How much for a cheesesteak wit’ inflation? | Morning Newsletter
And Independence Hall is in the center of a climate change conflict
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
I went to my local supermarket this weekend to stock up. My family keeps a tight budget, so we generally get a lot of the same things each trip. And that means we usually know what the damage will be, give or take a few bucks.
But as I fumbled with trying to bag it all into my own totes, I wasn’t keeping a close eye on the screen. The bill was $90 higher than we usually spend. 9-0.
That’s the subject of today’s top story, a look at how much rising inflation is affecting our favorite Philly goods. From cheesesteaks to Wawa hoagies, prices are going up, and most of us are feeling the pinch.
— Kerith Gabriel (@sprtswtr, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
John Bucci, owner of John’s Roast Pork in South Philly, says he’s “ready for a nervous breakdown.” He’s worried about the growing price it costs him to make sandwiches, and how he’s had to pass that onto his customers.
One of his sandwiches runs you $12 now. A week ago? $9.75. Across the region, from cheesesteaks to pretzels, inflation has hit just about every Philly staple.
🥨 Five pretzels from Philly Pretzel Factory? They were $3.75. Now? $5.25.
🦃 Sliced deli turkey at ShopRite? It’ll run you $10.99 a pound. In the summer of 2020, it was $8.99.
🥙 Even a Wawa Shorti is $4.99, but over the summer you could still get one for $4.39.
Our reporter Joseph N. DiStefano takes a look at a nationwide inflation crisis and homes in on how it’s affecting your Philly favorites.
What you should know today
All 10 public schools in Lower Merion will be closed today as the school community mourns Lower Merion High School principal Sean Hughes, who died in a car crash.
As the city continues to welcome Afghan refugees, many have found asylum in Northeast Philly.
American Airlines is planning more European flights out of Philadelphia International Airport.
As jury deliberations in the federal trial of labor leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty and City Councilmember Bobby Henon enter their fourth day, here’s a look at what jurors are considering.
District Attorney Larry Krasner’s office alleges that city prosecutors knowingly withheld evidence in the trial over a 2003 murder. And it’s being said that this is not the first time.
Our national columnist Will Bunch takes a look at three ongoing trials he says offer a great deal of insight into America’s justice system.
Trying to get out and do something different this week? Consider the following.
Local coronavirus numbers: Here’s your daily look at the latest COVID-19 data.
While the National Park Service plans to switch many of its 46 buildings across the U.S. to natural gas, environmentalists are floored.
At the epicenter of this conflict is Independence Hall, which has been tapped along with other buildings to switch from steam energy to high-efficiency natural gas-fueled systems. But organizations such as the Clean Air Council say there’s a conflict of interest at play. That’s because both the cost-benefit analysis and climate impact reports were produced by Philadelphia Gas Works, which stands to benefit.
Our reporter Andrew Maykuth has this story and the lasting impact this move could have.
🧠 Philly Trivia Time 🧠
The Eagles defeated the Broncos, 30-13 yesterday in Denver. I had to access our archive to see when that happened last. Take a guess and then check out the image above for the date.
Photo of the day
That’s all for now. Here’s hoping you have a great start to your week.