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.
Taking undocumented immigrants’ housing won’t help the ‘most vulnerable,’ Mr. President | John L. Micek
By: John L. Micek - April 23, 2019
The Trump administration is upping the ante in its war on undocumented immigrants with a new proposal to boot them from public housing — all in the name of helping “the most vulnerable” Americans. But immigration activists and advocates for low-income Pennsylvanians say all the White House’s plan would do is leave thousands of children, […]
Can cannabis research save Pa’s struggling, post-industrial towns? | Monday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - April 22, 2019
It's about time someone made a Darling Buds reference.
This map reveals how much you need to earn to buy a house — and Pittsburgh is a steal | The Numbers Racket
By: John L. Micek - April 22, 2019
There's nothing we love more than a good map.
What is Passover? Your four questions, answered
By: John L. Micek - April 20, 2019
On Friday, at sundown, Jews all over the world celebrated the start of Passover, which runs for the next seven days. It is one of the most important holidays on the Jewish calendar. And while we may have missed your Friday night seder (our apologies), it’s still not too late to answer four, key questions […]
The Mueller Report: ‘We’re not there yet’ on impeachment, Pa. U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean says
By: John L. Micek - April 19, 2019
Members of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee have their work cut out for them as they review Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s 448-page report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. But the committee is “just not there yet” on an impeachment proceeding, U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, who sits on the panel, said in a […]
Why Bernie Sanders may not be able to count on Pa. in 2020 | Friday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - April 19, 2019
This is where the path to the nomination gets really bumpy.
The Redacted Mueller Report is Out: This is what every member of Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation has to say about it
By: John L. Micek - April 18, 2019
This piece will be continuously updated.
Why, yes, spending more money on schools does yield better results | Thursday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - April 18, 2019
Because, math. That's why.
In the Pa. House, encouraging steps on criminal justice reform continue | John L. Micek
By: John L. Micek - April 17, 2019
On criminal justice issues lately, there's been that rarest of all things: a through-line in policymaking; a recognition that action taken in one part of state government has ripple effects in other parts of state government.
‘A People’s Budget:’ Activists rally at the Capitol for a higher minimum wage, free college, and better school funding
By: John L. Micek - April 17, 2019
'Estamos listos para este poder?' -- 'Are you ready for this power?' one activist asked.
Progressive billionaire Tom Steyer’s super PAC is on the ground in #PA12 | Wednesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - April 17, 2019
NextGen America launches voter push in GOP stronghold
‘This legislation is not anti-police’: Pa. House Dems propose package of police reform bills
By: John L. Micek - April 16, 2019
Democrats in the state House on Tuesday unveiled a quintet of police reform proposals they say will provide for increased oversight and training for law enforcement.