Story update…

“Law enforcement officials on Monday did not have a clear explanation as to how a gaffe of this magnitude — walking back allegations against a sitting elected official the day before an election— could happen.”

w/ Ellie Rushing

inquirer.com/news/philadelp…

'Sheriff Rochelle Bilal describes her office as dangerously underfunded...But when it came to getting a costume made for a newly created office mascot, her staff spared no expense.' inquirer.com/news/sheriffs-… Excellent reporting from William Bender Ryan W Briggs via The Philadelphia Inquirer

wrote about all of the cool fans and fashionistas at Bad Bunny in Philly last night — including tias, sisters, and at least one abuela! my own titi came, too. 🇵🇷🐰 inquirer.com/entertainment/…

Former Philly police officer Edsaul Mendoza today became the first city officer in recent history to face conviction for murder related to a fatal on-duty shooting. From Rodrigo Torrejón and Ellie Rushing: inquirer.com/crime/edsaul-m…

Former Philly cop who shot and killed 12-year-old T.J. Siderio pleads guilty to third-degree murder.

inquirer.com/crime/edsaul-m…

BREAKING: Edsaul Mendoza, the former Philadelphia police officer who shot and killed 12-year-old T.J. Siderio, has pleaded guilty to third degree murder. This is the first city officer to be convicted of murder for an on-duty shooting in recent history inquirer.com/crime/edsaul-m…

Breaking Scoop: Edsaul Mendoza, the former Philadelphia Police Officer who shot and killed 12-year-old Thomas “TJ” Siderio has pleaded guilty to 3rd-degree murder. inquirer.com/crime/edsaul-m… The Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is running for a third term, source say. Krasner has been quiet publicly, but it's a big deal. Over the last 70 years, just one Philly DA has served for more than two terms: Lynne Abraham. w/ Anna Orso inquirer.com/politics/clout…

Senator Menendez, Charged in Bribery Scheme, May Blame His Wife - Tracey Tully and I report. nytimes.com/2024/04/16/nyr…

A Philadelphia police sergeant who was fired after he was accused of strangling his wife, but later reinstated after pleading no contest to lesser charges is suing the city for nearly $100,000.
inquirer.com/news/philadelp…

Here at the Philadelphia Masjid, across from where a Wednesday afternoon shooting sent a joyous Eid Al-fitr celebration into chaos. Religious & community leaders, state, city and law enforcement officials are expected to provide updates on the investigation & decry the violence.

A few weeks ago, Ryan W Briggs and I wrote about how Pennsylvania barely regulates private security, and lets people whose gun licenses were revoked be certified as armed guards inquirer.com/crime/private-…

When Kameenah Bronzell was just 15, she started an Instagram page to honor Philadelphia’s gun violence victims. Then her brother became one.

Read about this angel of a teen and the grief she shoulders from strangers every day, while navigating her own. inquirer.com/crime/inq2/phi…

The body of a man recovered in the Schuylkill over the weekend is that of Ausar Scott-Thomas, a 21-year-old who had been missing for three weeks, according to his father. Ausar's friend, Quadir Diaz, is still missing.
inquirer.com/crime/ausar-sc…

ICYMI: Last year was the worst year for arsons in Philly, with 703 arsons reported. This year is already on track to be worse.Stephen Stirling and I dug into the problem. inquirer.com/crime/arson-ph… The Philadelphia Inquirer

Last year, there were 703 arsons reported in Philadelphia, making it the worst year for the crime in the city in nearly 20 years. This year is already on track to be worse.
Stephen Stirling and I teamed up to look at the problem.
inquirer.com/crime/arson-ph… via The Philadelphia Inquirer

A Bensalem teen faces 15 to 40 years in prison for killing a 12-year-old girl and showing her corpse on Instagram. inquirer.com/crime/instagra…

Julie Jean and Zakkee Alhakim have been convicted of first degree murder. The judge plans on sentencing them shortly to life in prison for the death of Rachel King.

The trial of Julie Jean and Zakkee Alhakim in the death of Rachel King continues today. Yesterday, King’s fiancé described the affair with Jean that prosecutors say inspired her to hire Alhakim to stalk and kill King last spring in front of her son. inquirer.com/crime/rachel-k…

Police say the remains of a child found in a duffel bag in Mantua on Monday could be that of Damari Carter, the 4-year-old who police say was killed by his mother and her boyfriend before his body was discarded nearly four months ago — but never found. inquirer.com/crime/mantua-c…