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. On this eve of Independence Day, we have details from Day 2 of the city’s municipal worker strike, as tensions and trash piles rose.
But first, President Donald Trump’s proposed cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and other federal programs could put thousands of private-sector Pennsylvania jobs at risk. Read on for the possible ripple effects of the federal tax bill, from farming to technology.
Plus, find out where July 4 fireworks are happening in the region, and more below.
— Julie Zeglen and Jaison Nieves (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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It’s not just federal jobs that are impacted by federal funding cuts. Some private-sector workers in Pennsylvania, too, will likely feel the sting of Trump’s budget legislation — the so-called big, beautiful bill — which was awaiting a House vote as of Wednesday evening.
✂️ SNAP changes: Trump’s bill looks to cut federal spending on food assistance via the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which nearly half a million people in Philly rely on. Cuts could translate to thousands of jobs lost in the grocery industry and farming.
✂️ Healthcare: The proposed bill would change the eligibility rules for Medicaid, affecting many who became eligible under the Affordable Care Act. Lost coverage for those Pennsylvanians could put scores of healthcare jobs at risk, too.
✂️ Eds and meds: Cuts to research and development could have a lasting impact, even if spending resumes later. “People plan this research out years in advance,” one policy expert told The Inquirer. “If you stop it, if you have to close down a laboratory, you can’t snap your fingers and restart it.”
Reporter Ariana Perez-Castells has more details on how Pennsylvania’s workforce could be impacted.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33 strike continued Wednesday as leaders resumed talks with Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration. But frustrations — and trash — are mounting.
❌ City Council members face a political quagmire of supporting the union while pushing for an agreeable resolution. And while Parker didn’t give herself “a 9% raise,” as a viral idea claims, she did dole out big raises to aides.
❌ As garbage piles up, Philly residents debate whether using trash drop-off sites is crossing a picket line.
❌ Almost all Free Library branches are closed amid the strike. Sheriff sales, already beset by administrative snags, have been put on hold.
See Inquirer.com for the latest on contract negotiations and more.
What you should know today
Multiple injuries were reported after a skydiving plane crashed Wednesday near Cross Keys Airport in Gloucester County.
The Trump administration restored $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania after it reached a deal on transgender athletes, which included removing swimmer Lia Thomas’ name from its list of individual records.
In a letter to FIFA’s president, civil rights and labor groups in Philly and beyond expressed concern over Trump’s immigration policies ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Five major cocaine suppliers and dealers were arrested in Norristown this month as part of an operation to dismantle drug rings in the city, prosecutors said.
Philadelphia police on Wednesday detained dozens of protesters with Jewish Voice for Peace who entered the Spring Garden Street headquarters of a defense contractor.
PATCO this month will begin deep-cleaning stations in New Jersey and Philly, with overnight closure of sections of Center City’s underground pedestrian concourse.
A Penn biotech company that aims to treat autoimmune diseases is being acquired by pharmaceutical giant AbbVie for $2.1 billion, one of the largest pharma deals so far this year.
Starting Aug. 1, adults 21 and older will be able to legally purchase recreational marijuana in Delaware for the first time.
Fireworks are still on the schedule for the Fourth. For those hanging out in the city this weekend, here’s how to navigate Friday’s biggest events:
🎆 Most importantly, the weather will be clear, with a forecast free from precipitation.
🎆 Fireworks will be visible if you’re anywhere near the Art Museum, of course, but also the suburbs and the Jersey Shore if you know where to go. (We do.)
🎆 Roads will be closing early Friday across Center City and in neighborhoods near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway ahead of official celebrations, including the Wawa Welcome America concert.
🎆 SEPTA will follow Sunday schedules on July 4, some grocery stores will close early, and there’s no mail delivery. Here’s what’s open and closed.
🧠 Trivia time
Philly had another women’s basketball team before it had a WNBA franchise, via the short-lived American Basketball League. What was the team called?
A) The Philadelphia Belles
B) The Philadelphia Founders
C) The Philadelphia Love
D) The Philadelphia Rage
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🍹 Visiting: Center City’s best new cocktail bar — and drinking its $27 agave cocktail.
📜 Hoping: The 2025 Liberty Medal awardees are "satisfied" (sorry).
🐈 Not surprised by: A Zillow report that found pet-friendly rental listings lease faster.
📽️ Doing: Nine fun activities with kids in South Jersey this summer.
🌈 Considering: What “freedom” means for transgender people in 2025.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Center City neighborhood that shares a name with a park
AGHAST QUEST WINNOWERS
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Dustin Flay, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Cathy Engelbert. The WNBA commissioner, Collingswood native, and (Dustin correctly noted) Lehigh University alum has rarely spoken about her area roots when asked about her league’s expansion to Philadelphia. On Monday, that finally changed.
Photo of the day
🗑️ One last stinky thing: Take a trip 39 years into the past, when DC 33 went on strike for nearly three weeks. About 45,000 tons of literal hot garbage piled up.
This newsletter is taking a break for the Fourth of July holiday. We’ll be back in your inbox on Sunday. ‘Til then, be well.
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