Morning Headlines: Justice May Have Deal in “Porngate” Scandal

Justice Michael Eakin

Good morning Philadelphia. A lot of people are without power this morning, thanks to last night’s storms. Here’s what else you need to know.

A Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice faces a court hearing today in the “Porngate” scandal. It sounds like he’s struck a deal.

PennLive reports: Justice Michael Eakin is due before a judge after meeting in mediation with judicial discipline officials before a mediator, Philadelphia power attorney Richard A. Sprague. “The parties have made a good-faith effort to reach a resolution through such mediation with Mr. Sprague,” according to a joint filing by both sides. Eakins’ lawyer, William Costopoulos, declined further comment. “I know I’m being a bit vague, but the Court of Judicial Discipline is adamant about all matters being addressed on the courtroom floor as opposed to in press conferences,” he said.

The Inquirer reports Attorney General Kathleen Kane — whose revelations set off the scandal — is meanwhile decrying reports that Eakin was let off easily during a 2014 probe into the scandal: “It is time for the JCB [Judicial Conduct Board] to admit what the citizens of the commonwealth now all know: We have two systems of justice in Pennsylvania,” she said.”One for the haves like Justice Eakin, where disciplinary investigations become nothing more than a whitewash designed to sweep hate-filled emails under the rug, and one for the rest of us – the have-nots.” Today’s hearing is at 2:30 p.m.

A New Jersey lawmaker wants to lower the state’s drinking age to 18.

“We decided a long time ago that 18 was going to be the right age for voting, that’s a very important decision, perhaps the most important decision to make. You can get married at 18, which is probably more important than voting,” Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, a Republican, tells News12. “So it seems to be that the relatively trivial decision of whether or not to have a glass of wine or cup of beer should be regarded as less important than those two decisions.” One obstacle? Federal law requires states to set the drinking age at 21 — or face losing federal highway funds.

Teachers union President Jerry Jordan has survived a challenge to his leadership.

Jordan has won his third straight term as the leader of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, this time defeating a challenge brought by the Caucus of Working Educators, led by Amy Roat, a teacher at Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences. “It’s clear that the membership has confidence in what we’ve been doing, and they want us to continue, which we’re grateful for,” Jordan told Newsworks. “It’s my goal now to do everything I can to get a contract.” Philly Superintendent William Hite offered his congratulations: “As a fellow educator, I look forward to resuming our collective work to enhance and improve educational opportunities for our students.”

The Philadelphia Flower Show has high standards. Meaning: No one can get high.

There will be no display featuring the wonders of marijuana at this year’s show, despite early understandings it would be allowed, PhillyVoice.com reports. “It would have been an honor to introduce one of mankind’s oldest therapeutic plants at the prestigious Philadelphia Flower Show,” said Skip Shuda, CEO of Green Rush Advisors, which wanted to put on the pot display. Philadelphia Horticulture Society spokesperson Alan Jaffe tried to play down any controversy. “This was an honest misunderstanding. It involved a rapidly changing conversation and a number of parties. There was no intent to misrepresent or mislead anyone by either party. It simply wasn’t a formula that could work within our guidelines at this time.”

Is RGIII going to play for the Eagles?

There’s increasing speculation the former Heisman winner could land here, fed by NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. “I’ll give you two big options right off the top,” Rapoport said on NFL Network. “The Kansas City Chiefs, who have Andy Reid, who has propped up quarterbacks for years. (Griffin) can learn to throw from the pocket under that system. Another potential name: the Philadelphia Eagles with one of Reid’s disciples, Doug Pederson. They’re looking for some quarterback depth there, especially if they don’t re-sign Sam Bradford.” Fans, at least, seem to be taking the idea seriously “I think it’s an option that needs to be explored, not just by the fans, but by the Eagles,” 94WIP’s Ike Reese said on Wednesday. “Listen, you’re obviously not 100-percent sold on Sam Bradford…there is some trepidation about committing to Sam Bradford and rightfully so.

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