Stephen Stirling
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Data Editor, @PhillyInquirer Past: @AsburyParkPress @columbiajourn, @njdotcom, adjunct @newmarkjschool, may or may not be notable
Articles by Stephen Stirling
Where to see cool birds near Philly, according to some of the region’s most enthusiastic bird watchers
Skip to content The Philadelphia region has hundreds of great birding spots, from the migratory funnel of Cape May to the city’s John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Daniel Fishel / Illustrations for The Inquirer by Stephen Stirling and Frank Kummer Published Oct. 17, 2026, 5:01 a.m. ET For Katrina Clark, a board member of In Color Birding group, her neighborhood park is what keeps her close to nature in a concrete forest.
The least loyal Republican
More than a year and a half into President Donald Trump’s second term, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has voted against the White House and the GOP more than any other House Republican. Yet, he has still voted with the president and his party nearly 70%and 77%of the time, respectively, during this congressional term, according to a new Inquirer analysis.
Král & žoldnéř - Jerry Pournelle
O knize Král & žoldnéř 4. kniha série Falkenbergova legie. Namísto výcviku nové armády na spřátelené planetě Sparta musí rezervní jednotky Falkenbergovy legie čelit dobře připravenému povstání, financovanému jejich zapřísáhlým nepřítelem velkosenátorem Bronsonem. A tentokrát jsou jejich protivníci díky nájemný technoninjům z planety Meidži mnohem lépe vyzbrojeni, než kdokoli tuší.
Císař & žoldnéř - Jerry Pournelle
O knize Císař & žoldnéř 5. kniha série Falkenbergova legie. Na planetě Sparta zuří občanská válka. Na jedné straně stojí povstalecké hnutí heilótů, jež je zásobováno nejmodernější výzbrojí velkosenátorem Bronsonem. Proti němu bojuje královská vláda s pomocí žoldnéřské Falkenbergovy legie. Kondominium se rozpadá a zůstává pouze jeho kosmické válečné loďstvo.
Válečný svět: Krevní msty
O knize Válečný svět: Krevní msty Válku proti lidskému impériu vedl národ z planety Sauron, geneticky vyšlechtěný v dokonalé vojáky. Když boje skončily, byl Sauron naprosto mrtvý, rozbombardovaný z kosmu do té míry, že se jeho kontinenty zhroutily do vroucího jádra. Avšak jedna loď plná Vojáků unikla zničení domovského světa a vypravila se hledat nové útočiště. Od doby, kdy tyto zbytky Sauronců uprchly v tajnosti na Haven uplynulo tři sta let.
The Philly region has been a national hot spot this year — for flood warnings
If you perceive that the Philadelphia region has had an extraordinary number of flood events this summer, you are not hallucinating. The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has set a record for issuing flood warnings this year with 147 in its coverage area from Delaware to northern New Jersey, including 76 in the Philadelphia region, and monthly records in July and August.
The Philly region has been a national hot spot this year — for flood warnings
If you perceive that the Philadelphia region has had an extraordinary number of flood events this summer, you are not hallucinating. The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has set a record for issuing flood warnings this year with 147 in its coverage area from Delaware to northern New Jersey, including 76 in the Philadelphia region,and monthly records in July and August.
Wildfire smoke in Philly: Phillies game to start early; alert for 'very unhealthy' air quality for Friday; latest forecast
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Rob Tornoe, Frank Kummer, Stephen Stirling, Nate File, Nick Vadala, Dana Munro, The Philadelphia Inquirer What you should know The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide code red air quality day due to Canadian wildfire smoke blowing into the Philadelphia region.
By Rob Tornoe Verified, Frank Kummer Verified, Stephen Stirling Verified, Nate File Verified, Nick Vadala Verified, Dana Munro Verified
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MSN
Verified
Suffocating dome of smoke descends over Philly region
Philadelphia’s jinxed July, which had already featured a record-setting dome of heat and microburst storms that razed hundred of trees, now includes a smothering, suffocating smoke.
Wildfire smoke reaches Philly; air quality alert issued; latest forecast and timing
Rob Tornoe, Frank Kummer, Stephen Stirling, Nate File, The Philadelphia Inquirer What you should know The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide code red air quality day due to Canadian wildfire smoke blowing into the Philadelphia region.
What Philly’s air quality is like right now, in maps and charts
Smoke from Canadian wildfires was enveloping the region Thursday, creating a haze, a faint smell of charcoal, and a potential danger for people with respiratory issues. Air quality alerts were issued across the region. By daybreak, air quality was tumbling to unhealthy levels in Philadelphia and a broad swath of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to an Inquirer analysis of dozens of public sensors.
Wildfire smoke reaches Philly; air quality alert issued; latest forecast and timing
Rob Tornoe, Frank Kummer, Stephen Stirling, The Philadelphia Inquirer What you should know The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide code red air quality day due to Canadian wildfire smoke blowing into the Philadelphia region. Air quality across Philadelphia reached unhealthy levels Thursday morning, according to five monitoring stations across the city. A heat advisory is also in effect in Philadelphia, where the heat index could reach 100 degrees.
Wildfire smoke reaches Philly; air quality alert issued; latest forecast and timing
Skip to content What you should know The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide code red air quality day due to Canadian wildfire smoke blowing into our region. Air quality across Philadelphia reached unhealthy levels Thursday morning, according to five monitoring stations across the city. A heat advisory is also in effect in Philadelphia, where it could reach 100 degrees.
Jimmy Ručka - Raymond E. Feist
O knize Jimmy Ručka série: Legendy Trhlinové války díl v sérii: 3 Když mladičký Jimmy pomáhal v Krondoru Aruthovi uniknout agentům Guye du Bas-Tyry, nemohl vědět, jak moc to změní jeho život. Věděl ale, že si dělá mocné nepřátele, a tak mu nezbylo, než Krondor vzápětí opustit. Samozřejmě, že ke své smůle jen vyměnil jedno nebezpečí za druhé.… Kniha Jimmy Ručka v seznamech uživatelů (aktualizováno 1x za hodinu) Citáty z knihy (0) Zatím zde není žádný citát z knihy.
Válka budoucnosti - Stephen Michael Stirling
O knize Válka budoucnosti Není cesty zpátky, není žádný osud, jenom ten, který si sami uděláme. Válka mezi člověkem a strojem je tady. Začíná válka budoucnosti. Sarah a John Connorovi spolu s jejich přítelem, bývalým protiteroristickým agentem Dieterem von Rossbach, se skrývají na Aljašce, kde se snaží žít normálním životem. Ale ani na okamžik přitom nezapomínají na Cyberdyne Corporation a hrozbu Skynetu, počítačové inteligence předurčené zničit život takový, jaký jej známe.
Bouře přichází - Stephen Michael Stirling
O knize Bouře přichází Po zničení Infiltrátora maskujícího se za zaměstnankyni Cyberdyne Corp. se Sarah Connorová opět ocitne v nemocnici, těžce zraněná na těle i na duši. Zatímco se pod přísným dohledem tajných vládních organizací zotavuje, její syn John, budoucí vojenský vůdce lidstva v boji proti vražedným strojům, se spolu s bývalým protiteroristickým agentem Rossbachem připravují na temné časy: budují kryty, shromažďují prostředky a zásoby a získávají přívržence.
Infiltrátor - Stephen Michael Stirling
O knize Infiltrátor Sarah Connorová a její syn John znají ponurou budoucnost světa. Přežili už dva pokusy o fyzickou likvidaci vraždícími stroji řady Terminátor. Z toho druhého, T-800, zbude dost, aby ho počítačová společnost Cyberdyne Systems Corporation dokázala rekonstruovat. Sarah, která je vládou považována za nebezpečnou teroristku, se uchýlí do Paraguaye, kde se setká s tajemným Dieterem von Rossbachem, člověkem, který vypadá jako T-800.
More immigrants are being arrested by ICE in Pa. and N.J., but a smaller percentage have criminal records
The Trump administration says that when it comes to immigrants who are in the country without permission, it is going after “the worst of the worst,” arresting and deporting violent criminals who prey on Americans. But the percentage of arrests of immigrants who have convictions or face criminal charges has gone down, not up.
More Pennsylvania police agencies are signing up to help ICE enforce immigration laws
The number of local police agencies that have signed up to help ICE enforce federal immigration laws has surged in Pennsylvania, increasing more than 70% since the end of last year, new data shows. Nearly all have joined the ICE “Task Force” model, the most permissive of the three main types of partnerships. It enables local officers to act as an extension of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during routine policing, such as making traffic stops.
How much snow, and when will it begin snowing in the Philadelphia region?
As much as two feet of snow could fall in and around Philadelphia in what forecasters are warning could be a “historic winter storm.” » READ MORE: Philly snow updates: Live coverage, latest closures and timing The National Weather Service is forecasting 18 to 24 inches of snow to fall in the city, which would make it one of the top 10 snowstorms in Philadelphia history.
Philadelphia-area snow totals as fierce Mid-Atlantic storm strikes
A far-reaching winter storm blanketed the Mid-Atlantic in an icy brew of snow and sleet Sunday, with preliminary totals nearing a foot in parts of New Jersey. Philadelphia International Airport has already received its biggest snow of the season, and in five years, with 7.4 inches of snow recorded before precipitation began to transition to sleet, according to the National Weather Service. Philadelphia ranked near the top end of regional totals.
How much snow, and when will it begin snowing in the Philadelphia region?
Philadelphia is expected to see its most significant winter storm in years this weekend, with more than a foot of snow and ice expected from a formidable low-pressure system sweeping across the eastern United States. Official National Weather Service forecasts say 12 to 18 inches of snow is possible across most of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia as the storm pushes through the region Saturday night to early Monday morning.
Are holiday delays mounting at PHL? We’re tracking the year-end travel surge.
A record number of travelers are expected to fly for the holidays this year, breaking a years-long dip brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether or not they make it to their destinations on time, however, is a different story. AAA estimates more than 8 million will fly this year between Dec. 20 and 31, up 2.3% from last year — a record if it holds.
Are holiday delays mounting at PHL? Were tracking the year-end travel surge.
A record number of travelers are expected to fly for the holidays this year, breaking a years-long dip brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether or not they make it to their destinations on time, however, is a different story. AAA estimates more than 8 million will fly this year between Dec. 20 and 31, up 2.3% from last year a record if it holds.
Snowfall totals in Philadelphia area, mapped
The Philadelphia region’s first snowfall of the season ended up having quite a March-like quality. Totals generally ranged from 4 to 8 inches, but the snow literally was so heavy that the average shoveler may have had a hard time discerning the difference. “When I was shoveling my car out, it felt rough,” said Michael Silva, meteorologist at the National Weather Service Office in Mount Holly. Silva lives in Mount Laurel, where an unofficial 7 inches was reported.
The inefficiency of local news in its Golden Age
Press enter or click to view image in full size Disclaimer: I worked at the Star-Ledger for many years. I feel comfortable sharing the below because considerable time has passed since the moments I’m referencing. I now work at the Philadelphia Inquirer. Undoubtedly, the Inquirer faced many of the same challenges, but I wasn’t there for it. I’m actively working on solutions at the Inquirer, but am not confident enough in its history to reference. All of these opinions are my own.
Most flood-prone waterways in Philadelphia area, mapped
Late on a stormy September night, Katie and Anthony Young were watching a horror show. In this instance, it wasalso a reality show. A surveillance camera showed 8-footfloodwaters drowning the generator in the rear of their restaurant, Hank’s Place. The water crashed into the dining and kitchen areas, tossing around furniture and emptying the contents of refrigerators.
How are things at PHL right now? Our live tracker is following the Thanksgiving surge
There’s always some anxiety that comes with heading to the airport. This week, maybe more so. AAA predicts nearly 82 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles for Thanksgiving, a U.S. record if it stands. Even with concerns about the reliability of air travel, AAA reports about 6 million people will fly to their destination this week, a glut of humanity that could jam airports nationwide.
Flight delays and cancellations have grown at PHL, and they’re likely to get worse
With the secretary of transportation warning that Thanksgiving week could end up being an immensely inconvenient one for air travelers, a potentially troubling hors d’oeuvre has been evident at Philadelphia International Airport. On Friday, the day after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered 4% cuts in air traffic at major airports, fewer than 25% of all inbound and outbound flights were delayed or canceled.
Canadians are staying away from Philly amid Trump trade war
The number of Canadians visiting Philadelphia is down sharply this year, reversing years of growth for international city tourism coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. City officials expect international tourism to Philadelphia to be down nearly 10% in 2025, led largely by a projected 17.75% drop in Canadian visitors. Canadians make up about 40% of international tourism to Philadelphia, annually.
The mugginess in the Philly region has been unrelenting, and near historic
When the sun-cooked air feels likes it’s too full of moisture to bother moving, Jeff Kochanowicz has experienced an altogether unpleasant sensation when he brings his bike to a stop. “You feel like a French fry under a heat lamp,” said said Kochanowicz, president of the Bicycle Club of Philadelphia. It’s perhaps less-than-small compensation, but bicyclists, runners, people who work outside, and just plain pedestrians have been experiencing something special.
Philadelphia universities have weathered tens of millions of dollars’ worth of cuts to scientific research
President Donald Trump’s administration says it has cut tens of millions of dollars in research funding from universities and research centers in Philadelphia. The Inquirer has been tracking these cuts for months, analyzing the impact to research in the region from the grant terminations playing out nationally.
Five charts that show the impact of Trump’s immigration policy in Pa. and N.J.
Deportations and asylum denials are on the rise in the Philadelphia region, according to data compiled by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC). Since his return to the White House, the Trump administration has tightened immigration policies and expanded enforcement efforts across the country. Philadelphia, which calls itself a “welcoming city,” has been targeted by this crackdown and has faced an increase in ICE raids and arrests.
PHL is seeing 10% drop in travel by non-U.S. citizens amid Trump trade war, 'America First' policies
International travel to Philadelphia has dropped sharply this year, as potential visitors balk at President Donald Trump’s trade war and aggressive statements toward traditional allies like Canada and the European Union. The number of non-U.S. citizens entering Philadelphia International Airport is down 10.5% since the start of the year, according to data compiled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Here is a running list of terminated HHS grants in the Philly-area
Pennsylvania and New Jersey have been targeted with more than $1 billion in grant terminations as of Tuesday as President Donald Trump's administration pushes to slash government spending. The Philadelphia Inquirer is tracking the impact locally in an effort to help readers better understand how government funding is being cut or threatened.
Here is a running list of HHS grants targeted for termination in Pa., N.J.
Editor’s Note: This page was last updated on June 16, 2025. The federal Department of Health and Human Services marked $9.6 million in Pennsylvania and New Jersey grants for termination this week as President Donald Trump continues to slash federal spending. Since February, the HHS has published a weekly list of terminated contracts as the Trump’s administration identifies new cuts.
As the meteorological winter ends, Philly has a shot at a snow milestone
Barring something that defies history — and no computer model is suggesting that will happen — Philadelphia’s snow total is going to finish at less than half the long-term average for the fourth consecutive season. The forecasts are suggesting a near 100% chance that March is going to be annoying, with spring teases alternating with cold shots.
How much snow fell near you. Philly-area totals varied but the forecasts were quite good
It has been a wintry slog, but Philly finally has caught the Super Bowl city in the 2024-25 snow derby. With the official 3.1 inches measured at Philadelphia International Airport Wednesday morning, the seasonal total jumped to 8.0, matching the New Orleans’ total, all of which fell in one historic day last month. Elsewhere in the city, totals were right around 3 inches, which was about what the National Weather Service had forecast.
How much snow fell near you? Totals are varied across the Philly area.
Snow totals from Sunday’s storm varied across the region, with radical differences in some places only a few miles apart, according to the spotter reports posted by the National Weather Service. Generally, however, they ranged from 3 to 6 inches in the suburban counties to the north and west of the city, and 2 to 3 in Philadelphia and South Jersey.
Trump saw more support from Philly's white, Black, and Latino working-class voters in 2024 Original
President-elect Donald Trump pushed Philadelphia to the right this year by increasing his vote totals across a range of demographic groups and improving his performance with working-class voters, a shift that’s been underway since his first run for president in 2016.
Retail theft arrests have nearly tripled this year as Philly police, DA Krasner overhaul approach to tackling the crime
Philadelphia law enforcement has overhauled its approach to enforcing retail theft in recent months, shifting prosecutorial policies and eligibility for a diversion program amid a significant uptick in arrests for the crime. More people have been arrested and charged with retail theft so far this year than at any other point since 2017, data show.
Out-of-state residents drove an increase in abortions in Pennsylvania in 2022
A woman holds a sign to protest the Supreme Court's decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health case on June 24, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. The Court's decision overturns the landmark 50-year-old Roe v. Wade case, removing a federal right to an abortion.
Out-of-state residents drove an increase in abortions in Pennsylvania in 2022
The phones at one of the Pennsylvania abortion clinics closest to the Ohio border started ringing off the hook two years ago, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned decades-old national abortion protections. Ohio quickly enacted a near total abortion ban. And at the Allegheny Reproductive Health Center in Pittsburgh, just over 40 miles from the Ohio border, demand for abortion services surged overnight.
Out-of-state residents drove an increase in abortions in Pennsylvania in 2022
The phones at one of the Pennsylvania abortion clinics closest to the Ohio border started ringing off the hook two years ago, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned decades-old national abortion protections. Ohio quickly enacted a near total abortion ban. And at the Allegheny Reproductive Health Center in Pittsburgh, just over 40 miles from the Ohio border, demand for abortion services surged overnight.
2023 was the worst year for arson in Philadelphia in nearly 20 years
The two-story rowhouse on the 100 block of West Cliveden Street was engulfed in flames. A family home for more than 60 years was destroyed, along with memories, heirlooms, and housing security. Today, little more than the charred facade of the Mount Airy dwelling remains. The windows on the second floor are gone and the gutters are warped by heat and blackened by smoke. The front door is boarded up, and a sign on the door warns trespassers to keep out.
The Gritty Meter: We came up with a metric to quantify the Flyers’ blue-collar identity
Nick Seeler walks into the Zack Hill Media Center. At 6-foot-3, 197 pounds, with a quiet demeanor and a smile as wide as his home state of Minnesota, he doesn’t necessarily strike fear into the heart of anyone. But when he adds 22 pounds of hockey gear and laces up his skates, he is someone you do not want to mess with. Seeler is one of the grittiest players who has donned the Flyers’ orange and black.
Key market indicators show bitcoin price just hit historic bottom
Bitcoin’s relative strength index (RSI), a measure of price momentum, now suggests BTC has hit a local low and is ready for gains. And when the current market is compared to previous cycles, there’s reason to believe the next bull market is imminent. Perspective: Crypto traders have pointed out that the bitcoin RSI has been a dependable indicator of local lows and highs of late. And now, with the RSI indicating that the asset is oversold, this could be a time to buy low.
Wildfire smoke returns: How bad is air quality around NJ? See hourly reports
2-minute read Smoke spawned from wildfires burning across Canada was moving back into New Jersey Thursday morning, causing air quality measures to crash across the state. Air quality monitors from the federal government showed air quality was already unhealthy for people with sensitive health conditions at many locations in the state by 9 a.m., and was deteriorating quickly. Gov.
Here are hourly reports showing how unhealthy the smoke is making the air quality in NJ
2-minute read New Jersey is being inundated with smoke from Canadian wildfires, darkening the skies and creating some of the worst air pollution in recent memory. Air monitors from the federal government show much of New Jersey's air has reached unhealthy levels of particulate matter due to smoke. Such levels can cause respiratory and other health issues with prolonged exposure. Gov. Phil Murphy urged residents with heart and lung conditions to stay inside Wednesday and avoid strenuous activity.
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