Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania state trooper put on
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – As investigations continue into what happened during the arrests of two people on the side of Interstate 76 over the weekend, Chris Bartlett is speaking out.
“We’re taking a stand for them to say that what happened on Saturday was inappropriate,” Bartlett said.
Bartlett, the executive director of the William Way LGBT Community Center, is calling for accountability after seeing a video posted on social media over the weekend depicting a portion of the incident.
In the video, a person is seen on the ground getting handcuffed. That’s Bartlett’s co-worker and the center’s chief operating officer, Darius McLean, he said. Celena Morrison – McLean’s wife and the executive director of the Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs – is behind the camera.
On Saturday, Pennsylvania State Police sent over a report that does not list the names of those arrested. It says a trooper pulled over an Infiniti on 76 Westbound at mile marker 344.9 for “multiple vehicle code violations.”
After the trooper pulled the Infiniti over, the report says, someone else pulled up behind the trooper, got out of their car and “became verbally combative.” As the trooper tried to arrest that driver, the report states the person from the other car interfered. Both drivers were taken into custody on multiple charges.
Both have since been released. In a statement, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office said as of Sunday morning, it has “made no charging decision pending a thorough, even-handed investigation.”
On Monday, Pennsylvania State Police declined CBS News Philadelphia’s request for an interview. In an email exchange, a spokesperson did not confirm the identity of the trooper involved but said he would be on restricted duty status while an investigation into the incident is underway.
The spokesperson added the trooper was working alone at the time and said he was not wearing a body camera.
“The body worn camera program is still being implemented by our agency. Troop K does not have BWCs yet,” state police wrote.
For Bartlett, McLean is more than just a coworker; the COO and his wife are dear friends.
“This was a tremendous trauma for both Celena and for Darius, but it’s also a trauma for our entire community,” Bartlett said.
The executive director pledges support and accountability as the investigations continue.
“They’re going through it. That’s why we’re really standing up to make sure that they have everything that they need,” Bartlett said.
Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier also finds the video troubling.
“We know that within our city there’s been a long history of mistrust between communities of color and police. I think this furthers that narrative, right?” Gauthier said in an interview.
Mayor Cherelle Parker’s office did not provide any additional comment on the matter outside of a statement made on X, Saturday night in which she said the video is “very concerning.”
“My hope is that we can change this dynamic. Especially at a time when we’re dealing with various public safety crises including gun violence in our city,” Gauthier said.
Mike Lee, executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, shared this statement with CBS News Philadelphia: “The incident … is just the latest example of a police interaction that escalated to a physical altercation. As study after study has shown, Black and brown people as well as trans and queer individuals are more likely to be stopped by police. The ACLU of Pennsylvania joins countless community leaders demanding the release of all body and dash cam footage for transparency and accountability. We also urge law enforcement to implement more de-escalation strategies when they encounter civilians for any reason.”
Council Member Rue Landau posted a statement on social media that said, in part, “The footage is alarming. As we wait for more information about the incident, my office and I will continue to stay in touch with the Parker administration, the state and other city officials to ensure transparency and to investigate further.”
Darrin W. Anderson, President and CEO of the Urban League of Philadelphia, shared this comment: “While we echo Mayor Parker’s sentiments that the video is very concerning, the Urban League of Philadelphia will not be issuing a statement at this time.”
A spokesperson with the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association shared this statement: “The PSTA is aware of Saturday’s incident in Philadelphia on Interstate 76. This morning, and every day, Pennsylvania state troopers go to work prepared to lay down their lives for their fellow citizens. As our Call of Honor states, these brave men and women do not swerve from the path of duty. The PSTA will not have any further comment during this investigation.”
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents have an extra month to apply for heating assistance
Trump suggests nixing LIHEAP program again
President Donald Trump has proposed eliminating LIHEAP from the next federal budget, which Pennsylvania relies on to fund its program each year. The White House has called the program unnecessary and said that because many states ban utility shutoffs for low-income households during the winter, LIHEAP payments are effectively passed to utility companies.
But Congress is not likely to approve the cut, as the program generally has bipartisan support. Trump’s last budget proposal in 2025 also aimed to cut LIHEAP money, but lawmakers voted to fund the program anyway.
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine who chairs the Senate’s Appropriations Committee, released a statement criticizing the President’s latest budget proposal, calling LIHEAP “worthwhile.”
What does LIHEAP cover?
Pennsylvania’s LIHEAP program provides grants to households earning below 150% of the federal poverty level to help pay their winter heating bills. This year, the income limit is $23,940 for an individual and $49,500 for a family of four.
LIHEAP money can also be used to pay down utility debt, reverse utility shutoffs or fund repairs to broken heaters.
LIHEAP provides two types of grants — “cash” and “crisis” — and households can apply for both.
Cash grants of $200 to $1,000 are sent directly to utility companies or fuel providers and appear as a credit on recipients’ bills. Households don’t need to be behind on their bills to receive cash grants.
Crisis grants of $25 to $1,000 can be used to avoid utility shutoffs or repair broken heating equipment. These are reserved for households at immediate risk of losing heat.
How to apply for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania accepts LIHEAP applications online through COMPASS, the state benefits portal.
You can also apply in person through county assistance offices and, in Philadelphia, through the network of neighborhood energy centers.
You’ll need proof of income and a recent bill from your primary heating source.
The state runs a LIHEAP phone helpline at 1-866-857-7095.
Pennsylvania
PHOTO GALLERY: 2026 Pennsylvania Polkafest packs Mohegan Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Scarlet tanagers could earn official status in Pennsylvania
This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and solutions for our changing region.
From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in touch.
New Jersey flaunts the bright yellow goldfinch as its state bird. Delaware has its Blue Hen.
The red cardinal, the overachiever of all state birds, is claimed by Virginia and six other states.
And Pennsylvania? Well, it’s the only U.S. state without a designated state bird. But that could soon change.
About 100 years after the General Federation of Women’s Clubs petitioned states to designate state birds — and flowers — the Keystone state could finally get its own designated bird — or, sort of.
State lawmakers have introduced legislation to assign the scarlet tanager as the state’s official “migratory bird.”
The colorful songbird makes its way from South America to Pennsylvania to breed in the state’s forests.
“Does that mean we’re in a situation where we still don’t have a state bird?” said David Toews, a biology professor at Pennsylvania State University who has researched song birds.
Pennsylvanians claimed the ruffed grouse as the state’s official “game bird.” Bird enthusiasts say they are happy about adding a “migratory bird.”
“There’s a lot of love for the grouse. There’s a long history of conservation and hunting culture in Pennsylvania. It’s the sort of logo of the Game Commission,” Toews said. “I don’t think anyone wants to knock the grouse off its pedestal, but if there’s room for two, I would say the scarlet tanager is an absolutely wonderful bird, deserving to be a pair for Pennsylvania.”
What is a scarlet tanager?
Each spring, scarlet tanagers travel from South America to the eastern United States and parts of Canada to breed, before migrating back in early fall.
An estimated 13% of the breeding population of scarlet tanagers is found in Pennsylvania, mostly in the state’s large forests. In the Philadelphia region, they can be found in Wissahickon Valley Park and Pennypack Park.
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