The fate of UArts’ money | Morning Newsletter
And renewed scrutiny on State Sen. Sharif Street.
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! Expect the sun to return and the highs to reach the mid-60s.
It’s nice to pop in and say hi 👋🏾. I was the morning newsletter writer a couple of years ago (mid-2022 until the end of 2023), and I’m back to temporarily fill in a few days a week to give you your daily dose of news. Let’s dive in.
My colleague Sam Stewart will share the latest on the University of the Arts’ saga, and why there’s still a battle for its $77 million endowment.
And I will give an update on the congressional race to replace Rep. Dwight Evans. State Sen. Sharif Street will have to deal with opponents bringing up his past tenure as the chair of the state Democratic Party.
Plus, Philly real estate influencers have been indicted on federal fraud charges, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Since the University of the Arts suddenly shuttered two years ago, its buildings have been sold, many of its staff members have found other jobs, and its students have enrolled elsewhere. But the school’s more than $77 million endowment remains in limbo.
University endowments include money or investment assets that largely come from donors. Much of the money is often restricted in legal agreements with donors for specific purposes, such as scholarships, awards, or programs.
Now, the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, which donated more than half the endowment, wants it back. Meanwhile, Temple University, Moore College of Art & Design, Rowan, Drexel, and other colleges that admitted UArts students following the school’s closure say they should get the money.
The parties last week participated in an informal conference called by Philadelphia Orphans’ Court Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper, but the matter remains unresolved. The case could either go to trial or a settlement among the parties.
The Inquirer’s Susan Snyder has the full story.
State Sen. Sharif Street inherited a fractured coalition when he first stepped into the role as chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party in 2022. At the time, some powerful people (including Gov. Josh Shapiro) didn’t want him for the top job.
During his tenure from June 2022 to August 2025, voter registration among Democrats in the state dropped precipitously, fundraising stagnated, and Pennsylvania Democrats lost all five of their statewide races in 2024. Some of those failures were not unique to Pennsylvania, and Street and his allies say that the 2024 red wave was not the fault of the state party or its chair. But some insiders blamed organizational gaps and said state party leaders failed to bring the coalition together.
Now as he runs for Congress, some still question Street’s leadership.
Reporter Anna Orso explains how his opponents have made his record an issue as the race enters its final days ahead of the May 19 primary election.
What you should know today
An undocumented immigrant from Mexico stepped forward to help police solve his daughter’s murder. Now he’s in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody and facing deportation.
A neighborhood in Chester County is concerned that plans for Villanova’s new campus will make its student renter issue worse.
Philly-based real estate influencers Gregory Parker and Danielle “Nikki” Parker have been indicted on federal fraud charges. The two have long faced allegations of defrauding investors and ripping off customers who paid for their mentoring services.
On Monday, a New Jersey judge decided not to dismiss charges against the man accused of killing NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother in a drunken driving incident in Salem County.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht announced on Monday that he was leaving the Democratic Party over an “acquiescence to Jew hatred.”
President Donald Trump nominated State Sen. Doug Mastriano to be the U.S. ambassador to Slovakia.
Queen & Rook, the popular game cafe on South Street, is planning a second location on Fairmount Avenue with a new theme.
Quote of the day
Shattuck is full of gratitude this week. He has worked his way back after a 2019 car accident forced him to quit golf.
🧠 Trivia time
Beatrice Jona Affron, the music director and conductor for the Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra, is leaving to become the associate music director at New York City Ballet as of Aug. 1.
Affron has been the longest-serving artistic leader in the company’s history. How long is her tenure?
A) 25 years
B) 30 years
C) 33 years
D) 42 years
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
⚽ Checking out: A look at U.S. Soccer’s new national training center.
⛳ Perusing: The sports gear, cheesesteak head covers, and other finds in the PGA Championship merchandise tent.
🗳️ Studying: Our 2026 Pa. Primary guide for May 19.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: The new Chubb office
ARREST TECH
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Dan Tureck, who solved Monday’s anagram: Asian Arts Initiative. Thank you for those of you who flagged that the anagram misidentified the name yesterday. More than a year after the “No Arena in Chinatown” protests, artists came together at the organization to document the anti-arena movement in time for America 250.
Photo of the day
That’s it for this morning. I’ll be in your inbox tomorrow, bright and early. ☀️ Have a great day!
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