Hi, Philly. After the region’s biggest snow in 10 years, we may get a rare deep freeze soon via the first zero-degree reading since 1994.
Two Philadelphia City Council members will introduce legislation this week to restrict cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The push comes as ICE faces mounting national scrutiny over its tactics in Minneapolis.
And the school district’s building plan would close a high-performing Roxborough magnet. Its community plans to fight back.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
P.S. City offices and courts are closed today, and city schools are virtual. See the latest weather updates at Inquirer.com.
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Limiting cooperation with ICE
Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Rue Landau are expected this week to introduce a package of bills aimed at pushing back against ICE activity in Philly, home to an estimated 76,000 undocumented immigrants.
In the legislation: Among other directives, the bills would limit information sharing between the city and ICE and effectively make permanent Philadelphia’s status as a so-called “sanctuary city” by barring authorities from holding people at ICE’s request without a court order.
National context: While activists have been calling for Philadelphia leaders to formalize its sanctuary city status for months, this Council action comes after federal agents shot and killed two civilians in Minneapolis in the last three weeks, prompting national outrage.
Eyes on Parker: Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has largely avoiding criticizing the Trump administration outwardly. She may now be forced to take a side if the legislation reaches her desk.
Reporters Anna Orso, Sean Collins Walsh, and Jeff Gammage have more.
In other ICE news: Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) on Monday called for the federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis to “immediately end,” while Sen. Dave McCormick (R, Pa.) on Sunday called for a “full investigation into the tragedy” following Saturday’s fatal shooting.
Rooting for Lankenau
At Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School, students can join a birdwatching club, take pesticide classes, and work with beehives. The school, based in the woods of Roxborough, is the state’s only three-year agriculture, food, and natural resources career and technical education program.
Now, it’s one of 20 city schools proposed for closure in the Philadelphia School District’s facilities plan.
Lankenau’s inclusion on that list is a blow to its students and staff. They say they aren’t letting it go down without a fight.
Notable quote: “Lankenau takes education to the next level,” a junior told The Inquirer. “The environment is beautiful, the woods are amazing — that’s another classroom. Nature is like therapy for a lot of people — it changed my life.”
Education reporter Kristen A. Graham has the story.
What you should know today
- One man is dead, and three others are hospitalized after a shooting inside a North Philly house early Monday.
- State Rep. Joanna McClinton has carefully wielded her power as Pennsylvania House speaker. Now, she’s taking a more active role in pushing for the issues she cares about most, with special attention to the home care wage crisis.
- A federal judge denied convicted former labor leader John Dougherty’s latest request to serve the rest of his six-year prison term on house arrest to care for his gravely ill wife.
- A split Pennsylvania Game Commission has voted in favor of a developer’s land swap widely opposed by Limerick Township residents who fear it could pave the way for a large data center.
- The Philadelphia Housing Authority plans to reopen the derelict former Germantown Settlement properties by 2029 — at great cost.
- A bill signed last week by former N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy makes it easier for manufactured home and mobile home residents to buy their communities.
- Camden’s American Water and Bryn Mawr’s Aqua have had a tough time privatizing water and sewer systems. So far, their planned merger doesn’t impress investors.
- Meet Laura Carlson, University of Delaware’s new president, who runs weekly with staff and students and wants better relationships with state and local governments.
- Opera Philadelphia has signed an early contract extension with director Anthony Roth Costanzo, who since 2024 has brought national attention and funding to the arts org.
Quote of the day
Did you know bats are both helpful and extremely cute? See what else Stephanie Stronsick, a bat expert who rehabilitates them in her Berks County home, wants you to know about the winged mammals.
🧠 Trivia time
After its trademark and intellectual property were acquired by an investment firm, which bankrupt firm could be revived in some locations?
A) Rite Aid
B) Iron Hill Brewery
C) Bistro at Cherry Hill
D) Joann Fabrics
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🍻 Debating: Philly’s ultimate dive bar map, informed by readers’ faves.
🐻 Respectfully learning: The story behind the viral naughty bears outside a Southwest Philly strip club.
📝 Noting: What employers want to see in resumés, according to this Wharton expert.
🍕 Dreaming of: A trip to New Haven filled with pizza, museums, and waterfront walks.
🕳️ Asking: Why do sinkholes keep opening up in Philly?
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: University City research org
WARTIEST INTUITS
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Tony Jagielski, who solved Monday’s anagram: Philly Auto Show. The annual event returns to the Convention Center this weekend. More brands and electric vehicles are expected, despite the automobile industry’s volatile year.
Photo of the day
And that, folks, is why we let the kids have their snow days.
Stay cozy today. See you back here tomorrow.
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