Eagles win, Trump loses; lawmaker skirts trial for years; Zuckerberg visits Pat's
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— Jessica Parks
» READ MORE: Eagles win, Trump’s anti-protest rhetoric loses
What a home opener that was! With seconds left on the clock, the Eagles' rookie kicker hit a franchise-record 61-yard field goal to clinch a 27-24 win over the New York Giants.
We watched with bated breath at the end, but also at the beginning, staring at the sidelines to see if players would skip the traditional standing salute during the national anthem. President Trump had tweeted Sunday morning that NFL fans should boycott games until players "stop disrespecting our Flag & Country" — a call that drew mixed reactions from tailgating fans at the Linc but prompted an opposing show of solidarity among players, coaches and even owners across the NFL.
Almost all of the Eagles, including owner Jeffrey Lurie, locked arms. Safety Malcolm Jenkins and wide receivers Torrey Smith and Marcus Johnson raised their fists. The Giants also locked arms, and three took a knee.
» READ MORE: 3 years after bribery charge, state Rep. has yet to be tried
Remember when state Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown was charged with bribery? It's easy to forget, since it was nearly three years ago. During that time, Brown has retained her seat, co-sponsored hundreds of bills and been paid nearly $225,000. But progress toward an actual trial has barely moved an inch.
Legal experts say the delays are nearly unprecedented, and costly.
The five other lawmakers charged in the sting investigation — not to mention the Attorney General who initially shut down the sting and the District Attorney who revived and prosecuted it — have already been sentenced for their crimes. So why is Brown the last one standing?
» READ MORE: ICYMI: The mission that brought a local vet back to Vietnam
If you're among the hordes who spent this weekend catching up on Ken Burns and Lynn Novick's docuseries The Vietnam War, take a few minutes to read this inspiring special report by staff writer Stephanie Farr.
Farr spoke to two veterans who have devoted themselves in the last year to helping the Vietnamese government locate the unmarked, mass graves of soldiers buried by U.S. forces during the war. An astonishing 300,000 Vietnamese soldiers remain unaccounted for. Some of his fellow veterans have mocked the effort — "Let those stinking commies lay where they are" — but Bob Connor still holds out hope that others will come forward to share their memories before time runs out.
What you need to know today
Radnor Township's top commissioner is under criminal investigation. For what? The Delco D.A. won't say.
Lawmakers and and attorneys general are talking about holding pharma companies — including many headquartered in Pennsylvania — accountable for the opioid crisis. But will these huge firms just find ways to slip through with minimal consequences like Big Tobacco, Wall Street, and others have done in the past?
Here's a name I had yet to hear associated with the healthcare overhaul efforts: Pa. Sen. Rick Santorum. Apparently he's been playing a big role behind the scenes and out of the limelight.
Fortune 500 firms like Comcast, AmeriSourceBergen and Campbell's Soup spend millions on political donations and lobbying. So who's been on the receiving end of that money lately?
President Trump's travel ban expired Sunday, and as expected, the administration had some new items in the works to replace it. Among other things, the new proclamation adds Venezuela, North Korea and 6 other countries to the list.
Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly
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That’s Interesting
Philadelphia's Puerto Rico Day parade was a little less festive and featured a lot more fund-raising this year as many participants are still waiting to hear from loved ones hit by Hurricane Maria.
Rest stops on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike are getting much-needed renovations. So why are some Jersey motorists unhappy about it?
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg — who's been in some hot water lately for his company's lax advertising controls — stopped for late-night 'steaks at Pat's. He told the night manager he's "a cheesesteak fanatic" and is on a tasting tour/business trip.
For the High Holy Days this year, Cindy Meyer live-streamed her temple's services onto the TV in her living room. But is this growing trend going to bring more people in, or give many an excuse to stay home?
The Kimmel Center opened its suggestion box to find out what people want at a revamped Merriam Theater. Paint! A sidewalk cafe! More leg room! Cheaper tickets!
Over in Real Estate, we have some penthouse views that will make you green with envy. Or green with nausea, if you're afraid of heights. But mostly envy, because they are stunning.
CSA's — a weekly or monthly service that delivers farm-grown produce to your door — have been around for years. But some Jersey farmers are finding a surge in interest due to what they call "The Amazon Effect."
Opinions
The violence that erupted in St. Louis this weekend takes away the very essence of what the peaceful protests were trying to project, political analyst Salena Zito writes.
Although German Chancellor Angela Merkel retained her post in Sunday's election, the rise of the right-wing nationalist party AfD is cause for huge concern, writes Oliver Bilger, a German journalist on a fellowship here in Philadelphia.
What we’re reading
This Curbed Philadelphia guide has neat history and need-to-know to tips on traveling through Philadelphia's stunning 30th Street Station.
Washington City Paper takes an in-depth look at the many police agencies and officers patrolling the nation's capital. Among the questions the story raises: The impact of policies set by Charles Ramsey, who went on to lead Philly's force after leaving D.C.
The New Yorker gives a great glimpse inside North Korea — and why Trump and Kim Jong Un are made for each other in the worst way.
LongReads offers a slow glimpse inside the lives and hierarchies of long-haul truck drivers. For a job that sounds so boring, the piece is oddly compelling.
Your daily dose of | learning
When Eynder Monahon told his teachers and classmates he was transgender, his grades started going up. And up and up. At many schools, like Meredith Elementary in South Philadelphia, educators are finding that earlier acceptance leads to better academic outcomes for students. "It's not super innovative," the principal said. "It's just good practice."