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. Keep an eye out for possible rain this afternoon and evening.
Today, we explain how law enforcement built a sprawling case against a longstanding Kensington drug gang.
And we have a roundup of ways to keep yourself entertained and informed over this holiday week, from testing your knowledge of Philly museum logos to catching up on Inquirer deep dives to checking flight conditions at the airport.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
P.S. Chester County folks, this one’s for you: The Inquirer is launching a newsletter dedicated to all things Coatesville, Phoenixville, West Chester, and everywhere in between. Sign up to get your free weekly guide to the news and events shaping life in your community.
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Over a decade, one gang was responsible for trafficking tens of thousands of doses of drugs into Philadelphia, worth millions of dollars. They operated primarily on the 3100 block of Weymouth Street in Kensington.
Through a sprawling, multiyear investigation, city police and federal authorities used wire taps, cameras, and confidential informants to target dealers on the residential street.
Finally, in October, 33 people associated with the group were indicted for drug crimes. Philly’s top federal prosecutor called it the region’s largest single prosecution in a quarter-century.
To understand the scope of the case — and why President Donald Trump’s administration has drawn national attention to it — The Inquirer reviewed hundreds of pages of court records, examined social media accounts and videos connected to the group, and interviewed law enforcement officials and Weymouth Street residents.
Reporters Chris Palmer and Jesse Bunch have the story.
In other Kensington news: Philadelphia lawmakers voted to advance legislation to ban mobile addiction services from parts of the neighborhood and most of the Lower Northeast.
What you should know today
Two Camden men were convicted of murder and related crimes Monday in the shooting death of Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Mendez at the airport in 2023.
A woman who was incarcerated at Center City’s Federal Detention Center has sued a correctional officer who she says raped her while she was isolated in a cell and under suicide watch.
A Philly jury reached a $35 million verdict Friday against Main Line Health and the University of Pennsylvania Health System for a cancer misdiagnosis that led to a total hysterectomy.
Gov. Josh Shapiro directed PennDot to transfer $220 million set aside for emergencies to SEPTA after no additional transit funds were included in the recent state budget deal.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has appointed nonprofit leader Anton K. Moore as the city’s director of public engagement and neighborhood affairs. Plus, City Council is poised to pass legislation to launch a retirement savings program for workers without 401(k)s.
A year after Trump made inroads with Latinos in Pennsylvania, a majority nationwide disapprove of his performance and policies, a Pew Research Center report found.
More than 1,600 victims of the Par Funding scheme will get nearly all their money back, despite repeated warnings that full reimbursement would be unlikely.
The Brandywine Creek ranks highest among the region’s most flood-prone waterways, an Inquirer analysis found. See a map of the top 15.
Holiday downtime offers an opportunity to reflect on the year — maybe by catching up on the biggest local news stories you missed the first time around. And if you know your audience, the news can even make for a great conversation starter at the Thanksgiving dinner table.
Answer two quick questions to get recommendations for some Inquirer long reads ripe for discussion, from good vibes to serious topics.
Here’s some more help for those looking for a challenge, a travel advisory, or an idea for a tricky gift recipient this week:
🦃 Bored between courses? Test how well you know Philadelphia museum logos — including that of a certain local cultural institution that attracted mild controversy with its recent rebrand.
🦃 Flying via PHL? Air traffic overall is looking clearer since the government shutdown ended, but we’re in the midst of some of the busiest travel weeks of the year, so delays may happen. See our charts tracking the percentage of flights delayed or canceled, as well as which airlines are seeing the most disruptions.
🦃 Need to get gifting? ’Tis the season, officially. If you’re still stuck on what to get that one difficult giftee, take our quiz to find the perfect presents, customized for every type of Philly personality.
🧠 Trivia time
Community members were distressed to discover over the weekend that the head of a beloved stone statue had been smashed off in the Manayunk Bridge Garden. What is the statue’s name?
A) Albie the Alligator
B) Bridget the Dino
C) Connie the Calico
D) Donald the Rabbit
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
⚽ Mourning: The end of the Union’s playoff run.
🎙️ Anticipating: Matt Cord’s takeover of Pierre Robert’s midday slot at WMMR.
🏈 Remembering: Thanksgiving 1978, when North Catholic beat Frankford in front of 25,000 people.
♻️ Noting: What’s operating or not on Thursday, from liquor stores to trash pickup.
💰 Considering: The difficulty of running a mom-and-pop business in the current economy.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: South Jersey suburb
HERR CHILLY
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Richard Eva Wattenmaker, who solved Monday’s anagram: Bala Cynwyd.
A former business manager of St. Matthias Catholic Church in the Montgomery County community has been charged with theft of more than $1.1 million from the church.
Photo of the day
👟 One last colorful thing: During Weeks 12 and 13 of the NFL season, the Eagles wear custom cleats to honor the charities of their choice. Take a look at the players’ cleats and learn about the causes they’re supporting.
Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. Back at it tomorrow.
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