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. Temps are cooling down and some showers are on the way.
Today, I’m talking about a new Hulu series on a Bucks County native’s life and meteoric rise to podcast fame.
But first, let’s touch on expected ICE activity in Philly and road closures ahead of protests across the city this weekend, a firefighter’s hair discrimination lawsuit against the Philadelphia Fire Department, and why a fleet of Teslas is sitting in a mall parking lot.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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What you should know today
Protesters will hit Philadelphia’s streets Saturday as part of a nationwide “No Kings” action planned by critics of President Donald Trump’s administration. Here’s what to expect, including road closures.
ICE is reportedly preparing to deploy tactical units to Philly and multiple other Democrat-run cities. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro pledged to “stand up” to Trump if he tries to take control of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Philadelphia homicide detectives have launched an arson investigation into a Strawberry Mansion rowhouse fire Friday morning that killed a woman and two children.
A Black firefighter is accusing the city of discrimination based on the Philadelphia Fire Department’s policy that restricts certain hairstyles.
Four detainees escaped from a federal immigration detention center in Newark, N.J., amid reports of disorder at the facility, officials said.
U.S. Marshals arrested a Honduran national accused of breaking into a home and trying to sexually assault a 12-year-old girl in Maryland. Authorities searched for him in Cherry Hill earlier this week.
Montgomery County jail officials have dropped their policy of holding immigrants wanted by ICE even after they’ve posted bail, a practice that has enabled federal agents to arrest people who might otherwise have been freed. Here’s what to know about laws surrounding immigration enforcement.
World Cafe Live employees responded on Friday afternoon to being terminated, banned from the premises, and threatened with legal action by the new management team of the West Philly music venue.
Tesla is using the Quaker Bridge Mall’s underused parking lot to hold hundreds of its cars, according to local officials with knowledge of the deal. The spectacle isn’t just a Jersey phenomenon.
FDR Park will unveil a reimagined sign and entrance Saturday morning among other newly renovated amenities.
This week’s obsession
This week, I watched Call Her Alex, a new two-part Hulu documentary about the life of Alex Cooper, the Bucks County woman behind the popular podcast Call Her Daddy. Filmed while she was on a six-city tour that stopped twice in Philadelphia, the series takes viewers back to a time long before Cooper could have ever imagined jokingly calling herself “your founding father.”
Growing up in Newtown, Cooper, daughter of a TV producer for the Philadelphia Flyers, felt like her truest self with a camera, microphone, and green screen in her basement. The montages of her home videos — singing, dancing and performing in made-up bands; acting out skits and entire movies with her best friends — were everything. It felt like girlhood in a nutshell, and it took me back to doing similar creative things as a kid.
In between Cooper revisiting her younger years, she opened up about allegedly experiencing sexual harassment from her female soccer coach at Boston University. Ahead of the documentary’s release, she said confronting the experience carried a lot of fear and shame.
Cooper would go on to launch CHD with her college roommate, where they spoke explicitly about the realities of dating as a young woman, often described as the female equivalent of locker room talk. But much like Cooper, the raunchy, sex-positive podcast evolved. As host, she has shared the mic with actors, psychotherapists, former child stars, politicians, singers, athletes — even Jane Goodall — for candid conversations on everything from mental health and trauma, to women’s rights and family dynamics. “If I have learned anything from Call Her Daddy, there is such power in conversation,” Cooper said.
Her Philly allegiance may be questionable to some (we take sports seriously here), and she would agree that early CHD episodes are kinda cringey. And sure, Call Her Alex did feel a bit like an infomercial for her empire. Still, it was interesting to learn about Cooper’s roots, get a window into the moments that forged her, and how it all culminated in what is now one of the biggest podcasts aimed at empowering women.
The new federal budget would slash National Science Foundation STEM education funding by 75%, its steepest cut in decades.
In a column for The Inquirer, Yoni Greenbaum says these cuts make for a dire situation as a major educational safety net is simultaneously being dismantled.
“Just when the nation needs educational broadcasting most, public media outlets are planning their own obsolescence,” Greenbaum writes.
Get Greenbaum’s take on why a short-term political win for some could become a long-term loss for everyone.
🧠 Trivia time
A Philly roaster and local brewery have teamed up to make a new coffee beer called “Face Your Dreams.” It has a distinct, fruity aroma and tastes like:
A) grape
B) orange
C) watermelon
D) apple
Think you know? Check your answer.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: ‘90s rock band with a Philly-tied documentary
EVEN TAMP
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Robin Connell who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Donna Kelce. Jason’s mom is rumored to be joining the next season of The Traitors.
Jalen Carter was at a North Philadelphia middle school on Thursday for a kick-off event in support of Connectedly, a local nonprofit, and its Philly Families Eat Smart Summer program.
With support from Carter’s foundation, the six-week program is designed to help grandparents raising their grandchildren. It provides them with nutrition education and access to fresh produce over the summer.
Check out staff photographer Tom Gralish’s pictures at the event and learn more about Carter’s personal connection to the program with Eagles beat reporter Inquirer Olivia Reiner.
One more Birds thing: The Vince Lombardi trophy has landed in Cherry Hill. Fans lined up to see and snap a picture with it.
Somewhere on the internet in Philly
These 35mm-film photos capture a unique Philly springtime feeling.
Here’s a funny one ahead of Father’s Day: A skit on how Philly-area dads say the days of the week.
If you find yourself along Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon Valley Park this weekend, look out for a lost gold ring. Paloma, I hope you are reunited with your sentimental item.
And may a love like the one the Phanatic and John Kruk have find us all.
👋🏽 That’s it for now. Let’s catch up again tomorrow.
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