💸 Saving on Philly property taxes | Morning Newsletter
And summer restaurant recap.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Hi, Philly. We’ll see clouds and possibly AM showers today.
Thousands of Philadelphia homeowners are missing out on a tax break. Are you one of them? Find out if you quality for property-tax relief programs with our new tool.
And it’s a hot week for the local dining scene, from best-chef awardees to national-list makers. Start with these 25 Philly-area restaurant openings you may have missed this summer.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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As residential property values rise, so do real estate taxes. The city offers several programs to address housing affordability and save Philadelphia homeowners money — in some cases, thousands of dollars.
But they’re no use to you if you don’t know whether you quality for them. As of 2022, one in five owner-occupied homes in Philly was not enrolled in any of the tax relief programs.
The Longtime Owner Occupants Program, for instance, targets long-term residents, while the newer Senior Citizens Tax Freeze is for low-income seniors. The Homestead Exemption is accessible to anyone who both owns and resides in their house.
Enter your address into our tool to find out how much you could save.
Further reading: How did a first-time homebuyer pay less than $50 to close on her South Philly rowhouse? Assistance from the seller, a homebuyer grant, and strategic moves by her real estate agent and mortgage broker.
It’s a good time to be someone who eats out in Philadelphia, with dozens of new restaurants now open in the city and beyond. Among the 25 most exciting:
🍋🟩 Latimer Street’s La Jefa, the contemporary offshoot of Tequilas, has two bars in one — and its Milpa earned the title of “Center City’s best new cocktail bar.”
🍷 Find the pop-up Frankie’s Summer Club in the courtyard of the Frank Furness Building near 15th and Pine streets until Nov. 2.
🍝 And you already know about Stephen Starr’s ambitious Borromini, the $20 million trattoria now open in the former Barnes & Noble on Rittenhouse Square. Celebs and politicians do, too, it turns out.
Restaurant reporter Mike Klein has more, including El Chingon Fishtown, Out West — and Roy Rogers.
In other restaurant news: Two of the city’s standouts, Mawn and Meetinghouse, have landed on The New York Times’ annual list of the best restaurants in the country. Mawn’s Phila Lorn has been named to Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs list. And ahead of the local opening of his acclaimed sushi spot Uchi, James Beard-winning Tyson Cole will join two Philadelphia chefs for one-night-only preview dinners.
What you should know today
The man charged with fatally shooting a woman during an altercation outside a 7-Eleven in Center City will be charged with voluntary manslaughter instead of murder based on new evidence, officials said Tuesday.
A judicial conduct board on Tuesday charged a Philly judge with committing “a host of ethical violations” after officials said he attempted to influence a case with ties to rapper Meek Mill.
Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court will soon decide if Uber riders waive the right to a trial when signing up. The case follows a 2019 crash involving a city resident.
A suspect surrendered to detectives in connection with two incidents of vandalizing the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History’s Israeli flag display, police said.
Gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli’s lawyer called on opponent U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s campaign to stop saying he supports a 10% sales tax increase for New Jersey. Her lawyer said no.
Visit Philadelphia will find a “new home” for the President’s House slavery exhibits if the Trump administration removes them, president and CEO Angela Val said.
Grassroots advocacy group VietLead says it raised $250,000 in less than two months, enabling it to move out of a deep financial crisis.
The Philly school district is changing how students are admitted to magnet and citywide admissions schools. Applications are now open for the 2026-27 school year.
One of the last large vacant lots in Port Richmond may be on its way to getting filled in, as developers hope to build 162 housing units.
Quote of the day
Smell that? That’s the city at its best, Farr argues. Not only are our sports teams fueling dreams of championships, but the air feels crisp, Pennsylvania’s leaves are changing, and the vibes are excellent. Breathe it in, friends.
🧠 Trivia time
Camden-headquartered Campbell’s will stop producing products with what in 2026?
A) Synthetic color additives
B) Dairy
C) Gluten
D) Rendered animal fat
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🏈 Noting: Jalen Carter has been fined by the NFL for spitting on Dak Prescott.
🚲 Protecting: Kids’ heads in Haverford via a new helmet requirement.
⚾ Debating: Who has the better entrance, the Phillies’ Jhoan Duran or the Mets’ Edwin Diaz?
🍪 Eager to try: The new Girl Scouts cookie, Exploremores.
🌧️ Considering: How to help small Pennsylvania towns address catastrophic flooding.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Montgomery County township
OH HARMS
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Jordan Rogers, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Main Line Health. An Inquirer article inspired an anonymous $1 million donation to pay off nurses’ student loans at Paoli Hospital, part of the suburban health system.
Photo of the day
🦪 One last gluttonous thing: A Philly man is determined to eat a thousand oysters in a single sitting in pursuit of “zinc maxxing.” His attempt at the Birds home opener involved a NutriBullet and an eagle-shaped funnel.
Don’t forget to slow down and savor the day. Have a good one.
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