Happy Groundhog Day. Grab a shovel. | Morning Newsletter
And, Pa. Republicans on Trump’s pick.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
First: One of the most enduring storms the region has experienced marches on today. Once it’s over, “it’s going to be a slow melt.” And here’s the deal on the lasting impact beyond the “sleet siege” from weather reporter Anthony R. Wood.
Speaking of trusted weather forecasters, today is Groundhog Day, which means Pennsylvania’s very own rodent prophet of debatable accuracy emerged to ride again without visitors this year.
Disappointing news from Gobbler’s Knob for warm-weather fans: our beloved groundhog Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow, therefore predicting that winter will stick around for six more whole weeks in 2021.
Then: Pennsylvania did its job with the 2020 election. Now comes the challenge of building a new election system, which is an entirely different story.
And: Pa. Republicans say Trump’s pick of Bruce Castor for his impeachment lawyer is a “natural choice.” Others are scratching their heads.
— Ashley Hoffman (@_ashleyhoffman, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
One of the most enduring winter storms ever to pummel the Philly region isn’t done with us yet. In fact, it’s still going. And after it finally lets up, you can expect a “slow melt.” Forecasters predict the storm that mixed it up with falling snow, blowing snow, fast-whipping winds, and an onslaught of sleet could finally end today.
But it was especially disruptive across the region when it came to the vaccination effort. It’s not just the amount or how long it lasted that made this storm so different. Wood can explain it all in his full feature on this classic “Miller-B” storm.
Here’s the current weather forecast, by the way.
Pennsylvania got through the 2020 election. Now for the hard work of building a new election system.
How can Pennsylvania build and run a sustainable election system when we do this again without the money and attention of the 2020 race? By spring.
That’s the question election officials are working hard to answer. Status: seeking clarity. The primary election will be here before you know it on May 18. So after the historic election, prep time before game day is tight. The spotlight was on the 2020 election. Last year’s operations had grants, ceaseless media attention, and voter education designed to combat confusion. But that was then and this is now. Now they need to create an election system that’s built to last.
This is going to be our clearest indicator of what Pennsylvania elections could look like.
Democracy reporter Jonathan Lai has the story.
Helpful COVID-19 Resources
Here are the updated coronavirus case numbers as COVID-19 continues to spread across the region.
Use our lookup tool to see where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine in the Philly area.
How to avoid COVID-19 vaccine scams.
How can I protect myself?
What you need to know today
Few who knew him knew that Montgomery County’s “former limelight-loving, hard-charging district attorney, a man who harbored statewide political ambitions only to see them flame out as he burned bridges again and again within his own party, was up for such a high-profile job.” Pa. Republicans close to Bruce Castor talked about the lawyer who was “not a favorite of the political establishment” becoming Trump’s pick for his impeachment defense.
Attention, Pa. voters: You’re about to receive some mail ballot applications in your mailbox. Listen up.
City parents, teachers and concerned citizens have plenty to say to the Philadelphia School Board now that there’s another reopening plan. But the board has placed limits on how many members of the public get to speak and for how long, a move it explains is geared toward being more inclusive. One student called the move “a slap in the face.”
A Pa. Dept. of State error means some sex-abuse victims will again have to wait for justice. Spotlight PA has the full report.
A Bucks County man has been charged with assaulting a police officer during the U.S. Capitol riot.
Through your eyes | #OurPhilly
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Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and we’ll pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout-out!
That’s interesting
🦅 Here’s what new Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni borrowed from all of the leaders he’s ever played for or coached under. Plus, some of the Doug Pederson offense concepts that will likely remain.
😷 These photos show how that independent pharmacy transformed a vacant storefront into a fully functioning vaccine clinic.
🌶️ New restaurants are opening in Philly soon despite everything that has befallen the industry. Reporter Mike Klein has the full rundown in this list.
💰 “The American people were always second- or third-class citizens in the market. These platforms helped them figure out how to be a voice and a power. That’s a great thing.” Philly investors talk about how the Reddit day trader phenomenon was a long time coming.
🏀 Let’s check in on the best and worst performers of the last Sixers game and who’s a contender for MVP of the season.
Opinions
“Having the support of a loved one at the bedside can decrease the length of stay, decrease anxiety, and improve outcomes. Isolating patients from their families (and advocates) therefore seems antithetical to the patient-centered care espoused in health care ad nauseam — and honestly, it is just wrong. My family members — and many, many others — are experiencing this firsthand.” — nurse Marion Leary writes that hospitals shouldn’t keep visitors out of hospitals.
The Republicans are trying to take over the will of the people by any means possible, and Pennsylvania’s democracy is at stake, writes the Inquirer Editorial board, a group of journalists who operate independently of the newsroom.
Asking unvaccinated teachers to take the word of city officials who say schools are safe to reopen when we’re under similar conditions that scrapped the last reopening plan is wrong, write Adam Sanchez, Philly African American history teacher, and Nina Willbach, Philly pre-K teacher. They ask: Why should teachers trust these leaders on school safety now?
What we’re reading
WHYY digs into how this West Philly block where residents voiced concerns about drag racing became an interesting study in traffic.
CNN writes that some people in the mob that attacked the Capitol to “Stop the Steal” did not vote in the election.
The Ringer discusses what makes the box office HBO Max smash The Little Things starring Denzel Washington so different. That noir movie should not to be confused with Netflix’s show Tiny Pretty Things, which is also death-themed but with ballerinas.
Philadelphia-area residents have turned to canine and feline sidekick companionship to make the pandemic more cuddly.
For those privileged enough to spend more time at home, the arrangement has meant Philly’s residents are taking up new animal housemates, a surprisingly lasting development that’s still warming hearts in a cold, anxious time. Dogs and cats have taken their thrones, and maintained them, as friends and in some cases, protectors against those flouting social distancing guidelines. “He’s great for the loneliness,” one pet parent told breaking news reporter Erin McCarthy.
Animal shelters and rescue organizations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey say that dogs and cats are still getting adopted much faster than normal. Read on for how these relationships are deepening now.