Illegal dumping litters Philly’s river banks, Brett Kavanaugh to testify | Morning Newsletter
And, Gritty now has his own beer.
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The Morning Newsletter
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Today marks a monumental moment on Capitol Hill as Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and one of his accusers, Christine Blasey Ford, will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee over claims of judge's sexual misconduct. In other news, to the casual observer, the trash situation may look like it's under control on Philly's river banks. But look closer, and officials are fighting to keep up with rampant illegal dumping.
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— Oona Goodin-Smith (@oonagoodinsmith, morningnewsletter@philly.com)
Looking at the Schuylkill and the Delaware as you drive past, gaze out the window of a skyscraper, walk or bike a riverside trail, or perhaps enjoy a cruise, things are looking good. The water is cleaner than in decades past. Groups organize cleanups that remove tons of trash. The rivers are still picturesque.
But up close, the littered shoreline is not so pretty.
From rubber tires to floating trash, illegal dumping is prevalent in the waterways, and law enforcement tasked with stopping the problem can't keep up.
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, the university professor who has accused him of sexual assault, are scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning over her allegations.
Yesterday, a third accuser against the judicial nominee came forward, saying she was drugged and raped by a "gang" of boys at a high school party where Kavanaugh was present, although he did not participate in the alleged rape.
Calling the claims "from the Twilight Zone," Kavanaugh denied the latest allegations. President Trump denounced the claims against his nominee, but also added that he'd be open to changing his mind about his Supreme Court pick, depending on what happens at Thursday's hearing.
Meanwhile, all 10 Democrats on the Judiciary Committee have signed a letter calling for Kavanaugh's resignation, including New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, who tweeted yesterday that "a Supreme Court nomination is not worth more than the lives of survivors."
Since Kavanaugh's high school days, have young men's attitudes toward sexual violence changed? Research shows there are reasons to be optimistic, but there's still a long way to go.
Do you know who’s vying for your vote on Nov. 6? Thanks to a ruling from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the state’s congressional district map has changed this year. But, don’t fret, reporters Jonathon Lai and Holly Otterbein have got you covered. You can find your newly-drawn district and see who’s running to represent you here.
Want to vote in the midterm but haven't registered, yet? Deadlines to do so are coming up in October, and staff writer Patricia Madej has your guide to voter registration in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
And, if you have questions about this year's midterm election, you can ask them here through Curious Philly, where our journalists work to answer your inquiries.
What you need to know today
Bill Cosby woke up behind bars Wednesday, marking the start of his three-to-10-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004. Here's a look at prison life for "America's Dad," now inmate NN7687.
Lawyers for the clergy members whose names were redacted from the scathing Pennsylvania grand jury report on child sexual abuse made their case to the state Supreme Court Wednesday, arguing that their clients' names should remain shielded from the public.
Street gangs are growing at an alarming rate throughout New Jersey, experts say, and the members are young, wielding guns, and taunting their enemies through social media.
Chester County authorities have pieced together what occurred the night Bruce Rogal fired a gun at his ex-wife before fatally shooting his parents at their retirement community and turning the weapon on himself, and the details paint a harrowing picture of Rogal's last rage-filled hours. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania's state House has passed a bill that would require more people convicted of domestic abuse or subject to certain protective orders to surrender their guns within 24 hours.
As South Philly's historic 19th Street Baptist Church prepares for sale, church leaders are praying that the new buyer restores or redevelops the dilapidated structure rather than leveling it.
The CDC may have erroneously inflated suicide rates of the farming, fishing, and forestry industries, but that doesn't mean everything is fine down on the farm.
Protesters turned up the heat on Philly's Illegal Tacos during dinnertime on Tuesday, parking a rival taco truck in front of the restaurant and loudly decrying what they saw as the racism of the eatery's name.
Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly
…I used to read Word Up magazine. 🎶 Thanks for the photo, @yellaphant.
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
In the three days since he stepped (and subsequently slipped) in the public eye, Philly's newest orange dumpster Muppet mascot on skates has inspired the city, the internet, and late-night hosts alike. And now, for a limited time, you can soon drink to Gritty with NIGHTMARE FUEL ale.
Two St. Joseph's Prep alumni have developed a new way of medical digital imaging, and backers have committed $8.3 million to the tech they say has the potential to change cancer research.
Fairmount Park has a new nature trail, zip line, and indoor exhibits dedicated to conservation, all of which you can check out this Saturday free of charge during Discovery Day.
If you thought Elton John already sang his last "Philadelphia Freedom" in the City of Brotherly Love, think again. The Rocket Man's "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" goodbye tour isn't ending any time soon. He's announced new shows at the Wells Fargo Center for November 2019.
Tripling in size since its debut last year, this weekend's Philly Music Festival promises four days of all-local bands, beer, and booze. Inquirer music critic Dan DeLuca has the 10 acts you shouldn't miss.
Opinions
When one Chestnut Hill mom got the call that her son's high school was on lockdown due to a shooting this week, her mind immediately went to the worst-case scenario. It's past time to fight our broken system of gun violence, she writes.
The most disturbing part of President Trump's speech to the United Nations on Tuesday wasn't that the world leaders laughed at him, but that he put himself before his country, writes columnist Trudy Rubin.
What we’re reading
As debate swirls over whether Philly is permitted to sanction a site where people can use drugs under medical supervision to prevent overdoses, the Philadelphia Citizen is answering your questions on everything you need to know about safe injection sites.
Looking for a fall getaway before the snow hits? PhillyMag's got you covered with a list of five woodsy Airbnb cabins (and conveniently close hiking spots) less than two hours from the city.
It's easy to read about Philadelphia's rich history — heck, it's hard to miss — but it's not often that we can take a listen back in time. Hidden City Philadelphia spotlights a new digital oral history project showcasing the voices and memories of Philly's immigrants.
Keep your headphones out for this one, too: This feature from the New York Times Magazine takes you on an immersive trip around the world, where you can hear the sounds of lava flowing in Hawaii to the echoes of Gol Gumbaz in India to — brace yourself — the laughter of rats on the streets of Manhattan.
Your Daily Dose of | Not Tom Brady
Love City Brewing promotes an easy-going atmosphere in its industrial building-turned-brewery. But don’t you dare call its IPA “New-England style.”