Fixing life-without-parole in Pa.; a dangerous new trend for college students | Morning Newsletter

As allegations of sexual assault have surfaced against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, many are reminded of Anita Hill's accusations of then-nominee Clarence Thomas. But there are key differences between Hill's 1991 grillling and what Kavanaugh's accuser is about to go through.

U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos appeared in Philadelphia Monday at the National Constitution Center where she spoke about free speech and local students questioned her qualifications and policies.

It's still raining and rivers are still rising in the Carolinas and Virginia where at least 32 have died since Hurricane Florence hit. Another 69 people have been killed in the Phillippines and China by Typhoon Mangkhut.

The long-awaited trial of Freddy Augello for the murder of April Kauffman began with a bombshell Monday: the defense argued the Atlantic City Prosecutor's Office knew about a possible murder plot before her death.

Residents of the Rutgers-Camden neighborhood are up in arms over a planned billboard and parking ban, alleging they're just two more examples of projects created by and for powerful outsiders.

Avalon and Sea Isle City residents will not be pleased with this news: the bridge linking the shore towns will be closed for months, possibly until Memorial Day.

Missed the Emmys last night? TV critic Ellen Gray watched it all for you. If you read quickly you can catch up before you hit the water cooler.

As Jewish communities around the world celebrate Yom Kippur this evening, young Jews are finding new ways to mark the holiday around town — including bird watching, Play-Doh sculpting, and woodland walks.

The Sixers are still hunting for a general manager, but at least they're in the second round of interviews with candidates from the Utah Jazz and the Houston Rockets, plus internal candidates. Can you imagine a Philly fandom following your hiring process?

Not many Philadelphians have heard of the erhu, a traditional bowed instrument, according to specialist Qin Qian. But that hasn't stopped her from bringing its music, which has existed in China for over a thousand years, to local audiences.

Parents, beware: nearly one in 11 U.S. middle and high school students are using cannabis while vaping, which experts suggest gives them a false sense of safety from its potential effects on young minds.

Philadelphia isn't the best American city for welcoming and integrating immigrants, but it did place sixth in a new study. The top honors went to a city in New Jersey.

We must remain outraged by the 12,800 children that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is holding as the Trump administration remains mired in other scandals, writes columnist Will Bunch.

Following Pennsylvania's grand jury report and the numerous state-wide investigations it's inspired since, it's time for a national, federal inquiry that covers all 50 states, writes retired Harvard University psychologist Arthur McCaffrey.

Billy Penn has usefully broken down City Council's many task forces and what they do — and there are a lot of entries labeled "Measurable impact: TBD." Yikes.

The illustration for Philadelphia Magazine's exploration of the "looming DROP apocalypse" is nearly as scary as its prediction that city pension problems will swallow Philly whole.

A little morning motivation: WHYY sat down with the Philly woman who, instead of attending another unrelatable conference, started one of her own to empower women.

The story behind the viral image of a man with a kitten on his shoulder weathering Hurricane Florence is as captivating as the News & Observer's photo itself.

Is your reading list looking a little empty? Take a spin through Vulture's compilation of the 100 best books of the 21st century so far.