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Philly’s ‘sanctuary schools’ policy for immigrants hasn’t changed, superintendent says

Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said the district "will comply with required laws, and school leaders have been provided guidance about how to protect our immigrant students’ rights.”

Kristen A. Graham

Latest Headlines

ICE has been freed to make arrests at churches. More immigrants took sanctuary in Philadelphia than anywhere else.
Philly schools’ immigrant student population is booming. Advocates want the district to recommit to ‘sanctuary schools.’

Will 2025 be a comeback year for Philly restaurants at the James Beard awards?

After big wins in 2023, Philly was largely shut out at the 2024 James Beard Awards. But 2025 is already looking better. Here's what to look forward in each category throughout awards season.

Eagles injuries: Cam Jurgens questionable for NFC title game, Dallas Goedert practices, Jalen Hurts likely to wear knee brace

🦅 Eagles vs. Commanders

NFC championship game | Sunday at 3 p.m.

Gameday Central Extra: Eagles vs. Commanders

EJ Smith and Olivia Reiner

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley avoids a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Percy Butler (right) during the team's first matchup at Lincoln Financial Field.

Commanders emphasize stopping Saquon Barkley ahead of NFC championship between familiar foes

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb holds up the NFC Championship trophy. Brian Dawkins, Terrell Owens and coach Andy Reid are in the background. The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Atlanta Falcons 27-10 in the NFC championship game on Jan. 23, 2005, at Lincoln Financial Field to earn a spot in the Super Bowl.

This week in Philly history, Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb finally earn a trip to the Super Bowl

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels grew up being a fan of former Eagle Donovan McNabb.

Jayden Daniels grew up a Donovan McNabb fan and wears No. 5 in the former Eagles’ honor

File photo of fans celebrating at Frankford and Cottman Avenues in Mayfair on Jan. 29, 2023, following the Eagles victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship.

Philly parking and traffic restrictions announced for NFC championship game; SEPTA subway rides home from the Linc will be free

Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov will make his 14th start of the season against the New York Islanders on Friday night.

Flyers’ Ivan Fedotov will start vs. the Islanders and is the backup goalie because ‘he has stopped the puck’

Jackie Spiegel2 hours ago

Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott, left, and reliever Orion Kerkering.

Will Bryson Stott and Orion Kerkering be part of the next Phillies core? Their 2025 seasons will be telling.

Former Sixer Ben Simmons says he has no animosity towards Philly fans and actually praised them during a recent podcast appearance.

Ben Simmons says Philly fans aren’t so bad after all: ‘I didn’t appreciate the fans enough’

Former Phillies closer Billy Wagner (center) poses withnNewly-elected Baseball Hall of Fame members, Ichiro Suzuki (left) and CC Sabathia in Cooperstown on Thursday.

Is Billy Wagner really a Hall of Famer? A few thoughts on this year’s BBWAA voting.

David Murphy | Columnist

Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov will make his 14th start of the season against the New York Islanders on Friday night.

Flyers’ Ivan Fedotov will start vs. the Islanders and is the backup goalie because ‘he has stopped the puck’

Jackie Spiegel2 hours ago

Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott, left, and reliever Orion Kerkering.

Will Bryson Stott and Orion Kerkering be part of the next Phillies core? Their 2025 seasons will be telling.

Former Sixer Ben Simmons says he has no animosity towards Philly fans and actually praised them during a recent podcast appearance.

Ben Simmons says Philly fans aren’t so bad after all: ‘I didn’t appreciate the fans enough’

Former Phillies closer Billy Wagner (center) poses withnNewly-elected Baseball Hall of Fame members, Ichiro Suzuki (left) and CC Sabathia in Cooperstown on Thursday.

Is Billy Wagner really a Hall of Famer? A few thoughts on this year’s BBWAA voting.

David Murphy | Columnist

Gov. Josh Shapiro says he ‘got stuff done’ in his first two years. With a budget shortfall on the horizon, his biggest challenges are to come.

Shapiro’s term so far has come with challenges, as one of few governors in the country with a GOP-controlled Senate and a narrow Democratic majority in the state House.

Gillian McGoldrick

Rutgers University campus

As a Rutgers center cancels conference, colleges ponder impact of other Trump orders involving immigration, research funding

Susan Snyder and Aubrey Whelan

City Council President Kenyatta Johnson brings the Council caucus room to order on the first day of City Council in 2025.

Would Philly lawmakers repeal the soda tax? Council is going to take a look. | City Council roundup

Anna Orso and Fallon Roth

Pro-Trump rioters struggle with police to try and take control of a door into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The president's pardon of the insurrectionists was just one obscene act in his no-holds-barred attack on lawfulness upon returning to the White House, writes Helen Ubiñas.

The law-and-order crowd sure has a problem with law and order

Helen Ubiñas | Columnist

City Hall looks over the Ben Franklin Parkway on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

Saying goodbye to Clout

Inquirer Staff

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaking to media and VIPs at the Bellwether District in South Philadelphia, where he signed the “Executive Order to Enhance Coordination, Accountability, and Transparency for Major Economic Development and Infrastructure Projects” on Nov. 19, 2024.

Inquirer Morning Headlines

🏛️ Shapiro’s biggest tests are coming | Morning Newsletter

Brian Johnson last January during his only season as offensive coordinator for the Eagles. He'll be on the opposing sideline on Sunday.

🦅 NFC title time | Sports Daily Newsletter

Staff Reports

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaking to media and VIPs at the Bellwether District in South Philadelphia, where he signed the “Executive Order to Enhance Coordination, Accountability, and Transparency for Major Economic Development and Infrastructure Projects” on Nov. 19, 2024.

Inquirer Morning Headlines

🏛️ Shapiro’s biggest tests are coming | Morning Newsletter

Brian Johnson last January during his only season as offensive coordinator for the Eagles. He'll be on the opposing sideline on Sunday.

🦅 NFC title time | Sports Daily Newsletter

Staff Reports

Philadelphia Eagles fans cheer during the NFC divisional playoff at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Los Angeles Rams 28 to 22.

🦅 Go Birds! | Things to Do

Sam Ruland

We’re one of the nation’s hottest markets | Real Estate Newsletter

Philadelphia Eagles fans cheer during the NFC divisional playoff at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Los Angeles Rams 28 to 22.

🦅 Go Birds! | Things to Do

Sam Ruland

We’re one of the nation’s hottest markets | Real Estate Newsletter

Arts & Entertainment

Your indispensable guide to the most vital places to dine in the Philly area

The 76 restaurants that are defining Philly’s dining scene right now.

Beatrice Forman, Craig LaBan, Emily Bloch, Esra Erol, Hira Qureshi, Jasen Lo, Jenn Ladd, Margaret Eby, Matt Buchanan, Michael Klein, and Sam Morris

Latest Headlines

How we picked Philly’s most vital restaurants

After 21 years as cohosts on WIP, Glen Macnow and Ray Didinger are enjoying their next chapter — in the theater

The former sports talk partners relish the experience of working outside of their “comfort zone,” and have supported each other through it all.

Glen Macnow (left) and Ray Didinger at Didinger’s home on Monday.

Glen Macnow (left) and Ray Didinger at Didinger’s home on Monday.

After 21 years as cohosts on WIP, Glen Macnow and Ray Didinger are enjoying their next chapter — in the theater

The former sports talk partners relish the experience of working outside of their “comfort zone,” and have supported each other through it all.

Keke Palmer and Tierra Whack bonded over a secret pregnancy

Keke Palmer stops by the Fitler Club on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, to discuss her book, "Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative." She was interviewed by Grammy-nominated artist Tierra Whack for the Inquirer Live x Fitler Club event.

Winnie’s Manayunk, under fire by employees whose checks bounced, has closed

Former employees at Winnie’s Manayunk gathering outside on Jan. 23, 2025, where police officers advise them on addressing concerns to management.

Cape May went uncredited in ‘A Complete Unknown,’ and locals are annoyed

Amy S. Rosenberg

Timothée Chalamet and Elle Fanning riding through Cape May for the Bob Dylan biopic movie, "A Complete Unknown," which used Cape May as a stand in for Newport, R.I. The town went unnamed in the closing credits of the film.

A mural at SEPTA’s Independence Hall station misspells another historic name: Charles Willson Peale, an artist of the American Revolution

Mural panel dedicated to Charles Willson Peale with Willson misspelled. Peale’s panel is on the Market/Frankford El stop (westbound) at Fifth and Market Streets, Philadelphia. This is one of the historic panels at the Independence Hall station. Peale is renowned for his portraits of prominent figures of the American Revolution.

President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order relating to clemency for anti-abortion protesters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday in Washington.

National Politics

Justice Department curtails prosecutions for blocking reproductive health care facilities

Alanna Durkin Richer and Christine Fernando, Associated Press

White House staff secretary Will Scharf (from left), Vice President JD Vance, and President Donald Trump at an indoor inauguration event in Washington on Monday.

Trump ramps up ICE arrests, alarming cities and immigrant communities

Maria Sacchetti, Nick Miroff, Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, and Teo Armus, Washington Post

In this Nov. 8. 2018 file photo, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, left, takes questions during a news conference.

Mayor criticizes ICE raid at Newark seafood distributor as ‘not democracy’

A woman looks at a display of empty chairs Friday in Tel Aviv, Israel, representing hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Desperate families await return of 4 female soldiers held by Hamas for 15 months

Shlomo Mor and Waafa Shurafa, Associated Press

President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order relating to clemency for anti-abortion protesters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday in Washington.

National Politics

Justice Department curtails prosecutions for blocking reproductive health care facilities

Alanna Durkin Richer and Christine Fernando, Associated Press

White House staff secretary Will Scharf (from left), Vice President JD Vance, and President Donald Trump at an indoor inauguration event in Washington on Monday.

Trump ramps up ICE arrests, alarming cities and immigrant communities

Maria Sacchetti, Nick Miroff, Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, and Teo Armus, Washington Post

In this Nov. 8. 2018 file photo, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, left, takes questions during a news conference.

Mayor criticizes ICE raid at Newark seafood distributor as ‘not democracy’

A woman looks at a display of empty chairs Friday in Tel Aviv, Israel, representing hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Desperate families await return of 4 female soldiers held by Hamas for 15 months

Shlomo Mor and Waafa Shurafa, Associated Press

Pro-Trump rioters struggle with police to try and take control of a door into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The president's pardon of the insurrectionists was just one obscene act in his no-holds-barred attack on lawfulness upon returning to the White House, writes Helen Ubiñas.

The law-and-order crowd sure has a problem with law and order

Helen Ubiñas | Columnist

Where Is Josh Shapiro on U.S. Steel?

Nathan Benefield, For The Inquirer

Gun deaths of children and teens in our city are not random, writes Anireddy Reddy. Almost all of them occur in low-child-opportunity neighborhoods.

Almost all pediatric gun injuries and deaths occur in low-opportunity neighborhoods

Anireddy Reddy, For The Inquirer

In this Oct. 28, 2020, file photo, Metropolitan Police Department police officers push back demonstrators outside the Fourth District police station in Washington, D.C. An officer in the nation’s capital has been indicted on a murder charge for his role in a fatal vehicle accident during a police chase that has sparked two days of protests and clashes. Federal prosecutors announced Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, that Terrence Sutton, 37, was indicted on second-degree murder, conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges in connection with the death of 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown, who died after a pursuit in D.C. in October 2020.

What a pardon of 2 D.C. cops says about Trump and the U.S. violence to come

Will Bunch | Columnist

Pro-Trump rioters struggle with police to try and take control of a door into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The president's pardon of the insurrectionists was just one obscene act in his no-holds-barred attack on lawfulness upon returning to the White House, writes Helen Ubiñas.

The law-and-order crowd sure has a problem with law and order

Helen Ubiñas | Columnist

Where Is Josh Shapiro on U.S. Steel?

Nathan Benefield, For The Inquirer

Gun deaths of children and teens in our city are not random, writes Anireddy Reddy. Almost all of them occur in low-child-opportunity neighborhoods.

Almost all pediatric gun injuries and deaths occur in low-opportunity neighborhoods

Anireddy Reddy, For The Inquirer

In this Oct. 28, 2020, file photo, Metropolitan Police Department police officers push back demonstrators outside the Fourth District police station in Washington, D.C. An officer in the nation’s capital has been indicted on a murder charge for his role in a fatal vehicle accident during a police chase that has sparked two days of protests and clashes. Federal prosecutors announced Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, that Terrence Sutton, 37, was indicted on second-degree murder, conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges in connection with the death of 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown, who died after a pursuit in D.C. in October 2020.

What a pardon of 2 D.C. cops says about Trump and the U.S. violence to come

Will Bunch | Columnist

Health & Science

Health inspectors made a dozen visits to the Jefferson Health flagship hospital during the nine month period.

Nine months of inspections at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital: March to November 2024

Focusing on more than just medical needs and tests has proven effective in healthier pregnancies in one Washington hospital.

This hospital improved moms’ health by focusing on more than medicine

Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post

The Purdue Pharma offices are seen on May 8, 2007, in Stamford, Conn.

Purdue Pharma and owners to pay $7.4 billion in settlement to lawsuits over the toll of OxyContin

Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press

Peppi, a yellow Lab and official “Canine Companion,” sits on the lap of OB-GYN Kristina Fraser in November at the HCA HealthONE Rose medical center in Denver. (Hart Van Denburg/CPR News)

Dogs paired with providers at hospitals help ease staff and patient stress

John Daley, KFF Health News

Health inspectors made a dozen visits to the Jefferson Health flagship hospital during the nine month period.

Nine months of inspections at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital: March to November 2024

Focusing on more than just medical needs and tests has proven effective in healthier pregnancies in one Washington hospital.

This hospital improved moms’ health by focusing on more than medicine

Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post

The Purdue Pharma offices are seen on May 8, 2007, in Stamford, Conn.

Purdue Pharma and owners to pay $7.4 billion in settlement to lawsuits over the toll of OxyContin

Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press

Peppi, a yellow Lab and official “Canine Companion,” sits on the lap of OB-GYN Kristina Fraser in November at the HCA HealthONE Rose medical center in Denver. (Hart Van Denburg/CPR News)

Dogs paired with providers at hospitals help ease staff and patient stress

John Daley, KFF Health News

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