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 the weekend! Yesterdayās hard freeze officially ended the growing season in the Philly region, but temps are looking good for todayās Rocky Run. Good luck to all youse getting out there!
A new kind of fine dining is emerging in New Jersey. The secret ingredient? Weed.
Plus, Pennsylvania starts distributing SNAP benefits, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker wants East Market Streetās transformation done before 2026 festivities begin, and a former Philadelphia police captain is charged with conspiracy and theft.
P.S. Worried about delays or cancellations at PHL? Hereās what to know about how FAA flight cuts could affect your travel plans.
ā Erin Reynolds (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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What you should know today
About $100 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits started reaching Pennsylvanians Friday in a major victory for Gov. Josh Shapiroās administration. But Friday night, the U.S. Supreme Court gave a victory to the Trump administration, blocking a court order that had directed full SNAP food aid payments.
Former Philadelphia Police Capt. Nashid Akil, five active-duty police officers, and three retired cops were charged Friday with theft in connection with the misuse of city anti-violence funds. The improper use of funds was first disclosed by The Inquirer that led to an investigation conducted by police internal affairs and the DAās Office.
The methadone clinic on East Market Street is expected to close by the end of the year. Itās among a handful of properties on the 900 and 1000 blocks of Market Street owned by Comcast and the 76ers. What they have planned for the corridor is not yet clear, though Mayor Cherelle L. Parker promised Friday that plans to revitalize East Market Street will unfold quickly.
DA Larry Krasner says he wants the publicās help deciding what to focus on over his next four-year term. Lawyers, former judges, and advocates for crime victims and those accused of crimes share some suggestions.
The biggest win for Pa. Democrats in Tuesdayās election was a decisive victory for three liberal state Supreme Court justices. Experts say an emerging partisan tilt to the traditionally routine judicial election may have ripple effects in the years to come.
After big election wins in Bucks County, Democrats think they can oust U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. But the Bucks Republican is resilient.
A major federal beach replenishment project years in the making for the Wildwoods has collapsed. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said itās because two communities, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, stopped cooperating.
The Philly Specials are back with a new Christmas treat. Itās not another album ā itās something decidedly more cuddly.
When is it too early to put up holiday decorations? The Inquirer Features staff weighs in.
Just under 50 chefs and bakers will take over the Fillmore on Nov. 15 for our inaugural ā and deeply Philadelphian ā food festival. Meet them all.
Fish croquettes. Shrimp wontons. Grilled cheese croutons. But with a twist. Cannabis.
Weed dinner parties ā a new kind of adult socializing marked by relaxed settings, curated menus, and responsibly dosed marijuana ā have officially entered the chat.
Across New Jersey, events like chef Louisa Rodriguez-Diazās āTerps and Tapasā party are flourishing. āWhen you go to a weed dinner party, youāre seeing the future,ā said one cannabis policy advocate. āYouāre seeing how things will be in five years.ā
Despite legalization, cannabis-infused dinners like Rodriguez-Diazās still operate in a gray zone. Commercial food service with cannabis remains unregulated in New Jersey ā so most chefs host private, invite-only gatherings where guests pay for the experience rather than the cannabis itself.
They say the goal isnāt to get obliterated. Itās to enjoy the moment, the flavors, and the friends.
Reporter Henry Savage takes us inside āTerps and Tapas.ā The vibes are perfectly lit.
Ryan Parsaee is done clout-chasing. Specifically, heās done claiming heās from a well-known city (Philadelphia) instead of the ācookie-cutterā suburb he was actually raised in (Malvern).
Itās been a long road to self-acceptance. āTo some extent, I probably still am a bit embarrassed by where I am from. But that place is me,ā Parsaee writes.
He charts exactly how he finally accepted his Chester County roots, with a word to the wise: āIf youāre not from Philly, just say so.ā
š§ Trivia time
Somewhere in Philly, a statue of an educator and activist who helped Black men in Pennsylvania win suffrage in 1869 stands tall. Where is it?
A) Benjamin Franklin High School
B) Locust Walk
C) Logan Square
D) South side of City Hall
Think you know? Our new (weekly!) Citywide Quest game puts your knowledge of Phillyās streets to the test. Check your answer.
š§© Unscramble the anagram
Hint: This Philadelphia politician made history on Nov. 8, 1983
SLOWED WOOING
Email us if you know the answer. Weāll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Chris Campolucci, who correctly guessed Fridayās answer: āNot Gonna Lie.ā The most requested guest on Kylie Kelceās hit podcast? Mother-in-law Donna Kelce.
We were there
š· Departing from the usual yellows, pinks, and purples, 12,000 red, white, and blue blossoms will flank Dilworth Park next spring. Itās a patriotic tribute to the Semiquincentennial in 2026.
Somewhere on the internet in Philly
A moment for this SEPTA edit. I didnāt ask for it, but I sure enjoyed.
This Redditorās review of the ādive vibes along the Elā reads a little like a free verse poem. The takes are pretty solid, too.
Love is Blind is coming to Philly, and a casting director made a direct appeal for āupstanding, single menā to apply. Commenters are wishing her ... umm ... luck š
āļø Thatās it from me, folks! Thanks for reading!
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