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Jailed Rapper Meek Mill Makes Surprise Appearance in Philly

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Jailed Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill made a surprise appearance Tuesday afternoon at the University of Pennsylvania during a criminal justice reform panel.

His lawyer, Bill Stevenson, called Mill on the phone while addressing a packed auditorium. With Mill’s mother and the Rev. Al Sharpton standing on either side, Stevenson told the musician that millions of people believe in him.

“I’m just happy to be able to shed light on the [legal] situation we’ve been going through for years,” Mill said. “I’m the platform for other people to fight for their freedom.”

The #FreeMeekMill movement has indeed become a cause celeb with Sharpton as one of the leading figures propelling the case into national fame.

Sharpton visited Mill in his Chester County prison and spoke at length with the 30-year-old. He called Mill’s two- to four-year sentence for violating probation on a roughly decade-old gun and drug case a symbol of racial disparities.

“You’re not just talking about freeing Meek,” Sharpton said into the phone. “You’re talking about freeing the whole system.”

Before the panel, Mill’s mother, Kathy Williams, called on Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner to help free her son.

Krasner, a Democrat who took office in January, has made criminal justice reform a top priority. Earlier this month, he announced the appointment of a juvenile justice advocate and lawyer who worked under President Barack Obama.

Krasner also ended cash bail for low-level offenders, saying that many people languish behind bars simply because they cannot afford to pay their way out.

Despite these efforts and other efforts, Mill has remained behind bars. Earlier this week, his attorney filed a motion to release Mill after Krasner’s office released the names of corrupt Philadelphia police. One of the officer’s involved in Mill’s arrest was on that list.

Previously, Mill’s lawyers have unsuccessfully appealed multiple times, and have also called for the judge to step aside because "there was an FBI investigation" into her conduct. The judge, in turn, threatened to sue Mill.



Photo Credit: Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

Penn Professor Under Fire For Comments About Black Students

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An embattled, but tenured, University of Pennsylvania law professor is being forced to scale back her teaching course load after making disparaging remarks about black students, according to school officials.

In a video interview recorded last fall with Brown University economics professor Glenn Loury, Amy Wax discussed the “downside of affirmative action.”

“I don't think I’ve ever seen a black student graduate in the top quarter of the class and rarely, rarely, in the top half,” she said around minute 49. “I can think of one or two students … in my required first-year course.”

As a result of the comments and a subsequent petition signed by alumni and students, Wax will no longer teach mandatory classes, law school dean Ted Ruger announced in an emailed statement.

“Professor Wax has chosen to speak publicly, disparagingly, and inaccurately about the performance of these students, some of whom she has taught and graded confidentially at Penn Law,” he said.

The confidentiality policy prohibits any faculty or staff from publicly releasing grades and class rankings, Ruger said. 

But because Wax has tenure at the university, she will maintain her salary, seniority and, ultimately, job.

“It is imperative for me as dean to state that these claims are false: black students have graduated in the top of the class at Penn Law, and the Law Review does not have a diversity mandate,” Ruger said.

“Its editors are selected based on a competitive process. And contrary to any suggestion otherwise, black students at Penn Law are extremely successful, both inside and outside the classroom, in the job market, and in their careers.”

According to her biography, Wax is an Ivy League-educated law professor who argued 15 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. She worked in the Department of Justice after receiving her law degree from Columbia University.

She could not be reached for comment.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.


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Local Students Walk Out to Honor Victims of Florida Shooting

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Students here and throughout the nation plan to walk out Wednesday to demand new gun laws.

Students Treat Teacher to Sixers Game

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The Sixers give the VIP treatment to a teacher whose wife has had six miscarriages.

NBC10 First Alert Weather: Flurries Are Back

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Windy and cool conditions in the low 40s will greet you on Wednesday with a passing snow shower or sprinkle possible. NBC10 First Alert Chief Meteorologist Tammie Souza has your forecast.

Pa. Tourist Captures Final Moments of Doomed Helicopter

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An Allentown tourist captured the final moments of an NYC helicopter that crashed and killed all passengers on board.

Catch Up Quickly: 5-Year-Old Hit by Car in Mayfair

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Here are the top news stories you need to know to start your day from your friends at NBC10.


TODAY'S TOP STORY 

2 Suspects Face Charges in Montco Burglary String: Two Philadelphia men are in custody on high bail for allegedly burglarizing houses in at least two Montgomery County towns, according to authorities. Anthony McDaniels and Leroy Boose are currently charged with three burglaries in Abington and another burglary in Lower Merion, according to court records. But a spokeswoman for the Montgomery County District Attorney's office said a court hearing for McDaniels Tuesday in the case was just "an initial step." "We expect to be filing additional charges as this is still an active investigation," the spokeswoman said in an email. The two suspects were allegedly caught red-handed Feb. 10 by a special burglary prevention task force in Lower Merion, according to court records. It remains unclear exactly how widespread the charges will eventually become, but authorities with knowledge of the investigation said the case involves alleged burglaries in Lower Merion, Abington and Cheltenham as well as incidents outside of Montgomery County as far as New Jersey.

      WHAT YOU MISSED YESTERDAY

      5-Year-Old Hit by Car in Mayfair: A 5-year-old child was rushed to the hospital on Tuesday after being hit by a car. The driver did stop at the scene.

      YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST  

      Wednesday is expected to be cold with the possibility of some isolated snow shower or rain in the afternoon. Thursday is also expected to be cold and rain is possible. Sunshine is expected for Friday but it is expected to be cold. Significant snow is possible for early next week. Get your full NBC10 First Alert forecast here.

          TODAY'S TALKER               

          Storm Helps Uncover 'Ghost Tracks' at Cape May Beach: Back-to-back winter storms hitting New Jersey have helped uncover famed abandoned train tracks confined to a remote stretch of a beach in Cape May County. The famed "ghost track" at Higbee Beach have drawn a number of visitors and photographers since their re-emergence. NJ.com reports the latest section to be uncovered on the bay beach in Lower Township is more intact and level than the segment that appeared last summer. The ghost tracks are all that remains of a rail line that once served as support for sand mining and munitions testing facilities during World War I. The tracks are currently only visible at low tide.

          AROUND THE WORLD

          Trump Fires Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: President Donald Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday, bringing Tillerson's rocky tenure to an abrupt end after months of disagreements. Trump tapped CIA Director Mike Pompeo to replace Tillerson and is elevating Deputy CIA Director Gina Haspel to become the first woman to lead the spy agency. Tillerson, the former chief executive of Exxon Mobil, was not consulted about the president's decision, according to an undersecretary of state. His relationship with Trump had soured over a period of months, and he learned he had been fired from a tweet, senior State Department officials told NBC News. "Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!" Trump said in the tweet announcing the decision. Tillerson told reporters he spoke to Trump while the president was aboard Air Force One after noon, hours after Trump's announcement. He said he would delegate the responsibilities of his office to Undersecretary of State John Sullivan at the end of the day Tuesday and would complete his commission as secretary at the end of the month, after dealing with some administrative issues. He encouraged department officials to stay on to help transition to Pompeo, who will need to be confirmed by the Senate, as will Haspel.


          That's what you need to know to Catch Up Quickly, but we've got more stories worthy of your time. Click here to check them out

          Threat Closes New Jersey School District

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          Thousands of students in Gloucester County were told to stay home Wednesday after an anonymous threat was made.

          The Clearview Regional School District, which includes Clearview high and middle schools, closed as police investigated the matter.

          “Members of the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Department and New Jersey State Police Canine units conducted a sweep of the school over the past few hours and no weapons were found,” a letter posted Wednesday morning to the school’s website said. “However, due to the lack of specificity to the threat, we continue to investigate this issue with caution.”

          The closure leaves about 2,400 students in grades 7 to 12 home for the day.

          “As always, student safety remains our first priority,” the district said.

          Harrison Township police didn’t reveal the nature of the threat.

          The district urged anyone with information to contact police.




          Photo Credit: NBC10 - John Panfile

          'Lucky Me': Vai Sikahema Hugs Eagles Super Bowl Trophy

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          The Eagles held a function on Tuesday night, which brought all the alumni together to get a chance to take pictures with the Eagles Super Bowl trophy. NBC10's Vai Sikahema couldn't resist hugging the Lombardi Trophy.

          NJ School Threatens Suspension Over Planned Parkland Walkout

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          Students at one New Jersey school could face suspension if they join a nationwide walkout to mark a month since the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. 

          Students in Sayreville will face two days of suspension if they participate in a 17-minute protest, commemorating the 17 students and faculty killed in Parkland, according to district officials.

          "I would rather my kids be in school safe and I don't believe this demonstration is really going to change anything," said Veena Birthwal, whose children attend school in Sayreville.

          Despite some parents support of the district's officials, many believe the students should be marching. 

          "I think that's wrong, sorry, I think we need to show solidarity," said Lisa Whiteman. 

          Other districts throughout the state, meanwhile, are taking a different approach. At Freehold High School, students aren't being encouraged to walk out. But they won't face punishment if they do, and the district has been working with them to find other ways for their voices to be heard on issues such as gun control.

          "They're going to write letters to political leaders, to register to vote and to learn more about the March 24 movement," said Freehold High School Principal Linda Jewell, referencing the March For Our Lives, a student march to end gun violence on March 24. 

          While few schools in southern New Jersey have signed up for the nationwide walkouts, around 300 schools across the tri-state area will be showing some kind of support. 

          Philly-Area Students Walk Out Over Gun Violence

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          Student activism is on full display Wednesday as students in the Philadelphia region and beyond walked out of their classrooms to mark the one-month anniversary of the Parkland, Florida high school shooting.

          Students — many not old enough to vote — at private and public, small and large area schools left classes around 10 a.m. to protest gun violence in what was expected to be the biggest national demonstration yet that has emerged following the massacre of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

          Students at Philadelphia’s iconic Central High School left class and gathered on the lawn for 17 minutes of solidarity, one minute for each victim of the Florida school shooting.

          Outside Central High, juniors Makyiah Adams and Cassidy Arrington delivered a powerful spoken word poem:

          "If you're still defending the NRA, then you just haven't thought about it enough. And, if you're still torn between the right to carry and the right to breath, then you just haven't thought about it enough. Maybe this is why they call teenagers irrational, it must seem naively absurd to actually thinking through a problem. And maybe this is why they call teenagers entitled when my right to live is more important than your right to carry. So get off your hands because every student here would be glad to see you on your feet."

          Following the walkout at Central and other schools, students planned to join parents, elected officials, educators and community members in a march organized by the Philadelphia Student Union group to the Philadelphia School District headquarters along Broad Street. They then marched to City Hall for a 12:30 p.m. rally.

          The Philadelphia School District said it won’t discipline students who walked out as long as they returned to the building to resume normal school activities once the walkout is over.

          Students at Cherry Hill West walked out ahead of 10 a.m., carrying signs as they marched around the campus.

          At other schools, events acknowledging the movement were held inside school. At Pennsauken High School in New Jersey, about 1,300 students signed up for a “walkout” of class but not the school building as 17 bells tolled for the 17 victims.

          Not all schools are on board with students plans to protest. At Sayreville War Memorial in New Jersey, the administration said that any students who left school will be given a two-day suspension.



          Photo Credit: NBC10 - Tim Furlong
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          The Bucks County Teacher Who Inspired 'Rise'

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          Teacher Lou Volpe, who taught drama at Truman High School in Levittown, Pennsylvania, is looking back on a career that helped inspire the story behind NBC's new series, "Rise."



          Photo Credit: NBC10

          Toys R Us Preps Plan to Liquidate Its Business: Source

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          Toys R Us is drafting a court motion containing its liquidation plan, a source familiar with the situation told CNBC on Tuesday, and the iconic U.S. retailer could file it as as soon as the end of Wednesday.

          Sources have also told CNBC that Toys R Us missed a payment to some vendors and didn't respond to calls.

          If Toys R Us did liquidate, it would most likely result in all 800 of its U.S. stores closing.

          Toys R Us declined to comment on the story. The sources requested anonymity about the information because it is confidential.



          Photo Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images, File

          Eagles Want You to Take Part in Autism Challenge

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          Ryan Hammond , executive director of the Philadelphia Eagles Autism Challenge, speaks about the team's Autism challegne and how you can pedal to help others.

          From Pa. to NJ to Del., Students Walk Out Over Gun Violence

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          Students around Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware took park in Wednesday's National Student Walkout.

          Photo Credit: NBC10 - Tim Furlong

          Wednesday's Child: Josh

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          Josh is a skilled musician who visited Temple University's Music Preparatory Division to explore his passion and love for music. Call 1-866-DO-ADOPT to adopt any Wednesday's Child.

          Local Travelers React to Dog That Died on United Flight

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          United Airlines is taking responsibility for the death of dog after a flight attendant told its owner to place it in an overhead bin. NBC10 got reaction from local travelers about the incident that has caused outrage across the country.

          Out of Control Car Smashes into School Parking Lot

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          A mess outside of Sts. Simon and Jude School in Westtown Township, Chester County, was left after the driver of a car lost control. The vehicle careened off the road and into the parking lot. Teachers and neighbors saved the driver.

          Berks County Students Suspended for Walkout

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          Some students received an in-school suspension at Boyertown Area High School for leaving their building during the national protests over gun control and school safety.

          NBC10 First Alert Weather: Cold and Breezy Until Sunday

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          Keep your winter coat, mittens and wool cap at the ready until at least Sunday. And there is even a chance for more snow next week.

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