News

Pennsylvania looks to expand access to doula services in 2024

BY: - December 8, 2023

Doulas, who are non-medical, trained professionals provide emotional, informational, and physical support before, during, and after pregnancy and childbirth, such as help with breastfeeding, breathing techniques during labor, and planning the birthing process. Doulas have been praised by medical professionals and lawmakers who say their services help improve maternal health outcomes in Pennsylvania. 

Growing threat of political violence looms over 2024, former members of Congress warn

BY: - December 7, 2023

Former members of Congress are deeply concerned about political violence ahead of the 2024 presidential election, former Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama and former Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia said at a Thursday joint appearance sponsored by the liberal Center for American Progress and the nonpartisan McCain Institute. Jones, a moderate Democrat who lost reelection […]

Penn president under pressure to resign following testimony before Congress about antisemitism

BY: - December 7, 2023

The president of the University of Pennsylvania is facing increasing pressure to step down from her position, after giving testimony before a U.S. House committee Tuesday about antisemitism on college campuses that Gov. Josh Shapiro called “absolutely shameful.” Elizabeth Magill appeared before the House Committee on Education along with the presidents of Harvard and the […]

GOP Senate candidate McCormick unveils China policy during Philadelphia speech

BY: - December 7, 2023

China has already emerged as one of the key issues in the 2024 race between McCormick and his opponent, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey.

Repairs to historic Pennsylvania House chamber prompt three-month hiatus for lawmakers

BY: - December 7, 2023

A burst heating coil caused damage to the Pennsylvania House chamber that will keep it closed for business until March.

Students walking together

Education advocates say safeguards against discrimination are needed in Pa. school voucher programs

BY: - December 7, 2023

With Gov. Josh Shapiro and state lawmakers pushing to expand Pennsylvania’s taxpayer-funded school voucher programs, an education advocacy group is calling for safeguards to protect students from discriminatory private school admissions policies. Pennsylvania’s Educational Investment Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs provide more than $400 million that students in poorly performing […]

Pa. to receive grant funding for development of wildlife corridors

BY: - December 7, 2023

The grant funding was announced Tuesday and is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated $350 million for wildlife crossing and related projects over five years.

Erie County Democrat Jim Wertz launches challenge to state Sen. Dan Laughlin

BY: - December 6, 2023

Wertz is a former chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party.

Casey, Fetterman announce $144M grant to expand Amtrak’s Philadelphia to Pittsburgh service

BY: - December 6, 2023

The Pennsylvanian carried about 212,000 passengers in 2019 before ridership dropped sharply during the pandemic. In 2022, the Pennsylvanian carried about 176,000 passengers. PennDOT did not say when the expanded service would begin.

U.S. Rep. Glenn 'GT' Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican

U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson announces prostate cancer diagnosis

BY: - December 6, 2023

He said the diagnosis is a surprise, but feels well and will continue his work representing the 15th Congressional District.

The exterior of the Pennsylvania state Capitol on March 7, 2023 (Photo by Amanda Mustard for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star).

Democrats make battleground investment in Pa. House race

BY: - December 6, 2023

The Democratic Party’s committee focused on winning state legislatures announced that defending the Democratic majority in the Pennsylvania state House is among its priorities for the 2024 election. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) said it will invest nearly $300,000 to provide critical resources for state legislative campaigns in Arizona, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, […]

Philadelphia reduced school-based arrests by 91% since 2013

BY: - December 6, 2023

By Amanda NeMoyer, Drexel University and Naomi Goldstein, Drexel University Across the United States, arrest rates for young people under age 18 have been declining for decades. However, the proportion of youth arrests associated with school incidents has increased. According to the U.S. Department of Education, K-12 schools referred nearly 230,000 students to law enforcement […]