Josh Fattal Sentenced to Eight Years in Iranian Prison

Local Man Sentenced Man to Eight Years in Iranian Prison. Josh Fattal—a 29-year-old Elkins Park native—was detained by Iranian police when he and two other Americans were found hiking just inside the country’s border in 2009. The trio had been in the mountains in Northern Iraq when they unknowingly crossed over into Iran. Fattal and the other male hiker—Shane Bauer—received equal sentences and have 20 days to appeal. The third hiker—Sara Shourd—was released on $500,000 bond and has joined a political movement in an attempt to influence the government of Iran into releasing her friends. [Times Herald]

Phillies Lose On Brad Lidge Walkoff Clunk. The bases were loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning when Brad Lidge hit Johnny Gomes to force in the winning run. There is no combination of words that could accurately describe the level of nauseousness this has caused the Scoop. [The 700 Level]

Transgendered Woman Transferred to Male Prison. Upon entering the city’s only female prison, Kensington’s Jovanie Saldana’s actual gender somehow eluded authorities. Now—after an investigation stemming from a complaint from Saldana that she was sexually assaulted by a guard—authorities discovered that she was transgendered and have transferred her to a male prison. [Daily News]

Dude With Measles Was on a Philly-to-D.C. Amtrak Train Wednesday. Doctors in Virginia have confirmed that a man that was on Amtrak’s 171 train Wednesday from Philadelphia to Washington D.C. has measles. The man entered the United States before beginning to show any symptoms. Authorities are recommending that the train’s passengers check their vaccination status. Symptoms could materialize as late as September 7th. [NBC Philadelphia]

Mayor Nutter Extends Early Curfew. With the school year quickly approaching and the perceived success of the newly imposed early curfew, Mayor Nutter has gone ahead and extended the curfew for another two weeks. It seems as though the hope is that, by then, kids will be too busy doing algebra to attack random civilians. [CBS 3]

Temple Hospital Has a Robot That Performs Heart Surgery. A new technological development will provide doctors at Temple University Hospital the opportunity to perform heart surgeries without opening a patient’s chest. Even George Jetson would be impressed. [CBS 3]