What L.A. teachers strike means for Philly; how Pa. cut its prison population | Morning Newsletter

A gunman took his ex-girlfriend and another woman hostage at a UPS facility in Gloucester County Monday. The suspect was shot and killed after a standoff with police, but the hostages were not harmed. The incident was a sad reminder of the links between domestic violence and workplace shooters.

The trial of Joshua Hupperterz in the murder of Temple student Jenna Burleigh continued Monday, with Hupperterz’s step-grandfather testifying that he found the woman’s body on his wife’s Pocono property while looking for snakes.

After the New York Times reported that the FBI opened an investigation into whether President Donald Trump was working for Russia against the United States, Trump said Monday, “I never worked for Russia.”

Gov. Tom Wolf will attend his second inauguration today. The cost so far? $1.7 million and counting. 

Alden Global Capital, a New York hedge fund known for extreme cost-cutting at the newspapers it owns, is making a $1.4-billion hostile bid for Gannett Co., Inc, a move that would consolidate its hold in the newspaper market in the Philly region.

A Philly judge on Monday blocked Trump administration efforts to let almost any employer deny female employees coverage for birth control by citing religious or moral objections.

Now that this season is behind them, the Eagles have their future to worry about. Injuries plagued important players in 2018. Carson Wentz is eager to move past his injury history and knows he has a lot to prove. Meanwhile the team faces face big free-agent decisions with Brandon Graham, Jordan Hicks and Golden Tate.

Former Sixer Dario Saric returns to the Wells Fargo Center for the first time since being traded tonight, and it’s going to be an emotional game. 

Local Giant Food Stores are getting high-tech new hires. Marty, a 6-foot-5-inch, googly-eyed robot, will look out for hazards on the store floor and, eventually, scan shelves for out-of-stock items.

Move over, Kylie. On Sunday, a picture of an egg became the most-liked Instagram post ever. Philly has some nice eggs, too, you know. 

Despite recent drama over his ill-fated Oscars hosting gig, Kevin Hart’s latest flick, the Philly-filmed The Upside, has nearly doubled its box office projections.

The risk of having a stroke in one’s lifetime increased to 25 percent in 2016. But there are ways you can reduce your own chances of suffering a stroke. 

After medical marijuana, broader legalization of recreational marijuana is a natural next step, writes Chanda Macias, MBA, PhD, the owner and CEO of National Healing Holistic Center.

Mayor Jim Kenney’s reactions to reports that local grocery stores are struggling under the soda tax have been arrogant and incoherent, writes former federal and state prosecutor George Parry. 

What happens when you get Philly’s biggest chefs in one room? Philadelphia Magazine found out, facilitating a downright fascinating conversation between Ange Branca, Kurt Evans, Scott Schroeder, Ellen Yin, and Marc Vetri.

WHYY’s story on Cancer Who?, a local nonprofit to support cancer patients inspired by the founder’s own family life, is one touching tale of perseverance and selflessness. 

Fernando Treviño is running for City Council and, if he wins, he’ll be its only immigrant. Al Día’s profile on the candidate details his journey from Mexico to Philly and his vision for the city.

If you haven’t seen the viral gymnastics routine that swept the internet over the weekend, you’ll want to check it out and catch up on its star, Katelyn Ohashi, via the Washington Post.

Esquire’s intense look at the Lamalerans of Indonesia, one of the world’s last whaling tribes, is an absolutely gripping ride.