Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has resigned after lawmakers from both parties called for her to step down in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The news comes as other law enforcement officials are facing scrutiny over security failures at the Butler, Pennsylvania campaign rally where Trump was shot. Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris testified before the House Homeland Security Committee about the Secret Service's operation plan for the event and their decision not to sweep the site with canine units. "I have not seen the Secret Service operations plan. I've asked for it. I've yet to receive it. I did double check and that is something PSP typically offers to the Secret Service if they request it. I did verify that in this event, we did not provide any dogs," Paris said. Paris also said members of the Butler Emergency Services Unit left their post in a window at the AGR building to look for shooter Thomas Crooks. Paris says PSP received a report from local law enforcement that Crooks was spotted using a range finder and state police immediately passed that information along to the Secret Service.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is releasing police body camera footage that was recorded immediately after the shooting at the Butler Township Trump rally. The Republican senator posted the video to X yesterday, saying it was released to Congress by the Beaver County Emergency Services Unit. The recording shows Beaver County officers on the roof of the AGR building near the body of gunman Thomas Crooks, speaking with a man who is believed to be a Secret Service agent. During the conversation, the agent seems to indicate that he has already seen pictures of Crooks that were previously sent by law enforcement, flagging him as a suspicious person.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has been asked about speculation that he's on a shortlist of potential running mates for Kamala Harris as she runs for president. He says it's not a subject they discussed when he spoke with the VP. "We spoke only about defeating Donald Trump and our shared commitment to that. I immediately gave her my endorsement and told her I'd do everything in my power to support her here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Shapiro says.
No one is sure just how many more voters will register in Pennsylvania before Election Day in November. Currently there are more than eight-million people on the state's voter rolls, and that number is growing each day. There continue to be more registered Democrats in Pennsylvania than Republicans, in fact the gap is almost 361-thousand voters. Most of Pennsylvania's registered voters are Gen X or older, at 55 to 64. Just eight-percent of the state's voters are Gen Z, who are ages 18 to 24.
A professor at Kutztown University died last weekend while on a mountain climbing trip in Turkey. Doctor Muhammad Dalgin and another climber were killed when their group was hit by a sudden storm while coming down from Mount Ararat. The university said Dr. Dalgin was on sabbatical to research sustainable food supply chains and indulge his passion for traveling. He had worked at K-U since 2008.
Gas prices are dropping across the Lehigh Valley as well as the commonwealth. AAA East Central says Pennsylvania's average price for a gallon of gas was $3.63 as of Tuesday, down nearly four cents from last Tuesday and seven cents lower than a year ago. In the Lehigh Valley, the average price was $3.52 Tuesday, down nearly six cents from the previous week and nine cents lower than July 23, 2023.
Authorities in Northampton County are giving more information about an arrest in Hellertown earlier this month. Police said officers were called to a home on July Twelfth for reports of a domestic incident, and had to break through a door to talk to the suspect. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Brett Getz, allegedly ran away from the home, which led to a chase that ended a short time later. Getz faces charges including aggravated assault and resisting arrest.
Authorities in Berks County are warning residents to be on the lookout for a phone scam. District Attorney John Adams says scammers are making phone calls claiming to be from the sheriff's department and demanding money for violating the law. He also noted the scammers could be using fake phone numbers and the real names of sheriff's department employees. Adams said anyone who receives a phone call this like this should verify it with the D-A's office.
Pennsylvania now has a new definition for child pornography, kind of. Governor Josh Shapiro yesterday allowed the law that erases the term "child pornography," and replaces it with "child sexual abuse material" to go into effect. He did not sign the law, but he also did not veto it. The challenge is that the new law does not define what makes something "child sexual abuse material." That means schools and public libraries are going to have to decide for themselves just what falls under the new umbrella. Supporters of the law say the term "child pornography" doesn't encompass the full scope of the things that are harmful to children.
In the wake of his conviction on federal bribery charges, New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez has announced he's resigning from Congress. He sent a letter to the Senate saying he will exit on August 20th. Democratic colleagues were pressuring him to step down following his conviction. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has said if Menendez didn't resign, he'd move to expel him. The governor is expected to appoint a replacement who would serve through the end of the year. Last week, a Manhattan jury found Menendez guilty in his federal corruption trial. The veteran Democrat was accused of accepting cash and gold bars in exchange for official favors involving two New Jersey businessmen. Menendez's sentencing is set for October 29th. His attorneys say they plan to appeal.
New Jersey's First Lady Tammy Murphy says she will not seek an appointment to Senator Bob Menendez's seat in Congress. Murphy says she remains committed to boosting infant and maternal health and combating climate change. Murphy had launched a bid for Menendez's seat but dropped out in March, saying the focus for the party should be unity, not division. Yesterday, Menendez sent a letter to the Senate saying he will resign his seat August 20th. Last week, a Manhattan jury found Menendez guilty in his federal corruption trial.
The Eagles will officially hit the practice field for the first time this training camp on Wednesday. Philadelphia is hoping to capitalize off of an 11-and-6 record in 2023. Head coach Nick Sirianni hired Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator and Vic Fangio will now lead the defense. The Eagles will play the Baltimore Ravens August 9 in their preseason opener.