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  • The best things to do in Philadelphia this week

    The best things to do in Philadelphia this week

    Explore all of the best things to do in and around Philadelphia: From upcoming events and art installations to the most picturesque date spots, we share all you need to know to make the most out of your week in Philly.

    You can always find our favorite activities of the week at inquirer.com/things-to-do. Have an event you’d like to feature in the Inquirer? Submit an event to our calendar.

    Yoga on the River

    (Community) Add a moment of calm and zen into your weekly schedule with some riverside yoga. All ages and abilities are encouraged to come, and no prior yoga experience is needed. The class is free, but donations are appreciated and make future programming possible.

    ⌚️July 7, 6-7p.m., 📍7801 State Rd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19136, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $0-10 donation

    The City Spoon Supper Club

    (Community) Looking for a chill meet up over a delicious meal? This supper club brings guests together to try amazing local restaurants and foster genuine connection. Enjoy an incredible 3-course Italian meal, complimentary welcome drink, and great conversation with other food lovers.

    ⌚️July 8, 7-9p.m., 📍1915 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19148, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $72

    Summer Candle Making Workshop

    (Community) Capture the sweet smells of summer at this cozy candle making class. You’ll get all of the materials you need to create a custom scented candle, and be led by an experienced instructor through the process. Get ready to impress all of your friends and family with this one-of-a-kind candle and fragrance.

    ⌚️July 9, 7-9p.m., 📍2840 Pine Rd., Huntingdon Valley, Pa, 19006, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $45

    Blobfest

    (Community) This three day festival dedicated to the iconic film The Blob is like nothing you’ve experienced before. Head to Phoenixville to experience movie scene recreations, stage shows, competitions and more. Costumes are encouraged, so come dressed to impress. Tickets are required, so grab yours in advance.

    ⌚️ July 10-12, 📍227 Bridge St., Phoenixville, Pa, 19460, 🌐 thecolonialtheatre.com 💵 $15-45

    Blueberry Festival

    (Community) Blueberry season is officially in full swing. Celebrate one of summer’s favorite fruits with berry picking, magic shows, a pie eating contest, delicious treats and so much more. Tickets are not required to attend the festival but are required for berry picking.

    ⌚️July 11, 8a.m. – 6p.m., 📍 137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media, Pa, 19063, 🌐 www.linvilla.com, 💵 $11

    Ben Franklin Bridge 100th Anniversary Celebration

    (Community) The Ben Franklin Bridge has connected millions of people across the Delaware River for a century. Join in the celebration of the impact of this iconic bridge with live music, food trucks, performances, carnival rides and so much more. This event is perfect for the entire family to enjoy.

    ⌚️July 11, 10a.m. – 2p.m., 📍 Benjamin Franklin Bridge Plaza, Camden, NJ 08102, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 Free

    Free People Summer Social

    (Community) Grab a friend or two and head to this celebration of all things summer, hosted by Free People. Guests will get to enjoy tasty food trucks, lawn games, live a movie screening, free goodies and more. Children 15 and under get free admission.

    ⌚️July 11, 5-9p.m., 📍1 Crescent Dr., Philadelphia, Pa, 19112, 🌐 freepeoplesummersocial.splashthat.com/, : $5

    IRIS Music Festival

    (Music) This festival features some of Philadelphia’s best woman and femme-identifying artists, artisans and vendors. Enjoy live music performances, delicious food served up from local food trucks, shop local vendors and more. Performances include Poster Girl, DJ Queen Yaszy, BLCKCHLD and more.

    ⌚️July 12, 12:30-8p.m., 📍500 N. 10th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19123, 🌐 events.ticketleap.com/, 💵 $31.60

    The Sound of America

    (Theater) Have you ever imagined a world where Ben Franklin became the nation’s first rock star? Jump into a world where that very thing is true in this rock musical rooted in American history. Each ticket includes a 45-minute walking tour led by Ben Franklin himself.

    ⌚️July 1- Aug. 1, 📍140 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 soundofamericamusical.com/, 💵 $76

    Philadelphia African Restaurant Week

    (Community) Celebrate the best of Philadelphia African, African American and Caribbean food scene. Enjoy amazing restaurants, discounted menus at participating businesses, prizes for sharing your bites and so much more.

    ⌚️July 2-12, 📍Various locations, 🌐 africanrestaurantweek.com/, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

    Workshop of the World Exhibition

    (Community) The Philadelphia Museum of Art is hosting an exhibition to showcase the region’s historic arts and crafts works, in honor of its 150th anniversary. The exhibit features 250 objects from ceramics and furniture to textiles and stained glass, that tell the story of Philadelphia’s Centennial Exhibition.

    ⌚️July 5 – October 18, 📍2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa, 19130, 🌐 philamuseum.org/, 💵 Free with museum admission

    FIFA Fan Festival

    (Community) Can’t get enough of the World Cup Buzz taking over the city? Don’t miss out on Fan Fest, a visitor experience unlike any others. On match days, come enjoy watch parties, great food and amazing activations. And on non-match days, will offer ticketed concerts.

    ⌚️Through July 19, 📍1 Lemon Hill Dr., Philadelphia, Pa, 19130, 🌐 phillyfwc26.com/, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

    Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

    (Community) Franklin Square’s annual illuminated lantern festival is returning and bringing the magic. Celebrate the Year of the Horse with dozens of detailed hand-crafted lanterns. You’ll even spot soccer themed displays honoring the countries coming to Philly for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

    ⌚️June 5- Aug. 16, 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com, 💵 $16-32

    Roots of Resilience: The 2026 DRWC Flag Exhibition

    (Community) This exhibit celebrates Philadelphia’s rich immigrant history through bold flags designed by artists from around the world. The designs will be displayed all summer long at Spruce Street Harbor Park in honor of all of the people who have made Philly their home.

    ⌚️May 22 – Sept. 7, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com/, 💵 Free

    The best events for kids in Philly

    Blueberry Festival

    (Seasonal) At Linvilla Orchards in Delaware County, summer’s favorite berry gets the spotlight with pie-eating contests, live entertainment, blueberry treats, and pick-your-own fields. Save room for lemon-blueberry whoopie pies, ice cream topped with blueberry compote, and plenty of fresh-picked fruit. All ages.

    ⌚ July 11, 8 a.m.–6 p.m., rain date: July 12, 📍137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media, Pa. 19063, 🌐 linvilla.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

    Ben Franklin Bridge 100th Anniversary Celebration

    (Community) Celebrate the centennial of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge by walking across the iconic span—closed to vehicle traffic for the occasion—to a festival in Camden. Prefer to skip the trek? You can always ride PATCO and join the festivities there. Ages 6 and up.

    ⌚ July 11, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 📍Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, and Camden, N.J. 08102, 🌐 drpa.org, 💵 Free

    Celebrate Mantua Day

    (Community) Miles Mack Playground in West Philadelphia comes alive with dance performances, lessons, drill teams, line dancing, PHILADANCO, food trucks, vendors, giveaways, and plenty of neighborhood pride during this all-day festival organized by DANCE IQUAIL! All ages.

    ⌚ July 11, 11 a.m.–10 p.m., 📍3601 Aspen St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 🌐 danceiquail.org, 💵 Free

    “Dragons Love Tacos”

    (Theater) The Players Club of Swarthmore brings the beloved children’s book to the stage, following a boy, his dog, and a taco-loving crew of dragons in a delightfully silly adventure that’s sure to entertain young audiences. Ages 3–10.

    ⌚ July 11–12 and July 18–19, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., 📍614 Fairview Rd., Swarthmore, Pa. 19081, 🌐 pcstheater.org, 💵 $10–$15

    Philly Phlotilla

    (Community) Watch—or join—more than 100 patriotic paddlers as they kayak from the Schuylkill River to Fort Mifflin. The celebration continues on land with tours, snacks, and historic cannon firings at one of Philadelphia’s oldest military sites. All ages.

    ⌚ July 11, 1–7 p.m., 📍6400 Hog Island Rd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19153, 🌐 schuylkillriver.org, 💵 $10–$16

    RiverFest

    (Seasonal / community) At Glen Foerd on the Delaware, families can paddle canoes, kayaks, and rowboats, try archery, explore hands-on nature activities, watch sailboat races, and grab lunch from food trucks during this annual waterfront celebration. All ages.

    ⌚ July 12, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; rain date July 26, 📍5001 Grant Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19114, 🌐 glenfoerd.org, 💵 Free

    PrismaPhonik

    (Art / free) Spruce Street Harbor Park’s newest attraction is part art installation, part playground. Visitors wander through a maze that responds to movement with changing lights and music, creating an immersive, hands-on experience along the Delaware River waterfront. All ages.

    ⌚ June 26–Aug. 17, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free

    Chinese Lantern Festival

    (Culture) At Franklin Square on the edge of Chinatown, giant illuminated sculptures, live acrobatic performances, food vendors, and countless photo opportunities return for another summer of after-dark magic. All ages.

    ⌚ June 5–Aug. 16, 6–10 p.m., 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com, 💵 $16–$32

    Spruce Street Harbor Park

    (Seasonal / free) The Delaware River waterfront favorite is back with hammocks, oversized games, ice cream, and a few new additions this year, including swan boats, “glow” boats, and Sunday family fun days throughout the season. All ages.

    ⌚ May 22–September, dates TBA, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

    Summerfest

    (Seasonal / free) Just north along the Delaware River Waterfront, Summerfest reopens with roller skating, mini golf, carnival rides, games, and indoor space to cool off once summer humidity fully kicks in. All ages.

    ⌚ May 22–Sept. 7, 📍101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

    El Mercado Cultural

    (Community / free) At Cherry Street Pier along the Delaware River, this three-part market series — in collaboration with Fleisher Art Memorial — highlights Latino makers with food, music, art, and plenty to browse and buy. All ages.

    ⌚ April 18, May 30, July 11, noon–5 p.m., 📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

    Parks on Tap

    (Community / free) The city’s roaming beer garden is back, offering drinks, oversized games, and plenty of room for kids to run around all summer long. All ages. Visit Parks on Tap’s website to find the location each week.

    ⌚ Though October 11, Wed.–Fri., 4–10 p.m.; Sat.–Sun., noon–10 p.m.; more locations through Oct. 11, 🌐 parksontap.com, 💵 Free entry

    “Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition”

    (Movie-making) The Franklin Institute hosts a world premiere exhibit that turns movie magic into hands-on discovery, with behind-the-scenes looks at Universal’s biggest franchises — from Minions and Jurassic World to dragons, monsters, Mario, and Luigi — via immersive sets and interactive displays. Ages 5 and up.

    ⌚ Feb. 14–Sept. 7, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. plus extended hours, 📍222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 fi.edu, 💵 $25–$65

  • Letters to the Editor | June 21, 2026

    Letters to the Editor | June 21, 2026

    Mixed on strategy

    Solomon Jones’ most recent column regarding his lack of concern about Graham Platner’s ethics was dead on. We need a new generation — warts and all — to fight for us and rebuild the Democratic Party. Just look at some of the wins in New York City, New Jersey, Virginia, etc. Just look at Andy Kim’s challenge to the “County Line” on ballots and his win. I’m only 73, for God’s sake, and I want to see younger, more progressive candidates get in the trenches and fight for us. I want this country to move forward again, not backward. It’s time to remove the bigots, racists, and sexists who are ruining our country and elect some candidates who can truly make us great.

    Vince McGinley, Haddon Heights

    …

    In his recent column, Solomon Jones states that to fight Donald Trump’s presidency we should look past character and apply the same principles the Trump team has. When did character no longer matter? You never fix a wrong with another wrong; it simply doesn’t work. If character no longer matters, have we hit rock bottom?

    Robert Galasso, Cherry Hill

    End Gaza’s suffering

    I appreciated the recent Associated Press story about the continuing crises in Gaza, even though the content is grim and distressing to read. We needed to be reminded that the suffering is not over. We have been distracted by the crazy, dangerous, and damaging actions by a failed presidency that has allowed Israel to continue its devastation of the people of Gaza. Without international pressure to stop, Israel has continued to kill Palestinian civilians, squeeze them into less and less territory, and resist all but token attempts at providing necessary food, shelter, and medical care to the beleaguered populace.

    Since the U.S. was complicit in prosecuting this tragedy, that gives us considerable leverage to end it. We need to stop being war enablers to become war resisters. If the president is incapable of understanding the urgency, we need to tell Congress to take control and to establish a clear policy that calls for an end to bloodshed, and the initiation of a massive, international effort to relieve and rebuild Gaza.

    We are a great country, we’ve done this before, and we can do it again.

    Norman K. Janes, Haverford

    Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.

  • Kelly Oubre Jr. will miss Sixers’ game vs. Spurs with an illness

    Kelly Oubre Jr. will miss Sixers’ game vs. Spurs with an illness

    Kelly Oubre Jr. will miss the 76ers’ home game Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs with an illness, per the NBA’s injury report.

    Oubre, a starting wing, has been enjoying one of the best seasons of his 11-year NBA career. He is averaging 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 38 games, while often taking a challenging perimeter defensive assignment. He has increased his three-point shooting to 37.2%.

    Ex-Sixers coach Doug Collins returns to Philly for NBC throwback game, but a few voices are missing

    Without Oubre, combo guard Quentin Grimes will slide into the starting lineup. Second-year wing Justin Edwards will “for sure” reenter the rotation, coach Nick Nurse said during his pregame news conference.

    The Sixers also will play against the 43-17 Spurs without Joel Embiid (oblique) and Paul George (suspension).

  • Snow and ice are expected Tuesday in Philly, but a warm-up is on the way

    Snow and ice are expected Tuesday in Philly, but a warm-up is on the way

    The remnants of winter are about to go on spring break — or at least yield to a “dirty warm-up” — but they evidently are going to take a messy parting shot at the region Tuesday morning.

    The National Weather Service has posted a winter weather advisory effective at 5 a.m. until 11 a.m. for the entire region for a mix of snow (not much) and ice beginning around daybreak before flipping to just plain rain.

    The precipitation is expected to start around daybreak as snow that won’t be plowable, or maybe even visible, but the more significant threat would be a glaze of freezing rain, said Nick Guzzo a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Mount Holly.

    At most, snow would accumulate a few tenths of an inch, he said, transitioning to freezing rain and just plain liquid rain throughout the region before the morning is over.

    But coinciding with the peak morning commuting period, the timing is a concern, he added.

    Temperatures are due to be near freezing when the precipitation gets underway but climb into the mid-30s by midmorning. The March sun should make quick work of melting anything that freezes on the roadways.

    Then the temperature might not drop below freezing for the next 10 days, and make it to 70 degrees Sunday.

    But don’t expect it to be “bright and beautiful,” said Bob Larsen, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc.

    A major pattern change is underway across the nation

    “It’s what we like to refer to as a ‘dirty warm-up,’” said Larsen. Here’s the dirt: It is due to be cloudy at least through Friday with rain possible Thursday and Friday and highs in 50s. Normal highs are in the upper 40s.

    The sun is due back Saturday with readings in the 60s, and perhaps into the 70s on Sunday, but with another chance of rain. Larsen said at least two days, and maybe four, next week are expected to feature highs in the 70s, before a cool down perhaps next Thursday or Friday.

    The surges of mild air are related to a major pattern change in the upper atmosphere. For the last several weeks, the atmosphere has aligned to favor cold, snow, and ice in the East and springlike temperatures in West.

    That’s about to reverse, as the West gets its turn with winter and the East gets a spring tease.

    But don’t put in the screens just yet, Larsen advises.

    “March can be a cruel month,” he said, and winter isn’t prone to go gently. “We’re not going to slam door on it yet.”

    He that some signs are pointing to a more-wintry end to the month, which would not be at all unusual.

    “In my mind there’s only two seasons, summer and winter,” Larsen said, and spring and fall are when they fight their turf wars.

  • The best things we ate this week

    The best things we ate this week

    Bourbon chicken at Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft

    Chef Kenjiro Omori chuckles when asked about his bourbon chicken, a dinner mainstay at Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft in Ardmore. While Omori says he loves the saucy chunks sold at better mall food courts, his bourbon chicken is nothing like that. This rich, homey entree feels ready-made for a cold night.

    He breaks down whole birds, deboning them while keeping the breast, thigh, and drum intact, then lightly cures and air-dries the meat for four days. In tribute to Ripplewood’s extensive whiskey collection, Omori sprays the chicken with bourbon before cooking to give it a lacquered finish. Essentially, this is Peking duck meets dry-aged chicken. Executive chef Biff Gottehrer designed the accompanying set, which changes seasonally. The winter mix includes lacinato kale, sweet potato, broccolini, and a sweet-tart mix of apricot and pomegranate, balancing comfort with cheffiness. Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft, 29 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, 610-486-7477, ripplewoodbar.com

    — Michael Klein

    Oyster House’s seasonal snapping turtle soup, a riff on a historical Philadelphia delicacy that once involved cooking whole turtles.

    Snapper soup at Oyster House

    A friend visiting Philadelphia recently told me she’d never guess that Oyster House has been around for half a century — a feat of longevity celebrated this week by the James Beard Foundation, which named the Mink family’s restaurant an “America’s Classic.” And at first glance, I could understand. The raw bar is alive with diners of all ages, sipping some of the city’s best martinis alongside icy platters of expertly shucked oysters sourced from locales from Cape May to Pemaquid, Maine. There are standard dishes you might find at any tradition-minded fishhouse — a luxurious lobster roll, clam bakes, and creamy chowders. But there are also several modern moves from chef Joe Compoli that would be at home on a creative modern American menu: vibrant crudos, octopus ramen, black garlic-glazed halibut over black rice.

    If you look a little closer, however, you can see ties to local history that make Oyster House a Philadelphia classic, like the museum-worthy collection of antique oyster plates scattered like a gilt-edge porcelain constellation across the whitewashed walls. Key standbys on the menu itself function the same way. The fried oysters and chicken salad is one, a seemingly odd but absolutely delicious combo that dates to at least the 19th century, when the city was saturated with oyster houses.

    Fried oysters with chicken salad from Oyster House.

    But the most iconic (and endangered) of Oyster House’s historical specialties is the snapper turtle soup. This dish has roots in Philadelphia’s colonial past, when 70-pound live green sea turtles would step off ships carrying all manner of tropical produce, just arrived from the West Indies to the city’s docks. Much smaller snapping turtles from the South are the norm now, says third-generation Oyster House owner Sam Mink, but you can still taste the echoes of the Caribbean spice trade — a heady current of allspice and clove — swirling through the mahogany broth the restaurant steeps with whole turtles (shell and all) for nearly four hours.

    There are some other differences in Oyster House’s current snapper soup, which is a cold-weather staple here, and the style that was once standard across Philly in places like the (now long-gone) Bookbinder’s restaurants. Oyster House’s version is considerably thinner than the sludgy brown soup of yore. It’s still enriched with buttery brown roux, but missing the extra cornstarch that once thickened it until a spoon could stand up straight. I can taste all the slow-cooked flavors of this soup even more, as well as the velvety softness of the tender meat, thanks to a habitual splash of dry sack sherry, shaken from the tableside cruet. But traditionalists, no doubt, still complain.

    “Oh, there were certainly more people that grumbled at first in 2009,” when this modified recipe was first introduced, says Mink. “But if we’d kept things so traditional and didn’t move forward with our recipes, at least a little bit, I don’t think we’d be here today.” Oyster House, 1516 Sansom St., 215-567-7683, oysterhousephilly.com

    — Craig LaBan

    The cinnamon bun from Vibrant Coffee Roasters, which also sold at their sister shop Function Coffee Labs.

    Cinnamon bun from Vibrant Coffee Roasters

    Sometimes the only thing that can cure the snowstorm blues is a ginormous cinnamon bun slathered in cream cheese frosting.

    Vibrant Coffee Roasters’ are pretty hefty. They’re roughly 4 inches in diameter and heaped with so much frosting it drips down the side, just the way I like. The key to creating giant and soft buns, according to Vibrant co-owner Ross Nickerson, is to let them merge together on the tray while they bake. That way, you lock in the moisture and avoid a cardinal sin: a dry cinnamon bun that tastes stale once it cools.

    Vibrant uses a hybrid sourdough-brioche dough, and Nickerson said that the staff avoids doing anything too fancy with the filling or frosting. The result is a classic cinnamon bun that’s pillowy, not too sweet, and ultra-comforting. The buns are available at Vibrant’s locations in Rittenhouse and at Sixth and Lombard, plus their sister shop, Function Coffee Labs (1001 S. 10th St.). I’d trek through snow to any of them for chance to get a gooey bun fresh from the oven. Vibrant Coffee Roasters, 222 W. Rittenhouse Square First Floor, 267-534-3608, vibrantcoffeeroasters.com

    — Beatrice Forman

  • How much snow, and when will it begin snowing in the Philadelphia region?

    How much snow, and when will it begin snowing in the Philadelphia region?

    As much as two feet of snow could fall in and around Philadelphia in what forecasters are warning could be a “historic winter storm.”

    Philly snow updates: Live coverage, latest closures and timing

    The National Weather Service is forecasting 18 to 24 inches of snow to fall in the city, which would make it one of the top 10 snowstorms in Philadelphia history. Though it’s not expected to top the nearly 31 inches of snow that blanketed Philly over a two-day period during the Blizzard of 1996.

    Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, and eastern Montgomery Counties, and all of New Jersey and Delaware, are currently under blizzard warnings through 6 p.m. Monday. That’s prompted by forecast wind gusts of up to 45 mph, combined with the heavy snow. The western suburbs are covered by a winter storm warming, with slightly lower wind speeds forecast.

    The storm is expected to begin as rain before shifting to snow by midday Sunday. It’s forecast to strengthen overnight, possibly at a rate of more than 2 inches an hour, which would make driving dangerous and nearly impossible.

    The last time the city experienced more than two feet of snow was 2010, when nearly 29 inches fell in early February 2010. Over a five-day period, the city was buried under 44 inches of snow, which thankfully isn’t expected this time due to a warm-up in the middle of next week.

    This time around, the Jersey Shore is expected to be hit hardest, with snowfall totals in and around Toms River forecast to reach as high as 30 inches.

    The National Weather Service puts out forecasts for every few square miles of land in the United States four times a day through a system called the National Digital Forecast Database.

    The maps below display that data. Use it to find how much snow is expected anywhere in the eastern United States. It will show the most recent forecast over the next few days.

    (function () {window.addEventListener(‘message’, function (e) { var message = e.data; var els = document.querySelectorAll(‘iframe[src*=”‘ + message.id + ‘”]’); els.forEach(function(el) { el.style.height = message.height + ‘px’; }); }, false); })();

  • Schools across the region will be closed for the blizzard; Philly pivots to virtual instruction

    Schools across the region will be closed for the blizzard; Philly pivots to virtual instruction

    As a blizzard expected to dump significant snowfall on the region bore down, school districts across the region made the call: Monday classes are canceled — or shifted to online instruction.

    The Philadelphia School District made the call early — on Saturday — calling a virtual instruction day for Monday.

    “While we work to the greatest extent possible to keep schools open for in-person learning to accelerate student achievement, we also consider the staff members who are commuting from across the region and keep the safety of students and staff as our top priority,” Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said in a message to families and staff.

    The district gave students one full snow day in January but has no more cushion built into its calendar to meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s requirement for 180 instructional days.

    Any further inclement weather days will also be virtual learning days, Watlington said.

    “After Monday, if schools need to remain closed due to inclement weather, the district will provide an update to parents, guardians and employees regarding remote learning,” Watlington said.

    Among other districts that called for no school Monday: Camden, Cherry Hill, Evesham, Moorestown, and Washington Township in New Jersey; and Downington, Lower Merion, and Neshaminy in Pennsylvania.

    Central Bucks, Pennsbury, Rose Tree Media, and Upper Darby moved to virtual instruction.

  • Philly forecast calls for more than a foot of snow to fall Sunday into Monday

    Philly forecast calls for more than a foot of snow to fall Sunday into Monday

    Philadelphia and its suburbs are forecast to receive 16 to 22 inches of snow and face blizzard conditions beginning Sunday and continuing into Monday, with weather prediction models sharpening their focus as the storm approaches.

    “Mother Nature has spoken again and made it clear that winter is not over,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker during an emergency press conference, declaring a citywide snow emergency, starting 4 p.m Sunday. “Yet another big winter storm is coming. It’s a major snow storm with real accumulation anticipated, and it’s heading our way .”

    City government and courts will not open Monday, while public schools will switch to virtual learning. SEPTA riders should expect significant service disruptions over the next three days, said officials, who implored drivers to stay off the road Sunday.

    Dominick Morales, the city’s emergency management coordinator, described the expected storm as “dangerous,” adding that heavy, wet snow could threaten trees and power lines.

    “Dangerous because of the amount of snowfall that is being forecast in about a 24-hour period, but it’s also dangerous because of high winds — and for Philadelphia — near blizzard conditions. When this storm picks up, we have to take it seriously,” he said.

    When all is said and done, the total snowfall may be close to 18 inches in the city, and could surpass 20 inches in South Jersey, where high winds are forecast to create blizzard conditions, according to the National Weather Service. Early Sunday morning, the weather service extended a blizzard warning to cover Philadelphia and Bucks and Delaware Counties, as well as eastern Montgomery County and all of South Jersey.

    “It does look like it’s going to be quite an impactful storm for the whole [I-]95 corridor and further east,” said Sarah Johnson, warning coordination meteorologist at the weather service’s Mount Holly office, on Saturday.

    This will lead to potentially dangerous driving conditions starting Sunday into Monday. And the Shore and Delaware Bay could experience flooding during high tide Sunday evening.

    PennDot and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission said interstate and I-76 vehicle restrictions are set to begin at 3 p.m. Sunday. Speed limits may be restricted to 45 mph on these roadways, officials said.

    While forecasters saw trouble brewing for several days, it was not clear how heavily the storm would affect Philadelphia, Johnson said.

    “Pretty much throughout the week, we were aware that there was going to be this storm system off the coast. The question was just going to be how close to the coast it came,” she said.

    The storm is expected to begin with a mix of snow and rain Sunday morning, with the potential for only rain falling before dawn. By early to midafternoon, that is forecast to change over entirely to snow, Johnson said.

    The blizzard warning is in effect from 10 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday.

    “We are also going to be seeing some gusty winds with the heaviest snow amounts,” Johnson said. Wind speeds of up to 45 mph late Sunday and early Monday have the potential to cause blowing and drifting snow that may make it difficult to keep roads clear, according to the weather service.

    The blizzard warning is in effect from 1 p.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday.

    Johnson emphasized that whatever the storm brings, it will be significant for Philadelphia.

    “The period that we are most concerned about in terms of both snow rates and wind is Sunday evening through the morning on Monday,” she said.

    The storm arrives while the administration is still stinging from criticism over what many perceive as a slow and ineffective response to the January snowstorm, the biggest to hit the city in a decade, which left many neighborhood streets and byways encased in snow and ice for 25 days.

    On Saturday, Parker said the city would be ready.

    More than 1,000 emergency city personnel, 800 snow removal vehicles, and a reserve of 25,000 tons of salt will be deployed, she said.

    “I want to be very clear,” Parker said. “We will do whatever it takes, for however long it takes, to ensure that we have cleared our streets and are keeping Philadelphians safe.”

    Snowfall rates could intensify to as much as two inches per hour Sunday afternoon into evening, Parker said.

    “It’s going to be a big one, and we’re going to be ready for it,” said Carlton Williams, city emergency management director.

    Williams said two high-powered melters, often capable of melting 135 tons of snow per hour, would be strategically placed near residential locations, where snow removal proves difficult, though he did not exactly say where. He said the city is also adding more locations for residents to pile snow.

    Williams and other officials requested the public’s help, asking drivers not to block corners, which prevents ploughs from accessing snow-clogged streets. Deputy Police Commissioner John Stanford was clear about parking:

    “You cannot save parking spots,” he said. “If we are called to a location for any cones, chairs, or any other items out there, we will remove them.”

    All Philadelphia public school activities will be canceled Monday, officials said.

    SEPTA is expecting major delays.

    “There are going to be significant disruptions to service all throughout the duration,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer.

    <iframe src="https://media.inquirer.com/nws-snow-map/inq-snow-map.html" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" width="100%"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">(function () {window.addEventListener('message', function (e) { var message = e.data; var els = document.querySelectorAll('iframe[src*="' + message.id + '"]'); els.forEach(function(el) { el.style.height = message.height + 'px'; }); }, false); })();</script>

    In contrast to the very low temperatures for days after the Jan. 25 storm that dumped a foot of snow in areas around Philly, temperatures are expected to rise above freezing on Monday afternoon.

    Higher temperatures later in the week may help melt the snow, as opposed to the long-lasting snowpack after the January storm.

    Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill urged residents in their states to stay off the roads during the storm.

    On social media, Shapiro said state agencies are prepared to respond to the weather in Eastern and Southeastern Pennsylvania.

    Sherrill on Saturday declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm.

    She said at an afternoon news conference that it was the first time since 2022 that the National Weather Service had issued a blizzard warning along the coastline.

    The state of emergency will go into effect at noon Sunday.

    “I know we just got through a historic winter storm just a few weeks ago — we all did it together by heeding warnings, staying off the roads, and taking public safety seriously,” Sherrill said. “Now we have another serious winter storm on our hands, and my top priority is your safety.”

    Officials urged people to stock up on essentials ahead of the storm, keep electronics like cell phones charged, and avoid driving once the snowfall begins.

    Sherrill advised New Jerseyans to stay home and suggested watching the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team play for gold Sunday, doing a puzzle, and eating chili.

    Staff writer Stephen Stirling contributed to this article.

  • Will there be a government shutdown this weekend? Here’s what we know.

    Will there be a government shutdown this weekend? Here’s what we know.

    New year, same you googling repeatedly, “Is a government shutdown happening?” We see you. We get it. And the answer is: “Maybe.”

    The likelihood of a partial government shutdown this weekend has ramped up following a surge in immigration enforcement and related backlash in Minnesota.

    The highly publicized presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security in Minneapolis, alongside the death of Alex Pretti, the second person federal agents have fatally shot in the state, has reinvigorated efforts among Democrats to reject a bill to fund DHS.

    “The appalling murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti on the streets of Minneapolis must lead Republicans to join Democrats in overhauling ICE and CBP [Customs and Border Protection] to protect the public,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement Sunday. “People should be safe from abuse by their own government.”

    Schumer (D., N.Y.) said Democrats would not support keeping the government fully open if it means funding the Department of Homeland Security. Other Democratic senators have joined in calling for Senate Republicans to collaborate on advancing five other pending bills, aside from the DHS bill, and separately retooling the DHS measure.

    In case you need a refresher, here is what you need to know about deadlines, what a partial government shutdown looks like, and more.

    What’s a government shutdown vs. a partial government shutdown?

    A full government shutdown happens when all (or most) federal agencies have not secured funding. It usually means widespread furloughs, sometimes layoffs, and any nonessential government services are put on pause.

    Meanwhile, a partial government shutdown happens when Congress has funded only certain federal agencies, leaving others in limbo. In turn, some parts of the government would close while others keep operating.

    When a partial shutdown happens, some federal agencies and operations, like Social Security and air traffic control, keep running as usual. But other federal employees are furloughed.

    In this instance, agencies at risk of expiring funding include the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, Labor, Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, and State; the Securities and Exchange Commission; and the federal court system, according to Reuters.

    Democrats are pushing Republicans to decouple the spending bill so disagreements over DHS don’t fuel disruptions to the other agencies. But Republicans so far say they will not break up the spending bill.

    When does government funding expire?

    Federal funding is set to expire at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. A partial shutdown would occur if Congress and President Donald Trump’s administration do not reach an agreement by then.

    Where does the DHS funding bill stand?

    The House has done its part and is in recess until February. But Senate Democrats are pushing back on approvals, citing the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrants. That leaves the Senate with only a few options to avoid a shutdown if it cannot pass the current measures.

    Most legislation in the Senate needs 60 votes to move forward. Republicans hold 53 seats, meaning they need bipartisan support to pass the existing measure, which covers about $1.3 trillion in annual government spending, including military and social service funding.

    But Democrats want new guardrails on immigration enforcement and added oversight on DHS. Some demands include requiring judicial warrants for immigration arrests, and agents to wear visible identification, Time reported.

    Several Democratic senators who broke with their party last year to keep the government open say the killings of Pretti and Good at separate protests have changed their stance.

    Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.), who has historically broken with the Democratic Party to avoid government shutdowns, released a lengthy statement Monday saying that he wanted to see the DHS operation in Minneapolis end but would not support a government shutdown. But on Thursday, in a surprising break, Fetterman voted against advancing the six-bill package.

    His vote, along with 54 other senators who voted “no,” meant the financial package could not move forward.

    It is also worth noting that DHS would continue to operate and receive funding under a government shutdown. That is because DHS agencies received major funding through Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year. In turn, ICE and other parts of the agency would continue operating under a shutdown.

    Who is affected by a government shutdown?

    Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are affected, since many would be expected to work but would not receive pay until after the shutdown is lifted. Employees are typically guaranteed back pay.

    Many employees are also at risk of being furloughed and would not be allowed to work (but would also receive back pay thanks to legislation passed in 2019).

    Some of the main groups of employees that a shutdown could affect include (but are not limited to) active members of the military, federal law enforcement, federal transportation workers (like air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration agents, but not SEPTA workers), scientific researchers, and the IRS.

    The federal court system said it would not be able to continue full operations past Feb. 4, which could disrupt hearings and other activities, Reuters reported. Data and research activity from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Institutes of Health could also go dark.

    What about tax season?

    This potential partial shutdown comes during tax season.

    If a shutdown happens, funding for the IRS could lapse, which would in turn mean tax processing — and refunds — could be disrupted.

    During last year’s shutdown in October, the IRS approved a contingency plan that let the agency continue some activities under a shutdown. But, the agency said, refunds would be delayed aside from some direct electronic returns that could be automatically processed and direct-deposited. Taxpayers were still expected to file and pay their taxes on time.

    The IRS has not yet commented on a potential shutdown. Trump previously touted larger refunds this year because of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Some experts say that emphasis could play a role in the agency remaining partially open.

    When would the government shut down?

    Congress and the Trump administration need to reach an agreement by midnight Friday. If they don’t, a shutdown would go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

    What was the longest government shutdown?

    The longest government shutdown was the most recent one, which began on Oct. 1, 2025, and lasted 43 days. It broke the record for the longest shutdown on the 36th day.

    What could a government shutdown mean for Philly?

    In Philadelphia, the October shutdown led to the closing of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center, to the chagrin of tourists. But that would not happen this time, because the national parks are funded by the Department of the Interior, which secured its funding through an already passed appropriations bill for the year.

    SNAP benefits would also not be affected this time.

    The Department of Transportation would close during this shutdown, but air traffic controllers would be required to work without pay. Similar to the last shutdown, this could lead to flight delays and cancellations.

    Other impacts could be in store as the shutdown’s implications become more clear.

  • John Fetterman joins other Democrats in voting against advancing DHS funding as potential shutdown looms

    John Fetterman joins other Democrats in voting against advancing DHS funding as potential shutdown looms

    U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) on Thursday voted against advancing a highly contested government funding package that includes allocations for the Department of Homeland Security, despite noting his objections to shutting down the government.

    The Senate voted 45-55 on the key procedural vote, failing to advance a budget package as the country moves closer to a partial government shutdown this weekend.

    With Fetterman aboard, every Democrat voted against the appropriations package because of the inclusion of funding for DHS. The party previously vowed to block DHS funding in the aftermath of federal immigration agents’ fatal shooting of two Americans in Minneapolis this month.

    Sen. Dave McCormick (R., Pa.) voted to advance the bill.

    Fetterman’s vote came as a surprise given the senator’s comments earlier in the week, when he said he would “never vote to shut our government down, especially our Defense Department,” one of the agencies that would have received funding from the appropriations package.

    It was unclear Thursday why Fetterman voted against the package, but it is unlikely to be the final version considered by the Senate, as eight Republicans also voted no. A shutdown is slated to begin Saturday if Congress does not pass a package this week.

    A spokesperson for Fetterman did not immediately return a request for comment on the senator’s vote.

    Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.) was among the Republicans who voted no so that he could make a motion to reconsider the legislation.

    DHS oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, the agencies involved in the fatal Minnesota shootings. Democrats have been calling for a halt to additional funding in the wake of the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

    But Fetterman noted Monday that the department received $178 billion from last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which he opposed, and that ICE would continue to operate during a shutdown.

    “A vote to shut our government down will not defund ICE,” Fetterman said.

    Fetterman has previously suggested removing DHS funding from the package under consideration as a compromise. He has also urged President Donald Trump to fire DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

    A reporter from the Hill posted on X minutes after the vote that Fetterman saw his no vote as setting the stage to decouple DHS funding from the other five bills under consideration, rather than triggering a shutdown.

    Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) has pushed Republicans and the White House to strip the Department of Homeland Security funding from the rest of the bill. In a deal reached with the White House, DHS would still be funded, but for a short time to allow for negotiations on the Democrats’ demands. Other agencies included in the bill would be funded through the end of September.

    Negotiations remained ongoing Thursday.

    Within the last week, Fetterman faced mounting pressure from fellow Pennsylvania Democrats and constituents to vote against the package as tensions in Minneapolis continued to escalate.

    On Tuesday, every Democratic member of Pennsylvania’s U.S. House delegation cosigned a letter urging Fetterman and McCormick to vote against the funding. Constituents also gathered outside Fetterman’s office in Philadelphia on Tuesday to protest his stance.

    “We can no longer continue to give Homeland Security a blank check,” U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D., Pa.) said Thursday morning in a virtual news conference with U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Pa.).

    Boyle was an outspoken critic of Fetterman’s votes against the previous government shutdown last year during a fight over healthcare subsidies.

    McCormick voted as expected to advance the GOP-led legislation.

    “I’m just not in favor of shutting down the government or stopping funding the government, and that’s the position that I’ve had through the last shutdown,” McCormick said about his support for the funding on a tele-town hall Tuesday night. “I’m not in favor of ever shutting down the government. It doesn’t matter what party is in power, but some people see that differently.”

    If lawmakers fail to pass a package by Friday, the federal government will undergo its second shutdown in four months, starting Saturday, potentially demoralizing federal workers and inconveniencing members of the public who rely on affected services.

    The previous shutdown started on Oct. 1, 2025, and lasted 43 days — the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

    This shutdown would be a partial one, affecting the Departments of Defense, State, Transportation, Education, Labor, Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development in addition to DHS.

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which provides nutrition assistance to needy families, would not be affected.

    The other four Democratic senators from the Philadelphia region — Sens. Andy Kim and Cory Booker of New Jersey and Sens. Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware — all joined Fetterman in voting no Thursday.

    Kim argued the vote was a bipartisan rebuke of the Trump administration’s immigration strategy and said he would be working with colleagues to deliver “real security” to the American public.

    “Their lawlessness has taken lives on the streets of our neighborhoods, and I’ve heard from so many about an overwhelming fear that they can be targeted next,” Kim said in a statement. “We need real changes to fix a broken and lawless system that has led to so many Americans losing trust in their government to keep them safe.”

    This story is developing and will be updated.

    Staff writer Aliya Schneider contributed to this article, which contains information from the Associated Press.