Philadelphia’s nonprofit Senior Law Center has taken over two of the programs that the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) operated before it abruptly shut down around Thanksgiving.
The Senior Law Center said this week in an email to supporters that it will continue CARIE’s work to support elderly crime victims under a two-year contract with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
That contract is for $462,094 per year and has been reassigned to the Senior Law Center. The Senior Law Center has hired four of the five CARIE employees who were involved in that work. The fifth person had already accepted another job, a Senior Law Center spokesperson said.
Kathy Cubit, CARIE’s former advocacy director, has moved to the Senior Law Center, where she will continue her work on health equity and long-term care. Cubit chairs a group that monitors Pennsylvania’s implementation and development of Medicaid programs.
CARIE listed 26 employees on its website the week before it closed. Few details were available on why CARIE closed after nearly 50 years. Much of its work involved long-term care ombudsman services for the elderly in most of Philadelphia and in Montgomery County. It lost both of those contracts.
The Eagles travel to face the Washington Commanders in a Week 16 matchup at Northwest Stadium on Saturday at 5 p.m. Here’s what you need to know about the game:
When the Eagles have the ball: I feel like I keep referring to various Eagles opponents as having one of the worst defenses in the NFL, but that label once again applies this week. The Commanders have been poor for most of their now-lost season. Coach Dan Quinn took over play-calling last month, and there’s been marginal improvement, but this is an old and battered unit that lacks elite talent at almost every position. The Eagles should have the chance to build some offensive momentum and do so against a scheme that has similarities to last week’s opponent, the Raiders. Quinn has evolved some since working under Las Vegas coach Pete Carroll in Seattle, but he won’t sacrifice numbers in coverage, even if his defense has struggled to stop the run.
Saquon Barkley gave Washington big problems in three meetings with the Commanders last season, collecting 414 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
The Eagles bullied the Commanders on the ground last season, rushing for 668 yards and 12 touchdowns in their three meetings. Washington’s front office addressed its deficiencies up the middle, but the initial criticism directed at signing free agent Javon Kinlaw has proven to be warranted. The defensive tackle hasn’t done much to improve a run defense that’s allowing 4.7 yards per carry and ranks 26th in the league in expected points added (EPA) per rush. The Eagles clearly should lean into the run game, especially more from under center to further establish an identity that the offense has been lacking for most of the season. That might mean more two- and three-tight end sets, and more of the overwhelmed Grant Calcaterra. But it would force Quinn into more base personnel — something he doesn’t want. Also, an uptick in snaps for blocking stud Cameron Latu (stinger) would be a net positive, assuming he’s active.
The Eagles didn’t throw much from under center vs. the Raiders. But when Jalen Hurts did, he was effective, completing all four passes for 66 yards. The offense has been at its best when the play-action game has been featured. Coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo need to increase their usage because Hurts can’t operate consistently in the straight drop-back world. The Commanders are actually worse vs. the pass than the run, at least statistically. They rank last in EPA/per drop-back and 29th in success rate. Injuries haven’t helped. Three of Washington’s edge rushers (Dorance Armstrong, Deatrich Wise, and Javontae Jean-Baptiste) and two of its cornerbacks (Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos) are on injured reserve.
Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner remains one of the top players on the defense.
The Commanders’ two best defenders might be their two oldest players: edge rusher Von Miller and linebacker Bobby Wagner. Miller still lines up predominantly over the right tackle, but he won’t see longtime foe Lane Johnson. Fred Johnson gets his fifth straight start as the Eagles slow-play the other Johnson’s return until likely the playoffs. Wagner may be Washington’s only above-average run defender. But the future Hall of Famer has clearly lost a step and is exploitable in coverage. Linebacker Frankie Luvu is just as susceptible through the air. He’s allowed 34 catches on 36 targets for 294 yards and four touchdowns. Luvu, who knocked Hurts out of last year’s meeting in Landover, Md., also has a 19.3% missed tackle rate, per Pro Football Focus. It could be another red-letter day for Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert.
When the Commanders have the ball: Washington has been more competent on offense than on defense, even without quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was officially shut down for the season. Replacement Marcus Mariota may be only 2-5 as a starter with wins over the lowly Raiders and Giants, but he’s more dangerous than the backup the Eagles faced last week, Kenny Pickett. Mariota’s legs present a challenge to a defense that hasn’t handled the quarterback run game that well. He’s rushed 49 times for 298 yards, with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury dialing up long gains on designed runs. Mariota can scramble, too, so the Eagles will need to contain their rush and spy him at times.
The Commanders don’t go three-and-out much, partly because they have an efficient ground attack. Mariota helps open lanes for a triumvirate of running backs — Jacory Croskey-Merritt (4.5 yards per carry), Chris Rodriguez, Jr. (4.6), and Jeremy McNichols (5.3) — who are better than the league average on their rushes. Vic Fangio’s defense has been better against the run since the Bears disaster, despite having the highest light box rate (60.4) in the NFL, per NextGen Stats. He may need to employ his base five-man front more than normal vs. Washington’s heavy sets. But tight end Zach Ertz’s season-ending knee injury might decrease the Commanders’ 12 and 13 personnel usage.
Ertz (50 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns) was having another solid season. His absence creates a void over the middle. The Commanders still have two receivers — the versatile Deebo Samuel and the always-dangerous Terry McLaurin — who will command attention. Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell has been lining up more on the boundary (or short) side of the field, but it may make sense to have him trail McLaurin. If you think the Eagles offense doesn’t utilize under-center enough, just look at the Commanders. They do it less than anyone in the league (8%) and barely throw off it (14%). Kingsbury does use a lot of play action from the pistol, though.
As former Eagles backups go, give 2023 backup Marcus Mariota the edge over 2024 backup Kenny Pickett.
And that’s typically when Mariota takes his shots downfield. He airs it out as much as any quarterback (10.2 yards per attempt), but ranks only 28th in 20-plus yard success rate. He might not have as much time in the pocket with left tackle Laremy Tunsil, Washington’s best offensive lineman, out for Saturday. Brandon Coleman will step back into the position he lost when Tunsil was acquired last offseason.
Extra point: I’m not ready to say that the Eagles have solved all their offensive issues, especially after demolishing the woeful Raiders, but they have made strides since Sirianni stuck his beak more into the overall operation two weeks ago. Receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith may not love the return to run-heavy play-calling. But having Hurts drop 70% of the time, as he did over a five-game stretch since the bye, wasn’t sustainable. More under center, diversity in the plays, and Hurts on designed runs should be the formula.
That doesn’t mean the pass offense should be dormant. Quinn doesn’t use as much Cover 3 as Carroll, but he will play a fair amount of single-high safety-man coverage. And he will blitz about 26% of the time. Brown and Smith should have opportunities vs. cornerbacks Mike Sainristil, Noah Igbinoghene, and Antonio Hamilton. I expect early success on the ground will lead to shots won downfield.
As for Washington’s offense, it turns the ball over at a high clip (20 total turnovers), and the Commanders are last in the NFL in fumble rate. Mariota has three lost fumbles, and the running backs collectively have four. I think the Eagles will take the ball away a few times. And as long as they win the turnover battle, I see a victory. It might not be the cakewalk some have predicted, but despite all the outside dissatisfaction about the team this season, the Eagles exit FedEx with a second straight division crown.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker marked the halfway point of her term as mayor Friday by portraying the city as safer and more stable than when she took office two years ago, pointing to metrics like the plummeting homicide rate and cleaner streets.
During her second end-of-year State of the City speech, Parker also briefly acknowledged challenges she faced this past year, including the eight-day city worker strike and a spat with City Council over her signature housing plan.
And she outlined a plan to address rising street homelessness heading into 2026, when the city will host several major events expected to draw more than a million visitors.
Parker outlined a plan to address rising street homelessness heading into 2026, when the city will host several major events expected to draw millions of visitors, during her end-of-year speech at Temple University Friday.
“I am here today to proudly report to all of you,” she said, “that the state of our city is strong and good, and we are moving in the right direction.”
Parker’s announcement to add 1,000 shelter slots to the city’s system was a stark reminder that — despite progress on public safety and a coming year ripe with opportunity for tourism and growth — some of the city’s longest-term challenges remain unresolved.
And after the mayor this year unveiled a long-awaited plan to build thousands of units of housing in the city, she hit roadblocks in City Council, where members rejected her vision to bolster the middle class in favor of a plan that prioritizes the poorest Philadelphians.
Still, Parker and members of her administration struck an optimistic tone Friday. During the highly produced event, top officials repeatedly proclaimed that the “state of the city” is strong, and they thanked municipal employees in attendance, like police officers and sanitation workers.
Parker’s State of the City address last year was Philadelphia’s first. Traditionally, the mayor’s March budget address to Council was seen as the city’s version of the presidential State of the Union speech in Congress. Parker plans to make the December event an annual tradition as well.
Here are three takeaways from Parker’s speech Friday in North Philadelphia:
A homelessness plan is in the works for 2026
In the middle of her speech, Parker signed an executive order on stage, directing city departments to add 1,000 new beds to the existing shelter system by Jan. 31. That would represent a 35% increase in the number of beds citywide.
The move comes as city data shows homelessness in the city is rising. There were 1,178 unsheltered people in Philadelphia this year, a 20% increase over last year and the highest number recorded since at least 2018, according to city data.
In total, 5,516 people were considered homeless, a number that includes people who live in emergency shelters, are couch surfing, or otherwise lack an adequate nighttime residence. That number is up slightly from 5,191 last year.
Parker’s executive order directs city agencies to increase outreach efforts to people living on the streets and to collaborate with the Philadelphia Housing Authority to move people from shelters to more stable housing.
“We are seeking long-term solutions,” she said, “Solutions that will not only provide an expanded quality shelter system, but with more beds in safe, clean, and welcoming environments.”
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker holds up executive order ending street homelessness.
30,000-unit housing plan swells to 50,000
The mayor’s second year in office was in part defined by her plan to build, repair, or preserve 30,000 units of housing. In March, she unveiled her Housing Opportunities Made Easy, or H.O.M.E., plan, funded by $800 million in bonds.
Parker made clear that her plan would be aimed at uplifting the middle class and often vowed never to pit “the have-nots against the have-a-little-bits.” But City Council this month advanced its own version of the proposal, rejecting Parker’s vision and directing more resources to the poorest Philadelphians.
It was the most significant break between Parker and the legislative branch of her tenure. But the mayor on Friday defended her strategy, saying the middle class should not be asked to wait for access to housing programs.
“You want me to tell you why we shouldn’t tell them to wait?” she said. “Because when I knocked on their doors and asked for their votes — and we’re running for reelection — we don’t ask them to wait.”
Of Council’s 17 members, just four attended Parker’s speech Friday: Anthony Phillips, a close ally, as well as Rue Landau, Jamie Gauthier, and Nicolas O’Rourke — three progressives who led the effort to amend her housing plan. They sat in the front row.
Parker struck a conciliatory tone, saying: “We will work together to press forward together, and we won’t let petty politics get in the way of us moving Philadelphia forward.”
The mayor also made clear Friday that her 30,000-unit benchmark is separate from a plan being advanced by the Philadelphia Housing Authority, which is pursuing an ambitious expansion plan that Parker said would add an additional 20,000 units of affordable housing.
“When you add our H.O.M.E. goal of 30,000 units with that 20,000, those are 50,000 units of housing,” Parker said, “and we shouldn’t have to leave any neighborhood behind.”
On Friday, Parker touted her administration’s work negotiating new contracts this year for almost all of the city’s major municipal unions. She acknowledged, but didn’t dwell on, the strike by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33.
“We did have to endure an eight-day work stoppage,” she said. “But guess what we did? In true Philadelphia fashion … we got through it. It wasn’t easy, but we persevered together, and we found common ground, and we reached a fair and fiscally responsible agreement with both District Council 33 and District Council 47.”
DC 33, the largest and lowest-paid union for city workers, called the strike when their previous contract expired at 12:01 a.m. July 1, the first minute the union was legally allowed to walk off the job. Union president Greg Boulware promised his members wouldn’t return to work unless they won raises of 5% per year.
Boulware eventually called off the strike and accepted a contract with raises of 3% per year, which is close to Parker’s last offer before the strike. The deal also included $1,500 onetime bonuses for the union’s roughly 9,000 members and the addition of a fifth step in the DC 33 pay scale, a benefit for veteran employees.
Parker also defended the city’s treatment of DC 33 under her tenure. Repeating an administration talking point from the strike, Parker noted that the union’s accumulated pay increases — combining raises the union won in a one-year contract during Parker’s first year with the increases included in the new three-year deal — will be higher in her first term than under any other mayoral term since the 1990s.
“Just for the record, I also need to affirm — because sometimes people [create] revisionist history — I want to be clear that they were historic pay increases for our city workers,” Parker said. “It’s the largest in one term from any Philadelphia mayor over 30 years.”
It’s a short(-ish) week for the Eagles, who are set for the NFL’s first Saturday slate of the year, and with another NFC East title on the line.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Eagles-Commanders game…
How to watch
The game will kick off on Fox from Northwest Stadium at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Joe Davis and Greg Olsen will call the game from the booth, with Pam Oliver on the sideline.
If you’d rather listen to Merrill Reese and Mike Quick call the game, the radio broadcast can be found on 94.1 WIP, and if you want to watch the game with your fellow Birds fans, here are a few spots to check out.
Final Week 16 injury report
The Eagles ruled out Lane Johnson (foot) and Jalen Carter (shoulders) for Saturday’s game against the Commanders. Neither player practiced all week.
Tight end Cam Latu (stinger) and offensive tackle Cameron Williams (shoulder; injured reserve) are listed as questionable to play.
The battered Commanders, meanwhile, issued a lengthy injury report on Thursday.
The Eagles are 6.5-point favorites at DraftKings and FanDuel, with the total set at 44.5 points at both sportsbooks. For more betting props, check out our betting guide here.
It could help the Eagles in the seeding picture if the Packers overtake the Bears in the NFC North.
Eagles playoff picture
The Birds can clinch a playoff berth with a win or Cowboys loss this week. The Eagles have the NFC East nearly locked up — in order to lose the division to the Cowboys, the team would need to lose all three remaining games, and the Cowboys would need to win all three.
In the conference standings, the Birds are in third, one game back of the Chicago Bears and 2½ games back of the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks (12-3) overtook the Rams (11-4) with a win over L.A. on Thursday night. The Eagles and Packers both have nine wins, but the Packers have one tie on their record. If the Packers manage to overtake the Bears, the Eagles do own the tiebreaker against them.
Story lines to watch
Can the Eagles continue to cruise against a bad team?
The Commanders haven’t followed up their NFC Championship game appearance the way they hoped. Jayden Daniels is shut down for the year because of injury, and the Commanders sit at a dismal 4-10. It’s the second game in a row where the Birds will face one of their former backups, with Marcus Mariota set to start for Washington.
The Eagles took care of business against the Raiders, shutting out Las Vegas in the second-shortest game in recorded NFL history. Going for the record this week?
1: The Eagles’ magic number to clinch a playoff berth
Our Eagles vs. Commanders predictions
Here’s how our beat writers are predicting Saturday’s game:
Jeff McLane: “[Marcus] Mariota has three lost fumbles and the running backs collectively have four. I think the Eagles will take the ball away a few times. And as long as they win the turnover battle, I see a victory. It might not be the cakewalk some have predicted, but despite all the outside dissatisfaction about the team this season, the Eagles exit Northwest Stadium with a second straight division crown. Eagles 30, Commanders 20
Olivia Reiner: “The big question facing the Eagles offense going forward: Can it sustain the success it established in the win over the Raiders? The Eagles ought to have a good chance of doing so against the Commanders in two of their final three games. Even with Dan Quinn taking over the defensive coordinator duties, Washington still has struggled against the pass and the run.” Eagles 28, Commanders 20.
Jeff Neiburg: But the Eagles should be ready to pounce Saturday. They’re facing another team starting a backup quarterback. They’re facing an even worse defense than the one they beat up on Sunday. And they can clinch the NFC East with a victory. It’s hard to envision that not happening Saturday night. Eagles 27, Commanders 13.
National media predictions
Here’s how the national media is predicting Saturday’s game.
What we’re saying about the Eagles
Here’s a look at the latest from our columnists, starting with Mike Sielski, who broke down why the Eagles are about to win the NFC East again.
Sielski: Whatever crises the Eagles might be undergoing are framed through a different lens from any other team in the division. They judge themselves and are judged by the answer to one question: Are we good enough to win the Super Bowl? Their divisional foes’ standard has not been quite as high: Are we good enough to keep from embarrassing ourselves again?
Marcus Hayes: “Which brings us to the 9-5 Eagles, who, contrary to much of the commentary and punditry, are nearing the end of a very good season. Saquon Barkley isn’t going to break rushing records this season, and the passing game hasn’t equaled its pedigree, and the defense won’t finish ranked No. 1, but none of that matters. What matters is who they beat, who they lost to, and where they stand.”
What the Commanders are saying about the Eagles
This year’s Commanders team has been struggling mightily compared to last year, which made the NFC Championship game. But coach Dan Quinn is still taking things away from their three matchups last year.
“Playing against us last year in the three games, they were exceptional at taking the ball away,” Quinn said. “I thought that was the biggest deal for us. … And offensively, I thought from a line standpoint, the size, the movement, the pulling, Jeff Stoutland is one of the best there is in the offensive line spot. … I think it’s a good balance of what they have from the run game and the shots down the field with Jalen [Hurts]. Those are kind of the yin and yang of a good offense.”
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury: “It’s certainly a tough matchup. They’ve been playing at a super high level, defensively. I think they gave up less than 90 yards last week against Las Vegas. So, it’s going to be a great challenge. They can roll in five, six guys deep that all play at a pretty high level. They can rush the passer, can stop the run. So, you got to be creative in how you attack them and we’ll have our hands full, there’s no doubt.”
Quarterback Marcus Mariota: “[They have] a great defense, Vic [Fangio] got them playing really well. You can talk about every single player on that front and on the back end. They’re great players. Being there for a year and being around those guys, it’ll be fun to play against some of those old friends. I’m looking forward to it. It’s always a great atmosphere to play Philly. It’ll be a fun game on Saturday.”
What else we’re reading (and watching)
🎁 Saquon Barkley’s foundation hosts toy drive for local children
🏈 Jalen Hurts gave a fan a touchdown ball. What happened next led to a lawsuit.
California biotech BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. will pay $4.8 billion in cash for Amicus Therapeutics, a Princeton rare-disease company with a presence in Philadelphia, the two publicly traded companies announced Friday.
The acquisition of Amicus, expected to be completed in the second quarter of next year, will give BioMarin treatments for rare genetic diseases that generated $599 million in revenue over the last 12 months, according to BioMarin, which is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Amicus has a treatment for Fabry disease, which is caused by a genetic mutation that allows fatty waste to build up in the body, damaging tissues and organs, according the BioMarin. The second treatment is for late-onset Pompe disease, which is an inherited genetic condition that causes muscle weakness that worsens over time.
BioMarin CEO Alexander Hardy said on a webcast about the deal that both of those treatments have the potential to reach $1 billion in global sales. BioMarin had $2.85 billion in revenue last year, compared to $528 million at Amicus.
The Philadelphia tie
In 2019, Amicus established its Global Research and Gene Therapy Center of Excellence at 3675 Market St. in University City, saying at the time that the facility would employ 200 people eventually. The company’s website now lists the location as its Research Center of Excellence.
Amicus now has 12 people in its Philadelphia office, a spokesperson said Friday.
John Crowley, chief executive of Amicus at the time, liked to call Philadelphia the “Cradle of Cures,” a name that hasn’t stuck. Crowley is now president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), a biotech trade organization in Washington.
In a move that saved nearly $7 million to help address other needs (re-signing J.T. Realmuto?) — and may have been spurred by an increasingly strained relationship between the team and pitcher — the Phillies traded Strahm to the Royals on Friday for right-handed reliever Jonathan Bowlan.
“Matt’s done a nice, solid job for us,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. “He’s been a good part of our ballclub. We’re in a spot though, with three left-handers, we didn’t necessarily think we needed all three.”
Indeed, with José Alvarado’s return from an 80-game drug suspension and the emergence this year of late-blooming Tanner Banks, the Phillies have two late-inning lefties to pair with star closer Jhoan Duran, newly signed Brad Keller, and Orion Kerkering from the right side.
(They also traded for sidearming lefty Kyle Backhus from the Diamondbacks on Friday for minor league outfielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu. Backhus has minor league options and represents bullpen depth.)
The Phillies acquired righty reliever Jonathan Bowlan from the Royals on Friday.
So, although Strahm had a 2.71 ERA in 188 appearances since 2023, including a 2.74 mark in 66 games this year, the Phillies were comfortable with reapportioning $7.5 million salary for 2026, especially after signing Keller this week to a two-year, $22 million deal. Bowlan, 29, will make slightly more than the $780,000 major league minimum.
The Phillies began getting calls on all three lefty relievers early in the offseason, according to a major league source. They were most willing to listen on Strahm.
Because while Strahm was durable and versatile (10 starts in 2023), he faltered in each of the last two postseasons. He allowed four runs in two innings over three games against the Mets in the 2024 divisional round, then allowed Teoscar Hernández’s go-ahead three-run homer in Game 1 this year against the Dodgers.
Strahm was a veteran leader in the bullpen. But there were hints that the outspoken 34-year-old might have begun to overstep. For example, after Kerkering’s season-ending errant throw in Game 4 at Dodger Stadium, Strahm told reporters that he wished he pushed the Phillies to put their pitchers through more rigorous fielding practice.
Dombrowski pushed back on that idea in his end-of-season news conference.
“We did plenty,” Dombrowski said. “Actually, as it turns out, we did do [pitcher fielding practice] in the postseason. He didn’t do them. But we did them.”
After the trade, Dombrowski denied any issues with Strahm.
“I can’t speak for others in our situation, but if Matt would have come back with us, we’d have felt very comfortable,” he said. “I’ve always had a good relationship with him. I loved talking to his wife and his daughter. That’s from my perspective.”
Bowlan has a spot in the season-opening bullpen, alongside Duran, Keller, Alvarado, Kerkering, and Banks. He posted a 3.86 ERA in 34 appearances for the Royals and held right-handed hitters to a .182 average.
“When we look at him, not a real well-known guy, but somebody that we think can contribute to us on a strong basis from the right-hand side,” Dombrowski said. “And of course, he doesn’t have to pitch the eighth or ninth for us. We can kind of gradually work him into different situations.”
Asked for an update on free agent J.T. Realmuto, Dave Dombrowski said the situation hasn’t “changed very much.”
The Phillies could look at Rule 5 selection Zach McCambley and a group of optionable relievers — Backhus, Seth Johnson, Max Lazar, and newcomer Yoniel Curet — to cycle through the last two spots in the bullpen. With two vacancies on the 40-man roster, they continue to seek depth for the bullpen and starting rotation.
But the No. 1 priority remains bringing back Realmuto. MLB.com reported that the Phillies have an offer on the table. But it’s possible Realmuto is trying to get a guaranteed third year.
“We would love to re-sign him,” Dombrowski said. “But [the situation] really hasn’t changed very much.”
In jettisoning Strahm, the Phillies might have freed up a few extra dollars. They still have approximately $299 million in 2026 payroll commitments, as calculated for the luxury tax. They’re expected to stay within range of the 2025 payroll, which came in at roughly $312 million, over the fourth (and highest) tax threshold.
Extra bases
Dombrowski said the Phillies “continue to work through some details” in hiring Don Mattingly to be the bench coach. Mattingly is the leading candidate for the job, which opened after the postseason when Mike Calitri moved into a newly created role of major league field coordinator. … The Phillies intend to replace assistant general manager Ani Kilambi, hired away this week as GM of the Washington Nationals. Kilambi led the data and analytics arm of Dombrowski’s front office.
The Flyers return to the ice on Saturday against the New York Rangers (12:30 p.m.), but there will be a different voice on the call for the team’s radio broadcast on flagship station 97.5 The Fanatic.
That’s because the Flyers and 97.5 have suspended play-by-play man Tim Saunders for two games after he made an inappropriate comment during the broadcast of Thursday’s Flyers-Sabres game. The comment, a lewd joke which was sexual in nature, was aimed at color analyst and former Flyer, Todd Fedoruk. It came during a TV timeout in the third period, when Saunders believed he was no longer live on the air but was picked up by a hot mic.
The Flyers announced the suspension with an official statement via X on Friday morning:
“We are aware of the inappropriate comment made during last night’s radio broadcast in the TV timeout of the Flyers-Sabres game.
“These remarks do not reflect the standards of conduct or values we expect from anyone associated with our organization.
“Effective immediately, the Flyers, along with our radio partners, 97.5 The Fanatic, have issued a two-game suspension while we address this matter with all parties involved.
“We take this matter very seriously, and sincerely apologize to our listeners, fans, and all those affected by these comments.”
“During last night’s game in Buffalo, I made an error in judgment with my comments that were made when I thought we were in a commercial break. I recognize how offensive my remarks were, and the harm it has caused.
“I take full responsibility and sincerely apologize to the Flyers, 97.5 The Fanatic and all those affected by my remarks.
“To all Flyers fans and listeners of our broadcast, I promise that I will hold myself to a higher standard moving forward to ensure our broadcast is a safe and respectful place everyone can enjoy.”
If the suspension remains at two games, Saunders, who has called the Flyers’ games on the radio since 1997, would be eligible to return to the airwaves on Tuesday for the game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Berndt, 43, was a part of an online chat group in which people discussed and shared videos of tortured animals, according to Department of Justice court filings. Among the chat’s participants, Berndt’s “focus on the most grotesque forms of torture was unsurpassed.”
“Over and over again, Berndt expressed a desire for more extreme torture that resulted in more pain, experienced over a longer period of time,” prosecutors told the judge.
Messages from the chat are included in DOJ’s sentencing memo, and show Berndt’s enthusiasm over a video of a rat burning. Despite calling the footage “awesome,” he had suggestions on how to make the torture even crueler.
“Like I want to see them maimed and miserable,” Berndt wrote under the alias Requiem Rhythm. “Killing them is great, of course, but it puts an end to it while I want them to suffer longer.”
When the group discussed monkeys, Berndt expressed his desire for the tormentors to inflict more pain and focus on the primates’ genitalia.
Berndt and his chat-mates actively commissioned footage of the torture. They’d contact so-called videographers, usually in Indonesia, who would torture monkeys following specific requests — some for as little as $10 a video.
The monkeys in videos reviewed by DOJ were long-tailed macaques, which are native to Southeast Asia.
Berndt and a co-conspirator even discussed the possibility of buying a baby monkey that was advertised for sale, DOJ said in court filings. The two daydreamed about meeting up to torture the youngster together in real life.
“Hahah you would be welcome to visit and hang out,” Berndt said in a message to his co-conspirator, according to court records. “Like watching surgical theater.”
The baby monkey that Robert Berndt and his co-conspiracy discussed purchasing to torture.
Prosecutors from DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division indicted Berndt in April and he pleaded guilty in May to a felony count of conspiring to create and distribute in videos depicting animal crush videos, the legal term for causing a non-human mammal serious bodily injury. Five other co-conspirators from the chat group were indicted, at least two of whom were sentenced to serve time in prison.
Berndt’s attorney and DOJ did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ahead of his sentencing, Berndt’s family members pleaded with the judge to not exceed the sentencing guidelines. which provide a range of 37 to 46 months of imprisonment.
The letters and Berndt’s attorney’s sentencing memo paint a picture of a man who loved animals and was dependable whenever his loved ones needed him in the past. But Berndt changed following a sexual assault and opioid addiction, the filings say.
Family members say that Berndt became manic and treated those who loved him as enemies. He became isolated, paranoid, and drank alcohol excessively.
By 2021, most of Berndt’s social interactions were through online chat rooms, according to his attorney’s memo. He sought the approval of his new friends by escalating his rhetoric.
“His acceptance and sense of validation with the group seemed to increase when he said more and more violent and troubling things,” his attorney told the judge.
But DOJ prosecutors rebuffed the idea that Berndt was merely a follower, and note that he only stopped his engagement in the groups after he was contacted by law enforcement in 2024.
“Berndt was personally responsible for creating some of the groups, establishing the rules of behavior within the groups, and then enforcing those rules after perceived violations,” prosecutors said in a sentencing memo.
Judge Edmund Sargus Jr., of the Southern District of Ohio, sentenced Berndt to 38 months of imprisonment followed by three years of probation.
Temple entered halftime against Davidson on Thursday with a 13-point lead and was looking to earn its third straight win.
Instead the Owls (7-5) went quiet, and it didn’t take long for their lead to dwindle.
Down by four with 35 seconds remaining, Davidson (8-3) had the chance to send the game into overtime or even win it when guard Parker Friedrichsen launched a three-pointer.
However, it ricocheted off the rim and went into the hands of forward Ian Platteeuw for the offensive rebound. Plattueew tried to give it to guard Roberts Blums, but it went over his head and into the back court. Blums corralled it and tried to call a time out with 19 seconds left. The only issue was that the Wildcats had none left.
A technical foul was called, and Temple drilled its free throws to seal a 68-63 road win.
Next up, Temple will host Princeton (3-10) for the second time this season in its nonconference finale on Monday (7 p.m., ESPN+).
Showing their depth
Temple has been without guard AJ Smith, who’s dealing with a shoulder injury and missed his third straight game. But he wasn’t the only player sidelined with an injury. The Owls were without guards Masiah Gilyard and Gavin Griffiths due to lower body injuries.
Their absences gave freshmen Ayuba Bryant Jr. and Cam Wallace bigger roles. Bryant earned his first career start, while Wallace saw 23 minutes of action and finished with 9 points, with 8 coming in the first half.
The Owls’ depth allowed guards Derrian Ford (23 points), Aiden Tobiason (19), and Jordan Mason (14) to lead the way in scoring.
Turning to old habits
Temple’s first-half success came from forcing Davidson to take low percentage shots. However, both sides of the ball started to collapse after halftime, and the Wildcats took advantage.
Blums and Platteeuw were the main beneficiaries. The two combined for 23 points.
Instead of making an extra pass, Temple relied on hero ball and played in isolation. The Owls finished with just five assists, after compiling 48 in the past two games.
They also shot 39.1% from the floor, and the Owls had a seven minute scoring drought in the second half, as the Wildcats went on a 13-0 run.
Part of their struggles stemmed from not having Griffith on the floor. The guard, who is third on the team in scoring with 10.9 points, leads Temple in three-pointers. On Thursday, the Owls made six of 19 attempts from deep.
Tobiason provides a lift
As Davidson crawled back, Temple’s offense fizzled and relied on its free-throw shooting, where the Owls made 26 of 33 attempts.
Ford was the main beneficiary, as his late free throws helped Temple keep Davidson at arm’s length. However, it was Tobiason who gave the offense some life.
Aiden Tobiason delivers in the clutch with a cold-blooded step-back. ❄️🔥
He made a layup to give Temple its first field goal in nearly nine minutes to push the lead to four. A few possessions later, he drilled a three-pointer to make it a six-point game. Then he swished a step back as the lead grew to 10.
The Wildcats continued to counter, but Tobiason had a rebuttal. He got a layup in the waning seconds that all but sealed the deal. Nine of his 19 points came in the final 10 minutes.
BUFFALO — The Flyers were handed a 5-3 loss by the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, a team that just fired its general manager and may make a coaching move soon.
They came out hard but still trailed, and while they tied the game and even took the lead at one point, they eventually sputtered and lost.
Here are two things to know from Western New York:
Special teams struggled again
The Flyers had three power-play opportunities but were unable to put one past former Flyers goalie Alex Lyon. According to Natural Stat Trick, they had 12 chances, including four shots on goal; the four shots came on the first two power plays.
The last man advantage was in the third period, with the Flyers down a goal, after Mattias Samuelsson, the son of former Flyers defenseman Kjell Samuelsson, put the puck over the glass with 2 minutes, 19 seconds left in the game. They had shots by Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale, and Owen Tippett blocked when goalie Sam Ersson was pulled to make it a six-on-four.
The Flyers’ power play had 12 chances across three opportunities, with five shots blocked.
“We’re getting points. It’s a loss. I mean, relax. I’m not saying you, nothing against you [the media],” coach Rick Tocchet said. “But, I mean, yeah, it’s a loss, I’m mad like you, but we’re getting points. These guys are trying, so we’ve got to take it easy on that part.
“But saying that we got to be more disciplined, right? I’d like to see the power play, we got to get some guys to score some goals on the power play. Too perimeter. We need some people in front. That’s the one thing. I thought the key tonight, we didn’t have people in front of the net. You’ve got to be in front of the net to score goals.”
The penalty kill allowed a goal to Josh Norris, who was left wide-open in front, in the third period. Norris’ goal, the eventual game-winner, came 18 seconds after Bobby Brink took a high-sticking call in the offensive zone when he hit Michael Kesselring in the face as he tried to make contact with the puck in the air.
Norris was left alone in front as all four Flyers penalty killers went to one side of the ice.
The penalty was one of five by the Flyers, although the goaltender interference call on Matvei Michkov in the second period was questionable. The winger appeared to be bumped into Lyon and then took several cross-checks to his back while on the ice and defenseless behind the net.
The Sabres had 11 chances during five-on-four action and nine scoring chances. The Flyers had four scoring chances during their power-play opportunities, none in the third.
Philly has been called for 117 minor penalties this season in 33 games, tied with the Winnipeg Jets for the seventh-most in the NHL. Last season, the Flyers had 238 across 82 games, tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for the 13th-fewest.
“We’re taking a lot of penalties and we’re playing good players, so the more opportunities they get, the more chances for them to score,” defenseman Travis Sanheim said. “But in saying that, obviously we have to do a better job, and we’re at our best when we’re pressuring and disrupting and it’s something obviously we know we’ve got to be better, and I’m sure we will be moving forward.”
The Flyers’ penalty kill was better early on but faltered in the third period, allowing the game-winning goal to be scored.
They had good moments but also bad
Defenseman Cam York, whose second goal of the season gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead in the second period, probably said it best postgame.
“I think it’s just group maturity. I think we’re still maturing in some areas,” he said. “You don’t want to play simple sometimes, and it comes back to bite you, I think, when you don’t want to get the pucks behind their D-man and forecheck; we’re not going to have the puck much, and we’re going to be defending.
“So there’s a lot of things that go into the game, obviously, but we’re definitely struggling to put a full 60 [minutes] together.”
The Flyers’ Cam York celebrates his second-period goal against the Sabres on Thursday.
According to Elite Prospects, the Flyers are the sixth-youngest team in the NHL with an average age of 27.08, aging slightly with the recent return of 31-year-old defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.
And while they are young and still learning and growing, they’ve also played just 33 games under a new coaching staff led by Tocchet.
“There’s positives,” Tocchet said. ”To learn how to win, you’ve got to be disciplined. You can’t throw pucks away. We have a couple guys who were diving in when we shouldn’t.
“That’s hockey, and we’re not a team that could outscore our mistakes. But we’re in every game, so I give them credit. But there’s some things there. We need some other guys to contribute too. It just can’t be the same guys.”
At five-on-five, the Flyers had 53.66% of the shot attempts, but while they controlled play for the most part, they had dips and which allowed the Sabres back into the game.
Despite it being the fourth game in six days, the Flyers came out firing and dominated the analytics. But they ended up trailing before Noah Cates tied things up less than a minute later.
“You just got to stay focused and be ready,” Cates said. “Any opportunity you’re given, no matter who or what the situation is. So just something we’ve honestly been needing to work on our whole season.
“It [stinks] because we’ve honestly been good kind of in the back half of games, kind of coming back and kind of bites us in the butt. So we obviously can’t rely on it, and going to learn from it and move on and have a big one on Saturday.”
