The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Welcome to Wednesday.
It should be sunny with a high near 84. Evidently, despite the deluge earlier this week, the Philly region’s drought conditions persist.
A new poll shows how people in Philly feel about the city under the leadership of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.
Following an Inquirer investigation into Philadelphia’s police union’s questionable funeral expenses, the FOP is pinning payout failures on the city.
Plus, why 6abc says it’s being targeted by the federal government, and more news of the day.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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An Inquirer poll in collaboration with Suffolk University asked 500 Philadelphians across the city about issues Mayor Parker promised to address in her tenure.
The questions included concerns about crime, quality of life, city services, and education.
Among the responses, they found:
👍 An overwhelming majority of Philadelphians feel safe, and more than 40% believe the city is cleaner.
👎 The quality of public schools remain a major concern, as well as the persistent opioid crisis in Kensington. More than half of the respondents indicated that the mayor’s strategy in the neighborhood is not working.
🗳️ There are mixed results on Parker’s political fortunes as she heads into an expected reelection campaign next year.
One more takeaway from the poll: Gov. Josh Shapiro is by far the most popular political figure among Philadelphia residents.
Shifting blame
Earlier this month, an Inquirer investigation uncovered how the Fraternal Order of Police has for years billed the city following an officer’s death for expenses that are unrelated to funeral home and cemetery costs.
To the tune of tens of thousands of dollars, taxpayers were footing the bills for everything from bar and restaurant tabs to socks and underwear.
Now, the FOP is pushing back on its role in the matter.
Notable quote: “The problem has always been and continues to be the city of Philadelphia’s ineptitude to pay bills in a timely fashion,” the FOP wrote. It continued on to say that survivors’ families are left to make big financial decisions as they are grieving.
The discovery prompted questions about the union’s charitable organization, which has spent money on funerals even in years when no officers died in the line of duty. The FOP criticized The Inquirer’s request to clarify these expenses through public records.
Investigative reporter Barbara Laker has the latest.
What you should know today
Two Philadelphia pastors were charged with sexual exploitation and corruption of minors. Both men were released from jail after posting bail.
The FCC is threatening to pull some ABC licenses and take stations off the air. Philly’s affiliate 6abc is asking viewers for help.
President Donald Trump talked tariffs — and transgender athletes, weight-loss drugs, and the UFC fight on the White House lawn — during a Lehigh Valley stop. He appeared to snub GOP gubernatorial nominee Stacy Garrity.
More than a third of short-term rental agencies like Airbnb and VRBO in Philadelphia have licensing issues, according to a new report from the City Controller’s office released Tuesday.
Bayside State Prison in Cumberland County, N.J., is the subject of a new report detailing overcrowding, intolerable heat, and other deficiencies.
The Spring-Ford school district is moving to fire a Spanish teacher despite protests from parents and students who say she’s being unfairly terminated.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia announced who will take over for Madeline Bell, who started her career there as a nurse almost 40 years ago.
Philly has the cheapest office space of any Northeast city, according to a new report.
Quote of the day
The ICE arrest of the owners of South Jersey Kebab sparked wide condemnation last year. Their son Muhammed Emanet said he is trying to be upbeat as he faces the prospect of being separated from his wife and two sons, all U.S. citizens.
🧠 Trivia time
A Delco man built this in his dad’s basement and could win $10,000 for it:
A) a shrine to the Phillie Phanatic
B) a replica of the Liberty Bell made out of pretzels
C) a toothpick diorama of Independence Hall
D) a custom Harley-Davidson motorcycle
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🏀 Promoting: Community wellness at the pro-am Invitational Clash event.
🇺🇸 Anticipating: Meek Mill joins the star-studded bill July 4 concert lineup.
📺 Watching: A Jalen-Hurts lookalike and Drexel alum who just entered the Love Island villa.
🎤 Belting out to: Billie Holiday, Pink, and more in day 2 of our countdown of the 76 most iconic Philly songs.
📜 Considering: A revisiting of America’s founding documents and what they mean.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Spring Garden brewery
TWITTER BINGO PROBLEM
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Kim Hyde, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Oh Mary! Tickets go on sale this week for the first national tour of the Tony-award winning campy comedy.
Photo of the day
👋🏽 That’s it for now. Thanks for reading, and have a great day.
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