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John L. Micek

A three-decade veteran of the news business, John L. Micek is the Pennsylvania Capital-Star's former Editor-in-Chief.

Cherry blossoms outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. (Capital-Star photo by Jennifer Shutt).

U.S. House approves debt limit package, sending it to Senate days before default deadline

By: and - May 31, 2023

Pennsylvania U.S. Reps. Scott Perry, a Republican, and Summer Lee, a Democrat, cast ‘no’ votes on the debt deal.

Pennsylvania Gov . Josh Shapiro delivers his first budget address to a joint session of the state House and Senate on March 7, 2023 (Photo by Amanda Mustard for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star).

America’s new governors, including Pa.’s Shapiro, are holding their own | Wednesday Morning Coffee

By: - May 31, 2023

An analysis finds mostly clear sailing for chief execs elected in 2022. Though having your party in control of the Legislature helps.

Dems hit Pa.’s Perry, Fitzpatrick over debt ceiling vote, vets funding | Tuesday Morning Coffee

By: - May 30, 2023

A U.S. House vote on a debt ceiling bill could come as soon as Wednesday.

COMMENTARY

Memorial Day 2023: A soldier’s extraordinary speech on a somber day | Monday Morning Coffee

By: - May 29, 2023

In 1945, Lt. Gen. Lucian Truscott Jr. turned his back on his audience and apologized to the dead buried behind him

The Rankin Bridge (Photo by Rankinbr/WikiMedia Commons/Public Domain).

After 34 years, Allegheny Co. borough exits Act 47 protection | Five for the Weekend

By: - May 27, 2023

The exit 'proves that when you stay focused, committed and work together -- all things are possible," Rankin Borough Council President William H. Price III said.

Rubble at dilapidated factory, Detroit, Michigan, United States

Pa. House panel approves blight-fighting bill | Friday Morning Coffee

By: - May 26, 2023

Rep. Bob Merski, D-Erie, says his bill will buttress the Shapiro administration's community revitalization efforts across the state.

On Uvalde anniversary, Pa. Dem’s bill looks to fortify schools | Thursday Morning Coffee

By: - May 25, 2023

With the nation pausing to remember the first anniversary of the deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas this week, a Democratic lawmaker in the state House pleaded the case for his plan to avert a similar tragedy in Pennsylvania.

Direct service providers rally for more money in the 2022-23 state budget at the Pennsylvania state Capitol on May 24, 2022 in Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Bill allocating $100M for mental health clears Pa. House panel | Wednesday Morning Coffee

By: - May 24, 2023

'Our continued work to better mental health care in Pennsylvania takes another step forward,' Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, said.

Report: Racial inequities ‘pervade’ Philly’s juvenile justice system | Tuesday Morning Coffee

By: - May 23, 2023

More kids have been diverted, but costs have 'soared' for those who remain, according to a report released Monday.

COMMENTARY

‘It’ll be fine, I’ll be with a white girl’: Words of wisdom and a warning | Monday Morning Coffee

By: - May 22, 2023

Jordan Neely died for no reason. For too many, Black lives still don’t matter enough. Words from a teen remind us of why.

Report: Pa. ranks 13th nationwide for mass punishment | Friday Morning Coffee

By: - May 19, 2023

The new data comes as policymakers are set to try again on probation reform.

(Photo courtesy of the office of U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.)

Pa.’s Fetterman urges Biden to keep 14th Amendment on table during debt ceiling talks

By: and - May 18, 2023

“The entire GOP debt ceiling negotiation is a sad charade, and it’s exactly what’s wrong with Washington. We’re playing with fire and the livelihoods of millions just for the GOP to try and turn the screws on hungry Americans,” Fetterman said.