Mueller report recap; Delaware County’s answer to Disney World? | Morning Newsletter
All the local news you need to know to start your day, delivered straight to your email.
/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-pmn.s3.amazonaws.com/public/7NR72CPG3VHQLGQO6DEZ5PPRSU.jpg)
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
A redacted version of the Mueller report into Russian interference in the 2016 election was made public Thursday. The report made waves both for what it said and what it didn’t say. A Delaware County movie-studio head has said for quite some time that he plans to build the Mid-Atlantic’s answer to Disney World just outside of Chester. Now, he’s more confident than ever that it’ll happen soon. Plus, reporter Kristen Holmes shares the touching story of two Philly-born brothers and military chaplains who will be reunited in Arlington after long lives of service.
Reading this online? Sign up here to get this newsletter delivered to your inbox every morning.
— Ray Boyd (@RayBoydDigital, morningnewsletter@philly.com)
The redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 election was made public Thursday. While many read it to find out what it concluded about ties between Russia and President Donald Trump’s campaign, it’s what Mueller did not conclude that stood out.
The investigation found that Trump’s campaign did not take criminal steps to collude with Russia in their interference efforts, but “expected” to benefit from them.
Meanwhile, Democrats are expected to push for the unredacted version of the report to be made public as well. You can read the full redacted document for yourself here.
Jeffrey Rotwitt has dreams of creating the Mid-Atlantic’s answer to Walt Disney World. And he wants to build his theme park just four miles from the heart of Chester.
Rotwitt heads Sun Center Studios in Delaware County. The area is used to being transformed for the movies shot there, but Rotwitt imagines so much more.
His ambitious vision includes a 175-room hotel and indoor theme park all attached to the lot where nine major movies have been shot since 2010. Several roadblocks have kept him from realizing the theme park idea since then, but he’s confident he’ll be breaking ground later this year.
In 1998, the Rev. Francis “Frank” Brett eulogized his younger brother, the Rev. Robert Brett. Robert served as a decorated military chaplain and his remains were arriving in Arlington three decades after his death.
The brothers both served as chaplains after growing up in a large Irish Catholic family in Philly’s Grays Ferry section. Next week, they’ll be reunited on Chaplains Hill.
Those who knew the Brett brothers aren’t surprised to know they’ll be together again. Robert inspired Frank in so many ways, including in their decision to serve.
What you need to know today
Bucks County officials have charged a man with his wife’s murder nearly 40 years after she disappeared. Investigators say a short question the man asked them landed him in prison.
The Philadelphia Theatre Company has come under fire for unveiling a 2019-2020 lineup of plays, all by white authors. It appears PTC and its critics are headed toward a private meeting to hammer out ways the company can diversify its selection process.
Cell phones have become the hub for many of our daily banking tasks. Now, one wireless carrier is taking it to another level by offering customers a mobile-focused checking account.
A three-time Philadelphia City Council candidate and LGBTQ advocate says she’s dropping out of the race ahead of the May primary to heal the LGBTQ community after a rift caused by her campaign manager’s actions.
Ben Simmons looked anything but “average” — despite what one Nets player thinks — in the Sixers’ Game 3 win in Brooklyn last night. The Sixers managed to take a 2-1 series lead without the services of Joel Embiid.
Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly
Absolute front door GOALS, @kaelanisays. Thanks for sharing.
Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and we’ll pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout out!
That’s Interesting
With Easter approaching, it’s hard to avoid the holiday’s quintessential candy — Peeps. So why not lean into it by swinging by Peddler’s Village for its vast collection of Peeps-inspired displays?
If you’re heading out of town for Easter, you may want to stop by Evil Genius Beer Company before hitting the road. They’re opening their new outdoor beer garden today with a beach-y luau celebration and a nod to the Sixers.
Disabilities are usually represented in dramatic fashion on television. But sometimes you just have to laugh. My colleague Ellen Gray highlights some new TV comedies that are showing disabilities in a new light.
Some people who are overweight claim that they eat and exercise just like their slender friends and still can’t shed pounds. Researcher say this experience is totally possible and have an explanation they hope will remove the stigma of obesity.
Fleetwood Mac was forced to postpone their Wells Fargo Center show earlier this month due to singer Stevie Nicks’ bout with the flu. They now have a rescheduled date for later this year.
Opinions
“I recently sued my union. It’s not something I ever expected to do. But I also never thought an organization that claims to champion workers’ rights would deny me the opportunity to exercise mine.” — Pennsylvania caseworker Shalea Oliver on her efforts to leave her union.
The Columbine shooting was not just one of the worst school shootings in our nation’s history. It offered the blueprint for school shooters, writes professors Jillian Peterson and James Densley.
District Attorney Larry Krasner’s decision to drop his office’s opposition — allowing Mumia Abu-Jamal to appeal his case to Pennsylvania’s highest court — will only lead to anguish for a family still mourning the loss of Officer Daniel Faulkner, writes columnist Christine Flowers.
What we’re reading
If watching Jeopardy! is part of your family’s nightly routine, you’ve witnessed the dominance of the show’s reigning champ. The Ringer examines the secret to James Holzhauer’s record-setting success.
Speaking of winning, the most epic Easter egg hunt award goes to one taking place Saturday in Northeast Philly. The Northeast Times breaks down the event — including its egg dropping helicopter.
President Trump is known to drop a meme on his Twitter account from time to time and he couldn’t help but use a Game of Thrones themed one during Thursday’s Mueller release. The Hollywood Reporter explains why HBO wasn’t too happy about it.
Allergy sufferers (myself included) weren’t too thrilled with how quickly winter turned to spring in Philly this year. Philadelphia Magazine offers expert tips to beat the pollen and survive this rough allergy season.
PlanPhilly’s breakdown of the Philly neighborhoods where drivers get the most parking tickets could be very valuable depending on where you live and work. The main takeaway: not all drivers are created equal.
A Daily Dose of | Llama
Reporter Kristen Graham is a fairly serious person with a serious job. She was able to experience just how peaceful it is to get away for a little with the help of a few N.J. llamas.