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.
As states prepare for major cuts to publicly funded healthcare by the end of 2026, more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians could lose Medicaid. But some recipients don’t even know they’re on it.
And somehow, already, today is the start of the Philadelphia Eagles’ preseason. Below, we explain why a viral photo of a Lincoln Financial Field concessions menu struck a chord with fans.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
With the July passage of President Donald Trump’s signature tax and spending legislation, $1 trillion will be cut from federal health spending over a decade.
🩺 An estimated 300,000 Pennsylvanians stand to lose their Medicaid coverage as a result.
🩺 Yet because the state distributes public healthcare funds through private insurers under different program names, many of those who rely on Medicaid may be unaware the changes to the program will affect them.
🩺 Nearly 97% of Pennsylvanians who receive publicly funded healthcare receive it through managed care organizations, or MCOs, such as Health Partners Plan, Keystone First, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
Reporter Elena Eisenstadt explains the efforts to inform residents about their changing coverage.
In other federal government news: Gov. Josh Shapiro joined a lawsuit against Trump administration efforts to eliminate gender-affirming healthcare for transgender individuals under age 19. Plus, a computer scientist and Temple University professor has joined the crowded Democratic primary race to fill retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans’ seat, and U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has joined a resident-led effort to block a new senior housing development in Lower Bucks County.
What you should know today
A Montgomery County jury delivered a split verdict Wednesday against a state prison inmate accused of strangling his cellmate.
A Northeast Philly man was arrested Wednesday after police said he committed a string of sexual assaults in Center City over the last month.
A former football coach at Abington Senior High School has sued the township, saying a stray bullet from the police gun range struck him.
Former Mayor Jim Kenney violated the City Charter with an executive order replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a panel ruled.
The Philadelphia School District teachers’ contract expires Aug. 31, and teachers say they’re willing to strike if they don’t reach a deal.
Former Crozer Health patients won’t have to pay to access medical records under a new agreement.
A mobile health exam clinic parked in Delaware County will aim to screen hundreds of Philly-area residents for a national health survey.
A new University of Pennsylvania program is spending $8 million to help underserved Philly kids. Here’s how its first summer is going.
Do you know how much a bucket of Chickie’s and Pete’s Crabfries cost at the Linc? How about a bottle of water?
🍟 A photo taken at the Linc that’s making its way around the Philly internet shows a board listing food options with “special-event pricing” — $17.50 for the seasoned fries, $18.50 for a Miller Lite can, and $7.75 for an Aquafina.
🍟 Those prices are much higher than at, say, the Chickie’s and Pete’s restaurant in South Philly, one mile from the stadium complex — and in some cases, higher than what’s usually found at the Linc.
🍟 The photo has prompted bewilderment from fans who say they’re being priced out of attending events at the stadium. So, what gives?
More sports news:
Pro teams and athletes are increasingly shining a light on local artists. But what happens when their work is shared without any credit, as in the case of an Eagles social post earlier this summer?
The Flyers brought in a UFC fighter and a bare-knuckle boxer to teach them how to fight. Are the Bullies back?
Quote of the day
SEPTA officials said new state funding is needed by Aug. 14 to avoid fare increases and deep service cuts starting later this month. Supporters of the transit agency rallied at City Hall Wednesday to demand the GOP-led Senate finish the budget and fund transit before cuts begin.
🧠 Trivia time
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is planning to build a new medical center at the site of a shuttered what in Mercer County, N.J.?
A) Bowling alley
B) High school
C) Movie theater
D) Rite Aid
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🛍️ Checking out: Plans for the Wanamaker Building’s new retail space, and for the massive outdoor gym and club coming to Atlantic City’s boardwalk.
🍔 Trying: Philly’s “stellar” vegan burger that pops up just once a month.
☀️ Buying: Fisher-Price’s Always Sunny Little People set.
🐯 Admiring: The Philadelphia Zoo’s newest residents, two endangered big cats.
🎨 Learning about: MOVE via this comic series by a Philly art teacher.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Borough in Delaware County
DAWN NOELS
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Charlene M. Wiltshire, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Mavis Pusey. The first solo museum show of the late abstract artist and former Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts teacher opened at University City’s Institute for Contemporary Art last month.
Photo of the day
If you’re near the beach, be sure to take a deep breath of this August’s salt air. If not, just listen to the song.
Thanks for starting your Thursday with The Inquirer. I’ll see you back here tomorrow.
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.
