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🗞️ Headlines. Senate approves funding for TSA. Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturns life sentence without parole for second-degree murder. The Philadelphia waiver policy will remain unchanged. PA Foodie Map.
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The most vital story
1. The Senate approves funding for the TSA and most homeland security systems, but does not approve immigration enforcement
“The Senate early Friday morning approved Department of Homeland Security funding to pay agents of the Transportation Security Administration and most other agencies, but did not approve the immigration enforcement actions that are causing a budget impasse that is clogging airports, disrupting travel and putting workers at risk of financial hardship.
The agreement, which the Senate approved unanimously and without name, next goes to the House, which is scheduled to consider it on Friday.” | AP
Elsewhere
Casey calls President Trump’s criticism of judges ‘almost criminal’. “Without ever mentioning President Donald Trump by name, former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey accused him on Thursday of pushing for the destruction of the nation’s judicial system, press freedom and voting rights.” | WVIA
Knives for Fetterman as Democrats turn on one-time progressive star. “The criticism reflects growing friction between Sen. John Fetterman and his progressive political base as he breaks with Democrats on key issues, including his support for Israel, support for Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and openness to voter identification. Fetterman, once a favorite of the political left who has traded support with socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, now finds himself the target of attacks from within his own party. | Fox News
Senate Democrats rejected an amendment requiring photo ID on the vote. “Senate Democrats on Thursday rejected an amendment sponsored by Sen. Jon Husted (R), former Ohio Secretary of State, to require voters to show photo ID when casting an in-person or absentee ballot, despite Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.)’s previous statements that Democrats support photo ID requirements in elections.” | Hill
Country
2. Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturns life sentence without parole for second-degree murder
“On Thursday, in a landmark ruling, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court found that it is unconstitutional to sentence people convicted of second-degree murder to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The court ruled that the sentence violated the Pennsylvania Constitution’s prohibition on cruel punishment.
The court verdict was issued in the case Derek Lee from Allegheny County. Lee was involved in a robbery in Pittsburgh in 2014 with another man. While Lee was upstairs, another man involved in the robbery killed a man in the basement. A person can be convicted of second-degree murder if he or she was involved in the commission of a crime and during that act someone died, even if he or she did not intend to kill anyone and did not participate in the action that led to the death. | PoliticsPA
Elsewhere
Philadelphia prosecutor says ruling corrects decades of unconstitutional life sentences imposed in AP. “District Attorney Larry Krasner, whose office joined 16 advocacy organizations in filing an amicus brief supporting the challenge, said Thursday that the ruling upends decades of sentencing practice” | Philadelphia Tribune
Pennsylvania House Speaker predicts budget on time after years of delays. “Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton says the committee’s decision to pass the state budget this week is a sign that House Democrats want a budget on time. It’s something Pennsylvania lawmakers haven’t accomplished in years, and last year’s budget fight dragged on into November. ” | abc27
The true story of the Amish vote in Pennsylvania. “In the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, viral social media posts claimed that record numbers of Amish had registered to vote. For example, one post that gained national attention suggested that as many as 180,000 Amish had registered to vote in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. But to what extent did members of Lancaster County’s Old Order Amish community vote in the 2024 election? And those who did vote, could they have influenced on the election result? 19 Electoral College votes in Pennsylvania?” | RealClear Pennsylvania
Around the Republic of Poland
3. The Philadelphia resignation policy will remain unchanged regardless of the City Council’s decision
– After all, you have to give up in order to live.
Philadelphia’s long-standing rule requiring elected officials to give up their jobs to seek higher office will likely remain in place after a City Council member on Thursday moved to repeal the law that lawmakers overwhelmingly passed just a month ago.’ | Questioner from Philadelphia
Elsewhere
Three cities will become ‘FIFA World Cup fan zones’. “With Philadelphia less than three months away from the first World Cup game, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that three other Pennsylvania cities will also provide fan experiences at the world’s largest sporting event.” | Central Square
Troubled Chester County Elections Director Karen Barsoum Will Step Down After Graduating from Elementary School. “Chester County’s election director, criticized for a series of administrative errors and accusations of a hostile work environment, is stepping down from his role.” | Vote for Pennsylvania
Philadelphia courts will ban all sharp glasses starting next week. “Philadelphia’s courtrooms remain Luddite-friendly. At least when it comes to glasses. Philadelphia’s court system is moving to ban all forms of smart or AI-integrated glasses, the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania announced this week. ” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Pittsburgh’s metro population is degenerating again. “Back to normal in Pittsburgh: population decline. Census estimates released Thursday show the eight-county Pittsburgh metropolitan region is losing population again, continuing a well-trodden trend. ” | Axios Pittsburgh
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. Meet the voracious food mappers who try to make it easier to find the best food in PA
“Pennsylvania boasts some amazing and unique foods, but finding them isn’t always as uncomplicated as devouring them.
Experienced food reviewers don’t travel to most parts of the state and can’t cover all the local specialties even when they come to town. Public review sites can be targets for fraudulent or outright phony reviews. Meanwhile, social media is full of influencers, and some of them may promote restaurants just to get a free meal.
What’s a hungry foodie to do? | PA reflector
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