John Atwater's Blog

The Rev. Al Sharpton says the violent arrest of three suspects in Philadelphia was worse than the Rodney King beating in Los Angeles in 1991.

Watch the Philadelphia arrests here

Race was the critical issue in the Rodney King beating, and the Commissioner says strain from an exhaustive search for a police shooting suspect -- not -- race was a motivating factor.

Is the comparison justified, and do you think Al Sharpton should come to Philadelphia as he has promised?

Police believe that Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski (below) was shot and killed with an assault weapon on Saturday.

Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, Philadelphia Police Department

His death again raises questions about assault weapons on the streets.  Should they be legal and would reinstating laws making them illegal compromise our Second Amendment rights?

Philadelphia police say it first surfaced last fall.  They uncovered 750 pounds of the leafy African plant.

(Above: seizures from Philadelphia International Airport this year)

Now, officials at the airport say they've intercepted 81 pounds of Khat (pronounced COT) shipments this week. 

In Africa and the Saudi Arabian Peninsula, the plant is chewed and sometimes sprinkled on food.

It's illegal in the United States because of its amphetamine-like stimulant.

Have you ever heard of it or think it's dangerous?

We depend on them for guidance through daunting stacks of books, but suburban librarians have become prey.  Thieves have targeted at least three librarians in Chester and Montgomery counties in the last few weeks.   They wait for the librarians to get distracted and then rifle through their wallets.  They swiftly exit and emerge with one to three cards.  Within a half-hour, they're at a local store, police say, wracking up quite a bill.

Here are surveillance photos which police say shows them entering a library, leaving it, and then popping up at a Target store:

(Above: one of the suspects entering a library in Upper Dublin Twsp.)

(Above: the three suspects leave the library about 30 minutes later)

(Above: the female suspect leaving a nearby Target store with a cart brimming with what police say are fraudulent purchases)

Southwest, United, Delta, and now American.  Dramatic cancellations have impacted hundreds of thousands of travelers.

Is the FAA warranted in grounding flights to reinspect airlines?

We reported a story tonight about a family that picked up medication for their infant daugther, but instead of the docter-prescribed 3 mL per dose, it said 3 tbsp per dose. After three days of vomiting and diarrhea, they realized there must have been an error. Rite Aid admitted to the mistake and now says it has changed how its pharmacy dispenses prescriptions.

Has your prescription ever been incorrect?

Here’s a quick rundown of what we’re covering on the 6 p.m. News Saturday, February 23.  Feel free to chime in with any ideas you may have.

We’re covering a tragic story that sadly happens too often.  Overnight, police tell us a man, sleeping with his two-month-old, accidentally rolled on the child and killed him.  You’ll see interview with local agencies that are trying to send the message that sleeping with infants is dangerous.

We’re also covering a strange murder outside a bar in Delaware County.  Julie Kim is talking to police at a 4 p.m. news conference.  She’ll have details on the investigation.

The Guardian Angels are coming to South Jersey.  They have been conducting interviews this week as they try to control crime in Millville.  We’ll introduce you to some of the people who say they only way to stop the crime is to patrol the streets themselves.

Ever hop on a tour bus in Philadelphia?  Did you know that those guides aren’t always licensed?  Well, some city council members want to make sure what you’re hearing is accurate.  Bruce Gordon tells us what steps they’re taking to make sure you’re not hearing lies.

Dr. Brian will tell us why blood work is so important when you head to the doctor.

We’ll tell you why the Inquirer and Daily News building may soon change hands and tell you about the changes you may see on the street.

You’ve probably noticed prices inching up at the grocery store.  Consumer reporter Michelle Williams reports on how you can save money when you throw your food into your cart.  She explores how online coupons can save you cash.

I'm headed to the Lehigh Valley tonight (Friday). Just wondering if anyone out there is noticing problems on the roads. Here's a view of I-76 near City Ave. around 3:30 p.m.

The roads are wet, but not too slick. The biggest hassle is the slush and mist coming off other cars.

I'll be posting pictures throughout the night, so check back.  Thanks.

Here's a shot of the Northeast Extension around 4:30.  The roads are still wet, but not icy:

Bucks County fog around 5:30 p.m.:

The temperature in Quakertown is dropping (6 p.m.):

Parking lots are starting to ice up (9 p.m.):

Puddles are just starting to freeze (9 p.m.):

Philadelphia police are now patroling the Broad Street subway line after a series of attacks over the past two months.

We're preparing a report today.  Do you ever see police on the subway, and should there be more?

We're in Bristol Township tonight covering a story about 6th grade boys inappropriately touching 6th grade girls.  Parents say it's been going on for months.  And parents of children who go to other schools in the district say it happens there too.

Are you a parent who's aware of anything like that happening at your child's school?

A man from Coplay, PA was questioned for almost 10 hours in the death of a New York psychologist. I talked with him at his home Thursday afternoon. He seemed absolutely drained. He was very polite and made every effort to stand on his front porch to answer any and all questions. He would not comment on some aspects of the investigation. He wouldn't talk about his lawyer and he wouldn't talk about what investigators asked him. At times when he spoke of the victim, he had tears in his eyes. He had red, irritated bags under his eyes indicating it had been an emotional day. Detectives knocked on his door at 4:30 a.m. to take him in for questioning. He says, though, that he was up and dressed with his wife. He has six children who are between the ages of two and 14. He says he's been talking with Kathryn Faughey, the murdered psychologist, for a while now. He lost his job and since he hadn't been seeing his doctor, he was talking with her about personal problems. They communicated with her via e-mail and telephone. He told me they talked on the phone for ten minute intervals. And, he last spoke with her on Tuesday, the day she was killed.

Click here to see the interview.

Antietam Miiddle-Senior High School went into lockdown Wednesday after a student brought knives, firecrackers, and gasoline to class.

He cut three students with the knife and threw the school into chaos.

Police used metal detectors to check students Thursday as they walked into class.

One of his best friends speculates that this was a cry for help... but why take a school hostage?