Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Dem Rep. Matt Cartwright dodges multiple debates, angering constituents: ‘Want to know what I’m buying’
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.) has agreed to just one debate against a challenger whose supporters say the congressman should do more to defend his record for constituents.
Cartwright, a sixth-term incumbent representing Pennsylvania’s 8th congressional district, has agreed to debate GOP businessman Rob Bresnahan on either Oct. 22 or 23, with local PBS affiliate WVIA-TV as the host.
Bresnahan’s camp held a press conference Monday in Wilkes-Barre to hammer home their thesis that a single debate so late in this critical race does a disservice to constituents in this increasingly conservative district in the state’s northeastern region.
“By refusing to engage in more than one debate, he’s denying voters the opportunity to see where he really stands,” said Luzerne County GOP Chair Gene Ziemba of Cartwright. “It raises questions about what he’s trying to hide.”
From neighboring Lackawanna County, Republican Party Chairman Dan Naylor pointed to Cartwright’s liberal voting record on issues like illegal immigration as one reason he may be hesitant to schedule many debates.
“Clearly, he’s allowing illegals to come in at a rate that is not sustainable for this country,” Naylor told The Post.
Bresnahan’s campaign suggests that the House schedule this fall should give Cartwright “ample availability” for an earlier debate, but Cartwright has only responded by requesting “more information.”
According to this year’s House calendar, the lower chamber is out of session 17 days in September, plus all of October.
Cartwright’s office did not respond to The Post’s inquiry about the why the rep won’t agree to more dates despite the light schedule on Capitol Hill this fall.
Mail-in voting starts Sept. 16 in Pennsylvania — the earliest of any state — so having only one debate in the eleventh hour would deny many Pennsylvanians the chance to hear from their candidates before casting their ballots.
That time crunch is cause for concern among voters in the district who spoke to The Post Monday.
“When you see and hear politicians in action during a debate, you tend to sometimes open your eyes and get a different perspective,” said Candice Chilek, a retired teacher from West Pittston.
Retired Catholic preschool teacher Lorna Altavill of Wilkes-Barre struck a similar chord, likening debates to advertising campaigns.
“You can advertise a product, but I want to see the product, I want to test the product,” she told The Post.
“I want to know what I’m buying, because in the case of an election, if you don’t like what you bought, you can’t return it,” Altavill concluded.
The two candidates in Pennsylvania’s neighboring 7th congressional district — another competitive race labeled a toss-up in Cook Political Report — have agreed to multiple September debates, but have yet to finalize the dates.
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.
Is Using Your Phone at a Red Light Legal in Delaware?
Whether or not you can legally use a cellphone at a red light in Delaware is complicated.
According to the Delaware State Code, “No person shall drive a motor vehicle on any highway while using an electronic communication device while such motor vehicle is in motion.”
Traveling from the First State to the Keystone State soon?
If so, you might want to put your cellphone down while you’re in the car unless you don’t mind coughing up a few extra bucks.
Beginning June 6, drivers caught using an electrical device while driving will be fined $50.
See how the new law works and what devices are legal to use while driving in neighboring Pennsylvania and here in Delaware.
Is it legal to use a cellphone while driving in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law has barred drivers from reading, writing or sending text messages while driving since 2012, but other handheld cellphone uses were permitted.
The new law that takes effect next month expands the ban to all handheld device use while driving.
New law expands cellphone driving ban in PA
The new regulation, dubbed Paul Miller’s Law, defines an interactive mobile device as basically any electronic handheld device that can be used for things such as voice communication, texting, surfing the internet, playing games, taking photos or sharing social media that can be operated using at least one hand or “supporting body part” or requires pressing more than a single button.
Can I text when stopped at a red light in Pennsylvania?
No, the Pennsylvania law defines driving as operating a motor vehicle on a highway, including anytime the vehicle is temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device or other momentary delay such as a traffic backup.
What are the penalties for using a cellphone while driving in PA?
- Prior to the law going into effect, the penalty is a written warning.
- Starting June 6, the penalty is a summary offense with a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees.
- The law does not authorize the seizure of an interactive wireless device.
- The violation carries no points against your license and it is not recorded on the driver’s record for noncommercial drivers. It will be recorded on a commercial driver’s record as a non-sanction violation.
- If a driver is convicted of homicide by vehicle and driving while distracted, they may be sentenced up to an additional five years in prison.
When can you use a mobile device in the car in Pennsylvania?
- A driver may use an interactive mobile device if the driver moves the vehicle to the side of or off a highway and halts in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary
- The hands-free law allows for an emergency use exception if it is necessary to communicate with a law enforcement official or other emergency service to prevent injury to persons or property.
- The texting ban does not include the use of a GPS device or a system or device that is physically or electronically integrated into the vehicle, or a communications device that is affixed to a mass transit vehicle, bus or school bus.
Who is the new law in PA named for?
Paul Miller Jr., 21, was killed in a head-on motor vehicle accident with a tractor-trailer in 2010 in Monroe County as the result of a distracted driver who reached for their phone while driving. He was a junior at East Stroudsburg University where he was majoring in sociology.
After his death, his mother, Eileen Miller, has become a national advocate for stronger laws to curb distracted driving. In 2024, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the law prohibiting the use of hand-held devices while driving, making Pennsylvania the 29th state to ban distracted driving.
Can you use a cellphone while driving in Delaware?
No, it is illegal for drivers to use any hand-held devices while driving in Delaware — and has been for over a decade.
This ban not only includes cellphones and smartphones, but also laptops, portable computers and tablets.
Drivers are also barred from reading, writing or sending text messages or emails; using the internet; or talking without a hands-free device at the ready while operating a vehicle.
Is there a fine for using a cellphone while driving in Delaware?
Any motorist caught using any hand-held device while driving will be fined $100 for their first offense. Any subsequent offense will result in a fine between $200 and $300.
-
Cleveland, OH2 minutes agoWhat’s it like being a news anchor at Cleveland’s ABC Channel 5
-
Austin, TX8 minutes agoAntisemitic incidents in Rhode Island fell by half in 2025, ADL says
-
Alabama14 minutes agoKevin Turner Prattville YMCA Golf Tournament welcomes Auburn, Alabama players as guest hosts
-
Alaska20 minutes agoHantavirus outbreak, climate risks from microplastics and Alaska’s surprise tsunami
-
Arizona26 minutes agoWhere to watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 11
-
Arkansas32 minutes agoA 21-year-old Arkansas man, formerly from Newaygo, died after crashing dirt bike into tree
-
Colorado44 minutes agoContamination, climate change and political drama stall clean water for Colorado’s Arkansas Valley – High Country News
-
Connecticut50 minutes agoCT Lottery Cash 5, Play3 winning numbers for May 10, 2026