🔵 A progressive blueprint for 2026 | Morning Newsletter
And Franklin Mills for sale.
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. We’re in for some clouds today.
The political operatives who powered the successful Mamdani and Fetterman campaigns are trying to win House seats for Democrats in Pennsylvania.
And Northeast Philly’s Franklin Mall — aka Franklin Mills — is for sale after years of plummeting valuation, occupancy, and visitor numbers.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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A Pennsylvania-based consulting firm that has worked with the likes of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is setting its sights on 2026, and the Keystone State.
🔵 Led by longtime Democratic political operatives, FIGHT has found success in helping progressive candidates win high-profile races such as Mamdani’s, and flipping Republican-held seats such as the one Sen. John Fetterman took in 2022.
🔵 They’re now focused on two swingy congressional seats — one in Northeast Pennsylvania, one in the Lehigh Valley — with an aim to craft buzzy campaigns that reflect the communities they’re running in.
🔵 “New York isn’t Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania isn’t New York,” cofounder Rebecca Katz, a Central High graduate, said of lessons learned from Mamdani’s win. “But there’s a universal desire for authentic candidates laser-focused on the affordability crisis.”
Politics reporter Julia Terruso has the story on FIGHT’s hyperlocal tactics.
In other political news: Gov. Josh Shapiro lashed out over former Vice President Kamala Harris’ portrayal of his interview to become her 2024 running mate, calling Harris’ retellings “complete and utter bulls—” intended to sell books.
Another regional shopping destination is facing change.
A real estate listing suggests the sprawling, 36-year-old Franklin Mills in the Far Northeast could be redeveloped for industrial and office uses. Experts say it could become warehouse or residential space, too, as is the plan for other area malls.
The building could also remain an outlet mall, though foot traffic, sales, and occupancy have been dropping for years. And demolition is on the table: “Ultimately, it may just be a piece of land” for sale, one expert told The Inquirer.
Commercial reporter Jake Blumgart has more on the once-bustling mall’s possible fates.
What you should know today
More than 65,000 immigrants are being held in federal detention, a two-thirds increase from when President Donald Trump took office, new data show.
The Trump administration has threatened to cut food aid funds for Democrat-run states if they don’t release recipient data, prompting outrage in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
A Philadelphia man was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for making violent and racist threats to two Black women.
Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Indian government to extradite an accused killer to South Jersey to face criminal charges in the 2017 death of a woman and her son.
A former Montgomery County executive says in a lawsuit that he was fired because of mental health accommodation requests, and because he was whistleblowing on wrongdoing.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority would renovate and run the abandoned Greyhound bus terminal on Filbert Street under legislation approved Wednesday by a key City Council committee. And a Philly tax loophole allows refunds for people who steal homes, but a new Council bill would direct that money to victims.
Philly-based restaurateur Stephen Starr is facing union-busting charges brought by the National Labor Relations Board over activity at his Washington, D.C., steakhouse.
Nearly a year after local Whole Foods workers voted to form a union, their union’s ability to move forward and negotiate a contract is locked in a procedural standstill.
A majority of Chinatown’s new gains in population and business have resulted in a decline in the share of Asian residents amid concerns over gentrification and displacement, a new report found.
Quote of the day
Kevin Patullo’s Moorestown home was vandalized with eggs early Saturday, just hours after the Eagles lost to the Chicago Bears and fell to 8-4. The coach on Monday expressed a desire to move forward from the incident and ongoing fan criticism and direct his attention to the next game.
🧠 Trivia time
Which of these young Philadelphians is not included on the 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 list?
A) Textile artist Qualeasha Wood
B) ChompSaw cofounder Kausi Raman
C) Social media influencer Brandon Edelman
D) Eagles running back Saquon Barkley
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🥄 Excited about: December’s Philly-area restaurant forecast, which includes a honky-tonk and a Michelin star-winner’s third venture.
🏥 Debunking: Five autism myths with a CHOP expert.
🩰 Seeing: Four exciting Nutcracker versions staged in Philadelphia this season.
🌲 Ordering: A fresh-cut Christmas tree for delivery.
📓 Considering: Whether a humanities degree is a smart investment, actually.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: A local performer will compete in its 18th season
CAPSULAR GUARDER
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Amber Ovens, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Neshaminy. A graduate of the Bucks County community’s eponymous high school cofounded Shwego, a start-up that tracks trucks and tradespeople.
Photo of the day
🎄 One last joyous thing: The former Macy’s space has come back to life with the return of the holiday lights show, Opera Philadelphia’s Pipe Up! series, and other festive events scheduled through December. I’m looking forward to visiting with my own family soon.
P.S. Looking for a fantastical lights display in the suburbs? Check out the 50th annual Festival of Lights, returning to Media this week.
Have a good one. Paola has you covered tomorrow through the weekend.
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