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, Philly.
We’ve officially hit summer. Temps are turning up to the 90s, and this is just the beginning. Here’s how to find your nearest cooling center to beat the heat.
People are still picking up the pieces after a strong thunderstorm ripped through the region Thursday, leaving thousands of residents without electricity and damaging trees and infrastructure. Some Peco customers won’t get power back until well into the weekend.
Today, we’re talking about the enigmatic comment that landed a Phillies player in timeout.
But first, let’s catch up on why a Philly charter school is closing, Northeast Philly residents suing over a reconstruction project, and a historic Germantown rose bush on the rebound.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
What you should know today
Universal Vare Charter School in South Philly projects enrolling just 100 students for the next academic year. It’s planning to cease operations.
Police arrested two men this week in connection with the 2022 slaying of one teen and the injuring of another in East Falls. A third suspect remains at large.
Police are investigating a shooting in which one person was injured early Thursday evening at Oxford Valley Mall in Langhorne.
A $27 million reconstruction project is planned for Castor Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia. The plan, which would install bike lanes and reduce vehicle lanes, has drawn the ire of neighbors.
A 38-year-old Philadelphia man was arrested early Friday for allegedly placing hidden cameras disguised as ink pens at public bathrooms on the boardwalk in Ocean City, N.J., police said.
Only 28% of Philadelphians approve of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s response to drugs and the opioid crisis despite her high overall poll numbers, according to a new poll.
The Central Bucks school board took action Wednesday against five employees, including moving to fire the superintendent and a special education teacher who is accused of abusing students at Jamison Elementary School.
Montgomery County officially barred its employees from providing information to ICE on Wednesday, directing them to withhold data like immigration status and country of origin unless directed to do so by their superiors.
A century-old rose bush was cut and damaged during a nighttime heist in Germantown. Two years later, the famous flower is back and blossoming.
The Chinese Lantern Festival returns to Franklin Square to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Here’s our guide.
Some Phillies fans have an endless curiosity for all things Nick Castellanos. Last year, they wanted to know what was in his hat. Now, it’s the “inappropriate comment” he made in Miami that landed him in baseball timeout. He was out for just one game, but the speculation surrounding the offensive remark has taken on a life of its own. All week long, I’ve been wondering: What was the final straw? Was it that bad of a diss?
After Castellanos hit an explosive grand slam on Father’s Day, no one could have predicted the same man would be benched a mere day later. It’s no wonder fans were screaming “FREE CASTELLANOS!” in the Marlins’ stadium, so loudly that the TV broadcast picked it up. One fan toyed with the idea of texting Brandon Marsh for the tea. It’s so serious that they staged (fake) school walkouts.
“Casty” is known for being fiery and passionate. Whatever he said in the heat of the moment, his loyal followers back him up. Over on Facebook, people shared their own theories as to what the right fielder’s offensive remark could’ve been: “Jawn isn’t a real word.” “Jalen isn’t a top 10 QB.” “Mayo and peppers goes on a cheesesteak.” The same happened on Reddit: “Dollar Dog Night WAS stupid.” “Blooper is better than Phanatic.” Philly knows those are all fighting words. Here’s one of my favorite ideas born from this mystery: “the phillies should add a charity auction where you’d get to hear what nick castellanos said to topper to end his 236 game streak.” Just like Carly Simon.
Apart from fans who took Castellanos’ side, some agreed with Thomson’s move. Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes thought the punishment was fitting. The night Castellanos sat out, the Phils snapped their winning streak. It didn’t feel good to lose so harshly with this situation on the mind, but broadcaster Tom McCarthy said he didn’t think it messed with team morale that night.
Back in the game Wednesday, it felt like a full circle moment to watch Castellanos make the game-saving catch. Thomson says they are back on good terms, and Castellanos spoke to the realities of flaring tensions: “Emotions drive people, especially passionate people,” he said. We may never know what was really said. But at least we got some good memes — and good games — out of it.
One viewpoint
Philadelphia has made progress in reducing carbon emissions, with a 10% drop from 2019 to 2022.
But in a column for The Inquirer, Christine Knapp says proposed SEPTA service cuts could increase the city’s overall carbon emissions and undermine local climate efforts.
“With 28% of Philadelphia’s carbon emissions coming from the transportation sector, increasing the use of no- and low-carbon transportation options — like public transit — is critical for the city,” Knapp writes.
Get Knapp’s perspective on how cuts to SEPTA could make our air dirtier and hotter.
🧠Trivia time
A new trailer for the 17th season of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia features Frank Reynolds (Danny DeVito) somehow landing a spot on which dating reality TV show?
A) 90 Day Fiancé
B) Love is Blind
C) The Golden Bachelor
D) Love Island
Think you know? Check your answer.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Retro landmark and restaurant in Pennsauken
PH TUBE
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Robin Craren who correctly guessed Wednesday’s answer: Alan Ritchson. The actor, best known for his role in the hit Prime Video series Reacher, was spotted filming on the streets of Rittenhouse Square this week. Former President Joe Biden also made an appearance.
The Sixers helped unveil the newly refurbished basketball courts in Cobbs Creek Park on Wednesday.
Sports reporter Gabriella Carroll has the story on the partnership that drove the initiative and brought Allen Iverson to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, accompanied by photos from staff photographer Tom Gralish.
Somewhere on the internet in Philly
People are ordering new license plates commemorating the commonwealth as the “Birthplace of Democracy.”
Redditors shared photos of rainbows after Thursday’s storms.
And someone noticed “palm trees” along Fifth Street in Fairhill. Who put them in El Centro de Oro? That’s a great Curious Philly question if someone wants to ask us.
👋🏽 Thanks for stopping by this morning. Have a good one.
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.