The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Good morning, Philly. It’s a partly cloudy Saturday, and some storms may materialize in the evening.
The penny may be history, but souvenir presses roll on — for now. In today’s edition, we’ll highlight how they could survive after the one-cent coin was canceled.
But first, let’s cover why your Regional Rail commute may not improve yet despite SEPTA completing inspections, what we know about Sen. John Fetterman’s health issues, and our report card for this week in Philly news.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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What you should know today
SEPTA finished inspecting all 223 Silverliner IV Regional Rail vehicles by the required deadline, but only a third are back in service. Officials say it will take weeks for riders to see a return to more normal service.
The trial of two men accused of murdering Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Mendez took a major turn Friday when another man involved in the 2023 shooting took the stand to testify against his former associates.
Prior to Sen. John Fetterman falling Thursday due to ventricular fibrillation, he has dealt with other health issues before and during his time in office — at times facing scrutiny over the pace and extent of his health disclosures.
The Montgomery County District Attorney said a Plymouth Township officer was justified in shooting a man who intended to run over and kill the officer.
Pennsylvania’s new budget has allotted financial help for two Delaware County hospitals and spending on anti-hunger programs. Noticeably absent from the budget: additional money for public transit.
Three weeks after Philadelphia police and federal agents raided a Kensington block, residents are still feeling the constant presence of law enforcement. Access to the entire street is restricted.
CBS Philadelphia anchor Jim Donovan is retiring after more than 20 years at the station. His final broadcast is slated for Dec. 19.
Big 5 basketball returns to Philly on Saturday with a doubleheader at Xfinity Mobile Arena that features La Salle vs. Penn State and Drexel vs. Syracuse.
The University of Pennsylvania is making changes to the structure of its board of trustees, the first in more than a decade. The shake-up includes size limits, conduct standards, and a process for removing a trustee.
From a serious porch pirate problem to a heated debate over how to pronounce “Camac,” catch up on the good, bad, and weird in the latest Philly news.
When the last handful of copper-clad coins were minted this week, the clinks may as well have been heard nationwide.
The finale, brought about by the penny’s eroded value and the rise of digital forms of payment, capped the currency’s 232-year run. So what does this mean for old-school penny press machines?
The kitschy souvenir dispensers, which date back more than a century, can be found in places like museums and visitor centers in Philadelphia and other touristic U.S. cities. They give people a cheap way to memorialize their trips, like a LOVE sculpture or Rocky penny.
Despite the one-cent coin being discontinued, enthusiasts are optimistic that penny pressing will transform with the times rather than fade away. Modern models are also helping keep the practice alive.
In their own words: “The future of penny presses is just getting started. We truly believe the retirement of the penny won’t mark the end of pressed coins.”
The discovery of Kada Scott’s body near a school that has sat vacant for more than a decade renewed scrutiny of the district’s failure to restore the property.
Now, it has also ratcheted up a clash over development in Germantown, specifically whether a City Council member blocked the sale of the empty building.
In the latest edition of “Shackamaxon," Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson unpacks the issues of blight — and budgets.
🧠Trivia time
Somewhere in Philly, there’s a pier known for its views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
Where is it?
A) Washington Avenue Pier
B) Race Street Pier
C) Spruce Street Harbor Park
D) Cherry Street Pier
Think you know? Our weekly Citywide Quest game puts your knowledge of Philly’s streets to the test. Check your answer.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Birds’ center offense
JUNG SCREAM
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Michelle Margules who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Kennett Square. A former dairy barn in the Chester County borough is undergoing a $6 million renovation, with plans to transform it into an expansive event space called Willowdale by September 2026.
We were there
Staff photographer Alejandro A. Alvarez caught the moment Gregory Robinson tended to a flock of pigeons on Thursday, something he has done for nearly a decade. He goes through about 20 pounds of bird feed a week.
Somewhere on the internet in Philly
Using dating apps means you might encounter former classmates, and maybe your married neighbor. (Awkward …) What if you run into them in real life? Inquirer reporters talk digital-to-IRL etiquette.
Don’t have Thanksgiving plans yet? A generous couple in South Philly has a delicious invitation for the community.
And the Facebook group Broad Street Misery posted a map called “I’m from Philly.” It marks parts of the Delaware Valley that count if you want to claim the city. The post notes: “I am sorry, but these are the rules.” What do you think about the margins?
👋🏽 Thanks for stopping by this morning, and enjoy your day.
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