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  • Cheyney University fights to restore accreditation after being placed on probation

    Cheyney University fights to restore accreditation after being placed on probation

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    Leaders at Cheyney University are fighting to restore their reputation and demanding that the historically Black college’s accreditation come off of probation.

    The school’s leaders told NBC10 that they were blindsided when they got the notice. They say what’s frustrating them the most is that the institution telling them the university isn’t in good standing won’t elaborate on why.

    “They have not disclosed what other information they used to make the final decision. They just went straight to probation,” Cheyney University’s president Aaron Walton said.

    Back in 2023, the university was evaluated by its accreditor the Middle State Commission on Higher Education several times throughout the year.

    Each time, representatives made recommendations on how the college could improve but never required Cheyney to make the changes in order to be deemed up to the accreditation standards.

    But then, last November, the commission put a notice out that the historically Black college university was at risk of losing its accreditation while citing deficiencies in areas including “ethics and integrity,” “design and delivery of students learning experience” and compliance with financial planning.

    “We were shocked because we had two bodies come and review our work and find that we met all the standards and for Middle States to come and make a decision that was counter to the reports that they got from two groups that they sent to Cheyney was unusual,” Walton said.

    The university responded in a statement saying, “If we are to be an anchor to grow the Black and Brown middle class in Pennsylvania and beyond, we must be treated with the same amount of respect and deference afforded to our peer institutions who serve predominantly white students.”

    When asked if Walton believes that the race and demographic the school serves played a role in the commission’s probation decision, he told NBC10, “I can’t tell you for sure, but I’m trying to reconcile what other issues could have played a role in the decision. I’m having a tough time finding anything contextual, factual that would lead to that.”

    NBC10 reached out to the commission for details on these violations and it would not elaborate.

    The commission is giving Cheyney University until March 1 to submit a teach-out plan explaining how students can still get their college education if the university loses its accreditation.

    Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a letter that the commission made a “hasty decision” and showed “disregard of established procedure.”

    Shapiro also noted that “prior site visits have yielded only recommendations and collegial advice to Cheyney, which the University has adopted.”

    Shapiro, Walton and university trustee members are demanding the commission comes back to the discussion table and meet with the U.S. Department of Education in an effort to reverse this probation on a university that has paved the way for other HBCUs for nearly two centuries.

    Friday marks Cheyney University’s 187th anniversary. School leaders are going to host a number of celebratory events after they announce how they’ll lead the nation’s first HBCU out of this probationary status.

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    Leah Uko and Emily Rose Grassi

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  • Philly’s Great Office Building Conversion Needs to Start Right Now

    Philly’s Great Office Building Conversion Needs to Start Right Now

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    Opinion

    Empty office buildings could spell the end of Center City as we’ve known it. But if we take these three steps quickly, we can solve the problem — and create an even brighter future for Philadelphia.

    Center City’s office building conversion can bring about a brighter future. / Photograph by Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

    The COVID pandemic is something most of us will never forget. One of the permanent shifts brought about by the pandemic is how — and where — people work. Over the last four years, people in and around Philadelphia have seen home and office merge, with hundreds of thousands of employees now working out of their houses or apartments at least a couple of days per week.

    Many of those workers love the new arrangement, but for cities — Philadelphia included — the shift has created a big challenge in terms of empty downtown office space. How big? According to a recent white paper by the real estate firm Savills, in the 15 years before the pandemic, Philadelphia’s office vacancy rate hovered between 12 and 15 percent. Today it’s above 23 percent. And according to Rialto Capital Management, office valuations over the last 18 months have fallen 40 to 70 percent.

    Particularly at risk are some of Philadelphia’s most iconic office buildings. The Inquirer reports that the Wanamaker building’s vacancy rate is 65 percent, Centre Square’s is 47 percent, and One South Broad’s is just under 42 percent. Meanwhile, the office towers at 1700 Market Street and 1515 Market Street are facing large enough challenges that their mortgages have been sent to special servicing.

    For building owners (and the banks that finance their mortgages), all of this spells big trouble.

    But it’s also potentially catastrophic for Philadelphia overall. Fewer downtown office workers makes it harder for Center City businesses to thrive. Emptier streets only add to the perception the city isn’t safe. That perception isn’t accurate — crime has fallen significantly in the last couple of years — but opinions like that are hard to change.

    Finally, lower occupancy rates mean the value of downtown office buildings will continue to decrease — which will ultimately lead to significantly less tax revenue for the city. We’re already seeing it happening. Because of its declining value, a few weeks ago the owners of Centre Square — which had been assessed at $362.6 million — successfully appealed to reduce the building’s assessment to $275 million for 2023 and $250 million for 2024. It was the correct outcome, but it will cost the city $2.8 million in taxes over two years.

    Unfortunately, Centre Square is just one of what will be many reassessments in the months and years ahead, costing the city hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars.

    Three Steps We Need to Take Right Now

    What can we do about this? Big picture, we need to find ways to get more people living and working in Philadelphia by creating high-paying jobs. I’ll talk about some ideas for that in my next column.

    Here, I want to focus on one straightforward, though not easy, solution to the vacant office problem: rethinking those empty office buildings by either converting them into residential units or making them more attractive to employees so they actually want to come into the office.

    When I say it won’t be easy, what I mean is that such conversions and upgrades are expensive. For instance, thanks to the way most office buildings are constructed, converting an office building to residential costs at least $300 to $400 per square foot. For a building that’s, say, 140,000 square feet, that means a total conversion cost of $42 million to $56 million. Based on the rents building owners can get, such a switch might not even make financial sense.

    This is why I think the city — and the state — need to step in with policies and programs that will make it easier and cheaper to rethink and repurpose office spaces. The best way forward would be to create a task force of real estate professionals, tax attorneys, the Office of Property Assessment and other relevant parties to study the issue in-depth. But here are some ideas we should be considering:

    1. Better utilization of tax abatements

    The 10-year property tax abatement the city adopted in the late 1990s was actually put in place to incentivize the conversion of an earlier generation of office buildings into residential. It worked spectacularly, and we should run a version of that playbook again. Should the abatement be longer? Should the building owners get certainty on the reassessed value of their projects? The task force can figure out such details, but the abatement program is an effective tool.

    2. Streamlining the process

    Right now permitting and zoning can slow projects down significantly — time we can’t afford to lose. The city should not only find a way to fast-track these kinds of conversions, but make the process easier by creating one-stop shopping for building owners — one person in city government they can deal with to work through everything required.

    3. A state tax credit

    Philadelphia can’t — and shouldn’t — do this alone. Whether it’s in the form of a state tax credit or some other vehicle, we need state assistance to convert or improve office buildings. The state has a lot at stake here; Philadelphia supplies an enormous amount of tax revenue, so if we struggle, the commonwealth will struggle, too. I’m hopeful Governor Josh Shapiro will see this issue as a priority.

    Some people might view such initiatives as a bail out, but I think that’s the wrong way to look at it.

    The truth is, converting offices to residential and making offices more attractive overall will actually improve Philadelphia’s economy and make the city even stronger in the long run. Think about it: Most offices empty out at 5 p.m. But when those buildings are occupied by residents, you have people out and about until later in the evening. That not only benefits shops and restaurants; it makes the streets even safer than they already are.

    The most important thing to remember as we face this challenge is that we all need to work together on it. When entrepreneurs and businesses do well, and when people who own real estate do well, so does the city overall. Jobs get created. Tax revenue grows. The city is truly a partner is every venture — every failure is the city’s failure, but every success is the city’s success. So let’s start working together on this and make Philadelphia even better in the years ahead.

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    Allan Domb

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  • Quartermaster Plaza in South Philadelphia no longer for sale as owners switch strategy

    Quartermaster Plaza in South Philadelphia no longer for sale as owners switch strategy

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    Eight months after being put up for sale, South Philadelphia’s Quartermaster Plaza shopping center has been taken off the market.

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    Paul Schwedelson

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  • First U.S. moon landing since 1972 set to happen today as spacecraft closes in on lunar surface

    First U.S. moon landing since 1972 set to happen today as spacecraft closes in on lunar surface

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    Houston-based Intuitive Machines readied its Odysseus lander for touchdown on the moon today, a nail-biting one-hour 13-minute descent from orbit to become the first U.S.-built spacecraft to stick a moon landing in more than 50 years and the first ever by a private company.

    One day after braking into a 57-mile-high orbit tilted 80 degrees to the moon’s equator, Odysseus’ methane-fueled main engine was primed to ignite at 4:17 p.m. EST, lowering the far side of the orbit to a point near the landing site some 186 miles from the moon’s south pole.

    022224-landing-chart.jpg
    Intuitive Machines provided a timeline showing major events in the Odysseus lander’s descent to the surface of the moon. Times given in Central Standard Time.

    Intuitive Machines


    As the 14-foot-tall spacecraft descends toward the surface, on-board cameras and lasers are programmed to scan the ground below to identify landmarks, providing steering inputs to the lander’s guidance system to help fine tune the trajectory.

    One hour later, at 5:18 p.m., the main engine is expected to ignite again at an altitude of about 18 miles and to keep firing for the final 10 minutes of the descent, flipping Odysseus from a horizontal orientation to vertical and dropping straight down at just under 4 mph.

    As the spacecraft drops below 100 feet, an innovative camera package, known as “EagleCam,” built by students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, will fall away and attempt to photograph the lander’s final descent from the side. NASA cameras on board the spacecraft will photograph the ground directly below.

    By the time Odysseus reaches an altitude of about 33 feet above the surface, the main engine was to have throttled down to the planned landing velocity of about 2.2 mph — walking speed for senior citizens.

    Touchdown near a crater known as Malapert A is expected at 5:30 p.m., one week after launch from the Kennedy Space Center.

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    A camera on the Odysseus lander captured an image of the moon below the spacecraft after a critical engine firing Wednesday to brake into lunar orbit.

    Intuitive Machines


    Video from the lander’s on-board cameras and the EagleCam cannot be transmitted back to Earth in real time, but Intuitive Machines’ engineers at the company’s Nova Control center in Houston say they should be able to verify touchdown within about 15 seconds. The first pictures are expected within a half hour or so.

    A successful lunar landing would mark the first touchdown by a U.S.-built spacecraft since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972 and the first ever by a privately-built spacecraft.

    Pittsburg-based Astrobotic hoped to claim that honor last month with its Peregrine lander, but the mission was derailed by a ruptured propellant tank shortly after launch Jan. 9. Two earlier private moon ventures, one by Israel and the other by Japan, also ended in failure.

    Only the governments of the United States, the Soviet Union, China, India and Japan have successfully put landers on the surface of the moon, and Japan’s “SLIM” lander was only partially successful, tipping over on touchdown Jan. 19.

    Peregrine and Odysseus were both funded in part by NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, or CLPS (pronounced CLIPS), designed to encourage private industry to develop transportation capabilities that NASA can then use to transport payloads to the moon.

    lander-artist1.jpg
    An artist’s impression of Intuitive Machines’s Odysseus lander on the surface of the moon.

    Intuitive Machines


    The agency’s goal is to help kickstart development of new technologies and to collect data that will be needed by Artemis astronauts planning to land near the moon’s south pole later this decade.

    NASA paid Astrobotic $108 million for its part in the Peregrine mission and another $129 million for the Odysseus instruments and transportation to the moon.

    What’s on board the Odysseus moon lander?

    Odysseus was equipped with six NASA instruments and another six commercial payloads, including small moon sculptures by the artist Jeff Koons, proof-of-concept cloud storage technology, Columbia Sportswear insulation blankets and a small astronomical telescope.

    Among the NASA experiments: an instrument to study the charged particle environment at the moon’s surface, another designed to test navigation technologies and the downward-facing cameras designed to photograph how the lander’s engine exhaust disrupts the soil at the landing site.

    Also on board: an innovative sensor using radio waves to accurately determine how much cryogenic propellant is left in a tank in the weightless environment of space, technology expected to prove useful for downstream moon missions and other deep space voyages.

    Odysseus and its instruments are expected to operate on the surface for about a week, until the sun sets at the landing site. At that point, the lander’s solar cells will no longer be able to generate power and the spacecraft will shut down. Odysseus was not designed to survive the ultra-cold lunar night.

    William Harwood

    Bill Harwood has been covering the U.S. space program full-time since 1984, first as Cape Canaveral bureau chief for United Press International and now as a consultant for CBS News.

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  • Philly Today: Meet Nikki Haley’s Insult-Hurling Villanova Son

    Philly Today: Meet Nikki Haley’s Insult-Hurling Villanova Son

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    News

    The candidate steers clear of name-calling. Her Main Line son? Not so much.

    Nikki Haley’s son, Nalin Haley, at a Nikki Haley campaign event in February 2024 (Getty Images)

    Check phillymag.com each morning Monday through Thursday for the latest edition of Philly Today. And if you have a news tip for our hardworking Philly Mag reporters, please direct it here. You can also use that form to send us reader mail. We love reader mail!

    Meet Nalin Haley, Nikki Haley’s Insult-Hurling Villanova University Son

    The younger children and grandchildren of presidents and presidential candidates tend to stay in the background, particularly when they’re still in high school and college. We didn’t hear much about Tiffany Trump while she was at the University of Pennsylvania. Well, nothing we could report. And most folks didn’t realize that President Biden’s granddaughter was at Penn until he showed up to visit her and take her to Parc. These people lead private lives that are, generally, respected. But Nalin Haley, the son of presidential candidate Nikki Haley, is different.

    Nalin is a senior at Villanova University, studying political science. “He’s more charming than most guys on campus his age” is how one person at Villanova, who asked not to be named, put it when I asked her about him. But “charming” isn’t exactly the word one would use to describe Nalin when he’s on the campaign trail with his presidential-candidate mom.

    Nikki Haley is, relatively speaking, a respectful voice when she’s campaigning. But as some national press outlets have noted of late, Nalin Haley is channeling some of the disrespectful rhetoric and name-calling that’s become so common since Donald Trump entered the fray.

    Nikki Haley and Nalin Haley at the Iowa State Fair in 2023

    Nikki Haley and Nalin Haley getting in some ring-toss at the Iowa State Fair in 2023 (Getty Images)

    He called South Carolina Senator Tim Scott “Senator Judas.” That’s a reference to Scott backing Trump despite the fact that Nikki Haley appointed him to the Senate.

    Nalin Haley has referred to former candidate Vivek Ramaswamy as “Vivague Ramaslimey.” That sounds like a nickname only Trump himself could come up with. He’s also teased Ramaswamy for his receding hairline. Nalin Haley even compared Ramaswamy to Pennywise, the terrifying clown from Stephen King’s It. Later, he apologized … to Pennywise. “Pennywise is a lot less creepy. A lot less of a clown. And he has a much better hairline than he does.”

    Nikki Haley trailed by Nalin Haley and her husband, Michael Haley, in 2016

    Nikki Haley trailed by Nalin Haley and her husband, Michael Haley, in 2016 (Getty Images)

    The subject of Nalin Haley’s attacks on Senator Scott came up last weekend on Face the Nation. On the show, Scott said, “Politics makes people and their families desperate.” Nalin Haley was quick to retort on Twitter. “No what’s desperate is you abandoning your values to try and score a VP position,” he wrote. “You can be upset by my comments all you want. But I haven’t said anything worse than what Trump has said about you while you’re on stage next to him campaigning for him.”

    In addition to his presence on Twitter, Nalin Haley has a public Instagram account, as opposed to the private kind that somebody in his position might tend to have. There, you can see him sporting a Biggie Smalls shirt in Hoboken, smoking a fat cigar in Charleston, and chillin’ with Benjamin Netanyahu.

    So what’s next for Nalin Haley? I tried to ask him that, but he didn’t respond to a request for comment. Maybe he’s busy writing his weekly fund-raising letters asking for $5 at a time, as he does. As for his mom, she refuses to drop out of the race, against all odds.

    Beware the Norovirus

    If your stomach suddenly starts feeling unsettled and you soon find yourself clutching the rim of a toilet bowl, it might not be the supermarket sushi you scarfed down last night. You could be one of the many people in our region suffering from a highly contagious, rapidly spreading and terrible-sounding stomach bug. Good luck!

    Local Talent

    Philadelphia “celebrity chef” Jose Garces turned up this week on the Season 5 premiere of Tournament of Champions on the Food Network. Context clues will probably tell you that this is a televised cooking competition featuring acclaimed chefs. Garces took on chef and frequent Chopped judge Marc Murphy. The judges gave the chefs salmon, sweet onions, habaneros and a blender, with instructions to deliver some “char.” Alas, Garces lost to Murphy, though some watchers on Reddit claim Garces was “robbed.” It’s okay, Jose: We’ll always have Amada.

    By the Numbers

    5: Days of the workweek that Mayor Cherelle Parker wants to see city workers return to their offices. Meaning say bye-bye to work-from-home. And many of those workers aren’t too keen on that idea.

    $16: What it will cost you to play one round of putt-putt at a high-tech indoor mini-golf spot that just opened in Center City.

    $1 billion: Tax revenue that could be lost by Philadelphia and Pennsylvania due to the proposed new Sixers arena. That’s according to a new analysis.

    And From the Hoop-It-Up Sports Desk …

    The Sixers are back — finally! — from the All-Star break tonight, playing the visiting Knicks at 7 p.m. Fresh off the injured list will be Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton and Nico Batum, thank heaven. Not back — yet — will be Joel Embiid. The game could be newly acquired Kyle Lowry’s homecoming; the Cardinal Dougherty and Villanova grad and Philly native says he’s “excited” to be with the team.

    In Birds talk, the internets were abuzz with gossip about a theory that Big Dom’s banishment completely frazzled coach Nick Sirianni, who couldn’t control himself or his emotions on the sideline in his absence. Eh, you be the judge.

    Any College Hoops News?

    La Salle led St. Bonaventure last night at the half, 36-28, though the Bonnies had a far better record (16-9 compared to La Salle’s 12-14). The Explorers extended that lead considerably in the second half, and the Bonnies never came back in what ended as a 72-59 blowout. Daeshon Shepherd had a 23-point game:

    St. Joe’s, meantime, was barely ahead of visiting George Washington halfway through, 44-43, and the Colonials clawed their way on top in the second as the Hawks cooled off. St. Joe’s tied it back up with seven minutes left, regained the lead at 68-66, pushed it to four with a minute to go and the crowd on its feet … A long three by James Bishop brought GW to within one, but frosh Xzayvier Brown sank two foul shots, the Colonials turned the ball over, and the Hawks hung in there for the victory. Great game.

    Tonight’s schedule takes Drexel to Hofstra for a 7 p.m. tip-off.

    The Flyers also played.

    All Philly Today sports coverage is provided by Sandy Hingston.

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    Victor Fiorillo

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  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court sides with Pocono-area township over its ban of backyard gun range

    Pennsylvania Supreme Court sides with Pocono-area township over its ban of backyard gun range

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    What to Know

    • Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court says a township ordinance that limits firing guns to indoor and outdoor shooting ranges and zoning that significantly restricts where the ranges can be located do not violate the Second Amendment.
    • The justices ruled Feb. 21, 2024, for Stroud Township and against Jonathan Barris, who challenged the gun restrictions. Barris drew complaints from neighbors after building a gun range on his property in the Poconos.
    • In 2011, the township adopted an ordinance restricting gunfire to indoor and outdoor gun ranges, as long as they were issued zoning and occupancy permits.

    A township ordinance that limits firing guns to indoor and outdoor shooting ranges and zoning that significantly restricts where the ranges can be located does not violate the Second Amendment, Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.

    The man who challenged Stroud Township’s gun laws, Jonathan Barris, began to draw complaints about a year after he moved to the home in the Poconos in 2009 and installed a shooting range on his 5-acre property. An officer responding to a complaint said the range had a safe backstop but the targets were in line with a large box store in a nearby shopping center.

    In response to neighbors’ concerns, the Stroud Township Board of Supervisors in late 2011 passed what the courts described as a “discharge ordinance,” restricting gunfire to indoor and outdoor gun ranges, as long as they were issued zoning and occupancy permits. It also said guns couldn’t be fired between dusk and dawn or within 150 feet of an occupied structure — with exceptions for self-defense, by farmers, by police or at indoor firing ranges.

    The net effect, wrote Justice Kevin Dougherty, was to restrict the potential construction of shooting ranges to about a third of the entire township. Barris’ home did not meet those restrictions.

    Barris sought a zoning permit after he was warned he could face a fine as well as seizure of the gun used in any violation of the discharge ordinance. He was turned down for the zoning permit based on the size of his lot, proximity to other homes and location outside the two permissible zoning areas for ranges.

    A county judge ruled for the township, but Commonwealth Court in 2021 called the discharge ordinance unconstitutional, violative of Barris’ Second Amendment rights.

    In a friend-of-the-court brief, the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office aligned with the township, arguing that numerous laws across U.S. history have banned shooting guns or target practice in residential or populated areas.

    Dougherty, writing for the majority, said Stroud Township’s discharge ordinance “is fully consistent with this nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.” He included pages of examples, saying that “together they demonstrate a sustained and wide-ranging effort by municipalities, cities, and states of all stripes — big, small, urban, rural, Northern, Southern, etc. — to regulate a societal problem that has persisted since the birth of the nation.”

    In a dissent, Justice Sallie Updyke Mundy said Barris has a constitutional right to “achieve competency or proficiency in keeping arms for self-defense at one’s home,” and that the Second Amendment’s core self-defense protections are at stake.

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    Mark Scolforo

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  • Lizzy McAlpine to play two homecoming shows at The Met in June

    Lizzy McAlpine to play two homecoming shows at The Met in June

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    Pop star Lizzy McAlpine is heading out on tour behind her upcoming album, “Older,” and she’ll be playing two homecoming shows in Philadelphia this summer.

    McAlpine’s “The Older Tour 2024” will hit The Met Philadelphia on Monday, June 24, and Tuesday, June 25. The singer initially was slated to play only one show in Philly, but added a second due to the high volume of sales during the presale period, which began Wednesday. The general sale starts Friday at 10 a.m.

    RELATED: Montgomery County’s Lizzy McAlpine to release third studio album ‘Older’

    News of the tour comes just days after McAlpine — who grew up in Wynnewood and graduated from Lower Merion High School in 2018 — revealed “Older,” her third studio album, will be released April 5. The 24-year-old already has released the title track, a piano ballad in which she ponders the difficult transition into adulthood.

    Here’s what she wrote on Instagram: 

    “me & the band are going on tour! i know it’s been a while since i’ve gone on the road but i needed to figure out a way to do it that would be less taxing on my mental and physical health. and i think we’ve done that! it’s gonna be frickin epic.”

    In April, McAlpine stopped at The Fillmore as part of her last headlining tour, “The End of The Movie.” After the U.S. leg of that tour, McAlpine rescheduled her dates in Europe due to the tour being hard on her “mental & physical well-being.” This time, McAlpine said she is playing fewer cities in an effort to “keep my sanity” and avoid the need to cancel or postpone. 

    McAlpine has been recording and releasing music since 2018, when she was a student at Berklee College of Music in Boston. A number of covers and original songs posted to her TikTok account in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic helped propel her to national fame. 

    She released her debut album “Give Me A Minute” in 2020. But it was her second album, “five seconds flat,” released in 2022, that brought her into the mainstream. In particular, the single “ceilings” took off on TikTok last winter, when it became the soundtrack to a popular trend. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, and the official music video has been viewed 19 million times on Youtube. 

    Lizzy McAlpine: The Older Tour 2024

    Monday, June 24, and Tuesday, June 25
    8 p.m. | Ticket prices vary
    The Met Philadelphia
    858 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19130

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    Franki Rudnesky

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  • How Alabama’s frozen embryo decision is shaking the nation: What you need to know

    How Alabama’s frozen embryo decision is shaking the nation: What you need to know

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    (The Hill) — Alabama’s Supreme Court has ruled that frozen embryos are people, the first time a court has ever given rights and protections so early after conception.

    The ruling is limited to Alabama, but it has far-reaching potential and seems poised to open a new front in the fight over reproductive rights in the country.  

    Alabama has one of the strictest abortion laws in the nation, and advocates and legal experts worry it could show a path forward for the “personhood” movement in other conservative states. 

    The White House on Tuesday condemned the decision as “exactly the type of chaos that we expected when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and paved the way for politicians to dictate some of the most personal decisions families can make.” 

    Here’s what to know.

    The ruling did not outlaw IVF 

    The Alabama Supreme Court’s decision found that embryos and fertilized eggs are considered children under the Alabama Wrongful Death of a Minor Act, even if they have not been implanted in a uterus.  

    “Unborn children are ‘children’ under the Act, without exception based on developmental stage, physical location, or any other ancillary characteristics,” Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell wrote for the majority.  

    Fertility experts said the new legal standard upends how in vitro fertilization (IVF) is practiced and left far more questions than answers. IVF in Alabama could become much more expensive and inaccessible.  

    But it is not illegal. 

    “The goal of IVF is to have a healthy pregnancy with a single baby, and that requires creating enough embryos [to] give the best chance of pregnancy,” said Betsy Campbell, chief engagement officer at RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. 

    Campbell said there is no roadmap on how to proceed, but the ruling “definitely could make it impossible to perform IVF to the standard that has been honed over the last 40 years.”

    In a concurring opinion that quoted heavily from the Bible, Chief Justice Tom Parker said IVF will look different but won’t end in Alabama.  

    Parker said it will be up to the courts to dictate how IVF can be performed in a way that won’t cause harm to unborn children and won’t incur the “wrath of an angry God.”  

    “Even before birth, all human beings have the image of God, and their lives cannot be destroyed without effacing his glory,” Parker wrote.  

    He suggested freezing embryos may no longer be allowed, and that doctors must create one embryo at a time and then implant it, no matter the quality.  

    At least one facility has already paused IVF treatment 

    The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) health system — the largest in the state — said it is pausing all IVF treatments for fear of lawsuits and criminal prosecution. 

    “We are saddened that this will impact our patients’ attempt to have a baby through IVF, but we must evaluate the potential that our patients and our physicians could be prosecuted criminally or face punitive damages for following the standard of care for IVF treatments,” a spokesperson for the health system said.   

    Advocates said they have no answers for patients who may be wanting to start IVF, those who are midcycle or those with frozen embryos. 

    According to UAB, egg fertilization and embryo development is paused, but the process will continue up through egg retrieval. 

    During IVF, a patient self-administers hormone injections over about two to three weeks. An egg, or several eggs, is surgically removed from the ovary and fertilized within a laboratory environment. The fertilized egg, now considered an embryo, is then implanted into the uterus or frozen for later use.   

    Standard IVF practice is to also freeze any embryos that are not implanted right away. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, embryos can be safely preserved for 10 years or longer.

    In a brief filed prior to the decision, the Alabama Medical Association warned the court against creating an “enormous potential for civil liability” for fertility doctors. 

    Sean Tipton, chief advocacy and policy officer for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), said he expects more clinics to pause as lawyers try to figure out the full implications of the ruling. 

    “Modern fertility care will be unavailable to the people of Alabama, needlessly blocking them from building the families they want,” said ASRM President Paula Amato. 

    The ruling could boost the “fetal personhood” movement 

    According to the ruling, human life begins at fertilization, and unborn children are people under the state’s wrongful death laws.  

    Reproductive rights advocates have been concerned about access to IVF since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and ended the constitutional right to an abortion.  

    Conservative states moved quickly to enact strict abortion bans from the moment of conception with limited exceptions, meaning the loss or discarding of embryos could be criminalized. 

    If Alabama law declares that unborn children deserve all the rights and protections of living children, other states may do the same. Abortion rights advocates said they have been afraid that such a ruling was the logical next step following the fall of Roe v. Wade. 

    “We’re likely to see conservative states and other conservative supreme courts adopting wholesale the same arguments that were made by the activists behind the decision in Alabama,” said Katie O’Connor, director of federal abortion policy at the National Women’s Law Center.  

    “Right now, we have a system where abortion is completely banned in 12 states. My fear is that this will be the case for IVF and other fertility care moving forward as well,” O’Connor said. 

    Lila Rose, founder of the anti-abortion group Live Action, called on other states and the federal government to follow suit.  

    “Laws that allow the homicide of children in the womb through abortion violence violate equal protection and are unconstitutional,” Rose said in a statement. “The Alabama Supreme Court decision should be applauded and used as a model of honest and prudential jurisprudence nationwide.” 

    There’s an effort to use the Alabama court’s standard in Florida 

    Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit evangelical Christian legal group, almost immediately filed a notice of supplemental authority with the Florida Supreme Court, arguing against a potential abortion ballot measure. 

    The potential amendment will take away “a protected right to life for the unborn,” the group argued. 

    “Every unborn life is a human being. Every human life begins as an embryo, and now the Alabama Supreme Court has upheld the decision of its citizenry that every unborn life should be protected, no matter their stage or location,” Liberty Counsel founder and Chair Mat Staver said in a statement. 

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    Nathaniel Weixel

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  • DOJ charges Japanese Yakuza leader for allegedly attempting to traffic nuclear materials

    DOJ charges Japanese Yakuza leader for allegedly attempting to traffic nuclear materials

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    The Justice Department unsealed new charges against a leader of the notorious Japanese Yakuza gang who they accuse of attempting to traffic weapons-grade nuclear materials from Burma to other countries, according to a newly announced superseding indictment.

    Prosecutors in Manhattan say that beginning in early 2020, Takeshi Ebisawa conspired to transport material containing uranium and weapons-grade plutonium believing it could be used by countries like Iran in the development of their nuclear-weapons program.

    Takeshi Ebisawa is pictured handling a rocket launcher at a meeting with undercover agents, a 2022 criminal complaint shows.

    U.S. Department of Justice

    “It is chilling to imagine the consequences had these efforts succeeded,” Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen said in a statement announcing the charges.

    The 60-year-old Japanese national and another co-defendant had already been charged in April 2022 with narcotics trafficking offenses. Ebisawa and his co-defendant were arrested in Manhattan on those charges with a U.S. judge in New York ordering both men detained. Both men pleaded not guilty.

    According to their superseding indictment, Ebisawa told two undercover agents in early 2020 he had access to a “large quantity” of nuclear materials he wished to sell, and sent a series of photos of rocky substances next to Geiger counters that measured radiation levels.

    Takeshi Ebisawa allegedly sent an undercover agent photos of the nuclear material next to a Geiger counter.

    Department of Justice

    One of the undercover agents told Ebisawa they had an interested buyer who they claimed was an Iranian general.

    “They don’t need it for energy, Iranian government need it for nuclear weapons,” the undercover agent told Ebisawa, according to the indictment.

    “I think so and I hope so,” Ebisawa allegedly responded.

    Prosecutors say Takeshi Ebisawa sent photos of rocky substances next to Geiger counters that measured radiation levels.

    Department of Justice

    Ebisawa further engaged with the undercover agent as he expressed an interest in buying other military-grade weapons such as surface-to-air missiles that he said could be used by an insurgent group inside Burma.

    The arrangement resulted in a swap of sorts, with unnamed co-conspirators allegedly supporting Ebisawa telling the undercover they “had available more than 2,000 kilograms of Thorium-232 and more than 100 kilograms of uranium” – which the co-conspirators said “could produce as much as five tons of nuclear materials in Burma.”

    Takeshi Ebisawa allegedly told an undercover agent he was interested in selling the materials.

    Department of Justice

    In a meeting arranged by Ebisawa with the undercover agents in Southeast Asia, one of Ebisawa’s co-conspirators brought the undercover into a hotel room and allegedly showed him two plastic containers with samples of the nuclear materials. Thai authorities then assisted in the seizure of the materials which were handed over to U.S. law enforcement, which subsequently tested the samples and confirmed they contained uranium, thorium and plutonium.

    “As alleged, the defendants in this case trafficked in drugs, weapons, and nuclear material – going so far as to offer uranium and weapons-grade plutonium fully expecting that Iran would use it for nuclear weapons,” Anne Milgram, administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration said. “This is an extraordinary example of the depravity of drug traffickers who operate with total disregard for human life.”

    Copyright © 2024 ABC News Internet Ventures.

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  • Schulson doubles down on Atlantic City, now plans 4 new restaurants

    Schulson doubles down on Atlantic City, now plans 4 new restaurants

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    Philadelphia restaurateur Michael Schulson announced plans earlier this month for two new restaurants in Atlantic City. Now he has another two in the works.

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    Emma Dooling

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  • Philly Today: How Exactly Does Somebody Get 12 DUIs?

    Philly Today: How Exactly Does Somebody Get 12 DUIs?

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    News

    Delco’s Mark Perrotta shows us the way. Plus: the $11,000 (and counting!) Lego piece.

    Delco’s Mark Perrotta after his July 2023 Pennsylvania DUI arrest (photos courtesy of Prospect Park Police Department)

    Check phillymag.com each morning Monday through Thursday for the latest edition of Philly Today. And if you have a news tip for our hardworking Philly Mag reporters, please direct it here. You can also use that form to send us reader mail. We love reader mail!

    How Does Somebody Get 12 DUIs in Pennsylvania?

    You’d think that one DUI conviction would be enough to encourage the vast majority of people to not get another DUI. But studies show time and time again: That’s not the case, including with Pennsylvania DUI convictions. And Folsom’s Mark Perrotta, 60, is likely among Pennsylvania’s biggest DUI offenders. According to the Delco DA’s office, Perrotta now has 12 DUI convictions under his belt.

    On Tuesday, Perrotta pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. The charge stems from an incident last July in the Prospect Park section of Delaware County. This was no ordinary DUI case. According to prosecutors, Perrotta loudly accosted a woman he didn’t know at a gas station in Prospect Park, then followed her as she drove away. While she was on the phone with 911, she drove into the driveway of the Prospect Park police department. And Perrotta actually followed her. Police promptly arrested him.

    Before that, Perrotta’s most recent DUI conviction in Pennsylvania was in June 2021. That was his 11th DUI conviction. But because of the way the law works, with the clock restarting on your DUI count after a period of time has passed, the 2021 DUI conviction was treated as his first. You should know that several of Perrotta’s previous DUI convictions resulted in crashes, including one with serious injuries reported, according to prosecutors.

    Prospect Park police chief David Madonna tells me he was incredulous when Perrotta said in the holding cell last July, “It’s not like I hit someone.” “He was shocked that we were arresting him for a DUI because there was no crash!” Madonna remarked.

    Perrotta has spent time in jail for DUIs before. And he will most certainly go to jail after he’s sentenced later this year, though it’s unclear for how long. He would also face the suspension or revocation of his driver’s license. But here’s the thing: Prosecutors say he hasn’t had a valid driver’s license in years.

    “It blows my mind that at this point in history, people still get DUIs,” Madonna laments. “It’s so easy to not drive under the influence. There are rideshare apps and bars that have programs to make sure people get home safe.”

    They can put Perrotta in jail, but not forever. They can prevent him from getting a driver’s license. Officials could also insist that any vehicle at his house be fitted with a device intended to prevent an intoxicated person from driving it. But as Madonna knows all too well, there’s really no way to ensure that an intoxicated Perrotta will never get behind the wheel of a car again.

    “Unfortunately, where there’s a will, there’s a way,” says Madonna. “Some people just don’t get it.”

    The Great Debate: Top 50 Restaurants

    In the February issue of Philly Mag — it’s the one with this wild cover of the $95 tom yum at Kalaya (#2!) — we released our annual list of the 50 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia. Well, technically, in the Philadelphia area, since there are eight restaurants (but very, very good restaurants!) outside of Philadelphia proper. Whenever we do a Top 50 list, there are lots and lots of questions, which we normally field via emails and DMs. But this year, for the first time ever, we’re going to answer your questions live.

    Maybe you want to know how a restaurant all the way out in freaking West Chester lands on a list of the Top 50 Philadelphia restaurants. Maybe you want to know how a tom yum soup can cost $95. Or maybe you want to know why [insert name of your favorite restaurant here] isn’t on the Top 50 list. You can ask. And we will answer.

    It all goes down this Friday at noon. You can register — and ask your questions — using this link. Takes a few seconds.

    Naturally, the I-95 Horse Makes National News

    Usually, when Philadelphia makes the national news, it’s for some horrible tragedy or just something completely absurd. Fortunately, yesterday brought the latter to the national table via the horse that was running wild on I-95. Indeed, Fox News picked it up. So did the New York Post, United Press International, and the U.K.’s Daily Mail, which, of course, promoted the “shocking video.”

    The, uh, pinnacle in local coverage of the I-95 horse incident would have to be the “exclusive” interview with “the horse” that Fox 29 is promoting.

    Apparently, somebody let the horse out of one of Philly’s riding stables overnight from Sunday into Monday, and the horse did what horses do. And if you’re thinking to yourself, Wasn’t there a movie where somebody unleashed a bunch of wild animals on Philadelphia and then the world almost ended?, the answer is yes: 12 Monkeys. So far, no word from the Philadelphia Zoo as to whether they’ve put extra security on the hippos and pumas.

    I haven’t seen anybody hawking I-95 horse t-shirts just yet. But I’m sure they’re coming.

    By the Numbers

    $11,000: As of Wednesday morning, current bid for a tiny, rare gold Lego piece that was found at a Goodwill store in Pennsylvania. It may be made out of gold, and Lego may have only made a few dozen of them, but they still hurt like hell when you step on them barefoot in the middle of the night. Hurry! Bidding ends tonight.

    $317 million: Grant SEPTA just received to modernize the Market-Frankford line. Officials haven’t said how much of that will be spent to fumigate and sanitize the sticky, stinky cars.

    $1,000: Fine City Council wants to slap on bars and stores that operate those “skill-based” gambling machines in the city. That’s per machine. Per occurrence. A lot of people, including some of those bar and store owners, think the machines are perfectly legal. The real legal situation surrounding them is far more murky. (I know somebody who has one in his establishment, and he says he clears an average of $3,000 each week on the thing, so it’s understandable why some operators aren’t too keen on City Council’s plan.)

    Local Talent

    If you were watching Tuesday night’s episode of The Floor (and who wasn’t?), you may have recognized Philadelphia actor Michael Stahler of South Philadelphia on the show. (If you’ve never seen The Floor, an impossibly youthful Rob Lowe hosts, and it’s a head-to-head trivia contest with contestants battling it out for $20,000 in each episode, with a grand prize of $250,000 at the end of the season.)

    Philadelphia actor Michael Stahler in his professional headshot (photo courtesy of Michael Stahler)

    Naturally, Stahler was hoping to be $20,000 richer at the end of Tuesday night. Alas, another contestant knocked him out in the topic of “World Flags.” I’m guessing he’ll never forget the flags of Chile, Cuba and Ireland again.

    Stahler wasn’t able to have a watch party on Tuesday, because he’s in rehearsal for Azuka Theatre Company’s Overwinter, in which he stars. Overwinter opens on February 29th.

    And from the Whoop-Doop! Sports Desk …

    The Philadelphia Union had a CONCACAF Champions League match last night against Deportiva Saprissa in San Jose, and the only local broadcast was in Spanish. Okay, then. I mean, muy bueno! The other guys scored first, 27 minutes in, when goalie Andre Blake jumped and simply missed a deflection by teammate Jakob Glesnes. A few minutes later, shoving broke out on a Union corner, and a flurry of yellow cards following a foul called on Julián Carranza teed up him, José Martinez, and a Saprissa player. Carranza’s indignation paid off in the second half when he scored on a lovely header 54 minutes in.

    And damn if he didn’t score again 20 minutes later! (With his foot this time.)

    And another one at 78!

    An unbelievable night for the native of Argentina. That’s what you get for slapping him with that yellow. Saprissa just missed on a shot in the 87th, then managed to land one two minutes later. The refs put up five minutes of stoppage, and that’s when things got frantic. Saprissa sent a bullet shot just over the crossbar, much scuffling ensued, and the Union held on for the 3-2 victory. Doop!

    In other news, former Sixer and current New Orleans Pelicans coach Willie Green is, ESPN reports, one of the few NBA coaches who can still dunk a basketball.

    Any College Hoops News?

    Butler paid a visit to Villanova last night, and though the Bulldogs had the early momentum, Villanova surged to lead 44-35 at the half, then hung on to outscore their opponent in the second half — albeit barely —for the 72-62 home win. That’s three in a row for the Wildcats; Eric Dixon led all comers with 22 points. On tonight’s card, we’ve got George Washington at St. Joe’s and St. Bonaventure at La Salle, both starting at 7 p.m.

    All Philly Today sports coverage is provided by Sandy Hingston.

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    Victor Fiorillo

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  • Putin crackdown widens, Russian-American arrested and charged with treason

    Putin crackdown widens, Russian-American arrested and charged with treason

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    Putin crackdown widens, Russian-American arrested and charged with treason – CBS News


    Watch CBS News



    Ksenia Karelina, an American with dual Russian citizenship has been arrested in Russia and charged with espionage and treason. Karelina’s detainment comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin cracks down on dissent in the wake of opposition leader Alexey Navalny’s death. CBS News foreign correspondent Imtiaz Tyab has more.

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  • The Eagles signed some guys

    The Eagles signed some guys

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    The Philadelphia Eagles signed two players to futures contracts on Tuesday. They were RB Tyrion Davis-Price and OT Darian Kinnard, both of whom were selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. They also signed former Lions edge rusher Julian Okwara last Wednesday. We’ll round up all three guys here.

    RB Tyrion Davis-Price

    Davis-Price was a 49ers third-round pick out of LSU. He’s a bigger back at 6’1, 219, who did not have great college stats.

    Tyrion Davis-Price  Rush  Yards  YPC  TD 
    2019  64  295  4.6  6 
    2020  104  446  4.3  3 
    2021  211  1003  4.8  6 
    TOTAL  379  1744  4.6  15 

    A yards per carry average of 4.6 is good in the NFL, not so impressive at LSU. He was a Day 3 prospect who got picked on Day 2. He probably got a little over-drafted because he ran a 4.48 at the Combine, a good time for his size. And, certainly, he had his explosive moments at LSU:

    A scouting report, via Lance Zierlein of NFL Network: 

    Big, athletic back offering an enticing blend of size and explosiveness to go with an SEC pedigree. Davis-Price’s early season tape was listless and lacking pro quality, but that changed over the second half of the year. He’s an enigmatic back featuring urgency, indecisiveness, physicality and finesse on any given carry. He got much better as the season progressed and clearly finds a rhythm when given volume carries. Scouts say that staying motivated will be a major factor in future success. Davis-Price’s athletic ability and hammerhead finishes will help him create yardage. He has the size and upside worthy of consideration in the middle rounds.

    The “motivation” nugget is interesting. In his first two seasons in the pros in San Francisco, Davis-Price has ridden the bench. He had 34 carries for 99 yards (2.9 YPC) in 2022, and 6 carries for 21 yards (3.5 YPC) in 2023. They waived him in December and he finished out the season on the Niners’ practice squad.

    The Eagles evidently gave Davis-Price more pay than the typical player signing a futures contract: 

    “Don’t mind him, just writing history,” lol.

    The addition of Davis-Price makes sense, as D’Andre Swift, Boston Scott, and Rashaad Penny are all free agents this offseason. Also, paying (likely) negligibly more to a guy on a futures contract is a reasonable enough strategy by the Eagles’ front office. None of these guys are likely to make an impact, but I respect the hustle in working the margins.

    #NextTreySermon.

    OT Darian Kinnard

    Kinnard was a Chiefs fifth-round selection in 2022. He made the 53-man roster as a rookie, but was a scratch for 17 games, and active for just three. He appeared in one game, getting 6 special teams snaps. 

    Kinnard did not make the 53-man roster out of training camp in 2023, and spent the entirety of the season on the Chiefs’ practice squad.

    We profiled Kinnard in our prospects series in 2021. He had experience at LT and RT (mostly RT) in college at Kentucky, but the thinking then was that talent evaluators would have to decide if he was going to be a RT or a RG at the pro level. The Chiefs tried to develop him at OT, and the Eagles announced him as an OT, so I suppose he’s staying there.

    Kinnard was a strong run blocker at Kentucky who could move the line of scrimmage. Here he is, at RT in Kentucky’s 2020 bowl game: 

    The Eagles can use more depth bodies along the right side of the line with Jack Driscoll potentially leaving in free agency.

    EDGE Julian Okwara

    Okwara was a Lions high third-round pick (67th overall) in 2020. He landed on injured reserve as a rookie in 2020, and thus only played in 6 games. He had a promising season in 2021, when he had 27 tackles, 5 sacks, 9 QB hits, an INT, a forced fumble, and a couple of pass breakups as a depth player. 

    However, his progress stalled in 2022, when he once again landed on IR. In 2023, he rarely played (121 snaps), he was waived during the playoffs in January, eventually signing back to the practice squad. We’ll also note here that Okwara suffered a broken leg in his final season in college at Notre Dame.

    Okwara is 6’4, 239, with 9 career sacks. He has talent, but has not been able to stay on the field. The Eagles will likely give him a look at SAM.

    Depth chart updated here.

    MORE: Free agents who make sense for the Eagles

    Follow Jimmy & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @JimmyKempski | thePhillyVoice

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    Jimmy Kempski

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  • Shooting near Muhlenberg College leaves 4 injured in Allentown, Pa.

    Shooting near Muhlenberg College leaves 4 injured in Allentown, Pa.

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    ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — Police in Allentown, Pennsylvania, are investigating a shooting incident that injured four people.

    It happened around 7 p.m. Tuesday near 18th and West Turner streets.

    Neighbors said they heard about eight gunshots and were told by officers to stay inside.

    Police confirm four people showed up at area hospitals with injuries that appear to be gunshot wounds.

    The shooting happened near the Muhlenberg College. Students on campus were briefly told to shelter in place.

    “Muhlenberg College Police Officers increased patrols throughout high-traffic areas around campus during this time. Once the incident was deemed complete, the lockdown was lifted,” the college said in a campus alert.

    Further information on the victims and what led up to the incident was not released Tuesday night.

    Police say there is no threat to the public.

    Stay with Action News as we continue to follow this developing story.

    Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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    Annie McCormick

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  • WATCH: Man in Apple Vision Pro headset crosses street, officers pause ‘in bewilderment’

    WATCH: Man in Apple Vision Pro headset crosses street, officers pause ‘in bewilderment’

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    SAN DIEGO (KSWB) – Police in San Diego are urging people to be careful after a TikTok video circulated showing a man wearing an Apple Vision Pro headset cross a street – steps away from stunned police officers.

    “It was a sight that had us pausing in bewilderment,” San Diego Police Dept. officials wrote in a social media post after officers in the Central Division found themselves “‘face-to-face with the future.”

    The headset-clad man, wearing a light-colored parka, bright green shorts and sneakers, can be seen gesturing with his right hand before walking into the intersection, steps away from a trio of officers.

    “While we’re all for exploring new dimensions and technology, let’s remember the importance of pedestrian safety,” the department wrote. “Keep those virtual experiences on the sidewalk, folks, and let’s cross streets the old-fashioned way – with our eyes wide open to the real world, unobstructed and without distractions!”

    Video shared by San Diego Humor on Instagram purportedly showed the view from the perspective of the headset user, who appeared to be making selections from a virtual menu. In the background you can hear the song “Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder.

    San Diego P.D. commented with a laughing and “mind blown emoji,” adding, “look twice before crossing the street, ensuring nothing, not even distractions, can break your careful stride!”

    Apple launched the Vision Pro with a starting price tag of $3,499 earlier this year.

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    Jeremy Tanner

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  • Audacy deals to sell Boston radio studios and WEEI tower site get bankruptcy court approval

    Audacy deals to sell Boston radio studios and WEEI tower site get bankruptcy court approval

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    The Audacy Massachusetts headquarters building is home to all of Audacy’s Boston radio stations, including sports talk station WEEI and adult contemporary music stations Mix 104.1 and Magic 106.7.

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    Jeff Blumenthal

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  • Best Crypto-Friendly Betting Brands in Canada in 2024 – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Best Crypto-Friendly Betting Brands in Canada in 2024 – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Canadian sports betting scene is undergoing a significant transformation, with the integration of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin into betting platforms.
    This move not only caters to the tech-savvy generation but also enhances the security and efficiency of online transactions.

    In 2024, the popularity of crypto-friendly betting brands is at an all-time high, reflecting the broader acceptance of digital currencies in everyday transactions.

    Current Trends in Sports Betting

    Photo: Maxim Hopman/Unsplash 

    The sports betting landscape in Canada is rich and varied, with a strong affinity for both domestic and international sports leagues. Hockey, being the national sport, sees a significant amount of betting action, particularly in the NHL. Other popular leagues include the Canadian Football League (CFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), and the National Basketball Association (NBA), which also attract a considerable number of bets.

    The recent surge in eSports and fantasy sports betting has further diversified the Canadian betting market, making it one of the most dynamic in the world.

    Betting Websites Should be Regulated

    The importance of regulation in the iGaming sector cannot be overstated. Regulatory bodies ensure that betting websites operate fairly, protect user data, and promote responsible gambling. In Canada, two major organizations oversee the operation of betting platforms:

    • Kahnawake Gaming Commission

      • Website: http://www.gamingcommission.ca/
      • Role: This commission is one of the oldest and most respected regulatory bodies in the online gambling industry. It grants licenses to online casinos and sportsbooks, ensuring they comply with strict operational standards.
      • Significance: The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is known for its comprehensive regulatory framework, which includes player protection, fair gaming, and responsible operator conduct.

    • Ontario iGaming

      • Website: https://igamingontario.ca/en
      • Role: As the regulator for Ontario’s internet gaming market, this body ensures a safe and competitive online gambling environment. It focuses on consumer protection, game integrity, and preventing fraudulent activities.
      • Significance: Ontario iGaming is pivotal in shaping the future of online betting in Ontario, providing a regulated framework that balances industry growth with player safety.

    Benefits of Using Crypto and Where to Bet with It?

    Cryptocurrency has revolutionized the betting industry, offering distinct advantages over traditional fiat currencies:

    • Anonymity: Crypto transactions do not disclose personal information, offering privacy to bettors.
    • Security: Blockchain technology ensures a secure and transparent transaction environment.
    • Speed: Deposits and withdrawals are often faster with cryptocurrencies, enhancing user convenience.
    • Accessibility: Cryptos provide a universal currency option, bypassing the need for currency conversion.

    For those looking to bet with cryptocurrency, numerous platforms cater to Canadian bettors. These sites not only accept crypto payments but also offer dedicated bonuses and promotions for crypto users.

    Fbet – a Locally Licensed Crypto-friendly Bookmaker

    FBet, now known as Batery, represents a fresh and dynamic entry into the Canadian betting market. Despite its recent launch in mid-2023, Fbet has quickly adapted to the preferences of Canadian bettors, offering an extensive range of sports and betting markets.

    • License: Fbet is licensed by the Curacao Gaming Authority and the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission, ensuring a regulated and safe betting environment.
    • Sports Selection: With over 35 sports disciplines, Fbet caters to a wide array of betting preferences, emphasizing popular Canadian sports like hockey, football, and basketball.
    • Market Depth: For example, an NHL game could offer over 600 betting options, including main markets and niche bets, showcasing the platform’s comprehensive coverage.
    • Payment Options: Fbet supports a variety of payment methods, including local favorites like Interac and Instadebit, and, importantly, allows for cryptocurrency transactions, making it a go-to choice for crypto bettors.

    How to Create an Fbet Account? 

    The account creation process at Fbet is straightforward:

    1. Start by providing your email and choosing a password.
    2. Verify your email through a 4-digit code sent to your inbox.
    3. Completing your profile unlocks additional payment methods, enhancing your betting experience.

    Fbet Welcome Offer for Newcomers 

    New players at Fbet are greeted with a generous welcome package:

    • Deposit Bonus: 100% match up to C$300.
    • Free Bet: An additional C$5 free bet, irrespective of the deposit amount.
    • Activation Requirements: A minimum deposit of C$30 is required, with the bonus selected from the dedicated section.

    1win – a Well Known Crypto Betting Operator 

    1win has carved out a significant presence in the international betting market since its inception in 2016. With a strategic pivot towards the Canadian market, sports betting 1win in Canada aims to cater specifically to the preferences of Canadian bettors.

    • License: Operating under a Curacao Gaming license, 1win is in the process of enhancing its platform to better serve the Canadian audience.
    • Sports Offering: The platform boasts over 35 sports disciplines, with a particular focus on improving its football and hockey betting markets.
    • Crypto-Friendly: 1win supports various cryptocurrencies for deposits and withdrawals, highlighting its commitment to embracing digital currencies.

    How to Create an Account at 1win

    Registering with 1win is designed to be a seamless experience:

    • Choose between using your phone/email or social media profiles for registration.
    • Provide the necessary details, and your account is ready to use.
    • The “one-click” option offers an even faster way to get started.

    1win Welcome Offer for Newcomers

    1win welcomes new players with an attractive bonus structure:

    • Cumulative Bonus: Up to 500% spread across the first four deposits.
    • Flexible Betting: The bonuses can be used on a wide range of betting markets, with reasonable odds requirements.

    Mostbet – More than 10 Years of Experience

    Established in 2009, Mostbet brings over a decade of experience to the betting industry. Operating in more than 90 countries, including Canada, Mostbet is known for its reliable platform and diverse betting options.

    • License: While it currently holds a Curacao license, Mostbet enjoys a solid reputation among bettors for its fair practices and reliable service.
    • Sports Coverage: The platform covers an extensive range of sports, ensuring that bettors have access to a wide variety of markets and betting options.
    • Payment Flexibility: Mostbet supports traditional payment methods like Interac, as well as several cryptocurrencies, offering flexibility to its users.

    How to Create an Account at Mostbet?

    Mostbet offers multiple registration methods to suit every bettor’s preference:

    • “One-Click” registration for immediate access.
    • Traditional registration using email or phone.
    • Social network options for a quick sign-up process.

    Mostbet Welcome Offer for Newcomers

    Newcomers to Mostbet are eligible for a welcoming bonus:

    • Welcome Bonus: A 125% bonus on the first deposit, with a cap of C$1,000.
    • Activation: Ensure to select the “sports bonus” option upon registration and meet the minimum deposit requirement.

    Cryptocurrencies Have Their Own Risks

    While the integration of cryptocurrencies into the betting landscape in Canada offers numerous advantages, such as enhanced privacy, speed, and security, it’s crucial to acknowledge the inherent risks associated with digital currencies. One of the primary concerns is the high volatility of cryptocurrencies, which can lead to significant fluctuations in value in a short period. This volatility can affect the actual amount of funds available for betting or withdrawing, potentially leading to losses unrelated to betting activities.

    Moreover, the irreversible nature of cryptocurrency transactions adds another layer of risk. Unlike traditional banking transactions, once a crypto transaction is executed, it cannot be reversed or canceled. This feature, while reducing the potential for fraud, also means that errors in transaction addresses or amounts can result in the permanent loss of funds.

    Another significant risk is the security of digital wallets and exchanges. While blockchain technology itself is secure, the platforms used to store and trade cryptocurrencies can be vulnerable to hacking and other cyber threats. Many bettors have experienced the loss of their digital assets due to security breaches in their chosen platforms.

    To mitigate these risks, here are some practical tips for bettors:

    1. Diversification: Avoid keeping all your funds in a single cryptocurrency. Diversifying your digital assets can help mitigate the impact of volatility on your overall portfolio.
    2. Secure Storage: Use reputable and secure wallets for storing your cryptocurrencies. Consider using hardware wallets for the highest security, especially for significant amounts.
    3. Double-Check Transactions: Always double-check the addresses and amounts before executing any crypto transaction. Once a transaction is confirmed on the blockchain, it cannot be reversed.
    4. Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest security practices and updates in the crypto world. Being informed can help you avoid common pitfalls and scams.
    5. Use Regulated Platforms: When choosing a betting site, opt for platforms that are regulated and have a strong reputation for security and fair play. This can provide an additional layer of protection for your bets and your funds.
    6. Risk Management: Only bet what you can afford to lose and be aware of the added risk that crypto volatility brings to your betting funds. Consider setting limits on your deposits and wagers to maintain control over your betting activities.

    In conclusion, while cryptocurrencies offer a revolutionary approach to online betting, they come with their unique set of challenges. By understanding these risks and taking proactive measures to mitigate them, bettors can enjoy the benefits of crypto betting while minimizing potential downsides. As the crypto betting landscape continues to evolve, staying informed and cautious will be key to a secure and enjoyable betting experience.

    Bet Responsibly

    Engaging in sports betting, especially in the dynamic world of crypto-friendly platforms, can offer an exciting way to engage with your favorite sports. However, it’s essential to approach betting with a mindset focused on responsibility and moderation. Good betting habits are crucial for a sustainable and enjoyable betting experience. These include setting clear limits for your betting activities, never betting more than you can afford to lose, and viewing betting as a form of entertainment rather than a reliable income source.

    It’s important to recognize the signs of problem gambling, such as feeling compelled to bet more frequently, chasing losses, or betting beyond your financial means. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, it’s vital to seek help. One valuable resource is Gambling Therapy, an online service providing advice and support for anyone affected by gambling. They offer a range of services, including support groups, live chat, and email support, helping individuals navigate through their gambling issues.

    Remember, responsible betting is about making informed and conscious decisions. Always research before placing bets, understand the odds, and be aware of the risks involved, especially with the added volatility of cryptocurrencies. Betting should remain a fun and controlled activity without impacting your personal life, financial stability, or mental health negatively.

    By fostering good betting habits and knowing where to seek help if needed, you can enjoy the thrill of sports betting while ensuring it remains a positive and responsible pastime.

    Photo: Maxim Hopman/Unsplash 

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    PHLSportsNation

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  • OpenAI unveils Sora, an AI-video generator

    OpenAI unveils Sora, an AI-video generator

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    OpenAI unveils Sora, an AI-video generator – CBS News


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    OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, unveiled a new artificial intelligence model called Sora that takes written prompts and creates videos in just a matter of seconds. Cade Metz, technology reporter for the New York Times, joined CBS News to discuss the new product.

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  • Mother Bethel AME Church’s stained glass windows smashed by vandal

    Mother Bethel AME Church’s stained glass windows smashed by vandal

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    A vandal shattered four windows at the historic Mother Bethel AME Church in Society Hill, police say.

    Police found the front-door window smashed, along with three stained glass windows, when they arrived to the church at 419 S. Sixth St. at 9:31 a.m. Monday. No arrests have been made, and no description of the suspect is available at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

    MORE: Francisville fire damages 2 buildings, displaces about 20 people

    A cleaning crew first alerted church officials to the damage on Monday morning. Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, the church’s pastor, does not believe racism or religious intolerance was a factor in the vandalism.

    “I’ve been on the receiving end of that before,” he said. “And generally there’s some kind of messaging to enforce the fact that that’s what people are trying to say. Same with some kind of religious violence. There’s nothing to suggest that, or even anything political. Seems like we were in the wrong place at the wrong time as far as this particular person was concerned.”

    Tyler believes repairs to the windows will cost nearly $20,000. The church is now seeking to upgrade its security system, which could add another $12,000 in fees.

    Mother Bethel AME Church sits on the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by Black people in the U.S. It is the mother church of the African Methodist Episcopal denomination, which was formed in 1816 by the pioneering Philadelphia preacher Richard Allen. The current structure was built in 1890, and was designated a historic landmark in 1974.

    The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia is now fundraising to help cover the repairs, an effort Tyler says was “unexpected and unsolicited.” The windows will be boarded while the church and its supporters work to amass the money.

    Mother Bethel AME Church recently served as the launchpad for a week-long interfaith march from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. Protestors, who departed the church on Feb. 14, are calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. They are expected to arrive at the White House on Wednesday.

    This story has been updated with comments and information from Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler.

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    Kristin Hunt

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  • Flyers Name Sean Couturier Captain – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Flyers Name Sean Couturier Captain – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Last week the Flyers named Sean Couturier as the 20th captain in the history of the Philadelphia Flyers. The 31 year old forward adds his name to the list of great players who have worn the “C” for the orange and black such as Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Eric Lindros, Keith Primeau, and Claude Giroux. The Flyers have been captain less for almost three full seasons after the departure of Claude Giroux at the 2022 trade deadline. Since then the team has been in a rebuild trying to find a new identity. Couturier was sidelined for all of last season with a back injury. And since he returned he has played 52 scoring 11 goals and 22 assists. Couturier was drafted 8th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft and he is the longest current tenure player in the organization. With another 6 years left on his current contract. Additionally the Flyers named Travis Konecny as an alternative captain along with Scott Laughton.

    This past weekend the Flyers played in their sixth outdoor game this time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey against the Devils. The Flyers have only ever won one of their outdoor matchups. That being the 2019 Stadium Series game against the Penguins from Lincoln Financial Field. Where the Flyers came from behind to win 4-3 thanks to a Claude Giroux game winner in overtime. Saturday night’s game it not go the Flyers way once again as they lost 6-3 against the Devils. The Flyers are in a funk of winning several games in a row followed by several losses in a row, until the cycle starts again.

    The Flyers next three games are all on national television starting on Wednesday night in Chicago on TNT. Followed by a weekend doubleheader hosting the Rangers on ESPN followed by a visit to Pittsburgh to play the Penguins on TNT. These long breaks in between games will help the Flyers stay rested as well as letting the teams that have played less games than the Flyers catchup.

    Right now the Flyers have 65 points through 56 games and are sitting 3rd in the metro standings. Carolina is the next team ahead of then with 71 points in 55 games. Followed by the Devils at 60 points and the Islander with 58 points as the first two teams outside of Wildcard spots each having played 54 games.

    (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)

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    Nathan Harding

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