Michael Nutter

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Boehner Blasts 'Stupid Question' on Amtrak

Death toll rises to 8

(Newser) - Anger related to the Amtrak crash in Philadelphia continued to percolate on Capitol Hill today, as John Boehner ripped into a reporter asking about whether funding cuts contributed. "Are you really going to ask such a stupid question?" Boehner interjected. "Listen: You know they (Democrats) started this yesterday....

6 Now Dead in Philadelphia Building Collapse

Death toll rises

(Newser) - Five more bodies have been pulled from the rubble of today's building collapse in downtown Philadelphia, bringing the death toll to six, reports AP . The collapse happened when a building under demolition unexpectedly came crashing down this morning, destroying an adjoining Salvation Army thrift shop and crushing some who...

Philly Cracks Down on Teen Mobs

Mayor boosts police patrols, sets earlier curfews

(Newser) - Philadelphia is trying to put an end to teenage flash mobs following a series of violent attacks in the city. The city is setting weekend curfews in key areas and putting more police on the streets, the Philadelphia Daily News reports. “If you assault a fellow Philadelphian, a visitor...

Philly Mayor to Lease Closing Libraries

11 buildings would be run by private or foundation centers

(Newser) - The mayor of Philadelphia has preliminary agreements with private foundations and nonprofits to manage at least five of the 11 libraries the city is closing out of budget concerns, the Inquirer reports. The new institutions, which Michael Nutter said he hopes will become “knowledge centers,” will retain collections...

Girl's Death Moves Philly Mayor to Tears, Fury

Suspends 7 in uproar over starved teen

(Newser) - Philly mayor Michael Nutter was visibly enraged today as he announced the suspension of seven city social workers who failed to prevent the starving death of a young girl, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Nutter was responding to a grand jury report that found the negligence of caseworkers abetted Danieal Kelly’...

One for the Books: Ben Franklin Weds Betsy Ross

A history-based love is consecrated in Philadelphia

(Newser) - Betsy Ross married Benjamin Franklin last night at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, in what probably seemed to many onlookers as a bit of historical fantasy in honor of July 4th, the Inquirer reports. But this was not acting: The couple was Linda Wilde and Ralph Archbold, two of Philadelphia’s...

Proposed Philly Mega-Skyscraper Rivals US' Best

1,500-ft. tower would top Sears; Chicago, New York plan taller

(Newser) - Philadelphia took a step toward entering America's mega-skyscraper club today, the Daily News reports, with a city councilman introducing zoning legislation for a building that, at 1,500 feet, would eclipse Chicago's Sears Tower. Plenty of bureaucratic hurdles remain for the proposed American Commerce Center, including retooling the city's planning...

Philly Fires 4 Cops Involved in Taped Beating

Commissioner makes call after reviewing video

(Newser) - The Philadelphia police fired four officers today, 2 weeks after they were videotaped taking part in the beating of three black suspects, the Inquirer reports. Nineteen cops were involved in apprehending the men, who were pulled from a car as a news helicopter filmed. A sergeant was demoted and three...

Pa. Primary Turns Politics of Race On Its Ear

Prominent Dems cross racial lines to back their candidates

(Newser) - The upcoming primary in Pennsylvania pits two of the state's prominent young Democrats against each other in a battle that seems to defy the normal conventions of race and politics, USA Today reports. Philadelphia's popular black mayor is pushing hard for Clinton in the city, where Obama is nearly a...

Democrats Hang On to City Hall
Democrats Hang On to City Hall

Democrats Hang On to City Hall

Four mayors returned to office, one wins in Philly; Dems also take Virginia senate

(Newser) - It was a good night for Democratic mayors last night: incumbents in San Francisco, Houston and Pittsburgh all comfortably won reelection. In addition, Philadelphia elected Michael Nutter on promises to reduce violence, and Baltimore gave a full term to Sheila Dixon, the city's first female mayor, who took office earlier...

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