Author

A 3-decade veteran of the news business, John L. Micek is the Pennsylvania Capital-Star's Editor-in-Chief. An award-winning political reporter, Micek’s career has taken him from small town meetings and Chicago City Hall to Congress and the Pennsylvania Capitol. His weekly column on U.S. politics is syndicated to 800 newspapers nationwide by Cagle Syndicate. He also contributes commentary and analysis to broadcast outlets in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Micek’s first novel, “Ordinary Angels,” was released in 2019 by Sunbury Press.
Advocates for Black, brown, LGBTQ, women call for ‘meaningful’ gun reform | Friday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 27, 2022
'Tragedies such as what took place at Robb elementary school cause anxiety and fear for families who just want to protect their children while they receive an education,' an official said.
Pa. House bill would ban sale of body armor that aided Buffalo, Texas shooters | Thursday Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 26, 2022
Connecticut has tough restrictions on the sale of body armor, and New York is considering a ban, the proposal's sponsor, Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, said.
Our national pathology over guns is no longer insane. It’s inhuman | John L. Micek
By: John L. Micek - May 25, 2022
Beg for gun violence reform? That time is done. Demand it. And don't settle for any other answer but "yes."
After Texas, clergy gather to protest gun violence. How much is enough? | Wednesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 25, 2022
The Legislature's utter inaction on the most basic constraints on gun violence is one of the great moral failures of governance of the last decade.
America’s state supreme courts, including Pa., have a diversity problem | Tuesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 24, 2022
There are no Black justices in six states where Black people make up at least 10 percent of the population. Pa. is one of them.
Pa.’s GOP Senate race may head to a recount. Will it change anything? | Monday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 23, 2022
A new analysis of 20 years of data finds that recounts rarely change the outcome of elections.
Jan. 6 investigators want Georgia’s Loudermilk to explain pre-attack U.S. Capitol tour
By: Jacob Fischler and John L. Micek - May 20, 2022
Pa.'s Scanlon also said she saw 'unusual' tour groups in the Capitol in the days before the attack.
Fetterman’s lesson for Dems: A clear brand and coherent message wins every time | Friday Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 20, 2022
Behind the headlines, there was little that was unconventional about his win on Tuesday night.
Poll: Two-thirds of Americans back Roe, less likely to vote for abortion foes | Thursday Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 19, 2022
The new Quinnipiac survey is a warning for pols who want to restrict abortion rights.
Pa. Dems want to run against Mastriano. They may end up regretting it | John L. Micek
By: John L. Micek - May 18, 2022
The Franklin County lawmaker's hardline stances are a feature, not a bug, of the GOP.
3 more races we’re watching this post-primary Wednesday | Wednesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 18, 2022
From Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, there was no shortage of interesting races on the ballot on Tuesday.
Mastriano projected winner of Pa. Republican governor primary
By: John L. Micek - May 17, 2022
Mastriano will face Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who was running without opposition in Tuesday’s intra-party contests.