💍 Marrying AI and wedding planning | Morning Newsletter
And four-year degrees at Temple’s Rome campus.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Welcome to Sunday, Philly.
After David’s Bridal emerged from its second bankruptcy, the King of Prussia-based company’s new CEO is on a mission to create a one-stop shop for wedding planning, with help from artificial intelligence.
And Temple University’s Rome campus will soon offer four-year degrees, making it one of a few American-accredited universities to do so in Italy. The university is also eyeing the possibility of more international sites.
Plus, Ardmore’s train station is finally set to reopen, and more news of the day.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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David’s Bridal, the country’s largest bridal retailer, wants you to think of it for more than white gowns, veils, and bridesmaid dresses.
The King of Prussia-based company still aims to be the place where brides on all budgets can find their dream dress at one of its nearly 200 locations. But its new AI-powered digital wedding planner called Pearl can also help them plan their weddings, complete with vision board, to-do list, and recommended products.
Pearl and other AI tools have helped the company be more efficient and cut costs after emerging from its second bankruptcy in five years, says CEO Kelly Cook, who took over in April.
As they experiment, the David’s Bridal team is also learning the risks of the technology in real time.
Consumer reporter Erin McCarthy has the story.
Temple University’s 60-year-old Rome campus, where more than 300 students study annually, will begin offering four-year degree programs next fall. The move would make it one of only three American-accredited universities to do so in Italy.
The school is considering more international sites for expansion, too, including India and Central America, Temple president John Fry told The Inquirer.
Its Japan campus is also expanding with a second site in Tokyo, and last year, the school opened a campus in Kyoto. Temple’s Japan enrollment has grown from 940 in 2015 to more than 3,400 this year.
The new options are expected to help some international students stay at the university since changes in federal policy have made it harder to get to Temple’s North Philadelphia campus, where enrollment has been declining overall.
Higher education reporter Susan Snyder has more.
In other collegiate news: Staff at Moore College of Art and Design on Thursday informed the school’s president that they intend to form a union and requested that the group be recognized.
What you should know today
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Pa.) says he is working on a proposal to reform Immigration and Customs Enforcement and fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security amid a congressional spending stalemate.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill last week called the Trump administration’s investigation into the state’s abortion insurance coverage “a fishing expedition wasting taxpayers’ money.”
A Philadelphia man wanted for assaulting a crossing guard in Darby was arrested in South Carolina on Friday, authorities said.
Main Line Fertility has settled with a patient after a doctor mistakenly injected acid into her. Court records reveal how it happened.
Parents of Radnor students victimized by AI deepfakes raised concerns about the school district’s response to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and said they want statewide action.
The Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office is facing lawsuits from firms waiting to receive the deeds to the properties they bought at auction months ago.
Ardmore’s train station reopens Monday after years of delays. Residents and local business owners say it couldn’t come soon enough.
One of Center City’s oldest historic high-rises, formerly a Sonder with short-term rentals, is becoming an apartment building.
❓Pop quiz
After losing a previously promised federal grant, which beloved attraction just secured funding for interior renovations?
A) American Treasure Tour
B) Lucy the Elephant
C) Mütter Museum
D) Reading Pagoda
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re ...
🐙 Sharing: Octopus at the walk-ins-only bar below Friday Saturday Sunday, among the best things we ate this week.
🍷 Planning: A spring escape in the Brandywine Valley with wine, Wyeth art, and gardens.
☀️ Following: Phillies head groundskeeper Jeremy Wilt on his Perfect Philly Day.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: AM station owned by Center City-headquartered Audacy
WINE WORKDAYS
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Sherry Tanksley, who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: Erykah Badu. The singer will join Jaÿ-Z as a headliner at the Roots Picnic.
Photo of the day
🎶 Today’s song goes like this: “Guess I was born to make mistakes / But I ain’t scared to take the weight / So when I stumble off the path / I know my heart will guide me back.”
Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. I’ll be back with you tomorrow morning.
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