Kindergarten classrooms at risk | Morning Newsletter
And a showdown over sheriff sales.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Good morning, Philly. It’s looking like a sunny one, with temperatures creeping into the upper 80s this afternoon.
Today, we’re sharing some new data about measles vaccination rates in local kindergarten classrooms; it shows pockets of waning protection amid a deadly outbreak.
We’ll also preview what’s at stake in today’s hearing about the sheriff sale process in Philadelphia.
Plus, the DOJ targets another Philly “ICE Out” ordinance, and more news of the day.
— Laura Benshoff (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
Two years ago, every child in the kindergarten class at Eleanor Emlen Elementary in Mount Airy was vaccinated against infection from the measles.
By the next year, that number had plummeted. Just 80% of the new kindergarten class had that protection.
A new Inquirer analysis of state data found that school vaccination rates for measles are declining across our region, as a deadly outbreak centered in Lancaster County inches closer. State officials say overall vaccination rates remain high. However, pockets of unvaccinated kids can create classroom risks.
This decline comes amid an increase in parents opting out of vaccinations for religious or philosophical reasons.
“What we’re seeing is reflective of what I believe are local and national trends,” said Kendra McDow, a pediatrician who serves as the Philadelphia School Cistrict’s medical director. “Families are confused, and they want to do right by their children.”
The Inquirer’s Aubrey Whelan, Sarah Gantz, and Lizzie Mulvey have the full report.
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal heads to Common Pleas Court today.
The hearing follows years of complaints about costly delays in the sheriff sale process, where the office auctions properties to recoup unpaid debts, such as mortgages or tax liens.
What buyers say: Buyers complain that their properties languish while they wait for deeds from the Sheriff’s Office. Without that document, foreclosed homes cannot be renovated, rented, or resold.
What the Sheriff’s Office says: Bilal’s office initially claimed the deed process was working as intended. Following a court order to fix the backlog this past May, processing accelerated.
What’s at stake: Judge Paula Patrick will weigh whether Bilal’s office will continue running sheriff sales for the city, or if that function will be given to an outside administrator.
In a last-ditch motion filed late last week, Bilal’s city-retained attorney argued that the sheriff should not have to testify today because the hearing involves “matters outside her unique personal knowledge.” Patrick rejected that request.
Reporters William Bender and Ryan W. Briggs have this story on the last-minute effort to prevent the sheriff taking the stand, and will be following today’s hearing.
What you should know today
The U.S. Department of Justice is challenging a Philadelphia ordinance that forbids local law enforcement agencies from keeping a person in custody in order to hand them over to ICE.
Pennsylvania’s attorney general sued the parent company of Snapchat, alleging that it does not properly warn users about the addictiveness of the app.
State officials confirmed two deaths associated with measles in Lancaster County, marking the first fatalities in the worst measles outbreak in Pennsylvania in more than three decades.
Lincoln University, a historically Black college in Chester County, has sued Lower Oxford Township over an ordinance regulating large events in the municipality, saying it’s racially discriminatory and unconstitutional.
Sixers fans are lining up at the official team store to get their hands on newly minted LeBron James and Jaylen Brown jerseys.
RIP Dolly Parton. Her last local concert was at the Mann Center in 2016. She not only sang — she busted out a saxophone.
Philadelphia public schools may soon pay parents to help address issues like homework completion and family cooperation with key school initiatives.
Reporter Kristen Graham sat down with Watlington to talk about that pilot program and his other priorities for the new school year.
🧠 Trivia time
The new West Chester bookstore Leaves & Lore sold out of nearly all of its stock on opening weekend. What genre does the story specialize in?
A) Science fiction
B) Gardening
C) Fantasy
D) Used books of all kinds
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re ...
🤧 Dreading. Recent rainfall could supercharge this year’s ragweed pollen season, which typically begins in early August, writes Inquirer weather reporter Tony Wood.
🍎 Scoping out. The recent dip in temperatures has us feeling ready for fall. If you’re ready to embrace the season, we have your guide on where to pick your own Honeycrisps, Jonagolds, and Cortland apples, among others.
🏆 Celebrating. We don’t need outsiders to affirm that Philly has a top-notch dining scene. But the recent Bon Appétit Best New Restaurant list shout-out for Honeysuckle and Sao still feels nice.
📊 Making note of. Regular Pennsylvanians can’t vote in papal enclaves, but they have exceedingly high regard for Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV, according to a new Inquirer/NYT/Siena poll.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: This contemporary art exhibition takes place every other year in NYC.
HEN INABILITY WEN
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Lynne Newman, who correctly guessed Monday’s anagram: Philadelphia Cycling Classic. Want to know where to watch the event this coming weekend as racers climb the Wall in Manayunk or sprint to the finish line? We have a guide for you.
Happy hump day!
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.