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Johnny Bobbitt to get full $400,000, Eagles pull out win on banner night | Morning Newsletter

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Johnny Bobbitt Jr. is back in Philadelphia broke and homeless.
Johnny Bobbitt Jr. is back in Philadelphia broke and homeless.Read moreDAVID SWANSON

Following the scathing grand jury report on child sex abuse in Pennsylvania, New Jersey's attorney general says he owes it to the state to launch his own investigation. Authorities are also taking a closer look at the couple that started a GoFundMe to benefit Johnny Bobbitt, trying to determine where the funds ultimately went. While all the money apparently didn't go to Bobbitt, GoFundMe wants to make sure he comes away on top. And speaking of victories, it looks like the Eagles still know what they're doing.

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— Ray Boyd (@RayBoydDigital, morningnewsletter@philly.com)

The grand jury report on child sex abuse by Catholic clergy in six Pennsylvania dioceses sent shockwaves throughout the state that apparently crossed the Delaware River. New Jersey is now launching its own investigation.

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal plans to form a task force to look into abuse claims and cover up attempts. He said what was found in Pennsylvania left him "deeply troubled."

More than a dozen attorney generals have contacted Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro in the last few weeks, some seeking advice on how to conduct their own investigations into abuse.

The Johnny Bobbitt saga took another surprising turn on Thursday. GoFundMe and the law firm representing Bobbitt announced that he will receive the full amount of money that was raised for him.

What happened to the original donations? That is currently under criminal investigation which played out at the New Jersey home of Kate McClure and Mark D'Amico on Thursday.

Before the company's pledge to make Bobbitt "whole," GoFundMe said it was taking steps to make it easier for donors to get their money back after it was clear that the funds were gone. What isn't clear is how this move will impact that process.

Last season's Eagles made a theme out of overcoming obstacles. Looks like that's going to carry over. The Birds' season opening win over Atlanta was eerily similar to last season's playoff win — all the way down to the game deciding play.

Speaking of déjà vu, Doug Pederson and Nick Foles pulled off a momentum-shifting encore of every Eagles fans' favorite play. Atlanta, how did you not plan for the Philly Special?

It was a banner night for Birds fans — literally. While it wasn't a perfect performance for the champs, key contributors stepped up at just the right times.

What you need to know today

  1. Former Eagle Mychal Kendricks was back in Philadelphia, but not for the game. He stood before a federal judge to plead guilty to insider trading charges and could face prison time.

  2. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker's act of "civil disobedience" at yesterday's hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh became the latest example of him shedding his "nice guy" image. Some of his Republican colleagues weren't buying it.

  3. After an assault by a staffer on a Philadelphia teen at Glen Mills Schools, outraged City Council members want more light shed on violent acts that may have occurred at the private juvenile facility.

  4. One year ago today, a Spring Garden activist was shot and killed in front of his daughter. Tonight, family and friends will honor Gerard Grandzol's life.  Meanwhile, the brothers charged with the murder have rejected plea deals and a trial date has been set.

  5. For neighbors watching the carnage along Philly's Roosevelt Boulevard, 2018 is shaping up to be a particularly deadly year for one of the city's most dangerous roads. Residents and legislators wonder whether speed cameras are the solution.

  6. Gretchen Carlson has faced criticism from all sides since taking over as the Miss America chair. Ahead of this weekend's televised crowning in Atlantic City, Carlson's critics decided to give off some clear signs of just how upset they are.

  7. Actor Burt Reynolds, who delivered the world titles like Deliverance and Smokey and the Bandit, has died at the age of 82 after a reported heart attack.

Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly

A nice reminder that you really can find beauty anywhere. Thanks for this one, @hswphilly.

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

  1. For immigrants in America, their lives here are often put into the context of work. But should anyone be defined by their job? A new exhibit from Philly's Asian Arts Initiative hopes to complicate the conversation.

  2. If you're struggling with stress, my colleague Anna Orso feels your pain. She decided to dive deep into the world of meditation to find out if a skeptic could become more mindful.

  3. Opera Philadelphia's O18 festival will be all about risks. O18, set to begin later this month, will get performers out of their comfort zones and deliver surprises when they're least expected.

  4. Speaking of twists, we dug into the archives to examine how the Philly area's worst mass killer was able to avoid going to trial, never once appearing in court on the murder charges filed against him.

  5. Suraya, one of Philly's hottest eateries, has debuted an outdoor garden that almost transports you to Lebanon. However, the bustling El will remind you you're in Fishtown.

  6. They say the best things in life are free and apparently that holds true for museums. Reporter Zoe Bean breaks down how you can enjoy Philly's cultural institutions free of charge.

Opinions

"This week's welcome-back-from-summer 1-2 punch of
— Bob Woodward’s explosive book, going deep into the horrors of the Trump White House, and now the op-ed heard ’round the world have revealed that America is already in the grips of a silent coup.“ — Columnist Will Bunch writes that America is in a constitutional crisis linked to President Trump.
  1. The Inquirer Editorial Board writes that after the assault of a teenager by a Glen Mills Schools staffer, the state must take a hard look at the requirements for adults trusted to be around vulnerable children.

  2. When it comes to addressing child sexual abuse in institutional settings, the United States should take a page from Australia's book, writes postdoctoral fellow and Ph.D. candidate Meredith Edelman.

What we’re reading

  1. In a deeply personal and nuanced piece, the Atlantic's Elaina Plott shares her perspective on America's connection to guns — a complicated relationship that she only began to understand after she was shot.

  2. Just in time for the repeat quest, Philadelphia Magazine delivers this timely list of reasons why Philly loves the Eagles and always will. Main takeaway: Win or lose, we'll always be underdogs.

  3. Had your fill of back-to-school photos on social media yet? Of course you have. BuzzFeed News mixed things up with a collection of iconic photos of celebrities, athletes and world leaders when they were in school.

  4. Nike's decision to sign Colin Kaepernick has drawn praise and criticism. The Undefeated's Jemele Hill writes that this move was about one thing only — and it wasn't racial injustice.

  5. A beloved Passyunk Square stretch is known for quirkiness and koi fish. Soon, it could become known for million dollar townhomes, but as PlanPhilly writes, neighbors won't let that happen without a fight.

Your Daily Dose of | Ice Cream

Three sweet-treat powerhouses are joining forces today to offer a unique frozen delight (while supplies last) to raise money for Philly schools.