đ Old bus station gets new life | Morning Newsletter
And moment of truth for schools plan.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
This is Thursday. Expect a mix of sun and clouds with a high near 67.
Get a preview of Phillyâs revived bus station ahead of its debut service on Friday.
And the stakes are high as the Philadelphia school board is set to cast a consequential vote on a plan that would close 17 schools.
Plus, the Michelin Guide isnât removing Roxanne (for now), and more news of the day.
â Paola PĂ©rez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Say goodbye to the open-air Spring Garden stop and meet your new intercity bus terminal: The Philadelphia Parking Authority Transportation Center.
đ Itâs been nearly three years since Greyhound abandoned the station on Filbert Street. With its $5 million makeover complete, the station is ready to welcome interstate travelers starting Friday.
đ Passengers will be able to catch a bus from 11 bays, and access new bathrooms, vending machines with food and travel items, and 189 chairs in the airy waiting room.
đ The PPA will run the new facility in conjunction with the cityâs transportation office. (And though its name may have changed, the iconic running dog logo remains on the side of the building.)
Transportation reporter Tom Fitzgerald takes us inside the new-and-improved station.
The city of Philadelphia is watching closely as the school board prepares to vote on a school facilities plan on Thursday afternoon.
At the center is a $3 billion proposal by Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. to shutter 17 schools, co-locate six, and modernize 169. Watlington has said the goal is to improve academic and extracurricular opportunities for all students.
Some lawmakers are threatening to hold up school funding if certain schools arenât removed from the closure list. Two City Council members said this week that the plan is still in flux.
Notable quote: âWe are still in the process of negotiating,â Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, chair of the education committee, said. âIâve been talking to people and working around the clock on this issue.â
Get more details from Philly schools reporter Kristen Graham ahead of todayâs vote, and look out for live updates at Inquirer.com.
What you should know today
A 21-year-old Philadelphia man pleaded guilty to killing two teens in 2022 and 2023 and seriously wounding four others. He faces decades in prison.
Despite pleas from the public, the Cherry Hill school board approved a budget that will cut 70 positions, increase some class sizes, and raise property taxes.
Pennsylvania Republicans who have backed President Donald Trumpâs war in Iran are mostly keeping quiet ahead of a Friday deadline that even some of their own GOP colleagues say is a critical legal marker in the conflict.
Michelin will not be removing Roxanne from its storied gastronomic guide in light of recent revelations that the restaurant was operating without a food license since it opened in Queen Village, a representative told The Inquirer by email.
All nine U.S. Supreme Court justices agreed Wednesday to revive a lawsuit challenging New Jerseyâs efforts to obtain information about donors to a network of faith-based crisis pregnancy centers.
Congressional hopeful Ala Stanford pulled out of a live WHYY debate with State Rep. Chris Rabb and State Sen. Sharif Street hours before it was set to begin, saying her campaign could not agree with the public radio station on a format.
The popular Washington, D.C., bagel chain Call Your Mother will soon move into the former Metropolitan Bakery space in Rittenhouse.
The news of Bimbo Bakeriesâ plans to move its U.S. headquarters out of the Philly area sparked interest from Union fans because of the clubâs jersey sponsorship. As of right now, officials say that isnât changing.
Quote of the day
Because of U.S. Commerce Secretary and mega donor Howard Lutnickâs ties to Jeffrey Epstein, Haverford Collegeâs student body pressed school president Wendy Raymond to establish a review committee to consider removing Lutnickâs name from the schoolâs library. Raymond ultimately declined to do so.
In other Haverford news: A professor launched a petition to move a prestigious math conference out of Philly, or boycott it if it is not moved.
đ§ Trivia time
How many full-time workers in the Philadelphia region earn a living wage?
A) 33.3%
B) 40.5%
C) 44.3%
D) 54.7%
Think you know? Check your answer.
What weâre ...
đ Thrilled about: The Flyers advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
đșđž Returning to: Americaâs Centennial, when the typewriter, telephone, popcorn, and seltzer were born.
đ Following: PJMâs plan to let power developers to connect to its regional grid, as AI drives energy demand.
đ Loading up on: Loaded fries, the newest offering in a variety of âFlavors on Frankford.â
đž Rocking out to: The Menzingers and Mountain Goats at Manayunkâs Sing Us Home fest, among other Philly concerts this week.
𧩠Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Neighborhood north of Old City
INTERLINE BROTHERS
Email us if you know the answer. Weâll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Cindy Froggatt, who solved Wednesdayâs anagram: Greg Shahade. The Philly chess player ended New Jersey âJeopardy!â champ Jamie Dingâs historic run.
Photo of the day
đœ One more weird thing: The Philliesâ Lehigh Valley triple-A affiliate will honor the Squonk â Pennsylvaniaâs sad, wrinkled, pig-like creature â this summer. Jason Nark explains the lore.
đđœ Thanks for spending some time with us this morning. Have a great day.
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