👾 Mysterious drone sightings | Morning Newsletter
And rally for sanctuary city status.
The Morning Newsletter
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Welcome to Wednesday, Philly. Be sure to bundle up: The region could see its heaviest rains in four months, plus 50 mph wind gusts.
The mystery drone sightings in Jersey are spreading to the Philadelphia suburbs, prompting more questions and calls for action from both residents and elected officials. And dozens of immigration activists rallied at City Hall Tuesday to demand Mayor Cherelle L. Parker reaffirm Philly’s sanctuary city status.
Here’s what to know today.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Scores of mysterious drones have been spotted blinking and hovering over New Jersey in the past month — as many as 50 in one night, some as large as cars.
👾 Reports began in northern counties, where the devices prompted concerns because of their proximity to President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course and Picatinny Arsenal. The sightings then spread to South Jersey, and now Philly and its suburbs.
👾 It’s not clear if the drones are coordinated or who’s behind them. The FBI has said it’s investigating, and that they aren’t a security threat. Still, details remain scarce.
👾 Jersey officials, including 20 mayors, are demanding action from Gov. Phil Murphy. Residents want answers, too: “Somebody’s got some explaining to do,” said a Haddonfield man who saw them above his neighborhood and compared their sound to “choppers in a Vietnam War film.”
Reporter Emily Bloch digs into the curious case of the Jersey drones.
Further reading: A Somerset County-based UFO researcher penned an Inquirer op-ed calling for government transparency as the aircrafts are investigated.
Immigrant advocacy groups held a rally and march outside City Hall Tuesday to pressure Mayor Parker to forcefully defend Philadelphia’s sanctuary city status, an increasingly contentious issue for progressive cities nationwide.
Catch up quick: Philly has been a sanctuary city — which means it limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement — since the beginning of Trump’s first term. The city is home to about 47,000 undocumented migrants.
Urgent action: The event came less than six weeks before the reelection of Trump, who has vowed to enact mass deportation and aggressive action on sanctuary cities across the United States.
The mayor’s response: The Parker administration has thus far taken a measured approach when discussing the city’s status. While a candidate last year, Parker said she supported Philadelphia being a sanctuary city. Last week, a spokesperson said the mayor was focused on advancing her own clean-and-green priorities, not responding to the president-elect’s threats.
Reporter Jeff Gammage has the story from the scene.
In other civic news: The 76ers’ Market East arena proposal could get preliminary approval from a City Council committee as soon as this morning, its most significant vote yet.
Visit Inquirer.com for updates throughout the day.
What you should know today
Luigi Mangione, the University of Pennsylvania graduate accused in the slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, told a judge in Blair County, Pa. that he intends to fight his extradition to face murder charges in New York.
The mother of a teen accused of killing West Philly rapper YBC Dul has also been charged with murder. Investigators say she gave a rifle to her son.
Progressive advocacy groups across Philadelphia and Pennsylvania signed on to an open letter calling on President Joe Biden to issue mass pardons before leaving office.
Pennsylvania is projected to see more than a 17% decline in high school graduates by 2041, adding to enrollment pressure for the region’s colleges.
Philadelphia’s inconsistent contracting practices and lack of oversight have left some nonprofits waiting months to be paid by the city, a report released Tuesday says.
Complaints about how Girard Academic Music Program is hiring its principal expose larger flaws in the way the district recruits talent, parents say.
A Bucks County teen who was diagnosed with fatty liver disease and diabetes is suing 11 major food manufacturers over their ultra-processed products.
Tickets for Jason Kelce’s new Philly-filmed late-night show go live today. He’s also the star of Philly’s latest celebrity look-alike contest — one day before a Jalen Hurts contest. Plus: The former Eagle has been cleared by Penn State police in November’s viral phone-throwing incident.
🧠 Trivia time
New Jersey has joined several states in prohibiting what in public and school libraries?
A) Drag events
B) Use of artificial intelligence
C) Book bans
D) Discussion of religion
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
📚 Remembering: Poet Nikki Giovanni and her impact on Philadelphia.
🎄 Ordering: Christmas trees to be delivered right to our homes.
🏀 Applauding: Sixers rookie Jared McCain for using his platform — and style — to highlight women’s sports.
🍴 Skipping: Cooking in favor of takeout for these winter holidays.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Wilmington company that wraps personal vehicles with ads
CAT REVISER
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Kay Rock, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Broad Street. A new Vision Zero report names the major arterial street the most dangerous roadway in the city based on the number of serious-injury and fatal crashes.
Photo of the day
👋 Enjoy your Wednesday. I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning.
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