🌱 Humans can be composted, too | Morning Newsletter
And cheap eats at Citizens Bank Park.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Morning, Philly. The heat today brings with it the chance of thunderstorms, likely in the afternoon.
New Jersey is set to legalize human composting, and Pennsylvania could follow. Below, learn how the practice works, and meet a Chestnut Hill man who plans for his body to become soil after he dies.
And in less morbid news, yes, you can eat at a Phillies game for under $15 — just skip the beer. Read on for the best cheap eats at Citizens Bank Park.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
P.S. The Inquirer Food Fest, at the Fillmore on Nov. 15, will assemble the Philly scene’s biggest stars for a day of food, live beats, and hands-on fun. Check out discount tickets now.
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What do you want to happen to your body when you die? Like an increasing number of environmentally conscious Americans, Chestnut Hill resident Paul Meshejian wants to become compost.
🌱 What is human composting? Also known as natural organic reduction or terramation, it’s the process by which a deceased person’s body is turned into soil instead of cremated or buried.
🌱 Is it legal? The practice is currently illegal in most states. Legislative efforts to allow human composting in Pennsylvania has moved slowly, but New Jersey is poised to be the 14th state to legalize it, with bipartisan legislation awaiting Gov. Phil Murphy’s signature.
🌱 Case study: Meshejian has arranged for his body to be shipped to a West Coast-based company. After 45 days, his remains will have become “nutrient rich soil,” to be sent to loved ones or donated to conservation efforts. It will cost him a few thousand dollars — likely not more than a traditional funeral.
What you should know today
A 10-year-old boy, 11-year-old girl, and three other people were wounded by gunfire Wednesday afternoon outside a recreation center in West Philadelphia, police said.
Gov. Josh Shapiro is suing the Trump administration, alongside 22 other states, over a policy that would block Planned Parenthood clinics from receiving Medicaid funding.
The Federal Communications Commission has opened an inquiry into NBCUniversal and its parent company, Comcast, over their handling of local broadcast affiliate stations.
Harrisburg Democrats’ frustrations are mounting as Pennsylvania’s budget deadline is a month late and a deadline to implement SEPTA cuts approaches.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on Wednesday filled 10 top posts in her administration, including officials who will oversee diversity initiatives, immigrant affairs, and behavioral health.
A former staffer for State Sen. Vincent Hughes allegedly stole more than $140,000 from a West Philly ward and a church, where he volunteered as a deacon.
Peco launched a $10 million customer relief fund for low- and middle-income Philly-area households that have overdue bills.
The Phillies are set to acquire pitcher Jhoan Durán from the Minnesota Twins.
If you’re heading to a Phillies game this weekend and on a budget, take note and take heart: There are ways to eat at the Bank without breaking the bank.
🌭 They’re no Dollar Dog Nights, but BOGO Nights remain among the best meal deals at Citizens Bank Park. Hot dogs on any other day can be found for $4.99.
🥨 Other lower-cost ballpark classics include popcorn boxes, giant pretzels, onion rings, and those signature helmet ice cream cups.
🦀 Not cheap? Most alcoholic drinks, Manco & Manco pies, and Crabfries — but at $3 for extra cheese alone, you already knew that.
🥪 And remember: You can always bring in your own wrapped food, plus sealed, bottled beverages.
In other food news: Stephen Starr’s Borromini opens next month on Rittenhouse Square, bringing 100-layer lasagna and two floors of splashy Italian dining. And Gordon Ramsay snuck into the kitchen at North Philadelphia’s Pretty Girls Cook, but as we learned in last night’s episode of Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service, what he found wasn’t pretty.
Quote of the day
Debbie and Mike Davis are creating new lives for themselves as filmmakers after spending 40 years in prison. The former MOVE members have found a new form of activism: celebrating the achievements of their formerly incarcerated friends.
🧠 Trivia time
What did Philadelphia’s Archbishop Nelson Pérez gift Pope Leo XIV during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday?
A) A Villanova shirt
B) A Wawa hoagie
C) An Eagles hat
D) A Gritty bobblehead
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
💕 Eagerly anticipating: The result of Love Is Blind’s Philly casting.
🎹 Listening for: The Wanamaker Organ’s return for a fall art series.
☀️ Recalling: The internet’s favorite Always Sunny memes of the past 20 years.
🐷 Meeting: The Squonk, Pennsylvania’s depressed, pig-like creature.
⚕️ Considering: The life-saving importance of living kidney donors.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Punny name of Sen. John Fetterman’s forthcoming memoir
TURNED FEET
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to DB, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Jacob Collier. The British multi-instrumentalist with millions of fans is coming to the Mann with his favorite conductor: his mother.
Photo of the day
🦩 One last less-ugly thing: After her Upper Darby home was crowned the “Ugliest House in America” by HGTV, Justine Mays won a $150,000 home makeover.
“I know it’s probably a little gaudy but that’s what I was going for,” she said of the extremely pink new look. “I did get the ugliest house and I am from Philly, so I’m a bit gaudy.” See the full renovation project here.
Enjoy your Thursday. Back at it tomorrow!
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