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  • đŸ§Ș Pitching lab | Sports Daily Newsletter

    đŸ§Ș Pitching lab | Sports Daily Newsletter

    Cole Kuhn went to St. Joseph’s Prep on a partial music scholarship. He had played the double bass since the fourth grade.

    He also did other extracurriculars as kid, like ballet, basketball, soccer, and baseball. However, he didn’t make the junior varsity baseball team as a freshman.

    Now, the 16-year-old is throwing a fastball harder than most major leaguers. You may have seen the viral video, if not, here’s the gist of it: Kuhn was throwing 101.7 mph and has quickly emerged as one of the nation’s top high school pitchers.

    He holds a scholarship to Duke and is being scouted for the 2027 Major League Baseball draft.

    This all happened so rapidly — almost as fast as the pitches the 6-foot-6 teenager throws from his right hand. But it did not happen by accident. Kuhn is enrolled at Ascent Athlete, a training center in Garnet Valley that looks like a baseball laboratory.

    And some say it’s why Kuhn has progressed so quickly on the mound: “Without question, that place is the single biggest driving force behind his major jumps over the last eight months,” Kuhn’s mother says.

    Read more from Matt Breen’s intriguing piece about a young pitcher charting his path to becoming a baseball prodigy.

    — Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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    ❓Who is your favorite Eagles player of all time? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    Colorful reputation

    Sonny Jurgensen, running for a first down against the Vikings at Franklin Field on Dec. 15, 1963, played in 83 games as an Eagle between 1957 and 1963.

    It’s been nearly a week since Sonny Jurgensen died at 91 and nearly 62 years since he departed Philadelphia for Washington in a trade. Jurgensen played the first seven seasons of his Hall of Fame career with the Eagles.

    Thinking of Jurgensen now, he had a knack for quickly surveying the downfield action, then flicking those effortless passes to Tommy McDonald or Pete Retzlaff. But I also still see, maybe more than in any other athlete from that era, his personal foibles, writes Frank Fitzpatrick.

    There was the booze, the mischievous smile, the postgame cigars that jutted from his mouth like middle fingers to all those who disapproved. He was one of the first Philly athletes whose lifestyle was as well-known as his talents.

    What we’re…

    👕 Buying: The Union unveiled a new home kit to illustrate and honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

    🏀 Sympathizing: Jared McCain shared an emotional reaction to being dealt to the Thunder, a trade that came as a surprise.

    đŸ“ș Watching: American speedskater Jordan Stolz and Chloe Kim in action on Wednesday during the Winter Olympics.

    🏈 Learning: The Eagles are bringing back assistants Jemal Singleton and Aaron Moorehead to their offensive coaching staff.

    Figuring it out

    Jabari Walker has exhausted the maximum 50 games for which he is allowed to be active for the Sixers while on his two-way contract.

    Jabari Walker, the Sixers reserve forward who spent his first three seasons with the Trail Blazers, was unable to play in his former NBA home on Monday. That’s because he exhausted the maximum 50 games for which he is allowed play on a two-way contract. However, Walker is remaining optimistic that a deal to convert his contract to standard will be figured out soon.

    Also, the Sixers signed former Bulls swingman Dalen Terry to a two-way contract. The 6-foot-6 swingman was recently waived by the New Orleans Pelicans.

    Small-town Sanny

    Travis Sanheim Flyers Team Canada Olympics
    Travis Sanheim grew up in Elkhorn, Manitoba, where he worked on his parents’ grain farm.

    Travis Sanheim has gone from nearly being traded three years ago to the Flyers’ unquestioned best defenseman. You can also add Olympian to his resumĂ© after he was named to Team Canada at the turn of the year.

    But Sanheim’s story isn’t the normal one for a Canadian Olympian. In fact, he’s about as big a long shot as one can be, given that he grew up in a town of 500 people in Manitoba and spent his spare time working on his parents’ grain farm, Jackie Spiegel writes.

    Speaking of the men’s Olympic tournament, which begins on Wednesday, here are four things to watch for, including a potential Canada vs. U.S. rematch in the gold medal game.

    Sports snapshot

    New Penn State field hockey coach Hannah Prince talks with her team. Prince joined the Nittany Lions after leading St. Joseph’s to the NCAA Tournament in each of her four seasons on Hawk Hill.
    • Winning ways: Hannah Prince led St. Joe’s to the NCAA Tournament in field hockey. She hopes to do the same now at the helm for Penn State.
    • Creating culture: Matt Campbell believes building a strong program starts with “aligning the team.” His new QB will be expected to help with that.
    • Another attacker: The Union paid a transfer fee of around $2 million to acquire forward AgustĂ­n Anello, marking another major signing.
    • Sensing a pattern: Villanova pulled off a 77-74 win against Marquette on Tuesday. But there are concerns. Particularly at the free-throw line.

    🧠 Trivia time answer

    Who is the only Flyers player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy twice as MVP of the playoffs?

    D) Bernie Parent — Chayim S. was first with the correct answer.

    What you’re saying about the Phillies

    We asked: What is the key for the Phillies if they hope to contend for a World Series title? Among your responses:

    They have the pieces to contend. Consistent seasons from their secondary players like Stott and Marsh (playing all season like they did after the all star break). Having new additions like Crawford and Painter deliver good seasons. And, getting the old Wheeler back early in the season. I think the bullpen is in better shape and they still have one of the best defensive catchers in the game. You have to have faith. — Bill H.

    Pitching Pitching Pitching. Can Wheeler return to being the best pitcher in baseball or at least our #1? Can Nola return to being the guy he was 2 years ago? Can Painter hold down a spot in the rotation for the full season? Is this bullpen better than the patchwork pen we have seen in recent years? Or are we going to rely on Taijuan Walker for meaningful innings? If the pitching holds up this team can win 96 games again this year. If we have to rely on Sanchez and a bunch of question marks it could be a long season. — Mike D.

    There are 3 keys to a successful Phillies season: Stable starting pitching — replace Ranger and hope Zack is healthy, Consistent and balanced hitting and a reliable bullpen. — Bob C.

    Phillies pitchers and catchers take part in an early workout on Tuesday in Clearwater, Fla.

    So many questions. Can a year older Harper, Turner, J.T., and Schwarber deliver what is needed from them? Can Crawford and Painter and other young players really come through as hoped for? Can Nola and Wheeler come back at 33 and 36 and perform at the level needed to take this team to a WS? The Mets made far more significant moves than the Phillies and along with the Braves are committed to ending their time as NL East champs. I think the Phillies made a mistake in not signing Bader. I am cautiously optimistic and hoping for the best. — Everett S.

    The Phillies must match the Dodgers, by position. If they do, that will also advance them past the Mets in the East. They came up short in several positional categories in 2025; particularly relief pitching and run scoring. Adding Keller, Backhus and Pop to Duran, Alvarado, Kerkering and Banks is significant for the bullpen. On offense and defense, Garcia offers more power and better outfield defense than Castellanos in right field, and Crawford plus Garcia will likely increase their on base rate and run scoring. — John W.

    What the Phillies need in order to contend this year is easy to identify: Health and Luck, in no particular order. — Dan B.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Matt Breen, Frank Fitzpatrick, Jeff McLane, Owen Hewitt, Ariel Simpson, Jonathan Tannenwald, Rob Tornoe, Greg Finberg, Jeff Neiburg, Gustav Elvin, Gina Mizell, Keith Pompey, and Jackie Spiegel.

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    Thanks for reading. Enjoy the warmer weather this week. Kerith will catch up with you in Thursday’s newsletter. Til’ then. — Bella

  • They added modern amenities to their 18th-century home on a Bucks County farm

    They added modern amenities to their 18th-century home on a Bucks County farm

    In 1985, when Chris and Cynthia Swayze found a three-story colonial on 32 acres of farmland in Central Bucks County, they knew they were facing a challenge. The house, built in the late 1700s, was in disrepair. They also had no farming experience.

    But they saw the home’s potential.

    “We felt it was a diamond in the rough,” said Chris, a retired engineer.

    The home’s prior owner, who had lived there for 40 years, had died. The Swayzes bought the house from her nephew, who shared her history.

    The front of the Swayze home and the garage. The house was built in the late 1700s.

    “She had one of the original Sylvan pools, and the neighborhood kids learned how to swim in it,” Chris said.

    She raised miniature collies on the property and the yard was littered with the remains of chain-link kennels. The collies also left their mark on the floors.

    The windows, original to the house, had no screens, and the basement had a pile of coal left over from before the furnace was converted from coal to oil.

    The Swayzes immediately got to work cleaning the overgrown property. They removed plaster that had been set over the home’s exterior fieldstones — in vogue in the 1700s. They refinished all the floors, painted, installed air-conditioning, and fixed the pool.

    The chicken coop in the backyard.
    The house is surrounded by 32 acres of land.
    The dining room and sitting area, with details and decor that evoke the home’s history.
    A framed map of Philadelphia the Swayzes found when making a home repair.

    With no experience in farming, they partnered with a local farmer. Initially he planted corn and soybeans in two back fields. Today they grow hay in those fields. Seven chickens keep them supplied with fresh eggs.

    Over the decades, the couple made structural changes, including an addition to the back of the house and a kitchen expansion. Those projects increased the home’s size from roughly 3,000 square feet to about 6,500 square feet, including five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Two of the bedrooms are en suite and include sitting rooms.

    The kitchen, which had been a tiny room with a freestanding stove, free-standing refrigerator, and a couple of cabinets with a sink base, saw the greatest transformation. During two separate renovations, they moved a staircase that connected the kitchen to the basement, took down a wall, and broke through an existing kennel to expand the space.

    They added cabinets and counters, a peninsula, built-in appliances including a Sub-Zero refrigerator, and a professional range hood. Beyond the kitchen they created a new entrance, vestibule, and pantry. The expansive kitchen also includes a fireplace and a conservatory-style glass roof that they call the “party hat.”

    Chris and Cynthia Swayze made significant changes to their kitchen, enlarging it and adding modern appliances.
    The conservatory-style glass roof above the dining area.

    “We have heat lights under the range hood that keeps food warm,” said Cynthia. “It’s the one thing I can’t live without.”

    During a separate renovation, an addition was put on the back of the house with a primary bedroom suite, family room, and finished basement.

    Their daughter, Rebecca Nolan, co-owner of Home Tonic in Newtown, designed the interior in a traditional style. The home is filled with ornate chandeliers, intricate woodwork, and walls awash in rich colors as well as bold, colorful, patterned wallpapers.

    The puzzle room, where grandson Luke also enjoys playing chess.
    Assorted porcelain jars on top of a cabinet in the family room.

    One of Cynthia’s favorite rooms is the guest room, painted in a deep chocolate brown, with a custom canopy over the bed.

    “I wanted it to feel really cozy, like when you got into that bed you were surrounded by a big hug,” she said.

    The puzzle room is where Cynthia and her grandson Luke, 8, hang out. In addition to working puzzles, he’s teaching her how to play chess.

    A framed map of Philadelphia on linen, dated 1809, hangs in the basement. They found it in the garage attic when repairing a leak, and were amazed that it had survived.

    A pond and many tall trees are on the property.

    The home’s expansive grounds offer a breathtaking view from the patio, accessible from the kitchen’s French doors. The peaceful vista includes sights of the swimming pool, pond, chicken coop, fields, and lots of open space. Chris especially appreciates the gigantic ash tree they’ve been treating for ash bore.

    “From the circumference we’ve determined it’s over 200 years old,” said Chris. “We appreciate the history that Central Bucks County has to offer.”

    Is your house a Haven? Nominate your home by email (and send some digital photographs) at properties@inquirer.com.

  • Letters to the Editor | Feb. 11, 2026

    Letters to the Editor | Feb. 11, 2026

    Cold to be expected

    At 73, I’ve lived through winters in nearly every corner of Pennsylvania — growing up in Erie, studying in State College, spending years in Western Pennsylvania, and now living in Philadelphia. Those regions routinely delivered winters far harsher than what we’re experiencing today: weeks of subzero wind chills, heavy lake‑effect snow, and ice storms that shut down entire towns. Yet, those events came and went with far less fanfare than the coverage we see now.

    What concerns me is not the weather, but the framing. Routine cold snaps are now described as “extreme” or “historic,” often without any historical context. When every dip in temperature becomes a headline, the public loses perspective. Discomfort is being redefined, and it’s hard to see who benefits from that beyond media outlets competing for attention.

    Weather deserves accurate reporting, but it also deserves proportion. A little historical grounding would help readers understand what is truly unusual — and what is simply winter behaving the way winter always has across Pennsylvania.

    James Simon, Philadelphia

    Precursor

    Regarding the recent reports that the White House has not ruled out sending U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to polling places this year: When a hurricane approaches the U.S. mainland, weather forecasters issue warnings and provide guidance for preparedness. Unfortunately, not everyone heeds these advisories, exposing themselves to irreparable harm and potentially fatal outcomes.

    Today, a complacent majority of Americans is ignoring a different kind of storm on the horizon — the germinating threat by the Trump administration to interfere in the 2026 midterms. The warning signals for this brewing electoral disaster are as clear as any satellite image and must not be dismissed.

    All Americans should embrace the words spoken during Richard Nixon’s impeachment proceedings by the late U.S. Rep. Barbara Jordan (D., Texas): “My faith in the Constitution is whole; it is complete; it is total. And I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution.” — and honor her legacy by acting to stop this march toward autocracy in its tracks.

    Jim Paladino, Tampa, Fla.

    Blocking power

    Families across the country are shouldering the strain of unaffordable energy bills. The growing hunger for power from data centers being built in or planned for Pennsylvania is only going to drive costs higher. But data centers are coming. We are going to need more power.

    What is the president doing about this problem? What is the president doing to help lower our electric bills?

    In December, his Interior Department issued stop-work orders for five offshore wind farms along the Atlantic coast, putting thousands of workers out of a job just days before Christmas. Those five projects, which were already under construction or about to begin, were creating thousands of local jobs, and, when completed, would have provided enough power for 2.5 million homes and businesses — or data centers.

    Offshore wind is a reliable and inexpensive energy source that helps communities save money and keep the lights on. In fact, offshore wind is strongest in the winter and at night — right when we need it most. Thankfully, after less than two months, federal judges have ordered all the projects to move forward, putting workers back on the job.

    I am calling on the president to stop his senseless attacks on offshore wind. Do something positive to lower our energy costs. Let the workers finish the job.

    Peter Furcht, Philadelphia

    Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.

  • Horoscopes: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

    ARIES (March 21-April 19). Short-term pleasures such as sugar, doomscrolling, novelty, shopping and validation hits and the like are designed to spike your delight and then leave you restless. Seek the slower burn you get from learning something new, using your creativity or physicality.

    TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Each small success builds confidence and reduces fear of failure. See each attempt as feedback, not a final verdict. That mindset makes action less intimidating. Remind yourself why you care about solving the problem. The “why” often outweighs fear.

    GEMINI (May 21-June 21). What are you dreading? Handle that first. Today, diving right into the dreaded order of business will turn out to be laughably easy, and it’s all good moods and vibes from there.

    CANCER (June 22-July 22). Adventure isn’t only spectacle; it’s a shift in perspective. Something routine can still open up a world to you because recent intellectual leaps have stirred your curiosity to new levels. Now there is something remarkable here to discover.

    LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There’s a decision to be made. Before you make the call, do some brainstorming. Throw out the weird, the wild, the half-baked — the more you come up with, the sharper your ideas get, and suddenly, problems start looking like playgrounds.

    VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Everything good around you was, at an earlier juncture, a complete problem for someone. Fate is the culmination of one solution after another. So don’t worry about the difficulties of the day. Every last one is an opportunity.

    LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Don’t forget that senses come alive in your mind. It’s a helpful idea when your environment gets too monotonous or downright oppressive. How you meet the environment is just as important as what’s there to meet. Use humor and take poetic license.

    SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You feel certain that what you’re seeing on the surface of life contradicts what lies beneath. You’re right about it. Depth is your natural terrain, and it calls you. A subtle question, silent observation or pause in judgment will uncover truth.

    SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Teaching someone younger or older helps you understand how your generation fits — a vital link, bringing together the whole. You’re not behind or ahead; you’re in the middle, translating. What you give comes back to you in a sense of belonging.

    CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Being organized puts you in control and ready for anything. Life moves quickly these days and surprises abound. It’s good when your keys, glasses and wallet are easy to find. You move with life instead of chasing it.

    AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Every relationship has unique needs for closeness and space. You read the room so well and find just the distance the moment calls for. Your inspired approach will win you friends and fans.

    PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Wishing someone would behave differently? Futile. Accepting the other person’s behavior and building on it? Productive. Boss moves like this will be your norm on this productive day. Your star is on the rise.

    TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 11). Welcome to your Year of Expertise, featuring deep learning, exciting sharing and better positioning to shine your light in the way that matters most to you. The accolades matter less than your ability to help others, but you’ll be rewarded nonetheless. More highlights: a profitable decision, emotional intimacy that grows through trust, and home becoming a gathering place that reflects your style. Virgo and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 19, 6, 4, 38 and 47.

  • Dear Abby | Man’s youthful appearance doesn’t sit well at home

    DEAR ABBY: My husband is 76 but doesn’t look a day over 60. He has a full head of hair with little graying, no facial wrinkles, and he’s fairly fit. I’m 71 and look every day my age, probably older. I have graying hair — lots of it — but I like the color and will never dye it. I am fit, but the deep facial wrinkles and turkey neck emphasize my age. I “thank” my husband, a man I’ve lived with for 40 years, for this. He has given me years of stress and disappointment.

    My issue: When we are out together, strangers inevitably tell him how shocked or surprised they are at how he “doesn’t look how old he is.” I’m left sitting right there feeling as if they think I’m his mother. Every time this happens, for days and sometimes weeks, he will spend time staring at himself in the mirror and reminding me how lucky I am to have such a handsome husband. He has always had an ego problem, but it is getting worse. Is there a response to get him to get over himself?

    — MR. HANDSOME’S WIFE

    DEAR WIFE: It is my observation that people who compulsively stare into mirrors do it not out of ego but because of insecurity. When your husband does this, does he actually TELL you how lucky you are to have such a handsome husband, or is that something you think he is thinking? He is the way his genetics have made him, and the same is true of you.

    If you feel bad about yourself because you think people are making unflattering comparisons between the two of you, consider discussing it with your dermatologist to see if there are some simple procedures that might make you feel better about yourself.

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: My husband is in his 60s. His brother, “Al,” (two years younger) has been living in their mother’s house for the last 35 years. Before she died seven years ago, she put her house in my husband’s name. For all those seven years, Al has been lying to him, promising he’s going to move out “any day now.” If I try to tell my husband Al may have squatter’s rights and is never going to move, my husband becomes verbally abusive and threatens me.

    Now that my husband is starting to face the fact that his brother will never move, he has become even more abusive toward me and is trying to drive me out of my own home. He knows I will get half of everything in a divorce because we have been married 31 years. When I suggested mediation, he kicked our dog. We also have loaded weapons in the house. He says he wants a divorce but can’t afford one.

    — UNEASY IN THE EAST

    DEAR UNEASY: You need more help than anyone can give you in a letter. Because your husband’s behavior is escalating, you need to get out of there. The next time he becomes violent, instead of kicking the dog, he may hurt you.

    Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) and talk with an advocate who can help you escape safely. You should also consult an attorney about how to protect yourself and file a police report about your husband’s threatening behavior. He may not be able to afford a divorce, but you can’t afford not to get one.

  • Local leaders and activists demand the return of slavery exhibits to the President’s House Site

    Local leaders and activists demand the return of slavery exhibits to the President’s House Site

    The Black activists and community members who brought the President’s House Site into being are not letting its history be removed quietly.

    A couple of hundred supporters and local leaders organized by the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition rallied at the President’s House Site on Tuesday afternoon to demand the restoration of its slavery memorial after the National Park Service removed all of its informational and educational materials last month.

    “History is not merely a collection of celebrated moments,” said Catherine Hicks, president of the NAACP Philadelphia Branch. “This action is a disservice to our city, our nation and denies future generations in the chance to learn from our history, fostering an environment of ignorance rather than understanding.”

    “This site is historic, holy ground,” said Michael Coard, an attorney and founding member of ATAC. “So now what? Now, we fight the good fight.”

    Lawyer Michael Coard speaks at a rally at the President’s House Site in response to the removal of the President’s House exhibit.

    ATAC was instrumental to the creation of President’s House on Independence Mall in 2010, a site that honors the nine people enslaved by George Washington while he lived at the precursor to the White House. The structure at Sixth and Market Streets featured video displays, illustrations and text-filled panels about the Atlantic slave trade and life under slavery, and detailed Washington’s dogged support for the institution.

    Those exhibits were dismantled on Jan. 22, following directives from President Donald Trump’s administration to review and remove displays in National Parks that “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.”

    Thirteen exhibits from the President’s House were flagged for review this summer.

    Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration filed a federal lawsuit against Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron, and their respective agencies, on the day the panels were removed. The complaint argues that dismantling the exhibits was an “arbitrary and capricious” act that violated a 2006 cooperative agreement between the city and the federal government.

    Following a Jan. 30 hearing in which District Judge Cynthia M. Rufe called the federal government’s argument that a president can unilaterally change the exhibits displayed in national parks “horrifying” and “dangerous,” and after a Feb. 2 inspection of the removed panels, as well as the President’s House site, the court ordered that the exhibits be kept safe.

    The city filed an updated lawsuit with a new injunction request for the restoration of all the exhibits to the President’s House as they were the day before their removal. The federal government has until the end of the week to respond to the new filings, and another courtroom showdown is expected to follow.

    Philadelphia’s collar counties filed on Monday a joint brief in support of the city’s lawsuit, joining previous briefs by Gov. Josh Shapiro, Democrats in Pennsylvania’s state Senate, and the advocacy groups who pushed for the creation of the exhibit.

    “Attempts to unilaterally rewrite history will deprive residents and visitors” of the collar counties “of the full and accurate picture of the nation’s founding to which they are entitled,” the brief says.

    The panels are currently being held in a storage facility owned by the National Park Service that is adjacent to the National Constitution Center, according to a legal filing by the Trump administration.

    People gather for a rally at the President’s House Site in response to the removal of the President’s House exhibit in Old City.

    Can’t hide the truth

    Ever since the panels were taken down with crowbars and wrenches, there has been an outpouring of support for the memorial to be restored, and outrage toward the Trump administration.

    “If you want to hide the truth of slavery in Philadelphia, you might as well tear down the whole city because it was built on the blood of my people. You cannot hide the truth,” said Solomon Jones, a radio host and columnist for The Inquirer.

    “To erase slavery is to erase American history. That would be to erase Mount Vernon, to erase Wall Street 
 because those structures were built by enslaved labor,” said Yvonne Studevan, a seventh-generation descendant of Mother Bethel AME’s Bishop Richard Allen.

    Judy Butler, a South Philadelphia resident, said she was both heartbroken and angry once she learned that the President’s House exhibits were going to be removed.

    “I felt violated, disrespected,” she said.

    Butler, 66, said she’s been inspired watching from afar as people in Minnesota have braved the frigid temperatures to protest, observe and resist ICE’s occupation of the Minneapolis area. Coming to ATAC’s rally was something she felt she had to do.

    “They’re taking down our history. 
 How deplorable is that?” she said.

    People gather for a rally at the President’s House Site in response to the removal of the President’s House exhibit in Old City.
  • 2 Philly men convicted in 3 gang-related fatal shootings

    2 Philly men convicted in 3 gang-related fatal shootings

    Two Philadelphia men on Tuesday were convicted of first-degree murder for gang-related shootings that left three dead and five others wounded, including a man who was paralyzed after being shot 19 times, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said.

    Chris Byard, 27, was found guilty by a jury of three counts of first-degree murder and related offenses, and was sentenced to serve three consecutive life terms, Sunday said.

    Daquan Bishop, 28, was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and related offenses, and was sentenced to serve two consecutive life terms.

    Byard and Bishop were members of the “6600” gang and they were trying to shoot members of another gang, Sunday said. The other gang was called “Greatah,” KYW reported in 2023 after both men were arrested and charged.

    Byard and Bishop were found guilty of the Nov. 27, 2021, killing of 24-year-old Angel Rivera, who was gunned down on the 500 block of West Duncannon Avenue.

    Both men were also found guilty of fatally shooting 23-year-old Tymir Johnson on the 3100 block of Barnett Street on Dec. 15, 2021. Two other men were wounded in that shooting.

    Byard was also convicted of the Jan. 11, 2022, killing of 21-year-old Rashaan Frazier, who was gunned down on the 4000 block of Aldine Street. Two other men were wounded.

    In the Frazier killing, Byard and others were targeting another man and killed Frazier by mistake.

    Byard was involved in a fourth shooting that left a man paralyzed from the waist down after being hit 19 times by bullets, Sunday said.

    Another defendant, 27-year-old Daquan Bethea, pleaded guilty in October to attempted murder and related crimes and was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

  • Ben Simmons starred in a Super Bowl commercial about helping people get over their celebrity exes

    Ben Simmons starred in a Super Bowl commercial about helping people get over their celebrity exes

    Philly fans probably weren’t expecting to see Ben Simmons during the Super Bowl — but the former Sixers first-round pick made headlines on Sunday that don’t have to do with professional fishing.

    Simmons starred alongside comedian Tiffany Haddish in an ad, which debuted on Instagram before the Big Game, for fantasy sports app Sleeper.

    The commercial introduces a fictional “Simmons & Haddish” law firm and pokes fun at Simmons’ ex-girlfriend Kendall Jenner, who starred in her own Fanatics Sportsbook Super Bowl commercial, teasing the Kardashian dating curse.

    “Haven’t you heard? The internet says I’m cursed,” Jenner says in her ad. “Any basketball player who dates me, kind of hits a rough patch. While the world’s been talking about it, I’ve been betting on it. How else do you think I can afford all this 
 modeling?”

    Jenner and Simmons were first linked together in May 2018 before calling it quits in May 2019. She has also dated Devin Booker, Jordan Clarkson, and Blake Griffin. Booker responded to the ad on X. But, Simmons had his own response to Jenner’s recent commercial.

    “Are your exes subbing you in commercials?” Simmons says in the Sleepers ad.

    “If so, you may be entitled to retribution,” Haddish adds. “You need emotional injury specialists Simmons & Haddish. You need the ex-communicators.”

    Simmons and Haddish offer their services to help during celebrity breakups. The ad featured many famous exes, including Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce’s ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole, rapper Cardi B’s ex-husband Offset, and reality star Chelley Bissainthe’s ex-boyfriend Ace Greene.

    Each ex had their own testimony for the work of Simmons & Haddish, including Nicole — and they didn’t have the best reviews.

    “Simmons & Haddish promised me that they could put an end to this whole ‘ex-girlfriend’ fiasco quickly,” Nicole says.

    Simmons interjected with a reference to Kelce’s current fiancĂ©e, Taylor Swift: “That doesn’t sound right 
 I said ‘swiftly.’ Why is that so hard to remember?”

    The ex-communicators even had their own catchy theme song.

    When your ex becomes a hater, call the ex-communicators. Simmons & Haddish.

    With a return to the NBA currently on hold, Simmons is now a controlling operator of the South Florida Sails Angling Club, a team in the Sports Fishing Championship. When he’s not fixing celebrity relationships, that is.

  • Eddie Bauer operator files for bankruptcy and is liquidating stores

    Eddie Bauer operator files for bankruptcy and is liquidating stores

    Over 60 years ago, the first American to climb Mount Everest sported an Eddie Bauer coat. Now the company behind the outdoor apparel finds itself conducting liquidation sales.

    The operator of Eddie Bauer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey on Monday and is winding down stores as it seeks a buyer.

    Eddie Bauer is laying off some 58 employees in New Jersey at locations in Burlington, Gloucester, Middlesex, and Monmouth Counties, according to a layoff notice filed with the state.

    “In an effort to rightsize the company’s store footprint and close underperforming stores, the company will be closing a number of retail locations in N.J.,” reads the notice.

    In Pennsylvania, a spokesperson for the state’s Department of Labor and Industry said they had not received a layoff notice for Eddie Bauer stores as of Tuesday morning.

    Before filing for bankruptcy, the company chose not to renew leases for 49 stores that had leases ending Jan. 31. Those locations have since closed, bankruptcy documents indicate.

    The company is liquidating the remaining 175 stores as it seeks out a buyer.

    In the Philadelphia area, Eddie Bauer stores are located at the Gloucester Premium Outlets in Camden County, at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets in Montgomery County, as well as in Concordville in Delaware County.

    As of Tuesday, the Fashion District location in Center City appeared to be closed, according to the Eddie Bauer website.

    What led to the bankruptcy?

    Eddie Bauer stores have been operated by Catalyst Brands, which was formed in January 2025 in a merger that brought together brands including AĂ©ropostale, Brooks Brothers, and JCPenney.

    The CEO of Catalyst Brands, Marc Rosen, said in a news release Monday that the Eddie Bauer operator had been in a “challenged situation,” even before the new parent company was formed last year. The company was dealing with declining sales and supply chain challenges amid other issues, he said.

    “Over the past year, these challenges have been exacerbated by various headwinds, including increased costs of doing business due to inflation, ongoing tariff uncertainty, and other factors,” Rosen said. “While the leadership team at Catalyst was able to make significant strides in the brand, including rapid improvements in product development and marketing, those changes could not be implemented fast enough to fully address the challenges created over several years.”

    Other retailers have also faced headwinds recently. The parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus filed for bankruptcy in January, and shopping mall mainstay Claire’s, did so in August.

    Eddie Bauer stores in the Philadelphia area

    Pennsylvania:

    • Fashion District, 901 Market St., Philadelphia
    • Shoppes at Brinton Lake, 961 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills
    • Montgomery Mall, 290 Montgomery Mall, North Wales
    • Philadelphia Premium Outlets, 18 Lightcap Rd., Pottstown
    • Tanger Outlets Lancaster, 1140 Stanley K Tanger Blvd., Lancaster

    New Jersey

    • Gloucester Premium Outlets, 100 Premium Outlets Drive, Blackwood
    • Jersey Shore Premium Outlets, 1 Premium Outlets Blvd., Tinton Falls
  • Pa. company pleads guilty in illegal video gambling scheme, but charges have been dropped against the owners

    Pa. company pleads guilty in illegal video gambling scheme, but charges have been dropped against the owners

    A Pennsylvania company has pleaded guilty to a crime stemming from its work installing hundreds of illegal video gambling devices across the state — but its owners appear to be off the hook.

    Schuylkill County-based Deibler Brothers Novelty Co. pleaded guilty Friday to corrupt organizations, a first-degree felony, and was ordered by a judge to forfeit $3 million to the state in cash and assets, according to the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday.

    The company is owned by brothers Arthur Deibler, 34, and Donald Deibler, 33, and their friend Joel Ney, 35, each of whom was charged in 2024 with multiple felonies, including corrupt organizations and conspiracy.

    Court records show the charges were withdrawn Tuesday. Sunday’s office said that was part of the plea agreement, which also required the company to pay the asset forfeiture up front.

    “We expect those charges to be dismissed by the attorney general,” said defense lawyer William J. Brennan, who represents the Deibler brothers along with Michael T. van der Veen.

    Prosecutors say Deibler Brothers marketed its illegal devices as legal skill games — the slot machine-style games that have proliferated across Pennsylvania — and paid kickbacks to an executive at a device vendor.

    State lawmakers have repeatedly pledged, but so far failed, to tax and regulate the games. The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office has argued that the games are illegal slot machines — essentially unregulated casino games — but courts have thus far disagreed.

    “For many years, the legal status of games of chance has been a ping-pong ball in the court system,” Brennan said. “From day to day, it’s hard to follow what the current state of the law is. This corporation has done everything it can to try to remain compliant in a changing legal landscape. This result allows all the parties to move on and put this matter behind them.”

    Sunday, a Republican, said in a statement Monday that the plea resolution “secures a substantial forfeiture of assets to the commonwealth.”

    “This company was warned time and time again and continued to snub its nose at state regulations by flooding Pennsylvania counties with illegal gambling machines,” he said.

    A grand jury presentment accused Deibler Brothers of supplying thousands of illegal video gambling devices — modified slot machines — to convenience stores, bars, and gas stations across more than a dozen counties.

    From April 2021 through November 2023, the company received more than $1 million a month from the distribution and operation of the machines, according to the presentment from the 50th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury.

    In an effort to “disguise” its use of illegal slot machines, Deibler Brothers also paid $150,000 in illegal kickbacks to an executive at device vendor Pace-O-Matic, the presentment said.

    The executive — Ricky Goodling, a retired Pennsylvania State Police corporal and Pace-O-Matic’s former director of national compliance — pleaded guilty last week to state money laundering charges. He also pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion charges.

    Deibler Brothers sought to commingle its illegal games with legal Pace-O-Matic machines to try to “dupe” law enforcement authorities and store owners into thinking they were the same, the presentment says.

    Pennsylvania courts have ruled that Pace-O-Matic games are legal games of skill, not chance, because they include a memory component that distinguishes them from casino-style slot machines. But most of the machines distributed by the Deibler Brothers had no such secondary element and were therefore illegal, the presentment said.

    Goodling used his authority at Pace-O-Matic to quash complaints about Deibler Brothers and another firm that paid him kickbacks, according to the grand jury.