Could you pass the new citizenship test? | Morning Newsletter
🏛️ And museum rebrand draws concern.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Hi, Philly. Look up: The moon is making its closest approach of the year this week.
Philadelphia immigrants seeking United States citizenship are now facing a harder test, as well as less support after a federal grant for organizations that help them navigate it disappeared. Plus: See if you could pass the new test.
And the Philadelphia Art Museum rebrand surprised locals and board members. Is it as bad as some say?
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
P.S. It’s Election Day. Follow the live results of Pennsylvania’s races, including for Philly district attorney and state Supreme Court judges retention, and New Jersey’s races, including for governor and state assembly. See Inquirer.com for the latest analysis.
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Between October 2023 and September 2024, more than 21,000 people became U.S. citizens in Philadelphia. That was before the latest changes to the citizenship test, and as organizations that help people navigate the process see lessened federal support.
A higher bar: The civics portion of the citizenship test has gotten harder as of Oct. 20, requiring applicants to correctly answer 12 out of 20 questions about U.S. history and government instead of six out of 10 in the 2008 version. The list of possible questions they could be asked also jumped from 100 to 128.
Stretched thin: Nonprofits such as Esperanza Immigration Legal Services host clinics to help permanent residents apply for citizenship. Following the loss of a federal grant, Esperanza kept its free summer citizenship class alive by relying on donors and volunteer law students.
National concerns: Some Philly-area residents who are now going through the naturalization process told The Inquirer that they are hoping to protect themselves as immigration policies become increasingly restrictive under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Reporter Michelle Myers has the story.
Plus: What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment? Why did the U.S. enter the Persian Gulf War? Take our quiz of 20 sample questions to find out how you’d do on the civics portion of the U.S. citizenship test.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s new identity as the Philadelphia Art Museum, aka PhAM, attracted quick attention when it was unveiled last month — much of it negative.
🏛️ Critics say the new logo and its angular griffin look more like they belong to a soccer team, a clothing brand for teens, or a beer label than to the city’s largest visual arts institution. Some online have even stuck it with an unflattering nickname: PhArt.
🏛️ The museum’s board of trustees is split, too, especially since its members weren’t told about the finalized designs until they were publicly announced, one told The Inquirer.
🏛️ The backlash won’t matter much if the changes do what they were meant to do: boost attendance.
Arts reporter Peter Dobrin has more.
In other internet news: Google review scammers are targeting some of Philly’s top restaurants. The fake one-star reviews are part of what one online watchdog calls a widespread cottage industry based mainly overseas.
What you should know today
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said Monday that a collaborative law enforcement effort had disrupted major fentanyl distribution networks that had spread the drug from Kensington to the collar counties. Plus: A new, potent drug called medetomidine is causing severe withdrawal, and Philly doctors are scrambling to respond.
A year ahead of 2026 midterms, Trump made endorsements for the entire GOP U.S. House delegation from Pennsylvania — except for U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.
Republican district attorney candidate Patrick Dugan announced Monday that he has the support of Philly’s police union, which had avoided wading into the prosecutor’s race for nearly a year.
Local food pantries have seen a surge in demand as reduced federal benefits payouts are delayed.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority board approved a lease with the owner of the former Greyhound terminal on Filbert Street and an agreement to fix up and operate it for the city.
A Bucks County school district could have to shut down on Jan. 30 if no state budget deal is reached, its superintendent said Monday.
The University of Pennsylvania has reported last week’s email breach, in which a crude message was sent to alumni and students, to federal authorities. An alumnus has also sued the school.
Center City hotel workers who went on a four-day strike last month have secured a new contract.
Quote of the day
Grounds for Sculpture in South Jersey is one of columnist Stephanie Farr’s “favorite weird and wonderful corners of this strange and beautiful world.” See the statues that inspired a recent repeat visit.
🧠 Trivia time
Which Pennsylvanian donated at least $2.5 million to Trump’s White House ballroom?
A) Michael Rubin
B) Jeffrey Lurie
C) Jeffrey Yass
D) Victoria Mars
Think you know? Check your answer.
What (and whom) we’re …
🎒 Admiring: These Philly siblings’ deep commitment to Mastbaum High.
🎸 Welcoming: AC/DC to the Linc in 2026.
🪨 Belaying to: The latest rock-climbing gym in the Fishtown area.
🎹 Marking: 20 years of Get Lifted by Penn alumnus John Legend.
🚆 Tracking: SEPTA’s Silverliner IV train inspections, with 91 to go before the new Nov. 14 deadline.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: _ Building, home of a famous light show
ARM AWAKEN
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Nava Klopper, who solved Monday’s anagram: Philabundance. The hunger alleviation nonprofit is the first local org to be featured in this year’s Philly Gives campaign. Learn about its work and how to donate.
Photo of the day
🥧 One last communal thing: The city’s first-ever pie picnic took over the FDR Park Boathouse on Sunday afternoon, complete with dozens of attendees who brought over 70 pies. “I really want the event to be about getting to know your neighbors and sitting at a table with people you typically wouldn’t,” organizer Sophie Rust said.
Have a sweet day. I’ll be back with you tomorrow morning.
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