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. It should be a partly sunny Sunday, with a high near 60.
In today’s main read, meet a team of young gymnasts in South Philadelphia doing their best to compete against clubs with deeper pockets.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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The Vare Gymnastics Team has come a long way.
The squad was the subject of the 2024 sports documentary Underdogs, highlighting their triumphs and resilience despite a lack of resources.
The team competes through a program called Xcel. It’s more affordable and accessible than its private counterparts, but the sport is still expensive.
And while these gymnasts train in old leotards, they are set to face private clubs that are flush with more funds.
Now, they’re trying to raise money to cover the costs of new uniforms and equipment for this year’s competition season. Head coach Kristin Smerker isn’t sure they will raise enough in time.
In Smerker’s own words: “Every club has a whole getup. And we don’t. We’re getting whatever we can. You can still compete, but they just don’t feel good about it. … They’re so talented and they deserve better.”
Leap into Zoe Greenberg’s story for more on the scrappy squad’s funding challenges and quest for gold.
For about six months last year, the cast of HBO’s Task got to call Philly home.
With a little guidance from the show’s South Philly-raised director, Jeremiah Zagar, the actors — hailing from as far as South Africa, the Dominican Republic, England, and Ireland — sang karaoke, hung out with locals, and, of course, explored the city’s vibrant food scene.
They “ate like kings all the time,” Irish actor Sam Keeley told arts and culture reporter Rosa Cartagena.
Among their favorites: Friday Saturday Sunday, South Philly Barbacoa, Victor Cafe, and Bud & Marilyn’s.
Hear about their adventures in Cartagena’s latest.
What you should know today
SEPTA must inspect 225 Silverliner IV Regional Rail trains by the end of October. As of midday Friday, the transit agency had inspected 88.
Dispatchers notified a New Jersey police sergeant of a report of gunshots and screaming. Prosecutors say he went to an ATM first, and missed a double homicide.
New pickleball courts have popped up across the Philadelphia region in line with the sport’s rise in popularity. Area business owners hope it hasn’t peaked.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro stumped for U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill as she tries to win the New Jersey gubernatorial election.
These parents wish Sherrill would defend their transgender kids. They understand why the Democratic nominee doesn’t.
The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia commissioned its most comprehensive analysis on how historic preservation affects the city’s economy and housing. Here’s what the report found.
Is tossing your dog’s poop bag in someone else’s trash can ever OK? Inquirer staffers offered their Very Philly advice (and threw some shade at cats).
The Eagles have their opportunity for revenge when they face the Giants at the Linc on Sunday, but they’ll have to do it without A.J. Brown. Use our viewer’s guide to catch up on predictions, odds, and more ahead of kickoff.
❓Pop quiz
How many women hold CEO positions at Philadelphia’s top 100 public companies?
A) two
B) 15
C) nine
D) none
Think you know? Check your answer.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Philadelphia entrepreneur and founder of Alchemize Fightwear
ARENA MAZY HAT
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Janine Breier who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: Malala Yousafzai. The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who stops in Philly next week on a book tour for her new memoir, has never seen a football game — but she told us she’d gladly start with the Eagles.
Enter Philly’s first and only vampire beauty pageant, where contestants in their best vampiric drag fielded interviews, showcased their talents (like summoning tiny bats), and felt immortal.
🎶 Today’s track goes like this: “All I need is some good news / To put me at my ease.”
👋🏽 Thanks for reading, and enjoy the rest of your weekend.