Pennsylvania
Democrat challenging Pennsylvania progressive launches ad focusing on crime
A Democratic candidate challenging Congresswoman Summer Lee (D-Pa.) in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District, has launched her first ad focusing on crime.
Laurie MacDonald, the president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Center for Victims, is hitting the airwaves for the first time with an ad released Wednesday.
In the ad, reviewed by The Hill, MacDonald portrays herself as a “law-and-order Democrat” and vows to bring to Congress if elected.
“Hello, I’m Laurie MacDonald,” she says in the ad. “I’m running for Congress against Summer Lee because you deserve better. I’m a law and order Democrat. I’m CEO of the Center for Victims where I fight for victims’ rights, not criminals rights. If you’re sick and tired of all the divisive rhetoric and the ‘us versus them mentality,’ I’m with you. Let’s make this change together.”
The ad is set to run for two weeks, beginning Wednesday, and it will air on CNN and MSNBC, as well as the Pittsburgh Designated Market Area (DMA).
MacDonald declared her candidacy in early January. Along with Lee, who is currently serving her first term in the lower chamber, she will be competing with Edgewood Borough Councilwoman Bhavini Patel.
“It’s time for leaders in Congress to bring us together rather than sow division and distrust,” MacDonald said in a statement provided to The Hill. “I will be a unifying voice in Congress who will work across the political aisle to bring real solutions. I am proud to be the first candidate in this race on TV and we plan to significantly increase our efforts in the coming weeks to show voters that there is an accomplished alternative to the polarizing incumbent.”
Lee, who became the state’s first Black congresswoman upon winning her race in 2022, has received backing from Top House Democratic leaders for her 2024 reelection bid. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Whip Katherine Clark (D-Conn.) and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) endorsed Lee in mid-January. More recently, the Allegheny County Democratic Committee endorsed her.
The Hill has reached out to Lee’s campaign for comment.
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HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Pennsylvania has new laws regarding how school districts report weapon offenses and regarding Bluetooth listening devices for motorcyclists.
The laws will be implemented in the next 60 days after being signed by Governor Josh Shapiro on Thursday.
Reporting school weapon offenses
Before Senate Bill 246 was signed, school districts did not have to let guardians or parents know if weapons were brought onto campus or to school-related events. The only time families were mandated to be told is when there was an expulsion for having the weapon.
Now, districts are required to be transparent when there is a weapons offense incident.
“Our goal is to ensure and ensure that parents, guardians, and school employees are informed in a timely manner of any incidents with the potential to affect their children and the safety of the school,” SB 246’s prime sponsor is Senator Jarrett Coleman (R-Lehigh) wrote in his memo.
Senate Bill 971 from last session is also being reintroduced with the goal of making the reports timelier to families.
SB 246 passed the Senate in October after getting a 48-2 vote before being signed by Shapiro.
Bluetooth listening devices for motorcyclists
House Bill 646, primarily sponsored by State Rep. Zachary Mako (R-Lehigh/Northampton), will allow motorcyclists to use helmets with built-in Bluetooth communication speakers or wireless headsets/earbuds.
In his memo, Mako said he thinks the law should be updated to reflect current times.
“I believe this law should be updated to better reflect the times, with the advent of wireless headsets, earbuds/earphones and Bluetooth communication/speakers built into helmets that a majority of riders use and should not be penalized for,” the memo reads.
With a 47-3 vote, the bill passed the Senate before being signed by Shapiro.
A 15-year-old girl killed in a camper fire in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is being remembered for her “bright” smile and “joy of life.”
Paige Dowlin was killed in the camper fire at Roamers Retreat Campground on Lincoln Highway in Salisbury Township on Saturday morning, according to a news release from Pennsylvania State Police. State police said when first responders arrived at the scene around 4 a.m., the camper was fully engulfed in flames, and the teen was found dead inside it.
Multiple fire departments responded to the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the state police fire marshal.
“Further information will be disseminated as it becomes available,” the news release from state police said.
According to PennLive.com, the 15-year-old girl died from smoke inhalation and thermal burns, and her death was ruled an accident.
Lancaster County teen killed in fire remembered
Dowlin, according to her obituary, was a 10th grader at Pequea Valley High School. She also sang in the chorus, participated in the school’s color guard and was a member of her church’s youth group.
“She was known for her bright smile, her joy of life, her positive outlook and will be missed dearly by anyone that knew her,” her obituary said.
Her obituary said she died in a “home fire.” She leaves behind her parents, Kevin Dowlin Sr. and Jennifer L. Reid, her sister, Abrianna Dowlin, and her two brothers, Damien Sexton and Kevin Dowlin Jr.
Pennsylvania voters are heading to the polls Tuesday for the 2025 general election.
Voters will weigh in on consequential retention races for the state Supreme Court, in addition to races for Pennsylvania’s Superior and Commonwealth courts.
In Philadelphia, incumbent District Attorney Larry Krasner is running for his third term. He faces Republican challenger Pat Dugan, a former judge. Voters will also consider races for city controller, the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court and the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
WHYY News will have all of the results live as they come in. Polls close at 8 p.m. Follow along for the latest on WHYY.org, the WHYY App and WHYY-FM.
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