The Morning Newsletter
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Good morning, Philly. We might wake up to some foggy skies before weather reverts to its recent norm: sunny with highs in the mid-70s.
Today, we’re starting with, what else, yesterday’s midterm elections. Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro cruised to an early reelection win.
And, we have an alleged document linking Raymond Horsch to former Philly Mayor John Street.
Plus, we’ll cover more election highlights, including a flipped Lehigh Valley District, and more news of the day.
— Laura Benshoff (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Almost immediately after polls closed last night, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was declared the winner in his reelection bid, closing out what polls had shown to be a lopsided contest against Republican Stacy Garrity.
In her concession speech, Garrity, who failed to receive robust fundraising or campaign support from GOP leadership, took a subtle swipe at those officials.
“In politics, you learn very quickly that not everyone follows through,” she said.
But while he cruised to victory in his own race, Shapiro faced another big test, write politics reporters Gillian McGoldrick and Michelle Baruchman. He’s staked his reputation on helping Democrats win up and down the ballot in Pennsylvania, in races much closer than his own.
Read on for why that matters in 2028.
Plus: Want more election updates? Visit our live election tracker for the latest.
Did Raymond Horsch have a letter from former Philadelphia Mayor John Street instructing police not to arrest him?
During a 2012 sentencing hearing, Horsch’s attorney, Jerome Brown, told a federal judge that his client did, according to a newly unsealed transcript.
Horsch, who died last year at the age of 82, has become the focal point of an investigation into several women’s disappearances. Police say his home contained images of him strangling one woman and the bodies of others.
But back in 2012, Brown was pleading for a lighter sentence for his client on unrelated gun and drug charges. The alleged letter, he argued, existed because Horsch was an artist making a documentary about Kensington and it was evidence that he had a positive impact on society.
Street did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the letter. His son, State Sen. Sharif Street, said “It sounds like he made up a fake letter.”
The Inquirer’s Ryan W. Briggs, Ellie Rushing, and Max Marin have the full report.
What you should know today
In one of four closely watched House seats in Pennsylvania, Democrat Bob Brooks defeated freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.
Over in New Jersey, Democrat Zack Mullock defeated four-term incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew in the Republican-leaning 2nd District.
Chris Rabb officially won Philly’s 3rd Congressional District, becoming the first democratic socialist to represent the city in Congress.
Philadelphia police and the FBI are searching for a 10-year-old girl who went missing in West Philadelphia last week.
Developer Brian O’Neill is once again suing Upper Merion Township officials for blocking his plans for a KOP data center.
Drexel University has placed two of its fraternities on interim suspension as it investigates allegations of hazing and sexual misconduct, the school said in a statement.
And, in more Drexel news, the university’s chief financial officer, Helen Bowman, is leaving amid ongoing budget tightening and scrutiny over the university’s closure of the Academy of Natural Sciences museum.
Want even more election coverage? Visit inquirer.com/elections.
Six months after Philly District Attorney Larry Krasner had words with labor leader Ryan Boyer during local Democrats’ regular election day lunch, he returned and the two made peace.
🧠 Trivia time
Philly’s traffic deaths were down by what percentage last year, according to the city’s annual Vision Zero Report?
A) 10%
B) 26%
C) 14%
D) 32%
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🐢 Following. Live animals from the Academy of Natural Sciences have all been rehomed following the museum’s closure, writes The Inquirer’s Dana Munro. “Morbo the Destroyer,” an African Bullfrog, is now at the Philadelphia Zoo.
🎟️ Previewing. Craft markets, film festivals, and Rocky celebrations are all on tap this month. Earl Hopkins has this roundup of November’s best local events.
🤤 Eyeing. 18 restaurants are slated to open in the Philly region this November. Food writer Michael Klein has where to get po’boys and Chianti-braised short rib.
📉 Mourning. After a sixth consecutive loss, the Eagles are now at or near the bottom of several power rankings, per sports reporter Mia Messina.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: The nation’s largest public arts program.
RAMS ULTRA
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Janice Kubiak, who correctly solved Tuesday’s anagram: City Hall. One day, Philly City Councilmember Rue Landau saw security guard Khalik White sketching during a break in his shift. One thing led to another, and his first art show, “A World of Lines,” was held at City Hall last month.
Photo of the day
The days may be shorter, but they can still look spectacular.
👋 Thanks for reading!
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