AltWeeklies Wire
The Kermit Gosnell Case Show Abortion Isn't a Red or Blue Issue—It's Pinknew

Though abortion as a buzzword is considered a red-state-vs.-blue-state hot-button issue, what the Gosnell media case reveals is that abortion in reality, is neither a red nor blue issue. It's pink.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
04-25-2013 |
Crime & Justice
Abortion Doctor's Defense: Case Is an "Elitist, Racist Prosecution"new

After reminding jurors about the legal presumption of innocence, the attorney for Philadelphia abortion provider Kermit Gosnell revealed his main theme: Gosnell, a black man, is a victim of an "elitist, racist prosecution."
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
03-18-2013 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: Kermit Gosnell
VP Joe Biden Talks Gun Violence Initiatives in Philadelphianew

The Vice President traveled to Philadelphia for a roundtable on gun violence the morning a gunman opened fire killing three in his old stomping grounds in Wilmington, Del., where his son is Attorney General.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
02-12-2013 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: Gun Violence
Dueling Ideas on Gun Control in Harrisburg, PAnew

Last week, hundreds of people gathered inside the Capitol rotunda in Harrisburg to call for sensible gun laws, the same morning Republican Daryl Metcalfe introduced the "Right to Bear Arms in Pennsylvania Protection Act."
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
01-31-2013 |
Policy Issues
Tags: gun control, gun violence
How PA Republicans Blocked an Investigation into Gov. Corbett's Handling of Sandusky Casenew
PA House Republicans buried a resolution to investigate the Governor for allegedly slow-walking the Sandusky case by: playing possum, sticking fingers into ears, calling for arcade rules and canceling sessions at the last second.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
10-17-2012 |
Crime & Justice
The $11 Million Dollar Mysterynew
Financial figures coming from the Philadelphia Archdiocese should be not viewed without skepticism. We’re talking about an organization that had a room full of secret documents—called “Secret Archives,” right out of a Scooby-Doo episode.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
09-06-2012 |
Economy
Ralph Natale V. The United Statesnew

Ralph Natale, former head of the Philadelphia mob, was the first sitting mob boss to cooperate with the feds. Now he's suing them, alleging they let him go blind while in prison.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
08-22-2012 |
Civil Liberties
Tags: Ralph Natale, philly mob
Modern Labor Battles are about Tech, Not Musclenew

The biggest union battle in 40 years in Philadelphia reveals that modern labor battles are won with technology, not muscle--and the unions are losing.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
08-15-2012 |
Business & Labor
Bill Designed to Shut Down PA Abortion Clinics Is In Effect. Now what?new
Pennsylvania currently has 14 freestanding clinics providing surgical abortions. A few weeks ago, that number was 15, but in response to Act 122, a clinic associated with the University of Pittsburgh has already closed.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
07-03-2012 |
Civil Liberties
Teen's Letter About Life in a Violent City is Hand-Delivered to President Obamanew

Four people in 18-year-old Edgar Pagan's life have been been killed on the streets of Philly. Last week, he wrote a letter about the city's violence & failing schools that was hand-delivered to President Obama asking for help.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha and Edgar Pagan |
06-20-2012 |
Education
How to Spot a Counterfeit (Legislative) Billnew
Pennsylvania Republicans have introduced yet another bill that purports to protect women's health that actually hurts it. This time, it's a bill to defund Planned Parenthood.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
06-13-2012 |
Policy Issues
How Two Photojournalists Are Taking On Philly's Gun Crisisnew

A new-media project, GunCrisis.org, uses old-school journalism tactics to study Philly's homicides.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
04-26-2012 |
Crime & Justice
Is Philly's Animal Control Finally Under Control?new

This week, the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is finally getting out of the business it had no business being in in the first place.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
03-29-2012 |
Animal Issues
Tags: PSPCA, Philadelphia Animal control
PA is Ground Zero for the Abortion Clashnew

As the GOP clown car gets ready to sputter eastward for the Pennsylvania primary amid an onslaught of attacks on women’s reproductive rights, it’s a good time to remember that our state has always been, and seemingly always will be, the nerve center of the national abortion debate.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
03-14-2012 |
Civil Liberties
PA Offers Little Protection for Gay Victims of Hate Crimesnew

One man's discovery of a "Move Fags" sign next to his property reveals that ever since a protocol mishap several years ago, Pennsylvania's hate crimes statute covers race, but not sexual orientation.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
02-29-2012 |
LGBT