Wake up, Philly, it’s Sunday again. Expect clear skies and temperatures around 60°C. And then prepare for a shocking cold, quickly followed by a warm-up. It might make you sweat on Halloween.

More and more political campaign signs are being stolen, vandalized and thrown away. Our main article takes place in the Philadelphia suburbs to highlight how such incidents erode community trust.

— Paola Pérez ([email protected])

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Hundreds of Harris-Walz signs were found in some Montgomery County woods in mid-October.

The dump is just one example of several reports of theft and vandalism of campaign signs in Philadelphia counties. Both Republican and Democrat organizers reported increases.

While people play with signs every election cycle, this behavior in the middle of a heated presidential race has an undercurrent of animosity. This breeds anger and distrust, and has even led to doxing and social media. threats after their report.

“It’s almost like a sign war here,” said Levittown Democratic committeeman Bob Mason. He filed a report after sign thefts in Bristol Township, as did registered Republican Denise DePaul after a man cut and dismantled a Trump-Vance sign on her lawn.

In other swing states, some communities have abandoned the signs altogether to avoid conflict. Displaying them on private property is protected by the first amendment. Stealing them in Pennsylvania is considered misdemeanor theft.

Journalist Beatrice Forman explores why these signs are so polarizingif they really have an impact on the elections, and what Pennsylvania Laws Say About Them.

In other election news:

PS The Inquirer editorial board has endorsed Kamala Harris for president. This forum operates independently of the editorial staff.

Five years ago, Lara St. John’s story about alleged abuse by her teacher at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia shook the world of classical music.

Catch up quickly: In a 2019 Inquirer investigation, St. John accused her instructor and famous violinist Jascha Brodsky of sexual assault and rape when she was 14 years old. Although he has repeatedly reported what happened to Curtis, St. John was ignored by the institution. She then received a belated apology.

Since St. John came forward, the famous violin soloist has heard hundreds of testimonies from women and men who were victims of harassment and abuse. She didn’t know it was such a widespread problem.

Now she produces Dear Laraa feature-length documentary about what she experienced at Curtis, as well as other schools and orchestras around the world.

“I need to get these people’s stories heard. …And I thought, “Well, look, I have cameras. I can take a train, I can take a plane. I can do it,” St. John said.

Arts journalist Peter Dobrin has more details on the film, St. John’s struggle for resolution and his renewed philosophy on life.

What you need to know today

Pop quiz

If you watched Friday’s episode of ABC Shark tank, you have to see Danielle Mahon introduce Topsail Steamer, her seafood steamer takeout shop on the Jersey Shore.

How much of his business did the sharks initially bargain for?

A) 8%

B) 15%

C)20%

D) 22%

Do you think you know? Check your answer.

Decipher the anagram

Hint: South Philly Arena, home of the Sixers and Flyers

FLOWER RECTANGLES

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a random reader to shout out here.

Congratulations to Lauren Fisher who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: Blue Cross of Independence. IBX’s Keystone Health Plan East had Pa’s. highest insurance claim denial rate last year.

Photo of the day

Today’s piece goes like this: “I hope they spell my name right in the newspaper/ Here lies the great imitator.”

Enter Halsey fifth studio discthat of Lady Gaga latest singleand Philadelphia-raised Noah Guy’s new EPthere’s plenty of new music to enjoy this weekend.

one more thing: Today is your last chance to stop by the historic Conshohocken Italian Bakery before they close for good. What is your order?

That’s all for now. Thanks for spending time with me this morning. Julie will be back in your inbox tomorrow.