✈️ Ordered flight cuts to hit PHL | Morning Newsletter
And a New Jersey developer has big plans for a block in North Philly.
The Morning Newsletter
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Happy Friday, Philly!
As the government shutdown drags on, and weeks before a busy holiday travel season begins, the Federal Aviation Administration told airlines to reduce their flights by 10% at some of the nation’s busiest airports. And you guessed it: Philadelphia International Airport is one of them.
Plus, a project aiming to bring affordable housing to working-class families is making its way to North Philly. The anticipated triplexes and quadplexes would replace a derelict warehouse.
— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
P.S. Friday means trivia! Our latest news quiz includes questions on a new scam targeting local businesses, changes to a popular coffee chain, the Semiquincentennial, and more.
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Amid the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, and ahead of one of the busiest travel times of the year, the Federal Aviation Administration told airlines to reduce their flights by 10% at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports. On the list is Philadelphia International Airport.
In announcing the reduction plan, FAA Administrator and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cited growing staffing pressures. Air traffic controllers have been working without pay since the start of the government shutdown on Oct. 1, leading to some calling out from work, prompting staffing shortages that have manifested in flight delays at airports around the country.
In a statement, PHL said it remained open and the airspace is managed by the FAA. Travelers, the airport added, should contact their airlines and sign up for text and email alerts for the latest flight information.
🏡 A New Jersey developer is set to transform a block of North Philadelphia with 232 new houses spread across dozens of triplexes and quadplexes.
🏡 The project at 2200 N. Eighth St. has been in the works for over two years and has been almost halved in size from the original plan presented in 2023.
🏡 The site spans an entire city block between Eighth and Ninth Streets and Susquehanna Avenue and Dauphin Street. It is currently a derelict warehouse, which darkens the block at night with little lighting.
🏡 The developer also plans to eliminate all but two of the curb cuts that serviced the old warehouse, fix the broken sidewalk, plant 44 street trees, and install bike parking. The houses will front the sidewalk.
What you should know today
Pennsylvania’s Court of Judicial Discipline suspended Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Scott DiClaudio without pay amid accusations that he sought to influence a case.
Chester Mayor Stefan Roots and environmentalists have objected to a yearslong plan by Penn LNG to build a liquefied natural gas export terminal.
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani reached out to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. They had a “healthy dialogue” about Israel, Shapiro said.
Two South Jersey schools — one in Camden County and one in Atlantic County — have won honors as Blue Ribbon Schools, among the top in the state.
Former basketball legend Charles Barkley admits he used to order his steaks well-done. Now, he’s turned a culinary corner and is opening a steakhouse and cigar lounge in KOP.
After a successful inaugural Delco 10-Miler this year, organizers are planning to take another lap in 2026. Next time, they want to double the number of participants.
Quote of the day
Cherry Hill public school librarians may begin asking parents to sign permission slips before allowing students to check out books that school staff determine have “sensitive content.”
🧠 Trivia time
The Sixers’ beloved mascot, Hip Hop, is making a comeback at Saturday’s game. It’s been years since the iconic rabbit hopped onto the court. What year did he make his last appearance?
A) 2001
B) 1998
C) 2008
D) 2011
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re ...
👏 Applauding: Philly’s Ralph Rucci is the winner of the Council of Fashion Design’s Geoffrey Beene lifetime achievement award.
😊 Smiling about: A Lower Merion synagogue opened its doors to a local church after a fire left congregants without a place to worship. A “deeply profound” partnership has now bloomed.
🌷 Anticipating: Roughly 12,000 red, white, and blue flowers will flank Dilworth Park to mark the Semiquincentennial.
🩰 Celebrating: BalletX returned to the Suzanne Roberts Theatre for the second week in a row to continue its celebration of its 20th anniversary.
🚓 Taking a close look at: The Philadelphia Police Department launched a public awareness campaign around high-tech auto theft.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Kylie Kelce not only has a famous family, but this hit podcast to boot.
Annie Long To
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Paulette Carter, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Market East.
With demolitions proposed for several properties in this section of Center City, a reinvention plan for Market Street is off to a rocky start, architecture critic Inga Saffron writes. Plus: The Fashion District owner is “cautiously optimistic” about the future of its mall on East Market Street.
Photo of the day
And with that, have a wonderful Friday, Philly!
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