Pennsylvania

Harris courts disaffected Republicans in Bucks County • Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Published

1 year ago

October 17, 2024

Harris courts disaffected Republicans in Bucks County • Pennsylvania Capital-Star

UPPER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP— Joined on stage by Republican supporters at the site where George Washington crossed the Delaware, Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday delivered an address focused on unity and winning over voters from across the aisle.

“In a typical election year, you all being here with me might be a bit surprising. Dare I say unusual,” Harris, the Democratic Party’s candidate for president, said as she chuckled. “But not in this election.”

“Because at stake in this race are the Democratic ideals that our founders and generations of Americans before us have fought for,” she added. “At stake in this election is the Constitution of the United States, its very self.”

Washington Crossing Historic Park is the Bucks County site that was a pivotal scene in the Revolutionary War. Bucks is the lone purple county in Philadelphia’s suburban counties, and is expected once again to play a key role in the presidential election.

Harris pledged to work across the aisle in search of solutions, while accusing former President Donald Trump, her opponent, of not being serious about fixing the challenges the nation faces.

“Unlike Donald Trump, who frankly as we have seen cares more about running on problems than fixing problems,” she said, “I want to fix problems, which means working across the aisle. It requires working across the aisle. It requires embracing good ideas from wherever they come.”

She criticized Trump for his actions leading up to Jan. 6 and accused him of being “increasingly unstable and unhinged.” If elected, she added, Trump would “go after” journalists, non-partisan election officials, and judges he doesn’t like.

Trump claims the title of ‘father of IVF’ in Fox News town hall with women voters

Harris said she has pledged to appoint a Republican to her cabinet and that she would also create a “Council on Bipartisan Solutions.” She said “nobody has a corner on the good ideas. They actually come from many places and one should, especially if they want to be a leader, one should welcome those ideas.”

“And those ideas which are about in particular strengthening the middle class, securing our border, defending our freedoms, and maintaining our leadership in the world,” she said.

Harris, a lifelong Democrat, said her favorite committee while serving in the U.S. Senate was the Intelligence Committee and lauded the bipartisan work they accomplished.

“All of this is to also say that I believe for America to be the world’s strongest democracy, we must have a healthy two party system,” Harris said to applause. “Because it is when we have a healthy two-party system that leaders are then required to debate the merits of policy and to work, yes, across the aisle regularly and routinely to get things done.”

Former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger of Illinois said on stage Wednesday that Harris shares his “allegiance to the rule of law, to the Constitution, and to democracy.”

“Whatever policies we disagree on pale in comparison to those fundamental matters of principle, of decency, of fidelity to this nation,” Kinzinger said.

He added that because of those principles Harris was the “conservative choice” in the upcoming election.

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Whatley responded to Harris’ event by citing a Politico story published Wednesday that claimed some Pennsylvania Democrats are concerned about the campaign’s Philadelphia operations.

“Kamala Harris’ flailing campaign efforts in Pennsylvania paired with President Trump’s vision of Making America Strong, Safe, and Great Again is the reason he is winning in the Keystone State.,” Whatley said. “While Kamala and Democrats point fingers and play the blame game, for the first time in 30 years, more Americans identify as Republicans because they trust President Trump and Republicans down the ballot.”

Harris backers on GOP support

The campaign event on Wednesday was invite-only with a few hundred people in attendance.

Bob and Kristina Lange are family farmers in Malvern, lifelong Republicans, and former Trump voters. They opened for Harris on Wednesday and have been featured in multiple digital ads targeting rural voters in Pennsylvania.

“January 6th was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me,” Bob Lange said on stage.

The Langes told reporters that after speaking in support of Harris, some Republicans have criticized their decision and “divorced us from their friendship.”

“You know, it’s unfortunate,” Bob Lange told the Capital-Star. “But I’ve got to tell you, the support we’ve gotten from people coming to our farm market is overwhelming.”

They are optimistic about Harris’ chances in the upcoming election.

“I have a really good feeling, because I think normal Republicans, when they get in there, they just got to shake their head and say, ‘not this time,’” Bob Lange said.

Former Republican Congressman Jim Greenwood, who represented a Bucks County-based seat in the U.S. House from 1993 to 2005, is the co-chair of Pennsylvania Republicans for Harris and has been traveling around the state promoting the Harris campaign.

Although Democratic candidates for statewide office have performed well in recent elections in Bucks County, Republicans recently regained a voter registration advantage in Bucks County over Democrats for the first time since 2007.

“So registration is something, and it’s important, but what really is going to tell the tale is how many people go out and vote,” Greenwood told the Capital-Star. “And a lot of people, you know, they’ll be at the Grange Fair and they’ll register to vote. That doesn’t mean they’re necessarily going to come out.”

For decades Bucks County has had a rich history of ticket splitting. Greenwood won his seat as a Republican and Bill Clinton won the district in the 1990s, and in 2020 Republican Brian Fitzpatrick won reelection for Congress while Democrat Joe Biden carried the county.

Biden defeated Trump in Bucks County by 4 points in 2020, although Hillary Clinton won the county by less than 1 point in the 2016 presidential election.

Greenwood told the Capital-Star to keep an eye on central Bucks County on Election night.

“You want to look at Doylestown borough and township, Solebury, Buckingham, Northampton,” he said, citing those areas being higher income neighborhoods with a high concentration of college graduates. “I think you’re going to see a lot of split tickets in Central Bucks County.”

According to the Harris campaign, it has 10 campaign offices in Philadelphia’s collar counties, including three located in Bucks County.

Andrew Macaulay, is a Democratic supervisor in Warrington, Bucks County, which he describes as a very “purple” area.

He supports the Harris campaign’s outreach to Republicans and thinks that there will be a lot of “not MAGA Republicans,” who will skip the presidential ticket, but then vote “fairly standard Republican” down the ballot.

“I think a lot of Republicans are still at core Republicans, they’re not this version of the Republican Party, and so I think we’ll get a pass in this election and next cycle the Democrats have to prove themselves again because they’re up against crazy pants,” he told the Capital-Star.

Zach Dowhower, a Philadelphia resident and lifelong Pennsylvanian, is also a Democrat who welcomes the Harris’ campaign’s push to win over Republicans. He told the Capital-Star he believes “getting those people motivated, I think, is how you bring a coalition like Pennsylvania together.”

Dowhower mentioned that his father is a lifelong Republican who has not supported Trump but said that this is the first time he thinks his father is “excited” to vote for a Democrat in Kamala Harris.

“I think that the rhetoric from the right is just kind of pushing him to a way that he doesn’t feel like that party he can align with,” Dowhower told the Capital-Star.

Walz campaigns in rural western Pennsylvania ahead of Pittsburgh rally

Robert Schwartz, a senior advisor for Haley Voters for Harris, told the Capital-Star that recently launched a seven-figure ad campaign aimed at gaining support for Harris. The organization is focused on winning over voters who may have supported former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley in the primary.

“Our message is very simple,” he said. “It’s actually that Kamala Harris is on issues like the economy or on the border, she is center-left, she’s not extreme left. She is somebody that the center-right can feel comfortable electing, whether that’s tax cuts or hiring border agents… things like that.”

“She’s not the extreme liberal that MAGA wants you to believe she is,” he said.

He cited a poll released on Oct. 9 by Democratic-leaning pollster Blueprint that showed 45% of Republican and independent Haley primary voters support Trump in the presidential election, while 36% are backing Harris. He said that’s proof that Haley voters can have an impact on the presidential election.

“What we’re trying to say is Donald Trump has never asked for your vote, he doesn’t want your vote,” Schwartz said. “Kamala Harris does and she’s offering a reasonable way forward.”

Haley is backing Trump’s candidacy and has sharply criticized the effort using her name to try to sway voters to support Harris.

Haley received 158,000 votes, 16%, in Pennsylvania’s primary, even though she ended her candidacy a month before.

Following her address, Harris participated in a taped interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier at Washington Crossing Historic Park.

With 20 days until the presidential election, Pennsylvania is expected to go down to the wire, with both campaigns going all-in to win the state’s 19 electoral votes. National ratings outlets describe the state as a “toss-up.”

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Pennsylvania

Top Pennsylvania 2027 quarterback enrolls into Coatesville (Pa.)

Published

4 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Top Pennsylvania 2027 quarterback enrolls into Coatesville (Pa.)

One of the top 2027 Pennsylvania high school quarterbacks from the 2025 season has announced that he’s leaving for a new home.

Per an announcement by Class of 2027 signal caller Mikal Shank Jr., the quarterback has left Harrisburg (Pa.) and is now at Coatesville (Pa.) for his senior season. Shank Jr. last season started 14 games for the Cougars and is arguably one of the state’s top returning players behind center heading into the 2026 campaign.

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Pennsylvania High School Wrestling Rankings Before 2026 PIAA States – FloWrestling

Published

16 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Pennsylvania High School Wrestling Rankings Before 2026 PIAA States – FloWrestling

Is Pennsylvania the most wrestling-centric state in the country? Does the Keystone State have the most talent? Or even the top talent? Is it harder to win a state title there than anywhere else?

These all are terrific questions, and the answers may vary depending on who you ask and where they’re from, much like our nation’s great pizza debate, where the answers will vary by region.

What we do know for sure, is that Pennsylvania is well-represented in the 2025-2026 FloWrestling High School Wrestling Rankings, but with the 2026 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Boys & Girls Individual State Wrestling Championships on the horizon, where do the competitors rank amongst their peers?

If you follow high school wrestling, you’ve probably already heard many of the names, whether it was at past PIAA events, national tournaments, international competition, college recruiting news or signings, etc.

Now, here they are listed by weight class in FloWrestling’s latest Pennsylvania-only rankings.

Among the most recognizable are Bishop McCort senior Bo Bassett (152 pounds), his brother and teammate Melvin Miller (172 pounds) and Adam Waters (189 pounds) from rival school Faith Christian Academy.

As you get ready to see who takes home the titles at the 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships, set for March 5-7 at GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, here’s a look at where everyone falls in the pecking order:

What Are The Weight Classes For High School Wrestling In Pennsylvania?

Boys: 107, 114, 121, 127, 133, 139, 145, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215, 285
Girls: 100, 106, 112, 118, 124, 130, 136, 142, 148, 155, 170, 190, 235

Pennsylvania High School Wrestling Rankings Before 2026 PIAA State Championships

As of Feb. 22, 2026

Boys

Girls

When Are The 2026 PIAA Boys & Girls Individual State Wrestling Championships?

The 2026 PIAA Boys & Girls Individual State Wrestling Championships will take place March 5-7, live on FloWrestling and the FloSports app.

The first girls wrestling champions in PIAA action were determined in 2024.

The road back to GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, began with regional competition across 12 sites (eight boys, four girls) in February (Feb. 20-21; Feb. 22; Feb. 27-28; Feb. 28)

Among the highlights at the 2025 event was Bassett winning his second individual PIAA state championship and helping Bishop McCort to a Class AA runner-up finish behind Faith Christian.

Read more: 2025 PIAA Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets

How To Watch The 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships

Live coverage of the 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships on March 5-7 will be broadcast on FloWrestling and the FloSports app, with news, notes, stats and more available on both platforms.

Archives will be available immediately following the conclusion of each match.

If you’re going to be in the area and want to catch the action in person, click here for spectator and ticket information.

Read more: 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships Schedule & Brackets

2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships Brackets

Here’s where you’ll be able to find the brackets for the 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships:

2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships Schedule

Here’s a look at when everything is going down:

All Times Eastern

Wednesday, March 4

4-7 p.m. – Media registration
4-7 p.m. – School registration (AA/Girls/AAA)
4-7 p.m. – Qualifying wrestlers’ workout (AA/Girls/AAA) (six mats)
6 p.m. – Officials’ meeting

Thursday, March 5 (Session 1)

7:30 a.m. – Media registration
7:30 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA)
7:30 a.m. – Late school registration (AA)
7:45 a.m. – Skin condition check (AA)
8 a.m. – Weigh-ins (AA)
9 a.m. – Preliminaries and first round (AA), six mats (52/104 matches)
12:30 p.m. – First-round consolations (AA), six mats
12:30 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (Girls)
12:30 p.m. – Late school registration (Girls)
12:45 p.m. – Skin condition check (Girls)
1 p.m. – Weigh-ins (Girls)
2 p.m. – First round (Girls), six mats (104 matches)
3 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AAA)
3 p.m. – Late school registration (AAA)
3:15 p.m. – Skin condition check (AAA)
3:30 p.m. – Weigh-ins (AAA)
3:30 p.m. – First-round consolations (Girls), six mats (52 matches)
4:30 p.m. – Preliminaries and first round (AAA), six mats (52/104 matches)
8 p.m. – First-round consolations (AAA), six mats (52 matches)

Friday, March 6 (Session 2/Session 3)

6:30 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA)
6:45 a.m. – Skin condition check (AA)
7 a.m. – Weigh-ins (AA)
8 a.m. – Quarterfinals (AA), three mats (52 matches)
8 a.m. – Second-round consolations (AA), three mats (52 matches)
10:15 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (Girls)
10:30 a.m. – Third-round consolations (AA), three mats (52 matches)
10:30 a.m. – Skin condition check (Girls)
10:45 a.m. – Weigh-ins (Girls)
11:45 a.m. – Quarterfinals (Girls), six mats (52 matches)
12:45 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AAA)
1 p.m. – Skin condition check (AAA)
1:15 p.m. – Weigh-ins (AAA)
1:15 p.m. – Second-round consolations (Girls), six mats (52 matches)
2:15 p.m. – Quarterfinals (AAA), three mats (52 matches)
2:15 p.m. – Second-round consolations (AAA), three mats (52 matches)
4:45 p.m. – Third-round consolations (AAA), six mats (52 matches)
6:15 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA/Girls/AAA)
7 p.m. – Semifinals (AA/Girls/AAA), 2/2/2 mats (26/26/26 matches)
9 p.m. – Fourth-round consolations (AA/AAA), 2/2 mats (26/26 matches)
9 p.m. – Third-round consolations (Girls), two mats (26 matches)

Saturday, March 7 (Session 4/Session 5)

8 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA/Girls/AAA)
8:15 a.m. – Skin condition check (AA/Girls/AAA)
8:30 a.m. – Weigh-ins (AA/Girls/AAA)
8:45 a.m. – Skin condition check, finalists (AA/Girls/AAA)
9 a.m. – Weigh-in, finalists (AA/Girls/AAA)
9:30 a.m. – Fifth-round consolations (AA/AAA), 2/2 mats (26/26 matches)
9:30 a.m. – Fourth-round consolations (Girls), 2 mats (26 matches)
11:30 a.m. – Third-, fifth- and seventh-place matches (AA/Girls/AAA), 2/2/2 mats (39/39/39 matches)
11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA/Girls/AAA)
3:40 p.m. – Parade of Champions (AA/Girls/AAA)
4 p.m. – Championship Finals (AA/Girls/AAA), 1/1/1 mats (13/13/13 matches)

When Was The 2026 PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships?

The 2026 PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships took place Feb. 6-7 at the 1st Summit Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and included 20 teams that survived the preliminary and first round of the tournament, which was held Feb. 3 at host schools across the state.

The advancing teams made their way to Johnstown for two more days of intense competition, with the 1st Summit Arena hosting the quarterfinals through the championship matches.

In Pennsylvania this year, there were 475 schools participating in boys wrestling.

They were divided into two classifications – 228 schools in AA and 247 schools in AAA – which are further split into 12 districts. Class AA is for schools with 1-308 male enrollees, and Class AAA wrestling includes schools with 309-9999 male students.

Read more: 2026 PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships Schedule & Brackets

Did You Know: PIAA Wrestling Has A Long History

The first state wrestling championships in Keystone State happened in 1938, while the girls were added to the action in 2024. The PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships debuted in 1999.

There are 14 four-time individual state champions in Pennsylvania. Another 30 have won three times.

2025-2026 FloWrestling High School Wrestling Rankings

Top 20 as of Feb. 18, 2026

Curious about how the top wrestlers from each state stack up against competitors from across the country?

Click here to see the latest high school rankings from FloWrestling.

FULL DUAL: Bishop McCort vs. Faith Christian | 2026 PIAA AA Team State Finals

Faith Christian has been dominant in team wrestling in Pennsylvania, and Bishop McCort keeps falling just short.

Trackwrestling Has Joined The New FloWrestling

Trackwrestling officially has merged with FloWrestling, bringing its powerful tournament tracking tools and live data into a modern, all-in-one platform.

Fans can follow every bout with pro-grade brackets, mat schedules, team rosters and detailed wrestler profiles—all seamlessly integrated within FloWrestling.

This move delivers a faster, smarter and more connected experience for the wrestling community. Through the updated FloSports app, users can track live results, explore brackets and even sign up for free alerts so they never miss a match.

FloWrestling Archived Footage

Video footage from all events on FloWrestling will be archived and stored in a video library for FloWrestling subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

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Man cited after abandoning car in frozen pond at Pennsylvania country club: Police

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Man cited after abandoning car in frozen pond at Pennsylvania country club: Police

A man has been cited after police said he drove a vehicle into a frozen pond at a country club in Pennsylvania, left the scene, then spent the night in a hotel.

According to the East Lampeter Township Police Department, on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, around 10:38 a.m., officers were called to the Lancaster Country Club after receiving reports about a vehicle in a pond.

Police said that, through an investigation, it was learned that Sung Chun, a 50-year-old man from Hoboken, New Jersey, had driven onto the property the day before around 8:30 p.m., crossed portions of the golf course, and ultimately ended up in a pond.

Chun then exited the vehicle and walked away without reporting the incident and spent the night at a nearby hotel, according to police.

Credit: East Lampeter Township Police Department

Police said Chun returned to the location while police were on scene investigating the incident and was ultimately cited with “Trespass by Motor Vehicle.”

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