Advice from NJ to Texas. Philly cops say protesters crossed the line. Jay-Z's older, but still relevant
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Happy Friday. As the floodwaters recede in Texas, some who went through a similar ordeal with Hurricane Sandy offer words of wisdom to the Houston victims. We also have a throwback to the Starter Jacket craze of the '80s and '90s, and the not-at-all surprising results of a Pat Toomey town hall last night in Bethlehem. Get your outdoor errands done today, because it's shaping up to be a wet weekend, which is not good news for Made in America and the other outdoor festivities planned for Labor Day weekend.
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» READ MORE: Harvey aftermath: Advice from one flood survivor to thousands of others
No matter how many times I see this image, it never fails to shock me. The Seaside Heights roller coaster floating off into the sunset, being swallowed up by the swollen Atlantic Ocean, bobbing alongside beloved houses, stores, boardwalks and communities swept away by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
The survivors of Hurricane Sandy have some advice for the flooding victims in Houston: Prepare for many years of rebuilding, and don't wait for help to come to you.
By Thursday night, Harvey was still heading north and expected to dissipate over the weekend around Ohio. But Louisiana also got a serious drenching, and flood warnings remain in place this morning from northeast Arkansas into northern Mississippi, western Tennessee and much of Kentucky.
» READ MORE: The preseason’s over, and now the Eagles’ performance actually matters
The Birds lost last night, 16-10, to the Jets in what Zach Berman describes as "an anti-climactic conclusion to an anti-climactic preseason." Nearly 3 dozen players will now be cut from the roster, and backup quarterback Matt McGloin could be one of them. (Should they cut him? Vote in our poll.)
Running back Donnel Pumphrey is also on the line, after a tough night against a tough defense and a midgame departure to be checked for a concussion. "Honestly, I couldn't tell you where I stand. … I'll definitely stay next to my phone," he said.
For complete Eagles pre- and post-game coverage, sign up for Berman's new "Early Birds" newsletter, launching Sept. 8.
» READ MORE: Should cops’ homes be off-limits to protesters?
Philadelphia police packed a rally last night at their FOP headquarters, protesting that they have become the target of protests. John McNesby, president of FOP Lodge 5 and never one to mince words, denounced the "pack of rabid animals" who demonstrated outside Officer Ryan Pownall's home in Bustleton last week. The small group of protesters had sought to draw attention to officer-involved shootings (Pownall has had two). But in the long term, they may have hurt their own cause, because the FOP is now seeking a court order to challenge or delay the release officers' names in such shootings.
What you need to know today
The notoriously hard-to-reach Sen. Pat Toomey held his first town hall meeting in months. It was pretty tame, just as Toomey intended.
Students and faculty at Temple can count on a bit more stability now that the university has reached a contract agreement with the adjunct professors' union.
President Trump has pledged to donate $1 million to Hurricane Harvey relief.
Here's one thing I never expected to see: Cab drivers and Uber and Lyft drivers forming an alliance.
The Pennsylvania budget is three months overdue with no deal in sight. But our Harrisburg columnist John Baer sees a proposal on the left and a proposal on the right that, if combined, could form an unlikely but effective alliance … much like cabbies and rideshare drivers.
The lucky winner of one of Pa's coveted medical marijuana dispensary permits says it's losing $100,000 after throwing in the towel on the Mt. Airy site that sparked so much community opposition.
In Your Eyes | #PhillyINQ
Submit your #PhillyINQ: Show us the lesser-known, less-traveled places and things that make your Philadelphia experience special. Post your photo on Instagram with the tag #PhillyINQ for the chance to be featured here and on Philly.com.
That’s Interesting
It's not surprising that Jay-Z is again headlining Made in America (it is his festival, after all). But is the 47-year-old mogul still relevant as a rapper?
A rainy weekend could make for another very muddy Made in America. If you're looking for an indoor alternative … well, there aren't that many, most of the events on the Labor Day weekend events calendar are outdoor movie screenings, outdoor storytelling, outdoor BBQs, outdoor music. Just bring an umbrella and go for it.
Is there anything in fashion or sports today that compares to the Starter Jacket craze in the 1980s and '90s? People begged, stole, and even killed for those things.
Those flailing, tiny turtles may be cute, but beware of the source if you buy one for your kids. Street-sold pet turtles have been linked to salmonella outbreaks in 13 states.
Opinions
What we’re reading
Instead of a big green blur, Google Maps will now show you interactive, 360-degree photos from inside Philadelphia parks and trails. We're the first city to do this. [Curbed Philadelphia]
Most journalists and public officials frame population growth as a sign of civic progress. But in some cases bigger isn't better, and can it actually be worse [Governing Magazine]
The Times fact-checks Sen. Ted Cruz's claim that the 2013 Hurricane Sandy relief bill was full of pork. It wasn't. [New York Times]
A Philadelphia woman is still haunted by what happened to her son 28 years ago, when the 10-year-old was found hanging from a meat rail in the family's barn in California. It's a long read, but gripping. [San Jose Mercury News]
Your daily dose of gross
It all starts off OK. Kettle corn is good. Flavored snacks are good. "Sweet, salty, and a little bit spicy" sounds like a good combination. But then you get to the name for Herr's new product — "Sweet & Crabby" — and I'm out. Sorry, it just sounds gross.