Pennsylvania
A Taste of Ireland dances into western Pennsylvania
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As Pennsylvanians look ahead to the November election, an unusually intense fight looms over the retention of three Democratic justices on the state Supreme Court.
Normally a sleepy race, some right-wing activists aligned with President Donald Trump are actively campaigning against retaining Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht, citing their past rulings on pandemic “lockdowns” and voting laws. The court currently leans Democratic, with a 5–2 majority, making the race this year a contest that could reshape the court’s ideological balance for years.
While justices who are up for reelection are limited in their ability to campaign, Pennsylvanians were granted a rare chance to hear directly from the three justices on this year’s retention ballot during the Committee of Seventy’s “Behind the Ballot – Fireside Chat,” held last night at Central High School in Philadelphia. The panel was moderated by Cherri Gregg, co-host of WHYY’s “Studio 2.”
During the discussion, the justices pushed back on the idea that they were partisan in the way they decide cases.
“We have to apply the law as we interpret it to exist and apply it, and the result is going to be what the result is going to be, but it’s the process that we must ensure is fair and following predictable rules in matters of statutory interpretation,” Wecht told the audience. “We must interpret and apply the law that the General Assembly gave us. They’re the policy makers.”
Wecht added that they are also called on to “interpret what the law should be,” but that “we’re also not free agents there either, because we must apply the precedents or find a way to distinguish them.”
Pennsylvania is one of only eight states that determines the makeup of its courts through partisan races, whereas, in most states, the governor appoints justices or they are chosen through nonpartisan elections. That has led to accusations of partisanship.
Dougherty pushed back on that assertion.
“The Constitution required us to run as a partisan, but the moment we were elected, when we put that black robe on, we hung up that partisan title and we have watched ourselves accordingly,” Dougherty said. “And when you look at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, you’ll never hear us say it’s how many Democrats, how many Republicans? We say that we’re seven.”
Donohue added that the Democrats “disagree with each other all the time” and are often in alignment with Republicans.
“That’s a function of the interpretive process that we individually go through when we’re presented with an issue, and that’s true with our colleagues who were elected as Republicans,” she said. “So partisanship, honestly, from the time I served on the Superior Court to this very moment, has never been part of the function of my jurisprudence.”
At age nine, most kids don’t know what they want to do when they grow up. Some may say teacher, firefighter or nurse.
But if you ask Aiden Wilkins of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, he’ll tell you he wants to be a Pediatric Neurosurgeon. In fact, he’ll also tell you he’s close to making that dream come true.
Wilkins is taking college courses at Ursinus College. And the college freshman says academics have always been easy for him.
“Ever since I was three, I’d watch an anatomy video and was always fascinated when I saw the brain,” he said.
In a neuroscience classroom filled with 18-to-20-year-olds, Aiden is studying and learning right next to them.
“The reason why I want to be a pediatric neurosurgeon is mainly because I like helping kids around my age,” the 9-year-old said. “It’s sad to see kids around my age with neuro-disabilities so I want to help them out.”
Three times a week, Aiden can be seen hitting the books at Ursinus College. The other days he’s taking virtual classes at Reach Cyber Charter School as a sophomore in high school.
At age 9, Ayden is the youngest student in the school’s history. His mother, Veronica Wilkins, is extremely proud.
“It’s exciting because he’s making history and you know he feels great. I think it’s so important to be seen and heard,” Veronica said.
She said she knew her son was gifted the moment he was able to speak. “He was reading signs and corrected people’s sentences…writing algebraic equations.”
Three years ago, he passed the gifted test administered by his high school. About a year ago, Aiden made it clear he wanted a new challenge.
His mother did research and landed on Ursinus College for its courses and its proximity to their home.
When asked how proud she is of her son, Veronica said, “I’m extremely proud of Aiden because it’s all him. It’s all organic. I’m just behind the scenes and he goes for what he wants.”
Aiden wants everyone to know anything is possible. “What I really want people to know is that from my story all you have to do is put in work to do whatever you want.”
9-year-old Aiden Wilkins studies neuroscience at Ursinus college.
Pennsylvania
McDonald, PA shooting: Barricaded suspect fires at police during Washington County standoff
Updated on: Sept 02, 2025 08:39 am IST
A barricaded gunman opened fire on police during a standoff at a residence in McDonald, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
A barricaded gunman opened fire on police during a standoff at a residence in McDonald, Washington County, Pennsylvania, according to police scanner reports.
What we know so far
Washington County dispatch confirmed to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that officers arrived at a home on the 300 block of Fairmont Street just before 10 p.m. after receiving reports of an armed man.
Allegheny County officials told Action News 4 that their SWAT team was heading to the scene to support local law enforcement.
Social media updates indicate that the armed suspect is currently located on the second floor of the home.
No further details have been released. Authorities describe the situation as active and ongoing.
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