Yo, Philly in the News

• Famous rocker and local dude Bon Jovi doesn't like that the name of the Mijovi energy drink is so similar to his own, so he's got his lawyer sending them letters telling them to stop using it, and suggesting something like "My Jovi" instead. Which... actually makes it look more like "Bon Jovi" to us. (Via Jill)
• More news about toxic gas leaks! The Oxford Valley Mall in Langhorne was closed early yesterday morning when employees of the J.C. Penney's started showing symptoms of exposure to carbon monoxide. Eight people were taken to a nearby hospital to be treated and released. Testing revealed that there was indeed quite a lot of carbon monoxide floating around in Penney's, caused by the collapse of a chimney on the roof. That store will remain closed until at least today, although the rest of the mall reopened early yesterday afternoon.
• Township officials in Lower Merion are trying another tactic to hold onto their beloved Barnes Foundation - they passed a zoning ordinance on Wednesday that will allow more than double the number of visitors permitted each year (up to 140,000).
• The city of Chester might get a $100 million Major League Soccer stadium along its waterfront, if the group of investors interested in building it can get a meeting with Gov. Rendell and convince him it's a good idea. They would then start an MLS franchise in 2009 or 2010. But keep in mind negotiations are still in the early stages.
• Still steamed from the Philadelphia School District's surprise $73 million deficit, lawmakers added a provision to the state education funding bill signed into law this week requiring the district to "submit reports to the state's education secretary detailing cuts it is making to balance its $2.18 billion budget - or risk losing state aid that totals approximately $1.3 billion."
• Some state medical news: Governor Rendell "will sign a bill today designed to reduce the spread of bacteria acquired at hospitals." Also expected to get signed into law today are provisions that will "reduce health-care costs and increase access to treatment by giving nurses and other medical assistants greater latitude." To put it another way, specially trained nurses will be allowed to take on some of the duties of doctors.

Image Credit: Flickr user crouchingbadger