5 stories to follow: July 8

Here's your daily look at five stories we're following:

1. Fire response times: Southwest Philadelphia residents erupted in protest Monday night over what they say was a delayed response to a weekend rowhouse fire that killed four children. City officials fought back against claims that firefighters took too long to get to the blaze, but records show the fire department initially deployed resources as if crews were preparing for a rubbish fire.

2. Traffic Court trial: Prosecutors are expected to finish presenting their case today at the trial of former Traffic Court judges facing fraud and conspiracy charges in an alleged ticket-fixing scandal. The defense will then begin telling its side.

3. Pa. budget: The new fiscal year has started, but budget issues are still being resolved in Harrisburg. State senators are returning today and are slated to vote on a cigarette tax of $2 per pack. Gov. Corbett, meanwhile, still has not signed the $29.1 billion budget.

4. Atlantic City development: New Jersey state Senate President Stephen Sweeney says expanding casinos to North Jersey could help Atlantic City, potentially generating income to aid the struggling resort. And Assemblyman Christopher A. Brown is planning a news conference today in front of Showboat Atlantic City -- a hotel and casino that will shut down next month -- to discuss economic development.

5. Bristol triple shooting: One person was killed and two others wounded in an overnight shooting at a home in Bristol Township.