Venerable Philadelphia newsman Larry Kane has worked in the business for close to 40 years. Though no longer an anchorman, he finally has the freedom to analyze and critique issues thanks to his CN8 show, The Voice of Reason, and a growing web presence thanks to his “Larry Kane Report” on LarryKane.com. Kane graciously spoke with the Daily Examiner about why local television news is dying, whether it even has a place in today’s society, and how aspiring anchorpeople should, ahem, behave once they climb behind the desk five nights a week.

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TASTE DAILY: Food editor April White tells us what’s on the horizon for Philly’s restaurant scene in 2008

GOOD LIFE DAILY: Brad Pitt loves these Philly architects … and so will you!

TRAVEL: Leave the chilly weather behind and head to St. Barts

Delco cabbie murderer found: Police have apprehended the man they think is guilty of killing 42-year-old Delaware County cab driver Gregory Cunningham (pictured right) on Christmas Eve. Police have arrested Ramir Andre Steve, who they suspect is the man that viciously shot Cunningham in the back of the head then left a taunting message on the cab’s radio dispatch boasting about the death. [Inquirer]

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Today’s Daily Examiner quip comes from The700Level.com, which posted a video of Eagles players Shawn Andrews and Omar Gaither dropping off toys to families earlier in the year. One commenter, however, observed that perhaps the Eagles are going a little overboard in their present-giving to supposedly needy families:

Uh, why are these kids getting Tony Hawk skating games and Bourne Ultimatum DVDs? Seems to me if they have a Playstation or Xbox or DVD players, then they aren’t really families “in need”.

Shawn Andrews makes a jolly Santa [The700level]

The Inquirer ran a feature story today about burlesque dancer Deirdre Guerin and her second annual “Pinups for Pitbulls” calendar, which features 12 months full of Suicide Girls-caliber vixens in numerous provocative outfits posing with their pet dogs. The object is to let the world know that, contrary to popular opinion, pit bulls will not rip your throat out if you try to pet them.

Apparently, it’s worked so far. Last year’s calendar raised $4,000 for area dog rescue shelters, and this year’s calendar appears to be outselling it. The new PFP calendar features proud burlesque-dancing pit bull owners “Little Darling,” “Bombshell Mandy” and “Mona DeLux.” Woof?

My only question is: Does an intimidating woman kissing a pit bull make these dogs less ferocious-looking or more so? Based on some of the photos, I think I’d be more terrified of some of the women biting my face off than the dogs. Maybe that’s the point.

Hubba-hubba! They’re pit bull lovahs! [Philly.com]

Alycia Lane needs a hug: Delco columnist Neal Zoren gets a blog shove from The Mighty Dan Gross after his recent “let’s not jump to conclusions about beautiful Alycia Lane” column. [The Mighty Dan Gross]

It’s getting crowded: The latest Pennsylvania census says the state’s population is growing. Last year, 30,000 more people came here to live under the watchful eye of Gov. Ed Rendell. [CBS 3]

Early Flyers voice passes away: “Captain Philadelphia” Stu Nahan has died at the age of 81. [Philly.com]

Deptford cop injured: 24-year-old Deptford police officer Gary Wurst was injured in a head-on collision last night. Wurst’s condition has not been revealed, but he was taken in for emergency surgery. [CBS 3]

After the Saints won on Sunday, Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown told reporters that the team was playing “tight” for a good portion of the season, and said the reason was a byproduct of the coaching staff’s approach. Perhaps a lot of the confusion the remark has generated isn’t about what Brown meant exactly (so far, none of the usual Eagles beat parade members has offered a followup), but why he said it.

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Two days after the bizarre tiger mauling at the San Francisco Zoo, local news broadcasts around the country are investigating the chances of one happening at their own caged-animal display parks. CBS 3 took the bait and trotted out Jim Osman to interview young kids and parents at the Philadelphia Zoo with “You scared that big tiger’s gonna eat’cha?”-like questions.

Surprisingly, most kids and parents were not fazed by the death of one San Fran zoo visitor and mauling of two others on Christmas Day, and said they felt completely safe behind the three inches of safety glass that separates them from Philly’s 400-pound big-toothed feline “Demitri.”

Fearless mom Margaret Atack, of Hammonton, even told Osman she and her family have a better chance at getting “hit by lightning” than getting attacked by a tiger at the Philadelphia Zoo.

Hopefully, no zebras were within earshot of Ms. Atack’s comment, as they’re very sensitive to the harsh realities of improbability.

Tiger attack prompts safety check at zoo [CBS 3]

TASTE DAILY: Try something new with chicken tonight

GOOD LIFE DAILY: Ring in 2008 with gorgeous, glowing skin

HEALTH: Want to lower your cholesterol without taking drugs or running 10 miles a day? A Penn doctor says it’s possible

After all that, McNabb may stay as well: The coach and Joe Banner gave McNabb a vote of confidence yesterday in disclosing their plans for 2008. So far, it looks like #5 will be behind center once again. Unless, of course, those trade offers for three #1 draft picks come to pass. [DN]

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