Far-right trolls communicating on message boards are trying to shut down a Pennsylvania form intended for the public to report businesses shirking the government’s social-distancing orders. The online activists, calling the portal a “snitch form” — phrasing also used by at least two Pennsylvania lawmakers — have in recent days encouraged one another to submit false reports through the portal to render the form useless and sow political and social discord. Coronavirus Coverage The portal was launched six days ago, and it’s been flooded with more than 5,000 submissions. “Many of the...…Far-right trolls communicating on message boards are trying to shut down a Pennsylvania form intended for the public to report businesses shirking the government’s social-distancing orders. The online activists, calling the portal a “snitch form” — phrasing also used by at least two Pennsylvania lawmakers — have in recent days encouraged one another to submit false reports through the portal to render the form useless and sow political and social discord. Coronavirus Coverage The portal was launched six days ago, and it’s been flooded with more than 5,000 submissions. “Many of the...WW…

WASHINGTON — A majority of Joe Biden’s campaign staff are women, and people of color make up more than one-third of the Democratic presidential nominee’s team, according to data released by the campaign on Saturday. Biden’s campaign had been pressed for information on the diversity of its staff by journalists and allies on the left, especially as conversations about racial justice have overtaken much of the national conversation in the past month. Neither the White House nor President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign have released any data on the race or gender distribution of their...…WASHINGTON — A majority of Joe Biden’s campaign staff are women, and people of color make up more than one-third of the Democratic presidential nominee’s team, according to data released by the campaign on Saturday. Biden’s campaign had been pressed for information on the diversity of its staff by journalists and allies on the left, especially as conversations about racial justice have overtaken much of the national conversation in the past month. Neither the White House nor President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign have released any data on the race or gender distribution of their...WW…

Editor's Note News about the coronavirus is changing quickly. The latest information can be found at As 12 more Pennsylvania counties prepare Friday to enter the “yellow" stage of Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to gradually lift coronavirus restrictions, the state’s southeastern corner is far from reaching a needed benchmark. And progress has been the slowest not in Philadelphia, but in its immediate neighbor to the west. Delaware County has the highest 14-day per capita rate of residents with COVID-19 of all the counties in the Philadelphia region, according to state data. As of Monday, Delaware...…Editor's Note News about the coronavirus is changing quickly. The latest information can be found at As 12 more Pennsylvania counties prepare Friday to enter the “yellow" stage of Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to gradually lift coronavirus restrictions, the state’s southeastern corner is far from reaching a needed benchmark. And progress has been the slowest not in Philadelphia, but in its immediate neighbor to the west. Delaware County has the highest 14-day per capita rate of residents with COVID-19 of all the counties in the Philadelphia region, according to state data. As of Monday, Delaware...WW…

Opinion We are two wealthy, white Philadelphians who, from inheritance and salaries, have financial security during this precarious time. Looking at Mayor Kenney’s gutted city budget proposal, we say to the mayor: tax us more. We’ve often heard politicians say that while they support social services, their hands are tied because money is scarce. But when , can we really claim scarcity as the problem? Related stories Budgets are moral documents that reflect our values. As wealthy Philadelphians who benefit from an unjust economic system, the moral logic couldn’t be more obvious: those who...…Opinion We are two wealthy, white Philadelphians who, from inheritance and salaries, have financial security during this precarious time. Looking at Mayor Kenney’s gutted city budget proposal, we say to the mayor: tax us more. We’ve often heard politicians say that while they support social services, their hands are tied because money is scarce. But when , can we really claim scarcity as the problem? Related stories Budgets are moral documents that reflect our values. As wealthy Philadelphians who benefit from an unjust economic system, the moral logic couldn’t be more obvious: those who...WW…

AS IT HAPPENED Significant Developments Significant Developments Inquirer Morning Newsletter Get the news you need to start your day The protests and violence that coursed across the country since the police-related death of a black man in Minneapolis erupted Saturday in Philadelphia, as a peaceful demonstration by thousands gave way over hours to anger and vandalism, with multiple stores being looted, buildings defaced, and police vehicles set aflame. By nightfall, 13 police officers had been injured and at least 35 people were reported arrested. Four police vehicles were also destroyed,...…AS IT HAPPENED Significant Developments Significant Developments Inquirer Morning Newsletter Get the news you need to start your day The protests and violence that coursed across the country since the police-related death of a black man in Minneapolis erupted Saturday in Philadelphia, as a peaceful demonstration by thousands gave way over hours to anger and vandalism, with multiple stores being looted, buildings defaced, and police vehicles set aflame. By nightfall, 13 police officers had been injured and at least 35 people were reported arrested. Four police vehicles were also destroyed,...WW…

A central question lingered after federal authorities last week disclosed that a South Philadelphia poll worker had admitted taking bribes to stuff ballot boxes in local elections: Who was described in court filings as the man who paid Domenick DeMuro, 73, to inflate vote totals on behalf of favored candidates between 2014 and 2016? Related stories Prosecutors have declined to say. But two sources briefed on the matter and an Inquirer analysis of campaign finance data and court filings in DeMuro’s case point to one man: former U.S. Rep. Michael “Ozzie” Myers. » READ MORE: A key figure in ,...…A central question lingered after federal authorities last week disclosed that a South Philadelphia poll worker had admitted taking bribes to stuff ballot boxes in local elections: Who was described in court filings as the man who paid Domenick DeMuro, 73, to inflate vote totals on behalf of favored candidates between 2014 and 2016? Related stories Prosecutors have declined to say. But two sources briefed on the matter and an Inquirer analysis of campaign finance data and court filings in DeMuro’s case point to one man: former U.S. Rep. Michael “Ozzie” Myers. » READ MORE: A key figure in ,...WW…

As darkness fell Tuesday, security agents — with shotguns and rifles, tactical knives and stun guns — posted up in the Italian Market for the third consecutive night. Dressed in all black and wearing military-style body armor, they patrolled South Ninth Street. They scanned the crevices between empty food stands and checked the alley-like residential streets that surround the iconic South Philadelphia shopping district. If looters came, they’d be ready. As they fanned out in the Italian Market, another set of armed security agents arrived in Manayunk’s business district for an 8 p.m.-to-3...…As darkness fell Tuesday, security agents — with shotguns and rifles, tactical knives and stun guns — posted up in the Italian Market for the third consecutive night. Dressed in all black and wearing military-style body armor, they patrolled South Ninth Street. They scanned the crevices between empty food stands and checked the alley-like residential streets that surround the iconic South Philadelphia shopping district. If looters came, they’d be ready. As they fanned out in the Italian Market, another set of armed security agents arrived in Manayunk’s business district for an 8 p.m.-to-3...WW…

Column After Mayor Jim Kenney the bronze statue of Frank Rizzo from the steps of the Municipal Services Building last Wednesday, cheers rippled through the crowds that were assembling in Philadelphia for another day of protest. At long last, a hated and racial division was gone. But only a few hours later, the Art Commission sat down to consider the creation of a different symbol of police power: a in North Philadelphia, one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods. As the nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd have gathered steam and, the message has expanded from calls to end...…Column After Mayor Jim Kenney the bronze statue of Frank Rizzo from the steps of the Municipal Services Building last Wednesday, cheers rippled through the crowds that were assembling in Philadelphia for another day of protest. At long last, a hated and racial division was gone. But only a few hours later, the Art Commission sat down to consider the creation of a different symbol of police power: a in North Philadelphia, one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods. As the nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd have gathered steam and, the message has expanded from calls to end...WW…

One of West Chester’s most popular streets will soon be transformed into an "open air marketplace” as the region starts to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, Mayor Dianne Herrin said Wednesday. “The real, underlying motivation here was to provide a place where people can physically distance and feel safe coming back to our town and dining and shopping,” she said. Related stories The West Chester Borough Council approved the plan to close Gay Street to cars, Herrin said in a Facebook post Wednesday. A special council meeting was held Tuesday “to discuss the plan to from Matlack to Darlington...…One of West Chester’s most popular streets will soon be transformed into an "open air marketplace” as the region starts to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, Mayor Dianne Herrin said Wednesday. “The real, underlying motivation here was to provide a place where people can physically distance and feel safe coming back to our town and dining and shopping,” she said. Related stories The West Chester Borough Council approved the plan to close Gay Street to cars, Herrin said in a Facebook post Wednesday. A special council meeting was held Tuesday “to discuss the plan to from Matlack to Darlington...WW…

About 4.4 million Americans filed new unemployment applications last week, federal figures showed Thursday, as the historic economic crash caused by COVID-19 reached new depths. The response has now claimed 26.5 million jobs nationwide in five weeks. More than 198,000 Pennsylvanians filed a claim in the week ending April 18 after losing their jobs or getting hours reduced, bringing the state’s total in five weeks to nearly 1.5 million, or 23% of the workforce. Coronavirus Coverage In New Jersey, the five-week total has climbed to 817,000, or 18% of the labor force. More than 139,000 New...…About 4.4 million Americans filed new unemployment applications last week, federal figures showed Thursday, as the historic economic crash caused by COVID-19 reached new depths. The response has now claimed 26.5 million jobs nationwide in five weeks. More than 198,000 Pennsylvanians filed a claim in the week ending April 18 after losing their jobs or getting hours reduced, bringing the state’s total in five weeks to nearly 1.5 million, or 23% of the workforce. Coronavirus Coverage In New Jersey, the five-week total has climbed to 817,000, or 18% of the labor force. More than 139,000 New...WW…