Author
Biden declares U.S. ban on Russian oil, warns of gasoline price spikes
By: Jennifer Shutt and Jacob Fischler - March 8, 2022
WASHINGTON — The United States will no longer import Russian energy in an attempt to further cripple that nation’s economy as it wages war against Ukraine. President Joe Biden announced the newest sanctions Tuesday from the White House, saying that a ban on Russian oil and gas would target “the main artery of Russia’s economy.” […]
A year after Jan. 6, attack on the U.S. Capitol lives on in hundreds of court cases | Analysis
By: Jacob Fischler - March 5, 2022
More than 15% of the defendants charged in the Capitol insurrection had ties to Pennsylvania, our analysis found.
U.S. sanctions Putin’s personal assets, readies forces for NATO deployment
By: Jacob Fischler - February 25, 2022
The United States will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine, even as the logistics have become more complicated, officials said.
New U.S. sanctions on Russia target banks, high-tech imports
By: Jacob Fischler and Jennifer Shutt - February 24, 2022
WASHINGTON — The United States and Western allies stepped up economic sanctions on Russia following its escalated attack on Ukraine, President Joe Biden said at the White House on Thursday. Biden had for weeks pledged to impose significant sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin followed through on plans to invade Ukraine. As the invasion ramped […]
Members of Congress from both parties in Pa. and beyond urge tough sanctions on Russia
By: Jennifer Shutt, Ariana Figueroa, Jacob Fischler and John L. Micek - February 22, 2022
Members of Congress appear unified, for the moment, that the most the United States should do is restrict Russia's economy, not send U.S. soldiers to face Russian troops in the streets of Ukraine.
Reports: Supreme Court Justice Breyer to step down
By: Jennifer Shutt, Jacob Fischler and Ariana Figueroa - January 26, 2022
WASHINGTON — U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is planning to announce his retirement in the coming days, according to multiple press reports Wednesday. The decision by the 83-year-old justice, who was nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1994, would give President Joe Biden his first chance to nominate a member of the Supreme Court, […]
Federal pipeline standards backed by top energy regulator after Colonial Pipeline hack
By: Jacob Fischler - January 20, 2022
In Pa., some state officials, including Gov. Tom Wolf, have previously asked the federal government to expand its oversight over pipeline construction
Pa. to get $1.6B in new bridge funding from feds, though toll plans still on amid funding shortfalls
By: Stephen Caruso and Jacob Fischler - January 18, 2022
Pennsylvania will get $1.6 billion in extra federal funding over the next five years to fix more than 3,000 bridges across the commonwealth. The funding comes from $26.5 billion in funds for distressed bridges authorized under the recent infrastructure law. The law will also waive the requirement that states and local governments provide matching funds, […]
In ‘paradigm shift,’ U.S. Forest Service to use logging, controlled burns to prevent wildfires
By: Jacob Fischler - January 18, 2022
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration will announce Tuesday it is using $3 billion from last year’s infrastructure law to revamp the federal approach to wildfire management, introducing a 10-year plan to deal with the large swaths of the West scientists consider most at risk of destructive blazes. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa […]
U.S. Supreme Court blocks Biden workplace vaccine rule, allows health care workers mandate
By: Jacob Fischler - January 13, 2022
The rulings came less than a week after the justices heard arguments on the mandates – an unusually fast turnaround for the court.
Capitol Hill Dems push to rescue climate plan in Biden’s spending package
By: Jacob Fischler - January 4, 2022
WASHINGTON — A group of congressional Democrats on Tuesday called for preserving the climate portions of President Joe Biden’s stalled domestic spending bill as Democrats in the U.S. Senate rewrite the measure. U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, Tina Smith of Minnesota and John Hickenlooper of Colorado, along with Reps. […]
Federal judge blocks Biden vaccine mandate for Head Start workers in 24 states
By: Jacob Fischler - January 3, 2022
A Louisiana federal judge has put a hold on President Joe Biden’s mandate that Head Start workers be vaccinated against COVID-19.