🎓 Philly staff fired by Department of Education

📚 U.S. Department of Education Cuts Civil Rights Staffers in Philly

Working toward fulfilling President Trump’s promise to eliminate the department, Education Secretary Linda McMahon has slashed its workforce. The Office of Civil Rights – which investigates complaints of harassment and discrimination in our schools – is closing up shop in several cities, including Philly, where 30 people are losing their jobs. Combined with buyouts, the department could see a reduction in its workforce from 4,133 to 2,220 by the end of March. [Chalkbeat]

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⚖️ Another Philadelphian Experiencing Addiction Dies in Jail

A 42-year-old man arrested in Kensington last Thursday collapsed inside the intake room at Curran-Fromhold Correction Facility on Sunday, and later died. Andrew Drury had previously experienced withdrawal-related complications. Although he is the first death in a Philly jail this year, at least 29 people in addiction have died in Philadelphia jail or police custody since 2018. [🔒 The Inquirer]

😷 Potential Measles Exposure in Philly

A child who recently traveled abroad contracted measles and both the city and state health departments are notifying the public of potential exposures at the South Philadelphia Health & Literacy Center and the CHOP Emergency Department. This case is unrelated to the one in Montgomery County. [Philadelphia Department of Public Health]

🗳️ Krasner and Dugan Duke It Out in First D.A. Debate

Philadelphia district attorney candidates Larry Krasner and Patrick Dugan exchanged barbs at a forum in West Philadelphia on Tuesday. The two were aligned on most topics but the conversation turned when Krasner challenged Dugan to denounce Trump and both verbally sparred over crime rates. Their next debate will be March 20. [WHYY]

Potato chips weren’t invented here, but Pennsylvania really has ‘em in the bag.

With nationally distributed brands like Wise, Utz, and Herr’s — along with nostalgic names like Gibble’s and Good’s — it’s no wonder Pennsylvania’s known as the “Potato Chip Capital of the World.”

This crispy, salty treat is part of PA’s larger snack and confectionary empire. And if you look at a map of where chips are produced, you’ll notice a beltline along the southern and eastern part of the state. This overlaps areas where Pennsylvania Dutch communities live, like Lancaster and York counties.

These descendants of German-speaking European immigrants brought pretzels to PA in the 18th century. When potato chips became popular around the turn of the 19th century, they fit perfectly into PA’s agricultural and food customs.

Our state’s acidic soil and humid climate are ideal for growing “chipping potatoes.” And the Pennsylvania Dutch fried potato chips in lard, making them extra flavorful and crunchy and leading to a surge in popularity. (Some brands keep this tradition sizzling, like Utz’s “Grandma” kettle chips and Gibble’s “Kay and Ray’s.”)

Today, more than a dozen potato chip businesses operate in the Keystone State, giving rise to modern styles and trendy flavors — from red hot and jalapeño cheddar to dill pickle and honey BBQ.

Bookmark these brands for your next stroll through the snack aisle or road trip across the state ⬇️