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EXCLUSIVE Pennsylvania candidate Mastriano posed in Confederate uniform at Army War College

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EXCLUSIVE Pennsylvania candidate Mastriano posed in Confederate uniform at Army War College


PHILADELPHIA, Aug 26 (Reuters) – Three years earlier than retiring from the U.S. Military in 2017, Donald Trump-backed Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano posed in Accomplice uniform for a college picture on the Military Struggle Faculty, based on a duplicate of the picture obtained by Reuters.

The beforehand unreported picture, launched by the Struggle Faculty to Reuters after a request below the Freedom of Info Act, confirmed Mastriano in a 2013-14 portrait for the Division of Army Technique, Plans, and Operations, the place he labored.

College on the time had been given the choice of dressing as a historic determine, individuals aware of the picture mentioned. A minimum of 15 of the 21 college within the picture opted to look in common apparel. Though one man wears a trench coat and sun shades and one other carries an aviator’s helmet, Mastriano is the one one carrying a Accomplice uniform.

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Mastriano didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark made by e mail and telephone. A Reuters reporter attended a Mastriano occasion on Wednesday to hunt remark, however the candidate didn’t make himself out there for questions.

Shows of Accomplice symbols will be seen as insensitive to those that view them as painful reminders of racial oppression and the Civil Struggle that noticed 11 rebelling Accomplice states battle to maintain Black individuals enslaved.

The U.S. army issued a de facto ban on displaying the Accomplice flag and has sought to take away segregationist symbols from bases and educational establishments following the homicide in Could 2020 of George Floyd, a Black man whose killing by a white police officer in Minneapolis triggered protests worldwide.

After Reuters made its formal request for the picture, it was faraway from the Struggle Faculty wall the place it had hung alongside different annual portraits of school teams.

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The Military Struggle Faculty (AWC), a premier army greater training establishment in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, advised Reuters a group had reviewed all artwork, textual content, and different pictures displayed at Carlisle Barracks in 2020, however missed the school picture.

“The school picture didn’t get the group’s consideration; the picture has since been eliminated as a result of it doesn’t meet AWC values,” the faculty mentioned in a press release.

Requested in regards to the Struggle Faculty picture, a spokesperson at U.S. Military headquarters mentioned: “The Military helps commanders who take away symbols or pictures that don’t comport with Military values.”

Accomplice symbols and gown have been embraced by white supremacists in the US, and monuments and flags honoring the Confederacy have been faraway from many public areas in recent times.

Pennsylvania performs an outsized position in U.S. politics as a so-called swing state in presidential elections, and Republican Mastriano, who has embraced Trump’s stolen election lies, is trailing his Democratic opponent within the governor’s race forward of the November poll.

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It’s unclear how the picture is likely to be considered in Pennsylvania, which performed a important position within the Civil Struggle. Greater than 33,000 troopers from Pennsylvania died combating for the Union, and the state was the positioning of the Battle of Gettysburg, the battle’s bloodiest battle, which ended with a Union victory and impressed President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Handle.

Mastriano’s district, Pennsylvania’s thirty third, consists of Gettysburg.

Many Individuals proceed to take part in Civil Struggle battle re-enactments, carrying uniforms from each side in an effort to protect U.S. historical past.

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Reporting by Phil Stewart and Jarrett Renshaw; Modifying by Heather Timmons and Daniel Wallis

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Rules.



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Pennsylvania state trooper hit by vehicle in Somerset County

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Pennsylvania state trooper hit by vehicle in Somerset County


A state trooper was hit by a vehicle in Somerset County.

Somerset County District Attorney Molly Metzgar said the trooper was trying to help a disabled vehicle on Route 31 westbound when they were hit on Saturday.

According to our partners at WJAC, the trooper suffered injuries to their head, leg and pelvis.

The trooper has been released from the hospital.

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“This is a stark reminder of the dangers that our first responders face on a daily basis. I encourage everyone to life the trooper and his family up in their thoughts and prayers,” Metzgar said.

Officials said the trooper still has “a long way to go” before returning to duty.

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Pennsylvania’s Game-Changing Rail Freight Revamp Is Here—East Penn Railroad Leads the Charge – MyChesCo

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Pennsylvania’s Game-Changing Rail Freight Revamp Is Here—East Penn Railroad Leads the Charge – MyChesCo


HARRISBURG, PA — Rail freight in Pennsylvania is on the brink of transformation, with $55 million approved to fund 30 vital improvement projects. These initiatives promise to boost economic development, enhance freight mobility, and create or sustain 344 jobs across the state. Among the standout ventures, East Penn Railroad, LLC’s $455,000 project to rehabilitate eight bridges is poised to deliver significant benefits to Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties.

Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Freight Backbone

With 65 operating railroads spanning approximately 5,600 miles, Pennsylvania’s freight system is unmatched in its scale and importance. It is the backbone of the state’s economy, connecting local industries to national and global markets. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), in collaboration with private rail operators and local businesses, has prioritized modernization through programs like the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP).

“Expanding and improving Pennsylvania’s rail freight network will support family-sustaining jobs and connect Pennsylvania communities to the global economy while bolstering local economic development,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These investments will create opportunities for generations of Pennsylvanians to come and will provide key mobility across the Commonwealth.”

Spotlight on East Penn Railroad

The East Penn Railroad project exemplifies the power of targeted infrastructure investment. The company will rehabilitate eight bridges across the Octoraro, Perkiomen, Lancaster Northern, and York branch lines—critical routes for businesses and industries in Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties. These bridges are essential for the safe and efficient transportation of goods, and their rehabilitation will ensure that local businesses have the reliable infrastructure they need to thrive.

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The funding will address aging infrastructure that has long hampered performance and safety. Once complete, these improvements will facilitate smoother operations, reduced delays, and greater capacity for freight transport. For local communities, this means more robust economic growth driven by increased business activity and better connections to other markets.

Building a Better Freight Future

East Penn’s effort is just one of 30 projects approved for funding, each addressing specific challenges within Pennsylvania’s rail network.

Some of the other key projects include:

  • CSX Transportation, Inc. ($13.1M) to rehabilitate the 25th Street Viaduct in Philadelphia, a crucial freight artery.
  • Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway ($5.8M) to improve six bridges across Allegheny, Washington, Fayette, and Westmoreland Counties, ensuring long-term safety and reliability.
  • NorthPoint Development, LLC ($3.8M) for Kinder Morgan terminal rail yard expansion in Bucks County, adding over 13,000 feet of new track to boost industrial capacity.

Each of these initiatives will address bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and position Pennsylvania as a leader in freight innovation.

Why It Matters

Improving freight infrastructure isn’t just a convenience—it’s an economic imperative. For businesses, reliable rail transport lowers costs, increases efficiency, and enhances competitiveness in global markets. For workers, these projects create good-paying jobs during construction and unlock new opportunities for long-term employment in logistics and adjacent industries.

East Penn Railroad’s project, in particular, underscores how smart infrastructure investment can ripple outward. By ensuring that critical bridges are safe and reliable, the company will help make Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties more competitive while bolstering the local economy.

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Beyond the immediate economic benefits, these rail freight improvements also align with environmental goals. Rail transport is significantly more fuel-efficient than road freight, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. By expanding and modernizing Pennsylvania’s rail system, these projects signal a commitment to sustainable growth.

A Commitment to Progress

The Shapiro Administration and the General Assembly have demonstrated a shared commitment to infrastructure as a foundation for progress. Pennsylvania’s rail freight industry isn’t just about moving goods; it’s about creating a future where communities and businesses can flourish.

Pennsylvania’s bold leap forward on rail freight projects marks a turning point for the state. With East Penn Railroad paving the way, the Commonwealth is creating a more connected, competitive, and sustainable future for all.

For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.



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A Pa. utility shutoff law is expiring. Here’s what you need to know

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A Pa. utility shutoff law is expiring. Here’s what you need to know


Have a question about Philly’s neighborhoods or the systems that shape them? PlanPhilly reporters want to hear from you! Ask us a question or send us a story idea you think we should cover.

A Pennsylvania law that lays out how and when utility companies can shut off customers’ electricity, gas or water expires Dec. 31.

But the state’s ban on shutoffs for low-income customers during the winter months and other protections will continue uninterrupted.

“The message that we’ve been hoping that people really hear is not to panic,” said Elizabeth Marx, executive director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project.

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Utility shutoffs are an experience many Pennsylvania households deal with. In the first 10 months of 2024, utilities in the state disconnected more than 300,000 households and reconnected fewer than three-quarters of them.

In Philadelphia, one in four low-income households spends at least 16% of its income on energy bills — an energy burden that’s considered severe. Black and Hispanic households in Philadelphia spend more of their income on energy than households overall, and national surveys have shown non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic households are disconnected from utility service at higher rates than non-Hispanic white households.

Here’s what you need to know about the sunsetting statute. 

Pa.’s ban on shutoffs for low-income customers during the winter continues

Pennsylvania’s winter shutoff moratorium will continue even after the law expires, because this and other protections are duplicated in another part of state code.

Between the frigid months of December through March, public utilities in Pennsylvania are restricted from terminating low-income customers’ service for nonpayment without permission from the Public Utility Commission.

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Water utilities cannot terminate heat-related service during this time period.

Gas and electric utilities cannot terminate service for households earning below $3,137 monthly for an individual or $6,500 for a family of four, based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines.

“We understand the importance of these protections to Pennsylvanians and remain committed to balancing the needs of consumers and utilities,” said Stephen DeFrank, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission chairman, in a statement.

There is a partial exception for city gas utilities, which can terminate service for households earning $1,882 to $3,137 monthly for an individual or $3,900 to $6,500 for a family of four, during part of the winter under certain circumstances.

If you can’t pay your utility bills in full, Marx recommends making at least some payment, because utilities consider a positive payment history when setting up payment plans.

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“Paying what you can, when you can, is very important, especially even through the winter, when the winter moratorium is in place,” she said.



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