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: Most Pa. voters ‘dissatisfied’ with state’s election system | Friday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 6, 2022
Voters called for Voter ID, and an end to mail-in ballots, according to a new Franklin & Marshall College poll
Yass, he can: Pro-charters billionaire jumps into key Pa. House, Senate races | Thursday Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 5, 2022
A PAC connected to Jeffrey Yass, of Montgomery County, recently dumped $65K into Democratic contests, records show.
The GOP’s anti-abortion crusade is not pro-family at all | Wednesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 4, 2022
There's always been a fatal flaw in the arguments of anti-abortion forces: Their indifference to children after they're born
Wolf: In wake of leaked Supreme Court opinion on Roe, ‘abortion is and will remain legal in Pennsylvania’
By: John L. Micek - May 3, 2022
All four of the leading Republicans vying for the GOP governor nomination oppose abortion rights, with two supporting no exceptions at all.
With record tax collections, not spending would be ‘irresponsible,’ Wolf says | Tuesday Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 3, 2022
The state collected $6.5B in General Fund revenue in April, the most ever for a single month.
Monday is the deadline register to vote in the May 17 primary. What to know | Monday Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 2, 2022
Your complete guide to participating in this very consequential election.
What the Founders meant by ‘virtue,’ and how it could save our politics now | Friday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - April 29, 2022
A word that's become synonymous with morality had a more totemic meaning to the Revolutionary generation.
And justice for whom? Pa. lags on commutations, new data shows | Thursday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - April 28, 2022
A survey of 8 northeastern states found an average of one commutation for every 10K imprisoned people each year.
In a sharp-elbowed debate, Pa.’s Republican governor hopefuls make their pitch
By: John L. Micek - April 27, 2022
Four of the leading GOP candidates traded jabs on issues ranging from fossil fuels to abortion rights.
Pa. GOP governor hopeful Mastriano campaigned at event promoting QAnon
By: John L. Micek - April 27, 2022
The conference was organized by far-right activists Alan and Francine Fosdick, who have prompted QAnon conspiracy theories.
As deaths rise, a new call for gun reform. Will Republicans listen? | Wednesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - April 27, 2022
'Pennsylvania’s leaders must step up to do their part,' Gov. Tom Wolf said Tuesday.
Report: New texts show Pa. Rep. Perry’s ‘key role’ in trying to overturn 2020 election results
By: John L. Micek - April 26, 2022
A newly published report sheds more light on the Pa lawmaker's role in trying to overturn the 2020 election results.