Welcome to May and happy Friday, Philly! We’ll start the month and end the week with high temps in the mid-60s.
Marijuana legalization and more potent THC products could be to blame for the rise in cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, doctors say. They’re seeing an uptick of cases in the Philly region.
And a civic group in Manayunk is looking to rebuild a set of stairs that could help connect the community.
Plus, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and some of the city’s biggest boosters led DNC officials around Philadelphia this week, and more news of the day.
— Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Emergency medicine doctors across the Philadelphia region say they are grappling with a surge in cases of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), which can unexpectedly emerge in longtime marijuana users.
Telltale signs of CHS include stomach pain, nausea, “scromiting” (scream vomiting), and compulsive hot showering, as it may ease the other physical symptoms.
Higher levels of THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, are a big part of what’s driving the uptick in cases of CHS, said Kory London, codirector of Jefferson Addiction Multidisciplinary Service and an emergency medicine doctor. Unprecedented accessibility to marijuana is also a driving factor.
Researchers are studying why it strikes some chronic users and not others. While doctors don’t know the exact cause of CHS, right now the only cure is abstinence.
Inquirer reporter Wendy Ruderman has the full story.
The steep public stairs in Manayunk that connect Dawson Street to Main Street and the Schuylkill closed in 2012. According to the city, they deteriorated and there was a lack of money to fix them.
Thirteen years after Philadelphia officials condemned and removed part of the stairway, some residents, with the backing of the Wissahickon Neighbors Civic Association (WissNCA), are mounting a renewed push to get it rebuilt.
WissNCA president Vicki Beechler argues that 2012 data that stated the stairs were barely used no longer reflect the reality of the rapidly evolving neighborhood.
“Our neighborhood has changed so much. Walkability is really important to folks,” Beechler said.
WissNCA is calling for an updated engineering assessment, the active pursuit of state and federal infrastructure grants, and transparent community engagement in the design process.
What you should know today
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The Philadelphia school board voted 6-3 to approve a sweeping facilities plan that includes the closure of 17 schools.
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Federal authorities have charged a minor in connection with hoax active-shooter calls that led to widespread panic at Villanova University and a number of other institutions in August.
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The House voted to fund much of the Department of Homeland Security, ending the longest agency shutdown in history.
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Democratic National Committee officials traveled to Philadelphia this week and our host committee rolled out the red carpet to lure the presidential nominating convention back to the city.
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Temple University and AtlantiCare have agreed to open a four-year medical school campus in Atlantic City, with the first class expected to enroll in 2029, the organizations announced.
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Thursday was New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s 100th day in office. Her time so far has been marked by many milestones, including battles with the president, efforts to bring more energy generation, and her first budget proposal.
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Center City is slated to see road closures and parking restrictions this afternoon for a rally and march held in honor of May Day.
Welcome back to Curious Philly Friday. We’ll feature both new and timeless stories from our forum for readers to ask about the city’s quirks.
This week, we’re resurfacing an explainer on potholes, a roadside hazard drivers of the city are all too familiar with.
Bumpy roads are back, as spring means the beginning of the end for freeze-and-thaw cycles that can lead to treacherous terrain on the roads. It’s also time for pothole repairs to get into full swing, with a handful of city crews filling potholes every day. Here’s the full story.
Have your own burning question about Philadelphia, its local oddities, or how the region works? Submit it here and you might find the answer featured in this space.
🧠 Trivia time
The Devil Wears Prada and its sequel may center on New York, but multiple cast members have Philly and Philly-region roots. Anne Hathaway’s ties are well known, and the original book’s author is from Allentown. But a recent 6abc interview revealed that this costar also has regional ties:
A) Stanley Tucci
B) Meryl Streep
C) Emily Blunt
D) Caleb Hearon
Test your local news know-how and check your answer in our weekly quiz.
What we’re …
👟 Counting: How long it takes to complete the Broad Street Run! We ran the numbers.
🐎 Learning about: The 2026 Kentucky Derby. Check out a horse-by-horse analysis, as well as predictions.
🍝 Saying: “Pasta la vista” to Borromini’s 100-layer lasagna, which was pulled from the menu.
🏠 Exploring: A century-old, 22-room Wallingford estate on the market.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: The songwriter and pop star behind “Driver’s License.”
GOD RAVIOLI RIO
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Judy Hirsch, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Northern Liberties. Danny Childs, a James Beard Award-winning bartender, is opening a cocktail bar in the neighborhood.
Photo of the day
🏒 One more fun thing: Check out Inquirer video that shows where Cam York’s stick ended up in the midst of the Flyers’ overtime celebration.
👋 Later, Philly!
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