A 25-year-old Allentown man will spend the next 30-to-60 years in jail for trying to kill a city policeman almost two years ago. Judge Doug Reichley handed down the sentence on Carmelo Cruz, who back in January 2021 fired several shots at Allentown policeman Cody Mullins, who was investigating a double-parked vehicle in the 500 block of North Lumber Street. Cruz was not in the double-parked car but fired in Mullins' direction as he was talking to the people inside that vehicle.
Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman says he's not a progressive. This comes as the freshman senator has drawn sharp criticism from his allies on the left for his staunch support for Israel and calls for Democrats to push for tougher immigration laws. Fetterman told NBC News Democrats must effectively address the border crisis and stand by Israel in its war with Hamas. He disagrees with progressives who oppose new limits on asylum. The Senate is currently scrambling to reach a deal on aid for Ukraine, Israel and border security before the holidays.
Tis the season for so-called “porch pirates” stealing people’s Christmas gifts before they ever make it inside. Thursday, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed legislation that stiffens Pennsylvania's penalties for such a theft. The law makes stealing packages a "theft by mail" crime, with a first offense punishable with up to 90 days in jail and up to a $300 fine with a second offense punishable by up to two years behind bars and a fine of up to $5000.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is back to a 101-101 partisan split with the resignation of a Democratic lawmaker Thursday, meaning another special election is coming to determine the chamber’s majority early next year. The resignation of Rep. John Galloway, of Bucks County, had been expected for months after his election as a magisterial district judge in November. But it was made official after the chamber concluded its final business of the year late Wednesday, wrapping up a months long budget feud. A special election will be held Feb. 13. In the interim, Democrats who control chamber has scheduled no voting days for January and February while it is slated to be deadlocked. If Republicans win the special election, it would grease the skids for GOP priorities to make it to Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk, or go out to the voters through constitutional amendments.
Within the next two years, old water fountains in state schools could be replaced by water stations with lead filters. Six state House members introduced legislation Tuesday that would require that by 2025. It would also create ways to helps school districts pay for replacing the fountains. Lawmakers says over 90 percent of Pennsylvania school districts have tested positive for lead exposure.
A state transportation advisory committee is recommending ways to deal with parking for trucks. Some of those include offering incentives for properties to offer parking for big rigs, repurposing state-owned properties and adding truck parking into economic development projects. Rebecca Oyler, who is CEO of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association which commissioned a report on the topic, says the state needs to focus on making more truck stops and industrial parks, as opposed to revamping public rest stops because the larger areas would offer more space. She also says developers don't see truck parking as the best use of real estate in areas where the parking is most needed, including the state's big cities, Harrisburg and Allentown.
The Philadelphia Eagles will open two cashierless concession stores at Lincoln Financial Field this month. The "On the Fly" express shops will be located on the main concourse and Pepsi Plaza; the concept allows fans to provide a form of payment through a card reader as they enter the stadium. Purchases inside the stores will be automatically processed with no need to see a cashier. The shops are part of a collaboration between the NFL club, Verizon, and AiFi, which provides computer vision technology. A soft open was held on December 3rd, and the shops will be open for all Eagles home games in the future.