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Eagles Lose to Giants in Crucial NFC East Matchup

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The Eagles’ season is slipping away.

With the chance to pick up a huge division win on the road, the Eagles got off to a shockingly bad start and never recovered, falling to the Giants, 28-23, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

With the loss, the Eagles dropped to 4-4 and have now lost to each team in the division. The Giants improved 5-3. After a 3-0 start, the Eagles have lost four of their last five games, including the three in the division.

Coming into Sunday, the Eagles had won eight of their last nine games on the road against the Giants and were 5-1 at MetLife Stadium.

The magic at MetLife Stadium disappeared pretty quickly into the game, when two Carson Wentz interceptions led to 14 Giants points in the first five minutes of the game.

Even with how badly the Eagles played Sunday, and even with Doug Pederson’s questionable choices to skip field goals a couple of times early, the Eagles still had a chance.

After a big Jordan Hicks interception, the Eagles got the ball back, down five, on the Giants’ 34-yard line and couldn’t score.

On fourth down, Wentz lofted a ball to Jordan Matthews into the end zone, but Matthews had trouble tracking it and the ball fell incomplete.

Game over.

The Eagles cut the Giants’ lead to four points with their first drive of the second half, but the Giants immediately responded with a touchdown of their own. Later in the fourth, the Eagles drove down the field and kicked a field goal to cut the deficit to five points, but couldn’t get any closer.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning threw four touchdown passes against the Eagles, three of which were 26 yards or longer. On several of the plays, the Eagles’ secondary was either beaten easily or looked completely lost.

Turning point
The two Wentz interceptions early in the game changed everything. If the Eagles could have hit the reset button, they would have.

Key stat
The Eagles were 1 for 4 on fourth downs Sunday, including two questionable calls in the first half. They were 5 for 5 coming into the game.

First half
Wentz got off to a horrific start Sunday as two interceptions led to 14 points for the Giants before five minutes had ticked off the clock, which lead to a 21-10 halftime lead for the Giants.

On his second pass of the game, Wentz soared a ball that was picked off by Landon Collins.

The Giants got the ball at the Eagles' 31-yard line and punched in a touchdown in two plays. The touchdown to Odell Beckham Jr. was a 26-yarder with Leodis Mckelvin and Rodney McLeod in coverage.

Wentz threw his second interception on the next drive when he soared another pass. Again, the Giants got the ball with great field position — at the Eagles' 30 — and scored in three plays. This time, Eli Manning his Roger Lewis Jr. for a 30-yarder with McKelvin and Jaylen Watkins in coverage.

The Eagles actually cut the lead to 14-10 with a field goal and a 70-yard touchdown drive, but shot themselves in the foot too.

Doug Pederson elected to go for it on two fourth-down situations within field goal range in the first half and failed on both attempts. Then, when he decided to kick a field goal toward the end of the half, it was blocked.

On the first missed fourth-down attempt, Wentz kept the ball and lost yardage. On the second, Darren Sproles got the handoff and couldn't get a short yard.

Offensive stud
How about Bryce Treggs? He had a 58-yard catch and seemed to open up the field some with the threat of a deep ball in his first NFL game. His big catch was the longest for an Eagles rookie since DeSean Jackson in 2008.

Offensive dud
Dorial Green-Beckham was targeted five times and didn’t have a catch. After becoming expendable in Tennessee, it doesn’t look like he’s realizing his potential with the Eagles either.

Defensive stud
Brandon Graham didn’t get a sack but continues to get constant pressure on the quarterback.

Defensive dud
McKelvin didn’t have a very good day. He was involved in coverage on the Giants’ three first-half passing touchdowns.

Injuries
DT Bennie Logan (groin), OG Allen Barbre (hamstring), DT Taylor Hart (ankle) and LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (hamstring) were all previously ruled out and were inactive for Sunday’s game.

Up next
The Eagles return home next weekend to face the Falcons for a 1 p.m. game before taking the cross country trip to Seattle for a Nov. 20 game.



Photo Credit: CSN Philly

SEPTA Strike Is Over

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NBC10's Matt DeLucia is outside TWU Local 234 Monday morning just moments after the transit union and SEPTA leadership announced an end to the strike that stopped SEPTA buses, trolleys and trains for nearly a week.

10 at 7: What You Need to Know Today

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Here are the 10 things you need to know to start your day from your friends at NBC10.

TODAY'S TOP STORY

SEPTA, Union Reach Deal to End Strike: After nearly a week of negotiations and transportation woes for commuters across the city, SEPTA and a union representing about 4,700 workers reached an "agreement in principle" Monday, said SEPTA's chairman. SEPTA chairman Pat Deon and TWU president Willie Brown made a joint announcement of the deal from the union hall before daybreak Monday. "We are pleased this morning to announce a tentative agreement with TWU Local 234," said Deon. Both sides hailed the deal as being fair to all. The deal still must be ratified by union members and approved by the SEPTA board, said SEPTA. Commuters should still find alternate means of travel Monday morning. Service will be phased back in Monday on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street line subways, city buses  and trolleys with full schedules to be restored by Tuesday, said SEPTA.

YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST  

It's a cold start to the work week. Monday is expected to see plenty of sun but with a strong breeze temperatures will stay chilly. High Temp: 54 Degrees  Get your full NBC10 First Alert forecast here.

WHAT YOU MISSED YESTERDAY

2 Injuried in Explosion at Punkin Chunkin Contest: A man and a woman were injured during the annual Punkin Chunkin contest in Delaware. The incident occurred around 2:45 p.m. Sunday during the event on Apple Tree Road in Bridgeville. An air cannon, the "Pumpkin Reaper," was about to launch when the trap door of the cannon, where the pumpkins are loaded, separated. The door and other parts of the cannon were blown away and into the air before landing on a 39-year-old woman, striking her in the head and face. A 56-year-old man also was injured in the blast. The woman was treated at the scene by paramedics and then taken to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital. She was stabilized and then flown to the Christiana Medical Center, where she was in critical condition. The 56-year-old man also was taken to Nanticoke Memorial, where he was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

AROUND THE WORLD

In Campaign's Final Days, Clinton Gets FBI Reprieve Again: In an extraordinary last-minute twist to a volatile campaign, FBI director James Comey lifted the cloud he  had placed over Hillary Clinton, saying Sunday the bureau had found no evidence in its hurried review of newly discovered emails to warrant criminal charges against her. Comey's move capped a stunning chapter in the bitter, deeply divisive contest between Clinton and Republican Donald Trump. The director's initial decision to make a renewed inquiry into Clinton's emails public on Oct. 28 upended the campaign at a crucial moment, sapping a surging Clinton's momentum and giving Trump fresh ammunition to challenge her trustworthiness. Clinton's campaign, furious at Comey's handling of the review, welcomed Sunday's announcement. Communications director Jennifer Palmieri told reporters, "We're glad this matter is resolved," though Clinton herself did not mention the issue during a rally in Ohio with basketball superstar LeBron James.

TODAY'S TALKER

Postal Service Investigates Worker Over Stolen Trump Sign: The U.S. Postal Service is investigating one of its workers for allegedly stealing a Donald Trump campaign yard sign. The News Journal reports that the incident occurred in Townsend, Delaware, which is about 30 miles south of Wilmington. The owner of the sign had set up a video camera of his lawn after several Trump signs disappeared during the past few weeks. The homeowner's surveillance footage allegedly captures the postal worker exiting a vehicle, grabbing the sign and then leaving on Thursday.

SPORTS SPOT

Eagles Lose Giants: The Eagles lost 23 to 28 against the New York Giants on Sunday. Get your full sports news at CSNPhilly.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

See more Top News Photos here.

THROUGH IGER'S EYES

@howard_roberts_photography captured this black and white photo of the Ben Franklin Bridge.

Have an awesome Instagram photo you'd like to share? Tag it with #NBC10Buzz.

TODAY'S VIRAL VIDEO

Ellen talks with the school bus driver who saved kids from a fire. Watch more here.

A LITTLE SWEETENER

Sculptors Build White House Out of Butter: A French dairy brand got some sculptors to butter people up days before Election Day in Montgomery County. Sculptors began sculpting a replica of the White House with 400 pounds of (appropriately-named) Président Butter on Tuesday. Although the final product is not scheduled to be completed until Saturday, they invited people to watch the intricate carving process of the sculpture Friday. Jim Victor and Marie Pelton, the carvers behind the project, will be sculpting the 2016 Président Butter White House from JVMP Studio in the Philadelphia suburb of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Read more.


That's what you need to know. We've got more stories worthy of your time in the Breakfast Buzz section. Click here to check them out


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3 Dead, 3 Injured in NJ Stabbing

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Three people were fatally injured and another three were hospitalized after a mass stabbing inside a house in Newark, an Essex County prosecutor said.

Aerial Little Whitehurst, 8, Al-Jahon Whitehurst, 11, and Syasia McBorroughs, 23, died as a result of their injuries. The two children were pronounced dead at University Hospital at 4:40 p.m. Saturday, authorities said.

The three survivors, a 29-year-old woman and two 13-year-olds, a boy and a girl, remain in critical, but stable condition at a local hospital. The mother of the child victims is being treated for her injuries at a local hospital.  

Although the relationship between the victims wasn't immediately clear, many of the victims are believed to be family members.

Officers swarmed the scene as detectives searched the area near the 100 block of Hedden Terrace for evidence. Dozens of vehicles — black detective cars, police SUVs and ambulances — were parked on the street as EMTs rolled stretchers out of an ambulance. Part of Hedden Terrace was blocked off by yellow police tape.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka called the incident "horrific".

"It makes my stomach churn to think about what happened," he said during a Saturday evening press conference. "The incident this evening was a horrific and horrible kind of scene."

Baraka appealed to the public to turn the suspect in, or call the Crime Stoppers hotline with any relevant information.

"We cannot hide this individual, we have to get him immediately before he hurts someone else," he said. As long as he's in the streets, nobody is safe." 

Police were dispatched to 137 Hedden Terrace at around 3:55 p.m, according to Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose. Upon arrival, officers discovered four female and two male victims on the second floor of the house, one of whom was found dead at the scene.

Jeremy Arrington is considered to be a person of interest in the investigation. The 26-year-old is wanted for questioning and has a warrant for sexual assault and aggravated assault in an unrelated Oct. 9 incident. He is considered to be armed and dangerous.

Authorities believe someone who had a connection to the victims is responsible for the stabbing, Essex County Prosecutor Caroline Murray said. However, the perpetrator is not believed to be a resident of the home. The motives for the incident are unknown.

The Newark Police Department is asking for tips regarding the investifation. A reward of up to $20,000 will be given to anyone with information leading to the arrest or conviction of the suspect.

SEPTA Strike Deal Is In Place

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Leaders talk in the moments after SEPTA and TWU Local 234 agreed to a deal to end the SEPTA strike that kept buses, subways and trolleys out of service for a week.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

President Clinton or Trump? Watch These Battleground States

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There’s a reason why Donald Trump’s stumping in New Hampshire Monday while Hillary Clinton holds a family affair in Philadelphia. Their many visits to Florida, North Carolina and Ohio are no coincidence, either.

Battleground states are going to determine who wins the 2016 election. As the voting returns come in on Tuesday, here are states to watch. 

Arizona  Electoral College votes: 11
How it’s looking:
Arizona is fairly new to the swing-state club. The state hasn’t gone for a Democrat since 1996, and that was an anomaly. But because of its large immigrant and Latino populations, Clinton’s chances are looking better than usual; she’s galvanized more support from the Hispanic population than Obama, and it shows. As college-educated young people move to the south, the voter demography is getting more liberal, and NBC News' battleground map has the state in the tossup category. Still, it will be an upset if Clinton wins Arizona, according to elections forecasts by FiveThirtyEight and The New York Times.

Counties to watch:
Maricopa is the fourth most populous county in the United States. It’s gone Republican since 1948.

Colorado  Electoral College votes: 9
How it’s looking:
The NBC News battleground map has Colorado leaning Democratic, bolstered by the suburban and Latino vote. The New York Times and FiveThirtyEight each predict a win for Clinton by several points. 

Counties to watch:
While Jefferson County went with Obama in 2008 and 2012, it also gave Bush victories in 2000 and 2004. Arapahoe County, a traditionally Republican area, is turning purple following an influx of immigrants.

Florida  Electoral College votes: 29
How it’s looking:
“Florida, of course, is pretty much the premier big state that’s a swing state,” said Susan MacManus, a University of South Florida professor who specializes in Sunshine State politics. 

Tied with New York for the third most electoral college votes in the union, Florida is a prized battleground during the general election. A Republican hasn’t won the state since 1992, and, on paper, MacManus says Hillary should nab the victory. But, she continued, “This is hardly an on-paper election.” 

NBC News' battleground map has Florida listed as a tossup. FiveThirtyEight shows Trump has a bit of an edge, while The New York Times' forecast gives Clinton a small edge.  

“The last three elections, including the 2012 presidential, the victor has only won Florida by 1 percent or so,” MacManus said. “When you have 1-percent elections, it makes micro-targeting very important and essential, because if you ignore one group and they feel that, you could lose.”

Trump finds support among Floridians who still feel as if they’re suffering from a bad economy and who are concerned for their family’s safety in relation to perceived terror threats. Meanwhile, Clinton is trying to mobilize the Latino and millennial demographics. The Cuban community in Florida has a reputation for conservatism, but as the younger generations reach voting age, they’re showing a more liberal tendency.

Even if Florida’s retirees are being replaced by millennials, that doesn’t mean they’ll make it to the voting booths.

“The younger voters really aren’t that keen on the two-party system,” MacManus said. “Who knows whether they’re going to vote or not.” 

Counties to watch:
Hillsborough County, with its seat in Tampa, has correctly chosen the president in every election since 1960, except in 1992. Barack Obama won 53 percent to Mitt Romney’s 46 percent in 2012.

Orange County in the Orlando area tended red until recent years, and Polk and Pasco are also contentious. Volusia, which used to be a Democratic stronghold, has shown some Republican tendencies lately. 

Georgia  Electoral college votes: 16
How it’s looking:
NBC News moved Georgia from leaning GOP to tossup in its final battleground map, though FiveThirtyEight and The New York Times both predict a Trump win. It’s significant that the state is in contention, which signals a demographic shift. Forty-three percent of the electorate is now college educated, and like North Carolina, liberal white voters have officially made Georgia a battleground.

Counties to watch:
Gwinnett County typically goes Republican, but the wealthy suburb northeast of Atlanta may not go Trump's way, NBC News reported. Clayton is an African American nucleus, and Clinton needs high turnout there to even have the potential of a victory in Georgia.

Iowa  Electoral college votes: 6
How it’s looking:
Iowa has gone blue in six out of the last seven elections. So why do The New York Times and FiveThirtyEight have it going red and NBC News leaning GOP this year?

According to Dennis Goldford, professor of political science at Drake University in Des Moines, there are three reasons. One is that “the Clintons never really established themselves here in Iowa.” Another is that, while some Republicans have distanced themselves from this presidential election, Iowa’s state leadership has been openly supportive of the Trump-Pence ticket. The last is the appeal of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” mantra for rural Iowa.

“In some ways this election is a growing fight between the expanding, prospering urban segment of America and the declining rural segment,” Goldford said. 

The Hawkeye State also has a large white, working-class population, especially among the 45-and-up demographic.

“You have an older electorate in Iowa, and they’re less likely to have a college education, which means they would be more likely to incline toward Donald Trump,” Goldford said. 

As a manufacturing state, Iowa was hard hit by the great recession.

“If the country as a whole got a cold, manufacturing caught pneumonia,” Goldford said. That could mean Trump is getting support from his perceived economic prowess and vow to bolster the American manufacturing industry. 

Counties to watch:
Polk, Linn, Cedar, Scott, and Black Hawk are more urban counties. “To win statewide, a Democrat needs to roll up big majorities,” Goldford said. In 2012, Obama won both Scott and Polk counties by 56 percent.

Michigan  Electoral College votes: 16
How it’s looking:
Republicans like to call Michigan a battleground state because it can sometimes go red during off years, but a Republican presidential candidate hasn’t won the state since 1988. NBC News reports that Michigan is leaning Democratic and, according to FiveThirtyEight's forecast, Clinton has a big advantage. 

“There really hasn’t been a point in this campaign where she’s been trailing,” said Susan J. Demas, publisher and editor at Inside Michigan Politics.

While the Flint water crisis factored heavily in the Democratic primary, it “has really gotten buried on the priority list for both candidates” since July, Demas said.

Counties to watch:
Kalamazoo County tends to be a bellwether. Macomb County is fertile ground for Trump, while Clinton seems to be making headway in Oakland and western Michigan. According to Demas, if Clinton wins Oakland — a wealthy Republican county — by double digits, she will “send shockwaves” through the state.

Nevada  Electoral College votes: 6
How it’s looking:
“We’re a bellwether,” said David F. Damore, professor of political science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “Every time since ’76, we’ve gone with the winner.”

In Nevada, neither party has a stronghold. The Democratic organization is almost entirely devoted to longtime Sen. Harry Reid, Damore said, while the Republican base is weak. The state is also 20 percent immigrant and has the smallest native-born population in the United States. Most citizens originate from other states. NBC News' battleground map shows Nevada leaning Democratic. FiveThirtyEight and The New York Times have Clinton and Trump in a tight race, with the edge to Clinton.

“We have demography that provides both parties with a likelihood of winning,” Damore said.

Working-class whites make up the conservative support in Nevada. “That’s kind of who the Republican party is here,” Damore said. Trump has played the media well, but he’s done “nothing in terms of ground game at all,” according to Damore.

Meanwhile, Clinton is targeting white suburban women alongside U.S. Rep. Dina Titus.

Counties to watch:
More than 70 perent of the state's population lives in Clark County. “It’s the most concentrated population in a state of this size,” Damore said. Democrats will try to build a firewall around the urban area, which includes Las Vegas. However, Clark historically undervotes, while Nevada’s rural Republican communities tend to comprise more of the vote than their percentage of the population. If things seem tight, Washoe, with its county seat in Reno, is where to look. The county has a slightly higher Republican registration, but it went for Barack Obama in 2012 and could go either way this year.

New Hampshire  Electoral College votes: 4
How it’s looking:
With only four electoral college votes, New Hampshire is seemingly inconsequential. But there’s a reason why candidates have spent so much time and money there: if Al Gore had won the state, he would have been president in 2000. During tight elections, New Hampshire can determine who takes it all.

NBC News has it in the tossups, where it belongs, according to Neil Levesque, executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics. 

“It’s neither red nor blue,” said Levesque. “It’s a tossup. And when we do have a definitive race, it’s usually not that definitive.” 

Clinton has a higher chance of winning the state than Trump, according to FiveThirtyEight and The New York Times. On Monday, President Obama will play surrogate for Clinton in New Hampshire, while Trump will make a personal appearance.

Counties to watch:
Londonderry and Hillsborough tend to be bellwethers. Hillsborough is typically a close call. In 2012, Obama won the county by a 2-point margin.

Ohio  Electoral College votes: 18
How it’s looking:
Despite the cast of “The West Wing” campaigning for Clinton in Ohio, Trump has a better chance of winning here than Clinton in FiveThirtyEight's forecast. The New York Times sees a closer race and NBC News has Ohio marked as a tossup. 

Counties to watch:
Stark County might split down the middle. In 2012, 49 percent of the vote went to each major candidate. Also look to Hamilton County. The Cincinnati area was a GOP stronghold that broke for Obama in the last two cycles, so Clinton will need to do well there, according to NBC News.  

Pennsylvania  Electoral College votes: 20
How it’s looking:
After the Republican National Convention, Trump’s campaign said it would focus on four battleground states: Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

“We’re the most Democratic of the four targeted states,” said G. Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College.

Clinton had a “nice lead” in Pennsylvania, said Madonna, until the FBI probe went live two weeks ago. NBC's battleground map has the state leaning Democrat and The New York Times has her a strong favorite. But FiveThirtyEight shows the margin tightening. Recently, Trump’s gained popularity in the suburbs, while Clinton’s target demographics are less than mobilized, Madonna said.  

Democrats in Pennsylvania have focused efforts on the African American population, 50 percent of which comes from Philadelphia. When Obama was a candidate, 92 to 94 percent of the black vote went to the Democrats, but without his name on the ticket, party leaders are afraid that black voters won’t turn out.

Millennials also make up 18 to 19 percent of Pennsylvania’s voters, but they’re the least politically engaged age group. Clinton surrogates have been campaigning at universities around the state because “they’re aware of the lack of enthusiasm,” Madonna said. 

“Trump’s voters are more enthusiastic in our state,” he added.

Counties to watch:
Forty percent of votes in Pennsylvania come from six counties: Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, Philadelphia and Allegheny. The first four are suburbs of Philadelphia populated by primarily middle class, college educated whites. “Many of them will vote either party depending on the cycle, depending on the candidates, depending on the issues,” Madonna said. In 2009, Obama won Bucks by 1 percent; Romney claimed Chester by the same margin.

Utah  Electoral College votes: 6
How it’s looking:
“Utah and Arizona are clearly new battlegrounds, ones that we don’t usually include in that list,” said Larry Sabato, editor-in-chief of the Crystal Ball website, which is run by the University of Virginia Center for Politics. 

Utah tends to vote Republican. In 2012, all six electoral college votes went to Romney. But because of the state’s Mormon faction, this election cycle is proving a different beast.

“Utah I would call a special case,” said Will Jordan, elections editor at YouGov. “The Mormon population were very reluctant to support Trump in the primary, and that’s followed through to the general election.”

Clinton has a single digit possibility of winning Utah’s electoral college votes, according to FiveThirtyEight's forecast, but Trump is finding unlikely competition from independent candidate Evan McMullin, a conservative Mormon.

NBC News moved Utah from tossup to lean Republican in its final battleground map.

Counties to watch:
Summit County is the only one that went blue in 2008. Romney swept Utah in 2012.

Virginia  Electoral College votes: 13
How it’s looking:
“Virginia’s one of the less competitive battlegrounds this year,” Sabato said of the state that NBC News reports "Leans Democrat."

According to FiveThirtyEight’s state predictions, Clinton has a comfortable advantage. Some of her popularity in Old Dominion can be attributed to her running mate, Tim Kaine, who is one of Virginia’s incumbent senators and served as governor from 2006 to 2010. 

Counties to watch:

While northern Virginia is traditionally more liberal than the rest of the state, Prince William County, the second most populous in Virginia, may sway Republican because of its suburban base. Virginia Beach could also prove dicey for Democrats. 

Wisconsin  Electoral College votes: 10 
How it’s looking:
Despite a working class electorate, FiveThirtyEight and The New York Times forecast a Clinton victory, and NBC News has Wisconsin leaning Democratic.

Counties to watch:
Waukesha County, a suburb west of Milwaukee, is very white, and very Republican. As a liberal base, Dane County should help Clinton along, but careful: third party candidates could eat into her lead, according to NBC News. 



Photo Credit: Getty/NBC Universal
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SEPTA Strike Ends

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SEPTA and TWU Local 234 leaders discuss the tentative deal reached between the two that would end the SEPTA strike Monday.

Crews Rescue Man From Inside Trash Truck

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SkyForce10 hovered overhead as crews rescued a man trapped inside a trash truck after trying to find a place to sleep in Philadelphia Monday morning.

The rescue took place on top of a garbage truck parked near Castor and Aramingo avenues in the Port Richmond neighborhood around 6:45 a.m.

Crews could be seen strapping a man to a backboard, carefully taking him off the truck and moving him into a waiting ambulance.

Medics took the 36-year-old man to Temple University Hospital in stable condition where doctors evaluated him, said Philadelphia Police.

The man was dumped into the truck after falling asleep inside a dumpster outside a nearby Speedway gas station, said police.



Photo Credit: SkyForce10

NBC10 Responds: Transmission Needs Work

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Car aficionado Robert Patten reached out to NBC10 Responds after a problem with his transmission popped back up.

Photo Credit: NBC10

College Kids Skip Fall Vacation to Stump for Clinton in Pa.

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In a neighborhood of suburban redbrick homes in southeastern Pennsylvania, Gurnoor Tucker has just visited a house where a man in a red muscle shirt barked that his vote would be for Trump. Tucker is coming up to a porch where a young woman will say she’s eager for Nov. 8, and another where a guy with a golden retriever will soon shut the door in his face.

Regardless of the reaction, he smiles while asking people if they know where to vote on Tuesday. If no one answers the door, he leaves a post-it as a reminder to cast a ballot.

Tucker was supposed to be at a competition with his dance team this weekend. Instead, he and 85 other Columbia University students trekked about 140 miles west of Manhattan to Reading, Pennsylvania, for four and a half days of advocacy during their Friday to Tuesday school holiday. They’re stumping for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, senate candidate Katie McGinty, and congressional candidate Christina Hartman. Forty-three pairs of canvassers are knocking on about 80 doors a day — or 3,440 in total.

“At this point, it’s not just choosing a candidate for their policies, it’s choosing the type of culture we want for the next four years,” Tucker said. “Like Obama always says, democracy’s on the ballot. Love is on the ballot. There’s so much else just aside from the candidates, and it would not be right of me to sit out on this one, because I believe that the best way to make change is to go out there." 

Elections activism is a tradition that began decades ago at Columbia when undergraduates demanded a break from school over election weekend because they felt it was their responsibility to be on the streets motivating voters. Now Columbia University Democrats (CU Dems) continues the legacy.

“I think that the civic duty of Columbians, in terms of history, would be more in line with promoting Jill Stein or someone like that,” said Matt Malone, a junior at Columbia. “Why I’m here, and I’ve gotten the sense why a lot of other people are here, is less that we feel like Hillary is the savior of all saviors and more that avoiding Trump is our main goal."

While Laura Tutunikov, also a junior at Columbia, agreed that preventing a Trump presidency was her first priority, she added, “I do really believe in Hillary. She’s very experienced and very competent.”

Reading is the fifth-largest city in Pennsylvania and is situated in Berks County, a highly competitive area in a swing state. In 2012, Mitt Romney beat Barack Obama by 962 votes in Berks, while Obama won by almost 17,000 in 2008. In the primaries, Clinton lost to Bernie Sanders by just over a thousand votes and Trump dominated the county.

Tucker said CU Dems chose Reading for their annual campaign trip because it’s a city “where we feel like our contribution can actually make a huge impact.”

CU Republicans didn't endorse Trump and the group was not out canvassing.

Columbians aren’t the only ones who have inundated Berks. On Sunday, a bus of students from D.C.-area schools came to canvas for Clinton. With so many volunteers lately, some residents are getting annoyed.

“These people have been targeted really hard, like really hard,” Columbia sophomore Zina Precht-Rodriguez said. “A lot of people I’ve talked to have just been aggravated by the fact that I was there. And someone even said yesterday, ‘I was voting for Hillary, but you guys have come to my door so many times that I might not now.’"

“A lot of people have called it harassment,” she added.

In situations where she’s felt unwanted, she’s tried to explain why she traveled out of state to their stoop.

“I was like, I’m really, really sorry, and I could totally understand why you would be annoyed, too," she said. "But in retrospect it’s because your vote really matters, and it’s really tight. And America is watching you.” 

The volunteers are approaching registered Democrats to remind them to vote on Tuesday. They’re not trying to convert Trump-Pence supporters to the Clinton camp. But neighborhoods are politically mixed and people move, so households that used to be Democratic have now switched parties. The students have seen a lot of Trump-Pence signs.

Tucker was canvassing with a friend on Saturday when he noticed how many locals openly supported the Republican ticket.

“It was a little bit of a culture shock,” he said, “because we knew that there were a lot of Trump supporters out there. There are people who are angry with the country, the way it is. But just seeing it in front of us —seeing regular suburban people who could have easily been our neighbors had we lived here being vocal Trump supporters — I have to say, it was really surprising."

Things get interesting when the canvassers happen on an undecided voter. Tucker said that’s their big opportunity to nab another ballot punch for Clinton. He mentioned one man whose wife was all in for a female president, but who was still choosing which candidate would earn his vote when Tucker rang the doorbell. 

“It’s definitely harder to pitch to the men — pitching them Hillary Clinton, and not only that, but there’s two other women on the ballot with her as well,” he said. “It’s not like that man ever said anything rude, but you can tell there’s definitely a discrepancy in how he views candidates and how his wife views it. My expectations are that no one in their right mind who respects women and believes in women’s rights should ever even consider supporting Trump. It should be a clear decision.” 

Sometimes the canvassers stumble upon a Democrat who’s voting Republican this election cycle.

Malone and Tutunikov remembered one older man who told them he was disillusioned with Obama and wanted something different. Tutunikov said she followed up with questions about what she perceives as Trump’s disrespect toward women.

“He was like, ‘Yes, he’s a racist and a sexist, but I want change. I want a raise at my job.’ Things of that sort,” she said. “He was saying that he knows what will happen if Hillary is elected, but he doesn’t know what will happen if Trump’s elected, so he’s going to take the gamble because he’s 60 and doesn’t have much to lose.”

Despite the occasional run-ins with people who oppose their views, Columbia’s canvassers said they’ve been treated mostly with respect, and sometimes with open arms.

Tucker, who’s a Sikh and wears a turban with a beard, met an elderly woman on Saturday. He said that like a grandmother she reached toward his face and patted his cheeks.

“She looks up at me and she’s like, ‘Oh my god, you’re so beautiful. I’m so glad you’re on our side, that we can have so many people working for the same causes I believe in.’ And that just warms my heart,” Tucker said.

All of the students come from different backgrounds. Malone is a math and linguistics major; Tutunikov also does math with a second major in economics; Precht-Rodriguez focuses on American studies. Tucker splits his time between economics and history. 

“We’re training ourselves to become leaders of the future,” Tucker said. “The world is constantly changing, and our generation, millennials, we’re in this weird place where we’re on the crux of leaving the institutions and starting to join the real world, where we shape these institutions. And so it’s super important for us to get involved, be civically engaged, understand politics, understand what issues are important, understand what different communities are facing. Because one day it’s going to be our responsibility to keep this world great, or to make it better.”

To politically apathetic or disillusioned millennials, Tucker said, “if you can’t find ways to enact change, you’re not looking hard enough."

Tucker added that, "everything's a work in progress. And if we’re in our 20s and we start now, well, think about how far we can get when we’re older.”

Precht-Rodriguez talked about what her activism will mean to her if she wakes up to a Clinton victory on Wednesday, which would mean she helped elect the nation's first female president.

“That is a huge deal to me, and if it’s not a huge deal to anyone else, then that’s kind of crazy.”



Photo Credit: Alexandra Villarreal
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Bringing an End to Catholic Church's Year of Mercy

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A celebration in Center City helped bring an end to a yearlong observance of the Catholic Church's "Year of Mercy.".

Hundreds Ride in Annual Toy Run

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Hundreds of motorcycle riders collected toys as part of the Del-Val Chapter of Abate's annual toy run.

Battleground States That Could Flip the Senate

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While the race for the White House has dominated national headlines, control of the U.S. Senate also is at stake on Tuesday.  

There are 54 Republicans and 44 Democrats now in the Senate, with two independents, including former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who caucus with Democrats.

On Election Day, 24 seats held by Republicans, and 10 held by Democrats, are on the ballot.

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To take control of the Senate, Democrats need to gain four seats if Hillary Clinton wins the presidency (and VP Tim Kaine could cast a tie-breaking vote), or five if she loses.  

Here are key Senate races to keep track of Tuesday night:

Illinois: Polls show Republican incumbent Mark Kirk trailing Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth. Kirk has held the seat since 2010. He's become the most vulnerable incumbent in the race, dealing with the effects of a 2012 stroke, and facing a strong opponent in Duckworth.

Duckworth, a veteran who lost both legs in Iraq, raised more money than Kirk.

Kirk has made waves more than once during this year's election.

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In June, he renounced his support for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Last month, he sparked controversy when questioning the Duckworth family's military service during a debate after she said her family has served going back to the American Revolution. 

"I had forgotten that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington," Kirk said.

Duckworth's mother is a Thai immigrant. Her father served in World War II and has lineage traced back to a family member who fought in the American Revolution. 

Kirk later apologized.

Wisconsin: Russ Feingold, a former Democratic senator who lost his seat in 2010, has a small lead in the polls against Republican incumbent Ron Johnson. 

If Feingold beats Johnson, it will be the first time since 1934 that a senator who was voted out came back six year later to defeat a former rival, NBC News reported. 

Pennsylvania: A close race is unfolding as Republican incumbent Pat Toomey is up against Democrat Katie McGinty, a former chief of staff to Gov. Tom Wolf. While Democrats portray Toomey as being too conservative, McGinty hasn't always connected well with voters.

Toomey hasn't endorsed or disavowed Trump. When pressed on the issue during a debate, Toomey said, "I don't think my constituents care that much how one person is going to vote." 

Indiana: The race is shaping up to be tight as the state's Republican incumbent, Dan Coats, is retiring. Running for his seat are former Democratic senator Evan Bayh and Rep. Todd Young, a Republican.

Bayh, the son of longtime senator Birch Bayh, energized Democrats when he announced a run to reclaim the seat he gave up in 2010. However, his opponent and Young's allies have painted Bayh as an opportunist who cashed in on his Senate experience by working at a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm. A story from early October detailed the former senator's efforts to find a private sector job during his final year in the Senate. 

Missouri: Republican incumbent Roy Blunt is facing Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, a Democrat. According to Real Clear Politics' polling average, Blunt, who has held the seat since 2010, holds a narrow lead over Kander, a former military intelligence officer.

Nevada: With Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid retiring, polls show a close race shaping up between Rep. Joe Heck (R) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D), the state's former attorney general. 

While the race is a chance for Republicans to pick up a seat held by Democrats, Trump's controversial comments combined with the state's high Hispanic population have given Democrats hope.

New Hampshire: The Senate race between Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R) and Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) has been getting national attention as both presidential candidates and their surrogates have campaigned in New Hampshire. Ayotte found herself in a difficult position in early October, after saying that she would call Trump a role model for children. While she later said she "misspoke," Hassan's campaign seized the comment as an opportunity, calling it "a revealing moment that she [Ayotte] cannot take back." Polls show Ayotte with a slim lead against Hassan.

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North Carolina: Democrats are hopeful that former state representative and American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Deborah Ross will defeat Republican senator Richard Burr. Republicans have been using Ross' record as a lawyer at the ACLU in an attempt to discredit her. Polls predict a close race.

Florida: Senator and former presidential candidate Marco Rubio (R) is fighting for his seat against Rep. Patrick Murphy (D). Rubio first said he would not seek re-election, but reversed that decision after dropping out of the presidential race, much to Republicans' delight. According to polls, Rubio has the edge.  

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While Rubio is known for his rocky relationship with Trump and frustration with the Senate, his opponent has had missteps. Murphy's been accused of touting pieces of his resume too much, and relying on his wealthy family for donations, NBC News reported. 

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Other Races to Watch and the Comey Effect:
Two other races that are important to watch, but are likely to remain in Republican hands, are in Arizona and Ohio.

Sen. John McCain (R) is working to hold off a challenge from Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D) in Arizona. McCain has held the seat since 1986 and is doing well, according to polls. Kirkpatrick has come down on McCain for his support of Trump. Though he originally endorsed Trump, McCain later renounced him.  

In Ohio, polls show Sen. Rob Portman (R) leading his opponent, Ted Strickland, a former Democratic governor. Strickland has made some gaffes during the election, including saying that Justice Antonin Scalia’s death "happened at a good time."

If Democrats win the Senate and, in a longshot, the House, it will be the first time since 1952 that both chambers of Congress flipped during a presidential election year.

Another interesting possibility in this election: The number of women in the Senate will likely increase from 20, with females on the ballot in several states. 

And while races are tight in multiple states, some Democrats are concerned about fallout from FBI Director James Comey's letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee announcing the FBI was reviewing a new set of emails in the probe into Hillary Clinton's private email server. The emails were found in the federal investigation into former New York congressman Anthony Weiner's sexting scandal.

The FBI review ended nine days later with Comey telling lawmakers the review was over and had not changed his original determination. But Democrats are concerned about the damage to down-ballot candidates, from an emboldened GOP and possible dampened enthusiasm among Democrats. 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Millennials & Politics: The College Campus Tour

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WATCH LIVE: Vince and David will discuss their college tour and what they learned during a LIVE SHOW on Facebook. Watch it LIVE in the link embedded above starting at noon. [[400260371, C]]

What are the main issues impacting millennial voters this political season? NBC10 reporters Vince Lattanzio and David Chang went on a college tour to find out.

In the weeks leading up to the election, the “Battleground Brothers” visited different college campuses in Pennsylvania and spoke with students about the issues they’re concerned about amid the presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

They first visited the Pew Research Center in Washington, DC to take a look at the political affiliations and trends of millennial voters. According to Pew Research, 41 percent of millennials identify as Independent, 34 percent identify as Democrat and 25 percent identify as Republican. Yet when asked which party they lean toward in their political affiliations, 54 percent of millennials either identified as Democrat or leaned towards Democrat. That "Democratic lean" is larger (more than 10 percent) than any other generational group in recent history.

One of the biggest issues that millennials are concerned about during this election is the economy. Millennials grew up during the Great Recession and they're facing challenges when it comes to paying for school, buying a home and finding well-paying jobs, according to Pew Research Center Senior researcher Alec Tyson.

Tyson also provided data on how millennials viewed the concept of the American dream and the country's current economic system in comparison to other generations. According to Pew Research, the majority of millennials believe that most people can get ahead if they're willing to work hard. At the same time however, they also feel that the U.S. economic system unfairly favors powerful interests. Despite this, millennials are still optimistic that their personal financial situation will improve over the next year.

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The first stop of the college campus tour was Penn State University where Donald Trump supporters are feuding with their fellow Republican counterparts and the love for Hillary Clinton is lackluster among Democrats. Those feelings are compounded by concerns over the nation’s economy as young people prepare to enter the workforce. You can watch their Penn State trip in the video below.

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The second stop of the college campus tour was Temple University where Vince and David spoke to students about the fight for social equality, another huge concern for millennials during this election season. Yet while the movement is loud at Temple University, not every student believes they can participate or supports the movement. You can watch their Temple University trip in the video embedded below.

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The third stop of the college campus tour was Widener University where Vince and David spoke to students about Climate Change and the effects inaction will have on their future. You can watch their Widener University trip in the video embedded below.

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The final stop was Kutztown University where Vince and David spoke to students about gun control, an issue that's not as polarizing among millennial voters as you might expect. You can watch their Kutztown University trip in the video embedded below.

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Follow Vince and David on the NBC10 app, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for interviews, stories and much more from their college campus tour.


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Ex-Philadelphia Inmates Get 2nd Chance

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NBC10’s Matt DeLucia tells how Baker Industries in Philadelphia is helping ex-cons and homeless people get another chance by giving them manufacturing jobs.

Photo Credit: NBC10

Fall Foliage in Philly Area

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Photo Credit: Jeremy Haas, SkyForce10

Baby, Child Injured in Philly House Fire Die from Injuries

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Two children who were injured in a house fire in the Olney section of Philadelphia last week died from their injuries, according to officials.

The fire started at a home along the 300 block of Sheldon Street shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday. Fire crews were on the scene in four minutes and found heavy smoke in the home, said Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel.

"You can't see anything, there was a lot of smoke in there... so it's always a real challenge to locate people in these buildings," said Thiel.

Firefighters rescued an 11-month-old child and 6-year-old child from the home. They were both taken to the hospital in extremely critical condition.

On Monday officials announced both children died from their injuries. The 11-month-old child passed away early Monday morning. Officials are unsure when the 6-year-old child died however.

Officials continue to investigate the cause of the fire. They also have not yet revealed whether any adults were inside the home at the time of the blaze.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Gun Range Too Noisy for Montco Neighbors

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East Vincent Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania recently opened a new law enforcement only gun range. Neighbors aren't thrilled.

The gun range currently has officers and other personnel completing mandatory qualifications. It's located on Dairy Road behind the township's sewer plant and some residents in the Royersford section of Limerick Township complained about the noise.

Last week, Limerick Township Police Department administrators met with the East Vincent Township Police and discussed ways to reduce the noise.

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East Vincent Township is working on sound reduction measures.

The gun range is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. But the police department said they'll try and limit the early morning and evening schedule.

There are also dates when the gun range will not be in use and as winter approaches, overall use may be reduced.

Royersford Borough Police Department also updated residents that they also met with the East Vincent Township Police Department.

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Some residents are on the side of the East Vincent Township Police arguing they deal with train horns at all hours, fire sirens and horns, as well as gunshots from hunters -- and the gunshots from the range shouldn't affect anything, and that first responders need practice.



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Widener's High School Leadership Awards 2017

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Since 2011, NBC10 and Widener University have partnered for the annual High School Leadership Awards, a program that recognizes high school juniors in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware who exhibit strong leadership skills, academic excellence, and exceptional character. This character can be shown through participation in extracurricular activities, volunteering, and/or demonstrating a positive influence on their peers.

Together, NBC10 and Widener University have honored nearly 600 high school students and provided these award recipients with the opportunity to attend a celebratory breakfast at the National Constitution Center, participate in a leadership experience at Widener University, and receive a $20,000 scholarship over four years if they enroll at Widener University as undergraduates.

Award winners who enroll at Widener University are named Apogee Scholars through the Oskin Leadership Institute, where they will hone their leadership skills to enact positive change on campus and beyond.

High school principals and administrators are encouraged to nominate one junior from their school to be considered for the High School Leadership Award. More information can be found on Widener University’s High School Leadership Awards website.

Annual Awards Program Timeline

  • Principal nominations due in December
  • Nominated student forms due in December
  • Award winners announced in January
  • Awards breakfast in March
  • Leadership experience at Widener University the following fall

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Photo Credit: Sabina Louis Pierce Photography
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Important Races in Delaware

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Election Day on Tuesday is not just about choosing our next President. No matter where you are voting from, you will see a number of other names on the ballot. Delaware voters will select a new Governor and will fill the state’s lone seat in Congress. NBC10’s Tim Furlong has the latest from the First State.
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