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, Philly.
To start, thousands of Philly-area federal workers left their jobs after President Donald Trump took office on their own accord.
And Philly food businesses are trying to lower prices in an effort to bring customers back.
Plus, Philly’s teachers union said it’s working on an alternative to closing 17 schools, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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When President Donald Trump took office, federal workers braced for layoffs.
With the threat over their heads, many in the region decided to leave on their own. Thousands of federal employees left their roles, but only 2% of them were laid off, according to an Inquirer analysis of data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Notable quote: “The uncertainty of federal employment” drove many to leave, said Philip Glover, national vice president for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) District 3, which represents federal employees in Philadelphia.
Reminder: The Trump administration offered a deferred resignation program that allowed federal employees to resign and continue to be paid for months.
Reporters Joe Yerardi and Ariana Perez-Castells explain how these thousands of workers left.
From omakase to cupcakes, Philly’s food businesses are lowering their prices.
It’s a response to the reality that customers are pushing back after years of rising costs. As consumers are watching every dollar, some businesses are hoping lower prices will bring them back.
To meet the moment and make the economics work, some restaurants are trying a variety of options such as simplifying dishes, engineering plates around less expensive ingredients, or looking for savings through production and purchasing.
Reporter Michael Klein spoke to a couple of businesses on how they’re trying to keep their menus affordable.
What you should know today
Philly mothers and their children would face sharp cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program if a GOP bill becomes law.
A Bucks County judge on Tuesday denied a request to dismiss the case against a teenage girl charged during an anti-ICE protest in Quakertown. According to her attorney, the case could go to trial in June.
Ursinus College is slashing half its funding to its Berman Museum, which will mean a reduction in full-time employees and external and traveling exhibits.
As hundreds of new cases appear, Pennsylvania has begun tracking alpha-gal syndrome, the red meat allergy caused by a tick bite.
Philly’s teachers union said on Tuesday they will soon propose an alternative to the now-adopted plan that would close 17 schools and renovate 169.
Residents who live in neighborhoods near the FIFA World Cup 26 Fan Festival at Lemon Hill will be required to get free temporary parking permits. The hope is that it will safeguard against unauthorized residential parking by people attending the festival.
Meet some of the 3,000 volunteers from all over — Newtown Square to New Zealand — who are helping to make the PGA Championship run smoothly.
Quote of the day
Adam Blackstone will be inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame today.
🧠 Trivia time
What was the name of Philadelphia’s first pro women’s basketball team?
A) Philadelphia Fox
B) Philadelphia Phox
C) The Dreams
D) Liberty Belles
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
⛳ Anticipating: Our Gameday Central ahead of the PGA Championship, live at 9 a.m.
🏠 Admiring: This beautiful four-bedroom Colonial on the market in Lansdowne.
🍨 Craving: Boozy ice cream from Tipsy Scoop (for later, not this early).
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Shredded Money
MINION OMEN TOY
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Chayim Stern, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Arch Street. Chubb’s new 18-story Center City building is Philadelphia’s newest office tower.
Photo of the day
That should get you started for the day. Thanks for spending your morning with the Inquirer. See you tomorrow! ☀️
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