The Jan. 6 cases, four years later | Morning Newsletter
❄️ And Poconos town revival.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Good morning, Philly. City kids, enjoy your day off as up to 4 inches of snow is expected to fall on the region.
Congress will gather today to certify the 2024 presidential election. As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take the oath of office outside the U.S. Capitol later this month, what will become of the Philly-area residents convicted of storming that building four years ago in a bid to keep him in power?
And Honesdale in the Poconos was dubbed cool in 2020 — now, it’s hotter than ever. Here’s what to know to start your week.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Exactly four years after the 2020 election certification ceremony was interrupted by pro-Trump rioters, Congress is set to certify the results of another presidential election.
This year’s process is unlikely to unfold as Jan. 6, 2021, did. But it comes as many legal cases related to those attacks remain unresolved.
About 10% of the more than 1,500 people charged have been from Pennsylvania or New Jersey. Because the president-elect has promised to pardon scores of Jan. 6 defendants as soon as he is sworn in for his next term, some Philly-area residents have already sought to delay their pending cases until after Trump is inaugurated.
Local residents who could benefit from Trump’s clemency include the former president of the Philadelphia Proud Boys chapter, and a Somerset, N.J., native who is serving six years in prison after pleading guilty to deploying pepper spray against Capitol police officers.
Reporter Chris Palmer details the unsettled reality surrounding the Jan. 6 prosecutions.
Plus: Reporter Fallon Roth explains how election certification works, from Congress’ role to what happens if a lawmaker objects to results.
What you should know today
On the campaign trail last year, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called Trump an existential threat. Now, he says he’s ready to work with him.
A father shot his adult son during an argument Saturday in East Mount Airy, according to police.
A second person has been charged in the killing of Devin Weedon, a 15-year-old Simon Gratz student who was fatally shot on his way to school in 2023 during what police said was an attempted robbery.
Philly police added SWAT vehicles outside the Eagles’ game Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field to make fans feel “a little more secure” after the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans.
Gloucester Township police said a woman was rescued Sunday afternoon after she and her two dogs fell through ice on Timber Creek.
A patient being treated for a brain bleed at Langhorne’s St. Mary Medical Center last fall was given more than twice the necessary amount of an anti-blood clot medication after a nurse incorrectly reported their weight.
The Port Richmond Library is closed indefinitely because its roof is falling apart. Leaks abound and plaster is falling on the inside.
Three McLarens, a Cybertruck, and dozens of other vehicles will zoom into Philadelphia on Jan. 11 for the annual auto show.
Honesdale has undergone a revival of “cool” in the past few years, complete with tattoo shops, yoga studios, and art galleries. About 150 miles north of Philadelphia, the once-sleepy Poconos town is transforming into a place tourists want to visit.
Young people who grew up there want to move back, too.
“It has only gotten better here,” a 30-year-old Honesdale native who owns both an Airbnb loft and a charcuterie spot told The Inquirer. “It’s still up-and-coming, too.”
As rural Pennsylvania towns face population declines, that enthusiasm is what many need to remain viable.
Rural reporter Jason Nark has the story on Honesdale’s revival.
Heads up, Eagles fans: Tune into beat reporter Jeff McLane’s Reddit AMA tomorrow. He’ll be answering your burning questions about the Birds as they enter postseason. Join the conversation at 9 a.m. ET.
🧠 Trivia time
Which is not true about the connection between cold weather and catching respiratory viruses such as the cold and flu?
A) Virus transmission is easier when temperatures are low
B) Cold weather can affect nasal immunity
C) Wet hair in outdoor air can make you sick
D) Many viruses remain infectious longer and replicate faster in colder temperatures
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
🖌️ Prepping for: The Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention, which starts Jan. 24.
🍰 Drooling over: The sparkly, glittering treats at Kensington’s newest bakery.
🐹 Binging: Human vs. Hamster, the unhinged game show hosted by a Philly resident.
🎒 Considering: How to increase the number of Black educators.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: The 125-year-old Gilded Age mansion in Elkins Park
HALLOWED NYLON
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Randall Hoppmann, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Charles Barkley. The former Sixers star was the first guest on Jason Kelce’s new late-night show, but some of Barkley’s best moments were left on the cutting-room floor. (P.S. Check out our photo gallery from the filming of the first episode.)
Photo of the day
Your “only in Philly” story
📬 Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if you’re not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again — or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.
This “only in Philly” story comes from reader Bonnie Zetick, who describes a traffic-related bonding moment:
I grew up in Indiana, Pa., 60 miles east of Pittsburgh. In 1972, I moved to Philadelphia, and have been here ever since. I love Philadelphia, have always taken advantage of the many sights and attractions here, and have often been the go-to person when coworkers or others have out-of-town guests, and want to know what to do with them.
Still, I have felt left out when people talked about their childhood memories growing up in Philly. It was clear that I lacked that background and many local references escaped me.
Then in 1995, my husband and I and two baseball aficionados went to the Baseball Hall of Fame induction of Mike Schmidt and Richie Ashburn in Cooperstown, N.Y. Mike called it a “Sea of Red” as he began his induction speech to the estimated crowd of 20,000 people.
As the packed bus from the parking lot slowly made its way to the grounds where the ceremony was being held, someone yelled out “It’s just like being on the Schuylkill!” I looked around to see some people confused about what this person was talking about, but I knew exactly what he meant. Philly fans all laughed, none harder than me. I belonged! I was a Philadelphian who knew all about the Schuylkill Expressway!
I’ve now 52 years under my belt being a Philadelphian, and am still in love with Philly, the people, the history, the neighborhoods, and the mayor’s enthusiasm for the city.
👋 With that affection in mind, have a great start to your week. I’ll see you back here tomorrow morning.
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