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.
Poll: Disability service industry cut services in face of staffing shortage | Friday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - January 14, 2022
The industry says it has spent months pleading for help from the Wolf administration.
About the GOP’s historical amnesia on voting rights | John L. Micek
By: John L. Micek - January 13, 2022
There is only one party actively working to disenfranchise Black voters and voters of color. Any other argument is a distraction.
Allegheny Co.’s decision to suspend trials didn’t surprise local lawyers | Thursday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - January 13, 2022
Lawyers say they're concerned about scheduling and the prioritization of cases, according to a published report.
After dropping early in the pandemic, jail populations are rising again | Wednesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - January 12, 2022
COVID-19 cases, not actual policy changes, drove the temporary reduction, according to new research.
Can nice win you the GOP nomination? Jeff Coleman is trying to find out | Tuesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - January 11, 2022
The LG candidate is running to restore civility in a Republican Party where it's in short supply.
As officials make pitch, Pittsburgh in the running to host 2024 RNC | Monday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - January 10, 2022
New Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny Co. Executive Rich Fitzgerald are among those trying to lure the GOP to the Steel City
Pa. says it’s investigating ‘aggressive and sophisticated’ unemployment fraud efforts
By: John L. Micek - January 8, 2022
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry says it’s investigating “increasingly aggressive and sophisticated” efforts to steal unemployment compensation benefits. And the agency is urging employers and workers to report any suspicious activity. Fraudsters, both foreign and domestic, have been “exploiting unprecedented demand on the nation’s unemployment compensation systems,” since the start of the COVID-19 […]
Pa. House bill would allow state to join national popular vote compact | Friday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - January 7, 2022
If approved, the legislation would put the commonwealth in the company of 15 states that have agreed to the change.
Pa. Rep. Boyle: I’m worried most ‘by the Jan. 6 that could still happen’ | Thursday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - January 6, 2022
Boyle, D-2nd District, says he wants to see full accountability — legislatively and legally — for those behind the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Penn State study: Pa. flood risk rising with climate change | Wednesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - January 5, 2022
Projections show the state will face more extreme rainfall and flooding by 2050.
Visiting the Pa. Farm Show? Consider COVID risk, Pa. Ag. Sect’y says | Tuesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - January 4, 2022
'For individuals who are concerned about their personal health or have family members or colleagues who are particularly vulnerable, this is not the year to attend,' Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said during a Monday briefing.
Revenue Dept.: Pa. collected $3.8B in tax revenue in December
By: John L. Micek - January 3, 2022
With Gov. Tom Wolf's last budget address just about a month away, the state has collected $22.6B for the fiscal year that ends on June 30.