🍩 Federal Donuts & Chicken regroups | Morning Newsletter
And a Penn medical student aims to cure ALS.
The Morning Newsletter
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Happy Tuesday, Philly! Get ready for a mild day with lots of sun and temps in the low 50s. This week, the Philly region will be under a freeze watch.
After major franchisees closed several Federal Donuts & Chicken locations, the company’s next task is resetting its brand. But how? First, they’ll need to regain control of some shuttered stores.
Yentli Soto Albrecht is a genetic carrier for ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that claimed her father’s life. She’s also an M.D.-Ph.D. student at Penn, where she’s hoping to find a cure.
Plus, World Stage — formerly known as World Cafe Live — got shut down over the weekend for selling liquor without a license, and more news of the day.
— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Federal Donuts & Chicken is working on regaining its footing after its franchisees began closing stores in Philly and the surrounding suburbs.
These franchisees bought seven locations — four existing stores and three new suburban shops. Earlier this year, they closed the long-running location on Benjamin Franklin Parkway as well as newer locations in Radnor and Willow Grove.
“These situations can be complicated, and not every partnership evolves the way people initially expect,” one franchisee said.
For Federal, the immediate task is regaining control of its footprint. Founders say they expect to reopen the Parkway store this month as a company-owned location. They are also working with landlords to regain control of the franchisees’ still-open franchise locations.
Yentli Soto Albrecht is at risk of developing the same condition that claimed her father’s life. The University of Pennsylvania medical student inherited a genetic mutation that can cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease.
People usually die within two to five years from the time of symptom onset of ALS, with an average survival rate of three years.
Soto Albrecht is now managing 11 projects that together aim to tackle gaps in research on ALS. They’re focused on testing potential therapeutics, identifying biological markers of the disease, accelerating research with patient samples, and building community awareness.
In Soto Albrecht’s words: “The biggest motivator that exists is survival.”
Reporter Kayla Yup has more on Soto Albrecht’s story.
What you should know today
Iran has rejected the latest ceasefire proposal and instead said it wants a permanent end to the war, as President Donald Trump’s widens his threats against the country.
Savannah Guthrie was back at NBC’s Today show anchor desk this week for the first time since her mother’s disappearance, saying “it is good to be home.”
Workers United, the union representing Starbucks baristas nationwide, filed a lawsuit Friday asking a Philly federal judge to declare that the workers have a right to use their employer’s name and a similar logo in union materials.
West Philly music venue World Stage was shut down by Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Control Enforcement officers. Three bartenders and a manager were arrested, according to the union that represents them.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education upheld the firing of a Central Bucks administrator for failing to report suspected abuse of students in an autistic support classroom.
A Philly businessman agreed to pay a hit man $30,000 to kill a business partner and his paramour. He unknowingly paid a federal informant instead.
Quote of the Day
Porter Martone’s fast start with the Flyers included an overtime goal Sunday against Boston that lifted Philly into a playoff spot. It was Martone’s first goal in the NHL. After the game, he told The Inquirer how thankful he was to his alma mater for getting him to where he is now.
🧠 Trivia time
Temple University has launched another new partnership, adding to the school’s emerging arts and culture portfolio. With what organization is the latest partnership?
A) FringeArts
B) Opera Philadelphia
C) Circadium
D) Allens Lane Art Center
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🍔 Excited for: A casual new restaurant with updated comfort food that was opened by a Michelin-star chef team.
🍷 Waiting on: Philly’s first urban walking wine tour, which highlights wines and ciders made in the city. Tours start this May.
🏡 Admiring: A Rittenhouse Square condo that’s in a building with a pool, fitness center, and valet parking.
🤨 Confused by: American Airlines was selling roundtrip tickets between Wilmington, Del., and Philadelphia for about $1,000. Not plane tickets, however, but bus tickets.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: This 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.
MARTHA NOLL
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Stacy Stone, who solved Monday’s anagram: Theatre Week.
Theatre Philadelphia’s annual event returns this month with a 10-day slate of shows — all with discounted tickets.
Photo of the day
Have an amazing day, Philly! I’ll be back in your inbox bright and early tomorrow morning. 👋
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