Pennsylvania
Montgomery County announces strongest paid parental leave policy in Pennsylvania
County Commissioner and Chairperson Jamila Winder said her own experience as the parent of a young child informed the policy. She went through a C-section when she birthed her son Max, now 3, and had a complicated physical recovery. She was working in the private sector at the time and had to figure out with her husband how to take paid time off so they could spend time with their newborn child while continuing with their careers.
“It’s an adjustment for families, whether you’re the birthing parent, or the one that will be greeting your newborn when your new child comes home,” she said. “So we wanted to give equal credit and time to both parents at the time of delivery.”
Winder said the commissioners hope the private sector takes note.
“When you think about the lifeblood of your organization, which is your employees, these are the types of things that we need to do to show commitment and support of working families,” Winder said.
Attracting top talent to work with the county is one of the goals of the policy, Makhija said.
“I think that’s one of the reasons we’re all together on this, is it’s good policy for us as an employer to compete with the benefits that people see and other spaces and let people know that public service is an option, whereas they might have thought that they could only get these kinds of benefits in the private sector or elsewhere,” he said.
Tom DiBello is the county’s lone Republican commissioner. He supported the measure and said he hopes other local governments and the state government will replicate Montgomery County’s move.
“Hopefully, many state and local government agencies will see the policy that we put in place and follow this as we lead the charge,” he said.
Pennsylvania
Sandra “Sandy” J. Kulka, Transfer, PA
TRANSFER, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Sandra “Sandy” J. Kulka, age 68, of Transfer, Pennsylvania, passed away on Friday, April 24th, 2026, peacefully.
She was born June 24th, 1956, in Mercer, Pennsylvania, to Gerald Stainbrook and Violet (Patton) Stainbrook.
Sandy was a graduate of Hickory High School.
She was a homemaker and later in life worked as a custodian at Hermitage School District until her retirement. She enjoyed spending time with her five grandchildren and beloved pets, Teddy and Bella.
Sandy is survived by her three children, April Redfoot and her husband Daniel, Becky Kulka and Samuel Kulka, all of Greenville, Pennsylvania; a brother, Dennis Stainbrook and his wife, Margaret Kern of Transfer, Pennsylvania; and her five grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick Kulka; her sister, Gail Hall; and her parents, Gerald and Violet Stainbrook.
In following Sandy’s wishes there will be no services.
Memorial contributions can be made in her name to Strayhaven Animal Shelter, 94 Donation Road, Greenville, PA 16125
John Flynn Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is serving the family with arrangements.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sandra J Kulka, please visit our floral store.
Pennsylvania
Target of Action News Investigation Agrees to settlement with Pennsylvania attorney general
The target of an Action News Investigation in 2022 has agreed to a settlement with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
Florida-based MV Realty was accused of offering homeowners, many of whom are low-income, a few hundred bucks.
In return, the company would get exclusive rights for the opportunity to sell the properties for a 3% commission.
But many homeowners claim they were unaware there was a 40-year life to the agreement, and mortgages were placed on their homes.
They would also be forced to pay the fee in the event they transferred properties to loved ones.
“I could’ve jumped out of the chair and did a little dance,” said Latrelle Fuller to Action News Investigative Reporter Chad Pradelli upon learning of the settlement.
We first met her in 2022 after she entered into an agreement with MV Realty for $500.
She says she was unable to get a home equity loan on her paid-off house because of MV Realty’s mortgage.
Her neighbor, Carolyn Brown, had to pay $6,000 dollars to MV Realty to get a loan on her home. She, too, entered into an agreement with MV Realty several years ago.
“They told me that I have to do this or they would not give me the loan,” Brown says.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday called MV Realty’s actions reprehensible.
“So as a result of the settlement, all 1,300 mortgages that were entered into in Pennsylvania are going to be cancelled, ” he said in an exclusive interview earlier this week.
Action News Investigation: Real estate company accused of deceptive practices
Rosetta Loper Grant, who is selling her Oxford Circle home, signed onto the agreement offered by MV Realty. But then in May, she started second-guessing her decision.
He says the Action News Investigation led to his office taking action by his predecessor, now-Governor Josh Shapiro. The investigative team dug through city property records to uncover the MV Realty mortgages.
He says the company will pay $645,000 in restitution under the settlement so homeowners like Brown will get their money back.
The owner of MV Realty, former reality TV personality Amanda Zachman, has not responded to requests for comment.
“I know what it’s like to work unbelievably hard for what you have and to take it in such a misleading way from consumers, especially to Target low-income communities, is disgusting to me, ” Sunday said.
If you were a victim of MV Realty and paid the company fees to sell or transfer a property, reach out to the AG’s office online.
You can also email the complaint or call 1-800-441-2555.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Pennsylvania
Catchy chemistry: Pennsylvania musician sings songs about the periodic table of elements
Bethlehem, Pa — A Pennsylvania musician is making the periodic table of elements fun!
George Hrab and his band, The George HraBand, sing about all 118 elements in the periodic table in his show, “Occasional Songs For The Periodic Table.”
As they go through the table of elements, there are various musical styles, from reggae to heavy metal.
“So heavy metal fans and reggae fans will then appreciate and learn about protactinium or learn about einsteinium,” explains Hrab.
“It’s sort of a fun opportunity to teach people a little bit of something.”
The project started as a way to get Hrab out of a writers block and he never expected it to turn into something more.
“And before I knew it, I had like 50 done and then 60 and an 80 and then 100,” says Hrab. “And then I finished them all off and hoped that someday I’d be able to play them live with a band.”
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