Philly preps for parade crowds, Black Lives Matter Week goes national, Gov. Wolf's new budget | Morning Newsletter
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Welcome to Wednesday, Philadelphia. It may come as no surprise, but Philly is very much focused on tomorrow's Super Bowl parade and the expected crowds. But, in other news, Gov. Wolf has put forth his proposed budget and local schools are marking Black Lives Matter Week. There's lots to discuss, so let's dive in.
— Aubrey Nagle (@aubsn, morningnewsletter@philly.com)
» READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the Eagles parade
It's almost time to celebrate. (Again.) Here's what you need to know:
Gearing up for tomorrow's Super Bowl parade? First things first: dress warmly. It will be freezing, literally. Many local schools will be closed, too.
Coming into the city? Plan to leave very early. SEPTA's subways will be free all day, but Regional Rail service will be operating on a modified schedule. PATCO service will be limited. There will be road closures and parking restrictions throughout the city.
Where should you watch? The route stretches from the stadiums to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where a ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. There will be Jumbotrons, portable toilets and food trucks on the Parkway, too.
Staying at home? You can watch the parade on TV and online.
Here's hoping what Mayor Kenney called "the knucklehead contingent" is small tomorrow, lest national media once again focus on the city's reputation over a largely peaceful celebration.
» READ MORE: Black Lives Matter Week of Action, born in Philly, goes national
Last year, students throughout Philadelphia joined in the Black Lives Matter Week of Action, a teacher-led curriculum on the movement, as part of Black History Month. This year, it's spread outside the city in a major way. About 25 school systems and thousands of teachers across the country, from New York and Chicago to Los Angeles, are participating.
For the Philadelphia branch of Black Lives Matter, it's not just students who could use the education. After Super Bowl Sunday, they're reminding the city of its policing double standards for such celebrations and peaceful protests.
» READ MORE: For Pa. budget, Gov. Wolf wants more money for schools, more from drillers
On Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled a state budget plan that would increase spending by $1 billion to $33 billion. In addition to marking more money to fight the opioid crisis and boost funding for public schools, Wolf wants to raise the minimum wage to $12 an hour and impose a new tax on natural gas drillers.
How likely is the budget to pass? State Democrats are expected to give broad support while the Republican reaction will be cooler. But a drawn out fight between them would distract both from the campaign trail, writes columnist John Baer.
What you need to know today
A Philadelphia judge has reinstated all criminal charges against the engineer in the fatal 2015 Amtrak derailment. More than 200 counts of reckless endangerment, among other charges, had previously been thrown out by another judge.
Eagles QB Carson Wentz is all about the rings this week: he and girlfriend Madison Oberg got engaged yesterday (on a castle-like rooftop, no less).
Hope you're not tired of cheering: The 2018 Winter Olympics officially begin Friday in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Here's how to watch it all.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are closing in on a budget pact that would avoid another government shutdown, though President Trump has unexpectedly raised the possibility of closing things down again.
Mayor Jim Kenney announced a major workforce plan Tuesday aimed at connecting Philadelphians to blue-collar jobs. Think: apprenticeships, job training, and adult literacy education.
Could medical marijuana help the fight against opioids? A new study says states with dispensaries see a reduction in opioid dependence and deaths.
After hearing some Penn students had to choose between eating and buying tampons, a pair of middle school students collected products to help them out. Then Penn declined them.
Lest fans forget, football isn't the only game in town. The Sixers and and the Flyers both won last night, too.
Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly
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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
Meek Mill isn't letting incarceration keep him from making new music. The Philadelphia rapper just released a fresh verse, adding to a storied tradition of rappers connecting with fans while behind bars.
Remember all those silly Super Bowl bets made between Philly and Boston? Well, the City of Brotherly Love has come to collect.
Speaking of which, our own columnist Stu Bykofsky said he would "eat his column" if the Eagles won. Well, he did it. On a hoagie, no less.
Calling all wannabe green thumbs: you need to meet the Philly Plant Guy. His armchair advice is legendary in his South Philly community.
The opening of the first phase of the Rail Park in Center City has been delayed from this month until sometime this spring. A dilapidated bridge is to blame.
Welcome news for the nutrition-averse: breakfast pizza may be healthier than sugary cereal (emphasis on the -er). Here's where to find it in Philly.
A group of young Philadelphians is gathering each month to talk about death, but it's not as morbid as it sounds. Part of the death positive movement, Death Party Philadelphia embraces inevitable "lifelessness."
A new Clint Eastwood movie about a thwarted terrorist attack on a Paris train has special resonance for a Lehigh Valley family — they were aboard when the incident occurred.
Opinions
The Inquirer Editorial Board has one message for Eagles fans ahead of tomorrow's parade: act like you've been there before.
Last week, Sen. Bernie Sanders criticized the Koch network's plans to invest millions in promotions ahead of the 2018 elections. But, as Duquesne University professor Antony Davies and FreedomTrust CEO James R. Harrigan write, his reaction was an example of the left trying to silence both sides.
What we’re reading
Eli Kulp, the star chef behind Fork and High Street and Market, was left confined to a wheel chair after the deadly 2015 Amtrak crash in Philadelphia. Now, in his own words, he's shared the story of how he's adjusted his career since with Bon Appetit.
To celebrate Black History Month, Charles Barkley has shared a list of his historical all-stars with the Philadelphia Citizen.
The Daily Pennsylvanian has detailed the complex negotiations at work between Division of Public Safety and the Penn Police Association, writing morale is at an "all-time low" for Penn Police.
In an effort to put myths around Social Security Disability Insurance to bed, Vox dove deep into the the stories of the Americans who use it and how it helps them survive. It's a must-read story.
The New Yorker has published an incredible longread on one man's solitary journey across Antarctica. It's entertaining and engaging, and includes beautiful photos and graphics to boot.
Your Daily Dose of | Spice
Rowan University president Dr. Ali Houshmand's side project — hot sauce made from homegrown peppers — isn't just a hobby. He's helping students in need with every bottle.