SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:55 P.M. ET: 

IMPORTANT EDUCATION NEWS – FROM THE COLLEGE FIX:   Students at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy can take refuge in a new safe space.  The room, literally called the “Sanford Safe Space,” will make its debut this year in a former faculty office turned safe space, reports The Duke Chronicle student newspaper.  Duke University spokeswoman Karen Kemp confirmed the Chronicle article is correct, but did not have further comment to The College Fix.  I'm so happy that the Duke students can find comfort and safety.  It must have been nightmarish without this little touch of the womb.

TRUMP HUSTLING IN PENNSYLVANIA – FROM THE HILL:   Hillary Clinton's lead over Donald Trump is down to 7 points in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, according to a new Franklin and Marshall College poll released Thursday morning.  Clinton has 47 percent support in the Keystone State, the poll found, with Trump at 40 percent.  Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, led by 11 points in the same poll last month, immediately following the Democratic National Convention.  Among registered voters, Clinton's lead dropped 4 points, from 43 percent to 39 percent.  No doubt this reflects the overall trend we've seen recently, with the gap narrowing.  However, there's no guarantee that trend will continue.  Gaps often narrow and, in the end, the person who was always leading often winds up the winner, if only by a narrow margin.  No guarantees here.

SOMETHING'S HAPPENING – FROM THE NEW YORK POST:   It’s tough times for the Big Apple’s grocers.  Garden of Eden, a 22-year-old upscale market, filed for bankruptcy protection this week after closing half of its six stores in the last few years.  The filing in Manhattan federal court is the latest blow to the city’s family-owned, independent grocers.  Cash-strapped D’Agostino is getting a financial lifeline from billionaire John Catsimatidis, who owns the Red Apple and Gristedes grocery stores.  Fairway Market, which was family-owned before it went public in 2013, filed for Chapter 11 earlier this year.  Garden of Eden experienced “a historic lack of patronage” this year, which reached a crisis in the slower summer months when it fell behind on payments to its secured creditors and landlord, according to the filing.  What happens in New York is often felt around the country.  I'm hearing the same story more and more – cash-strapped customers, even those living in affluent areas, can't afford to pay their grocery bills, and are buying much less.  A number of restaurants are also closing.  Something's happening out there, and it isn't good.

September 1,  2016