NewsWorks - The FEED

NBC10 weather forecast: Friday kicks off unseasonably cool weekend

newsworks@whyy.org (NBC10) — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:00:29 GMT

Study: Amphibians disappearing at alarming rate

newsworks@whyy.org (Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:09:20 GMT

A new study has determined for the first time just how quickly frogs and other amphibians are disappearing around the United States, and the news is not good.

The U.S. Geological Study says populations of frogs, salamanders and toads have been vanishing from occupied sites at a rate of 3.7 percent a year.

Life in prison for death of Bucks musician Danny DeGennaro

newsworks@whyy.org (Shannon McDonald, @sacmcdonald) — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:46:01 GMT

A 21-year-old Trenton man has been sentenced to life in prison for the December 2011 death of Bucks County guitarist Danny DeGennaro.

Jermaine M. Jackson was also sentenced to 10 to 20 years for robbery and the conspiracy to commit robbery, according to the Inquirer.

DeGennaro, also called "Danny Rio," was shot in the chest inside his home. Jackson was convicted of second-degree murder for organizing the robbery that led to DeGennaro's death.

PlanPhilly: Lower Schuylkill Master Plan adopted by Planning Commission

newsworks@whyy.org (Jared Brey for PlanPhilly) — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:21:17 GMT

Publisher releasing newly found Pearl S. Buck book

newsworks@whyy.org (Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:37:28 GMT

A publisher is planning to release a newly discovered novel by the late Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck.

New York-based Open Road Integrated Media says Buck wrote the novel, titled "The Eternal Wonder," shortly before she died in 1973.

Technically Philly: SpotCrime map gets 30k visitors a month

newsworks@whyy.org (Juliana Reyes for Technically Philly) — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:48:18 GMT

NJ Spotlight: More families slip below poverty limit

newsworks@whyy.org (Colleen O'Dea for NJ Spotlight) — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:06:13 GMT

Philly DA appeals bail set for couple charged in son's faith-healing death

newsworks@whyy.org (Shannon McDonald, @sacmcdonald) — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:37:21 GMT

The Philadelphia District Attorney's office is appealing the bail set for Herbert and Catherine Schaible, who have been charged with third-degree murder in faith-healing death of a second son.

NBC10: Sandy victim accused of scamming FEMA out of $12k

newsworks@whyy.org (David Chang for NBC10) — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:19:46 GMT

Ex-PSU prez Spanier seeks dismissal of criminal charges

newsworks@whyy.org (Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:20:39 GMT

Former Penn State President Graham Spanier is asking a county judge to throw out criminal charges accusing him of helping to cover up abuse allegations against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

Spanier's lawyers filed the motion last week, citing his allegation that the university's former top lawyer violated attorney-client confidentiality when she gave prosecutors information about him.

SEPTA says canceled trains reflect chronic problem

newsworks@whyy.org (Associated Press) — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:05:46 GMT

SEPTA says crew shortages prompted cancellation of eight trains last weekend, and the problem is chronic and may worsen.

The Philadelphia Inquirer says SEPTA is citing a 2011 toughening of federal work rules that have reduced the number of hours crews on passenger trains can work in a week or month.

NBC10 weather forecast: Thursday storms, Friday showers

newsworks@whyy.org (NBC10) — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:17:02 GMT

N.J. changes handicapped parking program

newsworks@whyy.org (Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:22:26 GMT

People with disabilities will now be required to have their medical conditions recertified every three years to qualify for New Jersey's handicapped parking privileges.

Motor Vehicle Commission chief administrator Raymond Martinez announced the changes Wednesday in Bridgewater. They take effect August 1.

GE Aviation adding 70 jobs after Delaware upgrades [video]

newsworks@whyy.org (Mark Eichmann, @MarkEichmann) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:30:26 GMT

Boy Scout leaders to vote on lifting gay ban

newsworks@whyy.org (Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:32:11 GMT

The Boy Scouts of America will convene a two-day meeting of 1,400 local leaders to consider changing its long-standing ban on openly gay boys in the scouting movement.

Officials of the Irving, Texas-based organization are scheduled Wednesday to open the first of the ballots cast on whether to allow homosexual Boy Scouts.

NJ Spotlight: Trying to get companies to stay in state

newsworks@whyy.org (Colleen O'Dea for NJ Spotlight) — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:47:23 GMT

Wall Street: Online bets can help AC market grow

newsworks@whyy.org (Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

A panel of Wall Street experts says Internet gambling can help revive the flagging fortunes of Atlantic City's casinos.

Speaking at an annual casino conference Wednesday, four analysts said Internet gambling offers Atlantic City a new way to boost casino revenues that have been falling for seven years.

PlanPhilly: PennDesign students develop a model for managing closed school buildings

newsworks@whyy.org (Jared Brey for PlanPhilly) — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:18:10 GMT

Belmar reopens boardwalk destroyed by Sandy

newsworks@whyy.org (Associated Press) — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:41:09 GMT

A Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy.

Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.

Penn State's costs for Sandusky scandal top $44M

newsworks@whyy.org (NBC10) — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:45:04 GMT

Penn State's costs for legal fees, consultants and other services connected to the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal have topped $44.4 million, the university's latest bill shows.

That total was through the end of February, according to a university website this week. It's up about $1.5 million from the previous bill released through the end of January.

One of the biggest increases came in the category of university legal services and defense. The $9.2 million tab in that category was up about $800,000 from the previous month.