Kensington soup kitchen under pressure | Morning Newsletter
And this one Phillie is an artist, too.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Happy Friday, Philly! It’s looking like a sunny start to the weekend, plus, no rain until Tuesday.
The St. Francis Inn soup kitchen has stood in the heart of Kensington for over 40 years, but police recently had a “misstep” and threatened to label it a nuisance business.
And on top of being the Phillies’ centerfielder, Harrison Bader is an artist as well. He says it’s helped him get through the highs and lows of his major league career.
— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
P.S. Friday means trivia. Our latest news quiz includes questions on Philly’s restaurant scene, Philly Music Fest, and more.
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
Recently, the St. Francis Inn soup kitchen’s staff members and volunteers feared for the Catholic ministry’s very existence.
Last week, Philadelphia police sent a letter to St. Francis, saying that nuisance behavior had occurred and that they could be the subject of “legal action to close your establishment.”
Later, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said in a statement that the letter was “clearly a misstep.” However, the threat was enough to stoke fear in the community.
“This is real, live pressure at this point. This is like, ‘you’re on our radar, and you’re a problem,’” Karen Pushaw, who has worked at St. Francis and lived in the area for three decades. “We’re like, ‘we’ve been here, and the guests are coming.’ We serve 10 meals a week plus associated services. We’ve been around for so long.”
⚾ The 2021 season was difficult for Harrison Bader. He missed nearly all of April with right forearm soreness. Then, in May, while diving for a line drive, the Cardinals outfielder suffered a right rib hairline fracture — sitting another 34 games as a result.
⚾ Bader, who was acquired at this year’s trade deadline, had never been on the injured list for an extended stretch before. So, he turned to something familiar. “I painted the entire time,” Bader said. “It was great.”
⚾ “I think that’s what makes good athletes: Being themselves in the present moment,” he said. “And with painting, whatever comes out, comes out. It’s not even up for judgment. It’s more just about the present, and getting through it.”
What you should know today
According to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, Philly will have a “cash flow problem” if the federal shutdown and state budget aren’t resolved by December.
A feud over privatizing sewers has taken over the Gloucester Township mayor’s race.
The Inquirer broke down one year of inspections at Pottstown Hospital, from August 2024 to July 2025.
It’s a bit of deja vu for Penn, who will open conference play against defending champions Dartmouth for the second straight year.
An artificial intelligence-created character, Tilly Norwood, has stirred outrage in Hollywood.
Taylor Swift’s newest album is coming out today, plus, there’s an array of other artists coming to our area.
Welcome back to Curious Philly Friday. We’ll feature both new and timeless stories from our forum for readers to ask about the city’s quirks.
This week, we have an explainer from reporter Michelle Myers on Temple University’s iconic “T” flags. They’re everywhere in Philadelphia — in Center City, near hospitals, on homes.
According to the North Philadelphia institution, it’s a matter of school pride. Here’s the full story.
Have your own burning question about Philadelphia, its local oddities, or how the region works? Submit it here and you might find the answer featured in this space.
🧠 Trivia time
The Jordan Brand’s first World of Flight store in the U.S. is coming to Philly on Oct. 10. Which local sports star has recently emerged as a face for the brand?
A) Tyrese Maxey
B) Cooper DeJean
C) Jalen Hurts
D) Bryce Harper
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🖍️ Printing: These Phillies coloring pages to pass the time before the NLDS starts.
📖 Looking forward to: A new independent bookshop is coming to Swarthmore, and it could be a new social hot spot.
⚾ Guessing: It’s time for the Schwardle! What’s our Phillies related word of the day?
📅 Planning for: From festivals to upcoming shows, check out what there is to do this weekend around Philly.
🥾 Traveling to: One of the state’s newest trails is in the Sideling Hill Plaza on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
🧢 Remembering: That time a Yankee player’s Philly hotel room was looted during the 1950 World Series.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: This composer, behind movies like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, has a new home at The Philadelphia Orchestra.
JOSE HI HIS AI
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Christina Stelljes, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Roy Rogers. We visited the new spot in Cherry Hill to find out if the chain still has the goods.
Photo of the day
🍕 One last thing: Restaurant critic Craig LaBan visited Corio, which he described as a solid pizza-and-pasta anchor in University City.
So in conclusion, TGIF, Philly! Thanks for reading, and more importantly, go Phils!
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
