Report: Iran pastor faces death for rape

Report: Iran pastor faces death for rape: Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani will be put to death for several charges of rape and extortion and not for refusing to recant his religious beliefs and convert from Christianity to Islam, Iran's semi-official Fars News agency reported Friday.

Living behind the Section 8 ball

Living behind the Section 8 ball: THERE'S ONE buzzword that's seemingly unavoidable when Northeast homeowners - and some politicians - talk about rental properties in their neighborhoods.

Man is sought in attempted heist in N. Philly

Man is sought in attempted heist in N. Philly: Man is sought
in attempted heist
* Broad Street near Montgomery Ave.,
North Philadelphia
Police yesterday continued searching for a man who tried robbing a Wendy's restaurant in North Philadelphia Tuesday morning.

BME: Good news about black males

BME: Good news about black males: THIS SUMMER, while some Philadelphia youths were wreaking havoc on city streets, Tyree Dumas and the kids he works with were holding dance parties.

Unions DROP a lawsuit on city

Unions DROP a lawsuit on city: BLUE-COLLAR municipal union District Council 33 is suing the city, claiming that changes made to the controversial Deferred Retirement Option Plan were illegal.

Looking ahead to Apple's iPhone event (roundup)

Looking ahead to Apple's iPhone event (roundup): The wait is nearly over. Apple will announce the next incarnation of its smartphone at an event Tuesday morning at its headquarters. We've got you covered on all things iPhone.

The tone deafness at City Hall

The tone deafness at City Hall:

Yeah, so the Mayor was on TV last night showing off a side I’ve never understood, liked, or can even remotely fathom. You know that side. That’s the side that emerges when a complete cluster$%*! has occurred on his watch, and the response is “get over it.”

Mayor Nutter says it’s time to look ahead, now that the Arlene Ackerman buyout drama is over.

Committee of 70 CEO Zack Stalberg suggested if contributors to Arlene Ackerman’s buyout were solicited publicly instead of secretly, maybe the donors wouldn’t have withdrawn and some of the $900,000 in public money could have been saved.

Mayor Nutter, who admitted to calling donors, wouldn’t go there.

“Hindsight is always 20/20 vision. It’s a whole lot of woulda, shoulda, coulda.”

So a “whole lot of woulda, shoulda, coulda” is not what I would describe the complete and utter colossal disaster that made headlines around the state and nation because of a million dollar public buyout of a controversial superintendent. It’s not what I would describe a mindset that could approve solicitations of private anonymous donors as a “favor” to the public. It’s not a phrase I would say when 3000+ people lost their jobs at the school district, including 27 assistant principals who lost their jobs that day because people in charge didn’t do theirs. It’s not a phrase I would use when the issues at stake are basic governance, fiscal responsibility, ethics, and a sense of decency when a city’s been through the ringer on polarizing rhetoric and bitterness on all ends.

A “whole lot of woulda, shoulda, coulda” is not what I would say when the Mayor’s picks to the SRC have been terrible examples of bungling ineptitude, potential ethical compromise, and public disservice. Or when his office has been sitting for five months on an ethics investigation into potential SRC interference in a $60 million contract for Martin Luther King High School.

And it’s not a phrase I would use when the public put up $53M in higher property taxes for our schools, despite a butchered tax system that’s among the worst in the nation from uncollected taxes to uncertified assessors to erratic assessments across the city.

I think we should move on from Arlene Ackerman as well. There’s a whole lot the Mayor could have said to do that. Like laying out a vision for schools, like promising renewed engagement, like acknowledging the failures and weaknesses of the system, like talking about new leadership for the SRC and laying out a plan for new leadership at the district, like expressing some level of humility or reaching out and bringing people together, like being a champion for public ed and governance when so many people are feeling disgust about it.

Fortunately for him, his mayoral opponent is someone who makes “hindsight is always 20/20” sound like an Oxford thesis.

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Kobe: Playing in Italian league 'very possible'

Kobe: Playing in Italian league 'very possible': Kobe Bryant said it's "very possible" he will play in Italy during the NBA lockout, adding the country is like home because he spent part of his childhood there.

Philly 'Gun Court' to be silenced

Philly 'Gun Court' to be silenced: A seven-year experiment with a specialized court for illegal gun possession in Philadelphia is going to end, a victim of shrinking resources.

Four people shot in South Philly in dispute from high school fight

Four people shot in South Philly in dispute from high school fight: A critically wounded 2-year-old girl was among four people shot Tuesday night in South Philadelphia in a dispute stemming from a high school fight, police said.

What Newark schools are doing with $100 million gift

What Newark schools are doing with $100 million gift: In a neighborhood about two miles from this city’s downtown business district, a former public middle school offers the most visible evidence of Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook money at work. NBC News Rich Gardella, Lisa Myers and Azriel Relph report.

Images: Michael Jackson Doctor Trial

Images: Michael Jackson Doctor Trial:

See images from the sensational trial of Dr. Conrad Murray in the death of Michael Jackson.

Former Philly Cop Under Investigation

Former Philly Cop Under Investigation:

Fox 29's Dave Schratwieser reports that the home of a former officer with the Firearms Identification Unit was visited at 2am Tuesday morning by members of Philadelphia's SWAT team and Internal Affairs.

Vick Says He's Playing Against 49ers

Vick Says He's Playing Against 49ers:

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick said on Wednesday that he'll play against the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday.

AMY SULLIVAN: The White House Boys’ Club: President Obama Has a Woman Problem….

AMY SULLIVAN: The White House Boys’ Club: President Obama Has a Woman Problem….:

AMY SULLIVAN: The White House Boys’ Club: President Obama Has a Woman Problem.

Lawyer says Jackson doctor sought CPR machine

Lawyer says Jackson doctor sought CPR machine: An attorney for the promoter of Michael Jackson's final concerts said Wednesday the singer's personal physician asked the company for life-saving equipment just days before the pop superstar's death.

Vick to Action News: "100% chance I'll start"

Vick to Action News: "100% chance I'll start": QB Michael Vick told Action News sports reporter Jaime Apody that he fully intends to be the starter on Sunday.

Food co-ops on rise in Philly area

Food co-ops on rise in Philly area: Pam Seida browses the aisle at Mariposa Food Co-op in West Philadelphia, looking for tempeh bacon, which she insists is "yummy."

SugarHouse has growing pains

SugarHouse has growing pains: SugarHouse is celebrating its first birthday this weekend, with live bands and fireworks planned over the Delaware riverfront. Yet, as it marks the milestone, Philadelphia's only casino continues to struggle against its area rivals.

Strong arm of Phila. politics

Strong arm of Phila. politics: In 1999, when John F. Street first ran for Philadelphia mayor, he said his campaign contributors had "a greater chance of getting business from my administration."

Strong arm of Phila. politics

Strong arm of Phila. politics: In 1999, when John F. Street first ran for Philadelphia mayor, he said his campaign contributors had "a greater chance of getting business from my administration."

NBA stars play for charity at Philly's Palestra

NBA stars play for charity at Philly's Palestra: This is NBA basketball without NBA control: 8,700 fans sweltering inside the Palestra, waiting patiently for a game delayed by late arrivals, with extra-loud music providing a thinly-veiled distraction.

Eagles' Jackson lacks elite stats

Eagles' Jackson lacks elite stats: DESEAN JACKSON wants a new contract that will make him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL, and the sentiment of most Eagles fans is that the team should hurry up and give it to the little guy because: a) it's not their money; and b) he's pretty damn good.

One & done would rival '64 for Phils

One & done would rival '64 for Phils: IF YOU'RE UNDER 55, you missed it. Or don't remember enough about The Horror for it to have made a lasting impression.

Man charged with killing boy

Man charged with killing boy: A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY was shot to death early Monday by a repeat offender who was slated to appear in court on drug charges next week, according to police.

Council zoning in on a fall vote

Council zoning in on a fall vote: THE CITY'S proposed new zoning code took an important step toward becoming law yesterday, but still has some hurdles to clear.

Police employee avoids jail in drug charge

Police employee avoids jail in drug charge: MELANIE POSTELL, a Police Department civilian employee whose job was to catalog confiscated drugs, was admitted yesterday into a first-time offenders' program stemming from a May drug bust.

Elmer Smith: Time for Ackerman to get specific with her accusations

Elmer Smith: Time for Ackerman to get specific with her accusations: WHATEVER ELSE you can say about Arlene Ackerman's $905,000 buyout, you can't call it hush money.
The former school-district superintendent has been on blast since she floated to a soft landing in her public/private parachute Wednesday. In extended interviews with Education Week, Fox 29 and WURD-AM, Ackerman unleashed a torrent of direct hits and glancing blows at the mayor and the School Reform Commission.

Elmer Smith: Time for Ackerman to get specific with her accusations

Elmer Smith: Time for Ackerman to get specific with her accusations: WHATEVER ELSE you can say about Arlene Ackerman's $905,000 buyout, you can't call it hush money.
The former school-district superintendent has been on blast since she floated to a soft landing in her public/private parachute Wednesday. In extended interviews with Education Week, Fox 29 and WURD-AM, Ackerman unleashed a torrent of direct hits and glancing blows at the mayor and the School Reform Commission.

Elmer Smith: Time for Ackerman to get specific with her accusations

Elmer Smith: Time for Ackerman to get specific with her accusations: WHATEVER ELSE you can say about Arlene Ackerman's $905,000 buyout, you can't call it hush money.
The former school-district superintendent has been on blast since she floated to a soft landing in her public/private parachute Wednesday. In extended interviews with Education Week, Fox 29 and WURD-AM, Ackerman unleashed a torrent of direct hits and glancing blows at the mayor and the School Reform Commission.

Teens nearly airmail postal worker with bomb

Teens nearly airmail postal worker with bomb: Two 13-year-old boys are facing aggravated-assault charges after slipping a homemade bomb into a postal worker's mail cart Thursday, police said.

Marshals nab robbery suspect

Marshals nab robbery suspect: U.S. Marshals found a fugitive - accused of robbing a Wendy's in Germantown on Aug. 16 and breaking through the drive-through window of a McDonald's in East Germantown on Aug. 18 - hiding in the crawlspace of his girlfriend's house in upstate New York yesterday.

Halladay delayed as Phils adjust rotation again

Halladay delayed as Phils adjust rotation again: Upset baseball was not played this weekend? So was Roy Halladay, who saw his second straight start affected by inclement weather.

Halladay delayed as Phils adjust rotation again

Halladay delayed as Phils adjust rotation again: Upset baseball was not played this weekend? So was Roy Halladay, who saw his second straight start affected by inclement weather.

Man jumps White House fence

Man jumps White House fence: "An unidentified man who jumped the White House fence on Tuesday was apprehended by uniformed Secret Service officers who approached him with guns drawn.

"

Principal fired over writings on race

Principal fired over writings on race: "The principal of a Catholic elementary school in the Bronx has been fired because of his writings on race and white supremacy, the Archdiocese of New York said Tuesday.

"

Another child left outside casino

Another child left outside casino: "AFTER HER FATHER left her alone in his car on Saturday afternoon, when temperatures soared above 90, the 6-year-old girl was found running through the Parx Casino parking lot screaming "Papa!""

Black newswoman overcame bias, boors

Black newswoman overcame bias, boors: "IT WASN'T EASY for award-winning journalist Carole Simpson to break into the news industry.
She had three strikes against her: She was black, a woman, and inexperienced."

Mariano bets he's a funny guy?

Mariano bets he's a funny guy?: "CITY COUNCILMAN . . . convicted felon . . . stand-up comedian?
That's the new career path former Councilman Rick Mariano is shooting for these days as he mines his time in City Hall and federal prison for chuckles."

Tattle: 'Men' to open season by burying Charlie?

Tattle: 'Men' to open season by burying Charlie?: "TRYING to predict TV plots is harder than picking horses because there's no much bad information leaked by producers to stir up interest, but the rumor mill says "Two and a Half Men" will kick off this year with a two-part episode centered on Ch"

City Howl Help Desk: SEPTA declines to shut up the QuietCar yakkers

City Howl Help Desk: SEPTA declines to shut up the QuietCar yakkers: "FRANK McNamara knows exactly where to stand on the Suburban Station platform so he can walk right onto the QuietRide car on SEPTA's Fox Chase line. The quiet car, the first on the regional rail trains during peak hours, is supposed to offer a little getaway - no loud rings, never-ending conversations or headphones blasting."

Nude photos lead N.J. politician to quit

Nude photos lead N.J. politician to quit: "SOUTH JERSEY political figure who allegedly took nude pictures of himself and emailed them to a Chicago woman he had never met quit his office yesterday."

Which Vick will Eagles get this season?

Which Vick will Eagles get this season?: "THE EAGLES will open training camp today at Lehigh with Mike Vick as their starting quarterback. If you're an Eagles fan, that should make you a little nervous. Excited, but also nervous."

Peyton will just have to make do

Peyton will just have to make do: "PEYTON MANNING doesn't care how much it may hurt the Colts, he's not settling for a penny less than $25 million a year."

Peace, film and fashion with Charlie Mack

Peace, film and fashion with Charlie Mack: "EVEN WITH HIS CACHE of celebrity friends and Hollywood connections, Charles "Charlie Mack" Alston gives local artists the chance to showcase their talent during his annual star-studded charity events."

Spike gives Downey's CPR

Spike gives Downey's CPR: "IT WASN'T EASY for Spike TV's "Bar Rescue" to whip tax deadbeat Downey's Irish Pub and Restaurant, at Front and South streets, back into shape."

John Baer: With his national exposure growing, might Nutter get Obama appointment?

John Baer: With his national exposure growing, might Nutter get Obama appointment?: "MAYOR Nutter's grabbing some down time on vacation. I figure I'll seize the moment for speculation about his future.
Seems to me Hizzoner's headed into a second term (oh, he's not?) with a clear eye on pumping up his national profile."

Reps: No pensions for pedophiles

Reps: No pensions for pedophiles: "IN THE WAKE of a Daily News report yesterday on former city workers with felony convictions receiving pensions, two state lawmakers said they were drafting legislation to close a loophole in pension law."

Elmer Smith: News of Butch Lewis' passing packs a punch

Elmer Smith: News of Butch Lewis' passing packs a punch: "NEWS REPORTS say that legendary boxing promoter Butch Lewis died of a massive heart attack.
That sounds about right to me. Because Butch had a massive heart."

He's Michael Vick: Comeback Person of the Year

He's Michael Vick: Comeback Person of the Year: "HERE IN PHILLY, we think we know everything about Michael Vick.
We know the big stuff: The hardscrabble youth in Newport News, Va. The breakout stardom at Virginia Tech. The 2001 draft, in which he became the first African-American quarterback to be taken first overall. The sold-out games in Atlanta. The $130 million contract with the Falcons - the biggest in NFL history."

Drugstore robbed for second time this month

Drugstore robbed for second time this month: "DRUGSTORE ROBBED FOR 2ND TIME THIS MONTH
Washington Lane near Crittenden in East Germantown
A Rite Aid robbed at gunpoint earlier this month was held up again at 8:30 last night, police said. No injuries were reported."

Stardom made Amy Winehouse's addiction battle tougher

Stardom made Amy Winehouse's addiction battle tougher: "Amy Winehouse's death, a month after fans in Belgrade booed her from a stage for slurring and forgetting lyrics, raises questions about what could have prevented the tragedy.

"

Love took tragic turn for couple

Love took tragic turn for couple: "DWARD WILSON was once madly in love with Antoinette Austin, a woman 28 years his junior who had been living with him for eight years in his West Philadelphia home."

City pension debt is $500M a year

City pension debt is $500M a year: "HE PENNSYLVANIA Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, the city's fiscal watchdog, yesterday approved Mayor Nutter's five-year financial plan, though board chairman Sam Katz raised concerns about the future of the city's pension fund."

Tattle: Amy's dad: 'Goodnight, my angel'

Tattle: Amy's dad: 'Goodnight, my angel': "FOLLOWING THE JEWISH tradition of a quick funeral, Amy Winehouse was laid to rest yesterday in London.
The singer's father, mother and brother and close friends, along with band members and celebrities - producer Mark Ronson; "Fashion Police" personality Kelly Osbourne, her hair piled beehive-high in tribute to Amy's trademark style - were among several hundred mourners at Edgwarebury Cemetery in north London."

Inconvenience stores: Since '33, LCB has made the purchase of alcohol tough, pricey

Inconvenience stores: Since '33, LCB has made the purchase of alcohol tough, pricey: "IT'S 7:05 P.M. SATURDAY. Poker night. And your liquor supply is running dangerously low.
You hop in the car and head for the state border."

Briefly... CITY/REGION

Briefly...
CITY/REGION: "PHILADELPHIA POST-OFFICE PERIL? The Old City post office in a building that Benjamin Franklin once owned is on the Postal Service's list of branches that could close."

Summertime Health Hazards

Summertime Health Hazards: "

"

NFL back in waiting-game mode, with players yet to vote on deal

NFL back in waiting-game mode, with players yet to vote on deal: "THE EAGLES AND other NFL teams do not plan to open practice facilities today, even though NFL general counsel Jeffrey Pash said Thursday night they could do that without the NFL Players Association ratifying the agreement the NFL is hoping will end the lockout."

NFL back in waiting-game mode, with players yet to vote on deal

NFL back in waiting-game mode, with players yet to vote on deal: "THE EAGLES AND other NFL teams do not plan to open practice facilities today, even though NFL general counsel Jeffrey Pash said Thursday night they could do that without the NFL Players Association ratifying the agreement the NFL is hoping will end the lockout."

Defense: Hero cop shot suspect from behind

Defense: Hero cop shot suspect from behind: "A forensic pathologist and three eyewitnesses this week told a Philadelphia jury that Police Officer Richard DeCoatsworth shot John James in the leg from behind while the Kensington man drove a motorcycle down a sidewalk in his neighborhood on Sept. 15, 2009."

Hubby was cheap, she wanted him gone

Hubby was cheap, she wanted him gone: "Yudeka Valdez was angry with her estranged husband. As federal prosecutors tell it, she was upset that he wasn't being more generous with living expenses, especially for monthly payments on her Mercedes SUV."

Cop shoots man who grabbed officer's gun

Cop shoots man who grabbed officer's gun: "A plainclothes police officer shot and critically wounded a man who had wrestled away another officer's gun during a struggle in South Philadelphia early yesterday, police said."

N.J. man charged in Ben Franklin Bridge attack

N.J. man charged in Ben Franklin Bridge attack: "1N.J. MAN CHARGED IN BEN FRANKLIN BRIDGE ATTACK
A Blackwood man has been arrested in connection with a sex assault on the Ben Franklin Bridge, and could face another charge of groping, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office."

Chaput won't lead Philadelphia Archdiocese quietly

Chaput won't lead Philadelphia Archdiocese quietly: "HE'S RIPPED into the death penalty, decried the ubiquity of guns in America, fought for the rights of immigrants - and told the National Catholic Reporter this week that "if we don't love the poor, and do all we can to improve their lot, we're going to go to hell.""

PLAYING TAG: Will Wildwood's free beaches soon charge a fee?

PLAYING TAG: Will Wildwood's free beaches soon charge a fee?: "WILDWOOD'S wide, windswept beaches have always been free, even if your legs pay a small toll.
The kids can get whiny and the beach chairs can dig into sunburned shoulders during that long trek from the boardwalk to the waves, but the surf washes all that away. Wallets, except for what's shelled out for some ice-cream sandwiches, make it through the hot sand unscathed."

Shot by cop, he is found not guilty on assault charges

Shot by cop, he is found not guilty on assault charges: "A man accused of using a motorcycle to attempt to run over a controversial police officer was found not guilty of aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime and simple assault."

Accused of misleading students & feds, CHI Institute to pay $1.6M

Accused of misleading students & feds, CHI Institute to pay $1.6M: "A for-profit career college agreed to settle federal allegations yesterday that it failed to provide its students with the educational program it promised."

Assistant U.S. attorney suspended for fundraising violation

Assistant U.S. attorney suspended for fundraising violation: "Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurie Magid will be suspended for 100 days without pay for accepting political contributions for two Republican candidates from two staff members, according to an agreement reached with the U.S. Justice Department and Office of Special Counsel."

Frying times in Philly as thermometer hits 104

Frying times in Philly as thermometer hits 104: "IT MAY NOT look like it, but the Swann Fountain at Logan Square is not a swimming pool.
But with temperatures in Philadelphia reaching a record high of 103 degrees yesterday, even the Fairmount Park Commission realized that trying to keep people out would have been a losing battle."

Yanks' Sabathia tops Indians

Yanks' Sabathia tops Indians: "CLEVELAND - CC Sabathia took out any anger for being snubbed as an all-star by striking out 11 in seven shutout innings, Curtis Granderson homered twice and Derek Jeter moved closer to 3,000 career hits as the New York Yankees roughed up the Cleveland Indians, 9-2, on Tuesday night."

Council to tackle redrawing district boundaries

Council to tackle redrawing district boundaries: "City Council plans to spend the summer coming up with a new set of boundaries for its 10 districts. Former Councilman Rick Mariano says it may be a long, hot summer - regardless of the weather."

Penn doctor's disabilities a springboard to helping others

Penn doctor's disabilities a springboard to helping others: "Margaret Stineman spent many of her formative years in the slow classes that were then the domain of children who were, as she delicately puts it, "not achieving.""

Injured Giffords staffer returns to work

Injured Giffords staffer returns to work: "Ron Barber was standing near U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords when a gunman shot her in the head at January's meet-and-greet event in Tucson.

"

Key to Obama's Twitter town hall: #jobs

Key to Obama's Twitter town hall: #jobs: "President Barack Obama will answer questions about the economy and jobs Wednesday during his first Twitter town hall meeting.

"

Obama, Boehner had weekend debt talk

Obama, Boehner had weekend debt talk: "President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner met over the weekend as part of ongoing negotiations on an agreement to reduce the country's deficit, a Republican official told CNN late Tuesday.

"

Parkway 'stampede' after 4th-festivities gunfire rumor

Parkway 'stampede' after 4th-festivities gunfire rumor: "Rumors of shots being fired on the Ben Franklin Parkway during the Fourth of July fireworks Monday night sent hundreds of people stampeding down the street and left spectators terrified, witnesses said yesterday."

Marc Lamont Hill: Ackerman is not without blame

Marc Lamont Hill: Ackerman is not without blame: "FOR MONTHS, the city has been buzzing that Superintendent Arlene Ackerman was being forced to resign. By last week, the rumors had gotten so pervasive that "experts" predicted a formal announcement within hours, forcing Ackerman to issue a public statement that she had no intention of leaving."

Casey Anthony case: Just the latest soap-opera trial

Casey Anthony case: Just the latest soap-opera trial: "It was a long, hot summer of great import for the United States - only months after a course-changing election, and on the cusp of monumental decisions about war and tax cuts and, as it turned out, a national tragedy of epic proportions."

Tattle: Mass eviction for the 'Jersey Shore' cast?

Tattle: Mass eviction for the 'Jersey Shore' cast?: "COULD THE CURRENT cast of "Jersey Shore" be gone for good? Could a new group, equally bronzed and buff, take it upon themselves to make the coast of New Jersey look like a garbage dump?"

Philly Stop-and-frisk policy gets court supervision

Philly Stop-and-frisk policy gets court supervision: "One of Philadelphia's most controversial crime-fighting tactics - stop-and-frisk searches of pedestrians - will soon be under court supervision after a settlement between the city and the American Civil Liberties Union."

Hobbling Tiger will be at Aronimink, just not on the links

Hobbling Tiger will be at Aronimink, just not on the links: "When the PGA Tour finally made its return to the Philadelphia area in 2000 after a two-decade hiatus, the first/only thing that anyone wanted to ask SEI Pennsylvania Classic tournament director Joe Rotellini was whether there were cheesesteaks in Tiger Woods' future."

Covering Iverson

Covering Iverson: "A PICTURE, they say, is worth a thousand words. But there are no words to describe the photo of Allen Iverson on the cover of the August issue of Slam magazine."

South Philly shooting leaves 1 dead

South Philly shooting leaves 1 dead: "1FATAL S. PHILLY SHOOTING
A 48-year-old man was shot and killed in South Philadelphia early yesterday morning, police said.
Officers responding to reports of gunshots around 12:18 a.m. found Dwayne Isaacs with wounds to his head and hand in a park on Jackson Street near 27th, police said."

1 shot dead in 'party' at rec center

1 shot dead in 'party' at rec center: "An unauthorized street party at a city recreation center near 33rd and Diamond streets, in Strawberry Mansion, erupted in gunfire last night, and a young man in his 20s was killed, police said."

Booted smoker returns to bar, shoots 6 customers, one fatally

Booted smoker returns to bar, shoots 6 customers, one fatally: "A man who was kicked out of a Nicetown bar for smoking inside returned to the tavern yesterday and shot six people, including a father of two who died from his injuries, according to police."

Victim slain over $4 in lottery tix

Victim slain over $4 in lottery tix: "MORRISTOWN, N.J. - Felony murder charges have been filed against a man accused in the dragging death of a North Jersey gas-station owner, who authorities say was killed over the theft of a few dollars' worth of lottery tickets."

Cops: Firefighter in beefcake-calendar controversy takes his own life

Cops: Firefighter in beefcake-calendar controversy takes his own life: "FIREFIGHTER John "Jack" Slivinski was enthusiastic on Friday when he talked with a friend, photographer Katherine Kostreva, about a fundraiser coming up in September for the widows of fallen Philadelphia firemen."

Tattle: OO7 Bonded in matrimony

Tattle: OO7 Bonded in matrimony: "WHEN JAMES BOND finds love, he doesn't dawdle.
Daniel Craig, the current 007, and Rachel Weisz, who play husband and wife in the upcoming film "Dream House," will start to build one of their own."

Phillies Notebook: Contreras injury increases burden on young Phillies relievers

Phillies Notebook: Contreras injury increases burden on young Phillies relievers: "ST. LOUIS - Maybe the Phillies' trade-deadline wish list will extend beyond a righthanded hitter. Yesterday, the club placed veteran righthander Jose Contreras on the disabled list with a Grade 1 strain of the flexor tendon in his right forearm, raising some questions about the bullpen's depth with 5 weeks to go before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline."

Sixers pick Vucevic surely awaiting a Collins hug

Sixers pick Vucevic surely awaiting a Collins hug: "A SMALL STEP with an awfully big body. That's how you can describe last night's NBA draft for the 76ers as they weren't able to make a blockbuster trade (unlike the team with whom they share the Wells Fargo Center ) or a small one, instead standing pat with their pick at No. 16 and selecting 7-foot, 260-pound center Nikola Vucevic."

Flyers land Bryzgalov with 9-year, $51M deal

Flyers land Bryzgalov with 9-year, $51M deal: "ST. PAUL, Minn. - Lost in the shuffle of the Flyers gutting their team yesterday was the official signing of the man who made the dominoes fall: Ilya Bryzgalov."

Yellow buses to roll with extra $53.4 million for city's schools

Yellow buses to roll with extra $53.4 million for city's schools: "Superintendent Arlene Ackerman spent 90 minutes yesterday with city officials, hammering out details on how to carve up the extra $53.4 million that City Council is set to approve for the district."

Redistricting could cut Council's recess short

Redistricting could cut Council's recess short: "Council members may want to put their sunscreen away. It looks as if they're headed to summer school to draw new district boundaries."

For 1,600 Philly teachers, the last day of school - for good

For 1,600 Philly teachers, the last day of school - for good: "JULIO C. NUNEZ saw the dread in his principal's face when she gave him the layoff notice that went to more than 1,600 teachers because of the Philadelphia School District's $629 million budget gap."

Clout: Council boot camp: It's a win-win ...but who pays?

Clout: Council boot camp: It's a win-win ...but who pays?: "THE CITY offers training for people taking jobs as prison guards, lifeguards, police officers, firefighters and many other occupations.
But until four years ago, new City Council members had to figure out the job on their own."

Man charged with stabbing girlfriend

Man charged with stabbing girlfriend: "1MAN CHARGED WITH STABBING GIRLFRIEND
Jacob Rodriguez, 35, was arrested Wednesday night and charged with attempting to kill his live-in girlfriend at the Red Bank Run Apartments, in West Deptford, N.J."

Family of man killed by cops disputes 'facts'

Family of man killed by cops disputes 'facts': "Eric Crawley rushed to a house last Friday to break up a domestic dispute involving his sister and ended up getting shot and killed by police."

Defense Sec'y. Robert Gates to receive Liberty Medal

Defense Sec'y. Robert Gates to receive Liberty Medal: "Outgoing Defense Secretary Robert Gates will receive the 2011 Liberty Medal at the National Constitution Center in September.
David Eisner, president and chief executive officer of the National Constitution Center, said yesterday that Gates was being honored for his ability to transcend partisanship and broaden the expanse of freedom."

LaBelle's cybertsalker sentenced to time served

LaBelle's cybertsalker sentenced to time served: "After singer and actress Patti LaBelle received several threatening emails in 2007, she feared for her life, authorities said.
Court documents said the singer instructed her staff to increase security by installing lights and cameras around her Wynnewood, Montgomery County, property; releasing her dogs to roam the grounds at night; adding security, and having an assistant move in with her."

Phillies offense rescues Oswalt in win over Cubs

Phillies offense rescues Oswalt in win over Cubs: "AS CHASE Utley's cleated foot touched home plate and capped a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Cubs yesterday afternoon, it illuminated an important nexus among the various plotlines that will dictate the fate of this Phillies team."

Sixers aren't the only team interested in Ellis

Sixers aren't the only team interested in Ellis: "Monta Ellis has become very popular over the last week, apparently even with his own team.
As reports surfaced early last week that the Golden State Warriors and Sixers have talked about a trade of Ellis for Andre Iguodala, new Warriors coach Mark Jackson said he would like Ellis to remain in Golden State."

Gingrich: 'I will endure challenges'

Gingrich: 'I will endure challenges': "Republican Newt Gingrich sought to restart his foundering 2012 presidential bid Sunday in a speech that sidestepped last week's exodus of 16 top aides from his campaign and hammered the Obama administration over its Middle East policies.

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