🌱 Port Richmond Gas Explosion + Eagles Lose Again + Mummers Parade

Hello again, everybody! It's me, Patty-Pat Kozlowski, your host of the Philadelphia Daily. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town, including...

• A gas explosion leveled several homes and rocked a whole block in Port Richmond.
• With QB Jalen Hurts still on the DL, the Eagles lose an ugly one to the New Orleans Saints.
• With spring-like weather, the 2023 Mummers Parade was fantastic and fun with record crowds.

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But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and mild. High: 56 Low: 46.

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Here are the top three stories today in Philadelphia:

1. A New Years' Day Disaster in Port Richmond- Five people were injured, one of them critically, after a row home explosion in Philadelphia's Port Richmond section early Sunday morning. Fire officials say the New Year's Day blast happened before 3 a.m. on Miller and East Atlantic Streets, leveling two homes and severely damaging more. The explosion also blasted out windows and sent cars flying across the block. (6abc Philadelphia)
2. The Eagles have reached the low point of the season — and it couldn't come at a worst time.
   With a chance to clinch the No. 1 seed and the NFC East the Eagles offense was a complete no-show against the New Orleans Saints in their 20-10 loss, one of the most disappointing performances in recent Eagles history. As a result of the loss the team will (likely) have to win next week in the final game of the season to clinch the top seed in the NFC and a Bye Week to start the playoffs. (audacy.com)
3. Quaker City, Fralinger and South Philadelphia — those are the top three String Band Winners for the 2023 Mummers Parade. The Mummers organizations said it appeared to be the largest crowd in years, helped by spring-like temperatures and sunny skies. The start of last year's parade was delayed a day because of rain and a resurgent COVID-19 pandemic reduced the number of participants and watchers. The parade was canceled in 2021 altogether because of the pandemic. (msn.com)

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From my notebook:

• Even with the Marshalls Department store pulling out of Market East, this article reports that Center City retail is on the rise- After two disastrous years, Center City retail is on the comeback (The Business Journals)
• And with students going back after winter break- Face coverings to temporarily return in Philadelphia and Camden districts (WPVI-TV)
• After tundra live weather last week before Christmas, it looks like Mother Nature is having a hot flash! This week, Philly is having weather in the 50s and 60s — US National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly: "Happy New Year! We will start 2023 off with pleasant weather conditions and mild temperatures. "We are going to sound like a broken record with all these broken records after this warm spell! Mount Pocono, PA and Georgetown, DE set new warmest low temperature records for New Year's Eve." (US National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— Patty-Pat Kozlowski

About me: Patty-Pat Kozlowski has been writing community news and Philly-cenric Op/Eds for over 20 years. A Jill of all trades she's been a stand-up comedian, chef, DJ, newspaper editor, food trucker and Parks Director for Philadelphia Parks & Rec as well as a community relations/legislative aide for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Philadelphia City Council.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Philadelphia Daily? Contact me at philadelphia@patch.com