🏠A legal fight over coal mining | Morning Newsletter
And Philly’s food scene pops off.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Welcome to April, Philly! What’s that old saying, “April showers bring May flowers?” Well, we’re looking at the possibility of some showers today, and the temperature will be near 80.
A legal fight over coal mining in southwestern Pennsylvania is brewing. An environmental group’s efforts to restore state land is running up against an industry that isn’t done digging up fossil fuels.
And get ready for a busy month in Philly’s restaurant scene. We have new restaurants opening, the return of a former city staple, and James Beard Award nominees.
Plus, a judge ruled that Penn must release the names of people affiliated with campus Jewish organizations to the Trump administration, and more news of the day.
— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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A fight over Gov. Josh Shapiro’s energy policies is playing out. The dispute started in 2024, when activists petitioned regulators to preemptively declare 11,000 acres off-limits for mining.
That threatened to undermine expansion plans by a major Pennsylvania coal company. The firm’s affiliates have received tens of millions of dollars in state subsidies. And the owners are also major campaign donors to Shapiro and state Republican lawmakers.
The coal company lobbied the state to reject the mining restriction. After consulting Shapiro’s office, environmental regulators did just that.
But that rejection spurred litigation — and the documents from that dispute now offer a window into how Shapiro is navigating energy politics in a major fossil fuel-producing state ahead of a possible 2028 presidential campaign.
🍽️ Buckle up, Philly foodies
This is no April Fool’s joke, Philly. The city’s restaurant scene is busy this month.
🏅There are seven Philly finalists for the 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards. Michelin-recommended Thai restaurant Kalaya and Italian bakery and café Fiore are some names on the list.
🍲 Several new restaurants are slated to open this month, from pizza places to a Vietnamese-Cajun-inspired spot, Carolyn’s Modern Vietnamese.
🍺 Plus, an old classic is making a comeback. Iron Hill Brewery, which closed all locations and filed for bankruptcy last year, is set to return to Market East.
What you should know today
The University of Pennsylvania must release lists of people affiliated with Jewish organizations on its campus, a federal court judge ruled on Tuesday. Penn had argued that releasing the information would put employees at risk.
Convicted former labor leader John J. Dougherty will be permitted to hold a hearing about his request to have his prison term cut short to care for his gravely ill wife.
Parkside Borough Council President Dominic Capobianco used a borough-issued gas card to fill up his personal vehicle, and his wife’s, stealing $2,500 from the tiny Delaware County town, according to the DA.
A Kensington elementary school parent has accused the Philadelphia School District of unfairly foisting a school closure, despite it not being on the list of 18 schools facing shutdown.
Philly’s government is slowly rebuilding its workforce after the COVID-19 pandemic, with officials saying the number of unfilled jobs is at its lowest point in several years.
Gov. Josh Shapiro hosted an official statewide pep rally ahead of Pennsylvania’s major celebrations and sporting events this summer, like the nation’s 250th and the FIFA World Cup.
Uber is expanding its program that offers free and discounted rides to seniors to Northeast Philadelphia through KleinLife.
Quote of the day
Visa and Bank of America are transforming a Fishtown park into a hub for community soccer matches and development in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup in Philadelphia. Visa and Bank of America will open the Visa Street Soccer Park at 1036 N. Front St., a refurbishment of Fishtown’s Tiptop Playground.
🧠Trivia time
Which former Eagle and podcaster will do on-course reporting during the popular golf event, the Masters Par 3 Contest?
A) Donovan McNabb
B) Nick Foles
C) John Middlekauff
D) Jason Kelce
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🏡 Admiring: A renovated three-bedroom home in Roxborough with an updated kitchen and an electric-vehicle charging station.
⚽ Wondering: Can the U.S. soccer team play in Philadelphia at the World Cup? The answer is: It’s complicated.
🏢 Keeping an eye on: SEPTA is seeking apartment development near its Regional Rail stations.
🌱 Sniffling about: Sneezin’ season is back. Expect a tree-pollen bonanza as temperatures rise this week.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: This new city-sponsored initiative will focus on turning East Passyunk, Center City, and West Philly into live music destinations.
ELVIN SIGHT WEEK
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to James O’Connor, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Strathmere.
The lifeguard headquarters house in the Cape May County community was demolished over the weekend when local officials deemed it too dangerous after a year of extreme weather left the beach eroded.
Photo of the day
That’s all for today, folks! Enjoy the first day of April and I’ll be back soon. 👋
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