It’s a new week, Philly, but the temps stay below freezing.
From Philadelphia district attorney to federal inmate, Seth Williams now has another new title: part-time chaplain in the city’s jail system.
And an Army veteran from Montgomery County was arrested Friday alongside journalist Don Lemon for protesting at a Minnesota church, two days after a video of him speaking out against the Trump administration went viral.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
P.S. Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow? See the results of the weather-predicting Gobbler’s Knob ceremony at Inquirer.com.
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
Seth Williams’ next chapter
Seth Williams was once Philadelphia’s top prosecutor, building a promising political career on a possible trajectory to the mayorship.
Then came the federal corruption charges and five-year prison sentence.
Nearly a decade later, Williams has a new role serving as a chaplain at the city’s jails. Going from being the man tasked with putting Philadelphians in jail to becoming one of them himself has enabled him to offer spiritual guidance with perspective, he says.
In his own words: “I can be a better advocate, a better vessel, to help prevent crime and reduce recidivism … by helping people learn the skills they need to keep jobs and de-escalate conflict,” Williams told The Inquirer. “The best use of my experience … is helping people who are incarcerated the way I was.”
Reporter Chris Palmer visited Williams at work to learn more.
Montco veteran arrested at ICE protest
A 35-year-old Bryn Athyn man is one of nine people facing felony charges for their involvement in a Jan. 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minn. The protesters said they targeted the church because one of its pastors leads the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement St. Paul field office.
In a video clip posted online two days before his arrest, Ian Austin said he believed as an Army veteran it was his duty to travel to Minnesota.
“We took an oath to the Constitution, and it’s just being shredded right now,” Austin said in the now-viral video.
Former CNN host Don Lemon, who was covering the protest, is also a defendant. Lemon’s arrest, and that of another journalist who attended the protest, has brought criticism from media and civil rights advocates.
Reporter Brett Sholtis spoke to Austin’s parents about their son’s arrest and military background.
In other ICE news: U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) on Sunday defended ICE officials who wear masks to obscure their faces, arguing that doxing is a “serious concern” for agents.
What you should know today
- On the anniversary of the Jan. 31, 2025, plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia, about 100 people attended a ceremony near the Cottman Avenue site to remember those who lost their lives.
- An estimated 144,000 SNAP recipients in Pennsylvania began losing benefits in January as new rules included in the Trump administration’s “Big, Beautiful Bill Act” kicked in.
- Newly released documents show that Jeffrey Epstein expressed interest in buying Bill Cosby’s New York City home and closely followed the Philly-born comedian’s 2016 sex assault trial.
- A freshman football player at Villanova University has been charged with rape and sexual assault stemming from a December incident on campus.
- The former mayor of Willingboro Township was found guilty by a federal jury of mortgage fraud.
- Pete Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary and a potential presidential hopeful for 2028, has endorsed Democrat Bob Brooks, a firefighter running for Congress in the Lehigh Valley.
- Immigrants are a “main driver” of the city’s economy, local leaders said at an Economy League of Greater Philadelphia event, while painting a grim picture of the future with fewer of them.
- Ahead of Friday’s Unrivaled game at Xfinity Mobile Arena, professional basketball player Kahleah Copper took her teammates on a tour of “Norf” — including the corner of 32nd and Berks Streets, where it all started for her.
- Philly artists won big at the Grammy Awards Sunday, including bassist Christian McBride, songwriter Andre “Dre” Harris, and rock producer Will Yip.
Quote of the day
What’s a fair price for shoveling snow that’s turned to ice? Some freelance shovelers increased their rates last week — in Wiles’ case, to about $50 — as the work became more physically demanding.
🧠 Trivia time
Twenty years ago this month, a suburban vegan restaurant moved to Bella Vista and sparked Philadelphia’s embrace of plant-based food. What was it called?
A) Horizons
B) Vedge
C) Ground Provisions
D) HipCityVeg
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re…
🎶 Curious about: Opera Philadelphia’s still-in-progress, multiauthored work Complications in Sue, opening this week.
🏠 Familiar with: Feeling “house poor but happy,” à la our latest How I Bought This House.
🏀 Recapping: Everything you missed from the Sixers’ 2001 reunion night.
🌊 Enjoying: Off-season eats, arcades, and live music in Asbury Park.
🗓️ Considering: The fraught politics behind the creation of Black History Month.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: URBN’s discount store
CIRCLE ETC
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Dwight Munroe, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Philly Special. ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary series is set to relive one of the most memorable moments in Eagles history.
More Eagles media news: Peacock’s forthcoming docuseries, Field Generals: History of the Black Quarterback, tells the history of Black NFL QBs — and features several prominent Eagles.
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 Michael Thomas Leibrandt, who shares an appreciation for a modern Birds star:
An unfortunate early exit for the Eagles this season means that our fandom will sit waiting in the wings until the excitement of training camp at the Novacare Complex next summer. And as the season closed with all measure of analysis over recent weeks, perhaps no story has been front and center like whether or not AJ Brown will be an Eagle next season.
Whether number 11 takes the field next September in midnight green or eventually visits Lincoln Financial Field on an opposing roster, I’ll always remember seeing his talent on one of the best teams ever to play football in Philadelphia. At times, it seemed like there was nothing that he couldn’t catch, combined with that 6-foot-1, 226-pound frame that set the edge with thunderous blocks springing Saquon Barkley, DeAndre Swift, and Miles Sanders to daylight. Play him in single coverage — good luck. Bring help on him with a safety over-the-top, then risk allowing a big play from another of the Eagles offensive weapons.
For one of the NFL’s oldest franchises, AJ Brown is the best ever. He has more receptions than Terrell Owens in a single season. He has more yards in a single season than Tommy McDonald. And he has played in more Super Bowls for the Eagles than Harold Carmichael, DeSean Jackson, or Alshon Jeffery.
Like most around our region, the Eagles are a generational obsession in my family. My great-grandfather saw another NFL franchise — the Frankford Yellow Jackets — run to a championship in 1926. My grandfather saw the Eagles go to three championship games between 1947 and 1949; they won two. As far back as my young mind can recall, he told me about an Eagles unstoppable running back named Steve Van Buren. My father saw the Eagles win the title in 1960.
I’ve seen something better than all that: a period of Eagles on-field excellence spanning half a decade. I’m not sure that it would have been possible without AJ Brown.
🦅 P.S. If you’re planning to watch the Birds-less Super Bowl next Sunday, you can still enjoy some Philly flavor. We rounded up some of the best local spots to get game-day cheesesteaks, hoagies, wings, and tomato pies.
Thanks for starting your week with The Inquirer. See you back here tomorrow.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Leave a Reply