Area Catholics react to grand jury report, Amazon keeps Whole Foods prices high | Morning Newsletter
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If millennials were hoping to save enough money on avocado toast at Whole Foods to buy a house, they will be sorely disappointed in our first story of the morning: Amazon's takeover has not slashed prices at the pricey chain. What else hasn't been slashed lately? Property taxes in many Pennsylvania towns where school districts are looking to make up state funding gaps. Education spending is a hot topic between the state's gubernatorial candidates as both Gov. Tom Wolf and opponent Scott Wagner attempt to paint themselves as school superheroes. Luckily, no one has worn a cape. Yet.
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— Aubrey Nagle (@aubsn, morningnewsletter@philly.com)
» READ MORE: Despite Amazon takeover, Whole Foods maintains its ‘whole paycheck’ reputation
When Amazon bought Whole Foods Market last year, the partnership was met with glee by customers hoping to save big. Prices of some items were slashed, prompting cheers that you'd no longer need to fork over your whole paycheck to shop at the notoriously expensive grocer
But a year later, it seems the prices have fallen only modestly overall and research shows Whole Foods is still more expensive than much of its competition.
That is, of course, unless you're an Amazon Prime member.
» READ MORE: Area Catholics on Pa. grand jury report: ‘It’s sad … heartbreaking’
Last week, a blistering grand jury report on decades of sex abuse in six Pennsylvania Catholic dioceses was released. As soon as the phone number flashed onscreen during a news conference about the report, calls started pouring into the clergy-abuse hotline.
More than 300 (and growing) calls and emails have since been received by the Attorney General's Office. After Sunday mass, area Catholics stressed the need for accountability and change following the devastating report.
Additionally, two former Philadelphia priests have been found "not suitable for ministry," the archdiocese announced Sunday. The news was not a direct result of the grand jury report, but due to an internal investigation.
» READ MORE: Hot debate over education in Pa. governor’s race
In the race for Pennsylvania governor, everyone wants to look like an education hero.
Gov. Tom Wolf is making his education record a big selling point leading up to November's midterm elections. His Republican opponent Scott Wagner is positioning himself as an education champion, too. After all, everyone wants good schools.
More dollars have flowed from the state to schools during Wolf's term, albeit the increase is smaller than he aimed for. Is it enough to earn him a second term?
What you need to know today
Neighbors in Holmesburg are shocked and City Council is in mourning after beloved longtime City Hall staffer Linda Rios-Neuby was killed by her husband Friday in a murder-suicide.
One of Pennsylvania's most critical congressional races in the upcoming midterm elections was rocked Friday as the Republican candidate was forced to publicly confront an accusation of sexual misconduct.
Millions of Americans are victims of hate crimes, according to a recent survey, but many are reluctant to report them to the police. And as religious hate crimes rise in the U.S., faith groups across the country are banding together to protect themselves.
A massive manhunt is underway for a self-styled survivalist from Schuylkill County's coal country. He's wanted for threating to shoot President Trump and Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli.
As if tax season wasn't already a headache, accountants are predicting that more than 10 million more Americans than usual have been either underpaying or overpaying their taxes thanks to changes in President Trump's tax law.
A Penn lawyer who has spent her time defending immigrants who faced deportation at the U.S.-Mexico border may now face deportation herself. Her fight to stay in the country has a ticking clock.
There's only good Eagles news this morning: Carson Wentz fully participated in 11-on-11 practice Sunday for the first time in three weeks and Nick Foles returned to practice after straining his shoulder last week. Phew.
Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly
Reporter Cassie Owens just had a similar experience, @nickjmalf.
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
The Phillies may not have won their game against the Mets last night, but they had a good time at the Little League Classic snapping selfies with fans and giving younger players advice.
Foodies, you're going to want to bookmark this one: in the next 60 days, a truckload of new restaurants will be opening in Philadelphia and the 'burbs.
Many college students struggle with the stress of their daily lives. Mental health professionals say they often lack one tool, one they can work on at school: resilience.
More teen athletes are requiring Tommy John surgery for injured elbows, but a Penn lab wants to stop the injuries in their tracks by correcting pitchers' form.
After the Harvey Weinstein scandal stuck it in limbo, the movie comedian Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston filmed in Philly last year will be released after all.
In just over a decade, Phoenixville has transformed into a bustling borough. Its winning formula? Millennials + empty nesters = success.
Opinions
Despite a grand jury's findings of child sexual abuse in Pennsylvania churches, the state is far behind when it comes to criminal statutes of limitations, writes columnist John Baer.
Just over 40 years ago, David Goldberger was the Illinois ACLU's legal director and fought for the right of American Nazis to hold a demonstration in Illinois — and, he writes, he'd do it again today.
What we’re reading
A local nonprofit is banking on an expensive housing model to break the cycle of poverty for young adults. PlanPhilly's empathetic report on the program is part of a series on poverty in the city.
Followers of Wilmington native and former University of Delaware star Elena Delle Donne will love The Ringer's wacky essay, complete with cartoons, positioning the WNBA icon as a literal monster giant.
You probably already follow Michaelangelo Ilagan on Twitter, but if you don't Billy Penn's quirky profile on the heart of Philly's internet community will catch you up.
Bucks County's Middletown Grange Fair turned 70 this weekend. To mark the occasion, WHYY chatted up the young farm hands keeping its traditions alive and snagged photos of their adorable animals.
Archaeologists have located what they believe to be the lost city of Etzanoa in a rural field in Kansas, the Los Angeles Times reports. If you think this sounds like the beginning of an action movie, you're not alone.
Your Daily Dose of | Change
Anne Ishii just became the executive director of the Asian Arts Initiative, but she's no everyday arts administrator. She's better known for translating graphic novels and publishing gay manga.