Federal Food Stamp Program To Lose $5 Billion In Funding Tomorrow

Federal Food Stamp Program To Lose $5 Billion In Funding Tomorrow

WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS) – Police in Delaware are looking for former Tower Hill School Headmaster who they say was in possession of child pornography.

Officers executed a search warrant on October 22nd at the home of 53-year-old Christopher Wheeler, of the 1500 block of Mount Salem Lane in Wilmington. During the search, officials seized multiple computers and digital media.

A forensic investigation of the items revealed multiple images of child porn.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Kentucky is No. 1 in preseason poll

Kentucky is No. 1 in preseason poll

Kentucky head coach John Calipari watches his team during their Blue-White NCAA college basketball scrimmage, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, in Lexington, Ky. The Blue team won 99-71.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Every time Kentucky coach John Calipari starts to praise his latest crop of talented freshmen, he's just as quick to point out that it is a work in progress.

As the Wildcats take the first step toward coming together, Calipari will also have to remind his players to get through those growing pains quickly, because they are now the team to beat in college basketball.

Kentucky - with a collection of high school All-Americans - is ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press' preseason Top 25, a significant step considering the Wildcats finished 21-12 last season and were upset by Robert Morris in the first round of the NIT.

It's Kentucky's third preseason No. 1 and first since 1995-96 when the Wildcats won the national championship. The other preseason No. 1 was in 1980-81.

Kentucky was ranked for just one week in the final 16 polls of last season but Calipari enters this season with a roster featuring two returnees - Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley-Stein - and six freshmen who were selected McDonalds All-Americans last season.

To say that a ninth national championship is this year's goal is an understatement considering Kentucky has social media and blogs suggesting an unbeaten season is possible.

Calipari would just like to get to the Nov. 8 opener against North Carolina-Asheville first. The Wildcats begin the exhibition season Friday.

"It's a nice honor, but it's way too early to figure out who's the best team in the country," Calipari said. "We may be very talented, but I can't imagine us being the best team in the country at this point."

Kentucky beat out Michigan State in a close vote from the 65-member panel.

The Wildcats received 27 first-place votes and 1,546 points in the poll released Thursday. The Spartans, who return four starters from the team that lost to Duke in the NCAA tournament's round of 16, snared 22 first-place votes and 1,543 points.

It won't take long for the schools to settle the issue. Kentucky and Michigan State meet on Nov. 12 at the State Farm Champions Classic in Chicago.

If their rankings hold, it'll set up the earliest meeting between the top two teams. No. 1 Indiana beat No. 2 UCLA 84-64 on Nov. 29, 1975 in St. Louis, Mo.

The polling also enhances what already figured to be a strong showdown between two heavyweights.

"A 1-2 matchup is a win-win deal," Spartans coach Tom Izzo told the AP. "If you win, you understand where you are and what you have as a team. If you lose, you've got time to figure out what you need to do to get better. I'm not sure, though, how kids and fans will react to winning or losing that game."

Of his team's ranking, Izzo added, "it's exciting because it means a group of people think we're good, and we've got a chance to be great."

Defending national champion Louisville received 14 first-place votes and was third while Duke, which received the other two No. 1 votes, was fourth.

Kansas was fifth, followed by Arizona and Michigan. Oklahoma State and Syracuse tied for eighth and Florida rounded out the Top Ten.

Ohio State was 11th and was followed by North Carolina, Memphis, VCU, Gonzaga, Wichita State, Marquette, Connecticut, Oregon and Wisconsin.

The last five ranked teams were Notre Dame, UCLA, New Mexico, Virginia and Baylor.

The last preseason No. 1 not to be ranked in the final poll of the previous season was Indiana in 1979-80.

Indiana was the preseason No. 1 last season and the Hoosiers were fourth in the final poll.

Gonzaga was No. 1 in the final poll last season and 18 teams in that final poll were in the preseason Top 25.

The Atlantic Coast Conference had the most teams in the preseason Top 25 with five and the Big Ten had four. The new American Athletic Conference, the Big 12 and Pac 12 all had three ranked teams.

Though Kentucky's objective is winning its second NCAA title in three seasons, playing like it's the nation's best is also a priority for the Wildcats a year after falling from the poll weeks after starting No. 3.

"It's a blessing to be No. 1, but it means we have a (target) on our backs now and we really have to stay focused," Kentucky 7-footer Dakari Johnson said Thursday. "That's not the main thing we're focused on. 

We're just trying to be the best team that we can be."

Michigan State senior guard Keith Appling echoed that sentiment, especially since the Spartans came within three votes of being top-ranked.

"That has to be one of the things to drive us to work harder," he said.

The consensus is that Calipari landed his best in a series of No. 1 recruiting classes. The group features Julius Randle, James Young, Johnson, Marcus Lee and identical twin guards Aaron and Andrew Harrison, along with in-state standouts Dominique Hawkins and Derek Willis.

Along with Cauley-Stein, Poythress and senior reserves Jarrod Polson and Jon Hood, Kentucky has a mix of experience somewhat similar to the 2011-12 title team led by Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

The season will determine whether Kentucky is able to deliver, and Willis said the Wildcats are just focused on being on top at the end.

"There's a lot of talk about 40-0 and all that stuff," Willis said, "but we're just working on ourselves and not worrying about what the media is saying right now."

 

Without Dwyane Wade, Miami blows fourth-quarter lead in loss to 76ers

Without Dwyane Wade, Miami blows fourth-quarter lead in loss to 76ers

 

 The Philadelphia 76ers' Evan Turner, 

left, takes the rebound away from 

Miami Heat's LeBron James with 

seconds left during the fourth quarter 

at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, 

Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, 

October 30, 2013. The Sixers won, 114-110.

 
PHILADELPHIA — The Heat overcame a 22-point deficit early, but could not hold onto a nine-point lead late and suffered a surprising 114-110 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

LeBron James’ field goal with 4:54 remaining gave the Heat a seemingly secure 107-99 lead. Miami’s only points the rest of the game, however, came on a Ray Allen technical free throw and a putback by Allen with nine seconds remaining that cut Philadelphia’s lead to 112-110.

The 76ers sealed the win with two Michael Carter-Williams free throws. Williams, a rookie who played at Syracuse and is from Philadelphia, had 22 points, 12 points, nine steals and seven rebounds in his debut.

The Sixers, who many predicted to be one of the worst teams in the league, celebrated their season-opening win as if they had won a title.

James, who scored 25 points and had 13 rebounds, was stopped three times in the final minutes driving to the basket as the Sixers were cutting into the lead. A layup by Spencer Hawes with just more than two minutes remaining gave the 76ers a 109-108 lead, one they would not relinquish.

Chris Bosh scored 22 points and had 10 rebounds as the Heat played without Dwyane Wade, who took the second night of the back-to-back off as part of his maintenance program.

Ray Allen had 19 points off the bench, including four 3-pointers.

The victory had to be satisfying for first-year Sixers coach Brett Brown, who was an assistant in San Antonio last season and watched Miami’s improbable comeback in Game 6 that led to a championship-clinching win in Game 7.

The Heat went from watching their championship banner being raised to the rafters and receiving their championship rings before Tuesday’s season opener to playing about as bad as they can at the start of Wednesday’s road opener.

Philadelphia raced to a 19-0 lead before James banked in a short jumper. The Sixers weren’t through and did not miss a shot until 4:51 remained in the quarter, making their first 11 attempts and pushing the lead to 26-4 (their largest of the game) before Evan Turner misfired on a 3-point attempt. The Heat missed their first seven shots before James broke the ice.

Coach Erik Spoelstra tried stopping the run by inserting Shane Battier, Norris Cole and Allen when the score was 15-0 but the deficit grew to 22 before Miami started chipping away.

Miami slogged through the end of the quarter and trailed 33-14 as Philadelphia shot a sizzling 73.7 percent.

The crowd was spurred by the introduction of Allen Iverson, who formally announced his retirement earlier in the day and the presence of other Sixer greats Moses Malone, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley and Billy Cunningham, among others.

Miami chipped away and finally took its first lead at 60-59 on a Udonis Haslem layup with 8:33 remaining in the third quarter. The Heat got back into the game by putting together a 14-0 run to start the second quarter with a lineup of Cole, Allen, Rashard Lewis, Battier and Bosh.

Miami returned the favor in the quarter, shooting 68.2 percent (15-of-22) while Philadelphia cooled to 30.4 percent (7-of-23). It all added up to Miami getting within 51-49 at the half.

Wade watches: The Heat were without Wade, who took the game off as part of the maintenance plan on his knees after playing 36 minutes in Tuesday’s season-opening win against Chicago.

“It’s not going to be consistent necessarily all year that he won’t play back-to-backs,” Erik Spoelstra said.

“It’s been a long week in terms of our preparation. He’s a little bit sore but nothing dramatic or any major concern. We’re going to be proactive with it right now.”

The decision was made at Wednesday’s walk-through by Wade, Spoelstra and the trainers.

“(They) said it’s early in the season; they just want to be cautious about it,” Wade said.

Wade said he felt “OK, a little sore, I’d love to feel better,” after scoring 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting Tuesday.

Wade plans to play Friday at Brooklyn.

Allen Iverson Comes Home To The Sixers To Retire

Allen Iverson Comes Home To The Sixers To Retire

 

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Allen Iverson came back to Philadelphia to announce his retirement on Wednesday, three years after he last played in the NBA.

Iverson’s announcement came on the day the Sixers start a rebuilding campaign that may have been best served starting when the originally traded Iverson a decade ago. The Sixers have not won 50 games in a season since trading Iverson to the Denver Nuggets.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Foles Ready To Go As Eagles Prep For Raiders

Foles Ready To Go As Eagles Prep For Raiders

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) –  Chip Kelly knows Nick Foles will be his starting quarterback on Sunday in Oakland.  That’s all the information the coach will give about the future of the position.

After being cleared to practice on Tuesday, Foles will start against the Raiders this weekend.  Kelly liked what he saw from Foles on the field and Foles will continue to practice with the first team offense throughout the week.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Philadelphia Mothers Say Their Children Being Treated Unfairly By Phila. DA

Philadelphia Mothers Say Their Children Being Treated Unfairly By Phila. DA

 

Nasheeba Adams holds photos of her son,
Tomayo McDuffy.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A group of Philadelphia mothers who claim their kids are falsely accused of crimes have started a movement that is beginning to take root.

The seed for “Mothers For Justice” was planted in May, when 18-year-old Tomayo McDuffy was charged with attempted murder for allegedly trying to blow up the home of his blind next-door neighbor.

The neighbor testified that her dog dialed 911 after McDuffy, whose voice she said she identified, broke into her home and turned on the gas burners of her stove.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Nine NJ Businesses Settle Sandy Price Gouging Dispute

Nine NJ Businesses Settle Sandy Price Gouging Dispute

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — State officials say settlements have been reached with nine New Jersey businesses accused of price gouging following Superstorm Sandy.

Consumer Affairs officials say the state will get $437,538 in penalties, fees and consumer restitution under the settlements announced Wednesday. Four hotel operators and four gas stations reached agreements with the state, while a summary judgment was issued against another gas station.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Lawsuit Claims City Is To Blame For Abuse Of Woman Found In Tacony Basement

Lawsuit Claims City Is To Blame For Abuse Of Woman Found In Tacony Basement

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The city of Philadelphia is the target in a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of the the mother of Beatrice Weston, the young woman found chained in a Tacony Basement in 2011.
The suit alleges the city failed to keep the young woman safe.

Vicky Weston claims the City of Philadelphia engaged in systematic deceit, providing false reports on Beatrice’s status. The suit alleges the city gave Linda Weston, who spent time in jail for killing her boyfriend in the 1980′s, temporary custody of then 10-year-old Beatrice in 2002 and then permanent custody, but never checked in on Beatrice’s status.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Vick Listed As Probable, Expected To Start

Vick Listed As Probable, Expected To Start

 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Michael Vick has been listed as probable and is expected to start when the Philadelphia Eagles host the New York Giants on Sunday.

Vick has missed the last two games after injury his left hamstring in the first half of a win at the Giants on Oct. 6. Backup Nick Foles, who sustained a concussion last week, was ruled out on Friday. Rookie Matt Barkley will be the No. 2 quarterback for the Eagles (3-4) against New York (1-6).

Vick has thrown for 1,185 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions, and has 307 yards rushing and two more scores.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Police: 3 Arrested In Camden School Bus Shooting That Injured 4-Year-Old Girl

Police: 3 Arrested In Camden School Bus Shooting That Injured 4-Year-Old Girl

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) — Three men are under arrest, charged with shooting up a park at a Camden public housing project in mid-September — a shooting that injured a 4-year-old girl on a school bus with 27 children on board.

That girl was not seriously hurt, but for Camden County Metro police chief Scott Thomson, “It was a line in the sand moment for us. When someone pulls out an AK-47 in broad daylight and fires 14 rounds in a densely populated housing project and ultimately strikes a school bus, you very quickly become public enemy number one to us.”

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Delaware County Couple Charged With Child Endangerment

Delaware County Couple Charged With Child Endangerment

 

LINWOOD, Pa. (AP) — Two suburban Philadelphia parents are charged with child endangerment after police say their 5- and 7-year-old daughters were found malnourished in a filthy home.

Carole and Vincent McDonald of Upper Chichester Township were being held in Delaware County prison after failing to post bail. They’re charged with child endangerment and related counts.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Police Respond To Reported Shooting In Lansdowne

Police Respond To Reported Shooting In Lansdowne

LANSDOWNE, Pa., (CBS) – Police are responding
to a report of a shooting in Delaware County Thursday night.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Behind the wheel, Saudi women hope for new gains

Behind the wheel, Saudi women hope for new gains 

FILE - In this Friday, June 17, 2011 file image made from video released by Change.org, a Saudi Arabian woman drives a car as part of a campaign to defy Saudi Arabia's ban on women driving, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It’s been a little more than two years since the last time women in Saudi Arabia campaigned for the right to drive. Since then, the monarchy has made incremental but key reforms, and activists hope that has readied the nation for greater change as they call for women to get behind the wheel in a new campaign Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. Ultraconservatives are pushing back with protests, threats and even a cleric’s warning that driving a car damages a woman’s ovaries.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- It's been a little more than two years since the last time women in Saudi Arabia campaigned for the right to drive. Now activists are calling for women to get behind the wheel again Saturday, and they hope reforms made by the monarchy since then have readied the deeply conservative nation for change.

The reforms made by King Abdullah in recent years have been cautious, showing his wariness of pushing too hard against influential ultraconservatives. But given the overwhelming restrictions on women in the kingdom, where the strict interpretation of Islam known as Wahhabism is effectively the law of the land, even the tiny openings have had a resounding effect.

Perhaps one sign of the impact of the changes is the loudness of the backlash by conservatives against Saturday's driving campaign.

Around 150 clerics rallied outside one of the king's palaces this week, some accusing Abdullah's top ally the United States of being behind calls to let women drive. A prominent cleric caused a stir when he said last month that medical studies show that driving a car harms a woman's ovaries. Those opposed to the campaign have also used social media to attack women activists or have urged people to harass female drivers.

The government has given mixed signals about how it will deal with the campaign, illustrated by a statement put out this week by the Interior Ministry, which is in charge of police.

The ministry warned against marches or gatherings under the pretext of the driving campaign. It said violators "disturbing public peace" will be dealt with firmly.

But activists have interpreted the statement to mean that police will crackdown on men who try and attack or harass women drivers, said Hatoon al-Fassi, a Women's History professor at King Saud University in Riyadh. She pointed out that women have made clear they aren't holding gatherings Saturday; women will simply drive in a show of defiance of the ban, perhaps on the pretext of running errands.

"We are feeling a more positive environment. There is a general atmosphere of acceptance," al-Fassi said. 

"The public is positive and the reactions on social media are beautiful."

Still, the statement's language also caters to conservatives because it harkens back to charges of "violating public order" that were levied against a female driver arrested in 2011.

In a sign authorities do not want the driving campaign to grow too bold, police have privately told the campaigners not to speak to the media, according to one activist who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retribution.

The driving ban - imposed because clerics warn that "licentiousness" will spread if women drive - is unique in the world and is the most symbolically weighty of the restrictions on women in Saudi Arabia. But it's hardly the only one.

Genders are strictly segregated, and women are required to wear a headscarf and loose, black robes in public. Guardianship laws require women to get permission from a male relative - usually husband or father, but lacking those, a brother or son - to travel, get married, enroll in higher education or undergo certain surgical procedures.

The first major driving protest came in 1995 and was met by a heavy response. Some 50 women who drove their cars were jailed for a day, had their passports confiscated and lost their jobs.

In June 2011, about 40 women got behind the wheel and drove in several cities in a protest sparked when a woman was arrested after posting a video of herself driving. Individual women continued to flout the ban, and one woman was arrested and sentenced to 10 lashes. The king overturned the sentence.

For Saturday, campaigners hope to bring out bigger numbers. They claim to have 16,000 signatures on a petition of support, a quarter more than in 2011. This time, they say they understand the laws better and have the full support of male relatives, and they argue public attitudes are changing.

They have posted online videos of themselves driving in recent weeks, with some showing passing male drivers giving them a thumbs-up in support. State newspapers have published articles and opinion pieces almost daily on the debate, something impossible only a few years ago.

Al-Fassi, who also writes for the state-run daily Al-Riyadh, said that two years ago she was barred from publishing an article that mentioned women's driving and had to change the wording.

"This time I wrote a long article and not a single word was changed. It is unprecedented," she said.

A string of "firsts" since the 2011 driving campaign have cracked open the door.

Women were granted the right to vote and run in the 2015 municipal elections. Thirty women were given seats on the Shura Council, an advisory body to the king and government. The largest university in the world for girls opened just a few years after the opening of the kingdom's first major mixed-gender university.

Two Saudi female athletes, including a judo player, competed in last year's Olympics. Four women were granted licenses to work as lawyers. A law criminalizing domestic abuse was introduced, with a state-backed ad campaign against abuse of women.

Still, even the changes have their limits.

While it is a crime to abuse a woman, it is not clear which agency investigates allegations and it is difficult to file a police report without a male guardian - who could be the abuser. The new women lawyers will likely face male judges who oppose their presence in the courtroom. Despite the participation in the Olympics, there is no phys-ed for girls in public schools, and sports centers are almost entirely for men.

The municipal seats that women can now run and vote for are largely toothless. The Shura Council, still male-dominated, has so far ignored a request by three female members to discuss the issue of letting women drive. And the guardianship system is still firmly in place, a fact Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch strongly condemned this week.

Complicating matters is the vague nature of Saudi law. For example, no law directly bans women from driving. However Wahhabi clerics have issued edicts against it, which police enforce. They are backed up by the courts, where the judges are largely clerics.

"Clearly still the legal system is on the side of the men," said Karen Elliott House, author of "On Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines."

This year, a court sentenced rights activist Wajeha Al-Huwaidar and another Saudi woman to 10 months in prison and slapped them with a 2-year travel ban because they helped a Canadian mother whose Saudi husband was allegedly abusive. The court charged the women with "supporting a wife without her husband's knowledge, undermining the marriage," according to Equality Now, a group advocating women's rights.

Samia El-Moslimany helped found a support network called the Waneesa Sisterhood to help women with abusive or neglectful husbands. But she says there is little her group can do with the justice system without public pressure, but the culture largely still looks down on women who go public with their cases.

"It is the stumbling block to everything, this whole warped honor-thing that society has," she said.

 

Mega Millions Lottery Tweaked To Increase Chance For Second-Prize Win

Mega Millions Lottery Tweaked To Increase Chance For Second-Prize Win

 

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Recent changes to the “Mega Millions” lottery game are generating some buzz among players.

Starting with its drawings this week, the Mega Millions game is pushing up the value of jackpots on rollovers, raising the second prize to $1 million for those who pick all the white balls correctly (but not the gold ball), and reducing the number of gold balls to fifteen.

Officials say its an effort to make the game richer for players.

And, they add, the multi-state game will keep the price of a ticket at $1.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Five Things to Know about this World Series

Five Things to Know about this World Series 

Boston Red Sox players take batting practice as a rainbow appears in the sky above Fenway Park Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in Boston. The Red Sox are scheduled to host the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of baseball's World Series on Wednesday.

 

BOSTON (AP) -- Weather permitting, the World Series is set to start Wednesday night at Fenway Park with the Boston Red Sox hosting the St. Louis Cardinals.

Both teams have come a long way since they met on a sunny Florida field in February, when Jon Lester pitched Boston to a win in spring training.

Lester and the Red Sox rebounded from an awful season and wound up tied with St. Louis for the most victories in the majors. The Cardinals put aside a flop in last year's playoffs and excelled with young talent.

Lester is ready to face Adam Wainwright in the opener, though rain is in the forecast and temperatures are supposed to be in the low 40s.

The Cardinals are trying to win their third championship in eight years. The Red Sox are aiming to take their third title in 10 seasons.

"Two historic franchises with a lot of history and a lot of success," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. 

"We take a lot of pride in what has been able to kind of define the Cardinal way and how we go about our business."

"But realizing, too, you give credit. You give credit where it's due, and this team in Boston has done some amazing things to make this happen this year and in the past," he said.

Here are five things to watch when the Cardinals and Red Sox play ball:

FUNNY FENWAY: Baseball's oldest park opened in 1912, about a week after the Titanic sunk. It's full of quirky angles and odd dimensions, plus the 37-foot wall in left field, a.k.a. the Green Monster. To fans, it's a jewel. To the Red Sox, it's a beloved home. To visiting teams, well, it's tricky. Hits can take strange bounces at any time, and for clubs like the Cardinals, who haven't visited Boston since 2008, that could cost them the game in a hurry.

A HAIRY MATCHUP: Nasty or neat, most everyone in this Series seems to be growing a beard. The Red Sox sport the most serious ones, so much so that theirs have names - Mike Napoli's clump is called "The Siesta." The Cardinals got into the spirit later in the season and definitely trail in this department. Maybe for good reason, too. "I have a wife that doesn't enjoy it too much," outfielder Shane Robinson said.

ANOTHER LOOK: This is likely to be the last World Series where instant replay isn't available to review most every call. Next year, Major League Baseball intends to make everything except balls-and-strikes subject to review. We've already seen a couple of rulings this postseason that umpires might've reversed with another look. There are bound to be a few more close ones that get fans buzzing.

YOUNG AND YOUNGER: Both teams are getting major contributions from rookies who spent most of the season in the minors. At 22, Michael Wacha has become an October ace for the Cardinals. Listen for people to cackle "Wacha! Wacha! Wacha!" - like the old Pac-Man sound - when he pitches. Xander Bogaerts is even younger. At 21, the Boston third baseman from Aruba has blossomed into one of the game's top fresh talents.

TUNED IN: OK, are you going to watch the game tonight? Or maybe "Modern Family" or a "Law & Order" instead? What about this weekend - baseball or football? Last year's World Series drew the lowest television ratings ever when the Giants swept the Tigers. The numbers have been dropping for years. One of the few exceptions in the last decade: When David Ortiz and the Red Sox reach the Series, viewership spikes. Even if the games drag on well past midnight.

 

Vick Not Ready To Say He’s Playing Sunday

Vick Not Ready To Say He’s Playing Sunday

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) –  While all signs point towards Michael Vick starting against the Giants on Sunday, the Eagles quarterback wasn’t about to make any guarantees.

Vick took snaps with the first unit at Tuesday’s practice, but when pressed by reporters afterwards about his status, Vick did not say if he would play on Sunday.

“I guess you can’t get it out of me right now,” said a smiling Vick.  “We’ll see.  I’m optimistic about it.”

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Cardinals, Red Sox set to renew October rivalry

Cardinals, Red Sox set to renew October rivalry

IN this image taken with a fisheye lens, Boston Red Sox players take batting practice as a rainbow appears in the sky above Fenway Park Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in Boston. The Red Sox are scheduled to host the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of baseball's World Series on Wednesday.

 

BOSTON (AP) -- Lance Lynn squeezed through a door leading into the Green Monster, shimmied along a cramped space behind the famed left-field wall and peered out a tiny metal slot in the Fenway Park scoreboard.

"A little snug for me," the burly St. Louis pitcher said.

Plenty of Cardinals got their first look at the century-old ballpark during a workout Tuesday, a day before they opened the World Series against the Boston Red Sox.

The Red Sox saw a neat sight, too. As they took batting practice at dusk, a giant, vibrant rainbow formed high in the sky beyond center field. Slugger David Ortiz noticed.

"Oh, yeah," he said. "It's a Dominican thing."

Whatever, Big Papi. Something special always seems to happen when the Redbirds and Red Sox meet, from Stan the Man vs. the Splendid Splinter, to Gibby vs. Yaz, to Pedro vs. Pujols.

Now, they're set to meet for the fourth time in "that Octobery kind of air," as Cardinals Game 1 starter Adam Wainwright described it.

Jon Lester will oppose him Wednesday night, facing a lineup that got a late boost. Allen Craig, who hit a major league-leading .454 with runners in scoring position but hasn't played since Sept. 4 because of sprained left foot, is set to return.

"I feel like I'm in a good spot," said the cleanup man, who will be the Cardinals' designated hitter.

Weather could be a factor. Temperatures are supposed to dip into the low 40s and rain is in the forecast.

Boston was listed as a slim favorite in the matchup between teams that tied for the big league lead in wins. 

The clubs haven't met in the regular season since 2008, and Red Sox speedster Jacoby Ellsbury was looking forward to this pairing that some are billing as the Beards vs. the Birds.

"It will be exciting to see some unfamiliar faces," he said.

Dustin Pedroia, Mike Napoli and many of their scraggly Boston teammates figure to get a good look at the Cardinals' crop of young arms, led by postseason ace Michael Wacha and relievers Trevor Rosenthal, Carlos Martinez and Kevin Siegrist.

Ortiz is the link to the Red Sox team that swept St. Louis in the 2004 Series - Boston never trailed at any point - and ended an 86-year championship drought.

"Obviously I'm aware of the history of the two teams," Ellsbury said. "Once the first pitch happens, all that goes out the window."

The Red Sox are trying to win their third crown in 10 years. St. Louis is aiming to take its second title in three years and third in eight seasons.

"Some of us have some pretty bad memories of being here in 2004, and we're looking to kind of right that ship," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said.

Matheny was the Cardinals' catcher that year, backed up by rookie Yadier Molina. Now Molina is considered the best defensive catcher in baseball, charged with trying to stop Ellsbury and a Red Sox team that's run a lot in the postseason.

"It's fun to be part of this history, to be here in Fenway Park, to be part of this Series against Boston," Molina said.

"It's different to play here overall. Playing defense, offense, pitching. It's different, but at the same time it's fun," he said.

David Freese grew up in St. Louis and became MVP of the 2011 Series. He heard about Stan Musial vs. Ted Williams in 1946, knew about Bob Gibson facing Carl Yastrzemski in `67 and recalled watching on TV when Red Sox reliever Keith Foulke fielded Edgar Renteria's tapper to finish off 2004.

"I remember the comebacker that ended it. The sweep. You don't expect a World Series to end in four games," the 30-year-old third baseman said.

Freese said he'd always hoped to get a chance to play at Fenway, and he got his first look Tuesday.

After Matheny stood near the mound and pointed out the particulars of the dirt triangle in center field, Freese stepped in for batting practice. He launched a long drive that hit high off the Green Monster in left-center, the loud thwack echoing all around the ballpark.

"That's my Wall ball," he hooted to teammate Matt Holliday.

Good for a hitter, maybe not so great for a pitcher.

"A ballgame can change with one swing of the bat in this ballpark," said Wacha, who also climbed into the wall. "It's pretty crazy. Crazy dimensions, that's for sure."

 

Romo, defence lead Cowboys to 17-3 win over Eagles

Romo, defence lead Cowboys to 17-3 win over Eagles

• 
  Dallas Cowboys running back Phillip Tanner (34) pushes in for a touchdown run against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Philadelphia.

  
  

  
  

  PHILADELPHIA –  Tony Romo threw for 317 yards and one touchdown and the Dallas Cowboys overcame a sluggish start to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 17-3 on Sunday to take sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
  
  Two teams that averaged a combined 58 points per game and allowed a combined 55 totaled 13 punts in a first half that ended with Dallas (4-3) leading 3-0. It was more two inept offenses than two dominant defenses.
  
  The Eagles (3-4) have lost a franchise-worst nine straight games at home. Their last win at the Linc was over the New York Giants on Sept. 30, 2012.
  
  A Cowboys defensive line missing three of its projected starters pressured and harassed Nick Foles before sending him to the sideline with a head injury on the last play of the third quarter.

Investigators Search Offices Of Philadelphia-Area State Senator

Investigators Search Offices Of Philadelphia-Area State Senator

 

Pa. state Sen. LeAnna Washington.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Agents from the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office showed up at two district offices belonging to a Philadelphia-area state senator apparently in a search for information about improper political activity, two people familiar with the matter said Sunday.

Sen. Leanna Washington, D-Philadelphia, said in a statement through a spokeswoman that the agents arrived at her Philadelphia and Montgomery County offices on Friday.

For full story go to: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Allen Iverson To Offically Retire Prior Sixers Opener

Allen Iverson To Offically Retire Prior Sixers Opener

 

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Allen Iverson will be making it official, and he’ll be doing it with the team that drafted him.

A league source tells CBS Philly that Iverson will officially announce his retirement from professional basketball in the afternoon, prior to to the Sixers opener on October 30th, against the Miami Heat. This was first reported by ESPN.

Iverson was selected first overall by the Sixers in the 1996 NBA Draft out of Georgetown, and made an immediate impact. Though he had his well documented trials and tribulations with eventual head coach Larry Brown, including a near-trade that almost sent Iverson to Detroit, the two eventually found enough common ground to lead the Sixers to an NBA Finals trip in 2000-01 season, and Iverson to an MVP award. The Sixers would eventually lose to the Lakers in the Finals, but would be the only team to take a game from the Lakers during the playoffs.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Same-sex marriages to begin Monday in New Jersey

Same-sex marriages to begin Monday in New Jersey 

FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007 file photograph, Lambertville Mayor David Del Vecchio performs a civil union ceremony for Beth Asaro, left, and Joanne Schailey, right, at the Lambertville Municipal Court just after 12 a.m., in Lambertville, NJ. On Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled, same-sex marriages will begin within days in New Jersey after the state's highest court ruled unanimously Friday to uphold a lower-court order that gay weddings must start Monday and to deny a delay that was sought by Gov. Chris Christie's administration. Asaro and Schailey plan to be married at 12:01 Monday morning.

Same-sex marriages can begin within days in New Jersey after the state's highest court ruled unanimously Friday to uphold an order that they must start Monday and to deny a delay that had been sought by Gov. Chris Christie's administration.

The ruling puts New Jersey on the cusp of becoming the 14th state - and the third most populous among them - to allow same-sex marriage. The advocacy group Freedom to Marry said that as of Monday, one-third of Americans will live in a place where same-sex marriage is legal.

"The state has advanced a number of arguments, but none of them overcome this reality: Same-sex couples who cannot marry are not treated equally under the law today," the court said in an opinion by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner. "The harm to them is real, not abstract or speculative."

A judge on a lower court had ruled last month that New Jersey must recognize same-sex marriage and set Monday as the date to allow weddings. Christie, a Republican who is considered a possible 2016 presidential candidate, appealed the decision and asked for the start date to be put on hold while the state appeals.

A spokesman for Christie said that he will comply with the ruling, though he doesn't like it.

"While the governor firmly believes that this determination should be made by all the people of the State of New Jersey, he has instructed the Department of Health to cooperate with all municipalities in effectuating the order," spokesman Michael Drewniak said in a statement.

Same-sex marriage is being debated elsewhere. Oregon has begun recognizing same-sex weddings performed out of state, and it is likely that voters will get a chance next year to repeal the state's constitutional ban on gay marriage. The Hawaii Legislature also soon could take up a bill to legalize same-sex unions, while a similar measure has passed the Illinois Senate but not the House. Lawsuits challenging gay marriage bans also are pending in several states, including Michigan, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

New Jersey's top court agreed last week to take up the appeal of the lower-court ruling. Oral arguments are expected Jan. 6 or 7.

In Friday's opinion, Rabner wrote that the state has not shown that it is likely to prevail in the case, though it did present some reasons not to marriage to move forward now.

"But when a party presents a clear case of unequal treatment, and asks the court to vindicate constitutionally protected rights, a court may not sidestep its obligation to rule for an indefinite amount of time," he wrote. "Under these circumstances, courts do not have the option to defer."

Rabner also rejected the state's argument that it was in the public interest not to allow marriages until the court has had more time to rule fully on the issue.

"We can find no public interest in depriving a group of New Jersey residents of their constitutional right to equal protection while the appeals process unfolds," he wrote.

For those opposed to gay marriage, denying the request to delay was troubling.

"In what universe does it make sense to let the question at hand be answered before it's asked or argued?" Len Deo, president of the New Jersey Family Policy Council, said in a letter Friday to members.

On Thursday, some communities started accepting applications for marriage licenses from same-sex couples so that they would pass the 72-hour waiting period by 12:01 a.m. Monday.

Several communities, including Asbury Park, Lambertville and Newark - where Cory Booker, who was elected Wednesday to the U.S. Senate, is mayor - are holding ceremonies for multiple couples then.

"It's a great day to be gay in New Jersey," said Amy Quinn, a member of the city council in Asbury Park who is planning to marry Heather Jensen, her partner of 10 years, on Monday.

The court did not address the question of what would happen to the status of same-sex marriages entered into next week if it later decides that the state does not have to grant the marriages.

Whether gay couples should have the right to marry in New Jersey has been the subject of a battle in the state's courts and Legislature for a decade. There has been a flurry of movements in both venues since June, when the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated key parts of a federal law that prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex unions.

Since then, gay rights advocates have asked New Jersey judges to force the state to recognize same-sex marriage, arguing that the current policy of civil unions but not marriage licenses amounts to denying them federal protections such as Social Security survivor benefits and the right to file tax returns jointly.

Since July, gay rights groups have also engaged in an intense campaign aimed at persuading lawmakers to override Christie's 2012 veto of a bill that would have allowed gay marriage. To get an override, the Legislature must act by Jan. 14.

Sheila Oliver, speaker of the state Assembly, issued a statement blaming Christie for not having gay marriage sooner in New Jersey.

"It's a shame it took this long to get to this point and that it took a court fight for same-sex couples to gain equal rights," she said. "New Jersey could have had marriage equality already if it wasn't for Gov. Christie, who has done everything he could to prevent this from happening, including wasting money and time continuing this court battle."

 

Police: Teen In Custody In School Bus Attack Caught On Tape

Police: Teen In Custody In School Bus Attack Caught On Tape

SHARON HILL, Pa., (CBS) — Police have confirmed to Eyewitness News that one student is in custody after video surfaced of a school bus attack in Delaware County (see related story).

Eyewitness News is told investigators are looking for two other teens they believe to be involved in the incident.

The video shows one of two students — beaten on the bus — on their way home from school. It was first posted on Facebook and shows Dylan Fonner being punched in the face aboard a school bus from the Delaware County Alternative High School Wednesday afternoon.

Jackee Fonner, Dylan’s mother said, “I wanted to hug my son because I saw him after he got beat up, but then after watching the video, I couldn’t believe it was that bad.”

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

EXCLUSIVE: Police Searching For Suspected Serial Attacker In Juniata Park

EXCLUSIVE: Police Searching For Suspected Serial Attacker In Juniata Park

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The search for a serial attacker — CBS 3 has learned that the hunt is on for a serial predator in the Juniata Park area.

So far, one rape and two attempted abductions off the street in the past five days.

CBS 3 has obtained exclusive video, as the attacker confronts and tries to drag into a driveway, one of the intended victims. Fortunately she breaks free.

Philadelphia Police say this video shows an attacker, believed to be a serial rapist, crossing the street, ambushing his victim, then, holding her at gunpoint, trying to drag her down a nearby driveway, but as she is being pulled away, she desperately fights back, clinging to a dumpster, trying to escape.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Chip Kelly Remains Noncommittal On Vick Or Nick

Chip Kelly Remains Noncommittal On Vick Or Nick

 

Nick Foles

Philadelphia, PA (CBS) — Chip Kelly was noncommittal Monday at his day-after press conference as to who would be the Eagles’ starting quarterback against visiting Dallas this Sunday in a NFC East battle for first place at Lincoln Financial Field.

Nick Foles is coming off his second victory as a starter (first this season) after the Eagles’ 31-20 victory over the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. In replacing the injured Michael Vick, who pulled his left hamstring in the second quarter against the New York Giants two weeks, Foles completed 22 of 31 passes for 296 yards, three touchdowns, including two long TD tosses, one for 47 to Riley Cooper and a 36-yard TD pass to DeSean Jackson.

Though it seems if Vick is healthy enough to go against Dallas, he will be the starter on Sunday. Kelly refuted something LeSean McCoy said after the game, saying Kelly revealed that Vick will remain the starting quarterback.

For full story go to: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Chip Kelly Discusses Foles Vs. Vick With Angelo Cataldi

Chip Kelly Discusses Foles Vs. Vick With Angelo Cataldi

 

Chip Kelly, Nick Foles

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Whether Chip Kelly, Michael Vick or Nick Foles think there is a quarterback controversy with the Philadelphia Eagles is immaterial. There is a quarterback controversy.

Nick Foles, in his first start this season, led the Eagles to a 31-20 win over the Bucs, and did so with a near perfect performance, throwing for 296 yards and three touchdowns, without an interception.

Chip Kelly says that while Foles and Vick are different players, with different strengths, both are able to execute the same offense.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Police Investigate School Bus Attack In Delaware County

Police Investigate School Bus Attack In Delaware County

 

SHARON HILL, Pa., (CBS) —  Video surfaces of a school bus attack in Delaware County.

It shows one of two students — beaten on the bus — on the way home from school.

There was strong reaction to this video, first posted on Facebook, of Dylan Fonner being punched in the face aboard a school bus bringing him home from the Delaware County Alternative High School Wednesday afternoon, from those who know the 17-year-old.

For full story go to: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Historic City Tavern Reopens Amid Government Shutdown

Historic City Tavern Reopens Amid Government Shutdown

Chef Walter Staib (right) and his staff are happy to
be back in the kitchen.
 
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Employees of the historic City Tavern restaurant in Old City Philadelphia returned to work on Saturday after being sent home 10 days ago as part of the government shutdown.

City Tavern’s grill is fired up once again and so are those work there.

“We’re all excited,” says chef Walter Staib. “I’ve been running around all morning. I had get some of my vendors to open their doors. I drove the car, loaded up everything we needed.”

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Michael Vick Says He’s 50-60%

Michael Vick Says He’s 50-60%

 

 

 
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – While Chip Kelly says Michael Vick is day to day, and Vick says his condition is improving, it still seems unlikely he will start on Sunday against the Bucs. With a capable backup in Nick Foles, and the ability to run a necessity, giving his strained hamstring another week to heal would be the most likely option.

“Yeah, I still have hope of getting out there with my team and trying to go out and get win number three for us,” Vick told 94WIP’s Rob Ellis and Glen Macnow on Thursday. “That’s always the goal and I’m trying my hardest to get out there, doing everything I can. I would say right now, I’m about maybe 50 to 60 percent.”

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/

Philadelphia Firefighter Receives 2013 “Firefighter of the Year Award”

Philadelphia Firefighter Receives 2013 “Firefighter of the Year Award”

 

PHILADELPHIA (CBS)–Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers and Mr. Rick Coppola, President of the Philadelphia Fire Department Historical Corporation, proudly announced Firefighter Brandon Mlodzinski of Ladder 12/A, has received the 2013 “Firefighter of the Year Award.”

The award was presented at the Fireman’s Hall Museum on Friday morning.

Firefighter Mlodzinski, a seven year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department, received this prestigious award for his valiant efforts and dedication in saving the lives of three young children out of the ocean in Atlantic City, N.J.

For full story go to:  http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/