‘Indiana Jones Of Ancient Alcohol’ UPenn Professor Pat McGovern Dies Suddenly
Patrick Edward McGovern, the University of Pennsylvania professor celebrated worldwide as the “Indiana Jones of Ancient Alcohol,” died suddenly the week of Aug. 17, 2025, leaving colleagues and friends in shock.
McGovern, 78, was the scientific director of the Biomolecular Archaeology Laboratory for Cuisine, Fermented Beverages, and Health at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, where he also served as an adjunct professor of anthropology.
Over nearly five decades at Penn, McGovern pioneered the field of molecular archaeology, chemically uncovering the secrets of ancient beer, wine, mead, …
Murder-For-Hire Plot Targeting NJ Prosecutor, Judges: PA Bowling Alley Owner Convicted
A Pennsylvania man has been convicted of conspiring to kill multiple New Jersey government officials in a murder-for-hire plot, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
Stephen Smink, 62, of Philadelphia, was found guilty on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, of conspiracy to commit murder, five counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to transport weapons, and transporting weapons after a trial in Atlantic County.
Smink targeted Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae, First Assistant Prosecutor Harold Shapiro, two Superior Court judges, and an assistant p…
US Marshals Capture Vineland Murder Suspect At Villanova Parking Garage: Authorities
A 26-year-old New Jersey man wanted for fatally stabbing his grandfather was arrested in Pennsylvania, authorities announced Tuesday, Aug. 27.
On Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 11 p.m., officers responded to a stabbing at Diamond Drive and found Albert Moir, 59, who had been stabbed in his home and died of his injuries, Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae said.
Shawn Moir, Albert's grandson was charged with murder and multiple weapons offenses, Webb-McRae said.
Moir fled the scene prior to arrival, but was apprehended by the US Marshal's Service in his vehicle, which was parked ins…
Cold Case Murder Of ‘Reputed Mob Affiliate’ In PA Solved 26 Years Later: Police
A 26-year-old cold case has been cracked with the arrest of a South Philadelphia man accused of gunning down Guerino “Gino” Marconi outside his home in 1999, court documents say.
Richard Leidy, 60, was arrested at his Girard Estates home on Monday, Aug. 25, and charged with murder, attempted murder, and multiple related offenses, according to Philadelphia court records.
On Saturday, April 10, 1999, Guerino “Gino” Marconi Sr., 42, an auto body shop owner and reputed low-level mob associate, was ambushed outside his house on the 2400 block of South 20th Street. His longtime girlfriend, Patric…
Drunk Driver Going 98 MPH Kills NJ Dad In Limerick Township Crash: Affidavit
A Philadelphia man is accused of causing a deadly high-speed crash on Route 422 while intoxicated, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
Andrew Ryne Hilferty, 35, was charged with Homicide by Vehicle–DUI, Homicide by Vehicle, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, Driving at Safe Speed, and Following Too Closely after the June 29 crash that killed 36-year-old Ryan Reyes of Bridgeport, New Jersey.
Pennsylvania State Police said Hilferty was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze eastbound on Route 422 near mile marker 1…
UPS Worker From Lemoyne Stole Nearly $9K In Jewelry, Designer Goods From Packages: Police
An employee at one of UPS’s largest shipping hubs in the country stole nearly $9,000 in merchandise from packages, police in Lower Swatara Township announced on Thursday, Aug. 25.
Dandre Rayvon Sibblies, 28, of Lemoyne, was arrested for allegedly pocketing jewelry, designer sunglasses, Pokémon cards, and other items while working at the UPS Middletown Hub, located at 2110 North Union Street, police say.
Sibblies was charged with Felony Theft by Unlawful Taking and Felony Theft of Mail, according to charging documents.
UPS Security contacted police on Tuesday, Aug. 13, after discovering sev…
MIT Gets No. 1 Spot In 2026 Rankings, Nine Other MA Colleges Make Top 100: See Which Ones
Universities across the Northeast dominated a new list of the best colleges in the US, with more than 30 institutions ranked among the nation's top 100.
Niche released its 2026 Best Colleges in America list on Monday, Aug. 25. The annual rankings cover more than 4,000 US colleges and universities, comparing them based on academics, value, student life, and athletics.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was ranked No. 1 overall. Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, followed in second place, while fellow Cambridge school Harvard University finished fo…
Fans Duped In $200K Jason Kelce Forgery Scheme: Philly Man Pleads Guilty
A Philadelphia man has pleaded guilty to his role in a $200,000 fake memorabilia scheme involving forged Jason Kelce signatures on more than 1,100 items, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said and court records show as of Monday, Aug. 25.
Scheme Involved Fake Signatures, Phony Verification
Robert Capone, 51, admitted to forging and distributing fraudulent memorabilia falsely labeled as being signed by the former Philadelphia Eagles center. He pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Aug. 5 to felony charges of theft by deception, conspiracy, and deceptive business practices, along with a mi…
25 Pizza Places Named Best In America: East Coast Spots Dominate List
The Infatuation has released its list of the 25 best pizza places in America, and the East Coast made a strong showing — from a Jersey City wood-fired favorite to a New Haven icon that’s been serving pies for nearly a century.
The 2025 ranking, published Thursday, Aug. 21, spans coast to coast, featuring classics like Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven, CT, and newcomers like Miami Slice in Florida.
Pizzerias were judged on crust quality, sauce balance, topping freshness, and overall consistency, with styles ranging from New York slices to Detroit-style pan pies and New Haven…
