Yo, Philly in the News

• The swaying of the concrete and steel ramp at the Linc that we told you about yesterday is nothing to worry about, according to Philly officials, engineers, and inspectors. The structure has been declared safe, and fans' claims that it was swaying four to five feet have been pooh-poohed as exaggeration and misperception. Which would be comforting, we suppose...if it weren't for the fact that the Pier 34 collapse is back in the news...
• If you missed the final debate in Philly Tuesday night between PA gubernatorial candidates Lynn Swann and Ed Rendell...well, it sounds like you didn't miss much. They basically just said all the same old stuff. We suspect Dan Savage's talk during a fundraiser for Philadelphians Against Santorum at the Troc - which happened that same night - was a lot more interesting.
• Bad news for Philly schools - they've got a $21 million budget deficit that will probably lead to "administrative layoffs and 10-percent budget cuts for all district consultants and contractors, including those who are managing dozens of low-performing schools." Just what the city's education system needed - less of everything! Sigh.
• After being called to a disturbance in the area of 56th and Broomall yesterday, the police say they shot and killed a man named Slaughter because he was brandishing a gun and refusing to cooperate. But witnesses say Slaughter had his hands up and was being compliant, and his mother says he never would have pulled a gun on a cop. Disturbing stuff. Hopefully an investigation will turn up the truth...
• Good news for cyclists and pedestrians who make use of 12 of the Schuylkill River bridges - they're scheduled to undergo $83 million worth of renovation over the next three years. The renovating will include "enhanced lighting, landscaping, painting, rehabilitating sidewalks and adding benches, bike lanes and architectural embellishments." Good deal. Although we can't help thinking the schools maybe need the money more...

Photo of the area under one Schuylkill River bridge by fellow editor Star