Franklin Square PATCO Could Open Again

Photo credit: Mike Williams / Delaware River Port Authority

Good morning, Philadelphia. Here’s what you need to know.

The reopening of the PATCO station at Franklin Square is a step closer to reality.

PlanPhilly reports: The DRPA board has set aside $500,000 in its 2016 budget to plan for the station’s rehab — and set aside $28.3 million for the project over the next five years. “The Franklin Square project advances despite the fact that DRPA’s application for the last round of federal TIGER grant funding was rejected,” Jim Saksa writes. “After the board meeting, PATCO General Manager John Rink said the project could move forward using just DRPA funds, should the board approve design and construction.” One person who should be happy with the news? Johnny Doc. “The IBEW 98 business manager and DRPA board member has consistently advocated for reopening the station, which was abandoned in 1979 due to low ridership.”

“Porngate” isn’t ending anytime soon: Now the head of the Philadelphia Bar Association is calling for an independent probe of the scandal.

It’s been more than a year since Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery retired in the wake of Porngate revelations — and yet the scandal seems to be picking up steam. Senate candidate Katie McGinty on Wednesday called for Philly D.A. Seth Williams to fire three lawyers in his office known to have participated in the exchange of pornographic and racist emails. Now the head of the Philadelphia Bar Association is calling for an independent probe of the scandal.

“Al Dandridge, head of the 13,000-member Philadelphia Bar Association, added his voice yesterday to a growing drumbeat of calls for an independent investigation into Porngate,” The Daily News reports. “Only when there is a full accounting of all the facts can we take necessary action to restore the public’s trust in our justice system,” Dandridge said in a written statement. The scandal has involved judges, prosecutors and other law-enforcement officials.

A Pew survey shows Philadelphians love the city — except for the ones who don’t.

“Pew examined the responses and concluded the data showed there were four distinct groups of Philadelphians,” Philly Mag’s Sandy Smith reports. “Two are clearly bullish on the city; together they account for 44 percent of city residents. Another is fed up with Philadelphia and would leave it if they could; at 30 percent, that group represents the largest single group of residents in the survey. The fourth group, accounting for one-quarter of all Philadelphians, is on the bubble: there are things about the city they like but others that they don’t, and they could just as soon leave as stay.

Kathleen Kane’s aides say defense attorneys could use her law license suspension to challenge criminal convictions.

“We pray that does not happen, but it’s something we have to vigilantly guard against,” Bruce Beemer, one of Kane’s aides, said during a Senate panel hearing trying to determine if she should be removed from office. A Kane spokesman called that scenario unlikely: “While we do expect the defense to use every tool at their disposal to defend their clients, we would also hope that the judiciary uses good common sense in dealing with it.” The committee’s recommendation on Kane’s removal could come by next Wednesay. (PennLive)

Red panda cubs have made their debut at Philadelphia Zoo, and they are adorable.

Now they need names, 6ABC reports. “Visitors are asked to go to the Philadelphia Zoo’s Facebook page to give suggestions for the names.” And you’ll want to visit the zoo to see the new creatures. “When you come to the Philadelphia Zoo this winter, we’ll definitely have our red pandas out,” said Donna Evernham, Curator of Carnivores and Ungulates.

Other Philly headlines today:

Exclusive: Jury Orders Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia To Pay $10 Million to Family

Contract baggage workers protesting at airport

House committee approves bill to legalize online poker in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Lottery’s resurrection of Gus costs $400K, causes controversy