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 new week, Philly.
An innovative program once drew international attention to city schools; much of what’s left could fall victim to the district’s school closures next year.
So many people are cashing in old jewelry that local companies are hiring more staff to keep up with the ongoing demand.
Plus, a rare “corpse flower” attracted hundreds, and more news of the day.
— Alyssa Passeggio (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Philadelphia was once home to “the most interesting high school” in the nation. Parkway was a place where the passions of both students and teachers were centered to make for unique learning experiences.
The program’s notable alumni include Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and actor Kevin Bacon. The concept grew to five schools before eventually shifting toward more traditional high schools.
Now Parkway is facing a new chapter: Two of its schools are closing in 2027, leaving Parkway Center City as the only school remaining from the program that once drew international interest.
Reporter Kristen A. Graham takes us into the history of “the school without walls."
More families are turning to old jewelry and precious metals as a sort of piggy bank amid the record-high prices for gold and silver. And buyers are busy.
Companies in Center City and Newtown, Bucks County, have hired more staff as transactions have doubled. One office needed additional security.
Uncertainty is a driving force, of course, but data centers are also contributing to demand — the technology requires precious metals.
Reporter Joseph N. DiStefano takes us inside the latest gold boom.
What you should know today
There are some high-stakes races on Tuesday’s primary ballot in Pennsylvania.
One of the region’s oldest Holocaust survivors, Elizabeth Bleiman, has died at 104.
Two people are dead after a driver ran a red light in Juniata Park.
Normally sleepy races for Democratic committee seats are being targeted by a reform coalition in Philly and it’s drawing some pushback.
A “mysterious” PAC has waded into a Democratic primary in the Philly suburbs. Officials are calling its most recent ad antisemitic.
A Camden County man is accused of starting a fire in a Walmart that officials say resulted in $10 million in damages.
Quote of the day
More than 200,000 spectators were expected to flock to Aronimink Golf Club for the PGA Championship, which ended Sunday. Not all of Newtown Square’s small businesses saw the boost.
🧠 Trivia time
What food is Philadelphia City Council considering banning?
A) Scrapple
B) Foie gras
C) Caviar
D) Pork roll
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
😬 Learning: How to climb the grease pole at the Italian Market Festival ... according to the people who’ve done it.
🍤 Considering: A shrimp cocktail that’s part of an actual cocktail on Vernick Fish’s new martini menu.
🤔 Calculating: Whether a trip to the Jersey Shore, Outer Banks, or Mexico makes more sense.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Pennsylvania produces about 200,000 gallons a year
PURPLE YAMS
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Lee Ahrensdorf, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Ryan Howard. The former Phillies legend was greeted by “MVP” chants from the crowd at his first-ever PGA Tour event and said he wishes he “would have played golf” during career.
Photo of the day
Hundreds of people flocked to Temple’s Ambler campus for a whiff of the rare “corpse flower,” which blooms for only 24 to 36 hours every few years. Nine-year-old Mark Masko confirmed it was “pretty stinky.”
📬 Your ‘only in Philly’ story
This section of our newsletter has been a delight as I’ve learned more about this city and the people who call it home. Thank you for sharing your memories here, please keep them coming!
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. Then, please email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.
👋 Enjoy the day! Taylor Allen will be with you Tuesday morning.
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