Eagles fans say forget the Super Bowl; Lessons to learn this Black History Month | Morning Newsletter
All the local news you need to know to start your day, delivered straight to your email.
/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-pmn.s3.amazonaws.com/public/G56RHZEFSBANZBQ6JO3ZUCSMYI.jpg)
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
While you’ll want to bundle up today, it looks like we’re in for some relief from the cold. Evidently the atmosphere is ready to spring forward to April. Speaking of fast-forward, Eagles fans are wishing they could skip right over this year’s Super Bowl. It turns out some are doing just that by taking a walk down memory lane. And on this first day of Black History Month, we hear from black Philadelphians about figures of black history that we could all stand to learn from today.
Reading this online? Sign up here to get this newsletter delivered to your inbox every morning.
— Ray Boyd (@RayBoydDigital, morningnewsletter@philly.com)
Don’t tell Eagles faithful you shouldn’t live in the past, especially this weekend. As football fans across the country get ready for Super Bowl LIII featuring the Rams and the Patriots (again), Eagles nation prepares for a walk down memory lane.
To get through this weekend, fans across the region are relying on highlights from the Eagles' Super Bowl win over the Patriots. Some are even planning rewatch parties — count me in, please.
So on Sunday night, don’t feel pressured to tune into the Super Bowl. In Philly, there will be plenty of opportunities to block that out.
This Black History Month, we asked four Philadelphians to share a figure from black history and tell us how Americans can learn from that person today.
Those who contributed to the discussion wrote about empowering black women, speaking truth, courage, and daring to dream — lessons we can all stand to learn from today that were embodied by these prominent black figures.
For 27 years, these lessons and many others have been on full display at Philly’s African-American Children’s Book Fair. This weekend, the fair’s theme will be “icons.”
After the dust settled on the 116-count indictment against Philly labor leader John Dougherty, Councilman Bobby Henon and others, Henon’s lawyer issued a fiery response. He called the charges against his client a “travesty of justice.”
The indictment focused on Dougherty’s influence over Henon, painting the councilman as a corrupt politician who sold out constituents to do the bidding of the union boss paying his salary. Henon made his first appearance in court Thursday and pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, bribery, and fraud charges.
Dougherty certainly did carry massive influence over Philly’s real estate and construction landscape. Now, some wonder about the fate of the city’s construction projects and the role union labor will play.
What you need to know today
In the bitter cold Thursday, police converged on Kensington’s last major encampment on Emerald Street. Advocates expressed concern for the toll the sudden move would have on those in addiction, but they were relieved by the results of the day.
As this cold stretch continues, you might be wondering how you can help during this Code Blue in Philadelphia. It turns out it’s as simple as picking up a phone.
Federal officials announced charges Thursday against seven Philadelphia residents allegedly involved in a massive counterfeit ticket scam. Authorities say customers purchased bogus tickets to a number of high-profile events, including last year’s Super Bowl.
A New Jersey judge has decided that Dr. Vikram Kaji is not competent enough to continue practicing medicine and running a chain of long-troubled abortion clinics in the state. But, one thing remains unclear: What happens to the clinics?
Feminist organizations have struggled with a question for years: Is the women’s movement, led largely by liberals, about ideology or support for all women? My colleague Anna Orso examines how in Philly and across the country, these organizations are trying to figure out where Republican women fit in.
Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly
I know where I’ll be heading for my next selfie around Philly. Thanks for sharing, @michaelkanephotography.
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
The Sixers pulled off what is perhaps the biggest regular season win of “The Process” era last night as they snapped the Golden State Warriors' 11-game win streak. A few hours before tip-off, Ben Simmons got some good news that validates just how phenomenal he’s been playing.
This probably won’t make you feel any warmer but if you think it’s cold in Philly, you should feel the intense deep freeze in the midwest. If you know someone in Chicago, they can fill you in.
If you’ve been disappointed this winter to see the wear and tear on your favorite coat or boats, you’re not alone. Shopping for the cold is difficult and some Philly fashion experts explain how to do it properly.
The Chinese galleries at the Philadelphia Museum of Art reopen Sunday after being closed for 10 months. A $2 million renovation will now allow visitors to see thousands of pieces on display like they never have before.
Other than an additional Roman numeral, recent Super Bowl logos haven’t changed much. My colleague Rob Tornoe went poking around to figure out why the NFL abandoned the gaudy, colorful logos of Super Bowls past.
Meanwhile, the league is innovating when it comes to its heightened use of new age analytics and player-tracking technology. It turns out the Eagles are at the forefront.
Opinions
“Even with the national #MeToo conversation unfolding, it’s hard to see how that is making real change for students in low-income schools, or women in blue-collar jobs. Many of the discussions still focus on Hollywood, celebrities, and high-profile executives, with the solutions geared toward privileged women.” — Vanessa Davila, a journalist-in-training at The Fuller Project, on the barriers facing women in below-poverty-line neighborhoods.
Those who say the U.S. should “sit this one out,” when it comes to the chaos is Venezuela are doing so from a place of privilege, writes Technical.ly Philly reporter Roberto Torres. He says his home country needs global support more than ever.
American institutions should be held accountable for celebrating the accomplishments of black people all year long, writes journalist Ernest Owens. He’s calling for an end to Black History Month.
What we’re reading
Eagles fans struggling with not making the Super Bowl sadly have to watch the Patriots play in it yet again. But CBSSports explains why the Eagles can still play a big role in the Patriots losing Super Bowl LIII.
Ahead of the big game Sunday, The Undefeated offers a captivating look at the history of athletes and activism. From Ali to LeBron, there’s been a long, complicated tradition of athletes choosing big moments to take a stand.
Players on both sides of the political spectrum have taken stands for democratic values (at least in their opinion) during Trump’s term. FiveThirtyEight explores why the current political climate has politicians so willing to break from long-established norms.
With the rise in “... with drinks” events, it feels like you can’t avoid alcohol when gathering with friends. Philadelphia Magazine highlights two women whose series of alcohol-free Philly happy hours are bucking that trend.
Surely, you’ve been dodging plenty of it during this cold snap, but have you ever wondered why ice is so slippery? Vox examines why scientists have struggled to get a grip on that for so long.
Your daily dose of | Heart & Soul
T.J. McConnell won’t get many votes for Sixers best player. But the scrappy point guard’s hustle isn’t lost on his teammates and one of the team’s stars believes McConnell deserves more credit.