Holiday happenings, PPA busted on spending, Meek Mill's battle continues | Morning Newsletter
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Happy Friday, folks. There's much to look forward to this weekend in the Philadelphia area, from holiday events to the all-important Eagles-Rams match-up. And if Sunday doesn't go as planned, well…at least the Flyers are winning? Silver linings, people.
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— Aubrey Nagle
» READ MORE: Philly comes alive with holiday happenings
Embrace the cold weather this weekend and get in the holiday spirit with gift markets, bar crawls and, of course, The Nutcracker.
Doing some shopping? Be on the lookout for these special beauty gifts or think about giving loved ones experiences, not things. If you're headed to Christmas Village, be sure to stop by these booths. If the mall's more your thing, we've listed the city's best shopping mall Santas — and checked it twice.
Finally, if your office holiday party is this weekend, follow these rules to avoid sexually harassing a coworker (served with a heavy dose of satire). Or skip it and grab one of these Craig Laban-approved festive drinks around town.
» READ MORE: Former PPA head spent lavishly, kept money from schools
If it were possible for Philadelphians to be more angry at the Philadelphia Parking Authority than they are on a daily basis, this might do trick. Two audits of the authority released yesterday found it used funds to pay for lavish expenses and kept over $320,000 from the school district.
Essentially, former executive Vincent J. Fenerty Jr. had free range to spend the authority's funds and hire who he wanted. The result? Golf outings for senior staff and excessive raises that kept money from Philly students.
As columnist Mike Newall writes, this audit shows the cost of keeping predators in power. Fenerty resigned in September after revelations that he was accused by two women of sexual harassment in 2015 and 2007.
» READ MORE: Meek Mill’s bitter war with Philly judge continues
An appeals court denied rapper Meek Mill bail yet again this week, but tucked within that court filing was an interesting assertion: was Philadelphia Judge Genece E. Brinkley, who sent him back to prison, under FBI investigation?
Mill himself asked the FBI to investigate the judge last year, but the review was short-lived. They asked him to wear a wire, and he refused.
His complaint to the FBI began after Mill said the judge made a series of inappropriate requests of him. Mill's defense team says that included changing record labels and recording a Boyz II Men song. (Luckily Mill, who doesn't sing ballads, didn't follow through with that one.)
What you need to know today
The Sixers lost last night to the Lakers, but the big news is they've traded reserve center Jahlil Okafor (plus shooting guard Nik Stauskas and a 2019 second-round pick) to the Nets for forward Trevor Booker.
Democratic Sen. Al Franken has announced he will resign over the next few weeks following a series of sexual misconduct allegations. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton will appoint a replacement to serve until the 2018 elections.
Authorities have revealed that the fatal Barclay Friends nursing home fire in West Chester began on the outside patio. The cause of the flames is yet to be determined.
The Streets Department is changing up four South Broad Street intersections to make them safer. The entire box of each intersection will be raised a bit, forcing drivers to slow down, along with some other nifty improvements.
The Supreme Court heard a case Tuesday of a Colorado baker who wouldn't make a cake for a same-sex couple. Law experts explain how the court's decision could impact the local LGBT community.
Former Bordentown police chief Frank M. Nucera Jr., charged last month with a federal hate-crime assault and a civil-rights violation, has been indicted on those charges and lying to the FBI.
Southern California is still besieged with deadly wildfires. Yesterday flames moved toward coastal and mountain communities near Los Angeles and north of San Diego.
Since being fired for screaming at teen anti-abortion protesters, a former Downingtown assistant principal has barely left the house. Now he's speaking out.
» READ MORE: #OurPhilly
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Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and we'll pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout out to build those followers!
That’s Interesting
Sunday is on its way, and our staff is unanimous in their Eagles-Rams predictions. Fox Sports is so excited they're moving Fox NFL Sunday to the game.
In a panic about the big game? You're not alone, Eagles fans are a skeptical bunch. It's the history of the Birds' collapses that make us this way.
To get us all through this thing called life, Pantone has named its Color of the Year for 2018 and it's inspired by the late, great Prince.
Excited for Fashion District Philadelphia to open up in the old Gallery? Well, cool your jets. The opening was just pushed back six months.
You've seen Buzzfeed's Tasty recipe videos, but have you seen Temple student Kalen Allen's parodies? Celebrities like Seth Rogen and Jesse Williams love them, and I think they're far better than the originals.
Might want to change up your shopping list: a new Temple University study suggests canola oil isn't as good for the brain as olive oil.
A grassroots program is hoping to link new and expecting mothers in South Jersey with experienced mothers. The worthy goal? Reducing infant mortality and increasing self-care.
Reading Terminal Market's Cook Book Stall, in business for over 30 years, is closing at the end of the month. Add one last trip to your holiday to-do list.
Opinions
Children's health is being sacrificed on the altar of politics as congress lets Children's Health Insurance Program funding lapse, writes the Inquirer Editorial Board.
Fewer than 11 percent of the figures mentioned in history textbooks are women. To pave a better future for young women, we must tell the stories of the great women of history, writes Marisa Porges, head of the Baldwin School, and Audrey Senior, editor-in-chief of the Baldwin student newspaper.
What we’re reading
A read with a twist: The Nib has published an illustrated retelling of the MOVE bombing. Steve Teare's unique art features an image of Rizzo looming over the city.
It's the time of year for heartwarming stories, and this one about local Muslim, Jewish and Christian students coming together for an interfaith writing program will hit you right in the feels.
The Philadelphia Citizen writes about another group of students sharing and caring: the Philly-based Challah for Hunger group is launching a new initiative to solve campus hunger.
Wow: a 2014 report says 78 percent of restaurant workers have been harassed by a customer. In order to end sexual harassment in restaurants, Eater writes, it's service culture that has to change.
It's easy to keep up with Colin Kaepernick's public appearances (they're always followed by a slurry of social media posts from fans and haters alike). But this Sports Illustrated profile on his charitable giving shed light on what he's up to behind the scenes.
Your Daily Dose of | Hope
Ismarie Rodriguez, 8, and her family recently came to Philly from Puerto Rico. Despite not having much, she was willing to donate her favorite toy to her school's drive.