Family grapples with unsolved murder 15 years later; Larry Krasner defends Eagles’ Malcolm Jenkins | Morning Newsletter
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Philly native George Longshore was killed in 2004 in Washington. Fifteen years later, his memory continues to live on through his family. He was their rock. And they’ve made it their mission to get to the bottom of a murder that has baffled authorities. Also, Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and local Fraternal Order of Police president John McNesby have been engaged in a war of words stemming from Jenkins’ critique of the Philadelphia Police Department. Now, District Attorney Larry Krasner has entered the fray.
— Ray Boyd (@RayBoydDigital, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
George Longshore of Elkins Park was his family’s rock. After witnessing tragedy as children growing up in Port Richmond, George meant even more to his four younger siblings. That’s why his unsolved murder still hurts so much.
In Washington, George’s wife, daughter, and son-in-law were beaten by robbers who shot George outside a wedding reception. That terrible event for the Longshore family took place 15 years ago this month.
In that time, the family has continued to fight to figure out who is responsible for the death. It’s a push for justice that’s led by George’s sister Maryann.
Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins has never been afraid to express his views. Recently, he did just that in an op-ed column for The Inquirer. Jenkins wrote that Mayor Jim Kenney should listen to real Philadelphians while selecting the next police commissioner.
Jenkins also took aim at Fraternal Order of Police lodge president John McNesby in the piece. The FOP leader responded by calling Jenkins a “nonresident, washed-up football player."
Krasner jumped into the fray by defending Jenkins and his right to express his opinion. “We have some people, like Malcolm Jenkins, who want to take us up and forward, and we have others — and unfortunately, John McNesby is an example of this — who want to take us down and backward," Krasner said.
Runners from all over the world will be in the City of Brotherly Love this weekend for the 2019 Philadelphia Marathon. The run, one of the country’s premier marathons, attracts about 30,000 participants each year.
If you can’t wait until Sunday to get your running fix, there will be plenty of race-related events all weekend, including a half-marathon, 8K, and a kids’ fun run on Saturday. (I’ll see you at the 8K 😬.)
We’ve rounded up all the information you need for this weekend, including a list of road closures. And we caught up with some local runners to get their secrets to finishing the big 26.2.
What you need to know today
Authorities say an alleged gunman was critically injured Thursday after firing at three Philadelphia police officers in a shootout outside a SEPTA bus. One officer was struck and treated after the incident.
Pennsylvania’s process to pick interim judges is filled with secrecy and deal-making, Spotlight PA reports. Now, there is renewed scrutiny following Gov. Tom Wolf’s nomination of a top GOP aide for a coveted judgeship.
Federal authorities say a former Drexel University student who trained with anti-American rebels in Yemen attempted to schedule a trip to the White House days before he was arrested.
As winter approaches and temperatures fall, New Jersey officials are working to fix their Code Blue law — an effort they hope will save lives.
Health reporter Sarah Gantz breaks down a new report that paints a grim picture for employer-sponsored health insurance.
Through your eyes | #OurPhilly
Independence Hall in the fall is a thing of beauty. Gorgeous pic, @jwalter211.
Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and we’ll pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout out!
That’s interesting
An upcoming episode of Dr. Phil will feature the case of 5-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez, the New Jersey girl who went missing more than two months ago.
Reporter Frank Kummer caught up with professor, former actress, and author Carolyn Finley to discuss a question on which she can offer quite a bit of perspective — Why aren’t more black Americans going outdoors?
When the Salem Oak died earlier this year, generations of New Jerseyans felt like they had lost a piece of themselves. Now, there’s a plan in place to preserve the iconic tree’s legacy.
For almost 20 years, James Hough helped to create murals that blanketed Philadelphia, and did so from behind bars. A ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed Hough to see his works in person for the first time.
At 5-5 on the season, every game is significant for an Eagles team trying to keep playoff hopes alive. Beat writer Paul Domowitch breaks down Sunday’s matchup with the 8-2 Seahawks.
Opinions
“The hostility toward conservatives in this city is palpable and growing. And unless we start treating philosophical minorities with the same respect we demand for sexual, racial, and ethnic minorities, Philadelphia won’t be a city worth living in next week, let alone 2039.” — Columnist Christine Flowers on the treatment of conservatives in Philadelphia.
Historic Society Hill has a history of special treatment, writes architecture critic Inga Saffron. She examines the area’s latest effort to get around Philadelphia law.
The Inquirer Editorial Board, in response to an earlier Inquirer report, writes that it’s no exaggeration to view suicide deaths on the region’s rails as a public health crisis.
What we’re reading
What’s lost when black children are socialized into a white world? The Atlantic examined that question through the experiences of dozens of black mothers.
Rolling Stone dives deep into the story of R&B singer Jimmy Dennis, who spent 25 years on Death Row after being wrongfully convicted of a murder in Philadelphia. Music helped him survive.
Surviving tests and projects are not the only obstacles for college students. The Temple News spoke to students struggling with housing insecurity — an issue that impacted nearly half of college students last year.
Your Daily Dose of | Graffiti
Philly’s Graffiti Pier has become a symbol of the city’s street art culture. Now, the stretch of land has taken a step toward becoming a public park.