🌮 NoLibs Night Market goes dark | Morning Newsletter
And teacher training in Delco.
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 Thursday, Philly. You already know the mugginess in the region has been unrelenting this summer. Turns out, it’s near historic, too.
The Northern Liberties Night Market’s summer event is canceled as the costs of required police patrols and sanitation services have more than doubled. Organizers worry rising fees could jeopardize the future of more street festivals in the city.
And Delaware County is one of dozens of Pennsylvania counties facing a dire teacher shortage. A community college program is aiming to fix it.
Plus, a two-year check-in with the Philly Phlush project, and more of the day’s news, below.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
P.S. The Inquirer Food Fest, at the Fillmore on Nov. 15, will assemble the Philly scene’s biggest stars for a day of food, live beats, and hands-on fun. Check out discount tickets now.
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
The Northern Liberties Night Market typically brings hundreds of people to North Second Street three times per year to enjoy local food trucks and good times.
🌮 Not so this summer. The July 23 edition was canceled after the city quoted organizers more than $24,000 for police, sanitation, and inspections — a sharp increase from just two years ago.
🥟 “Every year we come back and the city bill is bigger,” one festival organizer told The Inquirer. “It’s just not sustainable anymore.”
🍦 One of the main reasons for the increase is the cost of traffic control by the Philadelphia Police Department — which in turn cited the rising cost of officer salaries and overtime amid a staffing shortage.
Can the Night Market be saved? Reporter Beatrice Forman has the story.
In other city funding news: Mayor Cherelle L. Parker shared details of a tentative contract agreement reached with a second city workers’ union, AFSCME DC 47.
School districts across Pennsylvania have been suffering for years amid a teacher shortage, as fewer young people pursue the career.
Delaware County Community College’s Teacher Education Program aims to shrink the gap in a county that last school year had nearly 100 teacher vacancies.
The dual-enrollment program allows Delco high schoolers to take college credits, plus get mentorship, fieldwork, and a tight-knit cohort model — all for free — putting them on the path toward an education degree.
The program’s first 12-student cohort graduated this spring. Its third cohort, which will start this fall, is triple that size.
Suburban reporter Denali Sagner explains the program’s goals and early lessons.
What you should know today
Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying two people who they say opened fire in a shooting at a block party in Grays Ferry earlier this month that left three people dead and nine injured.
Pennsylvania has joined a group of 20 states suing President Donald Trump’s administration over its decision to end FEMA disaster funding.
Federal immigration agents swarmed a Norristown-area food market early Wednesday, taking 14 workers into custody as part of a surge of ICE activity across Montgomery County.
Philadelphia is not upholding an agreement to reexamine Ellen Greenberg’s 2011 death, her family claimed in court.
A Justice Department spokesperson who handled press regarding the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, was suddenly fired. The Philly-area resident said she was “blindsided.”
ChristianaCare and Virtua Health are exploring a merger that would create a new regional health system with business in four states.
Yolanda Laney, known as the godmother of Philly hoops, wants the city’s new WNBA team to invest in local girls’ basketball.
Richard Machlin, who cofounded the music venue Tin Angel, has died. He is remembered as a lifelong lover and supporter of the arts.
Quote of the day
Columnist Stephanie Farr visited the city’s two Philly Phlush stalls to find out if people are actually using them — they definitely are — then asked the city why the public bathroom project’s rollout has been so slow. (Warning: This story has many, many defecation puns.)
🧠Trivia time
Kyle Schwarber this week became the first Phillie since 1964 to do what?
A) Hit more than 300 home runs in a season
B) Pitch a no-hitter
C) Get married during the season
D) Be named the All-Star Game MVP
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🍟 Remembering: “ODB McDonald’s” ahead of Wu-Tang Clan’s final Philly show.
🧀 Impressed by: The best cheesemonger in the country coming out of Philly — again.
🍫 Buying: All the Dubai chocolate at these local spots.
🍿 Delighted by: David Corenswet watching Superman in a crowded Philly-area IMAX.
đź“ş Waiting to see: How WHYY and other area stations would be impacted by cuts to NPR and PBS.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: _ County
MEMORY TONG
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Mitzi De Blasis, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Franklin Institute. The science museum’s “Universal Theme Parks” show opens in February.
Photo of the day
Hope you get to enjoy the day as much as this happy kid. I’ll be back with you tomorrow morning to close out the week of news.
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.