Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

A closer look at Josh Shapiro’s style | Morning Newsletter

And the Rutgers faculty strike is suspended.

Gov. Josh Shapiro during a Thursday press conference at the Finishing Trades Institute in Philadelphia, where he and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced a partnership to form an interstate task force to address wage theft and worker misclassification in both their states.
Gov. Josh Shapiro during a Thursday press conference at the Finishing Trades Institute in Philadelphia, where he and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced a partnership to form an interstate task force to address wage theft and worker misclassification in both their states.Read moreHeather Khalifa / Staff Photographer
    by Ashley Hoffman
    Published 

    The Morning Newsletter

    Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

☀️ It’s headed to 75 and sunny, just how I like it.

We take a closer look at how Josh Shapiro’s governing Pennsylvania at this point in his tenure.

And faculty union leaders and administration at Rutgers University announced a “framework” for new contracts, with union leaders suspending their strike and returning to work.

If you or anyone you know needs someone to demystify the housing market for you this season, I recommend signing up for our real estate newsletter.

If you see this 🔑 in today’s newsletter, that means we’re highlighting our exclusive journalism. You need to be a subscriber to read these stories.

— Ashley Hoffman (@_AshleyHoffman, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

A look at how Josh Shapiro is leading Pa.

🎤 Now I’m handing over the microphone to reporter Gillian McGoldrick:

Welcome to the honeymoon period. As Pennsylvania’s new governor, Josh Shapiro has been traveling the state, pitching his first state budget and his vision for one of the nation’s most populous — and most politically divided — states. He’s extended olive branch after olive branch to Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania’s divided government, where there’s a one-seat Democratic majority in the state House and a strong GOP majority in the Senate. I’ve spent time with Pennsylvania’s 48th governor over the last two months, observing him as I’ve tried to capture the first portrait of who he is as a leader. I’ve spoken with his current and former colleagues to find out: Were his campaign promises to work across the aisle bull—?

The short answer is: no. Those close to him describe him as someone who, at his core, wants to solve problems and find common ground. He’s continuing to build his reputation as an ambitious pragmatist who has spent his entire career building up to this moment.

Few in Harrisburg will criticize the new governor just yet, as the Capitol brims with hope for the new administration. Read my story on Shapiro’s leadership style, the differences between him and former Gov. Tom Wolf, and more.🔑

What you should know today

  1. After five days and the personal attention of Gov. Phil Murphy, the first strike by faculty in Rutgers University’s history appears to be nearing an end.

  2. Philadelphia police and Temple University are investigating a hidden-camera allegation against an Owls assistant football coach.

  3. New age restrictions reportedly set to begin at Philadelphia’s Fashion District.

  4. The Inquirer Editorial Board, which operates separately from the newsroom, says Kenney’s call for a review of the Sixers arena plan is a welcome show of leadership.

  5. Get out and get your hands dirty during growing season with our guide to community gardens.

  6. Culture-wise, we’re mainly focused on Lisa Ann Walter showing her South Philly accent to the Good Morning America crew.

  7. And we have your no-nonsense guide to Philly’s 2023 Democratic primary for mayor, City Council, and more.

❓Pop quiz❓

What is not one of the four common technical aspects of poetry?

A) rhyme

B) imagery

C) flow

D) structure

Find out if you remember the answer.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram 🧩

The original name of the 1979 movie Beach House filmed in Ocean City.

Hint: A + Me + 🌹

RDWTOHNESHOE

We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Send us your own original anagram to unscramble if you’d like. Email us if you know the answer. Cheers to Bill Tirrill who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Frankford Hall.

Photo of the day

🎶 For today’s Sunday track, we’re listening to “He hears the silence howling / catches angels as they fall”🎶

👋🏽 Enjoy today. I’m recommending Bolo for a very fun night out, and if the sun cooperates, I’ll be enjoying The White Lotus vibes of Piazza Alta’s Aqua Foro rooftop pool.