Leading Penn under Trump | Morning Newsletter
🍽️ And more than two dozen restaurants.
The Morning Newsletter
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Good morning, Philly.
University of Pennsylvania president J. Larry Jameson shares what it’s like to lead the school under the Trump administration in his first interview with a major news outlet since he stepped into the role.
Also, we have a list of two dozen new suburban restaurants that range from high-end dining to casual BYOBs.
Plus, Swarthmore College is offering free tuition for families earning less than $200,000, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Penn president J. Larry Jameson was thrust into his role in December 2023 after Liz Magill resigned amid backlash over her congressional testimony about antisemitism.
A year later, Jameson inherited more challenges when Penn, along with other elite colleges, found itself under intense scrutiny from the Trump administration. Penn has had to navigate the government threatening its federal research funding, demanding lists of Jewish people on its campus, and pressuring the school into an agreement over transgender athletes.
But Jameson has remained calm and measured. It’s what he has become known for.
Notable quote: “My approach has been not just to complain,” Jameson said, “but to say, ‘Well, here’s where we’re working together very effectively. Here’s where we’re not necessarily aligned, but let’s discuss how to move forward.’”
Jameson explained during a rare 70-minute interview how he chose when to resist and when to negotiate with the Trump administration.
Reporter Susan Snyder has the story.
In related news: Despite having decades of leadership experience, there’s not a lot written about Jameson. During the interview, he also shared details about his youth, how he became interested in biomedical research, and other tidbits most people don’t know about him.
Finding somewhere new to eat won’t be issue this season.
The Philly region’s offerings are pretty expansive. They include Japanese barbecue, hotel dining, vegan cooking, old-school Italian, tasting menus, Thai BYOB, and several South Jersey taverns.
We have a robust list of restaurant concepts opening or reopening in the Philly suburbs, South Jersey, and Wilmington.
Reporter Michael Klein has you covered.
What you should know today
The police revoked the gun permit of Paul Birdsong, the leader of the Panthers, an armed Black citizens group. He and his lawyers are calling the action a violation of their constitutional right to bear arms.
Penn Medicine joined a nurse retention program that pays up to $40,000 in student loan debt.
The Justice Department removed information from its website about convicted Jan. 6 rioters, including many from Pennsylvania.
The Cheltenham Township School District canceled its 2026 varsity and junior varsity football seasons after a locker room assault last September.
A Philadelphia judge overturned convictions for three men who spent nearly three decades in prison for murder after the judge, prosecutors, and defense attorneys agreed that key evidence in the case was unreliable.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reported a $271 million operating profit in the first nine months of the fiscal year 2026.
Swarthmore College guarantees free tuition for students with families who make less than $200,000 per year. The change will take effect for students entering the fall of 2027.
In April, home sales were less likely to fall through and sellers were less likely to cut their prices in the Philly region compared to other metros.
Three all-electric Volvos are now towing some of the historic trams on the Wildwoods boardwalk, serving as the new engine.
Quote of the day
Veteran administrator and Heston Elementary acting principal Don Anticoli (third from left) said the above while joining dozens of other Philly principals to advocate for the $1-per-trip rideshare tax to avoid school cuts.
🧠 Trivia time
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry averages how many passengers per year?
A) 400,000
B) 500,000
C) 750,000
D) 1,000,000
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🏡 Admiring: The House of the Week is a former tailor ship and gas station turned two-bedroom home in Queen Village.
☀️ Reminiscing: Summer camp memories after reading this story about elderly men who keep in touch once a week decades after their Chester County camp brought them together.
👀 Watching: Amazon Now vs. Gopuff.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Philly-area comedy legend
FAIN YET
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to David Laderman, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Zayn Malik. The British pop star and former One Direction member paid a visit to a Northeast Philadelphia pub last week.
Photo of the day
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