Are bar tabs a funeral expense? | Morning Newsletter
And some organizers are confused over denied permits.
The Morning Newsletter
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Good morning, Philly! Get ready for a hot one today, with highs expected to hit the 90s. The city’s even declared a heat health emergency.
More than a decade ago, the Fraternal Order of Police was able to persuade the city to significantly boost how much it would pay to cover funeral expenses for fallen officers. But an Inquirer investigation found the union has billed taxpayers for questionable expenses.
City officials encouraged local organizers to have neighborhood parties this summer in honor of the nation’s 250th, the World Cup, and more. But now permit requests are being denied, and confusion is mounting as to why.
Plus, the Philly School District will not make 340 classroom job cuts after all, and more news of the day.
— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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After a tragic and unprecedented spike in officer deaths, Philadelphia’s police union made an emotional plea for help: Its charitable organization was running low on funds and struggling to give fallen officers the respectful burials they deserved.
City officials stepped up, agreeing in 2014 to significantly boost how much they would pay to cover funeral expenses. Since then, for each officer who died in the line of duty, the city has contributed up to $75,000 in tax dollars.
But an Inquirer investigation found that the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 has billed the city for an array of expenses that are far outside the scope of funeral home and cemetery costs. The union has asked to be reimbursed tens of thousands of dollars for bar and restaurant tabs, alcohol, catering costs, car repairs, carpet and upholstery cleaning, socks and underwear, garbage bags, and paper towels.
The city’s $75,000 contributions for officer funeral expenses, which had not been previously reported, prompt new questions about the FOP’s Survivors’ Fund, the union’s own charitable organization that raises money to pay for funerals and support the families of officers who were killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.
The Inquirer’s Barbara Laker has the full story.
Philadelphia is slated to have an abundance of block parties and street festivals this summer after the city encouraged neighborhoods to join in celebrating the nation’s 250th with their own events, even offering financial support for hosting through various grants.
But some organizers who responded to the calls are now learning there’s a limit on so-called festival street closure permits for events between June 11 and July 18. That’s essentially the duration of World Cup, July Fourth, and MLB All-Star events. The Office of Special Events did not immediately say how many street closure applications were denied for that period of time.
Notable quote: “The city government, in this case the Commerce Department, is literally trying to give communities money to host events and yet the city is also, on the other hand, denying the ability to host events.”
Though some of these events plan to move forward as “sidewalk activations” that organizers say will still be fun, frustration remains over an already complicated permitting process, made more difficult by what organizers argue has been confusing messaging from the city.
What you should know today
Philadelphia School District officials will move to restore 340 classroom-based jobs that were slated to be cut, despite district leaders saying last week that they did not have the recurring funding needed to keep the positions.
It’s the eve of the World Cup and the night before Philly bars can remain open until 4 a.m. But many are still waiting to see if they’ll qualify.
Today is the last day of classes for the Philadelphia School District’s 216 schools. A quarter of them will dismiss early because of hot temperatures.
Philadelphia’s Democratic City Committee is likely to take the rare step of ordering a redo of Monday’s controversial 22nd Ward leader election, in which City Councilmember Cindy Bass declared herself the victor after a closely divided voice vote.
A race for a key swing district in Northeastern Pennsylvania has caught the eye of a major Democratic super PAC that plans to spend around $50 million on advertising targeting Republican-held seats, according to the New York Times.
Christen “Chris” Woods, the former leader of one of Philadelphia’s largest labor unions, was acquitted of theft and conspiracy charges by a judge who rejected prosecutors’ allegations that he used a union-funded renovation project to secretly funnel money into local political campaigns.
Johan Rojas will not play for the Phillies in 2026 after suffering an elbow injury. Rojas is already serving an 80-game suspension without pay for testing positive for boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance.
Quote of the day
After 15 people were arrested on Sunday during Pride celebrations, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said she is investigating and meeting with community leaders.
🧠 Trivia time
Who is the comedian and actress who was once cursed out at Philadelphia International Airport? (Hint: She’s talked about it on her hit podcast.)
A) Tina Fey
B) Nikki Glaser
C) Amy Poehler
D) None of the above
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
😋 Craving: The most iconic dishes in Philly! Check out The 76 list for must-try bites around the city.
🗓️ Planning for: The 2026 Odunde Festival, Philly’s annual African cultural celebration. We have everything you’ll need to know.
🎉 Celebrating: Time magazine dropped its inaugural list of the 100 most influential people in sports, and it’s loaded with Philly faves!
🧠 Learning: Did you know Philadelphia is the birthplace of the Continental Army, the first branch of the American military? It all began in 1775.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: This iconic Philly food spot was recently voted Best Public Market in the country.
ADMIRER MENTAL RETAKING
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Kate Hetherington, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Jamie Apody, who’s getting an expanded role at Fox 29. “I’m so thrilled to be doing what I love again," Apody said.
Photo of the day
FloatLab, a public art feature that will offer an eye-level view of the Schuylkill, finished its voyage up the East Coast from North Carolina to Southwest Philly.
👋 That’s it from me, folks! Have a great day!
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