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.
More white Americans still support the death penalty. There’s an unpleasant reason for that| Friday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - November 29, 2019
Should all-white juries be permitted in death penalty cases involving black defendants?
Trump opened an Apple plant? Here’s what’s rotten at the core of that claim | John L. Micek
By: John L. Micek - November 29, 2019
America's fact-challenged chief executive can't hide the fact that he hasn't revitalized manufacturing in the United States.
JFK’s Thanksgiving wish: That we’re ‘humbly grateful’ for what brings us together
By: John L. Micek - November 28, 2019
From all of us at the Capital-Star, a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Wolf signs bills raising tobacco purchase age to 21, allowing Sunday hunting
By: John L. Micek - November 27, 2019
In a flurry of pre-holiday activity, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf signed a host of bills into law on Wednesday. But Pennsylvanians will want to take note of at least two that make some major changes to existing state statute. Wolf signed a bill raising the tobacco purchasing age for most Pennsylvanians from the current 18 […]
Democratic Rep. Neal Goodman is the latest legislative retirement
By: John L. Micek - November 26, 2019
Goodman the fourth lawmaker to announce this month that he will not be seeking re-election in 2020
Conservative group mobilizes against Senate GOP aide Crompton’s judicial nomination | Tuesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - November 26, 2019
Conservative activists say 'there must be more qualified candidates'
‘I thought I’d die in prison:’ Commuted lifers will celebrate Thanksgiving at home this year
By: John L. Micek - November 25, 2019
It’s been a combined total of 68 years since George Trudel and Naomi Blount last sat down to Thanksgiving dinner with their families. This Thursday, that will change. Blount and Trudel were both serving life sentences for murder until their terms were commuted by the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons earlier this year. Now they’re working […]
Pa.’s Fitzpatrick rolls out bipartisan bill aimed at fighting fentanyl trafficking | Monday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - November 25, 2019
One of the country's most targeted incumbents reaches across the aisle. Will it be enough?
The Trump Doctrine confirmed: Diplomats are errand boys doing the White House’s dirty work abroad
By: John L. Micek - November 22, 2019
America First? Nope, it's Trump First and Always.
Virginia lawmaker’s bill would make the U.S. 100 percent clean energy-reliant by 2030
By: Robin Bravender Capital-Star Washington Bureau and John L. Micek - November 22, 2019
The plan by U.S. Rep. Don McEachin , of Richmond, would require economy-wide, net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Report: Dems need to shave Trump’s margin among white, non-college voters to win Pa. – and the White House | Friday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - November 22, 2019
A reminder that it's never too early to plan ahead.
The Senate’s minimum wage bill isn’t great. But it’s a start | John L. Micek
By: John L. Micek - November 21, 2019
Democrats and Wolf won a battle on Wednesday. Maybe it wasn't the prettiest in the world. Maybe it wasn't a categorical victory. But it was a win.