Remembering 6abc weatherman Jim O’Brien | Morning Newsletter
And today’s top stories
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
👋 Happy Saturdee.
Today we reflect on the life of former upbeat television weatherman Jim O’Brien and Philadelphia’s obsession with TV newscasters.
But first, we’ve got: news on Penn reducing doctoral student admissions by 20%, an update on the Swann Memorial Fountain’s return to form, and info on the Philly Rail Park possibly expanding.
Scroll along for these stories and more.
— Tommy Rowan (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
What you should know today
The reduction in doctoral student admissions at the University of Pennsylvania is leading to concerns about potential impacts on teaching, research and education.
Eagle-eyed locals may have noticed that the Swann Memorial Fountain’s high-flying center jet hasn’t been running for a while. We have an update on why the fountain just hasn’t seemed like itself.
A new federal ruling has cleared the way for Philadelphia to acquire land in the Callowhill neighborhood to expand the popular elevated Rail Park built on the old Reading Railroad Viaduct.
The Mummers are well-known for their vivacious spirit and penchant for partying, but the coalition of sequined clubs is using its platform this year to help one of their own find a kidney.
Residents of Grassy Sound — a roughly 180-acre island straddling both sides of North Wildwood Boulevard — say it is deteriorating rapidly, and they fear it will eventually wash away.
Four years after receiving their permits, Quaker Lane Capital is finally moving forward with two apartment buildings at 42nd and Chestnut Streets in West Philadelphia.
Former WIP host Jon Marks is replacing Mike Missanelli at 97.5 The Fanatic and will take over the midday time slot.
Every Saturday, we’ll talk about something happening around Philly that’s stuck in our minds. Today, I’m plugging my own story, which looks back at the beloved Philadelphia weatherman Jim O’Brien, who was a celebrity in Philadelphia.
Back in the 1970s and ’80s, Philadelphia’s stars weren’t in Hollywood. They were on our local TV news stations.
And we were obsessed with them. Why? Because they were on TV. Only stars were on TV. And our stars weren’t coming live from New York or Los Angeles. They were coming live from City Avenue.
O’Brien, who was an endless source of genuine joy, rose to become one of the most popular personalities in Philadelphia television history. And he was a key part of Action News’ dominance.
His tragic death devastated the entire region.
Inquirer columnist Trudy Rubin wrote that President Donald Trump, speaking before the United Nations General Assembly, made clear to the world he has abandoned any pretense of global leadership.
Later calls for shooting down Russian planes and taking back Russian-held Ukrainian land mean nothing, writes Rubin, unless the president puts muscle behind words.
🧠 Trivia time
This New Jersey theme park, which is set to close in November, recently listed two dozen of its animatronic attractions on Facebook Marketplace. The park’s name gives away the theme of its animatronics. Which park is it?
A) Diggerland
B) Wild West City
C) Field Station: Dinosaurs
D) Storybook Land
Think you know? Check your answer.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Lincoln Financial Field recycled 150,000 pounds of it last year.
IGLOO NICKO
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Carol Basile who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Prevention Point. The Kensington nonprofit, which is focused on addiction treatment and harm reduction, celebrated National Recovery Month this week despite threats to its funding.
Dozens of residents broke into applause this week as the Chester County Board of Commissioners voted to become the first of Philly’s collar counties to approve an ordinance explicitly prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Stacy Stone, the mother of a 30-year-old transgender man, broke into tears.
Read Katie Bernard’s full report from the meeting here.
Somewhere on the internet in Philly
Ever wonder how to say “Go Birds” or “Fly, Eagles, Fly” in ASL (American Sign Language)? Over on Instagram, @chaadcrb is teaching folks how to say both.
And if you think nobody is watching (or judging) you when you parallel park, think again. But as @itsmollyscullion points out, Philly folks will give credit when credit is due.
And finally, from our “so Philly” collection, here’s a visage of Gritty in a pothole.
👋 I’ll see you back in your mailbox on Sundee. Have a good one.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.