If you have today off in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it’s a good time to reflect on something he said in 1957 to an audience in Montgomery, Ala.: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Until his assassination in 1968, Dr. King spent his life doing for others. MLK Day (as it’s often referred to) was envisioned as a way to honor his life and legacy by giving back.

In 1983, President Ronald Regan officially made the third Monday in January a federal holiday to honor the slain civil rights leader. Pennsylvania, though, had a bit of a jump on the federal holiday. In 1978, then-Gov. Milton J. Shapp signed a state King Holiday into law. In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, which created a dedicated day of volunteer service, encouraging those who had the federal holiday off of work to use it to do something for others.

We each have an opportunity to honor Dr. King today, whether by volunteering for a community project, or taking some time to reflect on his life and legacy. The Philadelphia area plays a greater role in his legacy than you may be aware of. From attending seminary school in Delaware County, to his efforts to help desegregate Girard College, Dr. King’s history in the area runs deep. In this story, our Ashley Adams highlights some of those important connections. And our Graham Harrington looks back at several of King’s memorable speeches in Philly and Pittsburgh in this video.

With the NFL playoffs underway (both Pennsylvania teams will now play today after the Steelers/Bills game in Buffalo was postponed due to snow), I’ve been thinking about the long line of NFL greats to come from Pennsylvania, many of whom starred for their respective teams in the postseason. The Pittsburgh area in particular has produced some of the greatest quarterbacks of all time like George Blanda, Jim Kelly, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Joe Namath, and Johnny Unitas, along with Steelers great John Butler, and legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka.

So, let’s talk Pennsylvania football for our QOTW: Who’s your favorite Pennsylvania-born NFL player and why? 

You can go new school (Saquon Barkley, Damar Hamlin) or old school (Tony Dorsett, Chuck Bednarik).

Reply back with your answer and let us know where you’re from.

(Shutterstock)

Pennsylvania is home to more than 500 breweries pouring both classic and innovative brews. Some of these craft breweries, like Yuengling and Victory, are known nationally.

Others, like Braddock’s Brew Gentlemen, Ardmore’s Tired Hands, and Tröegs in Hershey have a more regional appeal. But the loyalty of their customer base speaks volumes about the quality of their beers. In fact, user data from popular online beer resources like Untappd and BeerAdvocate showed these Pennsylvania brewers were among the most beloved in the state in 2023.

Our food and travel writer Kalena Thomhave is highlighting these and other homegrown brewers that were the toast of Pennsylvania beer lovers last year in this story.

[Middletown Fire Company No. 1, Facebook]

Take it from me on this: The rain and wind was no joke in the Philadelphia region last week, causing widespread flooding, downed trees, and thousands of power outages.

Check out this video of firefighters from the Middletown Fire Company in Delaware County rescuing a man who was clinging to a tree amid rushing water overflowing from Marcus Hook Creek. 

Well done, everyone.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery. The Keystone Newsroom is happily free to read for everyone. Your financial support means a lot to us. Donate here.

Send us your feedback and news tips to info@keystonenewsroom.com