Governor Josh Shapiro was one of the first to speak out after President Biden announced that he is dropping out of the race for the White House. Shapiro yesterday called President Biden a patriot who has served this country for decades. He thanked the president for his long career, and vowed to back Kamala Harris' bid to become the next president. Senator Casey said Harris is prepared to be commander-in-chief, and said she is the best person to 'meet this moment.' Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman was not happy to hear that President Biden is dropping out of the race. Fetterman didn't necessarily want Biden to continue to run, but Fetterman said he's frustrated at how the Democratic Party handled it. He said people pushed-out an 'honorable man' like Joe Biden rather than a 'sleazeball' like Bob Menendez, who has been found guilty of corruption charges. Fetterman has been a vocal backer of Biden, and has not yet said who he plans to support going forward.
The candidates for Pennsylvania's Seventh Congressional District are reacting to President Biden's decision to end his re-election campaign. Democratic Congresswoman Susan Wild said Biden's patriotism and selflessness are an example for everyone. Her opponent, Republican Ryan Mackenzie, said whoever Democrats nominate will have to run away from what he calls a "failed record." Wild said she is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to replace Biden on the ticket.
Governor Phil Murphy will reportedly not seek the Democratic nomination for president following President Biden's announcement yesterday he would not seek a second term. Sources close to the governor have told NJ Advance Media that the governor is being considered as a possible candidate for nomination as vice president. Murphy is term-limited and leaves office in January.of 2026.
Dive teams from Pennsylvania and New Jersey converged on the Delaware River following another possible tragedy on the water. Just before 4 p.m. Saturday, emergency crews were called to the area of the river near the Easton Water Bureau off Delaware Drive for a report of person going under. Officials say as of 3 p.m. Sunday, the search ended for the day without finding a body. Easton Police say the missing man may be a 60-year-old white man. Authorities have released little details at this time, but say it has not be confirmed if anybody is actually missing.
A well-known restaurant in Northampton County is temporarily closed after a fire. Crews were needed at Nonna Sulina's Italian restaurant in Hanover Township Sunday morning. Nobody was injured, and the cause of the fire has not been released. The restaurant's social media page says it is closed until further notice.
The Pocono's congressman says there's an agreement to open Route 611 in the Delaware Water Gap after the rock slide nearly two years ago. Congressman Matt Cartwright says PennDOT, the National Park Service, and the local Indian tribes have all agreed to allow crews to install a temporary rock barrier along the highway, in order to get the road back open. The three have been trying to come to terms on a permanent fix for years, but so far nothing has come from it. Cartwright says it's been a 'unbelievable bureaucratic snafu.' The hope is to start work soon. PennDOT says it will take two months or so to get a temporary rock barrier in place. But it will likely take years to come to terms on a permanent replacement.
A new state law adds more time for happy hour in Pennsylvania. Governor Shapiro signed the law last week that extends happy hour to four hours a day, and 24 hours a week. The idea, supporters say, is to help bars and restaurants who may be struggling after COVID. Bar owners say the idea of more half-priced drinks is a good one, and they expect people to take full advantage of it. Pennsylvania's old happy hour law allowed for 14 hours of drink special per-week, or just about two-hours each day.