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 Sunday. A flash-flood watch is in effect for the region through noon Sunday, but most of the afternoon should be dry.
Philadelphia Ballet will formally debut its new building to the public soon along the Avenue of the Arts. See why architecture critic Inga Saffron says it repeats “the architectural mistakes of an earlier generation of cultural venues.”
Further on, learn about the only all-water cavern in the country and its last ditch effort to prevent it from being developed.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Philadelphia’s new eye-catching, four-story home for ballet is making a daring leap onto North Broad Street. It will officially open on Sept. 17.
But despite the cultural significance of its arrival on the corridor, architecture critic Inga Saffron argues that the ballet’s building has missed an opportunity to show, as well as tell, what’s going on inside.
Once the dazzle of its solid, pleated metal facade fades away, Saffron notes, the intent to mimic a theater curtain results in a blank, daunting wall. She makes the case that these shortcomings in design, including its lack of street-level windows and a door along Broad, risk isolating the public.
Will Philly embrace its new space for ballet? Read along in Saffron’s review of the building.
Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park first opened in 1885. Located about 190 miles northwest of Philadelphia, it’s the site of a vast underground cave full of frigid water and mineral deposits, as well as a park with animals like bison and elk.
The Central Pennsylvania park, which has been run by the same family since 1908, is hoping to become the 126th state park by transferring stewardship of its acres to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Acquisition may require legislation, according to a DCNR spokesperson. Russ Schleiden, CEO of the attraction, called the decision “difficult,” but said it was the only way to avoid development of the property.
In Schleiden’s own words: “But we feel that it’s a very important part of not only Centre County, but the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and that it should be preserved in perpetuity.”
Get the full story from rural reporter Jason Nark.
What you should know today
A new motion filed Friday in the controversial case that has roiled Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s office argued that a federal judge should not overturn a man’s murder conviction.
A man was sentenced to prison Friday for killing two teens in 2022 and 2023 — including firing dozens of bullets outside Roxborough High School in a shooting that left one teen dead and four others seriously wounded.
A group of Southwest Philly residents are asking the city to act on a catalog of 50 examples of blight in the neighborhood.
The Trump administration has blocked more than 130 projects in national parks across the country worth at least $25 million without providing a reason, according to internal documents reviewed by the Washington Post.
Pennsylvania’s highest court struck down automatic life sentences for second-degree murder months ago. On Thursday, four prisoners asked the justices to extend that ruling to everyone still serving one — and to change how the state handles unconstitutional punishments going forward.
🎤 Here’s Tommy Rowan with a look back at a fudge shop magnate who was killed outside a Jersey Shore nightclub.
Philadelphia native Harry Anglemyer made a name for himself at the Jersey Shore in the middle of the 20th century with his Copper Kettle fudge shop, which grew into a lucrative chain.
But he also became known for speaking out against the outdated blue laws, and for being gay.
And then on Sept. 7, 1964, Anglemyer was found dead.
❓Pop quiz
After an 18-year push from advocates, Collingswood neighbors could soon seek licenses that would let them keep what in their backyards?
A) goats
B) chickens
C) propane grills
D) firepits
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re ...
🧠 Unlocking: The link between words in this week’s Pillars game.
🦅 Predicting: Can the Eagles get off to a flying start in their first game under a new offensive regime? Here’s how our writers see it playing out.
🍔 Hungry for: Flame-broiled retro burgers and fries.
🦴 Fascinated by: Delightfully spooky sculptures at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, among our favorite arts picks this week.
🤩 Scoping out: A “granny special” South Philly home’s old-school features in the latest edition of “How I Bought This House.”
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: This former linebacker now works for the Eagles as head of football development and strategy.
CROWBAR NINON
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Michaelene Fanelli who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: Meek Mill. The North Philly native and rap star’s Dream Chasers Summit has returned to Temple University after 13 years.
Photo of the day
See more photos from the Philadelphia International Airport’s Sept. 11 commemoration in The Inquirer’s photo gallery.
🎶 Today’s track sounds like this: “But there’s truth and consolation in what I’m trying to say / Is that nobody ever had a rainbow, baby, until he had the rain.”
One more musical thing: British pop star Charli XCX opened her Music, Fashion, Film tour in South Philly on Friday night with an “electrifying, existential dance party.” Don’t miss pop critic Dan DeLuca’s dispatch from the show. (For what it’s worth, I have major FOMO.)
👋🏽 Thanks for reading, and take care.
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