Where to drop your mail ballot in Philly | Morning Newsletter
And how to enroll in Medicare or change your plan.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Slip on your rain boots because there’s a chance of showers and a thunderstorm today.
First, Philly’s mail ballot drop boxes are officially open, and we want to make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to vote.
Plus, the open enrollment period for Medicare is opening this weekend, and we’re answering all your pressing questions.
If you see this 🔑 in today’s newsletter, that means we’re highlighting our exclusive journalism. You need to be a subscriber to read these stories.
— Felicia Gans Sobey and Evan Weiss (@FeliciaGans and @eaweiss, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
Philly’s mail ballot drop boxes are open for the 2022 midterm elections, which means you can vote for Pennsylvania’s next governor and senator now.
The city reopened its 17 drop boxes this week now that mail ballots are being delivered to voters who requested them. The boxes are all over the city and voters can use any of them.
One important requirement: You can only return your own ballot. That means, for example, that your spouse, child, best friend, or neighbor can’t drop off your ballot for you.
Other things you may need to know: deadlines, alternatives, hours. Luckily you can find all of that information here.
What you should know today
Police have arrested a 21-year-old man and charged him with murder for his alleged role in the fatal shooting at Roxborough High School last month that killed 14-year-old Nicolas Elizalde and injured four other teens.
Meanwhile, Roxborough High is getting $500,000 for enhanced security.
Three Philly police officers were shot in North Philadelphia Wednesday while executing a warrant, police said. The suspect was killed in a gun battle that followed.
Comcast has a new president: former Wall Street banker Mike Cavanagh.
The Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office has amended the death certificates of six adults and five children killed in the MOVE bombing. Their deaths had been deemed “accidental” for nearly four decades.
Local coronavirus numbers: Here’s your daily look at the latest COVID-19 data.
The annual Medicare enrollment period opens Saturday and will last through Dec. 7. Whether you’re enrolling for the first time or simply changing your plan, the system can be complicated, and we want to make it a little easier.
Our colleague Sarah Gantz compiled a primer with nearly everything you need to know about Medicare, including answers to questions asked by readers in past years. A few questions she answered:
Do I need to do anything during the fall enrollment period if I’m happy with my current plan?
Yes. Plans can change each year, so it’s important to review your current plan.
What type of plan should I choose if my biggest concern is cost?
It depends, because your total out-of-pocket expense will depend on how the plan you choose covers the services you use most.
What’s the difference between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?
Original Medicare is managed by the federal government and offers coverage for hospital services (Part A) and outpatient services, such as primary-care doctors, specialists, and routine care (Part B). Medicare Advantage plans are run by private insurance companies approved by the federal government.
Find answers to other questions here.
🧠 Philly Trivia Time 🧠
The restaurant Friday Saturday Sunday was named one of this year’s 10 best restaurants. Originally named Friday Saturday Sunday and Thursday Too, what year did the restaurant open?
A) 1945
B) 1973
C) 1981
D) 2016
What we’re...
😋 Salivating over: The best photos from The Inquirer’s 2022 Dining Guide.
🚴♀️ Cycling in: The first Philly Bike Ride this weekend.
🧩 Unscramble the Anagram 🧩
We recommended this Halloween-themed pop-up bar in our Sunday newsletter.
AILMENTS BOREE FRIGHTEN
Think you know? Send your guess our way at morningnewsletter@inquirer.com. We’ll give a shout-out to a reader at random who answers correctly. Today’s shout-out goes to Terry Hafler, who correctly guessed Tweeter Center as Wednesday’s answer.
Photo of the Day
That’s all for us today. Enjoy your Friday Junior.