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.
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