State News-Monday, Nov. 20th

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A parade of celebrities and billionaires appeared before Pennsylvania state regulators last week to press their case for a casino license in Philadelphia. Sylvester Stalone, famous for his movie role as hard-luck Philadelphia boxer Rocky Balboa, appeared in a recorded video message. So did actor Bruce Willis, one of Stallone's partners at Planet Hollywood International. Music producer Quincy Jones and three billionaires, Donald Trump, Neil G. Bluhm and Robert L. Johnson, showed up in person in Harrisburg. Five competitors are vying for two slot-machine gambling licenses in Philadelphia, which could become the nation's biggest city with a casino. The licensing vote will be taken on December 20th.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb will miss the rest of the year because of a torn ligament in his right knee, ending his season early for the third time in five years. McNabb was injured in the second quarter of Philadelphia's 24-to-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans yesterday.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Local artists dismayed by Thomas Jefferson University's decision to sell the Thomas Eakins' masterpiece "The Gross Clinic" are joining the fight to keep the painting in its hometown. The university said the community can try to match the 68 million-dollar sale price by December 26th.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Hosea Kimutai of Kenya wins the Philadelphia Marathon, but narrowly missed a course record. He finished in two hours, 17 minutes, nine seconds -- just 22 seconds off the standard
for 26-point-2-mile race in Philadelphia. In the women's race, Russia's Maryina Bychkova took the title in a personal best of two hours, 40 minutes and 31 seconds.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - U-S Representative Chaka Fattah has become the second person to officially enter the mayor's race in Philadelphia. The 49-year-old Fattah, a Democrat, is opening his campaign this weekend with a theme of opportunity for all.