All about the Proud Boys trial | Morning Newsletter
And a lackluster New Years gym rush
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/pmn/ALW5BISJE5FINBJBLECMCQYHVA.jpg)
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
There’s some chance of rain but it should be mostly sunny today☀️.
It’s been two years since hundreds of supporters of former President Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, and we’re still reckoning with the fallout.
Opening arguments are set to begin Tuesday in the trial of the far-right group the Proud Boys, who are accused of seditious conspiracy.
Our lead story hones in on the longtime leader of the Philadelphia Proud Boys, Zach Rehl.
If you see this 🔑 in today’s newsletter, that means we’re highlighting our exclusive journalism. You need to be a subscriber to read these stories.
— Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
Zach Rehl stood by the site of the first breach, shooting video on his phone. “F— them!” he shouted at the mob. “Storm the Capitol.”
He also privately messaged top leaders of the Proud Boys “I’m proud as f— of what we accomplished.”
Those comments are at the center of the seditious conspiracy case against the president and four other leaders, who the Justice Department accused of instigating the riot to ensure Trump remained in office.
Necessary context: Seditious conspiracy is the most serious accusation prosecutors brought against any of the people charged with any role in the Capitol attack. The conviction requires prosecutors to prove that the men were seeking to overthrow the government or interfere with the execution of federal law by force.
The defense: Rehl and his codefendents maintain there’s no evidence that they planned anything and that they’re being scapegoated based on their intemperate words.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Rehl and his involvement in the attack on the Capitol.
What you should know today
Eagles clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye with an ugly win over the Giants.
Because of the use of speed cameras, crashes are down 36% on Roosevelt Boulevard.
The Welcome to Fishtown mural with three tabby cats will disappear. A new apartment building with first-floor storefronts is planned for the vacant lot in front of it.
The North Penn School District is launching a health center to cut health-care costs and attract teachers.
John Hallinan, a Fishtown “little guy,” is named one of the best grocers in America.🔑
Local coronavirus numbers: Here’s your daily look at the latest COVID-19 data.
New year, new you, new wellness routine?
A common New Year’s resolution is to exercise more, and gym owners could always bank on a booming business in January.
But with an uncertain economy and the lingering effects of the pandemic, many in the Philadelphia region’s health and wellness industry aren’t so sure about a January uptick.
Owners say they have to work harder to attract new clients, like using different marketing strategies and offering steeper discounts. Both of those can impact their bottom lines.
Continue reading to discover the new tactics they’re trying to entice new customers. 🔑
🧠 Philly Trivia Time 🧠
What’s the name of Philadelphia’s first and oldest comic book shop?
A) Comic Universe
B) Brave New Worlds
C) Atomic City Comics
D) Fat Jack’s
Find out if you know the answer.
What we’re...
🏈 Monitoring: Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin is still in critical condition but is continuing in his recovery.
💧Planning: Your next day trip to take in some waterfalls.
🧩 Unscramble the Anagram 🧩
Hint: An actor from the Philly area
LESTER MELLI
We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Send us your own original anagram to unscramble if you’d like. Cheers to Annette Lofft who correctly guessed Sunday’s answer: Johnny Brenda’s. Email us if you know the answer.
Photo of the Day
And that’s it from me. I’m starting my day with tea and honey 🍯. Thanks for starting yours with The Inquirer.