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. Some showers may turn Saturday soggy in the afternoon.
Today, we’re talking about a shortage impacting some of Philly’s coolest drinks.
Plus, we’ve got news on SEPTA restoring services, a major Philly-area deadly car theft ring and drug trafficking bust, and the retirement of a Delco mayor.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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What you should know today
SEPTA expects to restore service on Sept. 14. The agency has asked for state approval on a funding plan that would roll back cuts.
A woman was shot to death Friday evening outside the 7-Eleven at 12th and Chestnut Streets in Center City.
Thirteen men were charged with racketeering for running a Camden-based car theft ring that officials say is connected to the killing of Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Mendez.
Law enforcement officials have busted a “high-level” cocaine-trafficking ring that operated in North Philadelphia and Bucks County.
A political campaign account for Roosevelt Poplar, the president of Philadelphia’s police union, falsely accused The Inquirer in a social media post Thursday of demanding “private financial information” about funerals for fallen officers.
A judge criticized the city of Philadelphia for delaying a promised reevaluation of the 2011 death of Ellen Greenberg, seven months after agreeing to reexamine the case as part of a settlement with her parents.
The White House lambasted Gov. Josh Shapiro this week for opposing President Donald Trump’s deployments of national troops to American cities after the Democratic governor said he’d be prepared if Philly joined Trump’s list.
Parents of transgender children who have received gender-affirming care at CHOP say they are concerned about their kids’ well-being as the Trump administration presses for patient medical records.
Media Mayor Bob McMahon is retiring after 33 years. Friends and colleagues say his tenure has turned the borough into a regional destination.
Philadelphia’s own David Corenswet will reprise his role as Superman in Man of Tomorrow.
Philadelphia is still dripping green with happiness following the Eagles’ home opener victory over the Cowboys. But I have to talk about another green thing that’s not as abundant in the city: matcha.
Food writer Kiki Aranita’s recent article on a shortage hitting cafes across the city may be frustrating for fans of the ground green tea, but perhaps not all that surprising. For some, matcha is a love language, an emotional support tool, and a treat in a league of its own. A matcha beverage can be the perfect pick-me-up to turn any day around. It’s a staple at many businesses, and in the lives of consumers who enjoy matcha-based lattes, cocktails, and even baked goods and soft serve.
Matcha’s rise in popularity, which can be traced to social media hype, has led to booming demand for the precious ingredient. Because its planting and harvesting requires delicate care, it can vary in quality. Reading about how Philly-area business owners are coping with little to no supply, I learned what sets smaller, independent shops apart: They source and serve matcha of high caliber, while many shops sling drinks with culinary-grade matcha. Connoisseurs can definitely tell the difference.
At least one shop owner told Aranita that some people don’t take kindly to the unavailability of their go-to drink. “There’s a balancing act,” said Raquel Villanueva, owner of Baby’s Kusina + Market. “People finally love what we love, but by pushing it to the masses, we are straining supply chains.”
Awareness of the shortage can give customers a glimpse into the effort that goes into producing some of Philly’s coolest drinks, and maybe stir some empathy rather than frustration. I love a good matcha ice cream from Chloe’s Corner or a coconut condensed milk latte from Baby’s Kusina, but my world won’t collapse if they’re out. It’ll just make the next one taste all the more sweet.
In June, City Council passed a bill that established a curfew for businesses in parts of North Philadelphia in order to address safety concerns.
In a column for The Inquirer, Ava Mouton-Johnston says that some residents share safety and quality-of-life concerns, but also reject the blanket curfew as a solution. It may also come with unintended consequences. For instance, it would make it illegal for overnight workers to buy an early morning cup of coffee.
“This curfew will only add another reason for businesses to leave neighborhoods that desperately need the economic activity they contribute,” Mouton-Johnston writes. She is a city policy coordinator for the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit public interest law firm.
🧠Trivia time
About how many high schools in Pennsylvania field varsity football teams?
A) 300
B) 1,000
C) 500
D) 830
Think you know? Check your answer.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Philly boxing great
CARING NADYA
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Shana Henry who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: The Who. The band postponed August concert dates in Philly and Atlantic City. New dates have been announced.
Can we make some noise for Cooper?
Staff photographer Alejandro A. Alvarez encountered this very good boy donning an Eagles jersey on Friday. We adore you, Cooper.
Did you dress your pets up for the occasion? Send us pictures (don’t forget your names!).
Somewhere on the internet in Philly
Khumbie the red panda at the Philadelphia Zoo also showed off his Birds gear. And shout-out to Otis the cat: the absolute unit was ready for his D-line debut.
Redditors are discussing the nicest thing Philadelphians do for one another. Among the responses: Tales of neighborly trash etiquette, the recovery of lost items, and the kindness of strangers.
This reel captures the joys of trying to find a parking spot.
And over on Facebook, a Philly-area man is flaunting what he reeled in from the Schuylkill. Its color is sort of throwing people off.
👋🏽 Have a great rest of your day, OK? I’ll catch up with you again tomorrow.
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