The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Morning, Philly. Today will be slightly less blustery, with winds expected to reach just (!) 25 mph.
The Michelin Guide has set its sights on the Philadelphia restaurant scene. Below, learn how its rating system works, and vote on which local restaurants are likely to win a star.
And Broad and Walnut Streets got quieter after University of the Arts closed. Soon, Temple University students will bring it back to life.
Plus, Pennsylvania’s top leaders have reached a $50.1 billion state budget deal, signaling a breakthrough in their monthslong impasse.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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The winners of the first Michelin stars in Philly will be revealed at a ceremony on Nov. 18 at the Kimmel Center. But the process by which the prestigious awards are assigned is a bit hush-hush.
⭐ What is a Michelin star? The rating comes by way of the Michelin Guide — yes, it’s connected to the tire people — and is meant to denote excellence. Restaurants could earn (or lose) one, two, or three stars. Michelin also gives the Bib Gourmand award to high-quality yet lower-cost eateries, and the Green Star to honor sustainability.
⭐ How does a restaurant earn one? Michelin’s anonymous inspectors visit restaurants and judge based on factors such as quality of ingredients and how well the chef’s personality is expressed through the cuisine. Restaurants do not apply to be rated, nor are they nominated.
⭐ How many will Philly get? Maybe none. But Inquirer food writer Kiki Aranita predicts we’ll get four or five, plus a Bib Gourmand or two.
See the full explainer, then vote on which restaurants you think will get feted.
In other food news: Two storied Philly restaurant spaces — including Bing Bing Dim Sum’s old space on Passyunk — are getting new life, thanks to a Main Line chef duo. Graduate Hospital has a new bakery featuring riffs on Korean classics. And popular South Jersey pub Keg & Kitchen is about to be sold.
Temple is stepping up its Center City presence.
The North Broad Street-based university bought the 17-story Terra Hall, formerly owned by the now-shuttered UArts, earlier this year for $18 million. Amenities include dance studios, a black box theater, and recording studios. Temple expects to renovate the space and move some of its art and music programs there by fall 2027.
The move furthers Temple president John Fry’s vision to position the school more closely to the city’s cultural organizations, such as the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts.
“We see ourselves moving into the position UArts occupied and occupied very well before their demise,” Fry said. “But the way we want to go about it is through a network [of partnerships].”
Reporters Susan Snyder and Peter Dobrin lay out the vision for its future.
What you should know today
Pennsylvania’s legislative leaders and Gov. Josh Shapiro have agreed to a $50.1 billion state budget deal behind closed doors, according to two sources close to negotiations, signaling a breakthrough in a budget impasse that has stretched more than four months.
For the third day in a row, SEPTA on Wednesday will cancel Regional Rail trains as the transit agency works on completing federally mandated safety inspections of rail cars.
Both Pennsylvania senators voted for the bill to reopen the federal government, while New Jersey’s opposed it. See the full breakdown by yea or nay. Plus, Sen. John Fetterman defended his shutdown vote Tuesday in an interview on ABC’s The View.
Now that U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s new title is governor-elect, someone will need to take her place in Congress. Several local political pros are in the running. And U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a New Jersey Democrat, announced that she will not seek reelection.
Sen. Dave McCormick is inviting New Yorkers unhappy with Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral win to come to Pennsylvania.
Health officials are urging vaccination after a person with measles traveled through the Philadelphia International Airport on Sunday.
Around 3,000 security guards employed across universities and in city office towers ratified a new union contract Monday, getting improved wages and benefits.
The prized golden pocket watch of Revolutionary War-era military officer Marquis de Lafayette will be auctioned in Philly by Freeman’s.
Quote of the day
More than 80 looks from across the Oscar-winning costumer designer’s oeuvre are featured in the AAMP’s latest exhibit, “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design.” The costumes on display come from lauded films including Sinners, Do the Right Thing, and Black Panther.
🧠 Trivia time
Sen. Fetterman’s new memoir, Unfettered, includes details on why he and which politician no longer speak?
A) President Donald Trump
B) Former Sen. Bob Casey
C) Sen. Dave McCormick
D) Gov. Josh Shapiro
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🦃 Noting: Where to buy a fresh turkey for Thanksgiving in the region.
🍺 Checking out: The Borough, a new 400-seat restaurant and music venue in Downingtown.
📹 Celebrating: Philly’s sports-town status with these four Temple grads.
⚱️ Admiring: The city-inspired work of this Fairmount ceramic artist.
🎒 Considering: How to improve transparency in Philadelphia’s pre-K program.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: The name of the 76ers’ special annual jerseys meant to honor Philly culture
YETI DICTION
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Kurt Deixler, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Mazzoni Center. The region’s largest LGBTQ health agency expects to report a small operating profit for the first time since 2020.
Photo of the day
Stay cozy. I’ll be back with you tomorrow.
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