We’ve had worse to dig out from during a winter weekend. Much, much worse.

As predicted, snow fell across the state on Friday, though it was hardly a crippling storm, with most areas seeing several inches. It was messy here in Philly on Friday, but by Saturday, I was driving around no problem. Here’s what it looked like across the state Friday morning.

There’s good news/bad news on the weather front this week. Temperatures will get into the 40s and remain there for a few days, though the higher temps will be accompanied by rain pretty much statewide. 

It beats shoveling, right?

People of a certain age (like me) remember the thrill of waiting to hear your school’s emergency closing number on the radio during snowy mornings — and the agony of not hearing it.

These days, it’s all text alerts and emails, mostly letting parents and students know that tomorrow’s “snow day” will actually be a virtual learning day.

Virtual learning has given students and educators a way to overcome barriers that previously separated them, like inclement weather. And while there’s definitely an upside to that, there’s also inequity. Virtual learning opportunities aren’t the same for everyone, particularly students from lower-income households, without reliable access to the internet or devices, or those who live in rural areas.

And let’s not underestimate the value of a good, old-fashioned snow day, where kids get to play outside and teachers get to take a breath.

This brings us to our Question of the Week: Where do you stand on schooling during snow days: Pivot to virtual learning or give the kids the day off?

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

(Graham Harrington)

If you’re a DIY-type who likes to grab a bite while you’re shopping for sheetrock, there’s a Home Depot in Philadelphia with your name on it.

Actually, several Home Depots in the city, and a couple in the suburbs, feature Rocco’s locations adjacent to the storefront, where you can get fairly amazing cheesesteaks and Italian sausage sandwiches, along with breakfast, to go.

I’ve enjoyed Rocco’s chicken cheesesteaks at two of their Home Depot locations in Philly, and it can hang with the best chicken cheesesteaks in the area. You wouldn’t expect something this good to come from a place where the griddle is about 200 feet from piles of bagged mulch. 

Our Graham Harrington visited the Rocco’s location in South Philly to learn more about the unique operation and plans for expansion to other Home Depots in Pennsylvania. You can watch Graham’s video report here. 

Congratulations to Hershey native Christian Pulisic (aka “The Hershey Hammer,” “The Hershey Hare,” and “The Pennsylvania Pele”), who was voted the US Soccer Federation’s Male Player of the Year for the fourth time, matching Landon Donovan for the most times receiving an award that began in 1998.

Pulisic, 25, is in his first season with AC Milan. He also won the award in 2017, ’19 and ’21.

Pulisic scored six international goals in 2023, including two in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal win over Mexico, and had three assists. He had six Serie A goals in the first half of the season for Milan and one in the Champions League, his eighth career goal in Europe’s top club competition.

In 2022, Pulisic starred for the US team in the World Cup, before sustaining an injury in a victory over Iran.

He first played for the United States Soccer Development Academy club PA Classics growing up, and later for the minor league Harrisburg City Islanders as a teenager. You can learn more about “The Hershey Hammer” here.

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.

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