📷 Clean, green, and under surveillance? | Morning Newsletter
And assessing the area’s federal employment rate.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Good morning, Philly! After a hard freeze, expect sunny skies today with temperatures still in the low 50s. Don’t worry, though, it’ll get warmer later this week.
During a budget hearing on Tuesday, leaders of Philadelphia’s Office of Clean and Green Initiatives asked for an increase of $4 million increase for the next fiscal year.
Federal offices in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania saw thousands leave their jobs between President Donald Trump’s inauguration and the end of last year. And we now know which agencies were hit the hardest.
Plus, a Montgomery County school board official falsely claimed that an Inquirer journalist was under investigation, and more news of the day.
— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Mayor Cherelle L. Parker is asking for $190 million for the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives to pay for higher sanitation labor costs, an expansion of twice-weekly trash collection, and surveillance cameras to catch illegal dumpers.
💰 Budget increase: The proposed budget for the 2027 fiscal year is about $4 million over obligations for the current fiscal year. That translates to a roughly 2.1% budget increase.
👷 Labor costs: Much of the budget increase is due to contracted wage increases after an eight-day municipal worker strike last year. Union leaders agreed to end the strike for a three-year contract with annual raises of 3%.
🚯 Illegal dumping: Currently, the city has posted 400 surveillance cameras specifically to monitor illegal dumping. For the forthcoming fiscal year, the city anticipates purchasing an additional 100 cameras.
🗑️ Expanding trash collection: The office is looking for an expansion of twice-weekly trash collection. Officials say they are targeting neighborhoods that score high on the city’s litter index.
Get all the dirty details from reporter Frank Kummer.
The Philadelphia area’s federal workforce was cut down by thousands last year under President Donald Trump — and for the first time, what agencies were hit the hardest by job loss has become clear.
Agencies that saw the most employee loss in the region were the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration.
In the 11-county Philadelphia metro area, there was a net loss of 3,906 federal jobs from January 2025 through February 2026 — a 16.7% decline in the area’s federal workforce, data show.
Pennsylvania hasn’t been the only state affected. In New Jersey and Delaware, dozens of counties saw job losses in federal workplaces.
Inquirer reporters Joe Yerardi and Ariana Perez-Castells have the full breakdown.
What you should know today
President Donald Trump’s threat to eliminate the “whole civilization” of Iran was the “epitome of an illegal order,” said U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D., Chester).
The Biden-era Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan has officially ended, and millions of student-loan borrowers will now need to find a new plan.
Philly-area students who have used the college and career readiness platform Naviance in the past five years may be eligible for part of a $17.25 million settlement over data privacy.
A member of the Souderton Area School District’s board of directors alleged that an Inquirer journalist was “under investigation with the Philadelphia police for misleading information, and reporting on inaccurate information.” Police quickly stated that this is not the case.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority’s temporary parking pass system has gone digital. The overhaul raises new questions and has left some residents confused.
A prominent member of the violent West Philadelphia gang the Young Bag Chasers, or YBC, pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to illegal gun possession.
Police shot and killed a 75-year-old man in West Philly after responding to a report of a person with a weapon and being confronted by a man with a gun, investigators say.
Quote of the day
Singing Resistance, together with a group called the Rise Choir, turned song into a way to support immigrant neighbors at a time when President Donald Trump has turned the federal immigration-enforcement apparatus hard against them.
🧠 Trivia time
A long-planned four-story, 63-unit apartment building is set to break ground in what Philly neighborhood this summer?
A) Northern Liberties
B) Rittenhouse Square
C) East Passyunk
D) Queen Village
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re ...
✈️ Looking into: Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin suggested that airport customs in sanctuary cities should undergo increased scrutiny, which could impact PHL.
🚘 Following up on: Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey’s ex-landlords said a defect in his Maserati started a 2021 fire. But the courts didn’t see it that way.
🖼️ Admiring: A two-story Narberth home, built in 1920, that’s filled with original art by its owner.
🍦 Raving about: Hayley Williams, the lead singer of rock band Paramore, and rapper Tierra Whack were seen partying at a Philly sweet shop.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: This long-standing Philly ice cream parlor has recently been experimenting with new flavors, including caramelized garlic toffee and caprese ice cream.
AFRO INFANT UNLINK
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Marianne Fray, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Tamron Hall.
The Emmy award-winning journalist and Temple alumna recently said on social media that Spring Garden’s Honeysuckle was “the best food experience” of her life.
Photo of the day
With Philadelphia expecting more than a million visitors for the FIFA World Cup, MLB All-Star Game, and July Fourth celebrations, the city continues to roll out aesthetic improvements meant to be enjoyed by tourists and residents alike.
Have another great day, Philly! I’ll be back soon. 👋
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