Oscars celebrate change, region recovers from nor'easter, Bridgeport transforms | Morning Newsletter
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Good morning, folks. Raise your hand if you're also a bit sleepy thanks to last night's Academy Awards. If you didn't make it all the way to the end, don't worry, we'll catch you up. We've also got updates on how the region's recovering from the weekend's nor'easter, and much more. Onward!
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— Aubrey Nagle (@aubsn, morningnewsletter@philly.com)
» READ MORE: Oscars 2018: The Shape of Water wins Best Picture, Jordan Peele makes history
And so ends award season. At last night's Oscars, the winner for Best Picture was the odds-on favorite, The Shape of Water, and host Jimmy Kimmel brought his usual late night show humor, pulling a huge prank on unsuspecting moviegoers. But the night embraced changing politics as much as it did history for the Academy Awards' 90th birthday.
Jordan Peele became the first black writer to win the Oscar for best original screenplay for Get Out. The #MeToo movement had a presence during acceptance speeches and introductions (though, controversial for his nomination due to past sexual assault allegations, Kobe Bryant took home an award). Presenters Lupita Nyong'o and Kumail Nanjiani spoke in support of Dreamers, too.
Unfortunately, local nominees from Ardmore and Margate lost in their categories. Here are the rest of the night's winners and don't forget to check out the best dressed on the red carpet.
» READ MORE: Region recovers from nor’easter with many still in the dark
Peco has called in reinforcements from as far as Texas and Canada to help restore power to the remaining customers in the dark thanks to this weekend's nor'easter, which Peco called "one of the worst storms" in its history.
The powerful storm tore through the suburbs, downing trees and power lines and generally wreaking havoc Friday. At least one fatality was attributed to the storm. Schools in Haverford and Radnor are closed today as repair workers tackle outages.
Were you one of many commuters stranded Friday as heavy wet snow disrupted Regional Rail schedules? SEPTA says they just didn't expect it all to escalate so quickly. Oops.
» READ MORE: Is Bridgeport the next Phoenixville?
Communities like Phoenixville and Downingtown across the Philly suburbs have transformed from old mill towns to lively destinations for dining and shopping — and Bridgeport wants to be next.
The 2000s brought several efforts to transform the town to its former glory. But, thanks to floods, business fires, and the 2008 recession, the revitalization didn't really stick.
So, what's it got going for it now? Confident Mayor Mark Barbee, new restaurants and watering holes, affordable rents, and a plan.
What you need to know today
Bill Cosby returns to a Norristown courtroom today for a pivotal hearing ahead of his April retrial on sexual assault charges. Will this trial be different in the era of #MeToo?
Courts have removed much of the urgency from today's deadline for lawmakers to find a permanent solution for DACA recipients. Here's where DACA stands right now and what happens next.
Philadelphia Sheriff Jewell Williams, who recently battled sexual harassment allegations and is also a Democratic ward leader, has an interesting side gig: political campaign consultant.
The Wells Fargo Center is about to get an upgrade to the tune of $250 million. Look out for new court-side suites, shorter food lines, and bigger lounge spaces.
So far, local medical marijuana dispensaries are a success. Such a success, in fact, that they're running out of product.
A new review of blueprints and records from West Chester's Barclay Friends senior home, struck by a deadly fire in November, show the building's sprinkler system may have been flawed in its very design.
Students continue to speak out in support of the Cherry Hill East teacher suspended for comments about the school's security in wake of the Parkland, Fla. shooting. The school district has since assigned armed police officers to the schools and a special board meeting for public comment is set for Tuesday night.
Kensington may be the epicenter of the city's opioid crisis, where hundreds sleep outside under bridges and in doorways, but it only has one homeless shelter with just 40 beds.
Children are increasingly the collateral victims of the opioid epidemic, and a new national study says cracking down on adult prescription isn't stemming the flow of damage.
Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly
We want to see what our community looks like through your eyes. Show us the park that your family walks through every weekend with the dog, the block party in your neighborhood or the historic stretch you see every morning on your commute to work.
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!
That’s Interesting
Ever watched Top Chef and wondered why they don't film a season in Philly? Well, turns out there's one very good reason.
The Willie Torres Boxing Gym, a stalwart of the city's boxing scene which closed three years ago, is set to be immortalized thanks to a new documentary with an interesting origin story of its own.
Spring is on its way, but if this weekend taught us anything it's that winter can strike back at any time. Give it a proper send-off with a bar crawl for warm cocktails.
If you're seriously over winter, the Flower Show offered a rainforest-y reprieve from this weekend's wild weather.
Popular vegan eatery Blackbird Pizzeria was forced to close for structural repairs last week. Its historic building, once home to legendary Levis Hot Dogs, has been deemed unsafe.
The NFL's official Eagles Super Bowl movie will be available to purchase starting tomorrow. The cherry on top? It was lovingly crafted by lifelong fans at NFL Films HQ in Mount Laurel.
It's thanks in part to coach Doug Pederson's aggressiveness that the Eagles won the Super Bowl — and reporter Jeff McLane says other NFL coaches are now sure to follow suit. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery….
The Mercantile Library at 1021 Chestnut St. was hailed as a groundbreaking modernist design in 1953. So why is it covered in plywood and graffiti and has stood empty for nearly 30 years?
Sixers owner Josh Harris, a billionaire investor, is trusting a different kind of process off the court: doing business with the First Family. (The Sixers, meanwhile, remain in sixth place after last night's loss.)
Opinions
Columnist Ronnie Polaneczky has evaluated Philadelphians' most … interesting ideas for cleaning up the city, from hiring street cleaners to training crows to pick up cigarette butts. Yes, really.
School architects Scott J. Compton and Michael Kelly say there are ways to make Pennsylvania's very old school buildings safe from active shooters.
What we’re reading
Just as Pennsylvania's medical marijuana dispensaries are opening, iconic Philly marijuana activist N. A. Poe is hoping to avoid prison time and says he's done with activism. Philadelphia Magazine's profile on Poe is a must-read.
A New Jersey support group for amputees is showing doctors — and each other — there are no limits to what they can accomplish, via NJ.com.
The teachers' strike in West Virginia continues today, and The Washington Post has an interactive graphic on what educators' make across the nation and how West Virginia measures up.
Speaking of showing teachers some love, Splinter has interviewed the teacher of AP government classes in Parkland, Fla. credited with teaching his now activist-students how to get involved in politics.
This long read over at Huffington Post about a retired couple gaming the lottery to make millions is worth your time, trust me.
Your Daily Dose of | Trust
Camden teens are meeting with local police to learn what it's like to be law enforcement officers — and police are breaking down barriers to public trust along the way.