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đŸ“±When a malpractice case ends up on TikTok | Morning Newsletter

And one race will decide who controls the Pa. House

A judge ruled that attorney Tom Bosworth could keep displaying two TikTok videos critical of Penn Medicine, including the one from which this image is taken, where he alleges that the health system's radiology department is understaffed.
A judge ruled that attorney Tom Bosworth could keep displaying two TikTok videos critical of Penn Medicine, including the one from which this image is taken, where he alleges that the health system's radiology department is understaffed.Read more
    by Taylor Allen
    Published 

    The Morning Newsletter

    Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

The rest of the week’s forecast is perfect ... unless you have pollen allergies. Expect a high of 80 and soak up the sun.

Malpractice attorney Tom Bosworth’s 175,000 followers on TikTok know him as the blunt “tommythelawyer.” His brashness in a pair of TikToks got him in a conflict with Penn Medicine but that’s just the beginning.

Our lead story explores a messy tale of how the legal system grapples with the major platform. 🔑

If you see this 🔑 in today’s newsletter, that means we’re highlighting our exclusive journalism. You need to be a subscriber to read these stories.

— Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

It all started with a pair of TikToks...

While representing a man who died of an aneurysm, malpractice attorney Tom Bosworth accused Penn Medicine in two TikToks of not hiring enough doctors to read X-rays of his client and others, despite having plenty of money.

It didn’t take long for Penn Medicine attorneys to file emergency motions to take down the videos. Penn’s attorneys argued that the videos misrepresented facts and “poisoned” any potential pool of jurors.

Side note: Penn Medicine wasn’t alone in wanting him to stay quiet. His boss at the time, attorney Thomas R. Kline, urged him not to publicly criticize the health system before gathering more information.

Kline and his partner Shanin Specter ended up firing him, alleging he spent too much time on his social media presence rather than his cases.

Keep reading to find out who the judge sided with.

One race will determine who controls the Pa. House

Next week’s special election for the Upper Darby seat will decide who controls the Pennsylvania House.

Why you should care: Whoever controls the House sets the agenda on state policies.

Democrats have the House majority for the first time in 12 years with a one-seat advantage over the Republicans. But if Republicans win the 163rd House District seat, the chamber would be evenly split just three months after Democrats took control.

Reminder: The seat is open because Rep. Mike Zabel resigned in March over three public sexual harassment allegations.

Keep reading to learn about the candidates running for the coveted seat.

What you should know today

  1. Philly received its first bus of immigrants from Texas in four months on Wednesday.

  2. Mayoral candidates Cherelle Parker and Jeff Brown promised to use property tax abatements to create affordable housing. 🔑

  3. Envision Physician Services is planning 162 layoffs in Conshohocken this summer. 🔑

  4. LBI’s Holiday Snack Bar is in danger of being shut down after 75 years.

  5. Philly’s Channel 57 is getting rid of The CW.

  6. Philly-area homebuyers’ custom home wish lists include cozy TV rooms and secret pantries.

  7. Remember to use our guide to Philly’s 2023 Democratic primary for mayor, City Council, and more.

🧠 Trivia time 🧠

When was the last time the Sixers won an NBA championship?

A) 1990

B) 1985

C) 1983

D) 1979

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re...

👀Watching: Rep. George Santos pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to stealing from his campaign, lying to donors, and lying to Congress.

📚Reading: Columnist Helen Ubiñas shared her favorite motivational tips from national spelling bee champ Zaila Avant-garde’s second book, It’s Not Bragging If It’s True: How to be Awesome At Life.

đŸ§© Unscramble the anagram đŸ§©

Hint: The Eras Tour

FALSITY TROW

We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Send us your own original anagram to unscramble if you’d like. Cheers to Christine Taylor, who correctly guessed Wednesday’s answer: Wissahickon. Email us if you know the answer.

Photo of the day

And that’s it from me. I’m starting my morning finishing the last few pages of She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan. Let me know the best way you start your mornings and it could end up in the newsletter.📧 I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow. ☀