The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
It’s Saturday.
A “nasty” nor’easter threatens to turn the Philadelphia region into a rainy, gusty mess. New Jersey has declared a state of emergency starting late Saturday through Monday. And the forecast has caused Sunday night’s “Victory at Sea” concert featuring Patti LaBelle to be moved from outside on Independence Mall to an inside livestreamed event. Check Inquirer.com for the latest updates.
To all you Philly sports fans still reeling from this gut-wrenching week — I feel you. Personally, I’m getting through it by recalling my experience at a fun Philadelphia-themed pub I recently visited abroad, so I’m taking you there with me, and also looking to other ways Philly found joy this week.
But first, we’ll touch on why you may notice fewer low-cost options at PHL, how the summer’s city worker strike impacted taxpayers’ wallets, and new zoning restrictions that could ramp up a Council member’s war on nuisance businesses.
Let’s get into it.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
What you should know today
Philadelphia is calling Monday’s holiday “Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” following an August court ruling that nixed a 2021 executive order replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada introduced a zoning bill this week that would ban new pharmacies and convenience stores from opening in and around Kensington.
Developers revealed their vision for an apartment tower proposed for Columbus Boulevard. Possible future phases could include up to two more towers.
July’s eight-day municipal worker strike cost taxpayers $5.4 million, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said Friday. The administration said it will soon release details and documents that show how it calculated the net cost figure.
The University of Pennsylvania is investigating a private social media video of students espousing racist language, as their peers call for “substantive” discipline.
Philadelphia International Airport will see more flights this year, but budget-conscious travelers may find fewer options for low-cost flights as some airlines contend with business challenges.
Serial fortune-teller scammers were charged with stealing $600,000 from two clients while promising to rid them of evil spirits and curses.
A Paoli couple restored 200 of the rarest comic books in the country.
A Delco tattoo artist won Reading Terminal Market’s second annual Scrapple Sculpting Contest for his rendition of the Eagles’ Tush Push, which he called the “Mush Push.”
Temple University’s Liacouras Center will be the site of 8 Seconds Rodeo’s big debut on Saturday, featuring local equestrian Erin “Concrete Cowgirl” Brown and a combination of Western-style rodeo with Philly’s urban cowboy culture.
This week’s obsession
The moment I saw the Phillies typeface, I smiled and asked myself, “Did I really come all the way to England just to go back to Philadelphia?” Sure, Big Ben was less than 10 minutes away on foot, but I couldn’t visit London without stopping by Passyunk Avenue, a Philly-themed dive bar in Waterloo that promises patrons an authentic experience of the city’s culture. The concept was born from New Jersey native J.P. Teti’s food truck. It’s the same place where a Swoop head was swiped, and where Phillies staff and American and British fans alike descended ahead of the team’s first overseas game in 2024.
There are two other Passyunk Avenues around the city. But the way this particular locale is embedded within the Leake Street Arches, London’s longest legal graffiti wall, makes it feel even more gritty, even more Philly. The walls were covered in Philly sports memorabilia; dollar bills and other notes with quintessential messages like “GO BIRDS, “DELCO,” and “LOVE HURTS” along with artwork of beloved landmarks and historically significant figures. All I could think was, anyone with a passion for Philly needs to come here at least once.
I didn’t get to try their “cheesesteak” (the place was, to my genuine surprise, booked and busy), so I can’t speak to whether their food met the Philly standard. But I did enjoy a pint of Yunkling Pa. Lager. Coming back home and going through this heartbreaking Phillies season finale was sad, but it also warmed my heart to think that just over 3,500 miles away, that cool place was alive and rooting for the city to win it all, like us.
One more thing: Here’s how Philly found feel-good moments this week, including a goofy game night collab from Questlove and Quinta Brunson.
In Philadelphia, councilmanic prerogative is a contested practice that gives the 10 district City Council members discretion over land use, transportation, and other policy decisions within their constituencies.
In the latest edition of Shackamaxon, Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson unpacks how freshman Councilmember Jeffery “Jay” Young" is using the tradition and “taking it to new lows.”
🧠Trivia time
Somewhere in Philly, there’s a statue of Chief Tamanend, the Lenape leader who signed a peace treaty with William Penn.
Where is it?
A) Schuylkill Banks
B) I-95 entrance ramp
C) Kimmel Center
D) Philadelphia Art Musem
Think you know? Our new (weekly!) Citywide Quest game puts your knowledge of Philly’s streets to the test. Check your answer.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Quoth the raven, nevermore
ADORE GLEAN LAP
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Tom McAndrews who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Gloucester County. A judge ruled this week that the design of the November ballot by the county clerk is illegal — but it’s too close to the election to change it.
Staff photographer Yong Kim captured the moment Edmundo Sosa consoled Orion Kerkering after Thursday’s season-ending loss to the Dodgers. Sports columnist David Murphy captured how the team comforted the 24-year-old pitcher.
This reader comment on Murphy’s piece was like a balm for the pain: “This latest disappointment is going to hurt for at least six months. But the way his teammates responded with sympathy and support is something that we all can learn from and be thankful for. That was Brotherly Love and a good reminder of who we are as a fan base and why we love this city.”
Somewhere on the internet in Philly
Have you ever noticed SEPTA’s Stories in Transit project around the city?
At the touch of a button, a stand with the name “PHILLY DAYDREAMS” dispenses a short story on receipt paper. I’ve seen them in passing at Jefferson Station and at PHL, and peeps on Reddit are talking about the one at Suburban Station.
And over on Instagram, I’m replaying this video of Inquirer social video host Ariane Datil transforming into a scare actor. I can’t wait for part two.
👋🏽 Thanks for stopping by. Have a good day, OK? I’ll catch up with you again tomorrow.
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.