Prayer and protest on Inauguration Day | Morning Newsletter
💰 And West Philly charter owes millions.
The Morning Newsletter
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Hi, Philly.
This Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which means plenty of opportunities to give back in Greater Philadelphia. Meanwhile, local immigrants’ rights groups plan to counter the presidential inauguration happening the same day with music and prayer. Others are taking to the streets as Donald Trump takes office.
And a West Philly charter owes the school district $30 million for students it overenrolled. Should it have to pay?
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Monday will be a busy day for civically engaged Americans. This year, the federal holiday that honors a slain civil rights leader falls on Jan. 20, as does Trump’s second inauguration.
In Philadelphia: Expect community events from immigration advocates to counter the inauguration, as well as volunteer and learning opportunities in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Inauguration Day: Trump has promised a raft of harsh immigration-enforcement orders starting on his first day in office. In response, advocacy groups will host events such as a concert performed by immigrant and refugee musicians and a public prayer gathering. Some are also calling for Philadelphians to support sanctuary city policies amid what they consider Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s failure to give them a full-throated endorsement.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: The annual day of service will feature volunteer events, educational programs, and celebrations of his legacy. Several history museums will host free programming, while the annual Greater Philadelphia MLK Day of Service — the nation’s largest — returns with nearly 100 events to give back.
Like all Philly charter schools, West Philadelphia Achievement Charter Elementary School receives a set amount of funding per student from the school district. It’s also limited by an enrollment cap of 400 students.
💰 But WPACES enrolled many more than that — upward of 200 extra students a year since 2010. Following a ruling from the state Department of Education, it now owes the district $30 million, the equivalent of what it has received for educating those extra students.
💰 The school’s chief executive called the situation “a classic David versus Goliath,” arguing that the money was still spent on children’s education and shouldn’t need to be repaid. WPACES intends to appeal the state’s decision.
Education reporter Kristen A. Graham has the full story.
What you should know today
Pam Bondi, Trump’s nominee for U.S. attorney general, repeatedly brought up Pennsylvania as she declined to answer who won the 2020 presidential election in her Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday.
The Philly District Attorney’s Office is reviewing a conviction in the 1988 murder of 5-year-old Marcus Yates. An Inquirer investigation found Michael Gaynor was not the gunman.
Two men who participated in the fatal shooting of Philadelphia SWAT Cpl. James O’Connor IV in 2020 pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges including murder and racketeering.
Noah Scurry, a 17-year-old student athlete gunned down outside his North Philly home on Tuesday morning, is remembered as an “exceptional student” and someone with “a caring and loving heart.”
Sixers owner Josh Harris was interviewed by the FBI last year in connection with New Jersey prosecutors’ racketeering case against George E. Norcross III, according to court records.
The Curtis Institute of Music will be permitted to purchase the Art Alliance building owned by the shuttered University of the Arts.
A $10 painting found at a Glenside thrift store turned out to be the work of a famed 19th-century artist, collector, and curator. Experts say it’s a clue to Philadelphia’s storied Black history.
Take a sneak peek at the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show, with a future-focused theme.
🧠 Trivia time
A celebrated director is heading to the Jersey Shore this spring to film a UFO movie (and the production team is searching for local extras to join the cast). Who is the director?
A) Martin Scorcese
B) Spike Lee
C) Steven Spielberg
D) Kathryn Bigelow
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🍿 Watching: Unstoppable, the story of wrestler Anthony Robles with strong Rocky influences.
🦅 Ordering: Eagles-themed snacks and party trays for playoffs parties.
🏛️ Ogling: This $1.75 million mansion on the Delaware with a George Washington connection.
🎶 Blasting: Bad Bunny’s new album, his love letter to the people of Puerto Rico.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: South Philadelphia ship hub
VARY ANDY
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Katie Colaneri, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Key Card. SEPTA’s electronic fare-payment system has been plagued with issues, and the agency is now looking to spend $211 million on upgrades.
Photo of the day
🕊️ One last memorable thing: On Wednesday, which would have been Fanta Bility’s 12th birthday, Sharon Hill Park was renamed for the girl, who was killed by a stray bullet when gunfire erupted outside a high school football game in 2021. Her family hopes the Fanta Bility Memorial Playground will keep her memory alive as future generations of children use it as a haven and enjoy it as she did.
Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. See you tomorrow.
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