Gov. Tom Wolf is signing an executive order today to introduce about two dozen gun control reforms and initiatives. The ceremony was postponed from Thursday morning in the wake of Wednesday's police-involved shooting in Philadelphia. The executive order will create new state offices that will focus on violence prevention, reduction, safety programs and better data sharing between departments and agencies outside Pennsylvania. The governor says they aren't doing enough to stop people from dying.
A day after six Philadelphia police officers were shot in a standoff in north Philly, Mayor Jim Kenney, Gov. Tom Wolf and Sen. Bob Casey were all in the city calling for gun control measures to be taken. Casey says two things need to occur to stop the violence. "It's time for the United State Senate to vote on a background check bill but also a ban on military-style assault weapons," Casey said. All six of the wounded officers have been treated and released.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is making a plea for tougher gun laws after six police officers were shot on Wednesday. Kenney says officers deserve to be protected and, "They don't deserve to be shot at by a guy for hours with an umlimited supply of weapons and an unlimited supply of bullets. Our officers need help. They need help. They need help with gun control. They need help keeping these weapons out of these people's hands," Kenney says. He calls the situation "disgusting."
Philadelphia's district attorney says the man who allegedly shot six city policemen during a Wednesday night standoff may never be back on the street again. "These are more than enough charges so that Maurice Hill may never exit jail," says Larry Krasner. He says his office hasn't decided which charges to press against Maurice Hill but they will likely include attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons violations. He also confirms he spoke with Hill during the standoff. Krasner says Hill wanted assurances he would not be shot if he surrendered and that Hill would only agree to surrender if Krasner were there.
A Florida man is behind bars in Northampton County for allegedly interfering with paramedics as they were making a rescue. Police say Justin Ryan was nearby while police and an EMS crew responded to a Bethlehem LANTA bus station Wednesday afternoon. Police say Ryan smelled of alcohol as he recorded the responders placing a man experiencing breathing issues into an ambulance and interrupted their efforts by getting too close before putting his phone about a foot from a police officer's face. Ryan, who apparently didn't know the patient, allegedly scuffled with police before being arrested.
Democrat Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan cancelled a planned town hall meeting in Reading because of a security concern. Signs were posted last night announcing the cancellation but a spokesperson didn't elaborate on the concern. Houlahan said via Twitter that the town hall will be rescheduled.
A Mercer County Superior Court judge is putting New Jersey's legalized suicide law on a temporary pause. The order was issued due to a lawsuit filed by a Bergen County doctor. Gov. Phil Murphy had signed the law that allowed terminally ill patients to seek out life-ending drugs in April. Murphy said Thursday he plans to fight the suit.
Unemployment in the Garden State is at an all-time low. Stats reveal unemployment dipped to 3.3 percent in July, the lowest monthly rate since records began being kept in 1976. That also puts New Jersey .4 below the national rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state's Department of Labor of Workforce Development says employment in New Jersey is up by well more than 48,000 jobs over the past year.
New Jersey is investing in making sure the Garden State's wine industry is properly promoted. Gov. Phil Murhpy signed a bill Thursday that establishes a marketing campaign intended to plug wineries and other related attractions. The governor says the state's wine industry is a fast-growing part of New Jersey's tourism economy.
The Phillies entered the bottom of the ninth trailing the Cubs 5-1. They left the bottom of the ninth 7-5 winners. After the Phils scored two to close within 5-3, Bryce Harper hit a long walk-off grand slame to win it 7-5. "That's what you live for. It was a great night for all of us," Harper said. The Phillies have won three in a row and host the Padres tonight.