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, Philly. This is Saturday.
Today, I’m talking about my visit to a laid-back, al fresco destination in West Philly.
But first, we have details on the statewide 911 outage in Pennsylvania, lawmakers’ new approach to legalizing recreational marijuana, and Vice President JD Vance’s upcoming visit to the Keystone State.
Let’s get into it.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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What you should know today
Pennsylvania experienced intermittent 911 outages statewide, though the cause remained under investigation as of late Friday. In an emergency, officials urge the public to call 911 first and to use alternate numbers only if necessary.
A 33-year-old Philly man is accused of stealing nude images of women and posting them online. His accusers describe how he exploited their trust.
Justin Mohn was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison Friday for murdering his father in their Bucks County home and then posting a grisly video on YouTube.
Recreational marijuana is back on the table for state lawmakers. But it’s still a long way from being legally sold in Pennsylvania.
Vice President JD Vance will travel to Luzerne County next week to celebrate the passage of President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Luzerne was a crucial area in Trump’s 2024 win in Pennsylvania.
Some Pa. campsites that were closed due to DOGE cuts are now back open, but others may not be open all summer.
Independence Blue Cross offered buyouts this week to employees as part of an effort to streamline its operations, the Philadelphia health insurer said Friday.
Philadelphia’s Public Health Management Corp. plans to close the remaining services at Carson Valley Children’s Aid in Flourtown by mid-September, eliminating 96 jobs.
At a tense town hall, World Cafe Live CEO Joseph Callahan pledged to restore trust and ensure the venue’s success after recent staff walkouts and concerns from the Philly music community over management changes.
The developer behind the Exton Square Mall project in Chester County has submitted revised plans that the firm says reflect community input. The new plans feature more green space, fewer townhouses, and investments in stormwater infrastructure.
This week’s obsession
Ahead of my birthday, I recently went to a “sunset disco” night with some friends. It was at Pentridge Station, a seasonal community beer garden and event space in West Philly, a place I had never been to.
Pentridge was new to me, but it’s been around since 2018. The Inquirer has it listed among essential beer gardens and it was voted Philly’s favorite in 2024. The kid- and dog-friendly venue hosts a rotating lineup of social events, accentuated by live music, local food and drink, and amenities. On any given day, it becomes the site of a flea market, fundraising center, crafts classes, or an open mic.
My night was the perfect introduction: Along with good company, I enjoyed delicious soul food from Flavorful Cravings; a “Dat Bol Tom,” the gentle, warm summer breeze; and soulful music to dance and get loose to. The tunes were pulsing, but the vibes were still chill. Just before sunset (which you can get a great view of from here), a ladybug also landed on me. I took its visit as good luck.
After living here for three-plus years, discovering exciting corners of Philadelphia like this sometimes feel as though I’m unlocking more of the open world in the video game that is my life. (They say “life imitates art.” Or is it “art imitates life”? I think both are true.) It’s also great to see how formerly neglected spots transform into beautiful spaces. Pentridge, like Philly’s newly unveiled Robert A. Borski Jr. Park in Bridesburg, was once a dumpsite. Today, it’s a thriving “third place” for everyone to gather and have a good time.
Over the past decade, Pennsylvania has infused over $3 billion into the horse racing industry, thanks to funds diverted from casino slot machine revenues.
In a column for The Inquirer, Alexander Milone says the state should direct these resources to public transit instead.
“It is not a question of fiscal constraint; it’s a question of values and the smart investment of public money,” Milone writes. “What kind of state chooses horses over human beings?”
Read Milone’s take on why Pa. should redirect tax revenue to roads, schools, or other services that working Pennsylvanians rely on.
🧠Trivia time
Some readers — especially those facing soaring rental costs — seem to think it’s cheaper to go to Europe than the Jersey Shore.
How much could one week at a two-bedroom condo in Stone Harbor cost you (gas, tolls, and beach tags not included)?
A) $7,300
B) $2,500
C) $3,200
D) $5,200
Think you know? Check your answer here.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Another Philly easter egg in Superman
REBEL TYPICAL
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Rick Brasch who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Honeysuckle. Inquirer food critic Craig LaBan says the new iteration of the restaurant from chefs Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate is thought-provoking, original — and totally delicious.
This is not an infestation — it’s Cirque du Soleil’s Ovo, back in the city after almost a decade.
The gravity-defying mystery bugs have arrived in Philadelphia, as have the acrobats, clowns, tumblers, and Chinese pole artists.
Meet the mystery bugs and learn more about the new show with arts and culture reporter Earl Hopkins, featuring photos by Inquirer intern photographer Kaiden J. Yu.
Somewhere on the internet in Philly
A receipt total of $17.76 hits different when you’re in Philadelphia.
Over on Reddit, a solid joke in celebration of our new waterfront green space: “Idc what they said, that’s not borski park it’s broski park” (lol).
And a recent TikTok shows a man on horseback placing an order at Ishkabibble’s on South. The caption: “I love this place.” There’s no place like Philly.
👋🏽 Thanks for spending some time with me this morning. I’ll see you again tomorrow.
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