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.
Wolf admin touts $1.75M grant to Berks Co. baby formula maker | Thursday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - June 2, 2022
The money will allow ByHeart to complete a canning line and dry blend area at its new facility in Reading.
Report: Black, Hispanic adults less likely to receive CPR, especially in public | Wednesday Coffee
By: John L. Micek - June 1, 2022
Racism 'is definitely one of the factors' preventing people from responding to Black and Hispanic adults in need of help, researchers said.
Report: States, including Pa., headed for ‘fiscal cliff’ after COVID aid runs out | Tuesday Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 31, 2022
A new report could throw fuel on the budgetary fire this month.
A different America demands a different kind of Memorial Day | Monday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - May 30, 2022
To really honor the fallen, we need to keep working on the nation they died defending.
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 | Thursday Morning 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.