Mel Heifetz, known for his LGBT philanthropy, last year announced he was donating cash and real estate valued at $16 million to support LGBT causes. Longtime gay rights activist Mel Heifetz has received the Philadelphia Award, an annual honor recognizing a citizen who helps the community, for his work in promoting equality and helping LGBT causes in Philadelphia.

Vinny Vella is a staff writer on the Inquirer's Regions Desk, reporting on the Pennsylvania suburbs surrounding the city. He previously wrote a column for the Hartford Courant and covered urban crime for the Philadelphia Daily News .

Jose Ivan Nunez Martinez and his husband, Paul Frame, thought they were walking into a routine green card interview in January. Instead, the 37-year-old Martinez, who was born in Michoacan, Mexico, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Recently introduced in Philadelphia City Council was legislation to curb "criminal and defiant trespassers," also known as "squatters." While Bill 180430 is well-intended, it will have major negative and unintended consequences, allowing bad actors to displace lawful residents and wrongfully take possession of a property.

The Philly-based Americana rockers have kept a relatively low profile since their last release, 2015 EP It's Difficult to Know Anything At All , and have been teasing the forthcoming LP for actual years, releasing a few standalone singles back in 2016. Now, those new tunes are finally about to be released, this time in full-length form - How Could You Ever Be The Same? , Oldermost's fourth album, will be out July 13 via AntiFragile Music.

Authorities say a street shooting in Philadelphia has left a pregnant woman and her father critically injured on the day she was married. The shooting occurred shortly before 10:30 p.m. Sunday.