Philadelphia Inquirer

Police now believe Grays Ferry mass shooting wasn’t a targeted attack, and victims were shot by partygoers firing aimlessly Police no longer believe the July 7 shooting on the 1500 block of Etting Street was targeted.

“Someone fired a gun, and then, contagiously, multiple people started firing guns,” Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said. “I don’t even know they were 100% positive what they were shooting at.”

Kelly Drive closures planned in August for resurfacing work Portions of the road will be closed on weeknights between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The closures will begin Monday and run through Aug. 29 on weeknights for milling and paving, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced Wednesday.

Inside the fight to save more than a dozen Independence Park exhibits from potential Trump admin removal in September Two Philadelphians are working to preserve or archive historic sites at Independence National Historical Park before items are removed or covered by the Trump administration in the fall.

In roughly six weeks, more than a dozen exhibits about slavery at Independence National Historical Park could be removed or covered up by the Department of Interior.

Philadelphians are trying to preserve or archive these sites before it could be too late.

Claims in N.E. Philly plane crash expected to exhaust airline’s $10 million insurance policy Dozens of claims have been filed on behalf of property owners and people injured or killed - with potentially hundreds more likely to sue.

Dozens of claims have been filed on behalf of property owners and people injured or killed — with potentially hundreds more likely to sue.

A Montgomery County goat rescuer raised thousands to rebuild her sanctuary. Now she’s being charged with animal torture.

We dig into the House of Wiggle case.

🔗 www.inquirer.com/news/erin-mi...

If Jeffrey Lurie wants a new stadium, let him pay for it | Mike Sielski The team's owner has been angling for a new stadium, one with a dome. But the city and state's taxpayers should not have to pay the freight.

“It’s pretty simple,” writes Inquirer columnist Mike Sielski. “If the Eagles want a new stadium, they should build it. And if the Eagles want a new stadium, they should pay for it.”

unCovering the Birds: Preseason update 1 In this episode, Jeff McLane breaks down Hurts’ role, the risks of his dual-threat style, and how it’s shaping the Eagles’ offensive game plan.

Inquirer reporter Jeff McLane begins his journey through the Eagles’ 2025 season by examining Jalen Hurts’ role in the run game.

Listen to the full episode here ⤵️

A legal battle over the founding of TikTok is playing out in a Norristown courtroom Two China-based Susquehanna contractors allege Jeff Yass' firm cut them out of profit sharing while quietly developing ByteDance without their knowledge.

A trial that will determine whether Republican Party megadonor Jeff Yass’ investment firm owes millions to early investors in a company whose technology, they allege, would eventually help launch TikTok is underway in Norristown.

Student loan interest resumes today for SAVE plan borrowers. Here’s what to do next. Student loans in the SAVE repayment plan are now accruing interest. Here's what to know, and how to switch income-driven repayment (IDR) plans.

Starting today — Aug. 1 — interest will begin accruing again on federal student loans for nearly 500,000 borrowers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware who are enrolled in the now-paused SAVE repayment plan.

Hotel workers want better pay ahead of Philly’s big tourism year Unionized workers across eight Philadelphia hotels are negotiating new contracts ahead of the expected economic influx from tourism in 2026.

Roughly 1,000 room attendants, cooks, servers, bartenders, dishwashers, and banquet staff represented by Unite Here Local 274 in Philadelphia could go on strike if they don’t get raises, more robust staffing, and pension improvements.

Many Regional Rail riders would feel an extra bite from proposed SEPTA service cuts, with most midday trains coming every two hours instead of every hour beginning Aug. 24, SEPTA officials told The Inquirer.

🔗 inquirer.com/transportati...

The scorching heat and stifling humidity that has blanketed the Philadelphia region this week is expected to finally abate Friday. But that relief comes at a price.

Namely, storms that were hitting the area starting Thursday afternoon.

inquirer.com/weather/phil...

Mike and Debbie Davis are creating new lives for themselves as filmmakers after spending 40 years in prison The former MOVE members have found a new form of activism: celebrating the achievements of their formerly incarcerated friends

“There are 600,000 returning citizens who come home each year,” said Mike. “Most are trying to restart their lives and make positive differences in their communities.”

“So, we decided to make a film,” Debbie chimed in. “To spotlight returning citizens who are doing good things.” (2/2)

Mike and Debbie Davis are creating new lives for themselves as filmmakers after spending 40 years in prison. (1/2)

🔗 inquirer.com/entertainmen...

Flash flooding and severe storms are possible in the Philly region Thursday A flood watch for the entire Philadelphia area is in effect from 2 p.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday. A severe thunderstorm watch is also in place.

There is potential for damaging winds and significant flash flooding this afternoon and evening in the Philadelphia region.

$11M worth of trailer classrooms will relieve crowding at Lincoln High, but neighbors are fighting them Some Northeast neighbors are challenging trailer classrooms at Lincoln High. Their zoning appeal calls into question whether 900 freshman will be able to use the classrooms when school starts Aug. 25.

Lincoln High was built for 1,700 students, but nearly 2,500 were jammed in last school year.

The Philadelphia School District’s was going to erect trailers to relieve crowding, but some Northeast neighbors are challenging the plan.

How Philly Planned Parenthood is responding to the Trump administration’s attempts to restrict Medicaid payments A federal judge ruled that the policy violated the organization's First Amendment rights. But the Trump administration is likely to appeal the ruling, leaving affiliates unsure of their next move.

A federal judge ruled that Planned Parenthood can continue to bill Medicaid for services other than abortion, after a provision in President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” blocked clinics and health centers from accessing that funding.

Here's how Philly Planned Parenthood is responding 👇

Her Delco home was crowned the ‘Ugliest House in America’ on HGTV As part of winning the season six finale, Upper Darby homeowner Justine Mays received $150,000 worth of renovations to her house.

Today, Justine Mays’ Upper Darby home looks very little like it did before.

As her prize for beating out houses across the country, Mays received a $150,000 home makeover — a very pink home makeover — and she’s absolutely tickled about it.

Gordon Ramsay put a North Philadelphia restaurant under the microscope. It was not pretty. The irascible chef set up hidden cameras at Pretty Girls Cook in North Philadelphia, and helped owner Dominique Shields clean up her act.

Dominique Shields and Pretty Girls Cook were in the hot seat this week on “Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service,” which visited several restaurants in the Greater Philadelphia area during a taping blitz this spring.

This Chestnut Hill man wants to be composted after he dies. Here’s how he plans to do it.

🔗 www.inquirer.com/politics/new...

Pa.'s unregulated weed stores are booming — but tests show the products are rife with toxic and illicit chemicals.

We purchased 10 hemp products from 10 stores across the region, and then paid for a laboratory to test them.

🔗 Here's what we found: www.inquirer.com/news/a/penns...

Police seek help in identifying suspects in West Philly rec center shooting that injured 5, including two children Gunfire erupted at the Christy Recreation Center on Wednesday afternoon as families gathered at the pool on a day when temperatures topped 90 degrees.

Philadelphia police are asking the public for help in identifying four people who they say were involved in the shooting.

A boy and girl, ages 10 and 11, and 3 others wounded by gunfire outside rec center in West Philly Police said individuals involved in an earlier fight at Christy Recreation Center apparently returned and started shooting at people on the street.

A 10-year-old boy, an 11-year-old girl, and three other people were wounded by gunfire Wednesday afternoon outside a recreation center in West Philadelphia.

It was the third city shooting in less than a week with four or more victims that included children.

Pope Leo XIV is a Villanova Wildcats basketball and Chicago White Sox baseball fan, but it's unclear where his football loyalties lie. After he was presented with an Eagles hat Wednnesday, the pope didn’t put it on.

📝 by Nate File / Staff
📹 Courtesy of CatholicSat
✂️ by Astrid Rodrigues / Staff

Meet the Philly filmmakers presenting films at this year’s BlackStar Film Festival From a mermaid's tale of self-discovery to a Toni Cade Bambara biography, city filmmakers are telling stories that meet the pulse of the times.

Don’t miss filmmaker Louis Massiah’s “TCB — The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing,” which will be featured at this year’s BlackStar Film Festival. (2/2)

Philly is a hub for artists of color today, thanks to trailblazers like Toni Cade Bambara The writer, educator, activist, and filmmaker worked to create a city that serves the city's artists. 'In many ways, she had prophesied BlackStar.'

The writer, educator, activist, and filmmaker worked to create a city that serves the city's artists. “In many ways, she had prophesied BlackStar.” (1/2)

Kamala Harris will not run for California governor, opening door for 2028 run Harris’ decision extends a guessing game about her political future that started after she lost last year’s presidential election to Donald Trump.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris will not run for California governor next year, leaving open the possibility that she could mount a third run for the White House in 2028.

🔗 www.inquirer.com/politics/nat...

Peco is starting a $10 million relief fund for customers with overdue bills The fund will provide low- and middle-income households with $500 grants, at a time when electricity costs are on the rise and AI data centers are demanding more of the power grid.

With electricity costs on the rise, and AI data centers demanding more of the power grid, some local consumers will soon have another way to get relief from high utility bills.

Quinta Brunson says ‘Abbott Elementary’ will film a ‘live event’ in Philly that will make sports fans happy In an Instagram video, the West Philly native teased the show's upcoming fifth season but was tightlipped about details.

There’s nothing more Philly than Philly sports fans — and Quinta Brunson may have a surprise for them in season 5 of “Abbott Elementary.”