Who’s eyeing Fetterman’s seat | Morning Newsletter
And the SS United States’ final journey.
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 Monday, Philly. Clouds are moving in today, though temperatures should remain mild. For the first time in a long while, there’s rain in the forecast later this week.
Today, we’re looking past tomorrow’s midterm elections and starting with a Pennsylvania Democrat who is getting a head start on a 2028 U.S. Senate run.
Then, we’ll check in with the SS United States and its final voyage to the ocean floor later this month.
Plus, how a hack exposed the personal information of hundreds of local DHS personnel, and more news of the day.
— Laura Benshoff (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio is running for reelection in a western Pennsylvania district on Tuesday.
But a recent Bucks County campaign stop hundreds of miles away has fueled speculation that he’s eyeing a different seat: that of U.S. Sen. John Fetterman.
More than anyone else who has publicly signaled an intention to run, Deluzio has positioned himself for a head start in the 2028 contest, writes Inquirer political reporter Sam Janesch.
Deluzio frequently travels and fundraises for candidates up and down the ballot, including an October visit to Upper Bucks County to support Democratic congressional candidate Bob Harvie. That makes him visible to Democratic voters in other parts of Pennsylvania, who he’ll need if he hopes to win statewide. He’s also fundraised more than the state’s other six House Democrats.
Read on for Janesch’s full report.
After years of moldering at a berth on the Delaware River, the SS United States could soon be a hot ticket again.
The once-glamorous ocean liner is set to become the world’s largest artificial reef off the coast of Florida on Nov. 12.
Like fish feeding on the carcass of a whale, hundreds of charter boats are expected to come out for its sinking, with one charter company selling tickets for $99 a pop.
Once the ocean dust settles, divers could begin exploring the wreck almost immediately. Local dive companies are already accepting bookings.
The Inquirer’s Ximena Conde has this dispatch.
What you should know today
The identities and personal information of nearly 300 Philadelphia-based U.S. Department of Homeland Security employees were exposed in a larger data breach that a “hacktivist” group took credit for.
Stacy Garrity, the Republican state treasurer challenging Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, received a last-minute infusion of campaign cash from the skill games industry.
Department of Justice poll monitors will be dispatched to Philly tomorrow for Election Day. Here’s what we know.
A 15-year-old was shot and killed at a Port Richmond gas station on Saturday, according to police.
A vulnerability in certain Honda models makes them easy to steal and has contributed to thousands of Honda thefts this year.
WXPN’s World Cafe celebrates 35 years on air this month.
Some Montgomery County fire departments say they are responding to calls with fewer volunteers.
So, they’re getting creative when it comes to filling those big boots, writes Inquirer suburban reporter Jess Rohan.
🧠 Trivia time
Two women are attempting to set a Guinness World Record by driving toy cars from Independence Hall to where?
A) Key West
B) Times Square
C) Niagara Falls
D) Dollywood
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🏠 Explaining. Philadelphia renters have new rights as of Nov. 1. The Inquirer’s Brett Sholtis breaks them all down.
📼 Checking out. Opening a video rental business in 2026 can seem foolhardy, writes Inquirer contributor John Semley. This new Passyunk Square business is banking on a “physical media resurgence.”
🎃 Composting. Wondering what to do with the jack-o’-lantern slowly softening on your stoop? The Inquirer’s Maggie Prosser has your guide.
🥇 Chuckling at. LeBron James look-alikes descended on Rittenhouse Square. Sports reporter Gabriela Carroll covers who was crowned the winner.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Basketball great who was first drafted by the 76ers in 1996.
LANOLIN SERVE
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Thomas Bagnell who correctly solved Sunday’s anagram: Bob’s Diner. Hungry for pancakes with a reminder of your mortality on the side? This Roxborough diner is so close to a graveyard it feels like you’re inside it, writes columnist Stephanie Farr
This gobsmacking photo is in one of the 14 must-see art exhibits coming to our area this fall.
📬 Your ‘only in Philly’ story
Welcome back to our “only in Philly” series, where we highlight stories from you, Dear Readers. Think back to a time you saw an example of real Philly spirit or something that made you feel like you belonged here. Then, jot it down and email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.
This week, we continue with our seasonal submissions with this core memory from Richard Smith:
On the last day of October 2008, on a sunny fall day, 18-year-old me woke up unsure what to expect. The Phillies had won the World Series, and there was a parade that day. But our school district had announced we were expected to attend class. What to do? What would the parade be like? Would it be worth skipping?
After short deliberation with some friends, we decided this was one of those memories not to be missed. That was the right call. We hopped the Chestnut Hill West Regional Rail down to Market Street.
I’d never seen the city so joyous and alive. With the fall breeze, we walked with hundreds of our neighbors down Broad Street, laughing, smiling, taking pictures, and celebrating a moment everyone could revel in. This is still one of my favorite memories of my life, and it could happen “Only in Philly.”
👋 Catch you Tuesday.
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