Kara Jeffers

1 week ago | weny.com | Kara Jeffers

Arson suspect Cody Balmer, a 38 year old Harrisburg man, was charged with 8 criminal offenses by the Dauphin County District Attorney’s office for setting fire to the governor’s residence on Sunday. Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were evacuated from the residence at 2am Sunday morning, after a fire broke out and caused significant damage. State police were using surveillance footage to track down the suspect, when Balmer’s ex partner called to say he confessed to her.

1 week ago | weny.com | Kara Jeffers

The right to an attorney in trial is promised in Amendment 6 of the Bill of Rights. In the 1960s, the Supreme Court ruled that if someone cannot afford an attorney, it is the burden of government to provide one for them. Pennsylvania has failed this duty, according to a recent lawsuit from the Pennsylvania ACLU. “Right now we have 67 counties doing things 67 different ways,” Veronica Miller said, senior policy director on criminal legal reform for Pennsylvania ACLU. The lawsuit was filed last year.

1 week ago | weny.com | Kara Jeffers

On Thursday, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that roughly $185 million in federal funds for Pennsylvania public education was revoked. Shapiro has joined a multi- state lawsuit in response. 116 Pennsylvania school districts, charter schools, tech schools, intermediate units, and the education department itself had $185 million in funds revoked on March 28. All of the funds are American Rescue Plan funds from the COVID pandemic era; most of them have been approved for distribution.

2 weeks ago | weny.com | Kara Jeffers

Allison Brookhart is a mother, a home health care agency worker, and this week—an advocate. “You know, you walk around the capitol building and it’s, it's somewhat intimidating,” Brookhart said, who works for Bayada in Towanda, Pennsylvania. “But you actually get to speak to the legislators, and I think that’s neat."Brookhart’s son has special needs, and has used home health care since he was two.

2 weeks ago | weny.com | Kara Jeffers

In Pennsylvania, there is a program where people can donate their unfinished cancer medications. Those unused prescriptions— which can often cost thousands of dollars—  can then be given to low income patients in need. However, the program has not been utilized much since its formation in 2008, with only 2 pharmacies in the whole state signed up. A news investigation from KDKA in Pittsburgh last year said even those two don't actually participate. Legislators have proposed a fix.