Briefly... CITY/REGION

Nutter cites casino issues

Lining up his arguments to move two proposed riverfront casinos, Mayor Nutter this week wrote to state Sen. Vince Fumo and state Rep. Dwight Evans, listing several regulatory issues the developers face before getting approval from the city to start construction.

Fumo has been joined by Evans and Nutter in his efforts to force the casinos to relocate to as-yet unidentified new locations.

Rescue in the Delaware

The Coast Guard rescued two people yesterday from a 60-foot sport-fishing boat taking on water in the Delaware River near the Philadelphia Naval Business Center. Rescuers found that the boat, the Details, had four feet of water aboard. The Coast Guard crew rigged three pumps to control the flooding, and assisted the crew in docking the vessel.

Gus the giraffe debuts

Gus, a 2-year-old male giraffe, makes his public debut at the Philadelphia Zoo today. Weekend guests will see the new arrival, get free soft pretzels and make "Welcome to Philly" cards at several card stations around the Zoo.

Helping asthma sufferers

More than 500 young asthma sufferers are expected on Sunday for the annual Healthy Hoops program, sponsored by Keystone Mercy Health Plan, at Temple's Liacouras Center. Starting at 3 p.m., there will be asthma screenings and information sessions for the patients and their families.

Rigali fills Archdiocese post

Cardinal Justin Rigali has appointed Joseph J. Sweeney Jr. as secretary for Catholic Human Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Sweeney, who has been deputy secretary and CEO of Catholic Health Care Services, succeeds Msgr. Joseph A. Tracy.

Delco endorsement

Nick Miccarelli, the Republican candidate for the open seat in the state House's 162nd District kicked off his campaign yesterday with a major coup: earning the endorsement of his rival's labor union. United Aerospace Workers Local 1069 leaders say they are backing Miccarelli over Democrat John DeFrancisco for the seat being vacated by GOP state Rep. Ron Raymond.

3rd Moorestown youth killed

A third member of the Moorestown High Class of 2008 has been killed in a car accident. Will Christianson died Tuesday, after he was struck by a Lexus while riding his bike.

Two others were killed in accidents in December. *

- Staff and wire reports