How to manipulate HTML within a jQuery variable?

Question

I am trying to manipulate the HTML stored within a jQuery variable. I want to do this manipulation before I write the variable to the document.

So, I have a variable

Answer 1

Try this:

var sighting = "
",
    $elem = $(sighting).find("span.feed_name").text("hello world").parent();
$("#sightings").append($elem);

The parent call is needed to get back to the outer div.