🏟️ The sports complex’s future | Morning Newsletter
And charter fights release of its spending trail
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The Morning Newsletter
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Hi, Philly. It will be a day with a high near 61 and a significant weather development: There’s a solid chance of rain, which would bring an end to a record dry run. But it’s still not enough to bust the drought.
The South Philadelphia sports complex has been a nucleus of entertainment for decades, hosting four teams within three venues in one place. This Sunday’s main read explores how the district came to be, and how it could revert to an earlier, less concentrated construct if the Sixers depart to a new arena in Center City.
— Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Prior to the 1970s, Philadelphia’s sports teams were scattered across the city. Now, as the Sixers plan to leave for a new, $1.55 billion arena proposed for Center City, the future of the stadium-district roster could look more like a return to the past.
The team’s departure would mean a roster reset for the first time in 50 years, taking the complex back to an earlier era when grouping the major teams in a single place was a radical idea.
Stadiums have been demolished and replaced over time. But what remains — a place to see all the city’s professional teams along with concerts — is the norm for generations of fans like Notlef Felton, 55, who has cheered home teams at Veterans Stadium and the Spectrum since he was a kid: “This is part of Philadelphia. This is part of who we are,” Felton said.
The district’s utility depends on who you ask. To some, the sports complex is a model of convenience. To others, it’s an asphalt wasteland, too often devoid of people and activity. And it’s not the first time the four-team alignment has come close to ending.
Notable quote: “It’s not going to be the end of the sports district if they leave,” said Janice Woodcock, a city planning director under Mayor John Street. “But we do have to think how we’ll program that building that’s left behind.”
Dive in with reporter Jeff Gammage to learn the history of the complex, and what changes could come if the Sixers ultimately leave.
How does Pennsylvania’s largest cyber charter school spend taxpayer money? Instead of turning those records over, Commonwealth Charter Academy is going to court to block them from being released.
The charter, which has drawn scrutiny for dropping millions of dollars on advertising and real estate, has fended off questions about its spending. Public school advocates say the charter is draining school district money with little accountability for mounting costs.
Eric Epstein, an anti-corruption activist in Harrisburg and a member of the Central Dauphin School Board, is one of the advocates being taken to court by the charter. Epstein founded Rock the Capital, a group that monitors state authorities, boards, and commissions. He submitted a series of Right-to-Know requests to CCA earlier this year.
Education reporter Maddie Hanna details the latest on the CCA’s cases and its fight to keep its spending trail private.
What you should know today
Philadelphia code requires apartment building operators to turn the heat on Oct. 1. But as temperatures become more volatile due to climate change, sweating tenants are pushing for a revision of these regulations.
A 21-year-old Phoenixville man was arrested and charged with fatally shooting his friend during an argument over a video game, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office said Friday night.
Flames broke out late Friday night at Neversink Mountain in Berks County, one of a rash of brush fires in Pa. and New Jersey as an unprecedented dry spell continues. No serious injuries or deaths were reported, and residents were allowed to return to their homes Saturday.
A 46-year-old Pennsauken man and the police officer who fatally shot him during a confrontation Nov. 2 were identified Friday by the N.J. Attorney General’s Office.
Their Pa. Senate race could still go into a recount, but Dave McCormick’s apparent win over three-term Sen. Bob Casey would be a seismic change in state politics. So how did he pull off the victory? It came down to former President Donald Trump, messaging, and money.
Across Philadelphia last week, immigrants and their allies reacted to Trump’s election with dread, worry, and promises to fight anew in what has been one of the nation’s preeminent sanctuary cities.
Constellation Energy has applied to reopen a nuclear power plant on Three Mile Island in the Susquehanna River. The project would require thousands of building-trades workers to do maintenance, replacement, and upgrades over the next three years.
There’s a new luxury ingredient on fine dining menus across the city: a dried seaweed from Korea called gamtae.
Historic Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia has again made history, appointing the first woman pastor in its 237-year existence.
âť“Pop quiz
What concentration of fluoride does Philadelphia’s water authority add to its water supply?
A) 0.07 mg/L
B) 0.5 mg/L
C) 0.7 mg/L
D) 7.0 mg/L
Think you know? Check your answer.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: The biggest nonprofit health system based in the Philadelphia region
ELTON JEFF REHASH
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Kate Vengraitis who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: “Espresso.” The hit track by Bucks County-raised pop star Sabrina Carpenter has been nominated for several Grammys. Several other Philly-area musicians are up for awards.
Photo of the day
🎶 Today’s track goes like this: “Because I remember / The hardest are the times I don’t forget.” Personally, I’m rooting for Justice and Tame Impala for best dance/electronic recording at the Grammys.
👋🏽 That’s it for now. Thanks for reading, and take care out there.