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.
Four months after the deadly plane crash on Cottman Avenue, neighbors are still picking up the pieces of their lives. Read on to see how the crash changed one street forever.
And a federal agency closed campgrounds at Pennsylvania’s biggest lake. Now, local residents are suffering.
Here’s what to know today.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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For residents of the 7200 block of Rupert Street, four months isn’t enough to forget the trauma left by a medical transport plane crashing near their stretch of rowhouses on Jan. 31, 2025.
Some were trapped in their homes by burning debris that night until others helped them escape. Some ran into the chaotic street scene, shouting to offer help or extinguishing flames themselves.
Now, they deal with PTSD and depression, as well as physical injuries sustained from the crash’s impact and lingering home damage. They remain fearful, haunted by the event that killed eight people.
“I have my good days and my bad days,” one said. “You see this stuff in the movies and on TV but to actually see it and get that image out of your head, it’s very hard.”
At Raystown Lake, the largest in Pennsylvania, hundreds of campsites sat vacant during what should have been a busy start to the summer season. But it’s not because would-be visitors skipped out on their reservations.
🚣 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the campgrounds, announced in March that the sites would be closed indefinitely due to “executive-order driven staffing shortages.” The news came as the Department of Government Efficiency began slashing staff at federal agencies.
🚣 The closures have had devastating impact on business owners near the Huntington County attraction, with foot traffic down as much as 50% compared to a usual Memorial Day weekend.
🚣 Camping reservations for state parks, meanwhile, have skyrocketed.
Rural reporter Jason Nark has the story.
What you should know today
A 31-year-old Uber driver died Saturday night in a fiery crash below I-95 in Fishtown after suffering a medical emergency, police said.
The final stages of negotiations over Philadelphia’s next city budget were on track, until President Donald Trump’s list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” came out. Here’s where things stand now. Plus, several rural Pennsylvania counties found themselves on the list — but officials there said it must be a mistake.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and other attorneys general have asked the Food and Drug Administration to step up enforcement of counterfeit GLP-1 drugs.
The Camden School District has launched a search to replace Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs, who is leaving June 30.
Four current and former members of the Eagles headlined at Life Surge, a controversial Christian wealth conference, on Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center.
Long lines and delayed entry into the Roots Picnic Saturday had frustrated concertgoers calling for a refund. Music-wise, our pop critic writes, fill-in headliner Maxwell was a standout.
The inaugural Gaudreau Family 5K honoring Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau was held Saturday. Proceeds from the event will fund an adaptive playground.
🧠 Trivia time
With an income of $50,000, about what share of March 2025 home listings in the Philadelphia metropolitan area could a prospective buyer afford, according to an analysis of listings on Realtor.com?
A) 10%
B) 25%
C) 50%
D) 65%
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🏀 Reading: This South Jersey sportswriter’s new book on Caitlin Clark.
🧢 Eyeing: Tariffs’ potential impact on bootleg sports merch.
🥒 Renting: Clothes from influencers’ closets via this University of Pennsylvania grad’s app.
🦀 Visiting: These dozen Philly restaurants with soft-shell crabs on the menu.
🗳️ Considering: How ranked choice voting could impact the New Jersey governor’s race.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: John Heinz _ _ _ in Southwest Philadelphia
FELLOW INFURIATING ADELE
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Aesha Mitchell, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Cobbs Creek. The West Philly neighborhood’s golf course will have its storied past brought to life with a three-part docuseries airing in June.
Photo of the day
At the Philadelphia Pride March, hope and resilience — and a 600-foot-long flag — were on display. Reporter Michelle Myers and photographer Tom Gralish captured scenes from the Sunday event.
📬 Your “only in Philly” story
Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if you’re not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again — or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.
This “only in Philly” story comes from reader Linda S., who recalls an urban childhood spent outdoors:
I was born and raised in South Philadelphia, one of many baby boomers. There were so many children on our block, we never had to go far to find someone to play with. The best memories are of playing outside in the street, whether it was stick ball, jail break, tag, or dead box. We had so much fun. We played outside all day long, went home to eat dinner, then went back outside to play. We knew it was time to go home when the street lights came on.
Wishing you a great start to your week. I’ll be back with you tomorrow morning.
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