This week’s biggest Winners & Losers

Firefighters anticipate all kinds of scenarios at house fires – but it's safe to say they didn't expect the venomous snakes, exotic birds, reptiles and other unusual fauna they rescued from a burning Bristol Township house last week. News photographers captured pics of first responders carrying out the reptiles and restraining two dogs while fighting the blaze. Two animals reportedly died; fortunately, their owners were not at home.

The state's quasi-governmental student loan servicer this week wriggled free of a lawsuit that had tarnished the agency with the taint of predatory collection. At the behest of the Trump administration, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau dropped its case against the PHEAA, which was accused of illegally pursuing payments on student loans that had already been discharged in bankruptcy.

The life of Pittsburgh “Italian Strongman” Bruno Sammartino – the legendary professional wrestler who remains the longest-reigning world title holder in WWE (then the WWF) history – will be honored at an upcoming pro wrestling show in Pittsburgh dubbed “Bruno Forever.” In addition to remembering the career and legacy of Sammartino, the show will also raise money for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. 

We've heard of porch pirates – but mausoleum moochers? Apparently, nothing is sacred nowadays, as police across Southeastern Pennsylvania are reporting a spate of thefts involving 200-pound cemetery mausoleum doors, while Philadelphia police are on the lookout for four men who stole copper wire from LOVE Park's Portal attraction. The copper kleptos were caught on a SEPTA camera schlepping their booty onboard in a trash can, but little is known about the cemetery robbers, except that they're ecumenical: Both Catholic and Jewish cemeteries now have crypts sans doors.

The commonwealth’s stock of chicken is taking a serious hit as avian flu continues to impact the agricultural sector. Avian influenza outbreaks have resulted in the culling of millions of birds in Pennsylvania – seven commercial flocks and nine backyard flocks, totaling more than 2.3 million birds in the last 30 days. The coops will need to regroup.

There’s no love lost between Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and Republicans in the city. But with just days left to file paperwork to run in the primary election, GOP leaders said they put out a call for a candidate to run against Krasner, but got no takers. With no GOP candidate on the ballot, Krasner – seeking his third term in office – will face just a primary challenger in former Judge Patrick Dugan.