NewsWorks Tonight

Emma Jacobs has the latest on the appeal of Terry Williams, the Pennsylvania inmate scheduled to be executed next week.  Carolyn Beeler visits a church in Center City Philadelphia, touted by the city as a model of what food service for the homeless and hungry should look like.  Tom Kaiden, Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, tells Dave Heller about a new study assessing the cultural economy of the Delaware Valley.  Franklin Institute Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts joins us for a look at the heavens.  And Peter Crimmins reports on the only museum in the region catering to people suffering with dementia.

StateImpact Pennsylvania's Scott Detrow attends the Shale Gas Convention and meets the suppliers and workers who contract with the drilling companies.  Debbie Walsh, Director of the Center for American Women and Politics at the Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics tells Dave Heller about their goal to increase the number of women in Congress.  Frank Newport, Editor-in-Chief of the Gallup Poll, talks about Americans' opinions on the impending election.  Peter Crimmins visits a temporary public art installation that's lighting up the Ben Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.  

State Impact Pennsylvania's Susan Phillips attends the Shale Gas Conference in Philadelphia.  Emma Jacobs reports from the hearing for Terry Williams, trying to reopen his case before he's executed.  Peter Crimmins previews the re-opening of the Philadelphia History Museum, nee the Atwater Kent Museum.  Ben Herold screens a pro-education reform film, "Won't Back Down."  Kimberly Haas talks with musicians and collectors who are reviving vintage synthesizers. Dave Heller speaks with Philadelphia public school students who have published a book on how adults don't listen to kids.

In Montgomery County, Tom MacDonald attends the funeral of the first Plymouth Township police officer to die on the job. Thomas Ginsburg of the Pew Trusts Philadelphia Research Institute says new numbers show Philadelphia's tax burden is lower than area suburbs.  Susan Phillips previews the Shale Gas Insight Conference that begins tomorrow in Philadelphia.  Kevin McCorry reports on the status of New Jersey's health exchanges. Emma Jacobs highlights a Chinatown basketball team celebrating a big milestone.  Peter Crimmins tells about a bonsai collection in Kennett Square and a new book of photography from it.

Emma Jacobs reports on the Supreme Court ruling on Pennsylvania's controversial voter ID law.  Ben Herold uncovers evidence that some principals who oversaw schools where possible cheating on standardized tests took place were promoted in the Philadelphia School District.  Peter Crimmins brings us a remembrance of composer John Cage during the 100 year anniversary of his birth.  Scott Detrow visits the newly renovated Drake Well Museum, which tells the story of the world's first oil well.  And Elisabeth Perez-Luna introduces us to Mexican-American teens in South Philadelphia who are telling their story of immigration through a new mural.

Holly Otterbein looks at what's driving Philadelphia's once again soaring prison population.  Dave Davies profiles the man who may be the deciding vote on two important Pennsylvania Supreme Court cases: Ron Castille.  Kimberly Haas talks to doctors about recent cases of whooping cough in our region.  Franklin Institute Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts joins us for a look at the heavens.  And Chris Satullo argues the concerns of national politics shouldn't be applied locally.

Benjamin Herold exposes several Philadelphia charter schools using questionable application processes to possibly limit the applicant pool.  Phil Gregory checks in on the health of Atlantic City.  Gallup Poll Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport brings us Friday poll numbers.  We talk with Healthy NewsWorks (no relation) founder Marian Uhlman.  And Helen Ubinas profiles an ex-offender as he faces life on the outside.

Emma Jacobs attends the Pennsylvania Supreme Court hearings on the Voter ID Law.  Also at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Dave Davies reports on the legislative redistricting plan. Mary Wilson looks at Pennsylvania's status among the top swing states in Presidential elections.  Rutgers Law  professor Ellen Goodman explains why Trenton city government is perfectly situated to get little media coverage. Peter Crimmins discusses sports and ethics with the family of Muhammad Ali.

Carolyn Beeler visits the dredging vessel that's set to begin deepening the Delaware River in Philadelphia. Elizabeth Fiedler reports on the family of a missing woman who are working to keep her disappearance in the public eye. Maiken Scott tells about a local Peace Corps volunteer's devastating  experience with a common anti-malaria medicine.  Mark Eichmann talks with Wilmington's outgoing mayor James Baker.  Peter Crimmins learns about the new season and new music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

On the 11th anniversary of 9/11, Tom MacDonald reports Philadelphia is unveiling a memorial for local victims of the attacks.  We talk to security expert Bruce Schneier about how airport security has changed over the past 11 years, and whether the chages have yielded a more secure environment.  Carolyn Beeler reports first responders who are now battling cancer will have their treatment paid for by the federal government.  That's History's Jonathan Zimmerman reviews the history of abortion as a political issue.  Allegheny Front's Ann Murray reports on a legal change that could mean millions in lost revenue for cleaning Pennsylvania waterways.  And Maiken Scott talks to scientists who believe chamomile can have a dramatic effect on reducing anxiety.

Tom MacDonald brings us details on the arrest of Trenton mayor Tony Mack, and Trentonian Editor Mike Topol clues us in to Mack's rocky tenure in office.  Holly Otterbein reports two Philadelphia council staffers fired after they were busted for driving drunk in city cars should never have been driving the cars in the first place.  Zack Seward brings us news from a New Jersey Supreme Court case that could set precedent.  We're joined by Franklin Institute Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts.  And Carolyn Beeler previews a new working dog training facility where science is the focus.

Dave Davies joins us, along with Catherine Lucey from the Philadelphia Daily News, to analyze Mayor Nutter's speech at the DNC last night, and consider his political future.  Benjamin Herold takes us to the first day of school for Philadelphia school students.  Peter Crimmins brings us an update on the cleanup from last weekend's "Made in America" festival.  Gallup Poll Editor-in-Cheif Frank Newport joins us with the latest poll numbers.  And Taunya English reports on a new program aimed at helping children with apraxia.

Elizabeth Fiedler reports on Philadelphia residents having difficulties obtaining mortgages on low-cost houses.  Mark Eichmann learns that Delaware has one of the highest levels of food-insecure residents. Zack Seward visits a brand-new hospital in Montgomery County, the first in southeastern Pennsylvania in over a decade. Kimberly Haas talks about tackling a weighty classic for her summer reading.  Peter Crimmins tours an exhibit about maritime disasters that opens tomorrow.

Emma Jacobs visits Pennsylvanians affected by the end of the state's General Assistance program. Elizabeth Fiedler attends the first day of classes with students whose Catholic school got a reprieve from closure. Ed Silverman of NewsWorks partner NJ Spotlight discusses whether a drug firm's expansion in New Jersey could spark a comeback for the pharmaceutical industry in the Garden State.  Maiken Scott reports on obesity experts concerns about the social acceptance of weight jokes.  Lari Robling gives tips on what to do with all those zucchini that show up this time of year.

Dave Davies considers whether Mayor Nutter's speaking role at the Democratic National Convention means he might have a role in national politics in years to come.  Maiken Scott visits children grappling with homelessness as they start the new school year.  In the wake of two Camden murders thought to be the result of pcp-laced marijuana, Temple University Neurology Chair Dr. Ausim Azizi joins us to discuss the effects of the drug.  Tom MacDonald reports on whether the migration of talk shows to the FM dial is spelling the end of AM radio.  And Peter Crimmins brings us the work of students putting on experimental theatre shows at this year's Philly Fringe Festival.