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Election Day was a ‘huge alarm bell’ for Democrats | Morning Newsletter

And the cost of caring for kids in the system

    The Morning Newsletter

    Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

It’s safe to say Republicans had a big day.

In Pennsylvania, the GOP was on the verge of sweeping statewide judicial elections. The map was all red from Bucks County to Erie in local races. Even in deep-blue New Jersey, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy only won reelection by a razor-thin margin.

So what’s it all mean heading into next year’s midterm elections? That’s the topic of today’s top story, which takes a look at what happens next.

What do you think of the turning political tides? Let me know at morningnewsletter@inquirer.com.

— Kerith Gabriel (@sprtswtr, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

Republicans won at least three of four statewide judgeships, including the marquee race for state Supreme Court. And the races weren’t all that close, with Republican Kevin Brobson holding a four-point lead over Democrat Maria McLaughlin in the Supreme Court race.

Joe Biden won the state just one year ago. The difference this time? A surge of Republican turnout. From school board elections to gubernatorial races, GOP voters went to the polls en masse.

Our reporters Andrew Seidman, Julia Terruso, and Jonathan Tamari look at how the GOP is reenergized ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

Child welfare in Philly has historically been a confusing mix of money going to private agencies entrusted to care for the city’s youth. But some of these agencies are paying out massive settlements after reports of abuse, inadequate care, or negligence — to the tune of millions.

  1. $10 million: The amount Turning Points for Children, the city’s largest child welfare provider, and Carson Valley Children’s Aid, a suburban residential facility, settled for just last month after they released sisters back into the care of their abusive father.

  2. $50 million: The amount Turning Points receives annually from the city’s Department of Human Services.

  3. $6.3 million: The amount the city pays in insurance premiums for approved providers.

Our reporters Max Marin and William Bender look at the true cost of caring for the kids caught up in Philly’s child welfare system.

What you should know today

  1. Local resettlement agencies are anticipating a surge of Afghan refugees making Philly their permanent home as they begin moving off military bases.

  2. Sixers forward Tobias Harris tested positive for COVID-19.

  3. Now that kids ages 5-11 are eligible for vaccines, here’s what parents need to know. Have more questions for our Health team? Send us an email.

  4. The defense continued its case in the federal trial of labor leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty and Councilmember Bobby Henon, with a priest, an ex-congressman, and an anticrime activist testifying as character witnesses.

  5. Philly’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade will return to the Parkway after a year off, with festivities slated to kick off at 9 a.m.

  6. Local Coronavirus Numbers: Here’s your daily look at the latest COVID-19 data.

Through your eyes | #OurPhilly

Some people pride themselves on “working like a dog.” Just a reminder that if @stormy_potato_dog can take time to stop and smell the flowers, so can you. Have a Philly pic worth sharing? Use the hashtag #OurPhilly.

That’s interesting

📚 A Rowan professor is teaching a Black Lives Matter course in an effort to discuss institutional racism.

🏈 Temple football says there’s no quarterback controversy, but the program is currently playing two quarterbacks.

🤥 Some health-care providers have been billing acupuncture treatments as surgeries to the tune of millions. Federal prosecutors are investigating these instances as fraud.

Opinions

“I see society, on the brink of disaster, engaged in a massive and inspirational brainstorming exercise. … We may not necessarily have more knowledge nor claim any higher moral authority than previous generations, but we have suddenly become very busy working in disenfranchised neighborhoods and previously insulated boardrooms, using new strategies, to elevate more people,” writes Drexel professor Franco Montalto, who says reimagining urban green space is also a way to promote social justice.

  1. A Main Line bartender wants you to know that servers would love to bring your food sooner, there’s just not enough staff to do so.

  2. Union steelworker Rich Cucarese writes that a national infrastructure program would benefit and revitalize historic yet dilapidated Philly neighborhoods like Nicetown.

What we’re ...

  1. Checking out: A few of these spots listed as the best places to hear live jazz in the city.

  2. Watching: The “growing frustration” between the Sixers and troubled star Ben Simmons, who won’t accept any mental health help being offered by the team.

  3. Wondering: If anyone has $440,000 lying around to purchase this Francisville trinity apartment.

Photo of the day

Have a great Thursday, Philadelphia. 👍🏽