Welcome to April, Philly! Whatās that old saying, āApril showers bring May flowers?ā Well, weāre looking at the possibility of some showers today, and the temperature will be near 80.
A legal fight over coal mining in southwestern Pennsylvania is brewing. An environmental groupās efforts to restore state land is running up against an industry that isnāt done digging up fossil fuels.
And get ready for a busy month in Phillyās restaurant scene. We have new restaurants opening, the return of a former city staple, and James Beard Award nominees.
Plus, a judge ruled that Penn must release the names of people affiliated with campus Jewish organizations to the Trump administration, and more news of the day.
ā Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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A fight over Gov. Josh Shapiroās energy policies is playing out. The dispute started in 2024, when activists petitioned regulators to preemptively declare 11,000 acres off-limits for mining.
That threatened to undermine expansion plans by a major Pennsylvania coal company. The firmās affiliates have received tens of millions of dollars in state subsidies. And the owners are also major campaign donors to Shapiro and state Republican lawmakers.
The coal company lobbied the state to reject the mining restriction. After consulting Shapiroās office, environmental regulators did just that.
But that rejection spurred litigation ā and the documents from that dispute now offer a window into how Shapiro is navigating energy politics in a major fossil fuel-producing state ahead of a possible 2028 presidential campaign.
This is no April Foolās joke, Philly. The cityās restaurant scene is busy this month.
š There are seven Philly finalists for the 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards. Michelin-recommended Thai restaurant Kalaya and Italian bakery and cafĆ© Fiore are some names on the list.
š² Several new restaurants are slated to open this month, from pizza places to a Vietnamese-Cajun-inspired spot, Carolynās Modern Vietnamese.
šŗ Plus, an old classic is making a comeback. Iron Hill Brewery, which closed all locations and filed for bankruptcy last year, is set to return to Market East.
What you should know today
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The University of Pennsylvania must release lists of people affiliated with Jewish organizations on its campus, a federal court judge ruled on Tuesday. Penn had argued that releasing the information would put employees at risk.
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Convicted former labor leader John J. Dougherty will be permitted to hold a hearing about his request to have his prison term cut short to care for his gravely ill wife.
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Parkside Borough Council President Dominic Capobianco used a borough-issued gas card to fill up his personal vehicle, and his wifeās, stealing $2,500 from the tiny Delaware County town, according to the DA.
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A Kensington elementary school parent has accused the Philadelphia School District of unfairly foisting a school closure, despite it not being on the list of 18 schools facing shutdown.
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Phillyās government is slowly rebuilding its workforce after the COVID-19 pandemic, with officials saying the number of unfilled jobs is at its lowest point in several years.
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Gov. Josh Shapiro hosted an official statewide pep rally ahead of Pennsylvaniaās major celebrations and sporting events this summer, like the nationās 250th and the FIFA World Cup.
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Uber is expanding its program that offers free and discounted rides to seniors to Northeast Philadelphia through KleinLife.
Quote of the day
Visa and Bank of America are transforming a Fishtown park into a hub for community soccer matches and development in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup in Philadelphia. Visa and Bank of America will open the Visa Street Soccer Park at 1036 N. Front St., a refurbishment of Fishtownās Tiptop Playground.
š§ Trivia time
Which former Eagle and podcaster will do on-course reporting during the popular golf event, the Masters Par 3 Contest?
A) Donovan McNabb
B) Nick Foles
C) John Middlekauff
D) Jason Kelce
Think you know? Check your answer.
What weāre ā¦
š” Admiring: A renovated three-bedroom home in Roxborough with an updated kitchen and an electric-vehicle charging station.
ā½ Wondering: Can the U.S. soccer team play in Philadelphia at the World Cup? The answer is: Itās complicated.
š¢ Keeping an eye on: SEPTA is seeking apartment development near its Regional Rail stations.
š± Sniffling about: Sneezinā season is back. Expect a tree-pollen bonanza as temperatures rise this week.
š§© Unscramble the anagram
Hint: This new city-sponsored initiative will focus on turning East Passyunk, Center City, and West Philly into live music destinations.
ELVIN SIGHT WEEK
Email us if you know the answer. Weāll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to James OāConnor, who solved Tuesdayās anagram: Strathmere.
The lifeguard headquarters house in the Cape May County community was demolished over the weekend when local officials deemed it too dangerous after a year of extreme weather left the beach eroded.
Photo of the day
Thatās all for today, folks! Enjoy the first day of April and Iāll be back soon. š
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