When 17-year-old Holly Branagan was found murdered in her family’s kitchen in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the town was understandably shocked and saddened.
Now, 45 years later, there’s been no closure for Holly’s family, friends or Bethlehem and her killer has not been caught.
From the day of the murder to another family tragedy to a grand jury investigation, NBC10’s true crime series “Somebody Knows Something: Murder on Pine Top Trail” takes a new look at the case that spans decades.
Watch “Somebody Knows Something: Murder on Pine Top Trail” in the video embedded on top of this article.
Problems with the new FAFSA have delayed financial aid award letters, making it harder for students to make informed decisions about next year ahead of enrollment deadlines.
In the meantime, applying for more private scholarships may help ease the burden of the cost of college.
How are colleges and university systems in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware dealing with the FAFSA issues?
“We are working hard to address these challenges and ensure schools have the information needed to package and make aid offers as quickly as possible,” Rich Cordray, chief operating officer for the Education Department’s Office of Federal Student Aid, said in a statement.
However, these latest setbacks may mean it will take colleges even longer to get financial aid award letters to students, shortening the time those college hopefuls have to make informed enrollment decisions about next year.
“Continually taking two steps forward and one giant step back is not a sustainable pathway toward getting financial aid offers out to students and families,” said Justin Draeger, president ofthe National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.
In ordinary years, financial aid award letters are sent around the same time as admission letters, meaning students have several weeks to compare offers ahead of National College Decision Day on May 1, the deadline to decide on a college for most admitted students.
Higher education already costs more than most families can afford, and college costs are still rising. Tuition and fees, plus room and board, for a four-year private college averaged $56,190 in the 2023-2024 school year; at four-year, in-state public colleges, it was $24,030 per year, according to College Board.
For most students and their families, the college they choose hinges on the amount of financial aid offered and the breakdown between grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities and student loans.
“For many of our students, it’s less about comparing offers and more about, ‘Can I go at all?'” said Charles Welch, president and CEO of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
To that end, the AASCU is encouraging colleges and universities to extend their decision deadlines to give students and families more time to assess their financial aid picture.
Some schools have already postponed those enrollment deadlines to May 15 or later.
“Our number one concern is making sure we give students every opportunity they can to make determinations about financial eligibility,” Welch said.
Here’s how universities and colleges in the Philadelphia region are dealing with FAFSA delays and/or ensuring financial aid to students:
FAFSA, financial aid support in Pennsylvania
Muhlenberg College (Allentown)
“This year’s FAFSA application process has been confusing and frustrating,” Muhlenberg said April 10. “This week, the College notified admitted students from the Class of 2028 that the most recent merit and need-based financial aid offers they received this spring will never be reduced during their four years at Muhlenberg.”
“It has always been part of Muhlenberg’s mission to provide transparent and clear guidance to families as they complete the admissions and financial aid process and choose their future college home,” Muhlenberg Vice President for Enrollment Management Meg Ryan said. “In this year of great confusion and a lack of trust caused by many factors outside of our control, we want students and families to be certain of one thing — they can count on us.”
Penn State (various)
Penn State has a list of resources for students applying for financial aid.
“Submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only action required to apply for most financial aid at Penn State, however, some private scholarships and Penn State scholarships require separate applications,” the Penn State website said.
Students can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 and check out the “7 Easy Steps to theFAFSA,” according to Penn State.
University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)
“Penn’s grant-based undergraduate financial aid program meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with grants and work-study funding, making it possible for students to graduate with a world-class undergraduate degree debt-free,” Penn says on its financial aid website.
Penn has a portal set up to make sure students get the proper documents submitted.
Temple University (Philadelphia)
“Students must apply for financial aid each year,” Temple reminds students.
Widener is holding several virtual FAFSA workshops on April 16, 17, 18.
“This event allows you to connect with our team and ask any questions you may have regarding FAFSA, allowing students and families to complete the form quickly and easily,” Widener wrote on its website.
“At Rutgers, we are committed to keeping quality education within reach of all admitted students,” the New Jersey-based university system says. “With a variety of financial aid packages, Rutgers will work with your family to make college affordable.”
Rutgers has an entire booklet online dedicated to undergraduate financial aid options.
“We will continue to look for ways to remove hurdles and provide direct support to help students interested in pursuing their education after high school find the resources and assistance they need to succeed,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said.
Jason Bradley DeFord started using the Jelly Roll nickname at gigs around the time of 2010, according to the lawsuit. In March DeFord applied for the “Jelly Roll” trademark for use on clothing, according to a pending trademark.
In the suit, the band contends the singer’s recent fame is confusing people and is also pushing them lower down in Google searches.
“Prior to the Defendant’s recent rise in notoriety, a search of the name of Jellyroll on most search engines, and particularly Google, returned references to the Plaintiff,” the suit states. “Now, any such search on Google returns multiple references to Defendant, perhaps as many as 18-20 references before any reference to Plaintiff’s entertainment dance band known as Jellyroll® can be found.”
The band, through an attorney, asked the country singer to stop using the name with a late February cease-and-desist letter.
The ruling comes as the family continues a years-long court fight with the City of Philadelphia over Ellen’s manner of death. In 2011, her death was ruled a suicide but, her parents believe she was murdered.
On Tuesday, attorneys for the Greenberg family asked to question Guy D’Andrea, a former assistant district attorney who worked on the case, as part of the ongoing court fight, in a move that representatives for the city had tried to quash.
However, the court ruled that D’Andrea could be deposed on or before May 6.
Greenberg’s parents, Josh and Sandee, celebrated the court’s decision in a statement to NBC10.
“We are pleased and so should every parent in America. Ellen’s death is so obviously a murder. This case is riddled with delay tactics!” Greenberg’s parents said.
But, what new light could D’Andrea shed on this 13 year old investigation?
Ellen Greenberg’s death
On January 26, 2011, Greenberg, who was a teacher at Juniata Park Academy for four years, was found dead by her fiancé inside a unit at the Venice Loft Condominiums along the 4600 block of Flat Rock Road in the city’s Manayunk neighborhood.
Her fiancé was returning from the gym and he told police that he found the apartment door locked and had to break in to get back inside where he found her seated on the kitchen floor, according to court documents.
An autopsy the next day revealed Greenberg had suffered 20 stab wounds to her chest, abdomen, head and neck.
A knife was also found embedded 10 centimeters into her chest.
Philadelphia’s then medical examiner, Dr. Marlon Osbourne, initially ruled Greenberg’s death a homicide.
However, on February 28, 2011, the Philadelphia Police Department declared that her death had been ruled a suicide.
Then, on April 4, 2011, Osbourne formally amended the manner of death on Greenberg’s death certificate from homicide to suicide.
A former prosecutor’s concerns with the case
In an interview with NBC10, D’Andrea said that there were a few elements of the case that made him believe her death should not have been categorized as a suicide.
“At a minimum, from an everyday standpoint, this is an undetermined manner of death,” D’Andrea told NBC10.
First, from his review of the case file, D’Andrea argued that forensic investigation of the crime showed that Greenberg’s spine was pierced during the incident, which, he said, would have “immediately incapacitated” her.
And, he continued, if she was incapacitated, she could have never been able to stab herself nearly two dozen times.
“She wouldn’t have been able to continue to stab herself,” he argued. “She would not have been able to stab herself in the chest.”
Also, D’Andrea said, Greenberg’s body may have been moved after her death.
According to D’Andrea, when Greenberg’s body was found — in a seated position on the floor — there were traces of blood on her face that seemed to flow from her nostril to her ear, hinting that she may have been laying in a horizontal position for some time.
“She must have been laying long enough on her side for the blood to run in that direction as well as long enough that it wouldn’t drag or drip when she was in a seated position,” D’Andrea argued.
Yet, D’Andrea noted that both the police investigating the scene and Greenberg’s fiancé, who found her after the incident, said Greenberg’s body was not moved until after crime scene investigators had reviewed the scene.
Asked why this blood pattern wasn’t an issue to investigators previously, D’Andrea said it should have been and argued that he had brought it up with others in the past.
“It came up as ‘We’ve seen stranger things,'” recalled D’Andrea. “Yes, I have too, but never stranger things that have defied physics.”
D’Andrea expects to discuss those issues — as well as pointing out a lack of blood found in the apartment despite Greenberg’s injuries — if he is brought into court.
According to attorneys for the Greenberg family, the city could still raise issues, including seeking immunity as the defendants are government officials.
Representatives for the city have not yet responded to requests for comment on this ongoing case.
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Iron Menace features a 160-foot-high, 95-degree drop and speeds up to 64 mph across a brand-new steel track. The ride includes four inversions including a tilted loop — the first of its kind for a dive roller coaster — and pays homage to the industrial history of the Lehigh Valley.
“Dorney Park is hosting an Iron Menace Ride for a Cause event benefiting the Eagles Autism Foundation, with one hundred percent of the ticket proceeds going to the organization,” the Allentown theme park said.
Admission to the Iron Menace Ride for a Cause range from $75 to $250.
Food, the Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders, mascot Swoop and Q&A with one of the Birds are among the offerings — besides riding the roller coaster — Friday night.
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This year’s event is happening on Wednesday, April 24, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
More than 35 businesses in Old City will open their doors, and attendees can explore wedding attire, florists, jewelers, restaurants, venues, and wedding services.
“There are so many unique things about Old City, and as the only business improvement district in Philadelphia to host a neighborhood-wide wedding event, we’re excited to have the Wedding Stroll on that list,” Executive Director of Old City District Job Itzkowitz said in a news release. “With the growing variety of wedding related businesses and services offered in Old City, this event showcases how Old City businesses can support every aspect of your wedding day.
The event is free to attend, but you must register online ahead of time. Those who have registered will be automatically entered to win a prize on behalf of Old City District – valued at nearly $4,000.
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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and his top human services official say the administration has a plan to end a waiting list of thousands of families who are considered to be in dire need of help for an adult relative with intellectual disabilities.
Shapiro and Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh said Wednesday that it’s vitally important for lawmakers to approve a funding increase for state-subsidized services.
Shapiro’s administration considers the funding increase a first step to boost the salaries of employees who work with the intellectually disabled through nonprofit service agencies. Arkoosh says the administration can eliminate the waiting list over the next several years if the funding proposal passes.
Gov. Josh Shapiro and his top human services official said Wednesday that the administration has a plan to end a waiting list of thousands of families who are considered to be in dire need of help for an adult relative with intellectual disabilities.
Shapiro and Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh said it is vitally important to the plan for lawmakers to approve a funding increase for state-subsidized services, such as in private homes or group homes.
Shapiro’s administration considers the funding increase a first step that is intended to boost the salaries of employees who, through nonprofit service agencies, work with the intellectually disabled.
“Over the next several years, if this budget passes, there will be a plan in place to finally end that waiting list,” Arkoosh told a discussion group at BARC Developmental Services in Warminster. “It’s a big deal.”
Pennsylvania has maintained a growing waiting list of people seeking such services for decades, as have the vast majority of states.
Roughly 500,000 people with developmental or intellectual disabilities are waiting for services in 38 states, according to a 2023 survey by KFF, a health policy research group. Most people on those lists live in states that don’t screen for eligibility before adding them to a list.
Federal law doesn’t require states to provide home and community-based services, and what states cover varies. In Pennsylvania, the state uses its own dollars, plus federal matching dollars, to cover home and community-based services for intellectually disabled adults.
However, the state’s money hasn’t met the demand, and in Pennsylvania, roughly 4,500 families with an intellectually disabled adult relative are on what’s called an emergency waiting list for help, the state Department of Human Services said.
“These are the critical of the critical,” said Sherri Landis, executive director of The Arc of Pennsylvania, which advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In many cases, parents on the emergency waiting list have grown old waiting for help for their adult child whom they are increasingly struggling to look after.
One major problem is the difficulty in finding and hiring people to take jobs as care workers. That problem has grown significantly as the COVID-19 pandemic increased stress across the spectrum of workers in health care and direct care disciplines.
Shapiro’s budget proposal includes an extra $216 million in state aid, or 12% more, to boost worker salaries and help agencies fill open positions. Federal matching dollars brings the total to about $480 million.
The funding request is part of a $48.3 billion budget that Shapiro is proposing to lawmakers for the 2024-25 fiscal year beginning July 1.
BARC’s executive director, Mary Sautter, told Shapiro that her agency has a worker vacancy rate of 48%, forcing current employees to work overtime or extra shifts.
“There is a way to fix that and we’ve known that there’s been a way to fix that for a long time, which is to pay people more and be able to hire more people and be able to fill more slots with people who need support and assistance,” Shapiro told the discussion group at BARC.
Shapiro’s administration envisions several years of increased funding that will eventually lead to expanding the number of people who can be served and eliminate the emergency waiting list.
Shapiro’s 2024-25 proposal is about half the amount that advocates say is needed to fix a system beset by staffing shortages and low pay. But they also say this year’s funding proposal, plus a multiyear commitment to eliminate the waiting list, would be an unprecedented injection of money into the system.
“This is the entire boat coming to rescue a system that is really struggling,” Landis said. “And people deserve services.”
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KultureCity describes sensory needs as “a common medical condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes through the senses.”
This being said, along with autism, in order to be certified with KultureCity, businesses like the aquarium must cater to everyone with sensory needs. This includes individuals with PTSD, dementia and Parkinson’s disease, among others.
The inclusive organization requires the aquarium staff to be retrained every year to better understand guests with sensory needs and to teach employees how to handle a situation if a guest has a sensory overload.
The Adventure Aquarium also provides a limited number of “sensory bags” for guests.
The sensory bags include noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards.
These bags are available for visitors every business day and can be picked up at the aquarium’s information or guest services desks.
In addition, the venue also has “headphone zones.”
In these “zones” around the building, signage is posted to alert guests they will be entering a louder area, with reminders to use noise-canceling headphones if needed.
And if a visitor does experience a sensory overload, the aquarium has a “designated quiet area” aimed to give people a private and quiet space.
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small says he remains committed to his family and to his city as he deals with charges that he and his wife abused their teenage daughter.
In his first public comments since prosecutors on Monday charged him and his wife, LaQuetta, the city’s superintendent of schools, with abusing their 16-year-old daughter and endangering her welfare, Small said he would not be distracted from his duties.
He told an audience at a gambling conference that his situation is personal.
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small said Thursday he remains committed to his family and to his city as he deals with charges that he and his wife abused their teenage daughter.
In his first public comments since prosecutors on Monday charged him and his wife, LaQuetta, the city’s superintendent of schools, with physically and verbally abusing their 16-year-old daughter and endangering her welfare, Small said he would not be distracted from his duties.
“We’ve all seen news accounts of what’s going on with myself personally,” he said in a speech at the East Coast Gaming Congress at the Hard Rock casino. “It’s just that: personal.
“But I pledge to each and every one of you, it doesn’t change my commitment, number one, to my family, and it doesn’t change my commitment here to the great city of Atlantic City,” the mayor said.
An affidavit filed in the case by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office says the girl at one point acknowledged making up the accusations against her parents because she was angry they wouldn’t let her go out with friends.
But in many other sections, the affidavit includes detailed claims by the girl that the abuse was real, and it said she photographed bruises she said were inflicted by her parents and sent them to her boyfriend, who shared them with detectives.
The office of Prosecutor William Reynolds cited evidence including recordings of interactions between the girl and her parents; her statements to police, school personnel, a therapist and state child welfare investigators, and messages she sent to friends asking for help, saying she did not feel safe at home.
The mayor is accused of repeatedly hitting his daughter in the head with a broom until she blacked out, and repeatedly punching her in the legs, court documents say. Her mother is accused of dragging her by her hair, punching her in the chest and face, and hitting her with a belt.
The root of the conflict, according to the court document, was the Smalls’ disapproval of their daughter’s boyfriend.
Their lawyer, Ed Jacobs, has said the mayor and his wife “are completely innocent of any wrongdoing and will ultimately be vindicated.”
Small’s appearance at the casino conference was scheduled months ago, and there was considerable anticipation as to whether he would begin his speech with his trademark phrase, “It’s a great day in the city of Atlantic City,” given his current legal troubles.
He did indeed use the phrase, noting challenges Atlantic City faces, including the impending opening of New York City casinos.
Small pledged to work with the casinos and all levels of government to prepare the city for that challenge and make Atlantic City “the very best it can be.”
Part of that should include cleaning up and redeveloping Pacific Avenue, the street nearest the ocean on which six of the nine casinos front, said Jim Allen, the global chairman of Hard Rock International who got his start in the casino industry as a cook in Atlantic City.
He called improving the appearance of that street as “the game-changer.”
“If we continue to leave Pacific Avenue the way it’s been since the ‘70s, then the perception of the town won’t change, just the vacant lots and boarded-up buildings.”
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A small earthquake rattled Berks County, Pennsylvania, Friday.
The magnitude 2.4 quake was measured about 8 kilometers below the ground near Lincoln Park at 4:36 p.m. ET on April 19, 2024, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
Not many people reported feeling it — only 27 people reported feeling anything to the USGS hours after the tremor. And, Lincoln Park has a population of 1,615, the USGS said.
This quake was much weaker than the magnitude 4.8 quake that hit northern New Jersey two weeks earlier. That quake was felt up much of the Northeast Coast. There have been several aftershocks following that April 5, 2024, quake.
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Soon, there might be a new hang-out spot in the City of Brotherly Love.
The University City District has unveiled plans to build a waterfront park along the western bank of the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station.
The proposed project, known as the West Philadelphia Waterfront, would feature a two-deck public space built above the Schuylkill River. It would include a public pool, natural beach and covered entertainment venue.
“The time is right for a bold vision to further enhance our connection to the Schuylkill River,” UCD President Matt Bergheiser said in a news release. “UCD made a down payment on public space in the area with The Porch at 30th Street in 2011, and our partners who have developed Schuylkill Yards and Schuylkill Banks have added their own special and highly impactful public spaces.”
The upper deck of the proposed structure will feature planted promenade, street access to food trucks and rideshares and amazing views of the city.
Then, on the lower deck, you will find the public pool, a natural beach, and a covered entertainment venue.
University City District said the project will “play a pivotal role in promoting equity and resiliency in public space. It will become a place where young and old Philadelphians can connect with water activities, including swim classes, lifeguard trainings and public swim competitions.”
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“Your fire department crews arrived to find heavy smoke and occupied tenants,” the Voorhees Fire Department said. “All were evacuated and no injuries are reported at this time.”
The full extent of the fire at 2120 Voorhees Town Center in Voorhees wasn’t immediately clear. However it was damaging enough to cause the mall to close.
“Due to a fire in the mall this evening, the Voorhees Town Center will be closed this weekend, April 20th and 21st,” the mall posted on its Facebook page Friday night. “Thank you for your patience.”
The fire marshal would investigate a cause for the blaze.
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Police in Delaware County are investigating after a teenaged firefighter for the Yeadon Fire Company was arrested on Thursday, April 11, after he, allegedly, set a car on fire.
According to police, Abner Roberts, 18, was arrested after police responded to a burning Land Rover SUV in the rear of a property located along the 400 block of S. 2nd Street in Colwyn Borough at about 5:08 p.m. on April 11.
Officials said that, at that time, an officer investigating the vehicle fire found the vehicle torched and the overhang of an unoccupied building above the vehicle damaged by flames.
Further investigation, court documents note, revealed a plastic trashcan near the vehicle filled with burned Styrofoam and a bottle of isopropyl alcohol.
At the scene, court documents note, Roberts, a firefighter for the Yeadon Fire Company, told police he had seen the fire and attempted to put it out using a garden hose.
However, in an interview with police, court documents note, Roberts was “extremely nervous and breathing rapidly.”
In an interview with investigators, court documents claim, Roberts eventually told police that he intentionally started the fire by setting the rear bench of the vehicle alight by using a lighter and the isopropyl alcohol.
Roberts has been arrested and charged with arson, reckless burning, criminal trespass and related charges. He is in custody in Delaware County Jail after being unable to post 10% of $75,000 bail.
Court documents did not note an attorney who could speak on Roberts’ behalf.
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Get ready to laugh! Emmy and Grammy-nominated comedian Kevin Hart has announced he will be hitting the road for his “Acting My Age” stand-up comedy tour this year.
The Philadelphia native will be making a homecoming stop at The Met Philadelphia on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Tickets will be available starting with presales on Wednesday, April 17 at 10 a.m. before the general on sale starting on Friday, April 19 at 10 a.m. at KevinHartNation.com.
“Acting my Age” is my ninth tour and I wanted to change things up by creating a more intimate environment. This hour is about connecting with the audience and feeding off the crowd’s energy and laughter,” Hart said in a statement.
Organizers said this event will be a phone-free experience. Upon arrival, guests will have their phones secured in an individual Yondr pouch that will not be opened again until the end of the event.
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City leaders provided more information about the new North Broad Street Traffic Initiative that began on Monday.
The North Broad Street Initiative tackles traffic violations along Broad Street from Philadelphia’s City Hall up to Cheltenham Avenue, officials explained.
“These reckless actions have put the safety of our citizens and visitors at risk,” said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel. “This initiative is designed to address these concerns and create a safer environment for everyone traveling along this busy corridor.”
Officials say that there has been a rise in concerning traffic violations during the last few months. Everything from driving in the wrong direction, double parking and drivers ignoring traffic signals.
Deputy Commissioner of Patrol Operations Michael Cram said that over the last year, there have been over 1,500 auto accidents just on North Broad Street alone.
According to Philadelphia Police statistics from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, 52 crashes involved pedestrians with nine people killed.
Cram said that since 2019, there have been 44 fatal crashes along the 8 mile stretch between City Hall and Cheltenham Avenue.
This new initiative came to be after officials heard from the community and the “crazy driving” along this particular stretch of the roadway came up a lot, Cram explained.
Drivers who are not following traffic laws will not get any warnings as police will be strictly enforcing regulations, Cram said.
Police have already issued over 8,000 citations, according to Cram.
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Two men are recovering after they were stabbed while trying to stop a fight between two other men in Center City, police said.
The ordeal began around 10:25 a.m. Tuesday along the 200 block of North Clarion Street. Police said a 52-year-old man and an 18-year-old man were arguing over the older man’s belongings. During the argument, a 37-year-old man and a 66-year-old man tried to intervene.
The 52-year-old man then pulled out a knife and swung at the 37-year-old and 66-year-old, police said. The 37-year-old man suffered a laceration on his arm while the 66-year-old was cut on his wrist. Both victims were taken to the hospital in stable condition.
The 52-year-old man was captured by police and taken into custody. Police also said the suspect suffered an undisclosed injury and was taken to the hospital for an evaluation. He is listed in stable condition. Police have not yet released his identity.
Police also said they recovered a knife from the scene.
On Thursday, police said officers responded to a call near Broomall from a woman who had lost a terrier dog she was watching for her daughter. The dog was snatched in broad daylight by a coyote while it was in the backyard.
In the last few days, police said they’d been alerted of several more coyote sightings in the area.
“Coyotes are becoming more common, not only in the suburbs but in the city. They’re just getting pushed out of different areas,” Marple Township Police Chief Brandon Graeff told NBC10.
Police said coyotes are more active in the spring and are typically out and about collecting food for their pups.
The police department is working with the health department and animal control, as well as the Pennsylvania Game Commission to capture the coyote.
Police advise the following to residents:
Small pets and children should never be left unattended, and dogs should always be walked on a leash.
Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes.
If followed by a coyote, make loud noises, if this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
Put Garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
Do not leave pet food outside.
Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
Bring pets in at night.
Ask your neighbors to follow these tips.
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A Delaware County man has been arrested and charged for sexually abusing a child while he worked as a Boy Scout troop leader and as a teacher at a boarding school, officials said.
Keith Steininger, 68, worked as a teacher at Girard College for 41 years before retiring in July of 2022. While at Girard College, he served as a troop leader for the school’s Boy Scout troop.
Officials say that on Jan. 25, 2024, the foster parent of a child who had attended Girard College called Upland Borough Police to report the assault after the child told her about it.
The child told their foster parent that he had been assaulted over the course of two years by Steininger between 2018 and 2022. The victim was between 11 and 13 years of age at the time of the incidents.
Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.
The foster parent told authorities that the child said he had been touched in his “private parts” while he was staying with Steininger as he was acting as his teacher and Boy Scout troop leader.
“The defendant in this case worked with children, many of whom were particularly vulnerable by virtue of coming to Girard through the foster care system, for more than 41 years. He was placed in a position of particular respect by becoming a Boy Scout troop leader. It is both heartbreaking and deeply disturbing that such an individual would take advantage of a vulnerable child,” said Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer.
The alleged abuse stopped one the child was no longer at Girard College and he stopped spending time at Steininger’s home.
Then, on Feb. 27, 2024, officials say the child victim handed over text messages between himself and Steininger during an interview with detectives where the child also gave more information into what happened.
On April 11, Steininger admitted to the sexual contact and gave the victim an apology during a phone call.
In a statement shared with NBC10, Girard president David Hardy said they learned of the allegations against Steininger on Tuesday: “I am shocked and angered by these deeply troubling allegations, and the College has pledged our full cooperation with Delaware County law enforcement officials in their continuing investigation of this case.”
The college “is offering counselling and other support services for all students and families who request them,” Hardy said. “We will continue to keep our families updated about this matter as we learn more in the days to come.”
The Boy Scouts’ Cradle of Liberty Council said they ended Steininger’s membership upon learning of the allegations Tuesday.
“The BSA and Cradle of Liberty Council will cooperate with law enforcement as requested,” the organization said.
“Steininger has been suspended from Scouting and will no longer be permitted to register or participate in the Boy Scouts of America in any capacity. Anyone with information on Steininger’s actions are encouraged to call the Upland Police Department at 610-872-3040, extension 207.
“Police have indicated that there is no suspected connection between Scouting and Steininger’s actions at this time. Steininger had valid credentials for BSA’s Youth Protection Training, Pennsylvania’s Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance and a Federal Bureau of Investigations Criminal History Clearance.”
Steininger was charged with sexual contact with a student, indecent assault of a person less than 13, unlawful contact with a minor, endangering the welfare of a child, and related offenses.
Steininger was being held at a Delaware County jail on $250,000 bail. He will have a preliminary hearing on May 2. Online court records don’t list an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
District Attorney Stollsteimer said that investigators believe there could be more victims of Steininger.
If you have any information, please call the Upland Police Department at 610-872-3040 extension 207 or Detective Sergeant Steven Bannar of the Criminal Investigations Division at 610-891-4118.
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The Biden administration is enlisting the help of officials in 15 states to enforce consumer-protection laws covering airline travelers, a power that by law is limited to the federal government.
The U.S. Department of Transportation said Tuesday that the states, which include California, New York and Illinois, will help ensure that government enforcement activities keep up with a current boom in air travel.
Under an agreement announced by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, state attorney general offices will be able to investigate complaints about airline service. If they believe an airline violated the law or is refusing to cooperate with investigators, the states could refer cases to the Transportation Department for enforcement.
In return, the Transportation Department, or DOT, will give the states access to its consumer-complaint system and train state employees about federal consumer laws covering airlines.
“This is a partnership that will greatly improve DOT’s capacity to hold airlines accountable and to protect passengers,” Buttigieg told reporters.
Buttigieg pointed to travelers whose flights are canceled and then must wait days for another flight or pay more to fly home on another airline. “Things like that are a violation of passenger rights, and we are seeing far too many cases of that,” he said.
The states and territories whose officials signed the “memorandum of understanding” with the Transportation Department are:
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Nevada
New Hampshire
New York
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Wisconsin
District of Columbia
Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands
Buttigieg, a Democrat, repeatedly cast the agreement as bipartisan, but only two of the state officials who signed on are Republicans. Buttigieg indicated his department hopes to recruit more states.
Under U.S. law, the federal government alone regulates consumer-protection laws covering airlines. The carriers are not legally required to respond to state investigations.
Consumer advocates have pushed to expand enforcement power to the states. However, both the full House and a key Senate committee declined to include that proposal in pending legislation that covers the Federal Aviation Administration, part of the Transportation Department.
“During the pandemic, we actually got more complaints about airline traffic than any other topic, and it was frustrating” because the state had no authority to investigate the complaints, Colorado Attorney General Philip Weiser said.
Weiser argued that Congress should give states power to enforce airline consumer-protection laws, “but I have to say, we didn’t wait for Congress to act.”
Consumer groups praised the agreement while saying they would rather see Congress write into law the power of states to regulate consumer-protection rules.
“This is the next best thing,” said William McGee, an aviation expert at the American Economic Liberties Project, which opposes industry consolidation. “We don’t look at this as a threat to DOT’s authority. We look at it as the states assisting DOT, which doesn’t have the staffing to handle all the complaints they get.”
Airlines for America, a trade group representing the largest U.S. carriers, said it works with state and national groups “to constantly improve the customer experience for all passengers. We appreciate the role of state attorneys general and their work on behalf of consumers, and we look forward to continue working with them.”
City officials in one Jersey Shore town have proposed a temporary ban on tents at the beach.
The temporary restriction will be in effect starting on May 15, 2024, for beachgoers in North Wildwood and will ban cabanas, tents, canopies and other similar structures.
Officials say that single pole umbrellas that measure under 8 feet and baby tents that are only 36 inches in height, width and length will be allowed while on the beach.
According to city officials, the temporary ban comes as the beaches have become smaller from erosion. The city says it has not received enough assistance in order to replenish the sand and make the beaches bigger.
“Unfortunately, the City does not have enough dry beach space to handle the many tents, cabanas, pavilions, or other similar structures we have seen in the past,” city leaders said in a statement.
The proposed restriction is expected to give beachgoers more room while on the beach, officials explained.
City officials said that if there is a change in the size of the beaches because of replenishment efforts, they will review the proposed restriction.
New Jersey’s high-flying internet gambling market continues to smash records. But the amount of money won from in-person gamblers at seven of Atlantic City’s nine casinos is less than it was before the COVID19 pandemic.
Figures released Tuesday by state gambling regulators show the casinos or their online arms won over $197 million from online casino games in March, setting another monthly record.
And while not a record, sports betting, powered by the March Madness college basketball tournament, saw almost $1.33 billion worth of bets taken in March. That was the fourth-highest amount since sports betting became legal in 2018.
New Jersey’s high-flying internet gambling market continues to smash records. But the amount of money won from in-person gamblers at most of Atlantic City’s casinos is less than it was before the COVID19 pandemic.
Figures released Tuesday by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement show that the casinos and their online arms won over $197 million from online casino games in March, setting another monthly record.
And although it was not a record, sports betting, powered by the March Madness college basketball tournament, saw almost $1.33 billion worth of bets taken in March. That was the fourth-highest amount since sports betting became legal in 2018 following a U.S. Supreme Court decision in a case brought by New Jersey.
Including in-person casino winnings, internet gambling and sports betting revenue, the casinos, their online partners and horse tracks that accept sports bets won over $526 million in March, up 8.1% from March 2023.
But the casinos’ key metric, the amount of money won from in-person gamblers, continued to struggle. While the $239 million the nine casinos collectively won from in-person gamblers was up nearly 5% from a year earlier, and narrowly exceeded the total that all nine won in March 2019, before the pandemic hit, only two of the nine casinos individually won more in person last month than they did pre-COVID.
Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd Levenson Institute at Stockton University, which studies the Atlantic City gambling market, said total gambling revenue for 2024 is “off to a solid start” over the first three months of this year, up 11% compared to the same three months last year.
The casinos care most about in-person winnings because they can keep all that money. By contrast, money won from internet gambling or sports betting must be shared with outside parties.
The Borgata won $56.5 million in person in March, down 8.1% from a year earlier. Hard Rock won $44.3 million, up 11%; Ocean won $40.6 million, up 17.6%; Harrah’s won $21 million, up 2%, and Tropicana won $19.8 million, up 2.5%.
Caesars won $18.5 million in person, up nearly 8%; Golden Nugget won $13.6 million, up 11.4%; Resorts won $13.4 million, up nearly 6%, and Bally’s won $11.7 million, up 11.2%.
When internet and sports betting revenue are added, Borgata won $106.6 million, down 6.1% from a year earlier; Golden Nugget won $70.6 million, up 28.2%; Hard Rock won $58.3 million, up 17.2%; Ocean won nearly $48 million, up over 21%, and Tropicana won $36 million, up 11.5%.
Harrah’s won $22.2 million, up 8%; Bally’s won $20.9 million, up 20.6%; Caesars won $18.7 million, up 10.2%, and Resorts won $13.6 million, up 8.4%.
Resorts Digital, the casino’s online arm, won $66.4 million, down 11%, and Caesars Interactive NJ won $6.4 million, down 23%.
The casinos and tracks kept just under $90 million in sports betting revenue after wining bets and other expenses were paid.
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An on-duty police officer was involved in a crash near the Jersey Shore that left a scooter operator dead, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said.
The crash took place around 9:08 p.m. on Monday, April 15, 2024, on Route 35 South, near Sunset Avenue, in Ocean Township, Monmouth County, the AG’s office said in a news release.
“An on-duty Ocean Township police officer and multiple civilian vehicles were involved in an accident resulting in the death of a male operating a motorized scooter,” the AG’s office wrote.
The scooter operator died at the scene, officials said. No one else, including the officer, was injured.
No other information regarding the crash was released.
A 2019 law “requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody,” Platkin’s office said.
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Police in Philadelphia are on the lookout for a woman who, is alleged to have, attacked workers at two separate shops in South Philadelphia’s Italian Market on Sunday.
According to police officials, the first incident is alleged to have happened at about 1:54 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at a shop along the 1000 block of S. 9th Street when a cashier at KD Discount store told police she initially got into an argument with a woman who didn’t want to pay full price for items.
After that confrontation, the employee told police she saw the same woman place items from the shop in her pants and confronted her about the missing merchandise. At that time, police said, the woman attacked the employee, punching and choking her until the owner of the shop intervened.
When the owner stepped in, police said, the woman attacked him too, punching him before she fled.
On the same block, shortly afterward, officials said, the same woman was confronted after she, allegedly, stole from Marco’s Fish Market. When an employee here confronted the woman about the stolen items, police said, she attacked this worker as well, punching them before she fled on foot.
Officials said, in the end, the woman stole two packages of synthetic hair and two bags of fish during Sunday afternoon.
After these incidents, two of the victims complained of head and neck pain, though officials said, they were considered to be in stable condition.
The woman sought by police was described by officials as being in her 30s, standing about five-feet, five-inches tall with a heavy set build.
She was last seen wearing a black jacket, white pants and black shoes, officials said.
No arrests have yet been made, but police said, an investigation is ongoing.
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The Pennsylvania State Police are investigating after an early morning crash along I-83 in York County left three construction workers dead.
According to police, the incident happened at about 3:25 a.m., early Wednesday, near the 35.5 mile marker on I-83 in Fairview Township when a 24-year-old man behind the wheel of a big box truck was headed south on the roadway.
At that point, the box truck collided with a construction vehicle in an active work zone, police said, which caused the truck to continue onto the shoulder.
When the box truck went onto the shoulder, it collided with three construction workers, according to police.
Law enforcement officials said all three workers were pronounced at the scene.
Officials have said, in 2023, there were 309 work zone crashes across Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia — three of which were fatal.
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Get ready to be blown away! “Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert” is coming to Philadelphia this fall.
Fans of the Nickelodeon animated series can immerse themselves in a two-hour experience with a live orchestra that will bring the show’s iconic musical score to life.
Event organizers said Taiko and Erhu will share the spotlight with violins and clarinets, while the series’ most beloved scenes play out on screen.
The tour kicks off in September and will visit 100 cities worldwide, including a stop at The Met Philadelphia on Oct. 9.
Emmy Award-winning composer and musician Jeremy Zuckerman created the concert series with the show’s co-creators, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, and Jeff Adams, the show’s original editor.
“It’s been incredibly satisfying and moving to see the audiences’ emotional response to these concerts, and to be a part of that atmosphere is a uniquely beautiful experience,” Zuckerman said in a statement. “I’m overjoyed that many more people – Avatar fans both new and old – will get to experience the show during this wider tour.”
Tickets for the show go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 19 at avatarinconcert.com.
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The officers rushed the woman to a nearby hospital where she was being treated in critical condition, police said.
The shooter ran off before officers arrived, police said.
Investigators believe that the woman knows the person who shot her. However, police said that “despite intensive efforts, no arrests have been made, and the weapon used in the incident has not been recovered.”
The investigation continued and police asked anyone with information to contact police.
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Pop artists Charli XCX and Troye Sivan joined forces to co-headline an arena tour across North America this fall.
Dubbed “Charli XCX & Troye Sivan present: Sweat,” the 21-city tour includes a stop at the Wells Fago Center in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Sept. 25
Event organizers said this tour celebrates the artist’s individual success and showcases their commitment to inclusivity and diversity within the music industry.
XCX is fresh off the announcement of her sold-out “BRAT 2024- AREA TOUR” shows in the UK and is gearing up for the release of her highly anticipated sixth solo album, “BRAT.”
Sivan, known for his chart-topping hits will be coming off of his European area tour in support of his critically acclaimed third album, “Something to Give Each Other.”
The two pop stars are no strangers to collaboration, having previously worked together on smash hits such as “1999” and “2099.” Their tour will also feature special guest Shygirl.
Advance presale registration is available now through April 25 at sweat-tour.com. The artist presale is Thursday, April 15, at 10 a.m.
Tickets will then go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 26 at 10 a.m. at LiveNation.com.
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In Lewes, Delaware, a new ordinance is allowing restaurants and breweries to apply for a permit to play soft, ambient music on their outdoor patios and decks.
City Council had just approved a 3-year trial run, but officials could vote to expand it afterward.
Officials hope it boosts businesses in the area, but the idea is getting mixed reviews.
“I don’t really understand really why we need outside music,” Lewes resident Pamela Weller said. “Frankly, I’m kind of annoyed by inside music sometimes if it gets too loud.”
“Depending on what type of music that they choose, you know,” business owner Michelle Buckler added. “But I think, elevator music kind of stuff, absolutely, I think it would be an asset.”
This new ordinance has a couple of rules. Officials said music can only be played between 11:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. and can’t be louder than 65 decibels, which is about as loud as a normal conversation.
So what does 65 decibels sound like? We have an example below.
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Officials in Delaware County reported that a coyote was caught in Marple Township, but warn residents that another one might still be in the area.
“Thanks to the skill and determination of Animal Control and the cooperation of nearby residents, one of the wild beasts was caught early this morning. Based on previously reported sightings and descriptions, there is good reason to believe that there may be at least one still in the wilds of Marple. Remember, coyotes are just that….wild, and they should be treated as such,” Marple Township Police Department said in a statement”
Police said they believe the most “elusive” coyote is still wandering around. If you see it, you should call 9-1-1 so Animal Control can locate it.
“Coyotes are becoming more common, not only in the suburbs but in the city. They’re just getting pushed out of different areas,” Marple Township Police Chief Brandon Graeff told NBC10.
Police advise the following to residents:
Small pets and children should never be left unattended, and dogs should always be walked on a leash.
Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes.
If followed by a coyote, make loud noises, if this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
Put Garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
Do not leave pet food outside.
Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
Bring pets in at night.
Ask your neighbors to follow these tips.
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Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker was joined by Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and other city leaders on Wednesday afternoon to discuss details of a recent settlement with two companies that officials said were “among the largest suppliers of ghost guns confiscated in Philadelphia.”
On Wednesday, Parker said that the settlement was “something to be excited about.”
“Ghost guns fuel and cause harm to Philadelphians,” said Parker in a statement on the settlement. “This settlement agreement reached by our city Law Department under Solicitor Renee Garcia, her team, and our external legal partners means that the two largest manufacturers and distributors of ghost gun parts can no longer distribute or market them in Philadelphia. That’s a huge win for our public safety efforts.”
Officials said that the city’s Law Department filed the lawsuit — with co-counsel at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence to Prevent Gun Violence and the Hausfeld law firm — in May of 2023, alleging that Polymer80 Inc. and JSD Supply perpetuated the gun violence crisis and threatened the public’s right to health and safety by illegally distributing unserialized ghost gun kits in Philadelphia.
These guns come in a kit, Solicitor Renee Garcia said on Wednesday, noting that the manufacturers had been side-stepping legal issues claiming they were only selling weapon parts, not guns.
“The gun parts and kits sold by these companies can be assembled, at home, into fully-functional unserialized firearms, called ghost guns, in as little as 15-minutes with simple household tools,” said Garcia. “So, it comes in a kit, but in 15-minutes you’ve got a gun.”
The settlement agreement prohibits Polymer80 from ever advertising or selling ghost gun kits in Philadelphia.
Additionally, the agreement prevents the company from marketing or selling kits in the surrounding counties for four years.
Philadelphia will also receive $1.3 million in compensation in this settlement. Officials said these funds “will be used for efforts to prevent and remediate the harms caused by the gun violence crisis.”
The city will receive the payments from Polymer80 over the course of four years, officials said.
The settlement also requires JSD Supply — which officials called the biggest distributor of ghost guns in Pennsylvania — to stop selling ghost guns kits to consumers in Pennsylvania for four years.
Eagle Shows, a gun show operated by JSD Supply, will prevent vendors from selling ghost guns at their events for two years, city officials also said.
David Pucino, the deputy chief counsel and legal director at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence to Prevent Gun Violence, called the settlement the “broadest in terms of the parts that are covered, of any settlement that has been reached in this county.”
“It’s going to keep this community safer and it is going to save lives,” he said.
Commissioner Bethel also celebrated the settlement, saying the ease with which criminals can possess firearms is a “serious issue for all of us.”
“Ghost guns have been a nightmare for the City of Philadelphia,” said Bethel.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner also commented on the settlement, saying that the weapons this will ban were made “for nothing but crime.”
“They should not exist. These guns should not exist,” said Krasner, pointing to a table full of ghost guns. “The way they made these guns is they looked at laws to find the loopholes. Every aspect of how these guns are in separate bags and parts, every aspect was to make sure you could put something that kills people on the street in the most unaccountable way possible.”
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Low Sensory Show at 12:15 p.m. that will offer a showing of “Welcome to the Party!” at Abby’s Paradise Theater
Both of these great events will have quiet sounds with limited audio and visual effects.
Guests will also have the chance to meet their favorite characters during the showtimes if they want to.
The character Julia will be around for meet-and-greets throughout the month of June if guests can’t make it to one of the showtimes.
As Sesame Place celebrates Autism Acceptance Month in June, they will be giving away free copies of “Sesame Street” storybooks. Guests can pick up their copy at the Welcome Center when they visit during the month.
Sesame Place will also be giving away free “Sesame Street” storybooks. Guests can retrieve these books at the Welcome Center, and character Julia will be available for Meet & Greets all month long.
There are accommodations always available for guests at Sesame Place including a Low Sensory Room, the Ride Accessibility Program and Special Access Pass as well as noise-canceling headphones.
Philadelphia-based attorneys William J. Brennan and Michael van der Veen represented Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial. As the president’s current hush money trial continues, Brennan and van der Veen share their experience defending the former president in the latest episode of Battleground Politics with Lauren Mayk.
Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:
:30 – Did the Trump impeachment trial feel different from other cases?
2:36 – Preparing for the impeachment trial
6:00 – Reacting to the jury
6:30 – How they almost lost Mitch McConnell
7:45 – The politics of the impeachment trial
8:32 – Why Brennan and van der Veen felt like Rocky
9:13 – Did they think they would lose Pat Toomey?
11:27 – Realizing the world was watching the trial
14:05 – How the Senate works
16:02 – The impact of today’s politics and media on how lawmakers work together
You can subscribe to Battleground Politics on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever else you get your favorite podcasts. You can also watch or listen to every episode right here on NBC10.com, the NBC10 YouTube channel, and in rotation on our streaming channels.
The event is designed to be low-sensory so everyone can participate and join in the festivities.
Everything from live events, to locker room tours and special appearance by Eagles players, cheerleaders and Swoop are just some of the things that will be available.
Event organizers say that tickets are still available. Guests that want to come can go to the remote ticket booth on the Pepsi Plaza.
This fundraising event happens every year and is in celebration of April’s Autism Acceptance Month. All proceeds will go to the Center for Autism Research at CHOP.
Leading up to this year’s event, over $203,000 has been raised so far. That number tops last year’s total of $139,708.
Officials say that the annual Huddle Up for Autism fundraiser has raised over $1 million for autism research and care programs since it started in 2009.
HBO’s “Mare of Easttown” was without question, a hit. While it’s still unknown if it will return for a second season, one of its stars continues to shine bright.
That star is Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and the community is excited about a new show in production.
“Task” is the upcoming spinoff from “Mare of Easttown” creator and Chester County native Brad Ingelsby. Mark Ruffalo serves as the Pennsylvania-based series’ star and executive producer.
“Task” is about a troubled agent and head of a task force, fighting for good.
In addition to Ingelsby being a Chester County native, the director is Jeremiah Zagar from Philadelphia and casting is handled by Philly-based Heery Loftus Casting.
The limited series will film through August and crews have been spotted throughout Delaware County, including Aston, Upper Chichester, Chadds Ford Township, Ridley Township and Marcus Hook.
The success of “Mare of Easttown” put a spotlight on the energy and character of Delaware County and its people, even spawning a Saturday Night Live skit called “Murder Durder,” a humorous take on the regional dialect and now-famous accent.
Even Kate Winslet, actor and star of “Mare of Easttown,” sang the praises of the “Murder Durder” skit and said, “I have never felt so validated as an actor in my entire life as I now do because of Murder Durder.”
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A teenager was killed after an SUV driven by a 16-year-old lost control and crashed on Roosevelt Boulevard on Sunday afternoon, according to police in Philadelphia.
The crash happened on the 400 block of West Roosevelt Boulevard around 12:30 p.m. when a red Nissan Pathfinder hit a tree on the left median, police said.
Police say there were three 16-year-old males in the vehicle at the time of the crash. One was driving and two others were riding as passengers.
The driver and one passenger were taken to a nearby hospital by medics, police said. Their conditions are unknown at this time.
The third 16-year-old male was riding in the backseat and he was pronounced dead at the scene by medics just before 1 p.m., according to officials.
The teenaged driver of the vehicle is currently being held in custody as part of the investigation, police said.
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
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A teenager is dead after being shot on campus at Delaware State University in Dover early Sunday morning, according to police.
The shooting happened right outside a dormitory building known as Warren-Franklin Hall around 1:40 a.m., police said.
Police say that when they arrived at the scene, they found 18-year-old Camay Mitchell DeSilva of Wilmington, Delaware, suffering a gunshot wound to her upper body.
DeSilva is not a student at Delaware State University, according to officials.
Officials believe she was with another non-student visiting a student at the college, according to a statement.
DeSilva was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead, officials reported.
The suspect, or suspects, in the shooting were last seen fleeing the area by going in the direction of College Road, according to investigators.
A university spokesperson said that the shooting is under investigation by both the Delaware State University Police and Dover Police.
All classes and events were canceled on Monday in light of the incident, according to the Vice President of Student Affairs James Overton.
“The DSU Police Department and staff will continue to take all necessary actions to ensure the health and well-being of our campus community. Counseling services are available in the Tubman Laws Hall housing office,” a Delaware State University spokesperson wrote.
There were no other injuries reported in connection to this incident, police said.
Officials say they do not have a description of the suspect yet. If you have any information please contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7130.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Dover Police Victim Services Unit is available to provide help and guidance. You can contact the Victim Services Unit at 302-736-7134 or by email at: Casey.wilson@cj.state.de.us, officials said in a statement.
Students react to shooting
Delaware State University students said they received a campus safety notification shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday.
“It’s so sad to lose a life,” Xavier Fox, a DSU student, told NBC10. “My first thoughts, like I said before, was straight to my friends. When I found out that my friends were good, my peace of mind was there. I was just shocked.”
Some students told NBC10 there were two parties on campus late Saturday though police have not yet confirmed this.
“I believe it happened at 1:40 last night,” Marcelaus Montgomery, another DSU student, told NBC10 on Sunday. “It’s nothing going on at 1:40 last night. Parties ended at 12 at midnight. And then it’s just people congregating.”
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
The Lineup from NBC10 is a daily rundown of top local stories and headlines from Philadelphia, New Jersey, the Pennsylvania suburbs and beyond. Get ready for your day in just 10 minutes.
After a tough Game 1 loss, the Philadelphia 76ers prepare for Game 2 against the New York Knicks in their first round playoff series but there are still concerns over Joel Embiid’s health. We have a preview of the Monday night showdown. Plus, a shortage of planes could impact summer travel plans. And, while many parents like to go over the top for their kids’ birthday, one mom is going viral for all the things she’s not going to do. NBC10’s Erin Coleman and Keith Jones have those stories and more on the Lineup for Monday, April 22.
You can subscribe to The Lineup on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever else you get your favorite podcasts. You can also watch or listen to every episode right here on NBC10.com, the NBC10 YouTube channel, and in rotation on our streaming channels.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will go before voters next week in Pennsylvania’s presidential primaries. It’s a prelude to the November general election, when the commonwealth is expected to again play a critical role in the race for the White House.
The Democratic and Republican presumptive nominees have campaigned in Pennsylvania in recent days with their focus more on the November election and each other than on Tuesday’s vote.
Further down the ballot, voters will also select nominees in competitive primaries for Congress, the state legislature and three statewide offices.
The Pennsylvania presidential and state primaries will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Polls close the day at 8 p.m. ET.
Here’s a look at what to expect on Tuesday:
Biden and Trump focus on Pennsylvania
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will go before voters Tuesday in Pennsylvania’s presidential primaries, a prelude to the November general election, when the commonwealth is expected to once again play a critical role in the race for the White House. Further down the ballot, voters will also select nominees in competitive primaries for Congress, the state legislature and three statewide offices.
Biden clinched the Democratic nomination and Trump clinched the Republican nomination on March 12, and neither faces serious opposition on the primary ballot. Nonetheless, both presumptive nominees have campaigned in Pennsylvania in recent days with their focus more on the November election and each other than on Tuesday’s vote.
Biden just completed a three-day campaign swing that began Tuesday in his hometown of Scranton and concluded Thursday in Philadelphia in an event with members of the Kennedy family. Days earlier, Trump held a rally in Lehigh County, his third visit to the state this year.
Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, was one of three critical swing states along with Michigan and Wisconsin that went narrowly for Trump in 2016 after almost 30 years of voting for Democratic presidential candidates. Biden won back all three states four years later with a margin in Pennsylvania of about 80,000 votes out of more than 6.9 million votes cast, and the states remain key electoral prizes this November.
Pennsylvania attorney general
Democrats in the Keystone State also will decide competitive contests for state attorney general, treasurer and auditor general. For attorney general, five candidates are running for the nomination for the position once held by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. They are Philadelphia attorney Keir Bradford-Grey, former auditor general and state Rep. Eugene DePasquale, former prosecutor and Bucks County solicitor Joe Khan, Philadelphia state Rep. Jared Solomon and Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer.
The Republican primary for attorney general pits York County District Attorney Dave Sunday against state Rep. Craig Williams.
Summer Lee vs. Bhavini Patel
In the race to control the closely divided Congress, first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Summer Lee faces a primary challenge in the 12th District from Bhavini Patel, a member of the Edgewood Borough Council in Allegheny County. The two have sparred over their positions on the Israel-Hamas war. Lee has accused Israel of “war crimes” in Gaza and was an early proponent of a cease-fire. She was also supportive of a campaign to vote “uncommitted” in Democratic presidential primaries to send a message to Biden over the war.
Congressional Districts
In the 10th Congressional District, six Democrats are competing for the nomination to face Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, who played an active role in the effort to keep Trump in office after his loss to Biden in the 2020 election. A federal court recently ordered Perry to hand over hundreds of his texts and emails to FBI agents investigating the effort. His cellphone was seized in 2022 as part of the probe.
In the 1st Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick faces a primary challenge from Mark Houck, an anti-abortion activist. In the 7th District, three Republicans are vying to take on Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Wild in the fall.
U.S. Senate race
Pennsylvania is also home to a competitive U.S. Senate contest, but Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick are both running unopposed in Tuesday’s primary.
Presidential primaries
The Associated Press will provide coverage for the Democratic and Republican presidential primaries, as well as 48 additional races down the ballot. Biden and Dean Phillips will appear on the Democratic presidential ballot, while Trump and Nikki Haley will appear on the Republican ballot. Voters in both primaries are also given the option to write in a candidate. The AP will also provide coverage for contested primaries for attorney general, auditor, treasurer, U.S. House, state Senate and state House.
Pennsylvania has a closed primary system, which means that only voters registered with a political party may participate in that party’s primary. Democrats may not vote in the Republican primary or vice versa. Independent or unaffiliated voters may not participate in either primary.
Pennsylvania’s 159 pledged Democratic delegates are allocated according to the national party’s standard rules. Thirty-five at-large delegates are allocated in proportion to the statewide vote, as are 19 PLEO delegates, or “party leaders and elected officials.” The state’s 17 congressional districts have a combined 105 delegates at stake, which are allocated in proportion to the vote results in each district. Candidates must receive at least 15% of the statewide vote to qualify for any statewide delegates, and 15% of the vote in a congressional district to qualify for delegates in that district.
Pennsylvania has 67 Republican delegates. The winner of the statewide vote will receive all 16 at-large delegates. The state’s 17 congressional districts each have an additional three delegates, for a total of 51 district-level delegates, but they are not awarded to candidates based on the primary vote. Instead, people running to be a convention delegate appear on the ballot and are elected directly by voters. They are elected as unbound delegates, meaning they are not obligated to vote for any particular candidate at the convention. The AP will not report vote totals for delegate candidates.
In the presidential race, Biden and Trump are the favorites in their primaries as neither candidate faces a credible challenge. The first indications that they are winning statewide on a level consistent with the overwhelming margins seen in most other contests held this year may be sufficient to determine the statewide winners.
For other statewide primaries, the key jurisdictions to watch are the vote-rich counties of Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Lancaster and Chester.
The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when it’s determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why.
In Pennsylvania, races with a vote margin of 0.5 percentage points or less are subject to an automatic recount. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is eligible for a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome.
As of Tuesday, there will be 83 days until the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, 118 days until the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and 196 until the November general election.
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Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2024 election at https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024.
The group will work on election day to “safeguard the voting rights of Philadelphia residents,” according to a press release from the DA’s Office.
Krasner is expected to reveal more details on the task force as well as information for voters during a press conference at 11 a.m. Monday. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Managing Director Adam Thiel, City Commissioner Chair Omar Sabir and other officials are also expected to speak.
You can watch the full press conference live in the video embedded above.
Former 15-year NBA veteran JJ Redick is set to interview with the Charlotte Hornets for the team’s head-coaching opening, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Monday, citing sources.
Redick, who currently is an NBA color commentator and studio analyst on ESPN, is interested in making a jump to coaching, the report added.
Once the College National Player of the Year while playing for Duke in 2006, he was known as a pinpoint NBA sharpshooter from long range, averaging a 41.5% clip from 3-point distance over his career.
While with the Clippers in 2016, Redick launched a basketball podcast and became the first active NBA player to do so.
After retiring in 2021, Redick joined ESPN as a studio analyst and color commentator, which is one of his current roles.
He also hosts “The Old Man and the Three” podcast where he talks to different NBA personalities in each episode, typically going in depth about the sport.
In March 2024, Redick and LeBron James launched the “Mind the Game” podcast, where they discuss deeper into X’s and O’s.
The Hornets had announced on April 3 that now-former coach Steve Clifford would step down from the role after the season ends, though he’s staying on in an advisory role.
Charlotte hasn’t made the playoffs in each of the last eight seasons. It last lost to the Miami Heat 4-3 in the first round of the 2015-16 postseason. The Hornets made the Play-In Tournament in 2020-21 and 2021-22 but lost in both.
LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams and rookie Brandon Miller currently are the marquee names on the Hornets’ roster.
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On March 25, 2024, Stephen Young, 33, and a 20-year-old man were both shot at the Arrott Transportation Center on 1500 Arrott Street. Young, who was shot in the chest, was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead that day. The second victim was shot once in the back and twice in the leg. He was taken to the hospital in stable condition. At the time, police recovered a weapon.
On Monday, April 22, police released surveillance video of three suspects in the shooting. Two of the suspects are described as thin men who are both approximately six-feet-tall. One of the suspects was wearing a dark jacket and a hood while the second suspect was wearing a black jacket over a red hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans with distinct color markings.
The third suspect is described as a heavy-set woman who was wearing a tan jacket.
A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. If you have any information on the suspects’ whereabouts, please call Philadelphia Police at 215-686-3344 or leave a tip by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477).
Warning: This story contains graphic details of alleged sexual abuse and could be disturbing for some readers.
A Delaware County man is accused of sexually abusing two women with intellectual disabilities, impregnating one of the victims, and cutting them off from their family members while stealing their benefits. The suspect’s ex-wife is also accused of sexually abusing and beating one of the victims.
Michael Swanson, 41, and Nicole Swanson, 37, of Chester, Pennsylvania, were arrested and charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual assault, aggravated indecent sexual assault of a person with a mental disability, kidnapping to facilitate a theft and conspiracy.
The investigation began on Jan. 3, 2024, after the family member of a 30-year-old woman who is intellectually disabled reached out to law enforcement.
Investigators learned the 30-year-old woman was introduced to Michael Swanson through a friend, a 27-year-old woman who is also intellectually disabled. At the time, the 27-year-old was pregnant with Swanson’s child, according to investigators. Both women knew each other from their special education program at Chichester High School.
Swanson and the two women entered a sexual relationship, investigators said. Based on their mental capacity, both women were incapable of consenting to a sex, according to officials.
Swanson persuaded the 30-year-old woman to move out of her father’s home in Linwood, Pennsylvania, after claiming her father was stealing her Social Security benefits, investigators said.
The 30-year-old woman then moved into Swanson’s home in Chester where his ex-wife, Nicole Swanson, and their seven children also lived along with the 27-year-old woman and the homeowner.
In February 2023, the 27-year-old woman gave birth to Michael Swanson’s child, officials said. A report was made to social services due to the woman’s disability as well as Swanson’s previous cases, according to investigators.
In July 2023, Michael Swanson moved the two victims, Nicole Swanson, his seven children and a fourth woman to a double-wide trailer in Tallahassee, Florida, investigators said. A witness told officials that Swanson moved to Florida because he was concerned about social services investigating his involvement with the 27-year-old woman and their child.
While in Florida, the 30-year-old woman was beaten by Nicole Swanson, the fourth woman, and the children, investigators said. A video of the attack was recorded and sent to the victim’s family, according to officials. After receiving the video, the victim’s sister was able to locate her and remove her from the situation, investigators said.
The 30-year-old victim was interviewed on Jan. 10, 2024, and on Feb. 7, 2024, at the Child Advocacy Center of Delaware County. The 30-year-old told investigators she was sexually assaulted by Michael Swanson approximately twice per day and was told not to tell anyone about what was happening. Swanson allegedly took away the victim’s cell phone as well as her food card, checks, money and insurance card.
Investigators also said the payee was changed on the victim’s Social Security card to Michael Swanson in June 2023, using the address for his home in Chester. Nicole Swanson also repeatedly sexually assaulted the 30-year-old woman, according to officials. The homeowner told the victim that he was able to view the sexual abuse from the camera feed from inside and outside the home, officials said.
Michael Swanson was then arrested and extradited to Pennsylvania.
Officials then began to investigate the alleged abuse against the 27-year-old woman and interviewed her on March 11, 2024, at the Child Advocacy Center in Lancaster County, South Carolina.
Investigators determined Michael Swanson engaged in numerous sex acts with the 27-year-old woman while they lived in the Chester home. Paternity testing also confirmed Swanson is the father of the 27-year-old woman’s child and the payee on the victim’s ID benefits was changed to Michael Swanson, officials said. The victim also said both Michael Swanson and Nicole Swanson recorded the sexual abuse, according to investigators. The victim told investigators Michael Swanson would take away her phone as punishment and that she was afraid of Nicole Swanson because “she beat people with her fists.”
Officials used funds from a federal grant that supports the fight against human trafficking to relocate the 27-year-old victim and her child to South Carolina where she currently resides with family members.
Michael Swanson was arraigned with bail set at $900,000 in the case involving the 30-year-old victim. His bail has not yet been set in the case involving the 27-year-old. Nicole Swanson was arraigned with bail set at $1 million in the case involving the 30-year-old victim. Both suspects were remanded to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.
Officials also said additional charges may be brought by authorities in Florida against both suspects. They also said federal authorities may pursue charges against Michael Swanson for allegedly stealing the victims’ social security benefits.
“It is difficult to comprehend the truly heinous actions of these defendants. The defendants knowingly exploited two intellectually disabled young women. They used them for their sexual gratification, and stole their benefits,” Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said. “They attempted to hide their conduct by cutting off contact with the victims’ families, and went so far as to remove the women to Florida to evade detection. Defendant Michael Swanson impregnated one of the victims and brought a child into this vile situation – joining seven other children fathered by Swanson. The members of law enforcement, the medical professionals, and the social workers who have worked on this case stand united in calling out the depravity of these defendants’ actions. They will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
NBC10 reached out to Nicole Swanson’s attorney who provided a statement on her client’s behalf.
“The affidavit in this case recites a convoluted series of allegations, speculation as well as hearsay from a 2016 unrelated case,” the attorney wrote. “The defense will investigate the substantial number of factual and legal issues including that the complaining witnesses seem to be legally incompetent. While the charges are serious, Ms. Swanson’s innocence is presumed until proven otherwise in a court of law.”
Online court records don’t list attorney information for Michael Swanson.
Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.
A female victim in her late 60s was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
The tree measured about 94 inches in diameter and the impact of it falling onto the camper sent a male victim to be thrown with minor injuries, police said.
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Two men are facing murder and robbery charges in connection to a 2008 cold case in New Jersey, according to officials.
36-year-old Breyon Goodman and 41-year-old Jason Howard have been named as the suspects involved in the robbery and deadly beating of Ewing Township man Leroy Julious, prosecutors said.
“For 16 years the senseless, cruel death of Leroy Julious has gone unsolved,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “But law enforcement did not forget, and did not give up. We hope the charges bring a measure of relief to the victim’s grieving loved ones.”
Goodman and Howard have each been charged with murder, felony murder and robbery, officials said. Goodman was arrested on April 15 and Howard was served his charges in the state of Rhode Island where he is currently in prison for an unrelated incident.
Robbery turns deadly
On May 9, 2008, Police in Ewing, New Jersey, were called to a scene where a victim, later identified as Leroy Julious, was hurt and bleeding on the ground, prosecutors said.
When officers got to the scene, they found a car that was parked diagonally in front of a home with multiple people standing outside, officials said.
One of those people was Jason Howard who was standing by the open driver’s door of the car, police said.
The witnesses were able to show the officers where the victim, Julious, was lying in a gravel lot on the ground, according to police.
Police said that Julious had severe head trauma with blood on his face, head and neck. They noticed that his pockets were turned inside out.
Officials pronounced Julious as dead at the scene.
The investigation
As officials worked to investigate the case, they concluded that robbery was the motive behind the deadly incident.
Investigators say they learned that Leroy Julious was known to always have money in his wallet. It was noted that his wallet was not on him when he was found on the ground.
The attack on Julious is believed to have happened in the garage carport of a house nearby before he was dragged to the gravel lot, officials said.
The case went cold for about fifteen years before new information was brought to the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and investigators reopened the case.
In the fall of 2023, all of the physical evidence was resubmitted to an investigative laboratory which led to new information thanks to technological advancements, officials said.
The mild, warm weather we have been feeling lately is taking a step back overnight into early Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service issued a freeze warning to several counties in New Jersey as well as a number of counties in east, central and southeast Pennsylvania.
According to the organization, Freeze Warnings tend to be issued from May 1 through Oct. 20 but can be extended when necessary, like in this case.
The warnings are typically issued when temperatures are expected to reach lows between 29 to 32 degrees during the specified timeline.
According to the National Weather Service, the frigid temperatures will cause frost with freezing conditions that could potentially kill sensitive crops and vegetation.
The organization urges anyone with crops or plants to take precautionary measures to protect them from the cold.
If the sensitive plant is moveable, the National Weather Service says to move it indoors to avoid any type of freeze that could harm them.
A detective with the Philadelphia Police Department had previous information that made the warrant possible, but it was missing a detail which is what was discovered on Monday.
“Nobody lied, there was simply a gap in information,” Krasner said.
Krasner wouldn’t go into specifics but did say that the protection from abuse order against Boyle was not in effect, so the warrant had to be withdrawn.
“Kevin is our dear friend and his deteriorating mental health over the past few months has been heartbreaking to witness,” Pennsylvania House Leader Matt Bradford said in a statement. “Today’s developments and the spectacle of the past few months should not obscure what is at stake—a sick man’s life. This isn’t political theater.”
In a statement on April 17, Rockledge Police Chief John Gallagher told NBC10 the investigation into that incident continues. However, none of the customers, staff members, managers or owners of the bar wanted to pursue charges against Boyle, according to Chief Gallagher. Chief Gallagher also said Boyle complied with responding police officers by leaving the bar on foot.
When asked if Tuesday’s primary election day had any influence on the DA’s office withdrawing the warrant, Krasner said, “We try to operate in a way that is truly even-handed.”
Pennsylvania’s primaries will cement the lineup for a high-stakes U.S. Senate race between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican challenger David McCormick. Tuesday’s contest will help decide Senate control next year.
Casey, seeking a fourth term, is a stalwart of Pennsylvania’s Democratic Party. McCormick is a two-time Senate challenger and a former hedge fund CEO who lost narrowly in 2022’s seven-way GOP primary.
McCormick’s candidacy is shaping up as the strongest challenge to Casey in his three reelection bids. They’ll share a ticket with candidates for president in the premier battleground state. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are expected to win their nominations easily.
Tuesday’s Pennsylvania primaries will cement the lineup for a high-stakes U.S. Senate race between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican challenger David McCormick, a contest that is expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars and could help decide control of the Senate next year.
Casey, seeking his fourth term, is perhaps Pennsylvania’s best-known politician and a stalwart of the presidential swing state’s Democratic Party — the son of a former two-term governor and Pennsylvania’s longest-ever serving Democrat in the Senate.
McCormick is a two-time Senate challenger, a former hedge fund CEO and Pennsylvania native who spent $14 million of his own money only to lose narrowly to celebrity heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz in 2022’s seven-way GOP primary. Oz then lost to Democratic Sen. John Fetterman in a pivotal Senate contest.
This time around, McCormick has consolidated the party around his candidacy and is backed by a super PAC that’s already reported raising more than $20 million, much of it from securities-trading billionaires.
McCormick’s candidacy is shaping up as the strongest challenge to Casey in his three reelection bids. McCormick, intent on shoring up support in the GOP base, told an audience of conservatives in suburban Harrisburg earlier this month that he tells people “you’re going to agree with about 80% of what I say … but we disagree 90% of the time with the crazy progressive left that’s destroying our country.”
The Senate candidates will share a ticket with candidates for president in a state that is critical to whether Democrats can maintain control of the White House and the Senate. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are expected to win their party nominations easily now that all major rivals have dropped out.
Of note, however, could be the number of “ uncommitted ” write-in votes cast in the Democratic primary to protest Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
In the Senate contest, Democrats have attacked McCormick’s opposition to abortion rights, his frequent trips to Connecticut’s ritzy “Gold Coast ” where he keeps a family home, and the focus on investing in China during his dozen years as an executive at the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, including as CEO.
Casey has been a key player for Democrats trying to reframe the election-year narrative about the economy by attacking “greedflation” — a blunt term for corporations that jack up prices and rip off shoppers to maximize profits — as fast-rising prices over the past three years have opened a big soft spot in 2024 for Democrats. Recent indications that the U.S. economy avoided a recession amid efforts to manage inflation have yet to translate into voter enthusiasm for giving Biden a second term.
McCormick, meanwhile, has accused Casey of rubber-stamping harmful immigration, economic, energy and national security policies of Biden, and made a bid for Jewish voters by traveling to the Israel-Gaza border and arguing that Biden hasn’t backed Israel strongly enough in the Israel-Hamas war.
Casey is one of Biden’s strongest allies in Congress.
The two men share a hometown of Scranton and their political stories are intertwined. Biden — who represented neighboring Delaware in the Senate and roots for Philadelphia sports teams — has effectively made Pennsylvania his political home as a presidential candidate. Long before that, Biden was nicknamed “Pennsylvania’s third senator” by Democrats because he campaigned there so often.
McCormick and Trump have endorsed each other, but are an awkward duo atop the GOP’s ticket. Trump savaged McCormick in 2022’s primary in a successful bid to lift Oz to his primary win. And McCormick, for his part, has told of a private meeting in which he refused Trump’s urging to say that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, a disproven claim the former president has never abandoned.
Democrats currently hold a Senate majority by the narrowest of margins, but face a difficult 2024 Senate map that requires them to defend incumbents in the red states of Montana and Ohio and fight for open seats with new candidates in Michigan and West Virginia.
A Casey loss could guarantee Republican control of the Senate.
Elsewhere on the ballot Tuesday, Pennsylvanians will decide nominees for an open attorney general’s office and two other statewide offices — treasurer and auditor general — plus all 17 of the state’s U.S. House seats and 228 of the state’s 253 legislative seats.
For attorney general, Republicans have a two-way race while Democrats have a five-person primary field. Democrats also will decide on challengers to incumbent Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity and state Auditor General Tim DeFoor.
For Congress, 44 candidates are on ballots, including all 17 incumbents, just three of whom are facing primary challengers: Democratic Reps. Summer Lee in a Pittsburgh-based district and Dwight Evans in Philadelphia and Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in suburban Philadelphia.
Lee’s primary against challenger Bhavini Patel has shaped up as an early test of whether Israel’s war with Gaza poses political threats to progressive Democrats in Congress who have criticized how it has been handled.
Voters will decide from among three would-be Republican challengers to Democratic Rep. Susan Wild, whose Allentown-based district is politically divided, and six Democratic candidates hoping to challenge Republican Rep. Scott Perry of southern Pennsylvania.
Perry has become a national figure for heading up the ultra-right House Freedom Caucus during a speakership battle and his efforts to help Trump stay in power after losing 2020’s presidential election.
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Follow Marc Levy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/timelywriter.
A man was killed and a woman was injured following a double shooting in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood.
Police responded to numerous 911 calls reporting a shooting at the intersection of 5th Street and Tabor Avenue shortly before 11:30 p.m. Monday. When they arrived they found a 33-year-old man on the sidewalk suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his torso. The victim was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:51 p.m.
Around the same time, a 30-year-old woman suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg arrived at the hospital. Police said she was injured in the same shooting that killed the 33-year-old man. She’s currently listed in stable condition.
Police found 15 spent shell casings from one or two semiautomatic weapons at the scene of the shooting, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said. Small also told NBC10 the 33-year-old man may have been involved in a shootout moments before his death.
“There’s a possibility that this 33-year-old victim also was firing shots because we did find a handgun in very close proximity,” Small said.
The shooting occurred right outside of a bar in the area. Police also said the 30-year-old woman may have been in the bar before the shooting occurred.
Small told NBC10 most of the businesses near the scene of the shooting have exterior surveillance cameras. They have not released a description of any suspects.
