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. Despite this week’s autumnal weather and the proliferation of pumpkin spice, the real first day of fall isn’t until Monday.
Philadelphians’ income growth has stalled while inflation remains high, leaving many residents feeling stretched thin. We talked to some about how they’re getting by.
And ahead of Calder Gardens’ grand opening, take a virtual, 360-degree tour of the exhibition space and grounds.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Chris Calmels of South Philadelphia works as a doorman, an Uber driver, and occasionally a cooking instructor. He also lives paycheck to paycheck, with little relief in sight. And he’s not alone.
💵 Philly’s median household income decreased last year to $60,500 — the lowest among the 10 most-populous cities in the country — while inflation has continued to rise, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
💵 That economic reality has put strain on many city residents who feel their dollars don’t go as far these days: “Even when you’re home and you’re not working, you’re talking about money and what needs to get paid,” Calmels told The Inquirer.
💵 The report comes soon after the news that the city hit its lowest poverty rate in decades, 19.7%. But experts caution those gains aren’t the whole story.
Reporter Nate File digs into the data.
Picture a cave-like structure tucked into a meadowy hill lush with 250 varieties of plants. It’s a gallery building, partially underground and connected to several open-air art spaces. Inside, there’s no signage, but there are plenty of squiggly mobiles and elephant-sized, monochromatic sculptures.
If that’s a little hard to imagine — understandable. The city doesn’t have any other art venues like Calder Gardens.
The new exhibition space dedicated to Philly sculptor Alexander Calder opens this Sunday along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Go inside with this 360-degree tour.
In other arts news: Longtime Philadelphia sports journalist Ray Didinger wanted to retire, but couldn’t stop working. His latest play, Spinner, opens Friday.
What you should know today
Three police officers were killed and two were critically injured in a shooting Wednesday in York County, officials said.
A third man has been convicted of murder in the botched 2024 home invasion in Lower Merion that left a man dead and his mother paralyzed.
A West Philadelphia teen was convicted of seeking to build bombs in support of extremist groups he was communicating with online.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said Wednesday that Chester is now a “model for other cities” after recent efforts to combat gun violence led to reductions in crime.
Shapiro made the case Tuesday during a speech in Pittsburgh that President Donald Trump should learn to manage political violence by looking to Pennsylvania’s leaders. State Treasurer Stacy Garrity then accused Shapiro, whom she is seeking to unseat in 2026, of making the anti-violence speech “about himself.”
The University of Pennsylvania “wasn’t eager to play the role” of hosting former President Joe Biden’s presidential library, as he previously claimed, The Wall Street Journal reports.
ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely over his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death.
A Virtua Voorhees nurse was fired after reporting a switched-baby mistake. Experts say the incident could make staffers reluctant to report issues.
Judith “Mimmy” Kalickman Bernstein, 82, of Ambler, a beloved teacher-turned-TikTok star, died last week of complications from cancer.
Quote of the day
Philadelphia International Airport just ranked last in a survey on airport satisfaction, again. Aging infrastructure is holding it back, the executive said Wednesday, while outlining improvements coming ahead of the city’s big tourism year in 2026.
🧠 Trivia time
Which Oscar-winning actor once played an Inquirer music critic at Walnut Street Theatre?
A) Anthony Hopkins
B) Sidney Poitier
C) Robert Redford
D) Rami Malek
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🦪 Explaining: Why everyone in Philly is opening a raw bar now.
🍎 Picking: Apples at these 10 Philly-area orchards.
🛍️ Not paying: $10 to park at the Deptford Mall.
🏀 Anticipating: Prime Video’s docuseries about Sixers legend Allen Iverson.
🩺 Considering: The former Philadelphia health commissioner’s case that future public health emergencies will be deadlier.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: On the Main Line
ARMORED
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to John Hope, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Through the HurriKane. Former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane launched her new podcast this week. We listened to the first episode for you.
Photo of the day
⚾ One last bonded thing: For years, he was Phil and she was Phillis. Decades later, these former Phillies mascots are still best friends.
It’s a good day to call a buddy. See you back here tomorrow.
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