It’s set to be a sunny Friday, Philly.
Drivers who illegally park in SEPTA trolley lanes and stops could soon be caught in the act by automated enforcement cameras.
And two of 20 city schools slated for closure would be spared under a revised district plan, presented during a heated school board meeting Thursday.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
A warning to all who insist on double parking in the path of the 34 while they make a quick stop into a shop on Baltimore Avenue: The trolley will soon be watching — and tattling.
🚎 As of Monday, artificial intelligence-powered cameras will be mounted on 30 trolleys on six lines in Philadelphia to catch drivers breaking no-parking rules. Violations will carry a $51 fine beginning April 1.
🚎 The new system is meant to benefit riders whose commutes are slowed by stagnant vehicles — trolleys run on fixed rails, so they are unable to steer around them — or who must dodge them when alighting.
🚎 The technology is already at work on 152 SEPTA buses.
Transportation reporter Tom Fitzgerald explains how it works.
In other SEPTA news: Chief executive Scott A. Sauer on Thursday was given a three-year contract with an annual salary of $395,000.
And more AI news: A Gloucester County lawmaker’s new bill aims to get ahead of AI surveillance in New Jersey schools.
Conwell Middle School in Kensington and Motivation High School in Southwest Philly, both small magnets with powerful political allies, have been cut from the Philadelphia School District’s proposed closure list.
The district’s revised $2.8 billion facilities plan was announced by Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. at a Thursday school board meeting. Eighteen schools are still slated for closure, while six would be colocated, and 159 would be upgraded.
Watlington also shared a new plan for Lankenau High: The city’s environmental science magnet is still slated to close, but is now pitched to move into Saul High instead of Roxborough High.
Next, the board is expected to vote in the coming weeks. Schools would begin closing in 2027, and building upgrades would take several years.
Education reporter Kristen A. Graham has more details.
Further reading: See more from Thursday’s lengthy meeting, where school community members shared their frustration and anguish over the district plan.
What you should know today
-
New Jersey joined the growing list of states sued by the Department of Justice after refusing to share personal information of voters.
-
Gov. Josh Shapiro on Thursday pledged to block the Trump administration’s plans for immigration detention centers in Berks and Schuylkill Counties.
-
An affidavit about the student arrests that came after a Quakertown protest last week offers the most detailed account yet of what law enforcement officials say happened that day, but doesn’t mention what appeared to be the chokehold of a teen girl. Community members accused the Quakertown school board Thursday of failing to keep students safe. Plus: The protest has brought scrutiny to Quakertown police chief Scott McElree’s unusual dual role — he is also borough manager — and his controversial social media posts.
-
A sixth person associated with the Young Bag Chasers gang was arrested Wednesday and is expected to be charged with two homicides, prosecutors said. See a timeline of the crimes authorities say led to the arrests of 19 people affiliated with several Philadelphia gangs, including YBC, who they say are responsible for shooting nearly three dozen people in two years.
-
Five city police officers say in a new federal lawsuit they were skipped over for promotions because of a policy change to promote diversity in the municipal workforce.
-
Should Philly politicians have to resign to campaign for new seats? After Thursday’s City Council approval, voters will get to weigh in — again.
-
Walmart delivery drivers in Pennsylvania will receive about $1.4 million as part of a multi-state settlement over withheld tips and other fees.
-
While Congress debates a ban on hemp-derived THC, a smaller push for regulation in Pennsylvania hopes to put THC drinks in beer stores and regulate hemp alongside medical marijuana.
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 have an explainer from reporter Michelle Myers on what happens to artworks, artifacts, and other museum ephemera when they’re not on display. Surely they’re not just stacked in a basement, collecting mothballs — right?
Indeed, oftentimes they’re on loan, used for research, or undergoing restoration. Some items are so fragile, they could even be damaged if they’re not stored away for most of their lives. 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
When Team USA beat out Canada for the men’s hockey gold medal in the 2026 Winter Olympics, how did the players honor late New Jersey native Johnny Gaudreau?
A) They wore special jersey patches with Gaudreau’s initials
B) They announced a new scholarship during a postgame speech
C) USA Hockey renamed the trophy in honor of Gaudreau for 2026
D) They carried Gaudreau’s No. 13 jersey on the ice
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🐄 Remembering: When William Penn presided over Pennsylvania’s one and only witch trial.
🚗 Noting: The 250th anniversary license plate design that’s leaving some drivers with false tolls.
🏀 Cheering on: Father Judge’s 76-year-old basketball coach and school symbol.
🩰 Welcoming: Alvin Ailey’s dance company back to Philly this weekend.
🗣️ Considering: A combative political culture’s impact on American children.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: This year’s One Book, One Philadelphia pick
ERASING HUMORISTS
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Darrell Klassen, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Germantown Mennonite Meetinghouse. The site will host Philadelphia Historic District’s latest firstival, focused on how Germantown became the building block of the abolitionist movement.
Photo of the day
Thanks for ending your week with The Inquirer. Paola has you covered with this weekend’s news. Until we meet again in your inbox, be well.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.