Sixers hire new GM, N.J. great-grandmas on board with medical marijuana | Morning Newsletter
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Whether you call them grandmothers, grandmoms, grandmas, nanas or mom-moms — and please, tell me which one you prefer, as my midwestern colleagues were surprised by the local use of "grandmom" — seniors in New Jersey are hopping aboard the medical marijuana train. They're fighting through stigma to fight pain. On the other side of the river (well, when they're not practicing in Camden) the Sixers have big news: they've hired a new general manager. Just in time for training camp, too.
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— Aubrey Nagle (@aubsn, morningnewsletter@philly.com)
Be prepared to part with your preconceived notions about medical marijuana. In New Jersey at least, where it’s been legal for eight years, a small but growing number of patients are seniors, some in their 80s and 90s.
And they are "patients, not criminals.," as Gov. Murphy said when he announced an expansion of the state's medical marijuana program this spring.
So, thanks to cannabis educators and doctors, some seniors are throwing away the stigma and finding relief from pain.
After a bit of a search, the Sixers stayed in-house for their new general manager, hiring their own vice president of basketball operations, Elton Brand, to fill the role.
The hire follows the strange saga of former GM Bryan Colangelo, who stepped down this summer over a Twitter scandal as part of the Sixers' wild offseason.
Meanwhile, injured rookie Zhaire Smith is expected to return around Christmas and Ben Simmons is apparently working on his jump shot with his brother.
The latest tally of Kensington’s homeless population stunned the city’s Office of Homeless Services. Just a year ago it totaled 271. Now it’s 703.
The spike in homelessness is driven by the opioid crisis; the neighborhood has become a magnet for people in addiction.
But officials say the increase isn't due to the city closing heroin encampments in the area. In the mean time, residents are growing frustrated by the city's outreach efforts.
What you need to know today
Philadelphia's long-criticized civil forfeiture program, which allowed prosecutors to seize the cash and property of suspected criminals — and in some cases from people never charged with a crime — is about to be overhauled thanks to a court settlement.
For the first time in nearly two decades, the Philadelphia School District's governing body will have a student presence in the form of two high school seniors. And they'll be doing real work, too.
Every month, a West Philly barbershop has been holding a town hall between community members and law enforcement. Not only does it have a great name, but it's sparking engaging conversations.
Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her in the early 1980s, is set to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee next week. But first, her lawyers say, she wants the FBI to investigate.
Comcast has added Newsmax TV, a conservative channel owned by a friend of President Trump, to Xfinity. The move could both appease some of Comcast's critics on the right while fighting Fox News' market share.
A long, long time ago, a Trump Tower Philadelphia was planned for the Delaware River waterfront. Now that land is set to be developed, but into townhomes instead of a tower.
Through Your Eyes | #OurPhilly
What a juxtaposition of images, @kvankreisel.
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
Nearly a year ago, a stray dog was found tied up among piles of garbage in West Philly. Now, thanks to crowdfunding, a caring adopter, and extensive surgery, he's living it up on Instagram.
Eat your hearts out, Wawa fans. The biggest of the chain's urban stores just opened on Drexel University's campus.
Maybe save this read for after that Wawa run: the latest edition of Clean Plates features local eateries that were closed due to moldy cheese and whatever "bloated bacon bags" entail.
Tony Danza may be busy with next steps in his career — a Netflix show premiering Friday, getting his new play produced — but he takes what he learned from his stint teaching at Philly's Northeast High School wherever he goes.
Speaking of wild careers, Sharleen Joynt went from fan-favorite on The Bachelor to joining a world premiere opera during Opera Philadelphia's fall festival. Talk about range.
Comcast Spectacor CEO Dave Scott has never run a team, but that didn't stop him from coming out of retirement to fill Ed Snider's big shoes as the Flyers' boss.
Opinions
Francis Cratil-Cretarola, owner of award-winning South Philly restaurant Le Virtù, writes that none of its success would be possible without immigrants.
Former Delaware deputy attorney general Patricia Dailey Lewis helped usher in new statute of limitation laws when the state faced its own Catholic Church abuse scandal. Now, she writes, other states must do the same.
What we’re reading
In light of recent events, an essay from the Cut on the long-term psychological effects of teen sexual assault should be required reading.
Woodlands Cemetery in West Philadelphia would love to have more (living) visitors but the dangerous traffic outside makes it difficult. So they're starting a petition, reports PlanPhilly.
Sixers star Joel Embiid and rookie Markelle Fultz have trainers that are becoming celebrities in their own right. The Ringer's latest gets up close and personal with the social media stars.
Snooki of Jersey Shore fame is opening a boutique in New Jersey and some locals aren't too pleased, reports NJ.com. The reality star is unfazed.
Want to know how the Weather Channel made that viral CGI storm surge scene while reporting on Hurricane Florence? Of course you do, and you can thank Wired.
Your Daily Dose of | Penmanship
Would you buy a $2,000 pen? Artisan pen maker John Greco has earned international acclaim for crafting tools for Barack Obama, Prince Harry, and Pope Francis from his New Jersey workshop.