A new poll released this morning shows "acceptance rather than enthusiasm" for two casinos planned in the city, according to Larry Eichel, project director of the Philadelphia Research Initiative at the Pew Charitable Trusts.  Pew polls done in January 2009, April 2009 and last month show that the percentage of people who approve of gaming has hovered near 50 percent.

"What has been going down is the number of people who disapprove," Eichel noted. "That suggests to me an acceptance of the reality that its coming."

Today's poll showed that 51 percent of the 1,602 people questioned last month favor the casinos while 34 percent oppose them.  The opinions were very similar when the respondents were asked about table games -- approved for casinos by the state General Assembly last month -- with 54 percent in favor and 32 percent opposed.

The Pew poll found in the margin on casinos was 53-41 percent in April 2009 and 49-43 percent in January 2009.  Cliff Zukin, a professor of political science and public policy at Rutgers University who participated in the poll, said the results showed a "very unusual" dynamic of "the opposition that really relaxes" rather than a growing enthusiasm.

A new poll shows that 53 percent of Philadelphians approve of Mayor Nutter's job performance as mayor, compared with 32 percent who disapprove.

The poll -- from the Pew Charitable Trusts' Philadelphia Research Initiative -- looks at how city residents feel about the mayor, the city budget, casinos and City Council. The poll was conducted by Abt SRBI Public Affairs, who surveyed a total of 1,602 residents between January 8 and January 19.

These numbers are likely good news for Nutter, who is halfway through his four-year term and has weathered a tough two years of budget cuts. But when you get a little deeper into the details, you can see that Nutter's approvals vary depending on who you ask and what you're asking.

Residents are evenly split when you ask about Nutter's ability to manage the budget, with 47 percent showing confidence in his skills and 46 percent lacking confidence. And Nutter continues to receive lower ratings from black residents, than white residents -- just 43 percent of black Philadelphians say he's doing a good job, compared with 65 percent of white residents. While just 21 percent of white residents disapprove of Nutter's performance, 43 percent of black residents disapprove.

You can read the full text of the poll here.

Former Philly police officer Frank Tepper is charged with murder in last year's shooting death of Billy Panas.

U.S. Rep. Bob Brady recalls his mentor U.S. Rep John Murtha, who died yesterday.

Police make arrests in two "cold" rape cases.

Tributes are rolling in for U.S. Rep. John Murtha, who died today at the age of 77. Here are some press releases we've received so far:

From U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak:

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the Murtha family at this very difficult time. His service to our nation in Congress reflected an unyielding commitment to his constituents, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and our nation. However, he holds my greatest respect for the courage he showed in serving as a United States Marine and subsequently becoming the first Vietnam combat veteran elected to Congress. In doing so, he gave a voice to millions of men and women who fought in an unpopular war and were not afforded the respect and care they earned and deserved.

It was a privilege to work with him on a number of issues, and I am especially appreciative of the help he gave me as a mentor, whether it was on an approach within the halls of Congress, specific legislative items, or coming to my District to assist at key events. We should all be grateful for his commitment to public service for his District, Pennsylvania and this nation.”

From U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah:

“Chairman Murtha will be remembered as a man who was not just Congressman from Johnstown, he was the Congressman for Philadelphia, the Congressman for Pittsburgh, for Allentown, for every corner of our Commonwealth. He really carried the weight of Pennsylvania on his shoulders. In Congress, he always sat in the same chair and he always had the same disposition: Pennsylvania first.

»  More Local Elected Officials Remember Murtha

Here's a release on some hiring and other changes in the mayor's office. Most notably, Mayor Nutter has hired two City Council staffers -- Lauren Vidas, who formerly worked for Councilman Bill Green and Brian Abernathy, who worked for Councilman Frank DiCicco.

Check out the release:

MAYOR NUTTER ANNOUNCES PERSONNEL CHANGES AND RE-ALIGNMENT OF THE MAYOR’S OFFICE

Changes designed to increase productivity, maximize skill sets and improve work-flow

Philadelphia, February 8, 2010 – Today, Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced several personnel changes to the Mayor’s Office. The changes were designed to increase productivity, maximize respective skill sets, improve workflow and strengthen team operations within the Mayor’s Office. There are no salary changes associated with any of the following announcements.

“I am pleased to have such a cadre of bright, talented young people in leadership positions within my Administration and I appreciate the wide range of skill sets and the professional competence that each brings to the table,” said Mayor Nutter. “Their breadth and depth of knowledge surpasses their years and I look forward to working with each of them in their new roles.”

The internal changes announced today include:

Luke Butler will assume the role of Special Assistant to the Mayor where he will be primarily responsible for staffing the Mayor on a day-to-day basis and serve as an on-site point of contact for the Mayor. In addition to these new responsibilities, he will retain many of his press/communications responsibilities, including responding to media inquiries and preparing some of the Mayor's remarks and statements. Luke previously served as Deputy Press Secretary in the

»  More Mayor Hires Two Council Staffers, Makes Other Personnel Changes

Mayor Nutter today said the vast majority of city streets have been plowed following the monster storm over the weekend – and the city will be ready if another snowfall hits Tuesday.

“Whatever comes down, we’re going to deal with it,” Nutter said.

Nutter said it was too early to know the precise cost of the weekend snow removal. Cleaning up the massive December storm set the city back $3.4 million during an already tough budget year.

Asked if he was being dealt a bum hand by Mother Nature, Nutter joked: “I’ve always liked Mother Nature. I think she’s pretty cool.”
 

The DN takes in Sarah Palin's performance at the Tea Party Convention.

John Baer doesn't expect anything dramatic in Gov. Rendell's final budget plan.

Just when we've dug out...another storm is on the way.

Mayor Nutter says the city is ready to deal with the massive snowfall expected tonight and tomorrow.

“There will be a lot of snow. It will take place over a long period of time,” Nutter said at a press conference today. “We’ve been preparing for this for the last couple of days. First and foremost, your city government is ready and prepared.”

With between 12 and 20 inches predicted, city officials said 500 pieces of equipment are ready for deployment, along with 34,000 tons of salt. The streets department started prepping some streets with a brine solution on Thursday.

As of 8 p.m. tonight, the city will declare a snow emergency. Nutter stressed that anyone parked on an emergency route – which includes major streets like Broad, Walnut, Chestnut and Roosevelt Boulevard – must move their car by 8 p.m. You can check www.phila.gov to see all the emergency routes.

Nutter asked residents to stay home unless there’s an emergency. And he stressed that residents are required to shovel the sidewalks in front of their homes.

“Only travel if you need to,” Nutter said. “If you can stay in the house that will help us a great deal.”

»  More Nutter: City Is Ready For Snow

Here's the release:

MAYOR NUTTER TO PROVIDE UPDATE AHEAD OF SNOW STORM

WHO: Mayor Michael A. Nutter
Managing Director, Camille Barnett
Police Commissioner, Charles Ramsey
Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Public Utilities, Rina Cutler
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, Everett Gillison
Office of Emergency Management, MaryAnn Tierney

WHAT: Mayor Nutter and senior City officials will provide an update ahead of the snow storm, outlining snow removal plans for the weekend and advising citizens about what to expect during the storm.

WHERE: North West corner of City Hall, 15th and JFK

WHEN: Friday, February 5, 2010 12:00 pm