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These Philly-area homeowners spend $5,000 or more to transform their yards into Halloween haunts

Your neighbor's elaborate Halloween display likely costs "an embarrassing amount to say out loud," local home haunters say.

Latest Headlines

Looking for Halloween displays in your neighborhood? This Delco dad made an app for that.
9 haunted Halloween attractions in the Philly area, just in time for spooky season
Spooky (not scary) Halloween events for kids and families in the Philly region

The 76: The most vital restaurants 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

Topsail Steamer, a Jersey Shore seafood steam pot take-out shop, will appear on Shark Tank

Amy S. Rosenberg

Weekend Reads

Catch up on some recent Inquirer journalism this weekend.

Pennsylvania Politics

Immigrants were revitalizing tiny Charleroi. Then Donald Trump’s attacks brought white supremacists and conservative influencers.

Trump's claims thrust the Western Pa. town into an unwanted national spotlight, exposing fault lines and ratcheting up tensions that show little sign of abating weeks later.

Aliya Schneider

Amy Karpu, a Liberian immigrant, and Matthew Gbouku, an immigrant from Sierra Leone, in downtown Charleroi, Pa. Haitian immigrants had been breathing life into the small Western Pa. town until Donald Trump began disparaging and spreading lies about them.

Amy Karpu, a Liberian immigrant, and Matthew Gbouku, an immigrant from Sierra Leone, in downtown Charleroi, Pa. Haitian immigrants had been breathing life into the small Western Pa. town until Donald Trump began disparaging and spreading lies about them.

Pennsylvania Politics

Immigrants were revitalizing tiny Charleroi. Then Donald Trump’s attacks brought white supremacists and conservative influencers.

Trump's claims thrust the Western Pa. town into an unwanted national spotlight, exposing fault lines and ratcheting up tensions that show little sign of abating weeks later.

Aliya Schneider

‘Bandstand’ kicks off an American obsession from a West Philadelphia television studio

Teenagers dancing on the television show 'Bandstand' in July 1955. Bob Horn, host, talks to a young woman in the background.

Six trends that could decide Pennsylvania for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump

Julia Terruso, Aseem Shukla, and Anna Orso

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, and former President Donald Trump, the Republican, are crisscrossing Pennsylvania and battling for every last vote. These six trends could determine the outcome.

Some in Kensington say police are using Narcan on people who aren’t overdosing

Max Marin and Samantha Melamed

Philadelphia police and emergency workers render aid to a person who possibly overdosed in McPherson Square in March.

Once the nation’s most notorious landfill, it’s finally off the Superfund list

A view of Alycon Lake in Pitman, Gloucester County, N.J., on Oct. 11, 2024. The lake was contaminated by Lipari Landfill in nearby Mantua Township until it was cleaned up by the U.S. EPA in the 1990s. Lipari was removed from the Superfund list on Oct. 1, 2024, closing a chapter of what was once one of the most notorious landfills in the nation.

New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke jumps offsides during the Eagles' Tush Push during their Jan. 7 matchup last season.

Ahead of their matchup with the Giants, Eagles players reflect on their own personal football rivalries

Gabriela Carroll

Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean makes a stop on Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. during Sunday's win.

Eagles film: Cooper DeJean makes impressive plays in coverage in his first start at the nickel spot

Eagles offensive lineman Mekhi Becton spent four years in the Jets organization before joining the Eagles this offseason.

Eagles’ Mekhi Becton rips MetLife Stadium ahead of Giants game. Lane Johnson disagrees.

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley will face his former team, the Giants, for the first time this weekend.

Saquon Barkley Q&A: From his favorite Penn State traditions to his desire to be ‘the next Michael Strahan’

New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke jumps offsides during the Eagles' Tush Push during their Jan. 7 matchup last season.

Ahead of their matchup with the Giants, Eagles players reflect on their own personal football rivalries

Gabriela Carroll

Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean makes a stop on Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. during Sunday's win.

Eagles film: Cooper DeJean makes impressive plays in coverage in his first start at the nickel spot

Eagles offensive lineman Mekhi Becton spent four years in the Jets organization before joining the Eagles this offseason.

Eagles’ Mekhi Becton rips MetLife Stadium ahead of Giants game. Lane Johnson disagrees.

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley will face his former team, the Giants, for the first time this weekend.

Saquon Barkley Q&A: From his favorite Penn State traditions to his desire to be ‘the next Michael Strahan’

Visitors look over a Portals art installation, which features live streaming video between two international locations, in Philadelphia’s Love Park on Friday, October 18, 2024. The installation did not appear to be complete.

Philadelphia News

Portals art installation coming to Philadelphia

The project features livestreaming video between two international locations, and apparently arrived Friday at LOVE Park. Which other locale it'll link with has not been disclosed.

Robert Moran32 minutes ago

A group of 43 Seeing Eye dogs in training and their handlers sit on a plane for a training exercise at Philadelphia International Airport on Saturday. These four-legged pups are learning how to assist travelers with visual impairments.

Service puppies in training take on Philadelphia International Airport like seasoned travelers

Michelle Myersan hour ago

Chalk circles mark where bullet casings fell during two drive-by shootings early Saturday morning in North Philadelphia's Hartranft neighborhood, near Cumberland and 11th Streets, where seven people were wounded, two critically.

7 wounded, one critically, in two drive-by shootings in North Philly neighborhood: ‘It’s senseless and very scary.’

Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at a Republicans for Harris event in Washington Crossing Wednesday. Oct. 16, 2024

Kamala Harris to hold event in Chester County on Monday amid renewed focus on Philly suburbs

Mike Kane and his two sons Kyle and Mikey wear matching FrightMaps sweatshirts at their home in West Chester, Pa. Mike Kane created the app in 2022 to help people find elaborate holiday displays near them.

Looking for Halloween displays in your neighborhood? This Delco dad made an app for that.

Flyers center Jett Luchanko's cousins are from Kennett Square. He's looking forward to seeing them in the crowd Saturday night for his first regular-season game at the Wells Fargo Center.

From veterans to rookies, the Flyers look forward to a ‘great atmosphere’ at home opener

On Saturday, Jett Luchanko and Matvei Michov play their first regular-season game at the Wells Fargo Center.

The Phillies' Kyle Schwarber hit a major-league record 15 leadoff home runs this season.

A reason Kyle Schwarber shouldn’t bat leadoff, another Nick Sirianni mistake, and other thoughts

Mike Sielski | Columnist

Tyrese Maxey left Friday night's game in Orlando with a right thumb contusion.

Tyrese Maxey leaves Sixers’ preseason game vs. Orlando Magic with a right thumb contusion

Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton hit the game-winning free throws with 2 seconds left on Friday night in Minneapolis.

Minnesota Lynx force Game 5 of WNBA Finals with 82-80 win over New York Liberty

Doug Feinberg, Associated Press

Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante leads the Wildcats on the road against conference foe Maine on Saturday.

Villanova Wildcats

Here are three things to watch on Saturday when No. 5 Villanova takes on CAA foe Maine

Katie Lewis

2024 Election 🗳️

Your candidate guide to the November election, from president to Pa. House and Senate races

The general election in Pennsylvania is Nov. 5. Here's your guide to candidates on the ballot before you vote.

Aliya Schneider, Katie Bernard, Fallon Roth, Gillian McGoldrick, and Layla A. Jones

Latest Headlines

The Inquirer’s 2024 general election endorsement guide
How to vote in Pennsylvania this election with president, Senate, and more on the ballot
How to spot misinformation online and avoid falling for false claims in this presidential election

HeadlineImage

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker leads a news conference outside City Hall with numerous Philadelphia elected officials on Saturday to get out the vote for Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.

Mayor Cherelle Parker vows to fight for Kamala Harris’ campaign ‘block by block, house by house, person by person’

Sean Collins Walsh

Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at a Republicans for Harris event in Washington Crossing Wednesday. Oct. 16, 2024

Kamala Harris to hold event in Chester County on Monday amid renewed focus on Philly suburbs

Taylor Swift performs at Wembley Stadium as part of her Eras Tour June 21, 2024, in London. Swift, a Berks County native, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign last month.

Taylor Swift, Lee Greenwood, and Brat: How artists have provided the soundtrack to the 2024 presidential election in Pa.

Janelle Stelson is running to unseat Rep. Scott Perry (R, Pa.).

National Politics

Janelle Stelson’s fundraising prowess has shifted her odds against Scott Perry

Aliya Schneider

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker leads a news conference outside City Hall with numerous Philadelphia elected officials on Saturday to get out the vote for Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.

Mayor Cherelle Parker vows to fight for Kamala Harris’ campaign ‘block by block, house by house, person by person’

Sean Collins Walsh

Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at a Republicans for Harris event in Washington Crossing Wednesday. Oct. 16, 2024

Kamala Harris to hold event in Chester County on Monday amid renewed focus on Philly suburbs

Taylor Swift performs at Wembley Stadium as part of her Eras Tour June 21, 2024, in London. Swift, a Berks County native, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign last month.

Taylor Swift, Lee Greenwood, and Brat: How artists have provided the soundtrack to the 2024 presidential election in Pa.

Janelle Stelson is running to unseat Rep. Scott Perry (R, Pa.).

National Politics

Janelle Stelson’s fundraising prowess has shifted her odds against Scott Perry

Aliya Schneider

What Subscribers Are Reading

Hamza Muhammad (center) and his brother Abdul address the hundreds who attended the Philly Run Tribe's final run of the season on Oct. 1.

Five West Philly friends turned their Kelly Drive run into a weekly gathering of 250 people

The five friends, who helped start the Philly Run Tribe in June, ran on the parkway for 16 straight Tuesdays. "This isn’t just for the fast runners. This is for everyone," Abdul Muhammad said.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.) has changed his positions on several issues since taking office.

Pennsylvania Politics

Why Sen. Bob Casey has changed his positions on abortion and same-sex marriage — and why his opponent doesn’t talk much about it

Sean Collins Walsh

Grab a Delco lager from 2SP and join me in imagining where the most Delco place for a political town hall would be.

An unserious list of 10 places where CNN should hold Kamala Harris’ Delco town hall

Stephanie Farr | Columnist

Which Phillies Should Stay or Go? Swipe and Decide

Who should return to the Phillies and who should move on? See our picks and make your own.

Scott Lauber and Alex Coffey

This 1966 microscope photo provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli, the organism responsible for causing the disease tuberculosis. The number of U.S. tuberculosis cases in 2023 were the highest in a decade, according to the CDC.

How an unprecedented cluster of tuberculosis cases was treated at Nemours Children’s Hospital

Inquirer Newsletters

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

GIF of Philly Skateplex roller skating rink

🛼 Rolling into nostalgia | Morning Newsletter

Former President Donald Trump stands for a town hall meeting with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem in Oaks on Monday, Oct. 14.

Inquirer Morning Headlines

The power of the suburbs | Morning Newsletter

GIF of Philly Skateplex roller skating rink

🛼 Rolling into nostalgia | Morning Newsletter

Former President Donald Trump stands for a town hall meeting with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem in Oaks on Monday, Oct. 14.

Inquirer Morning Headlines

The power of the suburbs | Morning Newsletter

Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at a Republicans for Harris event in Washington Crossing Wednesday. Oct. 16, 2024

The host with the most | PA 2024 Newsletter

Julia Terruso, Sean Collins Walsh, Katie Bernard, Aliya Schneider, and Oona Goodin-Smith

Ramen is ready to be served from the kitchen of Sango Kura on Friday, April 22, 2022 in the Delaware Water Gap, PA. The establishment is a converted diner space, and has been open since 2018. .

🍜 Appalachian Trail eats | Outdoorsy Newsletter

Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at a Republicans for Harris event in Washington Crossing Wednesday. Oct. 16, 2024

The host with the most | PA 2024 Newsletter

Julia Terruso, Sean Collins Walsh, Katie Bernard, Aliya Schneider, and Oona Goodin-Smith

Ramen is ready to be served from the kitchen of Sango Kura on Friday, April 22, 2022 in the Delaware Water Gap, PA. The establishment is a converted diner space, and has been open since 2018. .

🍜 Appalachian Trail eats | Outdoorsy Newsletter

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Inside the 76: Philly restaurants with great vibes

by Staff Reports

HEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photographer

Tap to see moreSee more

Bad Brother

Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

Nestled in a corner rowhouse so nondescript you could walk right by, this understated Fairmount gastropub turns out bar fare that would make it the envy of any neighborhood. — Jenn Ladd

China Gourmet

Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer

A touchstone for Northeast Philly’s growing Chinese community, China Gourmet is Philadelphia’s preeminent Cantonese dim sum hall — perhaps in part because the cavernous space can seat 400 at its lazy Susan-topped round tables. — Jasen Lo

Continue reading

El Cantinflas Bar and Taco Place

Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

This neighborhood spot offers a greatest hits medley of Puerto Rican street food. The atmosphere is relaxed — reggaetón plays from a jukebox while patrons sip milkshake-thick piña coladas in to-go cups. — Beatrice Forman

Gaucho’s Prime

Caean Couto / For The Inquirer

Formally attired gauchos patrol the handsomely appointed dining room of this Brazilian churrascaria in King of Prussia, showing up tableside bearing knives and sizzling skewers of grilled meats. — Michael Klein

Li Beirut

Craig LaBan

Genial host and owner Tony Massoud works every table in Li Beirut's breezy dining room while wife Patricia Massoud cooks the cuisine of her youth. It’s impossible to order incorrectly here. — Michael Klein

Middle Child Clubhouse

Craig LaBan / Staff

A blinking neon martini glass and coffee mug sign, a poster of Princess Diana in her iconic Eagles varsity jacket, and a conspicuously positioned pool table lean into Matt Cahn’s penchant for inventive twists on classics. — Hira Qureshi

Restaurant Gamarjoba

Craig LaBan / Staff

The best of Philly's Georgian spots. Start with the cold eggplant rolls stuffed with walnut sauce, then go for the khachapuri adjaruli, a cheese boat topped with an egg yolk that’s mixed-in tableside for added richness. — Craig LaBan

Scannicchio’s

Caean Couto / For The Inquirer

Scannicchio’s is the kind of unassuming, friendly “post-red gravy” BYOB that you wish was on your block, perfect for a low-key weeknight celebration or for catching up with an old friend over a heap of penne. — Margaret Eby

Sulimay’s

Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

This Fishtown staple's got everything you love about a diner, including nostalgic tchotchkes and saucy servers. But add (sausage) gravy in the form of chef-owner Chad Todd's insistence on community sourcing and execution. — Jenn Ladd

Vientiane Cafe

CHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer

This standby, decorated with tapestries and ornate masks, delivers bold renditions of Lao cuisine, from the khao poon “king soup” and soulful tom saap braised beef hot pot to crunchy rice naam salad with lettuce wraps. — Craig La

Zeppoli

Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

The $55 prix fixe has to be one of the best deals in the greater Philadelphia area, with three dishes included, but add-ons allowed — encouraged, even. — Margaret Eby

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Photograph by Elizabeth Coetzee

Photograph by Elizabeth Coetzee

The 76: The most vital restaurants in the Philly area

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

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Taco Bell asked Philly chef Reuben Asaram to reinvent the Crunchwrap Supreme. Here’s what he did.

Beatrice Forman

Philly chef Reuben Asaram (right) was one of three chefs tapped by Taco Bell to revamp the Crunchwrap Supreme. His Indian Buffet Crunchwrap (left) could land in stores sometime in 2025.

Little Water, the sequel to River Twice, is ‘a coastal love letter’

Some of the menu at Little Water (clockwise from top left): peekytoe crab hash brown; Lancaster County chicken brined with shio koji; swordfish Milanese with a potato chip crust; and the grande plateau, a collection of raw and chilled seafood, including Sweet Amalia oysters, Jersey dug clams, royal red shrimp cocktail, scarlet crab claws, chilled lobster, and vineyard bay scallops.

Taste coffee from over 30 roasters at the inaugural Philly Coffee Festival

La Colombe in Philadelphia, Pa. Monday, May 6, 2024.

For one night only, this underground supper club in Philly serves the ‘love language for Arabs’ with a big Lebanese feast

Chef Miled Finianos hosts Habibi Supper Club one ot two nights a month.

Health & Science

Thomas Jefferson University, headquartered in Philadelphia, outlined $530 million in capital spending projects that it will pay for with part of a $1.1 billion debt offering.

Jefferson Health plans $530 million in capital projects in Philly and at Lehigh Valley Health

Harold Brubaker

Inspectors did not find any safety problems at Jefferson Lansdale between February and July.

Six months of inspections at Jefferson Lansdale Hospital: February to July

FILE - United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy discusses the importance of social connection to our mental and physical well-being with Matthew McConaughey, obscured at right, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, in Austin, Texas. The U.S. surgeon general has called on Congress to require warning labels on social media platforms similar to those now mandatory on cigarette boxes. In a Monday, June 17, 2024, opinion piece in the The New York Times, Dr. Vivek Murthy said that social media is a contributing factor in the mental health crisis among young people.(Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File)

I’m a doctor. Here’s how limiting social media can improve your health.

Trisha Pasricha, Washington Post

Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia.

Penn’s hit-and-run shows it’s time for violence against ER nurses and doctors to stop

K. Jane Muir and Anish K. Agarwal

Thomas Jefferson University, headquartered in Philadelphia, outlined $530 million in capital spending projects that it will pay for with part of a $1.1 billion debt offering.

Jefferson Health plans $530 million in capital projects in Philly and at Lehigh Valley Health

Harold Brubaker

Inspectors did not find any safety problems at Jefferson Lansdale between February and July.

Six months of inspections at Jefferson Lansdale Hospital: February to July

FILE - United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy discusses the importance of social connection to our mental and physical well-being with Matthew McConaughey, obscured at right, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, in Austin, Texas. The U.S. surgeon general has called on Congress to require warning labels on social media platforms similar to those now mandatory on cigarette boxes. In a Monday, June 17, 2024, opinion piece in the The New York Times, Dr. Vivek Murthy said that social media is a contributing factor in the mental health crisis among young people.(Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File)

I’m a doctor. Here’s how limiting social media can improve your health.

Trisha Pasricha, Washington Post

Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia.

Penn’s hit-and-run shows it’s time for violence against ER nurses and doctors to stop

K. Jane Muir and Anish K. Agarwal

The Editorial Board recommends incumbent Bob Casey in the race to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate.

Bob Casey to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate | Endorsement

The Editorial Board

Elon Musk rebranded Twitter into X in July 2023, and the changes he's made to the social media platform have led to the emergence of alternate sites like Bluesky and Mastodon.

It’s time to say goodbye to Elon Musk’s X. Changes to blocking will endanger people.

Gwen Snyder, For The Inquirer

Yahya Sinwar speaks to foreign correspondents in his office in Gaza City in 2018. The death of the Hamas leader provides an opportunity for Israel to end the war, writes Trudy Rubin, one that should not be squandered.

Yahya Sinwar, Oct. 7 mastermind, was killed in Gaza. What now?

Trudy Rubin | Columnist

Gun violence prevention programs have helped lower the number of shootings in the city this year. But the funding for many of them will run out at the end of December. So, Ogechi Nwodim writes, what will happen next?

Philly has made surprising progress in lowering the murder rate this year. Let’s not throw it all away.

Ogechi Nwodim, For The Inquirer

The Editorial Board recommends incumbent Bob Casey in the race to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate.

Bob Casey to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate | Endorsement

The Editorial Board

Elon Musk rebranded Twitter into X in July 2023, and the changes he's made to the social media platform have led to the emergence of alternate sites like Bluesky and Mastodon.

It’s time to say goodbye to Elon Musk’s X. Changes to blocking will endanger people.

Gwen Snyder, For The Inquirer

Yahya Sinwar speaks to foreign correspondents in his office in Gaza City in 2018. The death of the Hamas leader provides an opportunity for Israel to end the war, writes Trudy Rubin, one that should not be squandered.

Yahya Sinwar, Oct. 7 mastermind, was killed in Gaza. What now?

Trudy Rubin | Columnist

Gun violence prevention programs have helped lower the number of shootings in the city this year. But the funding for many of them will run out at the end of December. So, Ogechi Nwodim writes, what will happen next?

Philly has made surprising progress in lowering the murder rate this year. Let’s not throw it all away.

Ogechi Nwodim, For The Inquirer

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