The influential and tenacious former Senator Arlen Specter died Sunday at age 82. Sen. Specter represented Pennsylvania for over 30 years. He also served as a Republican for much of his tenure.
He was considered a moderate Republican when he switched parties in 2009. Running for a reelection as a Democrat, he went on to lose the Democratic Senate Primary the following year.
Specter died after a battle with a non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
His mark was felt outside the state he represented. A building in Atlanta was named after the senator after making a big difference in DeKalb County.
Former DeKalb County CEO Liane Levetan spoke with FOX 5 News about the former U.S. Senator. She knew the senator personally for many years and told of how he impacted the metro Atlanta area.
Two decades ago, the former CEOs of Home Depot and UPS invited Specter to the CDC to see how they operated. The senator noted the great work being done in less than ideal conditions. At the end of the tour he asked the director of the CDC how much money they needed and then worked to put the much needed funds for the CDC back into the budget.
Because of that, Building 21 on the CDC campus is known as the Arlen Specter Headquarters and Emergency Operations Center.
Specter's funeral is scheduled for Tuesday in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his wife Joan, two son's Shanin and Steve, as well as four granddaughters.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:57:50 GMT
The fox responsible for biting two Newton County elementary school students while they played on their school's playground remains on the loose.
The fox that bit two Newton County elementary school students while they played on the playground is still on the loose. Animal control authorities tell FOX 5 someone from Rocky Plains Elementary School reported a fox sighting on campus one day before the boys were attacked.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:48 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:48:53 GMT
The jury has begun deliberating in the trial of Michael Parson. He's accused of shooting his wife eight times in April 2011 outside their Sandy Springs apartment.
The jury has begun deliberating in the trial of Michael Parson. He's accused of shooting his wife eight times in April 2011 outside their Sandy Springs apartment.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:32:47 GMT
The wives of first responders in Atlanta took to the picket line on Thursday morning to demand a salary hike for city workers.
The wives and family members of first responders in Atlanta took to the picket line on Thursday morning to demand a salary hike for city workers. They say their loved ones are forced to work extra jobs just to make ends meet, leaving little time for family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:19 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:19:31 GMT
Police in Palmetto say they're investigating the abduction of a 13-year-old boy.
Police in Palmetto say they're investigating the abduction of a 13-year-old boy. They say he was approached by a man as he got off his school bus on Wednesday, and that man pulled him into a pickup truck. He was able to escape, but the suspect is still on the loose.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed says a $652 million plan to deepen the shipping channel to Savannah's seaport remains very much on President Barack Obama's radar.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed says a $652 million plan to deepen the shipping channel to Savannah's seaport remains very much on President Barack Obama's radar.
Rick Barron will take over next month as Fulton County's new elections chief, as the department continues to deal with a state investigation into problems at the polls.
Rick Barron will take over next month as Fulton County's new elections chief, as the department continues to deal with a state investigation into problems at the polls.
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:31 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:31:10 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:18:28 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:43:15 GMT
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan.
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan. The protesters said Thursday they want Wendy's to sign an agreement to safeguard working conditions for Florida tomato pickers.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:55:29 GMT
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:23:09 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
