🚏 Return of the super commuter | Morning Newsletter
And Graffiti Pier’s legacy.
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. The region will be under a flash-flood watch starting this afternoon as a result of Tropical Storm Debby’s landfall. Even more rain is forecast later in the week. Meanwhile, thousands were stranded at PHL yesterday as Debby caused an onslaught of cancellations.
In other travel news, super commuting is seeing a resurgence after a pandemic decline. We asked people who commute 90 minutes or more to work what it’s really like.
And after a partial collapse at Graffiti Pier, a fence and “no trespassing” signs have gone up around the Instagram-famous art oasis. Street artists say that won’t stop them.
Here’s what you need to know today.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
If you’ve got a fast car, a ticket to anywhere, or just spend an hour and a half traveling to work, you might be part of the super commuter resurgence.
🚍 On the road again: The number of Philadelphians who must travel 90 minutes or more to work rose steadily for years until the pandemic cut many commutes to zero. But the region has since seen a big comeback, jumping from about 48,000 to 60,000 super commuters between 2021 and 2022, a 23% increase.
💺 Life is a highway: Philly’s road warriors may travel by SEPTA, bike, budget bus, or some combination. One South Philadelphia resident told The Inquirer she wakes up at 4:45 a.m. twice a week to catch an Uber, then a Peter Pan bus to New York City, where she then hops on the subway to finally walk to her Soho office — seven hours round trip.
🚲 Take me home, [city] roads: Not everyone thinks a lengthy ride to and from work is a highway to hell. Some super commuters cite the opportunities it offers to break up a monotonous workweek and even boost creativity.
What you should know today
Gov. Josh Shapiro has faced the most scrutiny of any Democratic VP contender, and some strategists say the reasons he’s being opposed are among the same reasons he appeals to political moderates. Plus, Vice President Kamala Harris, her to-be-named VP pick, and Republican VP nominee Sen. JD Vance are all campaigning in Philadelphia today.
Souderton school officials say a board member’s social media post accusing Harris of giving sexual favors was “inappropriate” amid calls for his resignation.
Has U.S. Rep. Scott Perry met his match in TV anchor Janelle Stelson? The high-stakes seat could be “flippable,” some experts say.
A Philly rapper who showed up in court to support a friend was instead arrested and charged with murder.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration will soon release the first citywide real estate reassessment in two years. The average homeowner will see their property tax bill increase by $330.
The surge in multifamily construction means Philadelphia developers and landlords are reckoning with a rental glut for the first time in decades — and some tenants are cashing in on incentives like discounted rents.
The PPA is raising the price of a yearly residential parking permit from $35 to $75, and capping the number of permits each household can buy.
Father Divine’s Peace Mission is auctioning off another of its historic North Philly mansions.
A traveling healthcare clinic is stopping in Philadelphia this month to provide free medical, dental, and vision care with no eligibility requirements.
What will happen to Graffiti Pier?
The Conrail-owned structure once known as Pier 18 has technically been off-limits for years. Yet that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a haven for rule breakers, from street artists — the inspiration for the nickname — to influencers to fishermen.
On Wednesday morning, the front tip of the Port Richmond pier fell into the Delaware River. One mixed media artist told The Inquirer that watching footage of the collapse “felt like a death in the family.” The area is now surrounded by fencing and “no trespassing” signs, rendering it more impenetrable than ever.
Reporter Beatrice Forman explores what might become of Graffiti Pier’s iconic concrete slabs.
🧠 Trivia time
The sudden University of the Arts closure sent a renowned art exhibit called Writer’s Block into storage. What does the exhibit consist of?
A) A huge bundle of blown-glass pencils
B) 100 wooden blocks covered in tiny portraits of famous writers
C) Rare film reels of interviews with dead novelists
D) Dozens of heavy typewriters
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🐱 Hoping: This West Philly man finds love via billboard ad.
🌭 Chomping: The best hot dogs in Philly, the suburbs, and the Shore.
⚽ Watching: Penn State alumnae Alyssa Naeher, Sam Coffey, and Laura Freigang play with Team USA against Germany at noon EST.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
The Everything Everywhere All at Once actor set to costar in a feature film with West Philadelphia native Quinta Brunson.
AUNT SHEEPISH
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Josephine Ciocco, who solved Monday’s anagram: Delaware River. About 80 people floated along the waterway on colorful inflatables Saturday as part of a water-quality-awareness event called Floatopia.
Photo of the day
🏈 One last Olympic thing: Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is leading promo for flag football in the 2028 L.A. Games. So, does that mean NFL players will be able to play?
Have a great Tuesday. I’ll see you back here tomorrow.
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.