More Philly murders are getting solved | Morning Newsletter
And Chase expands in the region.
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.
Philadelphia detectives are solving homicides at the highest rate in 40 years as violence plummets and tech improves. Below, learn what’s contributing to the trend.
And Chase branches are everywhere in the region. The expansion is part of a “long game” strategy for the nation’s largest bank.
Plus, SEPTA must inspect 225 Silverliner IV Regional Rail trains by the end of October. How many are left? Follow along with our tracker.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
As Philly’s rate of violence plummets to near-historic lows, police are also solving homicides at the highest rate in recent memory.
By the numbers: The homicide clearance rate this year is around 90% — the highest in 40 years. It’s a dramatic shift from 2021, when gun violence spiked and the clearance rate dropped to its lowest on record, around 42%.
What changed: The technology used to solve crimes has improved, for one. But fewer killings also mean police have more time to focus on each case.
Still unsolved: Despite this progress, nearly 800 killings between 2021 and 2023 have yet to result in an arrest, according to an Inquirer analysis.
Most big banks are downsizing their physical footprints as more customers manage their money online.
But JPMorgan Chase is expanding, adding nearly 50 new branches in the Philadelphia region alone. That includes forthcoming locations in Collegeville, Kennett Square, Westtown, and the Lehigh Valley. And Chase hubs have popped up all over the city, including in the former Wawa at Broad and Walnut Streets.
With the IRL growth, the bank hopes to entice customers to come and make bigger money moves in person, the local head of consumer banking told The Inquirer: “Trust is super important.”
Business reporter Joseph N. DiStefano has more.
What you should know today
A Philadelphia man has been charged with kidnapping in connection with the disappearance of Kada Scott, 23, who went missing from her workplace earlier this month, police said.
A Philadelphia firefighter was killed in Holmesburg on Wednesday, police said. Detectives are investigating the incident as a homicide.
The former state trooper who arrested a Philadelphia LGBTQ+ official on I-76 last year has sued the Pennsylvania State Police, alleging he was fired because he is white.
A Bucks County judge ruled Wednesday that Sheriff Fred Harran acted legally in signing up to have his deputies help federal authorities enforce immigration laws.
More than 400 photos of exhibits at Independence National Historical Park have been digitally archived amid the Trump administration’s attempts to whitewash history at federal sites.
Elected officials on Wednesday urged University of Pennsylvania to reject the Trump administration’s proposal to shape the school’s policies and procedures. Penn’s faculty senate also voted overwhelmingly to urge university leaders to reject the compact.
A City Council bill to establish training requirements for private security guards has sparked a fight between organized labor and business leaders.
The clearing of encampments along the Delaware River in South Philly, where about 40 people were estimated to be living, began this week after several false starts.
Thomas Jefferson University laid off about 1%, or between 600 and 700, of its 65,000 employees Wednesday.
Following an emergency order from the Federal Railroad Administration, SEPTA is rushing to inspect 225 Silverliner IVs by Oct. 31. The transit agency is looking for signs of overheating and other electrical problems after several recent fires in the 50-year-old rail cars.
As of Wednesday, with a little over two weeks until SEPTA’s deadline, the number inspected stands at 46. Riders have contended with delays and canceled trains in the meantime.
See the tracker and the latest inspection updates. Look for periodic updates here until the inspections are complete.
🧠 Trivia time
The Mann Center has landed a sponsorship deal — and a new name. What is it?
A) The Roots Center
B) Wawa Mann
C) The Mann Presented by Aramark
D) Highmark Mann
Think you know? Check your answer.
What (and whom) we’re ...
🎥 Viewing: The new Sansom Street mural celebrating Philadelphia’s rich film culture.
🏀 Meeting: The 31-year-old Blue Coats GM once thought to be the NBA’s only woman scout.
🧱 Congratulating: This Philly union worker who just won big at the “Super Bowl” of apprentices.
🩰 Anticipating: The Philadelphia Ballet’s spooky Halloween program this weekend.
🕊️ Considering: What local faith leaders say about Christianity and national politics.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Philly-tinged name of the zoo’s forthcoming attraction
SHEEP WHIRLER
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Chas Herstine, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Christmas Village. A 30-foot, German-style pyramid topped with a windmill will tower over LOVE Park’s holiday event this season.
Photo of the day
Hang on — Friday’s almost here. I’ll be back with you then.
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.