As voters head to the polls, experts analyze the stakes of the 2018 midterm elections.
What's at Stake in the Midterm Elections
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Prank Caller Prompts Huge Police Response in New Hope
An elaborate hoax in New Hope, Pennsylvania, caused streets and businesses to close for several hours Sunday night, police said.
Officials investigated reports of a possible shooting and barricade situation near Ferry Street, only to later learn an anonymous call to 911 was actually a prank.
Several residents told NBC10 that they received calls from police to shelter in place.
The Bucks County District Attorney's Office said the fake emergency call was made around 5 p.m. and that authorities from multiple jurisdictions responded. The all clear was given around 9 p.m.
Authorities are now working to track down the caller. It is illegal to knowingly raise a false alarm in Pennsylvania and doers can face a misdemeanor charge under state law.
Photo Credit: NBC10
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Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Candidates Make Final Midterm Push
We're down to the wire. Just two-days to go before decision 2018. Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf faces challenger off against Republican Scott Wagner. They’re both flexing their midterm muscles to win your vote Tuesday.
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Accused Of Stealing Money From Little League
Two women are facing charges after they were accused of stealing money from a little league baseball team in Wilmington. Joanna Mcneely, 36, was the secretary of the Stanton Little League. Police say she used a debit card to withdrawal $1,500 out of the account. Stacey Burns, 42, is accused of stealing $8,000.
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Philly Researchers Fight Cancer One Vaccine At a Time
NBC10 went inside the lab at the Wister Institute to show how the future of cancer treatment could be as simple as getting a shot in the arm.
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Massive Explosion Levels Home in Lower Merion
An explosion flattened most of a house in Lower Merion Sunday night, causing a thunderous boom that could be heard throughout the region.
Emergency responders rushed to the home, located in the 600 block of Dodds Lane in Gladwyne, shortly after 8 p.m.
The apparent gas explosion destroyed approximately 75 percent of house, which had been undergoing extensive renovations, Lower Merion police said.
The homeowners were inside their guest house at the time of the explosion, but no injuries were reported, police said. Rubble littered the lawn while chunks of debris clung to tree branches.
Peco also sent employees to the scene to help first responders and secure the area, the utility company said. Additional gas leaks did not pose a threat to the public, Peco said.
But people took to Twitter and other social media outlets to share their stories of hearing, and even feeling, the explosion. Twitter user Larry Borden said his own window pane cracked, while others wondered if they heard a sonic boom.
Officials do not suspect foul play. The investigation remains ongoing.
Photo Credit: NBC10
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Home Explosion Rattles Gladwyne Family
A local family was sitting down to dinner when a nearby home suddenly exploded.
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Fire Tears Through Popular Del. Farmers Market
A well-known, family-owned farmers and produce market went up in flames in Delaware overnight.
Flames broke out at Willey Farms on Dupont Parkway in Townsend, Delaware shortly after 2 a.m. Monday.
The fire quickly expanded to three alarms as firefighters from neighboring towns joined the firefight. Smoke continued to rise from the rubble around daybreak.
No one at the farm was hurt but a firefighter was treated for shortness of breath, firefighters said.
“Hi Guys. We’re all safe,” Willey Farms posted on Facebook. “The firefighters tried to save her. They worked real hard. But Willey Farms is gone. From the Deli thru to the greenhouse. Produce. Natural Foods. Home Accents. She’s all gone. We don’t know where to start really. Kinda numb right now.”
Donald and Irene Willey began Willey Farms as a fruit cart at the end of their street. From there is expanded to a market that covers six acres, according to the company’s history posted on its website. Willey Farms is a destination for holiday shoppers and food shoppers from around the region.
The family is already talking about rebuilding:
“It will be lots of hard heartbreaking work. But she will be built again,” the Facebook post said. “We do know that. Thank you for reaching out to us. Thank you for being our customers and friends for 43 years. ��Thank you so much. Thank you for your continued prayers and thoughts.”
Expect traffic trouble in the area.
No word yet on what caused the blaze.
Photo Credit: NBC10
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NJ Teen Missing After Traveling to NYC, Family Says
A New Jersey teenager took a train to New York City the day before Halloween and hasn't been seen since, his family and police said Sunday.
Thomas Kolding, 15, lives with his family in Mountain Lakes, his father Nicolai Kolding said.
Thomas was seen taking a train to Newark on Oct. 30 and is believed to have taken another train to New York's Penn Station, the family and police said.
He may have been trying to travel to California.
He was last seen wearing a camouflage winter down coat, a grey winter hat and a large black backpack.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Mountain Lakes Police Department at 973-334-1413.
Photo Credit: Thomas Kolding family
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3 Steps for Millennial Financial Security
Financial advisor Rob Wilson says that, despite stereotypes surrounding millennials, they are on the fast track to becoming the least entrepreneurial generation in a long time. Because of this, he advises that people set financial goals they can work on over time.
Photo Credit: NBC10
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To Spank Or Not to Spank
The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling for a ban on spanking as a from of discipline. They say spanking does not improve behavior and may actually cause more agressive behavior in the long run.
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Final Push to Get Voters to the Polls
Activist, Democrats, and Republicans give one final push to get people out to the polls on November 6th. Traditionally voter turnout is low for midterm elections, but experts say tomorrow could see record numbers at the polls.
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'Captain Kurk' Helps Eradicate Behavioral Problems at Center City School
Kurk Watson is a conflict resolution teacher at Greenfield Elementary School in Center City, Philadelphia. "Captain Kurk," has become invaluable to teachers, parents and students. Watson has successfully "eliminated" discipline problems by teaching students how to solve their emotional problems before it turns into conflict, school leaders say.
Photo Credit: NBC10
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What to Know on Cusp of Midterm Election
The midterm elections are expected to bring bigger than normal turnout to the polls. You may encounter long lines and longer than normal wait times at your polling place.
Photo Credit: NBC10
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Our House: Inside the Battles for Control of Congress
This series examines several battleground races in the fight for control of the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of the Nov. 6 midterm elections.
Carried by grassroots momentum, Democrats must take 23 seats from Republicans to win the balance of power. They are contending with Republicans' experience and organization, and an outspoken but polarizing president.
NBC Owned Television Stations is taking a look at some of the most closely fought races across the country to see what issues matter most to voters and how the national headwinds are affecting the candidates. Those district profiles can be found below, with more coming as Election Day nears.
We also asked viewers why they are or aren’t inspired to vote in the midterms and compiled hundreds of replies for an interactive display.
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Dem Seizes on Rohrabacher’s Russia-Friendly Views in SoCal
National Issues Loom Large in Key House Race Near DC
Health Care Vote a Pre-Existing Condition for Illinois GOP Congressman
Democrats Aim to Flip GOP's Only Congressional Seat in NYC
'Trump Democrats' Give GOP Hope for a Midterm Win in Minn.
Can a Trump-Resisting Fla. Republican Outrun His Health Care Vote?
Close Maine House Race Injects Medicaid in Health Care Fight
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
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An Election Day Soaker? Strong Storms to Sweep Through
Potentially strong storms could put a damper on part of Election Day but won’t wash out the entire day.
The NBC10 First Alert Weather Team issued a First Alert from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for strong to severe storms packing potential damaging winds and heavy rain for the entire Philadelphia region Tuesday.
“We’re talking damaging winds and downpours that could cause localized flooding,” NBC10 First Alert Weather meteorologist Bill Henley said. Power outages could also occur.
The heavy storms shouldn’t strike all day so there are good times to hit your polling place. Expect a dry start before a strong cold front brings in rain during the day, Bill said.
The storms will likely sweep into the Lehigh Valley and points north and west of Philadelphia in the late morning.
“This may cause a few people a delay getting to the polls at some point during the day but it’s not going to be a calamity for Election Day,” Bill said.
The system will likely move into Philadelphia in the early afternoon and should be moved off the Jersey Shore by early evening.
“Big improvement as we go into the end of the day, we will be drying out for hours before the polls close.”
These sweeping storms follow storms over the weekend that caused damage in some neighborhoods and light to moderate rain on Monday.
Once the rain moves out we are in for some clear fall weather for a couple days as you will see sunshine and highs in the low 60s Wednesday. Rain doesn’t return until Friday.
The NBC10 First Alert Weather Team will keep you updated on the storms on air and on the app so keep checking back.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Ways to File Complaints on Election Day, and DOJ Involvement
Three counties in New Jersey and Pennsylvania will receive extra Election Day safeguarding oversight from the federal government, in addition to the usual local and state law enforcement.
The U.S. Justice Department said staff from the Civil Rights Division will monitor compliance and provide hotlines to the public to call in case of complaints, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement Monday.
Middlesex and Union counties in New Jersey and Lehigh County in Pennsylvania are among the 35 counties in 19 states where federal officials will provide compliance help.
EDITOR'S NOTE: NBC10 is partnering with ProPublica, and their project called Electionland, to chart and respond to Election Day voter problems. Click here for more details.
State attorneys general and State Department officials in Pennsylvania and New Jersey already have issued plans to provide law enforcement officials as compliance officials throughout their respectives states on Election Day.
“Voting is one of the linchpins of our democracy, and we take seriously our role in making sure the rights of those eligible to vote are protected,” New Jersey Attorney General Grewal said. “As our office has done in the past, we will be stationing attorneys throughout the state to ensure the integrity of our election. Our attorneys will be on hand to help resolve any voting-related legal issues that might arise, and to ensure these issues are resolved promptly and fairly.”
In Philadelphia, the District Attorney's office also will provide oversight of the city's more than 800 polling places, as well as respond to any complaints of election irregularities.
The Justice Department said in a statement that local and state agencies will have primary responsibility.
"This year we are using every lawful tool that we have, both civil and criminal, to protect the rights of millions of Americans to cast their vote unimpeded at one of more than 170,000 precincts across America," Sessions said. "Citizens of America control this country through their selection of their governmental officials at the ballot box. Likewise, fraud in the voting process will not be tolerated. Fraud also corrupts the integrity of the ballot."
Here are ways for voters to file complaints about issues they may encounter on Election Day:
New Jersey: Any person who believes his or her right to vote has been interfered with, or who wishes to report other voting-related problems or concerns, can call the state’s Voter Information and Assistance line toll-free at 1-877-NJVOTER. Members of the public also can direct election-related questions to their County Superintendent of Elections and county Board of Elections. A list of county-level election office contacts, as well as other useful elections-related information, can be found on the New Jersey Division of Elections web site.
Pennsylvania: Call the voter hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772). For election-related scams, call the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection at (800)441-2555 or file a complaint online.
Philadelphia: 85 staffers from the District Attorney's office will provide all-day responses to callers at (215)686-9641. Officials will respond to voter intimidation complaints, illegal ballot help and electioneering at polling places.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
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NJ Officers Babysit Pig, Feed It Snacks, After Escape
A New Jersey police department got an unusual call over the weekend: a pig had been spotted roaming around a neighborhood block.
Wanaque Police Department Capt. Kenneth Fackina said officers hung out with the pig until its owner could come get it. It had been spotted roaming around on Pellington Street around 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Fackina said officers fed it a few snacks, which it seemed to enjoy, and then its owner came to get it and walk it home.
He said the call is "not something I can remember in my 29 years here."
"27,000 calls so far this year but none of the other 26,999 entailed any pig wrangling," Fackina wrote in an email to NBC New York.
It wasn't immediately clear if the pig was being kept as a pet.
Photo Credit: Wanaque Police Department
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Girl, 5, Dies From Mom's Push Down Basement Stairs, DA Says
A Chester County mother faces murder charges after police say she pushed her 5-year-old daughter down the basement stairs on Halloween night causing a brain injury that ultimately proved fatal.
Chester County authorities said Amatulah "Amy" McLaughlin’s death was the tragic end to more than a year of abuse at the hands of the girl's mother, Ciara Robinson. The prolonged abuse, prosecutors said, left the girl's body scarred.
"This little girl was severely abused, culminating in her death,” Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said Monday. “No child should have to live like this. Our hearts are broken by the death of an innocent child.”
Paramedics and police officers were called to Robinson’s home along Walnut Street in Parkesburg around 9:25 p.m. Wednesday, police said in a criminal complaint. They found Amy cold to the touch, not breathing and without a pulse, indicating she had been dead for some time.
The resulting police investigation determined that Robinson became angry with Amy earlier in the day. At some point later, the 25-year-old mother pushed the girl down the stairs, the criminal complaint said.
Sitting in a police holding cell after her arrest, Robinson shouted "I wish I never pushed her down the (expletive) steps,” police said. She then added “I shouldn’t have pushed her."
Robinson then recanted some of her statements during a formal police interview early on Nov. 1, police said. Robinson admitted to getting angry with Amy and beating, punching and slapping the girl while threatening to put the girl in the basement with the "Boogey Man." The mother said Amy then fell down the stairs — a distance of about 9 feet — striking her head on a concrete landing, according to the court documents.
Robinson, who worked as a home health aide, told investigators that she carried her daughter up the stairs and that Amy walked herself about 10 feet to her bedroom where she got in bed and went to sleep, police said. Robinson claimed she periodically checked on the girl and later attempted to revive Amy by throwing cold water on her face after finding the 5-year-old unresponsive.
Robinson only called 911 after calling friend for advice, police said.
The friend told police Robinson called her around 8:45 p.m. and said
"I knocked Amy out," "She won’t wake up" and "I’m going to jail."
The medical examiner concluded Amy died as a result of blunt force head trauma that caused extensive brain bleeding and intra-cranial pressure. The autopsy also found signs of abuse including bruising, scars, puncture wounds and strike marks on the girl's body.
Authorities said Robinson had been accused of abusing her daughter in Dec. 2017 after an anonymous tip was made to state child welfare officials. It's not yet clear whether the complaint was followed up on.
Robinson also has a 2-year-old son. He did not show any signs of harm and was taken into protective custody by the county, Hogan said.
Hogan vowed to make sure justice is served for Amy.
“The loss of any child is a tragedy, however, it is horrific that a parent would inflict such sustained and brutal damage to her own daughter," Hogan said.
Robinson was arraigned on third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and related counts and sent to county jail without bail. It is unclear if she has an attorney who could comment on her behalf.
Photo Credit: Facebook / Chester County District Attorney's Office
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9-1-1 Outage in Philadelphia
The City of Philadelphia says a phone outage is preventing people from calling 9-1-1 from landlines.
The outage is not affecting cellphones.
City officials say any emergency calls for police, fire or medical help should be made from cellphones for the time being.
The city said a Verizon issue is the cause of the outage and that they are working with the telecommunications company to fix it.
The same outage hindered phone communications at Penn Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania earlier on Monday, Philadelphia police said.
Monday afternoon, Saint Joseph's University announced on Twitter that their phone system was also impacted by the 911 outage and encouraged students to use their cellphones until the problem is fixed.
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