Jim Kenney, seeking a second term as Philadelphia mayor, is facing unusually tough challengers for an incumbent. Here's what you need to know about the race.
A woman says a paperwork mistake caused confusion when she needed a new washer. When the company did not respond to her calls, she called NBC10 Responds reporter Harry Hairston to get to the bottom of the issue.
As NBC10 continues celebrating Women's History Month, one woman stands out in her field. Lindsey Harding is a scout for the Philadelphia 76ers. Find out how she's taking the NBA by storm.
A restaurant at the Jersey Shore has the same name as a restaurant in Christchurch, New Zealand, the scene of shootings at two mosques earlier this month. We show you how the two businesses on opposite sides of the world formed a special bond in the face of terror.
Three Philadelphia dental practices were closed down after officials determined they had unsanitary conditions and may have exposed up to 1500 patients to diseases, including HIV.
The three Trieu Family Dental clinics on 437 West Chew Avenue, 5427 North 5th Street, and 6536 Woodland Avenue were shut down. The Health Department believes the risk of infection is low and is unaware of any infections as a result of unsafe practices at the locations but still recommends that patients contact their healthcare providers and get tested for hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, and HIV.
Investigators say they visited the clinics and observed unsafe infection control practices after receiving an anonymous tip. All three were then closed on Dec. 7, 2018. Since then, the Health Department has worked with staff at the clinics to reeducate them, update their infection control practices and obtain a list of patients. The Pennsylvania Department of State also launched a separate investigation.
None of the clinics will reopen until the Health Department is satisfied that they’ve fixed all unsafe practices.
All patients who received dental care at any of the locations between Jan. 1, 2017 and Dec. 7, 2018, were notified. The Health Department also set up a hotline for any patients who may have questions about the clinics or potential exposure. They are encouraged to call 215-218-2999 from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
A lawmaker's religious invocation Monday on the floor of the state capital was accused of weaponizing religion on the same day the first Muslim woman was sworn into the legislature.
Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, a Republican from Clinton County, went on for nearly two minutes — talking about Jesus, Israel, Gov. Tom Wolf, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln — before another lawmaker yelled something from the audience.
House Speaker Mike Turzai, whose method of choosing members and religious leaders to open hearings with prayers has invoked controversy of its own, then tapped Borowicz on the arm to wrap it up.
Borowicz's prayer came the same day that Pennsylvania's first Muslim woman was sworn in. Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell, a Democrat from Philadelphia who won a special election earlier in March, told a news outlet that she had a large group of friends and family in attendance. She said 30 of those 52 guests are also Muslim.
"It blatantly represented the Islamophobia that exists among some leaders — leaders that are supposed to represent the people,” Johnson-Harrell told the Pennsylvania Capital-Star news site.
A fellow Philadelphia lawmaker, Rep. Jordan Harris, said Borowicz's prayer "weaponized" religion.
"On a day that should be celebrated across Pennsylvania as we see the first Muslim woman sworn into office, we instead started off with a rambling, at times incoherent prayer that consisted of weaponizing the name of Jesus while dipping into partisan rhetoric on President Donald Trump," Harris said of Borowicz's reference to the president's support of Israel in her prayer.
"Let me be clear. I am a Christian. I spend my Sunday mornings in church worshiping and being thankful for all that I have. But in no way does that mean I would flaunt my religion at those who worship differently than I do. There is no room in our Capitol building for actions such as this, and it’s incredibly disappointing that today’s opening prayer was so divisive."
Borowicz, whose husband is an associate pastor at a Christian church in Jersey Shore, insisted she did nothing wrong, according to an Associated Press report.
"Absolutely not," she said as she headed into closed-door meeting afterward. "I pray every day. I prayed."
Last year, a federal judge rejected Turzai's practice of refusing non-believers the chance to give the opening invocation before House sessions. House Republicans, who control the chamber, said they would appeal the ruling.
From 1865 to 1994, the state House maintained a permanent chaplain to give invocations. Since 1994, however, guest chaplains, including lawmakers, have served in the role.
A woman says a cardboard cutout of Donald Trump inside her car caused an arsonist to target her vehicle in Philadelphia’s Manayunk neighborhood early Monday morning.
Police responded to the 4200 block of Pechin Street around 3 a.m. for a report of a vehicle on fire. When they arrived they found 65-year-old Laurie Livingston’s 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier fully engulfed in flames. The Fire Marshal ruled the incident an arson.
Livingston said her car had been vandalized three times before within the past five months. During those incidents, the tires were slashed and the windshield was broken. But while she's unsure why she was targeted those previous times, she believes the latest incident was because of a cardboard cutout of President Trump that was in the front seat of her car.
“I put Donald Trump and I don’t care,” she said. "I voted for him and I have the right to say what I want to say and then last night at 3 o'clock it blew up.”
Police have not confirmed a motive in the arson.
Livingston told NBC10 she fears for her life. Other residents in the neighborhood were scared to speak out on the incident due to fears of retaliation.
If you have any information on the arson or previous incidents of vandalism, please call Philadelphia police.
A crash involving a tractor-trailer carrying dish soap has left a slick mess on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Exton, Pennsylvania.
The Tuesday morning spill has forced road crews to shut down the eastbound lanes for three hours between the Valley Forge Interchange and Downingtown exit.
A car collided with the truck which was carrying jugs of the dish soap at milepost 317, Pennsylvania Turnpike spokesman Carol DeFebo said.
DeFebo said the soap was spilled over a large area.
Drivers were detoured off the highway at the Downingtown exit. They were advised to take State Route 100 south for 5 miles and turn on to U.S. Route 30 for 2.5 miles. Then take U.S. Route 202 northbound before interchanging with I-76 West and then exiting back onto the turnpike.
The road was reopened just after 8 a.m.
Work is underway to get Franklin Square ready for the spring season. This year, guests can marvel at a new light and water show in the square's central fountain. There are also several other bright events planned for the spring and summer season.
Prolonged bullying of an eighth grade girl by several classmates may have led to a shooting at the middle schooler's Pottstown, Pennsylvania, home, a school district official confirms.
The 13-year-old girl had just finished dinner with her family on Sunday evening when up to 15 bullets peppered their home along the 500 block of West Street.
Bullets careened through windows and walls sending the family running for cover. Luckily, no one was hit.
"As soon as my niece and kids came in here, bullets started flying," Marie Samba, the girl's mother, said.
Samba believes her daughter was targeted. The girl has been bullied by a group of girls at school since the family moved to the Montgomery County town from Philadelphia.
"My 13-year-old has a hit on her, from a bully? What possesses a grown person to take a 13 year old’s word to shoot up a house full of people?"
Samba said a school employee told her to transfer the girl to another school district based on her past experiences with the teens. "My son's teacher told him the same thing," Samba said.
Samba has since removed her children from Pottstown schools as a precaution.
Pottstown police chief Mick Markovich said his officers are investigating and that witnesses are cooperating. He did not provide information about who may have fired the shots.
John Armato, spokesman for the Pottstown School District, tells NBC10 that based on information from police and the district's investigation there is reason to believe that the shooting is related to bullying accusations levied by Samba's daughter.
He confirmed that the fighting between Samba's daughter and the girls has been ongoing for several months.
Armato said schools host classes and discussions related to bullying, but that parents need to further the discussions.
"They are not issues that can be singularly addressed by the schools, they are community-wide issues," Armato said.
Uniformed police were asked to be present at the school on Monday as the probe continues, Armato said. Other additional safety precautions were also put in place. A notice was also sent to middle school parents.
A large procession left a Northeast Philadelphia firehouse on Tuesday to honor Fire Lt. Michael Bernstein, who died while on duty earlier this month.
Mike Stack, one of the more well-known Northeast Philadelphia politicians of the last two decades, is dropping his bid for a City Council at-large seat.
The former state senator and lieutenant governor blamed the method that the Philadelphia Board of Elections picks ballot positions for candidates.
"The most disappointing aspect of this effort is that the fate of my candidacy was largely at the mercy of a coffee can, an archaic and dysfunctional system for determining ballot position that is not fair to anyone and needs to be reformed," Stack said in a statement.
He is referring to an old Hard N Hardart can that has been used for years to hold numbers that candidates pick blindly from the can. That number is where the candidate will appear on city ballots for voters in the upcoming election.
Stack pulled #16, meaning he'd be in the middle of a stacked list of candidates running for Council at-large seats.
The ballot is particularly deep this year, in part because of two open Council at-large seats because of retiring incumbents. More than 30 Democrats filed petitions to run for at-large seats. Seven Republicans filed to run for at-large seats as well.
After the initial candidate filings earlier in March, the ballot was expected to be the biggest in three decades.
Stack's self-elimination, however, could portend more candidates dropping out of the race.
Stack, whose political career was feared over after he lost his re-election bid for lieutenant governor last year, said he will not stop working with other city Democratic leaders to push the party's platform.
"Although I have won convincingly in Philadelphia in my previous campaigns, overcame two challenges to my City Council At-Large nominating petitions and continue to enjoy widespread support from the leaders of the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee, I believe I can better serve the party and the City at this time as a unifying force seeking to bring people together in common cause," Stack said in his statement. "I am withdrawing my candidacy and will work with Chairman Brady to help elect our endorsed candidates and build party unity for this election and the elections in 2020 when we have an opportunity to defeat Donald Trump, take back the United States Senate and win majorities in both houses of the Pennsylvania legislature."
NBC10 and Widener University recognize students every year with the Widener University High School Leadership Award. Students that win this award demonstrate leadership and have a positive impact on the community. Katharyn Mackiewicz, one of the winners of this year, and former winner, Robert Erianne, are both here to discuss the scholarship.
Citizens Bank Park has several new additions where the fans will be able to drink and eat before games and you're getting a sneak peek.
The Women’s Animal Shelter in Bensalem is the first animal shelter in America. This year they are celebrating their 150th anniversary. CEO Catherine Malkemes and Board President Suzanne Bush are both here to talk about the legacy of the shelter.
The man accused of slamming head-on into an SUV in South Philadelphia, killing three people and injuring another, now faces 3rd-degree murder charges for the January 2019 crash.
Keith Campbell, whose 30th birthday is this weekend, was previously charged with three counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence.
Prosecutors introduced the new charges "because of the extreme recklessness that [Campbell] showed in the speed in which he was driving, as well as the lengthy pursuit by police," Ben Waxman of the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office said.
He is being held at a correctional facility in Northeast Philadelphia.
Prosecutors said Campbell caused the Jan. 2 2019 crash along Packer Avenue in South Philadelphia that killed 36-year-old Joseph Ferry; his 35-year-old fiancée, Kelly Wiseley; and 31-year-old friend Dennis Palandro. Palandro's 30-year-old wife suffered serious injuries.
Both Ferry and Palandro were members of the South Philadelphia String Band. The group had just taken the second place prize in the annual Mummers Parade. The couples were heading to have a meal at the Oregon Diner at the time of the crash.
Earlier in the day, Delaware police pursued Campbell through New Castle County after observing his white Audi traveling recklessly down two highways.
Police tried to pull him over around 1:12 a.m., but he kept driving. His driving became more erratic as the luxury car traveled west and onto northbound Interstate 95, police said.
Authorities eventually called off the pursuit near Christiana Mall to prevent a crash.
Thirty-miles away in Philadelphia, at around 1:45 a.m., Campbell's car drifted into the opposite lane along Packer Avenue near South 7th Street and directly into an Acura SUV, police said.
Campbell had 15 to 20 stab wounds in his chest and torso when the crash happened. Investigators believe the wounds were self-inflicted. A knife and note — described by police to have rambling statements — were found in the car.
After his arraignment, Campbell underwent a mental health evaluation but was deemed competent to proceed, according to court records. He is next expected to return to court May 21.
The number of suspected cases of mumps tied to Temple University increased to more than 100, officials announced Tuesday.
There are now 17 confirmed and 88 probable cases of the mumps tied to Temple, bringing the total to 105, according to Dr. Steven Alles of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Alles also said they have seen on average five additional cases of mumps per day at the school.
The university has 40,000 students and more than 4,500 staff. The North Philadelphia school is offering free vaccinations to students and staff this Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mitten Hall's Great Court on 1913 North Broad Street. Hundreds of booster shots have already been given to students.
Suspected cases of mumps have also popped up at Drexel University and two Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, school districts.
A Drexel University graduate student is believed to have the disease, Dr. Sabir Sahu, the school's Dean of Students, said in an email message to students on Friday. The student lives off-campus.
In Montgomery County, there were 20 suspected cases of the infection as of Friday afternoon. Dr. Richard Lorraine, the county's medical director, said none of the cases have been confirmed positive through laboratory testing at this point.
Among the probable cases are two students: a high schooler from Abington Senior High and an elementary student from North Wales. Both districts sent home letters to parents warning them to be on the lookout for symptoms.
Mumps can be easily spread among people in close quarters through kissing, the sharing of cups and fluids or competing in sports, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Swelling in a person's salivary glands causes puffy cheeks, a signature feature of the disease.
It can take nearly two weeks for mumps symptoms to manifest in an infected person. There is no cure for the virus, but the vaccine has an 88 percent chance of preventing a new infection, the CDC says.
The vaccine's effectiveness can wane over time, however, meaning a booster shot may be necessary to keep up the body's defenses against the virus. Philadelphia health officials previously said that may be why the number of cases is blooming.
Dozens of spiny dogfish sharks washed up on beaches along the Jersey Shore last weekend.
And while it’s still not clear what caused the deaths, officials believe it most likely was a natural occurrence.
Conservation officers saw roughly 60 decayed dogfish during their patrols in Atlantic County, according to the state Division of Fish and Wildlife. Those sharks were found from Brigantine to Longport.
Others were found as far north as Long Beach Island in Ocean County, state conservation officer Jason Snellbaker told NBC10.
"Most of the fish were decomposed and decayed so those fish were out probably at sea for a while," Snellbaker said.
Some theories have arisen, but nothing has been proven. One theory is that the dogfish may have gotten caught on a salt marsh in a back bay during an extreme high tide followed by an outgoing tide, dying either there or in a tidal pool. It’s also possible another high tide carried the dogfish to sea, with strong winds pushing them onto the beach.
Another theory is that a sudden, extreme change in water temperature could have stunned the sharks — with fatal consequences.
Dogfish are members of the shark family that are commercially fished within state waters.
"I don't believe it's cause for any alarm at this point," Snellbaker said.
NBC10 Responds recently received a call about how difficult it was for a Hatboro, Pennsylvania, woman to get a refund for a ride in which she claims she was overcharged.
In addition to going directly to a company like Lyft or Uber to seek a refund or file a complaint, customers can also go to state or local government oversight agencies. Here is a link for residents of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Delaware
Complaints, concerns or questions regarding Uber, Lyft or any TNC or public carrier should be directed to the Office of Public Carrier at OPC_PublicCarrier@delaware.gov or by calling 1-800-652-3278, option 7, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4 PM.
Philadelphia
Customers should expect a return contact on every complaint filed with the PPA-TLD. We have a dedicated telephone line, 215-683-9444 and email account for TNC complaints, which is TLDEnforcement@Philapark.org. When messages are received by email, a automated message is returned to the sender stating "Thank you for contacting TLD Enforcement. Please send us a telephone number where you can be contacted by an investigator. If your complaint concerns a trip provided by Uber or Lyft, then please forward a screenshot of the trip. (This is found in the "history folder")".
Rest of Pennsylvania
PA Complaints outside of Philly go to the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission. Here's a link to their complaint page.
New Jersey
NJ Complaints go to the Attorney General’s office of Consumer Affairs. Here's a link to their complaint page.
Four people died in three separate shootings during a violent Tuesday night in Philadelphia.
The first incident occurred outside a North Philadelphia corner store at 6:04 p.m.
Three male victims were outside a store on the 2900 block of North Howard Street when a gunman opened fire.
All three victims were shot multiple times. One person died from his injuries while the two other victims were taken to Temple University Hospital in critical condition.
The second shooting occurred at 8:52 p.m. on the 4300 block of Milnor Street in Philadelphia's Frankford section. Investigators say a 32-year-old man intentionally crashed his vehicle into the car of his ex-girlfriend's current boyfriend. The second man then grabbed a gun and opened fire, shooting the 32-year-old man at least once, police said.
The 32-year-old man was taken to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:32 p.m. The gunman was later arrested on the 4500 block of Oakland Street. Police have not yet revealed his identity.
The final shooting occurred shortly before 9 p.m. in South Philadelphia. A 21-year-old man and 26-year-old man were sitting inside a Chevrolet Impala when a gunman fired 20 shots at the vehicle. Both men were shot several times and taken to Penn Presbyterian Hospital where they were both pronounced dead shortly after 9 p.m.
No arrests have been made in the North Philly and South Philly shootings. Police continue to investigate.
