Larry Platt Resigns as Editor of the Daily News

Larry Platt has announced that he'll be leaving the Daily News on June 8th. We hear Platt is stepping aside to focus on a book he's writing about Souderton native and former Phillie Jamie Moyer. Platt had been the editor of the Daily News since early 2011. The former editor of Philadelphia magazine has previously authored three books, including Only the Strong Survive: The Odyssey of Allen Iverson. Jim Romenesko has published the email Platt sent to his staff. [Romenesko]

Group Upset That Residents at Albert Einstein Medical Center Train on Kittens

A Washington-based nonprofit plans to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s animal care office in Raleigh because residents at Albert Einstein Medical Center learn to insert breathing tubes into tiny babies by practicing on kittens. Doctors at Albert Einstein maintain that the process is necessary. Only eight of the other 201 accredited pediatric residency programs use ferrets, kittens or cats to teach endotracheal intubation. [Philly.com]

Mayor Nutter Supports Fire Commissioner Ayers Amid Calls for Resignation

Yesterday afternoon the firefighters Local Union 22 called for the resignation of Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers. The move came in wake of the April 9th fire in a Kensington warehouse that caused a wall in an adjacent to collapse killing two firefighters. This afternoon, Mayor Nutter stood by (metaphorically) Commissioner Ayers saying, "It is unfortunate that the union leadership, who I’ve certainly tried to work with over the time that I’ve been here, would make personal attacks on a fine public servant in Lloyd Ayers or on the rest of the fire command leadership." [Daily News]

Temple Makes Provost Acting President

Temple University has named Richard M. Englert—a provost and longtime administrator—as its acting president while the search for a permanent replacement for Ann Weaver Hart continues. Hart had originally said that she was leaving Temple to spend time with her ailing mother in Utah, but later announced that she'd accepted an offer to become the president of the University of Arizona. [Inquirer]

Press of Atlantic City Tells the Daily News to Stick It

The folks at the Press of Atlantic City took issue with Tuesday's front-page headline. The Daily News ran an aerial photo of Atlantic City with the headline "TOURIST DEATH TRAP" for its story on the pair of Canadian tourists that were stabbed to death in Atlantic City by a woman who allegedly has a history of mental health issues and hadn't taken her medication. Daily News editor Larry Platt says that he'll run every "reasoned and civil" email he received complaining about the headline. [Romenesko]

Thousands Protest at Center City Rally for Education [UPDATE]

Thousands of people took to the streets in Center City today for a rally for education. People began gathering at the Municipal Services Building late this morning before marching north to protest at the Philadelphia School District headquarters. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) helped to organize the protest—and others like it in eight Pennsylvania cities—because they're worried that an increased reliance on charter schools will cost many of them their jobs. People were arrested at the protest in Pittsburgh for sitting in the street outside Governor Corbett's office. [6 ABC] UPDATE: Police have arrested 11 men and three women for...

PA State Rep. Introduces Bill to Kill Public Funding for Planned Parenthood

Today, Republican Pennsylvania state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe introduced an anti-abortion bill that would eliminate funding to Planned Parenthood. The proposed legislation is similar to measures currently being debated in other states. It's called the Whole Woman’s Health Funding Priority Act and would put health care providers offering abortion services on the bottom rung of the funding ladder. [Philly.com]

Monsignor William Lynn Takes the Stand in His Own Defense

Today, Monsignor William Lynn took the witness stand to testify in his own defense. Lynn told the court that he never had the power to assign or transfer priests within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He said that that power was reserved for the late Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua—whom Lynn served under for 12 years. Philly.com reports that Lynn seemed at ease during his testimony—swiveling in his chair and answering questions with a half-smile. [Philly.com]

Celeb Scoop: Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen Are Coming to Philly

Plus: The trailer for The Great Gatsby, Snooki’s having a boy, Will Smith explains the kiss-and-slap incident, and more of today’s celebrity news.

The Biebs Comes to Philly. What's better than a Justin Bieber concert in South Philly on Novemeber 4th? A Justin Bieber concert in South Philly on November 4th with Carly Rae Jepsen as an opening act. [Philly Gossip] This Is The Great Gatsby. Stop what you're doing and immediately watch the trailer for Baz Lurhmann's upcoming The Great Gatsby in all of its extravagant glory. Snooki's Having a Boy. Who will probably be forever traumatized by his classmates because they'll all have video clips of his mom smushing countless gorillas down the Shore. Good luck, kid—you're...