The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Hi, Philly. Time check: September is halfway over.
That means it’s a great time to make plans for fall. We rounded up 22 festivals and markets happening soon in Philadelphia.
But first: An East Germantown landlord’s scheme to terrorize his tenants into moving out left two people dead. Read on for details of the tragic case.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
Two years ago, Patricia Hall was shot and killed in the East Germantown home she had lived in with her adult daughter, granddaughter, and younger children.
The fatal incident followed a months-long harassment campaign — cut-off electricity, a brick thrown through a window, doors and windows removed — by the Halls’ landlord, Stephen Wilkins, who wanted them out as they fell behind on rent.
Prosecutors say Wilkins sent the gunman to the home to scare the family into leaving. The landlord pleaded guilty last week to involuntary manslaughter and solicitation to commit burglary, and faces up to 25 years in prison.
What you should know today
Police have identified the 57-year-old man who was killed when his pickup truck was struck by a hit-and-run driver Sunday in Northeast Philly.
District Attorney Larry Krasner will host town halls this week to discuss how Philadelphians should prepare if President Donald Trump sends the National Guard into the city.
Pennsylvania won’t join the redistricting rush, but future congressional maps could be at stake this November when voters decide whether to retain three state Supreme Court justices.
Convicted former labor John J. Dougherty has asked a federal judge to allow him to leave prison early to help his gravely ill wife. Prosecutors oppose the request.
More than 200 Philly Police Department ranking officers were denied overtime pay for emergencies for over a decade, attorneys contend in a class-action lawsuit.
New Jersey gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill accused opponent Jack Ciattarelli of deceptively editing her remarks. He made the same argument last week.
Temple University plans to phase out a Chinese scholarship program after receiving a letter from a House committee warning of national security concerns.
One of every three teachers in Philadelphia’s lowest-performing schools is not fully certified — and last school year, it took the district on average 34 days to fix a broken bathroom.
Autumn doesn’t officially begin for about a week, but the dropping temps mean it’s a great time to plan cool-weather activities. Here’s a sample of the public events planned for the region over the next few months:
🍂 The Delaware River Festival invites families to a day of learning about the waterways — plus, free ferry rides.
🍂 The Scrapple & Apple Festival at Reading Terminal Market includes the return of the scrapple sculpting contest.
🍂 OURfest honors National Coming Out Day with a big party in the Gayborhood.
Reporter Henry Savage has more calendar fodder.
P.S. Also happening soon? The Inquirer Food Fest, at the Fillmore on Nov. 15, will assemble Philly’s biggest stars for a day of great eats, live beats, and hands-on fun. Get your tickets now.
Quote of the day
Two separate groups are hoping to recreate Tun Tavern, the colonial gathering place that served as the U.S. Marine Corps’ first recruiting station. Dahm, the retired Marine who owns Tun Tavern in Atlantic City and the trademark for the name, says he is buying an Old City restaurant to expand, while a nonprofit has plans for its own Tun nearby.
🧠 Trivia time
Which local school will close in May, following years of declining enrollment and allegations of financial mismanagement?
A) Cabrini University
B) University of the Arts
C) Valley Forge Military Academy
D) Temple University
Think you know? Check your answer.
What (and whom) we’re...
🚉 Learning about: Morale inside SEPTA, the Roosevelt Boulevard subway’s future, and other takeaways from our transit AMA on Reddit.
🦅 Rehearsing: Gillie da King’s new pregame dance ritual.
🌾 Eagerly anticipating: The opening of Calder Gardens, where the symbolic ribbon was just cut.
🏆 Noting: All the celebs rooting for the Eagles during the Emmys and New York Fashion Week.
🐦 Considering: The case for designating FDR Park as a protected stopover habitat for birds.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Prominent business prep institution
CARLTON WHOOSH
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Melissa Straiton, who solved Monday’s anagram: Tredyffrin. Devon Prep, an all-boys school in the Chester County township, received an $8 million gift from the foundation of an alumnus who started a multibillion-dollar tech company.
Photo of the day
It’s a good day to reflect on something beautiful. See you tomorrow.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.