A daily look at late-breaking news, coming events and stories that will be talked about in Pennsylvania on Wednesday:
VANDERBILT RAPE CASE DOGS NEW PENN STATE COACH
James Franklin says he did nothing wrong when four of his Vanderbilt players were charged with gang-raping a woman in a campus dorm last June. Defense attorneys say Franklin and another coach contacted the accuser days after the alleged assault, telling her “they cared about her because she assisted them with recruiting.” Franklin, who took over at Penn State in January, denies the allegations and says he has cooperated with authorities in their investigation.
FEDERAL APPEALS COURT UPHOLDS MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE OF 70 FOR PENNSYLVANIA JUDGES
Four state judges from Philadelphia, Northampton and Fayette counties had challenged the provision. The appeals court upheld an earlier ruling by a lower federal judge who noted it was ironic that federal judges, who are appointed for life, are now deciding the issue.
JURY DELIBERATIONS EXPECTED IN TRIAL OF THREE MEN IN STABBING, ATTEMPTED CARJACKING OF PITTSBURGH STEELERS PLAYER
Defense attorneys say the men didn’t attack offensive lineman Mike Adams, who they say was drunk and started a fight when he knocked food out of one of the suspect’s hands. Prosecutors say Adams was merely an innocent victim.
PHILLY MAYOR BLOWS SMOKE … RIGHT OUT OF PUBLIC PARKS
Under the executive order by Mayor Michael Nutter, more than 100 neighborhood parks are now smoke-free. The order extends a 2006 ban that made Philadelphia workplaces, restaurants and bars smoke-free.
HUNDREDS OF SECOND AMENDMENT ADVOCATES DEMONSTRATE ON STEPS OF THE STATE CAPITAL
The rally brought dozens of sympathetic legislators to the steps of the state Capitol on Tuesday, and after an hour of speeches in a steady rain, those in attendance fanned out to make their case directly to the elected representatives.
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