📉 Baby bust | Morning Newsletter

Good morning, Philly. We’re due for another lovely fall day, with highs approaching 70 degrees.

Today’s first story looks at a trend that will reshape our region in the coming years: People in Philly are having fewer children.

And, we puzzle out what it would take to reopen the Academy of Natural Sciences.

Plus, Lane Johnson’s surprise retirement announcement, and more news of the day.

— Laura Benshoff (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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There are simply fewer kids around than there used to be.

Between 2010 and 2025, the number of Philadelphia residents under 18 dropped by 31,038, or about 9%, according to an Inquirer analysis of Census Bureau data.

This change wasn’t just an urban phenomenon. Every collar county also saw a drop in the population of children during the same period. Montgomery County saw the smallest decline, just 3%, while Bucks had the largest at nearly 13%.

What’s causing the decline: Teen pregnancy is down, part of a larger trend of people having children later in life, which can lead to fewer total children. And many say cost-of-living concerns and a desire for flexibility stop them from having kids.

Why it matters: An uneven distribution of younger and older residents could undermine bedrock systems like Medicare and Social Security.

The Inquirer’s Dana Munro has the full story.

Despite the protests, despite the doorbusting attendance in its final weeks, the fight to save the Academy of Natural Sciences lacked a crucial component: someone or something to translate this energy into action.

That’s the takeaway of a new analysis by Inquirer arts reporter Peter Dobrin. Using his long perspective covering the cultural sector in Philly, Dobrin parses out why the abrupt shutdown feels so murky, and lays out what it would take to put the institution back on a path to stability.

For starters, there is a lot we don’t know about what drove the closure to begin with. For example, what are the maintenance needs of the historic building? And what kind of resources does it take to run a first-class natural history museum in Philly?

If those questions are answered and a new steward steps up, a turnaround is still possible, writes Dobrin. Look at Opera Philadelphia, another local institution that was recently drowning in debt but has managed to change its fortunes.

Read on for all the ways a reopened Academy could work.

Following his sudden retirement announcement Tuesday, fans and fellow Eagles piled the love on right tackle Lane Johnson.

For the second year in a row, Wawa and Sheetz tied for second place in a national survey of convenience stores. Which chain came in first?

A) Meijer

B) Quiktrip

C) Buc-ee’s

D) Stewart’s Shops

Think you know? Check your answer.

📺 Watching. The first and only scheduled debate in the Pennsylvania governor’s race is tonight. We have your guide on what to look out for.

🏙️ Ogling. One of Philly’s most expensive condos just hit the market for a cool $17 million. Real estate reporter Michaelle Bond shows us around.

🐔 Following. After a decade of debate, Collingswood voted this week to allow residents to keep backyard chickens. Jersey reporter Sarah Nicell has details on the new pecking order.

🍣 Reviewing. Wawa now carries sushi. Yes, you heard right. The Inquirer’s Bea Forman drove 23 miles to taste test it.

Hint: Actor known for his roles in The Fly and Jurassic Park.

BLUFF JOG MELD

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

Cheers to Pam Jiranek, who correctly guessed Tuesday’s anagram: Premier Lacrosse League. The Philadelphia Waterdogs won the 2026 Premier Lacrosse League Championship with a dominant 14-4 victory over the Denver Outlaws.

It’s starting to look a lot like spooky season around here.

👋 Take care out there, ghouls and gals.

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