The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Rise and shine, Philly. There’s a chance of showers later in the day.
What should you do if a roommate’s partner overstays their welcome? Inquirer staffers discuss.
Plus, we’re covering NJ Transit’s premium cost for World Cup train tickets, the Roots Picnic going to London, and our report card for this week in Philly news.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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What you should know today
Peco withdrew its request to raise rates by double digits after pushback from the community and government officials.
Philadelphia officials are offering to fast-track permits for big employers with complex development plans as part of a campaign to entice companies to invest in and hire workers at former industrial sites near the Schuylkill and the Delaware River.
A panel cleared the Quakertown police chief of wrongdoing in a chaotic confrontation with student protesters where he used force — including briefly wrapping his arm around a teenage girl’s neck.
Gov. Josh Shapiro asked the head of Pennsylvania’s lead civil rights enforcement agency to resign amid an investigation into its spending.
It’s official: NJ Transit will charge $150 for a roundtrip ride to FIFA World Cup games at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
A flagship shelter in Fairmount is facing an uncertain future amid a potential zoning battle and lease instability. The facility is a critical part of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s strategy to address the crisis in Kensington.
Philly fashion legend Ann Gitter, owner of iconic womenswear boutique Knit Wit, has passed away. She introduced area women to a handful of brands before they became household names.
The Roots Picnic will cross the Atlantic Ocean in August to bring a mini-version of the fest to the United Kingdom.
A unicorn-themed monster truck is paving the way for women in motorsports, and will make its Linc debut at Monster Jam in Philly this weekend.
An eight-night Wawa hot dog saga, the Flyers back in the playoffs, and Philly’s pitch for the 2028 DNC made for a very Philly week. Catch up on the good, bad, and weird from our recent stories.
This week’s question: My roommate is dating someone who stays over most nights now. She keeps stuff in the fridge, uses our washer. Our place feels like her apartment too. What can I say? At what point, can I ask her to contribute to the rent?
Reporters Beatrice Forman and Elizabeth Wellington got together to tackle this one. Their chat yielded an interesting confession: “I was the bad roommate who let her boyfriend move in with her and her roommate,” Forman said.
They also debated the potential drawbacks of throwing money at the problem, and ways one might start a dialogue to establish a more fair living situation. As Wellington put it, “It’s about boundaries, not rent.”
Read their full verdict here. And if you need advice, or just want to share your thoughts, we want to know. Send us an email here.
In this week’s Shackamaxon, Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson unpacks SEPTA’s efforts to shrink its structural deficit. He also touches on the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s involvement in the real estate market.
“Still, it’s unclear if PHA will be able to keep this up forever,” Pearson writes.
Read on for Pearson’s take on the affordable housing provider’s apartment buying spree and more.
đź“Ť Find the location
Think you know where to find this kayaking spot? Our weekly game puts your knowledge of Philly locations to the test. Check your answer.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Home to penguins in Camden
UNIQUE VAT MARAUDER
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Tom Bailey, who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Dawn Staley. A Philly youth sports organization is creating an award named for the basketball coach.
Skilladelphia wants young athletes to have fun — and feel safe while doing it.
Cofounded in 2023 by Philly author Liz Moore and her husband, Mac Casey, the nonprofit offers low- or no-cost training to girls and nonbinary people at all levels. Reporter Ariel Simpson takes us to Society Hill to learn more about the program.
Somewhere on the internet in Philly
🥤 A Gritty-Wawa drink collab may be on the way, at least according to this chaotic promo video.
🗣️ People are sounding off in the comments of our video on the huge illegal dump off Pennway Street.
🍋‍🟩 Who makes the city’s best key lime pie? Reddit suggestions include Flying Monkey Bakery at Reading Terminal, Bredenbeck’s in Chestnut Hill, and even your friendly neighborhood Acme.
❤️ We need Michael’s vibes, all the time: “Stay positive, and Go Phils.”
👋🏽 Enjoy your Saturday, and I’ll catch up with you again tomorrow.
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