Cops reinstated after abuse allegations | Morning Newsletter
🏬 And more renters aged 65 and up.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Morning, Philly. The day is set to be cloudy with high temps in the low 80s.
Five Philadelphia police officers were fired for allegedly assaulting or threatening women. Arbitrators appointed by the Fraternal Order of Police overruled the terminations — and they were all reinstated. Our top story explains the cases that a citizens oversight group called “concerning.”
And more Philly-area residents aged 65 and older are renting instead of owning homes. Read on to learn about the region’s fastest-growing population of renters.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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The city has resumed the release of Fraternal Order of Police arbitration decisions, weeks after an Inquirer report on its 16-month publishing hiatus.
Included in the newly released decisions are five cases in which police officers were fired after allegations of assaulting or threatening women.
In one example, an officer had been arrested in a domestic-violence case. After he was first suspended for 30 days with the intent to dismiss, he was reinstated to the force after the FOP filed a grievance on his behalf. Another domestic-violence case saw an officer reinstated despite “incredibly damaging” bodycam footage.
Reporter William Bender digs into the cases.
In Philadelphia, its suburbs, and Camden and Wilmington, people aged 65 and older are the fastest-growing population of renters, with an increase of 24% over a decade. The second-fastest-growing? The 55 to 64 age group.
🏬 For some older adults who rent, it’s a necessity due to the high cost of home ownership. Others are former homeowners choosing to downsize, grandparents who want to be near family, or those who just don’t want the headache of caring for their own property.
🏬 Developers in the area are noticing the trend, too, and building apartments geared toward older adults to meet the demand. Rental housing can also help keep people in their neighborhoods if they age out of their homes.
🏬 In their own words: “I like to travel. I’m a single guy,” said one 73-year-old renter who moved from a Long Island house to a Lower Merion apartment to be closer to his grandchildren. “I know owning a home is a different mindset.”
Real estate reporter Michaelle Bond spoke to older renters about why they chose the leasing life.
What you should know today
The Trump administration published a much shorter list of so-called sanctuary jurisdictions on Tuesday, with Philly included — but not the collar counties.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday joined calls for the United States to increase aid to Gaza as the death toll of Palestinians grows.
Former Republican Tracy Hunt announced that he’ll be running in the Democratic primary to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in 2026.
Philadelphia officials are reaching out to help the tens of thousands of companies that will have to start paying the city’s business tax after a legal challenge led the Parker administration to eliminate a tax break that primarily benefited smaller firms.
The Pennsylvania State Museum in Harrisburg closed its Native American exhibit and plans to repatriate remains and artifacts in compliance with federal law.
A new Pennsylvania Superior Court ruling could lead more suburban healthcare providers to use patient waivers that keep malpractice lawsuits out of Philadelphia.
A Thomas Jefferson University Hospital patient died from an aggressive blood cancer. Doctors want people to know about the little-known virus that caused it.
The East Coast’s first recreational weed lounges are now open in New Jersey, including one in Camden County.
Quote of the day
Roy Rogers restaurants once dotted the Philadelphia region before disappearing decades ago. Now, people are flocking to the new location in Cherry Hill for not only the Fixin’s Bar, but the nostalgia — complete with red and yellow decor and cowboy-themed signage.
🧠 Trivia time
Which Philly-tied celebrity recently renewed their marriage vows on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art?
A) Kat Dennings
B) Will Smith
C) Sheryl Lee Ralph
D) Kevin Bacon
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🍍 Hunting for: All the rum hams hidden around the city in our Always Sunny game.
👂 Listening for: The local voices in Sam Smith’s “To Be Free” backing choir.
🥃 Entering: This summer’s Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board lottery, with rare bourbons up for grabs.
🍝 Anticipating: The new restaurants opening in Philly this August, plus a trio of eateries promising to transform 990 Spring Garden.
🥪 Considering: Hoagie vs. sub vs. “torpedo sandwich,” courtesy a Delco shop’s egregious error.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Abstract artist and former PAFA teacher whose work in currently on view in Philly
MASSIVE YUP
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Denni Sosna, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Broomall. ChristianaCare completed its $50 million bankruptcy deal for five Crozer outpatient locations in Delaware County, including in the Marple Township suburb, according to a new court filing.
Photo of the day
🦅 One last squawking thing: Mucha Nama is the die-hard fan who drives an Eagles-themed Uber around Philadelphia. On Monday, he was invited to Eagles training camp and met several players, including Jordan Mailata, who recognized his van. “I’m living my dream right now,” Nama said. (See the car in action here.)
May all of your own dreams come true on this Wednesday. Back at it tomorrow.
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