The Morning Newsletter
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Good morning, Philly. Expect more breezy, fall-like weather with a side of coastal flooding.
Today, we have an exclusive update in the case of seven missing women linked to a house in Olney: The Inquirer has uncovered a 2009 sex crimes conviction against its owner, Raymond “R.C.” Horsch.
And, we explore whether the turmoil roiling Philly District Attorney Larry Krasner’s office could derail his political ambitions.
Plus, a Philadelphia teacher faces public backlash for lying about having Black and Palestinian heritage, and more news of the day.
— Laura Benshoff (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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With every new allegation in the sprawling missing-persons case centered on the home of Raymond “R.C.” Horsch, I keep coming back to one question: What did police know about Horsch?
It turns out, he had one conviction that had not been previously reported and that suggests law enforcement was alerted to his potentially violent behavior nearly two decades ago.
In 2009, Horsch was driving his green Jeep Wrangler around Kensington when he saw a 9-year-old girl. “Come here, in my car, sexy girl,” he told her, according to an arrest report. Instead, the girl fled home, where her mother called the police.
Horsch was later convicted of two misdemeanor counts of luring a child into a motor vehicle and corrupting the morals of a minor. He appealed.
This time, the girl and her mother were afraid to testify against Horsch a second time. The case fell apart. Horsch petitioned to have the records related to his prior conviction expunged.
The Inquirer is now fighting in court to preserve them, arguing that they may contain information important to the public and investigators.
After a federal judge last week openly declared that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner may have committed federal crimes, speculation began swirling over his political future.
One notable reaction was silence. Most prominent elected officials, including some of Krasner’s ardent supporters, have not publicly come to his defense.
The Inquirer has also learned that at least two elected Democrats have spoken to ward leaders about filling the district attorney role if Krasner were to be forced out of office.
For his part, Krasner has long operated outside of the Democratic Party organization, winning without ever receiving the party’s endorsement. In a statement to The Inquirer, Krasner called Diamond’s comments merely “accusations.”
The Inquirer’s Anna Orso has the full lowdown.
What you should know today
Hannah Gann, a veteran Philadelphia School District educator and prominent activist, revealed on social media that she had lied for years about having Black and Palestinian heritage.
Zymire Hughes, the man charged with aggravated assault over allegedly wearing a Chucky-like mask and harrassing passersby in Center City last month, appeared in court Tuesday.
People who buy health insurance through Pennsylvania’s Affordable Care Act marketplace, Pennie, can expect double-digit rate hikes next year.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has amassed a $60 million war chest for a reelection campaign that’s not looking very competitive. So how could he spend all that cash?
New Jersey is one of eight states now suing the Trump administration over its attempts to cancel offshore wind leases and pay companies to instead develop fossil fuel projects.
A data center in Vineland, N.J., has been hit with more than $1 million in fines for installing natural-gas generators without proper permits.
Historic Wonderland Pier in Ocean City, N.J., is showing signs of collapse.
The Inquirer’s Amy S. Rosenberg reports the owner/developer who planned to preserve rides like the pier’s Ferris wheel now says he may instead have to dismantle them.
🧠 Trivia time
Inquirer atmosphere reporter Anthony R. Wood recently used this term to describe the transition from summer into fall.
A) Equinoctial flip
B) Autumnal shift
C) Summer slide
D) Astronomical fall
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re ...
🏀 Saving up for. The massive additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to the 76ers lineup have pushed up ticket prices, giving some fans sticker shock.
🚋 Nostalgic for. SEPTA’s recent revamp of route names and signs provided the agency with an unexpected business opportunity. It’s now selling decommissioned transit signs for up to $350 a pop.
🌸 Touring. Lynnewood Hall, a Gilded Age mansion in Elkins Park, is opening to the public for the first time in 84 years for a flower show.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Flight delays at PHL lingered into Tuesday after communication at this, the FAA name for air traffic control facilities, went on the fritz.
CARTON
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Lindsay Carter, who correctly guessed Tuesday’s answer: Zach Ertz. On the day that tests revealed Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert sprained an MCL and will miss multiple weeks, the Eagles announced the signing of Ertz, a fan-favorite name from the past.
Photo of the day
A moody and atmospheric photo to match the cooler temps we’re in for this week.
Many thanks to Tommy Rowan for taking the reins yesterday. See you tomorrow, Philly 👋
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