, river hikes, and cozy inns in Lambertville and Stockton.

🚶 Considering: Why keeping seniors fit in Philly takes a citywide effort.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Hollywood-famous sandwich shop in North Philadelphia

TEXAS MASKS

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

Cheers to Barbara Byrne, who solved Monday’s anagram: Pennsylvania Farm Show. This year, the annual Harrisburg event features a 1,000-pound butter sculpture honoring America’s 250th (and, amazingly, a mullet contest).

Photo of the day

Wishing you an easy Tuesday. I’ll be back to bring you 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.

It’s a new week, Philly, but a less exciting one, after our Eagles fell to the 49ers and out of Super Bowl contention. At least the tailgate sounded fun.

Kids get free dental care at a North Philadelphia K-8. Officials say it’s a model that could be replicated in schools with empty space.

And the Defender Association of Philadelphia has launched a new immigration unit amid growing federal arrests and deportations.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Brushing up

For students whose families can’t afford regular visits to a dentist, the Dental Clinic at North Philadelphia’s William D. Kelley School is a lifeline.

🦷 The clinic, operated by Temple University’s Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry and now in its third year, pairs dentistry students with any Philly children who need care. The service is free regardless of where they attend school and whether they have insurance. Some parents can get treated, too.

🦷 The underlying concept is simple: Removing barriers to dental care means healthier kids who do better in school. “If your tooth hurts, if you’re not feeling well, you’re not going to learn,” Eileen Barfuss, the Temple professor who leads the clinic, told The Inquirer.

🦷 School district officials also point to it as a model of what might happen in other district buildings with available space as the school system considers its facilities planning process this year.

Education reporter Kristen A. Graham has the story.

‘This is necessary right now’

As President Donald Trump’s administration presses for more arrests and deportations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Philly’s public defender is expanding its services for immigrant clients.

The nonprofit Defender Association’s Immigration Law Practice will focus partly on those in detention despite having no criminal charges or who have committed minor offenses.

Agency leaders also expect to handle more cases that challenge White House efforts around mandatory detention, a policy that has seen pushback from federal judges in Philadelphia.

Reporter Jeff Gammage has more details.

In other immigration news: A 46-year-old Cambodian immigrant held at the Federal Detention Center in Center City died in a hospital on Friday after being treated for drug withdrawal, according to ICE officials. And in the wake of the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, anti-ICE protests spread across Philly’s suburbs on Sunday.

What you should know today

• Two people were stabbed at 40th Street Station on Saturday, including a man left in critical condition, SEPTA said.
• The Trump administration is targeting ultra-processed foods. A University of Pennsylvania researcher explains why that might be complicated.
• Former New Jersey acting governor and longtime State Sen. Richard Codey has died at 79, his family announced.
• Robert Listenbee, the first assistant to District Attorney Larry Krasner, is retiring after eight years in the job. He has some advice for his boss.
• After two months of closure, the trolley tunnel connecting Center City and West Philadelphia was scheduled to reopen Monday at 5 a.m., SEPTA said Friday.
• Authorities in New Jersey and Delaware are investigating the deaths of two whales found in the past week.
• South Jersey figure skater Isabeau Levito was named Sunday to the United States’ 2026 Winter Olympic Team headed to Milan.

Quote of the day

The giant old stone house is full with three best friends, one spouse, two kids, and a dog. The adults now share a bank account, backyard, and Google calendar — and they consider it a “paradise that we’ve made ourselves.”

Plus: After a breakup, a homeowner left Graduate Hospital for a giant backyard in Port Richmond. Learn what he did with it in the latest installment of our How I Bought This House series.

🧠 Trivia time

A Philadelphia woman attracted attention in the city and Chester County for posting fliers asking for help after a breakup. What did the fliers say?

A) “Date My Ex: Why He Deserves Better”

B) “Missing: The Love of My Life”

C) “Help! My Ex Stole the Cat”

D) “Seeking: Experienced Witch to Curse My Ex”

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

📺 A big fan of: Donna Kelce’s devious turn on The Traitors.

👒 Eager to see: Suffs, the hit musical centered on South Jersey suffragist Alice Paul.

👟 Answering: “Do I risk my stress-free run club for a relationship that might not work out?”

🏈 Watching: Boys to Fame, a film about Ray Didinger’s Tommy and Me play.

🩺 Considering: Why pediatricians are grieving changes to the childhood vaccine schedule.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Annual Harrisburg event, the Pennsylvania _ _

FORM WASH

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

Cheers to Rick Brasch, the only reader who solved Sunday’s anagram: Adam Cesare. The acclaimed local author described his perfect Philly day, including visits to The Book Trader and PhilaMOCA.

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 Nancy Brown, who describes a tentative first taste of a local classic:

In 1998, my husband and I were transferred from Michigan to Philly and were super excited to be moving east. We stayed in a Center City hotel for a week while house hunting. On our first morning in the hotel restaurant, we ordered breakfast, and asked the waitress about something on the menu called “scrapple.” We Midwesterners had no idea what that was; had never even heard the word.

Our waitress, in her uniquely Philly accent, insisted we would love it. She described scrapple and then added that she didn’t really know everything that’s in it, which made us feel not so sure we actually would love it. But we ordered it anyway, eager to acclimate to our new hometown.

We were apprehensive after our first bite, but kept eating, and with a little more salt and pepper and maybe some ketchup, determined it wasn’t so bad. We’ve decided restaurant scrapple, especially diner scrapple, is often the best, and for that you need to be in Philly.

Thanks for starting your week with The Inquirer. Back at it tomorrow.

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

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

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

Scroll along for these stories and more.

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Thriving in noodle paradise

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

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

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

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

Join LaBan for a taste of their fledgling ramen tour.

‘ICE out’ protests

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

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

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

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

In related news:

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

What you should know today

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

❓Pop quiz

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

A) John Mars

B) Jeff Bezos

C) Jeff Yass

D) Elon Musk

Think you know? Check your answer.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

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

CAMERA SADE

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

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

🦅 Photo of the day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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What you should know today

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

Immersive music experiences

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

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

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

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

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

One viewpoint

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

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

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

📍 Find the location

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

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood

FALSE SALT

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

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

We were there

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

Somewhere on the internet in Philly

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

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

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

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

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

It’s Friday, Philly. Today may bring clouds and light wind, but Eagles fans and kickers should beware: Wind gusts of 40 mph are possible during Sunday’s playoff game.

In dozens of cases, federal judges in Philadelphia have ruled against a Trump administration policy that mandates detention for nearly all undocumented immigrants. The pushback has added to a chorus of similar decisions in federal courts nationwide.

And Regional Rail service is creeping back to normal. Still, packed trains and skipped stops persist on some lines, frustrating commuters.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Philly judges push back on ICE

A mandatory detention policy rolled out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last summer has been found unlawful dozens of times by Philly-based federal judges, as well as in courts across the country.

The ICE directive has dramatically boosted the number of immigrants being held in detention — including those seeking to stay in the United States through legal channels — past 65,000, a two-thirds increase since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January.

Under Trump, it has also gotten harder for detainees to be released on bond, especially those without the money to hire a lawyer and sue.

Notable quote: “They are doing it because they can, and because the consequences are that most [immigrants] cannot fight this and will end up being deported,” a local immigration attorney told The Inquirer.

Reporters Chris Palmer and Jeff Gammage explain the dramatic change in precedent.

In other ICE news:

• Hundreds gathered at Philadelphia City Hall Thursday evening to protest the killing of a 37-year-old woman by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
• District Attorney Larry Krasner on Thursday condemned the ICE shooting and vowed to prosecute law enforcement officers who commit crimes in Philly.
• The Trump administration is jailing migrant teens in a Berks County facility known for child abuse, a Washington Post investigation found.
• Avelo, the only commercial airline serving Wilmington’s airport, has ended its contract flights to carry foreign nationals detained by U.S. immigration agents.

Rebounding Regional Rail

Following a rough year for SEPTA and its riders, the transit agency reports improvements to its Regional Rail service, with more to come.

🚆 The big picture: Regional Rail trains are operating with fewer canceled trips and running with more cars.

🚆 By the numbers: As of Thursday, 180 of the 223 Silverliner IV cars the transit agency was mandated to inspect and repair have been cleared to return to service — though only 78 have actually returned.

🚆 On the way: Packed two-car trains and skipped stops persist on some lines during peak travel times as SEPTA continues to add cars, including 10 passenger coaches leased from Maryland’s commuter railroad.

Transportation reporter Tom Fitzgerald has more.

What you should know today

• U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Bucks County and two other Pennsylvania swing-district Republicans joined Democrats in voting for Affordable Care Act subsidies Thursday.
• Gov. Josh Shapiro kicked off his reelection campaign in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, asking voters to choose “getting stuff done” over “chaos.” Ahead of a likely matchup between Shapiro and State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, here’s what to know about the stakes.
• A former Philly fire deputy alleges he was framed for sexual harassment after he exposed overtime fraud — and that the city is hiding reports that show it.
• Another lawsuit has been filed on behalf of victims of the explosion at a Bucks County nursing home on Dec. 23 that left three dead and about 20 people injured.
• An Ephrata man has been charged with stealing more than a hundred skulls and bones from Mount Moriah Cemetery, which straddles Philadelphia and Yeadon.
• Abington Library has offered a safe space for LGBTQ+ kids for years. It’s now the subject of a far-right misinformation campaign on social media.
• Ocean City’s planning board unexpectedly deadlocked on a vote involving the defunct Wonderland Pier boardwalk property, another blow to a luxury hotel proposal.
• Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law banning cell phones in New Jersey public schools from “bell to bell” in an effort to help students focus on learning.
• Though it’s legal to buy cannabis in Delaware, you can still be arrested for smoking it in public. A new bill might change that.

Plus: What makes something a unit block in Philadelphia?

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 an urban planning term you might have heard in news reports: “unit block,” used to describe certain addresses in cities that operate on a grid, as Philadelphia does.

The term might appear when a report wants to communicate where an incident happened without giving the exact address. 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.

🦅 Heads up, Eagles fans: It’s playoff time in Philadelphia, which means you probably have a lot of questions about the Birds. Eagles beat reporter Olivia Reiner is ready to answer them during a Reddit AMA in r/Eagles today. Join the conversation at 9 a.m.

🧠 Trivia time

Which article of clothing or accessory did CBS Philadelphia anchor Jim Donovan set the Guinness record for having the largest collection of?

A) Socks

B) Beanies

C) Tie clips

D) Ties

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

What we’re …

🥼 Heeding: Health officials’ call to get vaccinated as flu cases surge in Pennsylvania.

🏈 Delighted by: The history of the rowdy Eagles-49ers game that led to Eagles Court.

📺 Hoping for: A second season of Delco-set Mare of Easttown.

💻 Recycling: Old electronics the right way, according to e-waste experts.

🌈 Considering: How lies feed attacks on transgender and nonbinary people.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: 300 acres in the Delaware River

DENSITY SPLAT

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

Cheers to Steve Cameron, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Sing Us Home. Now in its fourth year, the music festival will be staged on Venice Island in Manayunk from May 1 to 3.

Photo of the day

This good pup hopes you have a pleasant weekend (probably) and so do I. Paola has you covered with the news Saturday and Sunday, and I’ll be back with you Monday. Till then, 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. After all that talk of snow in yesterday’s newsletter, we have more, despite this week’s near-balmy temperatures: A snow record is officially on the books in New Jersey, 30 years later after it was set.

Gov. Josh Shapiro will officially announce today that he is seeking reelection in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, speculation over a 2028 run for president continues to build.

And national attention on Philadelphia has been ramping up ahead of big events for the country’s 250th birthday. Below, learn the history of yet another notable first we can claim: a certain city-sponsored New Year’s Day procession.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Ready to run

With expected stops in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh today, Gov. Shapiro is kicking off his campaign to be Pennsylvania’s chief executive for another four years.

Speculation over a potential run for president just two years from now is building, too.

Shapiro has been elusive when asked directly about plans for 2028. But he has made a number of big public moves to raise his national profile in the past year and change since he was on Vice President Kamala Harris’ short list of potential running mates.

If he does run parallel campaigns, the gubernatorial election must take precedence, observers say.

Notable quote: “The challenge, of course, is you have to take care of your next election first,” a polling expert told The Inquirer. “Of anything he does, he knows this is the most important thing for his potential success in 2028 if he was to run.”

Politics reporters Julia Terruso and Gillian McGoldrick have more.

Plus: State Sen. Doug Mastriano will not seek the GOP nomination for Pennsylvania’s governorship again this year, after months of teasing a potential run. Mastriano lost to Shapiro in the 2022 election by nearly 15 percentage points.

Philly’s year

Now that we’re officially in 2026, the year of the United States’ Semiquincentennial, the spotlight of the world’s attention on Philadelphia is getting brighter.

🔔 The New York Times just stuck Philly (and, yes, some nearby places in the original colonies) at the top of its popular annual “52 Places to Go” list. That distinction came two weeks after the Wall Street Journal named it the world’s top travel destination this year, too.

🔔 At home, we’ve already begun recognizing American milestones. Philadelphia Historic District Partners’ 52 Weeks of Firsts kicked off last week by celebrating the country’s first hydrogen-powered balloon ride.

🔔 This week, they’re honoring the first folk parade. You know the one — it involves sequins, feathers, and (probably) a hangover.

Columnist Elizabeth Wellington has the story on the event that was founded as a festive celebration of Philly’s immigrant communities.

Further reading: On this week in 1776, Thomas Paine published his 47-page pamphlet Common Sense — and helped ignite a revolution.

What you should know today

• Philadelphia violence prevention groups say they were flourishing. Then, President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice cut their funding.
• Two former Philly homicide detectives were sentenced to probation Wednesday for lying about DNA evidence during the retrial of a man they helped convict of murder 35 years ago.
• After an attempted package theft in Feltonville turned into a police shootout, officials are asking for the public’s help to find the alleged thief and shooter.
• Pennsylvania and New Jersey lost thousands of jobs after the Trump administration offered federal workers the opportunity to resign with months of pay last year.
• Councilmember Jeffery “Jay” Young introduced a bill at the last City Council meeting of 2025 to ban residential development from the area around the former Hahnemann University Hospital.
• Philadelphia will open two new public schools soon: a K-8 and a high school that will follow the acclaimed Harlem Children’s Zone model.
• Alfonso Q. Llano Jr., a veteran Vineland educator, has been named the state-appointed superintendent to oversee the Camden school system.
• After more than 40 years behind bars, reputed former Black Mafia leader Lonnie Dawson has been freed from prison. See how the Daily News and Inquirer covered his case.

Quote of the day

The third-generation owner of Donkey’s Place doesn’t know where the walrus penis bone came from, but he said it’s been with the bar since he was a kid. A patron was captured on video stealing the oddity on Dec. 29.

🧠 Trivia time

To prevent development, Radnor Township is moving to use eminent domain to take 14 acres owned by what?

A) Cabrini University

B) Penn Medicine Radnor

C) Willows Mansion

D) Valley Forge Military Academy

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

📺 Anticipating: Donna Kelce’s reality TV debut tonight on The Traitors.

🦅 Appreciating: Ladder 15’s response to the 49ers fans planning a playoff takeover.

🏘️ Ogling: This $9.9 million Lower Merion mansion with a bonus house next door.

🗞️ Mourning: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which will shut down May 3.

🗳️ Considering: Why Pennsylvania’s leaders are losing Gen Z.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Manayunk music festival (three words)

GNOME SUSHI

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

Cheers to Lee Narozanick, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Sheetz. Stephen G. Sheetz, the former president and CEO of the Altoona convenience store chain, died Sunday. His legacy — and the Wawa vs. Sheetz rivalry — lives on.

Photo of the day

Cheer up, buddy, the weekend’s almost here. See you tomorrow.

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