News
Pennsylvania looks to expand access to doula services in 2024
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
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
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
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
A burst heating coil caused damage to the Pennsylvania House chamber that will keep it closed for business until March.
Education advocates say safeguards against discrimination are needed in Pa. school voucher programs
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
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
Wertz is a former chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party.
Casey, Fetterman announce $144M grant to expand Amtrak’s Philadelphia to Pittsburgh service
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 announces prostate cancer diagnosis
He said the diagnosis is a surprise, but feels well and will continue his work representing the 15th Congressional District.
Democrats make battleground investment in Pa. House race
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 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 […]