Kidnap Victim's Family Presses Lawsuit Against Philadelphia School District
The family of the little girl who was abducted from her West Philadelphia kindergarten class continues to pursue legal action against the Philadelphia school district.
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The family of the little girl who was abducted from her West Philadelphia kindergarten class continues to pursue legal action against the Philadelphia school district.
Seven Philadelphia parents say the Pennsylvania Department of Education has violated its duty to look into allegations of "curriculum deficiencies" in Philadelphia schools.
Laurie Friedman, who lives in West Philadlephia, had tears in her eyes as she read letters written by students begging state lawmakers to increase funding for the city's schools.
An agreement is now in place to preserve Septa transportation for thousands of Philadelphia high school students.
With the governor and the School Reform Commission calling on teachers to make concessions, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers' president Jerry Jordan was hearing directly from members about their working conditions.
Cigarette tax money, if it comes, would fill about half of the budget hole. The district is still pushing its teachers union for concessions. Superintendent William Hite says the district is no longer seeking across the board wage cuts.
Pennsylvania schools will have to make room for almost 400 undocumented children this fall. In Delaware more than 100 and in new Jersey, more than 1,500. In all, that's enough to fill nearly 70 classrooms.
Schools superintendent William Hite, standing next to the governor for the announcement, stressed that this early disbursement does not resolve the $81-million funding gap the school district needs to close to avoid layoffs and other serious cuts.
Governor Corbett on Monday failed to convince leaders in the House to meet this month and to vote on a two-dollar-a-pack tax on cigarettes.
The $2-per-pack tax, if passed by the state legislature, was expected to provide about $45 million in funding for the School District of Philadelphia.
The district is inviting principals and teachers to present their own instructional ideas to overhaul Philadelphia schools.
In all, 342 layoff notices are going out. A school district spokeswoman says this is unrelated to the cigarette tax standoff in Harrisburg.
Philadelphia's schools superintendent says if the state legislature doesn't authorize a cigarette tax by the middle of next month, he'll begin sending out pink slips.
Hillary Linardopoulos, of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, said the ballot question would be an important -- albeit symbolic -- statement.
Council president Darrell Clarke said an additional $30 million would serve as a stopgap in case Harrisburg approves a city tax on cigarettes.
Philadelphia school district officials are warning of dire consequences if the city and state don't quickly come through with millions in new funding.
Drexel paid $25 million for the school building, which the district closed last June.
The money comes from a group called the Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia -- from businesses who get Pennsylvania corporate tax credits for contributing.
The report, by the Policy Lab at Children's Hospital, says 17 percent of Philadelphia school students have been involved with DHS or the juvenile justice system, and 20 percent of those in high schools.
The School District of Philadelphia's plan to sell a shuttered high school to Drexel University appears to be a go, and that would mean an infusion of cash for the schools next week as officials struggle to pay the bills by month's end.
But the lawmakers voiced frustration at how the school district conducts its business.
School District of Philadelphia to host its first dramatic stage play ever. The play, presented Saturday at 8pm, is a fictional account of a meeting between civil rights leaders Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.
City Council president Darrell Clarke says the school district's immediate need for $35 million by month's end is a "self-inflicted wound" because the district, in his view, dragged its feet on selling old, shuttered buildings.
Even so, the proposed legislation does not fully meet the district's needs for the coming year.
At a Council hearing this morning, school district COO Fran Burns said seven of the 27 buildings have buyers, and the rest are not likely to bring in as much as had been hoped.
One of Benjamin Franklin's innovations is helping scientists today understand climate change.
An umbrella might be needed in the Philadelphia region Wednesday, but only for a brief time midday as the warm front lifts north.
A 15-year-old boy was shot in the back after walking out of a corner store in Philadelphia's Frankford neighborhood Tuesday night, police said.
Brandon Marsh, Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber homered, Jesús Luzardo pitched seven strong innings and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Miami Marlins 8-2.
A new initiative is turning vacant land in Chester into greener spaces designed to improve neighborhood safety, health and quality of life.
Learn more about Alex Scott, her lemonade stands, and the years-long efforts to help children and their families fight cancer.
A suspect was taken into custody in Philadelphia in connection with the shooting at Wilmington Hospital that left one person dead and another injured, police said.
One of Benjamin Franklin's innovations is helping scientists today understand climate change.
An umbrella might be needed in the Philadelphia region Wednesday, but only for a brief time midday as the warm front lifts north.
A 15-year-old boy was shot in the back after walking out of a corner store in Philadelphia's Frankford neighborhood Tuesday night, police said.
A 15-year-old boy was shot in the back after walking out of a corner store in Philadelphia's Frankford neighborhood Tuesday night, police said.
A new initiative is turning vacant land in Chester into greener spaces designed to improve neighborhood safety, health and quality of life.
The Garibaldi family has raised $860,000 for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation in honor of their daughter, Lucy.
John Ohler Jr. allegedly secretly recorded videos of people in public places and created AI-generated sexual videos of many people, including minors.
One of the Philadelphia police officers who was shot in Wynnefield over the weekend was released from the hospital.
Teo Solari, who's helping team Haiti prepare for the World Cup, has a family soccer legacy at Stockton University.
Stein Your Florist Co. is closing its storefront in Philadelphia's Mayfair-Tacony neighborhood and consolidating all business at its location in Burlington, New Jersey.
A teenager riding an electronic bike was killed after being hit by a UPS truck in Southampton Township, New Jersey State Police said Tuesday.
Paul Robbins, the last known living World War II crewmember, returned to the Battleship New Jersey for an emotional homecoming Monday.
The FBI is investigating after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was struck by a vehicle and then opened fire in New Jersey on Monday morning.
A suspect was taken into custody in Philadelphia in connection with the shooting at Wilmington Hospital that left one person dead and another injured, police said.
Despite being burned in a fire last month, Mother African Union Church in Wilmington is preserving the past and shaping the future.
One person was found dead in a Delaware home where a fire broke out overnight, officials say.
While city crews cleared the encampments at Christina Park in Wilmington, demonstrators said that it won't solve the problem.
A child and a teen were shot Sunday evening in Wilmington, Delaware, police say.
Alex Scott's wish was that her lemonade stands could help raise money to find cancer treatments and cures, and that's what's happening.
Cooper's LGBTQ+ clinic in Collingswood, New Jersey, is empowering the community to get the best inclusive healthcare possible.
Dr. Peter Stafford was working with a missionary group in the Congo when he came down with the virus last month.
A star high school lacrosse player in Delaware is back on the field after a mysterious condition in his jaw turned out to be something much more serious.
Researchers at Penn Medicine say the revolutionary cancer treatment CAR-T therapy may also help patients with kidney failure.
Target is voluntarily recalling two types of baby wipes due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with bacteria that may cause "serious and life-threatening infections," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday.
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board says it will begin approving the extended-hours permits for Philadelphia businesses within the next week.
Two top-rated and critically acclaimed restaurants in the Philadelphia area are receiving a new honor.
Sportswear brand Mitchell & Ness is opening a new three-story flagship store in Center City Philadelphia.
Caesars Entertainment is being acquired for almost $6 billion by Fertitta, the company that owns Las Vegas' Golden Nugget and chains like Rainforest Cafe and Morton's.
Organizers say they want the FIFA Fan Festival in Philadelphia to be "soccer Coachella" for fans from around the world.
SEPTA says it's making improvements to the train station in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.
A new website helps visitors and residents check traffic conditions before heading to events in Philadelphia this summer.
PennDOT is replacing a bridge built in 1950 that carries State Road across the Darby Creek, linking Upper Darby and Springfield townships.
SEPTA's South Broad Concourse links 15th/City Hall and Walnut-Locust stations and reopened after being closed for six years.
Brandon Marsh, Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber homered, Jesús Luzardo pitched seven strong innings and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Miami Marlins 8-2.
Teo Solari, who's helping team Haiti prepare for the World Cup, has a family soccer legacy at Stockton University.
The Flyers acquired Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit in a surprise four-player trade with the Maple Leafs ahead of the 2026 NHL draft.
Former NHL player Kyle Calder has died at age 47. The Alberta native spent a majority of his 10 years in the league with Chicago and also played for Philadelphia, Detroit, Los Angeles and Anaheim.
Zack Wheeler struck out nine in six scoreless innings of two-hit ball, Gabriel Rincones Jr. homered for his first career hit and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Miami Marlins 7-0 on Monday.
"The Sound of America," an original production set to world-premiere July 1 at FringeArts, reimagines Benjamin Franklin's life as a rock-and-roll spectacle.
Taylor Swift became the youngest woman ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame Thursday night, at the age of 36.
Taylor Swift attended Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
The Godmother of Soul — Philly's own Patti LaBelle — received a Lifetime Achievement Award during the college's Rhythm and RISE celebration.
"Schmigadoon!" — which was tied for the most nominations, with 12 — won Best Musical, and "Liberation" took home the honor of Best Play at the 2026 Tony Awards.
Ukee Washington reports.
Natasha Brown reports.
Natasha Brown reports.
Natasha Brown reports.
Ukee Washington reports.
Middle school students in Philadelphia got the opportunity to do hands-on learning during the school district's five-day career and technical camp.
With her Girl Talk mentoring program, one Philadelphia teen turned her camp days into a safe space to discuss social issues young girls face every day.
Recent high school graduate Sylvain Farrell says his temporary position at a local clinic is the pathway to a full-time career.
A Philadelphia student won an award from NFL Films for his documentary on bringing back sports teams at his Kensington school.
A group of East Norriton eighth graders took what started as an Earth Day project and made a whole initiative.
A teenage driver is in critical condition and another person was killed in a crash in Philadelphia's Tacony neighborhood.
Despite living and walking the streets of Philadelphia 250 years ago, research conducted by America's Founding Fathers continues to play a pivotal role in helping scientists understand how the Earth's climate is changing.
Wednesday is quiet but getting more humid, and then we could see some showers or storms Thursday or Friday in the Philadelphia area. NEXT Weather Meteorologist Kate Bilo has the latest forecast.
The Associated Press reports details have been leaked of a possible deal between Iran and the U.S. to end the war. Under the terms, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and be allowed to sell oil freely. Josh Sanders has the latest from the Pulse Desk.
Police are searching for a shooter after a 15-year-old was shot in the back in Philadelphia's Frankford neighborhood.