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. The clouds should part to reveal some sunshine on this Saturday, and temps will drop into chilly territory, especially in the evening.
How should one handle a certain air of disdain coming from a neighbor? Inquirer staffers offer their advice.
Plus, we have news on the Philadelphia mayor’s team distancing itself on ICE rhetoric, why a Delco high school suspended its sports programs, and our report card for this week in Philly news.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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What you should know today
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration told Congress that it doesn’t endorse comments made by District Attorney Larry Krasner and Sheriff Rochelle Bilal about federal immigration enforcement, according to a new report.
Krasner hinted at the possibility of investigating a police officer for his role in the “deeply flawed” 2019 murder investigation of Eric Lewis, the man charged with killing Officer Shane Seiber in West Philadelphia last week. Seiber’s partner, who fought for his life after being shot in the attack, has been identified as nine-year veteran Hector Rodriguez III.
Delco’s Penn Wood High School paused athletic activities to investigate an alleged incident that implicated a “culture and climate” issue.
The former owner of Max’s Steaks, the popular North Philly cheesesteak shop featured in Creed movies, was indicted on tax fraud charges.
Billionaire Elon Musk settled two lawsuits that accused his political action committee of defrauding voters in Pennsylvania and six other swing states who participated in his $1 million daily giveaways during the 2024 presidential election.
Le Bus is closing — again. David Braverman, operator of the East Falls restaurant, said the demands of the business have led him to reassess how he wants to spend his time.
A Puerto Rican artist is shutting down Market Street on Saturday, with a four-mile-long procession culminating with music and dancing in Norris Square Park.
From Philly being named America’s worst big city for drivers to a Phillies mural in Fishtown getting painted over, catch up on the good, bad, and weird from recent stories out of Philly.
This week’s question is: We moved a few months ago and love the neighborhood, but keep getting the sense that our neighbors two doors over just don’t like us. We always try to say hi when they’re outside and chat and get to know them, but they’re always quite short with us.
It’s odd because we’ve heard they’re nice, nosy even, but they’ve never shown any interest in us. We did do a tiny bit of interior construction before we moved in but they should not have been able to hear that. I don’t think I can muster up, “Why don’t you like us?” What should I do?
Inquirer reporters Beatrice Forman and Zoe Greenberg took up this case and weighed a variety of ways to gain friendship points. Greenberg, who went through a similar personal experience, wondered if it’s even worth chasing a confusing connection like this at all.
“In hindsight, instead of trying to win them over, we probably should’ve worked harder on building deeper connections with the neighbors who were warm to us,” Greenberg said.
Read their full conversation here. Need advice, or want to share your thoughts? We want to hear it. Email us here.
On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro visited the Port of Philadelphia to announce the state will invest $837 million in public and private funds there.
In this week’s Shackamaxon, Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson unpacks the impact of this massive investment.
“All this investment, along with the return of cruise travel, has served as a reminder that we are a maritime city,” Pearson writes, arguing that the city has forgotten this part of its civic heritage.
Read on for Pearson’s take on Philadelphia leaning into its natural advantages, along with his perspectives on automated license plate readers and more happenings this week.
❓Pop quiz
Elevated mortgage rates are driving up demand for rental homes in the Philly region and nationally.
What is the average interest rate for the popular 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage? (Hint: It’s now the highest rate in almost three years, per Freddie Mac.)
A) 6.2%
B) 7.4%
C) 8.3%
D) 10.5%
Think you know? Check your answer.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Formerly known as the Gallery.
FISH DISTRACTION
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Andrea McGlinsey, who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Don Mattingly. The Phillies made Mattingly their full-time manager, and fired two coaches, this week.
🏀 We were there
Former staff photographer Ron Cortes captured this courtside photo of Kobe Bryant on Feb. 27, 1996, during Bryant’s high school playing days at Lower Merion.
Now, fans have a chance to own one of Bryant’s burgundy No. 33 jerseys, worn his junior year. The current bid is $450,000.
Somewhere on the internet in Philly
🎨 Give it up for The London Incident, a painting recreating a solemn moment seen on TV after the Birds’ loss abroad. We feel ya, kid.
😋 I’m painfully behind on the fun, new cooking series Love at First Bite, but it’s not too late to catch up. The latest episode is out now, featuring a deliciously tender lamb bánh mì courtesy of chefs from Càphê Roasters and Out West.
❤️ On stage at Xfinity Mobile Arena, singer-songwriter Teddy Swims praised the city for its spirit and pride: “I hope one day somebody loves me like Philly loves Philly.”
👋🏽 That’s it for now. Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch up with you again tomorrow.
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