Pennsylvania
DOJ's silence on background checks source of ongoing frustration for Pennsylvania nurses – Pennsylvania Capital-Star
“An acute frustration” is how Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt described his staff’s effort to work with federal officials to allow Pennsylvania nurses to use their licenses in other states.
Since September, nurses licensed in each of Pennsylvania’s neighboring states except New York have been able to work in Pennsylvania if they have obtained a multistate license in their home state.
And although Pennsylvania passed legislation in 2021 that would allow Pennsylvania licensed nurses to work in other states, a communication breakdown between the Department of State and the FBI remains a barrier to full reciprocity, Schmidt said during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday.
Likewise, Pennsylvania’s participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which would allow Pennsylvania-licensed physicians to work in other states, has been in limbo since legislation authorizing Pennsylvania to join became law in 2016.
State Rep. Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks) said the partial implementation of the compact, combined with other licensing challenges, has hurt Pennsylvania nurses and nursing school graduates.
“The only thing worse than your department’s inability to get these licensure compacts implemented is partially implementing the compact to give all of the benefits to out-of-state nurses while leaving our Pennsylvania nurses at a disadvantage,” Marcell said.
Rep. Kyle Mullins (D-Lackawanna) said he wants to pass legislation that would provide recognition of dental and dental hygienist licenses across state lines, but that, like the other licensure compacts, would be held up by the impasse with the FBI.
The Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact is an agreement between 41 states and U.S. territories to recognize the licenses of nurses from other states.
In September, Pennsylvania partially implemented the compact to allow out-of-state nurses to work here in an effort to address a workforce shortage. But Schmidt said Tuesday that the FBI has not granted the Department of State access to its background check fingerprint database, which is necessary for Pennsylvania to fully implement the compact.
Schmidt said the partial implementation of the nursing compact was something that the National Council of State Boards of Nursing allowed Pennsylvania to do, but is not an alternative to fully implementing the compact.
When that could happen is up to the U.S. Department of Justice , Schmidt said
“Our ability to contact the people who are making the ultimate decision of whether we can implement the nursing compact or not is limited,” Schmidt said, adding that the department is required to go through the state police to contact the FBI regarding background checks.
Schmidt said the Department of State last heard from the FBI in November and has also asked members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to contact the DOJ to hurry the process.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey’s office has been in touch with the FBI and the agency has not provided a timeline for approval, a spokesperson said. Casey’s office is looking into other solutions, the spokesperson added, without elaborating.
Noting that Schmidt had given a similarly uncertain assessment on implementing the interstate compacts during his first appearance before the Appropriations Committee in 2023, Marcell asked Schmidt whether she would be asking the same questions next year.
“I hope for your sake, ours, Pennsylvania’s, and its nurses that that will not be the case,” Schmidt said. “But I want to assure you the Department of State has done everything it can to possibly move that along. It has been, again, an acute frustration.”
Hersheypark in Pennsylvaniacould be forced to close this summer amid a dispute between the site’s operators and union employees, according to a report.
The amusement park is scheduled to open seven days a week starting May 21 in a shift from its weekend-only operation before the summer, despite a looming vote among employees about whether to go on strike.
Over 200 union maintenance employees at Hersheypark, The Hotel Hershey and Giant Center rejected a contract offer from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts on May 7, according to Inside the Magic. The park’s operators described the proposal as their “last, best and final” offer.
Over a three-day period this week, employees will vote on whether to strike after rejecting the offer, which is the third from the park’s operators. A strike could close the park just in time for the start of the busy summer season when families head on vacation.
The list of employees considering going on strike includes ride mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, painters, machinists, utilities technicians, carpenters, garage auto mechanics and sign artists.
In mid-March, the union and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts agreed to extend a former contract for 60 days to allow for continued negotiations.
According to Inside the Magic, union workers are seeking fair wage increases, more affordable care plans and higher pay premiums for less-desirable shifts. The union has also said that it will reject new contract offers that lower professional standards, devalue skilled trades or open the door to lower wages in maintenance roles in the future.
The Independent has contacted Hershey Entertainment & Resorts for comment about the possible strike.
Hersheypark, located 15 miles east of Harrisburg, is the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1906, the 121-acre site boasts more than 70 rides, a water park with 17 water attractions and an 11-acre North American Wildlife Park, according to Hersheypark’s website.
It’s named for and themed in conjunction with the popular candy company.
However, a different park in the Keystone State was named as the top amusement park in the U.S. on TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best list.
It was Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, 42 miles north-northeast of Harrisburg, that topped the list. In doing so, the little-known park was ranked higher than Dollywood, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure that also made the top 5.
“It’s got it all: roller coasters, kid-friendly rides (bumper cars, a haunted mansion), swimming, camping, a mining museum, and even a championship 18-hole golf course,” TripAdvisor wrote. “The accommodating staff, clean facilities, and fun attractions make for a memorable family-friendly visit.”
Knoebels is the U.S.’s largest free-admission park, although tickets for individual rides cost a fee.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on cast vote records creates uncertainty for counties
NEW CASTLE, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Charles “Yami” Frederick Jamison, age 83, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, formerly of Warren, Ohio, passed away, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Haven Convalescent Home.
Mr. Jamison was born December 2, 1942, in New Castle, a son of the late Charles N. and Anna (Callihan) Jamison and was a 1960 graduate of New Castle High School.
Charles worked as an order checker clerk for Packard Electric Company, Warren, Ohio, for 31 years, until his retirement in 1999.
A proud veteran, he served his country in the United States Navy.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Warren, Ohio and also attended Mass at Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church.
Charles spent his free time hunting and playing Euchre.
He is survived by his four sisters, Margaret I. Klann, Mary E. DeMarco and Catherine “Kay” A. Houk (Robert), all of New Castle and Susan J. Olson (Donald), Winfield, Illinois; his brother, Richard Jamison (Linda) of New Castle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the City Rescue Mission, 319 S. Croton Ave., New Castle, PA, 16101, and the Salvation Army, 240 W. Grant St., New Castle, PA, 16101.
The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to the Haven Convalescent Home for the care and support that Charles received over the years.
Calling Hours will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 111 W. Falls St., New Castle.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 10:30 a.m., Wednesday May 13, 2026, in Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church, 124 N. Beaver St., New Castle, with Rev. Aaron Kriss, as celebrant.
Interment: Castleview Memorial Gardens, Neshannock Twp.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles F. Jamison, please visit our flower store.
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