PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Keychains, rosaries, T-shirts and even a miniature plush doll of Pope Francis will be among the souvenirs for sale to commemorate the pontiff’s upcoming trip to Philadelphia. Officials on Monday gave the public a peek at some of the keepsakes to be sold online starting this month. More than 200 items will … Continue reading
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Railroad unions are urging Amtrak to put a second engineer in locomotives in the wake of a deadly derailment last week in Philadelphia. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and SMART Transportation say two engineers would serve as a check and balance on each other. Engineer Brandon Bostian was alone in … Continue reading
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Amtrak trains began rolling again between Philadelphia and New York early Monday, the first time since a train derailment almost a week ago killed eight people and injured more than 200 others. Amtrak resumed service with a 5:30 a.m. southbound train leaving New York City. The first northbound train, scheduled to leave … Continue reading
The odds were stacked against Eleanora Fagan, who was born to unwed teenage parents in Philadelphia on April 7, 1915. But she would become perhaps the most influential jazz singer ever, Billie Holiday, whose centennial is being celebrated with new albums honoring her legacy. Unlike Ella Fitzgerald, Holiday lacked the vocal technique that would have … Continue reading
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Their musical performances pack college auditoriums, though they play no instruments. While universities have long nurtured the niche community of a cappella singers, the TV show “Glee” and hit movie “Pitch Perfect” helped create a new generation of fans that propelled the soulful sound into mainstream culture. Now, they’re unlikely rock … Continue reading
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ten people were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct at a raucous Philadelphia community meeting where protesters shoved police officers and threw chairs in anger over the district attorney’s decision against charges in a fatal police-involved shooting. District Attorney Seth Williams said Thursday, Mar. 19, the death of 26-year-old motorist Brandon … Continue reading
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A troubled city high school has finally heard the sound of music coming from a recording studio donated by Drake after a monthslong search for a teacher to run it. The Grammy-winning rapper gave $75,000 to help create the space at Strawberry Mansion High School, district officials said. Drake, a … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Never underestimate the staying power of big tobacco. In 2006, U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler ordered the nation’s largest cigarette makers to publicly admit that they had lied for decades about the dangers of smoking. The basis for the punishment: Testimony from 162 witnesses, a nine-month bench trial and thousands of findings … Continue reading
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Police in Philadelphia say arrests are expected in the killing of a member of rapper Nicki Minaj’s tour. Homicide Capt. James Clark tells The Associated Press that detectives have identified three people involved in a fight early Wednesday that ended with the fatal stabbing of 29-year-old Devon Pickett of New York City. He … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Cities big and small along the Philadelphia-to-Boston corridor of more than 35 million people began shutting down and bundling up Monday against a powerful and potentially historic storm that could unload 1 to 3 feet of snow. More than 5,000 flights were canceled, schools and businesses planned to close early, … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says the snowstorm bearing down on the Northeast could be among the worst the city has ever seen. The National Weather Service has a blizzard warning in effect for the New York and Boston areas starting Monday night. Forecasters say a massive storm … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 