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House speaker wants Ukrainian ambassador fired over Zelensky’s Pennsylvania trip

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House speaker wants Ukrainian ambassador fired over Zelensky’s Pennsylvania trip


House Speaker Mike Johnson is demanding that Volodymyr Zelensky fire the widely respected diplomat who has represented Kyiv in Washington since 2021 after she arranged for the Ukrainian president to visit a munitions plant in a battleground state with a Democratic governor.

In a letter released by Johnson’s office on Wednesday, the Louisiana Republican accused Ambassador Oksana Markarova of interfering in the ongoing US presidential election by helping set up the trip by Zelensky to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania, over the weekend.

During his visit, Zelensky inspected production lines where the 155mm artillery shells used by his country’s forces are being produced. He did so alongside the state’s governor, Josh Shapiro.

While inspecting the plant, he told workers: “It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail. Thanks to people like these — in Ukraine, in America, and in all partner countries — who work tirelessly to ensure that life is protected.”

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What appears to have irked Johnson is the fact that no Republican officeholder was invited to the plant visit, along with the fact that Shapiro, who was considered a front-runner to be Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate before she selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, is a top surrogate for the vice president.

In his letter, the House Speaker claimed that Markarova enabled Zelensky to interfere in the election because the manufacturing plant “was in a politically contested battleground state” and the tour led by Shapiro “failed to include a single Republican because — on purpose — no Republicans were invited.”

“The tour was clearly a partisan campaign event designed to help Democrats and is clearly election interference. This shortsighted and intentionally political move has caused Republicans to lose trust in Ambassador Markarova’s ability to fairly and effectively serve as a diplomat in this country,” he wrote, adding that the veteran diplomat “should be removed from her post immediately.”

Zelensky, who is in the US to attend the UN General Assembly this week, also irked Republicans by criticizing former President Donald Trump in an interview with the New Yorker.

He said the ex-president, who was impeached for attempting to blackmail the Ukrainian leader into announcing a fake investigation into Joe Biden when he was a candidate for president in 2019, “doesn’t really know how to stop the war even if he might think he knows how.”

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Trump has frequently claimed, without evidence, that he could end the nearly three-year-old war “in 24 hours” by forcing Zelensky to make some sort of deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a known ally of the ex-president.

At a rally on Monday, he claimed Zelensky wants Democrats to win the election “so badly” and repeated the claim the next day.

Numerous Republicans have opposed US assistance to Ukraine since the war began in 2022, with some repeating Russian propaganda about Zelensky during official House proceedings.

Zelensky is set to visit Washington on Thursday, where he is scheduled to meet with Senate leaders from both parties as well as President Biden and Vice President Harris.



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Pennsylvania

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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