Winter storm recovery, what's next for DA's list, Sunoco pipeline stalled | Morning Newsletter
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Happy International Women's Day. I'm hoping you've weathered yesterday's winter storm safely and maybe even had some fun in the snow. Today we're taking a look at how the region is recovering, plus digging into repercussions for the District Attorney's list of problem cops and what's next for the North Philly community opposing Temple's stadium plans.
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— Aubrey Nagle (@aubsn, morningnewsletter@philly.com)
» READ MORE: Winter storm brings thundersnow, a Philly record, and power outages
Yesterday's blustery nor'easter brought six inches of snow to Philadelphia (a record for March 7, specifically) and up to 16 inches — and thundersnow! — to the surrounding suburbs. Enjoy some photos of the region dressed in white right here.
As of late last night, Peco had 73,515 customers without service, mostly in Bucks County, and 28,541 customers in Burlington County were without power. SEPTA, PATCO, Amtrak and NJ Transit are running on special post-snow schedules. The Philadelphia School District is on a two-hour delay today and some suburban districts remain closed.
For many across the region the storm posed an inconvenience, but for people in treatment for opioid addiction severe weather can become a life-or-death challenge.
» READ MORE: Some problem cops on DA’s list remain on force
The District Attorney's office released a list of problem police officers Tuesday that included 29 cops barred from taking the witness stand.
The ramifications for the list loom large. Police on it have lied to investigators, falsified police reports, mishandled evidence and more. Yet nine of the 29 police officers on that list remain on the public payroll.
Why? Critics say the police disciplinary system is to blame, and over the years, independent analysts have found serious fault with every facet of that system.
» READ MORE: Why the N. Philly grandmothers protesting Temple’s football stadium are so angry
On Tuesday, Temple University's first community town hall to discuss the proposed North Philly football stadium ended early when Temple president Richard Englert exited following protesters' disruption of his speech. The debacle followed a well-attended community town hall last week, which invited school administrators failed to attend.
Now, experts and local politicians say what comes next must be more discussion between Temple and the community, not less.
Architecture critic Inga Saffron spoke with the veteran community organizers working to shut down stadium plans who say their neighborhood is being ignored not just by Temple, but by their elected officials, too.
What you need to know today
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has shut down Sunoco Pipeline's Mariner East 1 system after sinkholes exposed the bare pipeline in Chester County. Investigators said it "could have catastrophic results" if not repaired.
Legendary chef Georges Perrier is recovering from triple-bypass surgery in Philadelphia after collapsing outside his home Monday and luckily being revived by a quick-thinking neighbor.
On Tuesday, porn star Stormy Daniels sued President Trump over a non-disclosure agreement she claims is not binding because he never signed it. Experts are now saying the president could face real legal trouble over the suit.
The Eagles will trade for Seattle Seahawks veteran defensive end Michael Bennett — and when the news broke, he immediately showed his support for Philly rapper Meek Mill. In other Eagles news, a former player will compete on the next season of The Bachelorette. Mark your calendars, folks!
The Commonwealth Court heard arguments in a case Wednesday that could reshape how schools are funded in Pennsylvania. The suit alleges the state's school funding is unconstitutional.
A jury has awarded a South Jersey man $3.2 million after he was critically injured riding his bike over a Philly sinkhole in 2015. The man's attorneys blasted the city for wasting taxpayer money on the trial.
Amid criticism the city wasn't doing enough to help Puerto Rican evacuees, the Kenney administration is making five more homes available for relocated families.
Readers have been sending in stories of their health care bills to the Philly Price Check project for health cost transparency. One woman's story of being charged for anesthesia she did not receive exemplifies the often confusing insurance process.
Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly
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That’s Interesting
An addition to the Schuylkill River Trail that will connect Center City to Southwest Philly is on its way, thanks to a cool $12 million grant.
Need to get out of the house once the snow melts? Swan Lake and the Flaming Lips are coming to town, plus King of Prussia Restaurant Week is coming up.
Chicago is getting a taste of Philly this St. Patrick's Day thanks to a pop-up bar honoring It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. (It's ok to be a little jealous.)
Did you know Andy Borowitz of the New Yorker's "The Borowitz Report" created The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? He explained where his inspiration came from ahead of his stand-up show tonight in Glenside.
The Flyers suffered their fourth straight loss last night, missing a chance to tie for first place in their division with the Penguins.
It's a big night for basketball. The Sixers play a critical game with playoff implications tonight against Miami and Villanova faces off against Marquette in the Big East Conference quarterfinals.
Foodies, clear your schedules. Two new restaurants are ready to open in Old City: a Latin-Asian hybrid restaurant called Ardiente and a Ben Franklin- and French-inspired cafe called Chez Ben.
Did you start a new exercise routine this year and aren't seeing results? Check that you're not making these eight progress-killing fitness mistakes.
Opinions
Missed the news on Italy's election this week? Columnist Trudy Rubin explains the populist victory and how it relates to U.S. politics.
Columnist Stu Bykofsky writes that a gun control bill about to be introduced by Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey and Chris Coons could spell big trouble for the NRA.
What we’re reading
The Philadelphia Citizen has published one woman's moving account of starting over in Philly after evacuating Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria. Now she's trying to convince her neighbors to care about her island home.
The #MeToo movement has hit local restaurants, too. WHYY has thrown a spotlight on a new organization trying to change how women are treated in the industry. It's powerful stuff.
The Los Angeles Times reports that male doctors are leaving the field of gynecology and many aren't happy about it. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they're receiving little sympathy from their female peers in the male-dominated field.
Yesterday, Balkrishna Doshi won the 2018 Pritzker Prize (like the Pulitzer for architects), becoming the first Indian architect to do so. You can learn more about him and see pictures of his work via this lovely NPR profile.
In need of a winter-blues pick-me-up? Give NJ.com a round of applause for gathering (and explaining, for those who haven't seen Black Panther) clips of fans doing the "M'Baku Challenge" including one adorable laughing baby.
Your Daily Dose of | Ambition
Steve Swartz wants his furry friend Buddy to be just like all the other pets running through the mud and hiking the trails. The only problem is, Buddy is a cat.