The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Good morning.
Paola here, filling in for Laura on this Thursday. We’re warming up to about 73 degrees, and some rain is possible throughout the day.
A new political reality is taking shape in Philadelphia and beyond. Our top story looks ahead to Democrats’ control of Harrisburg and what it could mean for the city’s funding priorities.
Further along, read about new leadership at a West Philly food co-op trying to turn the struggling store around.
Plus, Drexel paused all undergraduate student events with alcohol, and more news of the day.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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For the first time in more than 30 years, Democrats will be fully steering the ship in Harrisburg, clearing the way for the party’s priorities.
Philly lawmakers say this overhaul will be felt acutely in the city. It could mean cash for financially strapped institutions like the public school system and SEPTA.
But first, Harrisburg needs to find the money. And perhaps the most transformative change could come by way of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s push to raise the state minimum wage.
Notable quote: “We don’t have an affordability crisis if what we earn gives us the ability to take care of ourselves,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.
The Inquirer’s City Hall reporter Anna Orso breaks it all down.
Plus: The sweep from Harrisburg to D.C. is a historic repudiation of President Donald Trump and the GOP. Now Dems must govern amid deep fractures of their own.
What you should know today
Drexel University paused some student events with alcohol or involving the induction of new members amid allegations of misconduct tied to fraternities.
Philadelphia will soon provide advantages to businesses that are certified as “small and local” and bid for city contracts, as well as make permanent its arts and culture office, after voters approved two ballot questions Tuesday.
A 33-year-old Philadelphia man is wanted on murder charges after police said he committed a heinous, random attack on three women inside a West Oak Lane hair salon Monday.
The number of Pennsylvania police agencies signing up to help ICE enforce federal immigration law has nearly doubled in the last six months.
A sinkhole-plagued stretch of Route 202 in King of Prussia has reopened to traffic.
A historic South Philadelphia church is being converted into a hotel.
A Philly man went to jail for cursing at a judge. Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court reversed his conviction and ruled that the act isn’t a crime if a court proceeding wasn’t significantly obstructed.
🎤 Allow me to pass the mic to Inquirer features writer Zoe Greenberg.
With more than 3,000 member-owners and a 55-year track record, the Mariposa Food Co-op looms large in West Philadelphia. But in recent years, many residents felt that it had lost its way — both financially and spiritually.
So when the co-op board announced late last month that its longtime controversial head was out, effective immediately, the news sped through the neighborhood. “Co-op executive officer” and general manager Aj Hess had managed the co-op since 2016, despite repeated attempts by volunteer board members and workers to oust them.
On social media, some neighbors rejoiced as if a despot had finally been removed from the throne. “I want to dance in the streets,” one wrote.
“It’s weird that someone who just basically ran a grocery store has so much ill will built up in the community that people are celebrating,” said Will Inglis, a local who was, himself, celebrating. Inglis worked at the co-op as an overnight stocker and helped organize a union there in 2022. He left in 2023 and was subsequently banned for life from the store for accusing Hess of wage theft in a public meeting.
Hess declined to comment for this story. — Zoe Greenberg
Philadelphia’s Turn the Key program subsidizes sales of single-family homes built on city-owned land. Through a pilot initiative, vacant homes are renovated into affordable homes for first-time buyers.
🧠 Trivia time
Reebok is bringing back the famous “Question Mid” sneakers worn by this basketball icon:
A) Charles Barkley
B) Wilt Chamberlain
C) Kobe Bryant
D) Allen Iverson
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re ...
🍽️ Listing: Six Center City restaurants that will be cooking up at The Inquirer’s Food Fest.
🗳️ Explaining: How Democrats “Fetterman proofed” the Senate. Also, how the midterm election results made for a night of historic firsts nationwide.
🚒 Ogling at: A former South Philly firehouse dating to 1874 was turned into a luxury residence, now for sale.
🎤 Excited for: Two huge pop acts headline Philly music this week.
🥕 Considering: How Philadelphia may lead a national conversation on grocery access.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: When Union phenom Cavan Sullivan joins the senior U.S. men’s national team this month, he will team up with this big soccer star for the first time.
NIHILISTIC CARPUS
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Patricia Sassoli, who correctly guessed Wednesday’s answer: Mural Arts. The public art program recently came under fire for commissioning a piece of art critics say was AI-generated to display at the Bellwether District.
Photo of the day
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