US – Thursday, March 18
National
Congress passes job-creation bill
A package of tax breaks and highway spending cleared Congress yesterday, the first of what Democrats hope will be several efforts to bring down the 9.7 percent unemployment rate.
 
International
Pakistan charges U.S. 5 with terror
A Pakistani court formally charged five young Americans of plotting terrorism in the country yesterday, their lawyer said, in a case that has raised alarm over the danger posed by militants using the Internet.
 
The Word
Bullock gets ‘Blind Side’d by alleged affair
It seemed too crazy to be true — America’s sweetheart Sandra Bullock fell for Jesse James, a heavily tattooed former bodyguard for Slayer turned custom motorcycle maker who was once married to a porn star.
 
Music
‘A fun night of music, a little shindig’ with STP
For the first time in nearly a decade, Stone Temple Pilots will be premiering material from a new album, kicking off a tour with a show tonight at the 3,000-capacity Austin Music Hall at the SXSW Music Conference in Texas. But as guitarist Dean DeLeo says, size doesn’t matter.
 
Business
‘Free’ ad leads to fraud suit
NEW YORK. A Wisconsin college student is suing credit firm Experian — the brains behind the ubiquitous FreeCreditReport.com jingles — for fraudulent advertising after she inadvertently signed up for a monthly $14.95 monitoring service.
 
My Travel
The key to Kyoto
Kyoto’s temples and Geisha culture are legendary, but this city is no slouch when it comes to mixing in a large slice of contemporary, too.
 
Robin Cola, manager at Maxi’s on Liacouras Walk at Temple, is expecting big crowds today and tomorrow.
Metro: Rikard LarmaEven more madness than usual at work
  WEST PHILADELPHIA.  You’re likely to notice two groups of people at work today: those who are unusually quiet, focused on their computer with the occasional grunt, or those who wouldn’t know a Cinderella or bracket if it fell on their head.
 
Philly
Teenager takes bus on joyride
  UPPER DARBY. A 16-year-old boy with mental health issues was charged with stealing a SEPTA bus that hit nearly 20 parked cars yesterday morning.
Big Brother is Watching...City Hall?
Philly
Budget gap? No problem! More cameras on way
  PHILADELPHIA. Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Everett Gillison told City Council this week that the city expects another 200 to 400 cameras as result of a $2 million Homeland Security grant announced by U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, a longtime proponent of crime cameras.
 

Metro: Rikard Larma
Philly
Sugar tax idea stuck in the sap
  CITY HALL. Anti-soda tax lobbyists may have accomplished in two weeks what the worst recession in 80 years could not last year: get City Council talking about an increase to property taxes.
 

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Resignation: Managing DirectorCates Barnett was sworn into office in 2008(File Photo). Mayor Michael Nutter’s second-in-command, Managing Director Camille Cates Barnett, is resigning from her city post June 30. She said she needs time to reflect on her life and the future. She lost her husband in a car accident as he was moving to the city in 2008.Resignation: Managing Director
Cates Barnett was sworn into office in 2008(File Photo). Mayor Michael Nutter’s second-in-command, Managing Director Camille Cates Barnett, is resigning from her city post June 30. She said she needs time to reflect on her life and the future. She lost her husband in a car accident as he was moving to the city in 2008.
Metro: Rikard Larma
 
The police will be out in full force — so be careful!
Philly
On patrol, but not in 'Paddy wagon'
   PHILADELPHIA. A roving crew of police officers will be scouring Northeast Philadelphia — and likely other areas as well — this evening in search of drunk-driving revelers who may have celebrated St. Patrick's Day a little bit too much.
Make no mistake: Dave Garry is a real Irishman.
Philly
How to celebrate in official Irish style
PHILADELPHIA. Like most Irish natives living in America, Northern Liberties bar owner Dave Garry remembers Saint Patrick's Day as more of a religious holiday in Ireland.
 
What happened to class, Philly?
   PHILADELPHIA. In Japan, the massive crowds clap in unison for minutes to lure them back on stage for an encore. In Europe, sold-out shows mark their tours across the continent.
 
 
 
Philly
Gay marriage ban up for debate
  HARRISBURG. Supporters and opponents of gay marriage will have their eyes on Harrisburg today as a state Senate committee votes on a Constitutional amendment that would put the commonwealth among the 30-plus states banning same-sex marriage.
Philly
One year later, change elusive
Clean government activists are still waiting for stronger rules against what Fumo did. “I guess we hope that [when Fumo was convicted], a dam broke,” said Barry Kauffman, head of Common Cause.

 
Philly
Have your say on the new SEPTA budget
SEPTA announced a roughly 6 percent proposed fare increase Friday, along with a big reduction to its capital projects budget, because of the uncertainty of more than $100 million in dedicated state funding next year.
 
Philly
Jailed parents leave trouble behind
taking over for ‘Taki’ at drexel
Train derailment raises hazardous material fears
Starr now points toward Fishtown
Obama gets a spot of Tea at Arcadia
Sweets start to become taxing
Felony charges for alleged flash mobs
Street: Now's time for reform
Cold reception for Nutter's fees on beverages, trash
Wynn gets a leg up for ‘cutest’ casino
Voices
The Senate’s Weak Health Care Bill
New Hess ‘Truck’ is a wheel drag
’Tis always the season for taking!
This year’s best movie ever made
Q&A: Three the hard way
On Tiger’s rapid fall from grace
Filibuster is bad for democracy
THIS IS NOT FINANCIAL REFORM
Abortions — only for the rich?
Cage match: Glenn Beck Vs. History
 
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Philly
Robin Cola, manager at Maxi’s on Liacouras Walk at Temple, is expecting big crowds today and tomorrow.
Even more madness than usual at work
  WEST PHILADELPHIA.  You’re likely to notice two groups of people at work today: those who are unusually quiet, focused on their computer with the occasional grunt, or those who wouldn’t know a Cinderella or bracket if it fell on their head.
 
 
Music
MMMpod
The March MMMpod features conversation and music from Surfer Blood and The Allman Brothers Band (There's a double-bill you're not too likely to see. However, Gregg Allman does mention Hannah Montana!). We also speak with Vampire Weekend and the Dropkick Murphys.