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A weary Chinatown faces the future as Sixers arena plan fails: Every few years a new fight for survival

Chinatown routinely confronts the prospect of huge, imposing developments — a prison, a casino, a Phillies baseball stadium — that demands the neighborhood expend time, money and energy.

Jeff Gammage and Beatrice Forman

Latest Headlines

In Chinatown, joy and relief as Sixers abandon plan to build an arena on the neighborhood’s southern edge
Market East doesn’t need the Sixers arena to make a comeback

Philadelphia Politics

Philly Mayor Cherelle L. Parker is among the Democrats trying to coexist with Trump

Latest Headlines

Trump’s inauguration promises celebration and major executive orders that could shake up Pa.

‘Kill blocks and tackle’: How the Eagles’ Vic Fangio became one of the NFL’s most copied coaches, but stayed ahead of the curve

Latest Headlines

Eagles vs. Rams predictions: Our writers make their picks for Sunday’s divisional-round game
Rams focused on stopping Saquon Barkley: ‘He can make magic happen’

A winter storm warning for snow is up for parts of the Philly region Sunday. The Linc is going to get sloppy

Several inches are expected north and west of Philly, less to the south and east. It may peak during the Eagles game.

Anthony R. Wood

🏈 Eagles vs. Rams

NFC divisional playoff game

Last time out against the Rams, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley had a historic game.

Rams focused on stopping Saquon Barkley: ‘He can make magic happen’

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley exploded for a career-high 255 yards in a Week 12 win.

Eagles-Rams: Four matchups to watch in Sunday’s divisional-round game

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley ran for a franchise-record 255 yards against the Rams in November.

Eagles vs. Rams predictions: Our writers make their picks for Sunday’s divisional-round game

Jeff McLane, Jeff Neiburg, Olivia Reiner, and EJ Smith

Five Rams players Eagles fans should know before their divisional-round game

Gabriela Carroll

Last time out against the Rams, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley had a historic game.

Rams focused on stopping Saquon Barkley: ‘He can make magic happen’

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley exploded for a career-high 255 yards in a Week 12 win.

Eagles-Rams: Four matchups to watch in Sunday’s divisional-round game

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley ran for a franchise-record 255 yards against the Rams in November.

Eagles vs. Rams predictions: Our writers make their picks for Sunday’s divisional-round game

Jeff McLane, Jeff Neiburg, Olivia Reiner, and EJ Smith

Five Rams players Eagles fans should know before their divisional-round game

Gabriela Carroll

Weekend Reads

Catch up on some recent Inquirer journalism this weekend.

Watching the Birds in the playoffs but not a big football fan? Play Eagles Bingo instead.

Play along with the Philadelphia Eagles during the playoffs with our randomly-generated Eagles Playoff Bingo card

Matt Mullin and Gabriela Carroll

Play Eagles Playoff Bingo during Birds games this postseason.

Play Eagles Playoff Bingo during Birds games this postseason.

Watching the Birds in the playoffs but not a big football fan? Play Eagles Bingo instead.

Play along with the Philadelphia Eagles during the playoffs with our randomly-generated Eagles Playoff Bingo card

Matt Mullin and Gabriela Carroll

Philly content creators uncertain about the future after Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban

Emily Bloch and Beatrice Forman

Popular Philly lifestyle influencer Cass Matthews, 31, at the Fairmount Water Works Trail & Boardwalk on Thursday, August 17, 2023.

Philadelphia News

Congress Hall was vandalized with spray paint

“Those Boys Not these Boys” graffitied on side of Congress Hall, Philadelphia Independence Hall area, 6th and Chestnut Street, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Parks service workers spray it for removal.

Philadelphia News

Here’s how much the plan to build a Center City arena actually cost the city

Max Marin, Ryan W. Briggs, Jasen Lo, and Charmaine Runes

Sketch of the now scrapped 76 Place at Market East.

This week in Philly history, Penn student dies during strange ‘bowl fight’ tradition, which is immediately discontinued

One student was killed, five others went to the hospital, and 20 others suffered minor injures during the 1916 “bowl fight," which pitted freshmen against sophomores on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.

What Subscribers Are Reading

News Quiz

Philadelphia News

Know your news? Test your skills with our News Quiz.

Take our weekly news quiz on the Sixers arena, Macy’s, and Bryce Harper’s TikTok content.

Two of Market Street's former department stores, Strawbridge's (left) and Lit Bros. (right), have lost their ground-floor tenants and have struggled to fill their upper floors. The presence of the huge surface parking lot, known as the Disney hole, has added to the blight at the intersection of Eighth and Market.

Market East doesn’t need the Sixers arena to make a comeback

Inga Saffron | Columnist, For The Inquirer

Knee, foot, and facial injuries have plagued Sixers center Joel Embiid this season.

We’ve seen the best of the Sixers with Joel Embiid. What a mess. What a shame.

Mike Sielski | Columnist

First lady Melania Trump stands with President Donald Trump as former President Barack Obama kisses the hand of his wife, Michelle Obama, during a departure ceremony on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington.

Michelle Obama is protecting her peace by not attending Trump’s inauguration. We should follow her lead by not tuning in for it.

Jenice Armstrong | Columnist

Nok Suntaranon of Philadelphia's Kalaya in "Chef's Table: Volume 7."

Love ‘Chef’s Table’? You can live it with these luxury chef-led tours

Members of the U.S. military on stage during the rehearsal at the U.S. Capitol ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration.

National Politics

Donald Trump’s inauguration: Time, how to watch, performers

Donald Trump's second inauguration begins at noon on Monday and will feature Carrie Underwood.

Aminata Sy holds the book she self published, documenting her journey from high school dropout to Ivy League graduate and a career as an American diplomat.

From high school dropout to Ivy League student, Penn grad talks about beating the odds in her new book

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker talks with Inquirer reporters during an interview in Philadelphia City Hall in December. Parker, like some other Democrats, has expressed openness to working with incoming President Donald Trump.

Philadelphia Politics

Philly Mayor Cherelle L. Parker is among the Democrats trying to coexist with Trump

A photo showing Drexel University's two types of self-heating concrete and a control slab of normal concrete. L-R: A slab of normal concrete; a slab of concrete mixed with pebbles infused with paraffin; and a slab of concrete mixed with capsules of paraffin.

Drexel scientists have developed concrete that can melt snow on its own

A street view in Chinatown on Jan. 16, as a person hustles past a "No Arena" poster in the heart of the neighborhood. The Sixers abandoned their plan to build a $1.3 billion arena on Chinatown's southern edge.

A weary Chinatown faces the future as Sixers arena plan fails: Every few years a new fight for survival

Jeff Gammage and Beatrice Forman

Joel Embiid missed his 27th game against the Pacers on Saturday.

Sixers running out of time to address injury woes: ‘That’s been a little bit of a puzzle’

While the Sixers can be a dangerous team when healthy, injuries have led to a lack of chemistry. They have used 24 different starting lineups through their first 39 games.

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots over Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) and guard Ricky Council IV (14) during the second half of their game inside the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday.

Shorthanded Sixers fizzle in fourth quarter at Indiana Pacers for fifth consecutive loss

Jack McGlynn's shot from long range flew past Venezuela goalkeeper Wuilker Fariñez (right) to open the scoring in the U.S.' 3-1 win.

The Union’s Jack McGlynn sparks the USMNT to a 3-1 win over Venezuela

Associated Press

Sixers forward Paul George will miss Saturday's game against the Indiana Pacers due to injury.

Sixers’ Paul George and Guerschon Yabusele out Saturday against the Indiana Pacers

Flyers right wing Bobby Brink (10) celebrates with Noah Cates (27) and Tyson Foerster (71) after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

Flyers knock off New Jersey Devils to cap three-game road trip

Inquirer Newsletters

Stay informed with our essential newsletters on a variety of topics, delivered straight to your inbox.

A person passing by a No Arena sign in Chinatown in Philadelphia, Pa., on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.

A weary Chinatown faces the future | Morning Newsletter

Paola Pérez2 hours ago

File photo of a pair of Air Jordan 3.

👊 Working out in good company | Morning Newsletter

A person passing by a No Arena sign in Chinatown in Philadelphia, Pa., on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.

A weary Chinatown faces the future | Morning Newsletter

Paola Pérez2 hours ago

File photo of a pair of Air Jordan 3.

👊 Working out in good company | Morning Newsletter

Volunteers take in donations at the Food Bank of South Jersey's "Stuff the Bus" MLK Day of Service event in Pennsauken Jan. 18, 2021, to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Besides the food donations, every $1 donated provides 3 meals to hungry South Jersey neighbors in need.

Volunteer on MLK Day | Things to Do

She preserves more than buildings | Real Estate Newsletter

Volunteers take in donations at the Food Bank of South Jersey's "Stuff the Bus" MLK Day of Service event in Pennsauken Jan. 18, 2021, to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Besides the food donations, every $1 donated provides 3 meals to hungry South Jersey neighbors in need.

Volunteer on MLK Day | Things to Do

She preserves more than buildings | Real Estate Newsletter

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

Philadelphia’s Middle Child is denied in lawsuit against an upstart Middle Child in Las Vegas

A judge refused to block a new restaurant in Las Vegas from using the name of the popular Philadelphia restaurants. Next stop is the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.

Middle Child Clubhouse in Fishtown, on Aug. 30, 2024.

Middle Child Clubhouse in Fishtown, on Aug. 30, 2024.

Philadelphia’s Middle Child is denied in lawsuit against an upstart Middle Child in Las Vegas

A judge refused to block a new restaurant in Las Vegas from using the name of the popular Philadelphia restaurants. Next stop is the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.

A late-night burger chain that wants to be ‘the In-N-Out of the East Coast’ is opening in Fishtown

A signature smashburger from 7th Street Burger, planning to open in Fishtown.

Actually good nonalcoholic drinks for dry January

Tasting through bottles of nonalcoholic wines and "booze" at the author's house.

Chinatown’s restaurants mull what’s next with the Sixers arena no longer looming — while South Philly restaurateurs rejoice

Kiki Aranita and Michael Klein

The iconic Chinatown Arch, as seen from 10th and Filbert Streets on Jan. 13, 2025.

Where to eat and drink at Lincoln Financial Field

Linc food

Fair warning | Editorial Cartoon

John Cole, For The Inquirer2 hours ago

Market Street looking west as seen from Sixth Street in Center City earlier this month.

What should we do with Market East? 12 Philadelphians weigh in.

Anuj Gupta, Tayyib Smith, Brigitte Daniel-Corbin, Prema Katari Gupta, Jennifer Rodríguez, Harris M. Steinberg, Kaia Chau, Kenneth Scott, Natalie Nixon, Stephen S. Tang, Jonas Maciunas, and Elijah Anderson, For The Inquirer

President Joe Biden exits the stage defeated and unpopular, writes the Editorial Board. It’s a disordered end for a dedicated public servant who inherited an economy in shambles but did not get the credit he deserves.

Trump’s return casts a pall, but America cannot ignore Biden’s legacy | Editorial

The Editorial Board

Donald Trump listens as then-NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a 2019 working lunch in Watford, England, with NATO members that had met their financial commitments to the organization.

Stacking up Biden’s foreign policy vs. Trump’s bravado

Trudy Rubin | Columnist

Fair warning | Editorial Cartoon

John Cole, For The Inquirer2 hours ago

Market Street looking west as seen from Sixth Street in Center City earlier this month.

What should we do with Market East? 12 Philadelphians weigh in.

Anuj Gupta, Tayyib Smith, Brigitte Daniel-Corbin, Prema Katari Gupta, Jennifer Rodríguez, Harris M. Steinberg, Kaia Chau, Kenneth Scott, Natalie Nixon, Stephen S. Tang, Jonas Maciunas, and Elijah Anderson, For The Inquirer

President Joe Biden exits the stage defeated and unpopular, writes the Editorial Board. It’s a disordered end for a dedicated public servant who inherited an economy in shambles but did not get the credit he deserves.

Trump’s return casts a pall, but America cannot ignore Biden’s legacy | Editorial

The Editorial Board

Donald Trump listens as then-NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a 2019 working lunch in Watford, England, with NATO members that had met their financial commitments to the organization.

Stacking up Biden’s foreign policy vs. Trump’s bravado

Trudy Rubin | Columnist

Health & Science

A photo showing Drexel University's two types of self-heating concrete and a control slab of normal concrete. L-R: A slab of normal concrete; a slab of concrete mixed with pebbles infused with paraffin; and a slab of concrete mixed with capsules of paraffin.

Drexel scientists have developed concrete that can melt snow on its own

California Department of Social Services will start thousands of paid classes, both online and in-person, in January, focused on dozens of topics, including dementia care, first-aid training, medication management, fall prevention, and self-care. (Dreamstime/TNS)

15 science-based ways to reduce your risk of dementia

Marlene Cimons, Washington Post

Riddle Hospital is part of Main Line Health.

Nine months of inspections at Riddle Hospital: March to November 2024

Frank Wampol, vice president of safety and health at the BL Harbert International construction company, based in Birmingham, Ala., is working on providing mental health first-aid training for on-site supervisors and information on suicide prevention to the company’s 10,000-plus employees. (Katja Ridderbusch for KFF Health News)

Beyond hard hats: Mental struggles become the deadliest construction industry danger

Katja Ridderbusch, KFF Health News

A photo showing Drexel University's two types of self-heating concrete and a control slab of normal concrete. L-R: A slab of normal concrete; a slab of concrete mixed with pebbles infused with paraffin; and a slab of concrete mixed with capsules of paraffin.

Drexel scientists have developed concrete that can melt snow on its own

California Department of Social Services will start thousands of paid classes, both online and in-person, in January, focused on dozens of topics, including dementia care, first-aid training, medication management, fall prevention, and self-care. (Dreamstime/TNS)

15 science-based ways to reduce your risk of dementia

Marlene Cimons, Washington Post

Riddle Hospital is part of Main Line Health.

Nine months of inspections at Riddle Hospital: March to November 2024

Frank Wampol, vice president of safety and health at the BL Harbert International construction company, based in Birmingham, Ala., is working on providing mental health first-aid training for on-site supervisors and information on suicide prevention to the company’s 10,000-plus employees. (Katja Ridderbusch for KFF Health News)

Beyond hard hats: Mental struggles become the deadliest construction industry danger

Katja Ridderbusch, KFF Health News

Photography 📷

A group of Canada geese Schuylkill River ice.

What our photographers saw Friday, January 17

Inquirer Staff Photographers

Brady McDonough ice skates while snow falls at the Winterfest Ice Skating Rink At Cooper River Park in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. McDonough works as a guard at the rink.

What our photographers saw Thursday, January 16

Inquirer Staff Photographers

Jhamir Brickus, left, of Villanova comes from behind to block a shot by Jayden Pierre of Providence during the 1st half on Jan. 17, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center. Tyler perkins is in the foreground.

Photos of Villanova's 75-73 victory over Providence

Fanta Bility's mother, Tenneh Kromah (right), and Siddiq Kamara (left), Fanta’s cousin are joined by family, friends, law enforcement, and elected officials on what would've been Fanta’s 12th birthday to dedicate a playground in Sharon Hill to her. Fanta was shot and killed by Sharon Hill police officers in 2021.

What our photographers saw Wednesday, January 15

Inquirer Staff Photographers

A group of Canada geese Schuylkill River ice.

What our photographers saw Friday, January 17

Inquirer Staff Photographers

Brady McDonough ice skates while snow falls at the Winterfest Ice Skating Rink At Cooper River Park in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. McDonough works as a guard at the rink.

What our photographers saw Thursday, January 16

Inquirer Staff Photographers

Jhamir Brickus, left, of Villanova comes from behind to block a shot by Jayden Pierre of Providence during the 1st half on Jan. 17, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center. Tyler perkins is in the foreground.

Photos of Villanova's 75-73 victory over Providence

Fanta Bility's mother, Tenneh Kromah (right), and Siddiq Kamara (left), Fanta’s cousin are joined by family, friends, law enforcement, and elected officials on what would've been Fanta’s 12th birthday to dedicate a playground in Sharon Hill to her. Fanta was shot and killed by Sharon Hill police officers in 2021.

What our photographers saw Wednesday, January 15

Inquirer Staff Photographers

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