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Pennsylvania Senate race likely to head to statewide recount as Casey declines to waive it

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Pennsylvania Senate race likely to head to statewide recount as Casey declines to waive it


Pennsylvania’s nationally watched U.S. Senate race is likely headed to a recount as incumbent Sen. Bob Casey did not waive an automatic recount.

The Associated Press called the race last week for Republican Dave McCormick who narrowly leads three-term Democrat Casey by less than 0.5%, the threshold for triggering an automatic recount under state law unless new returns pull it back over half a percent.

As the trailing candidate Casey had until noon Wednesday to waive his right to a recount and he did not do so, the Pennsylvania Department of State confirmed in a statement. Casey still trails McCormick by nearly 30,000 votes.

Secretary of State Al Schmidt is still waiting for unofficial returns from Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, the department said, and will determine based on those returns whether an automatic recount is warranted.

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Schmidt must call for a recount by 5 p.m. Thursday and must alert candidates to the possibility 24 hours in advance, or 5 p.m. Wednesday.

If a recount is called counties are required to start the process by Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the latest. They must complete their recounts by Tuesday, Nov. 26.

Recounts often result in the final tallies of votes changing slightly for each candidate. But those corrections can go in either direction and usually only impact an extremely small fraction of votes. It is exceedingly rare for a recount to change the ultimate outcome of a statewide race, especially one divided by around 30,000 votes.

While Casey held a lead in polls for much of the campaign, the race tightened in the final days, and McCormick was leading as voters were counted in the days after the election. But his advantage shrank and fluctuated over time as some larger counties processed their provisional ballots, as of Wednesday it was within the 0.5% threshold.

Remarkably, this will be the second recount McCormick is involved in – in just his second competitive election. During Pennsylvania’s 2022 Senate race, McCormick fell short to Mehmet Oz in the GOP primary by fewer than 1,000 votes following a recount.

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McCormick has projected confidence that his lead will hold, even as he has pursued challenges to the counting of some ballots.

After Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) initially withheld an invitation, McCormick is attending orientation for incoming senators this week.

“I don’t care who voted for me and didn’t vote for me,” McCormick said Friday in a victory speech. “Today, I turn the page. I am focused on serving every single Pennsylvanian.”

But Casey’s campaign has been holding out hope, releasing daily statements reaffirming that votes are still being counted in Pennsylvania.

“My priority has always been standing up for the people of Pennsylvania. Across our Commonwealth, close to 7 million people cast their votes in a free and fair election,” Casey said Tuesday morning. “Our county election officials will finish counting those votes, just like they do in every election. The American democratic process was born in Pennsylvania and that process will play out.”

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In a statement, Wednesday morning, Casey’s campaign manager Tiernan Donohue criticized McCormick for continuing to pursue litigation that would segregate or throw out ballots.

“David McCormick and his allies are trying to disenfranchise Pennsylvania voters with litigation designed to throw out large tranches of votes that they’ve admitted in legal filings could impact the outcome of the election.,” Casey campaign manager Tiernan Donohue said in a statement.

This is a developing story.



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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Senate passes bill to protect pets of domestic violence survivors

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Pennsylvania Senate passes bill to protect pets of domestic violence survivors


PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pennsylvania lawmakers are taking new steps to protect the pets of domestic violence survivors.

Right now, Pennsylvania is one of only a few states that doesn’t allow animals to be included in protection from abuse orders, but a bill to change that passed the state Senate on Wednesday.

Advocates told KDKA-TV that this legislation could help human and animal victims of domestic violence break free from dangerous situations. 

Leaving an abusive relationship is difficult for a lot of reasons. For many victims, it’s fear of their pets’ safety.

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“There’s a lot of statistics out there. One of them that really has resonated with me is that 71% of battered women have reported that their abusers had either harmed, killed or threatened their animals as a way to control them,” said Natalie Ahwesh, executive director of Humane Action Pittsburgh.

HB 1210 explicitly allows animals to be included in protection from abuse orders. The bill passed the state Senate by a vote of 47 to 1. It now heads to Governor Josh Shapiro’s desk for a signature. The bill previously passed the state House in 2023.

If the governor signs the bill into law, it will help ensure domestic violence survivors can escape their abusers with their four-legged best friend by their side and have the power to keep their pets safe as they seek protection.

“While this is a bill that’s going to make such a huge difference for animals, it’s really also going to make a huge difference for people out there that are experiencing violence. They are not going to have to choose between leaving their pets behind or finding safety for themselves and their companions,” Ahwesh said.

Republican Rep. Natalie Mihalek and Democrat Rep. Christina Sappey co-sponsored the bill. Humane Action Pittsburgh has pushed for this change for more than three years.

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Ahwesh said it has had a lot of support from animal advocates, domestic violence organizations and law enforcement. 

“We built a really broad coalition that not only included animal welfare organizations but domestic violence organizations like the National Link Coalition, and law enforcement agencies really stepped up to support us. We had the Pennsylvania Sheriff’s Association fighting hard for this bill, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and the attorney general’s office,” she said.

The bill amends the state’s domestic relations act and allows a judge to give the person seeking protection temporary ownership rights of family pets and to order the defendant to refrain from abusing the victim’s pets.

The hope is that this change empowers survivors to leave because they can protect their pets who are considered family.

Ahwesh said this is only the beginning and more work needs to be done.

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“There is definitely a lack of resources in the commonwealth of places that are able to accommodate people that are seeking shelter along with their pets. We have a lot of really great resources in the Pittsburgh area, either human shelters that will help accommodate people with their pets or foster programs where they can bring their pets to also seek safety. But it’s definitely overall something that we need more help with and more funding for in Pennsylvania,” she said.

Ahwesh expects the governor to sign the bill into law.

“We’re going to be working to make sure that judges and people experiencing violence and social workers and such all are aware that this law is now in effect so that we can start utilizing it and helping people and animals that are experiencing violence,” said Ahwesh.

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Trib HSSN Pennsylvania high school football rankings for Nov. 12, 2024 | Trib HSSN

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Trib HSSN Pennsylvania high school football rankings for Nov. 12, 2024 | Trib HSSN


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Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | 12:34 AM


There were several changes in the three largest classifications this week in the Trib HSSN state rankings, but the three small school classes were unchanged.

Two perennial state powers and champions from 2023 were ousted in Week 10 with state title reigns for Aliquippa in Class 4A and Southern Columbia in 2A coming to an end with season-ending losses in their district semifinals.

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Another team at the top of the rankings for the last month in Class 6A was also ousted, as LaSalle College tasted defeat for the first and only time this fall with a District 12 semifinals loss to defending champion St. Joseph’s Prep.

Speaking of the Hawks, they have another showdown this week as they battle 2023 Class 5A champion and the current No. 2 team in Class 6A, Imhotep Charter, in the District 12 championship game on Saturday.

Two ranked teams collide in Class 5A when newly minted top-ranked Upper St. Clair battles No. 5 Peters Township in a District 7 semifinal.

USC took over for Chester, which lost in the District 1 playoffs, while St. Joe’s Prep replaces LaSalle College at No. 1 in Class 6A.

The other four classes remain the same on top with Lampeter-Strasburg in 4A, Northwestern Lehigh in 3A, Troy in 2A and Fort Cherry in Class A.

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This weekend, the district playoff morph into the state playoffs with the first round of the PIAA postseason, even though it is championship weekend in some district and semifinal weekend for others.

Here are the latest Trib HSSN rankings in each of the six classifications. Teams are listed with overall record, last week’s ranking and district.

Class 6A

1. St. Joseph’s Prep (7-2) (2) (D-12): The defending PIAA 6A champion Hawks defeated No. 1 LaSalle College in Week 11, 21-14. They play No. 2 Imhotep Charter in the District 12 championship game on Saturday.

2. Imhotep Charter (10-1) (3) (D-12): The defending PIAA 5A champion Panthers defeated Abraham Lincoln in Week 11, 28-26. They play No. 1 St. Joseph’s Prep in the District 12 championship game on Saturday.

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3. Central Catholic (9-2) (4) (D-7): The Vikings defeated Seneca Valley in Week 11, 38-14. They play North Allegheny in the WPIAL championship game on Saturday on Trib HSSN.

4. West Lawn Wilson (10-1) (5) (D-3): The Bulldogs defeated Cedar Crest in Week 11, 28-3. They host Central York in a District 3 semifinals playoff game on Friday.

5. Central Bucks South (12-0) (NR) (D-1): The Titans defeated Plymouth-Whitemarsh in Week 11, 35-0. They host North Penn in a District 1 semifinals playoff game on Friday.

Out: LaSalle College (12)

Class 5A

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1. Upper St. Clair (11-0) (2) (D-7): The Panthers defeated Penn Hills in Week 11, 24-3. They play No. 5 Peters Township in a WPIAL semifinals playoff game on Friday.

2. Bishop McDevitt (10-2) (4) (D-3): The Crusaders defeated Conrad Weiser in Week 11, 42-7. They visit Mechanicsburg in a District 3 semifinals playoff game on Friday.

3. Pine-Richland (9-1) (5) (D-7): The Rams defeated Franklin Regional in Week 11, 42-0. They play Bethel Park in a WPIAL semifinals playoff game on Friday.

4. Roman Catholic (8-4) (NR) (D-12): The Cahillites defeated Frankford in Week 11, 42-12. They visit East Stroudsburg in a PIAA first round state playoff game on Friday.

5. Peters Township (10-1) (NR) (D-7): The Indians defeated Penn-Trafford in Week 11, 42-13. They play No. 1 Upper St. Clair in a WPIAL semifinals playoff game on Friday.

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Out: Chester (1), New Oxford (3)

Class 4A

1. Lampeter-Strasburg (11-0) (1) (D-3): The Pioneers defeated ELCO in Week 11, 42-7. They host Twin Valley in a District 3 semifinals playoff game on Friday.

2. Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast (8-2) (2) (D-12): The Friars defeated Cardinal O’Hara in Week 11, 28-21. They play West Philadelphia in the District 12 championship game on Saturday.

3. Thomas Jefferson (12-0) (3) (D-7): The Jaguars defeated No. 4 Aliquippa in Week 11, 38-21. They play McKeesport in the WPIAL championship game on Saturday on Trib HSSN.

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4. Shamokin (12-0) (5) (D-4): The Indians defeated Jersey Shore in Week 11, 28-27 in double overtime. They host Juniata in a PIAA first round state playoff game on Friday.

5. Pope John Paul II (11-1) (NR) (D-1): The Golden Panthers defeated Springfield-Montco in Week 11, 49-7. They visit Valley View in a PIAA first round state playoff game on Friday.

Out: Aliquippa (7)

Class 3A

1. Northwestern Lehigh (12-0) (1) (D-11): The Tigers defeated North Schuylkill in Week 11, 36-7. They host Conwell-Egan in a PIAA first round state playoff game on Friday.

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2. Danville (11-0) (2) (D-4): The Ironmen defeated Montoursville in Week 11, 35-10. They host Lewisburg in the District 4 championship game on Friday.

3. Imani Christian (11-0) (3) (D-7): The Saints defeated Highlands in Week 11, 31-17. They play Avonworth in a WPIAL semifinals playoff game on Friday.

4. Penn Cambria (12-0) (4) (D-6): The Panthers defeated Tyrone in Week 11, 39-14. They play Somerset in a PIAA first round state playoff game on Friday.

5. Sharon (11-1) (5) (D-10): The Tigers defeated Titusville in Week 11, 40-7. They play Hickory in the District 10 championship game on Friday.

Out: None

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Class 2A

1. Troy (12-0) (1) (D-4): The Trojans defeated Southern Columbia in Week 11, 69-28. They play Warrior Run in the District 4 championship game on Friday.

2. Central Clarion (10-0) (2) (D-9): The Wildcats did not play in Week 11. They visit Farrell in a PIAA first round state playoff game on Friday.

3. Schuylkill Haven (11-1) (3) (D-11): The Hurricanes defeated Executive Education in Week 11, 53-14. They play Williams Valley in the District 11 championship game on Friday.

4. Cambria Heights (12-0) (4) (D-6): The Highlanders defeated Bellwood-Antis in Week 11, 15-8. They play Richland in the District 6 championship game on Friday.

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5. Seton LaSalle (10-0) (5) (D-7): The Rebels defeated Riverside in Week 11, 34-7. They play Steel Valley in a WPIAL semifinals playoff game on Friday.

Out: None

Class A

1. Fort Cherry (12-0) (1) (D-7): The Rangers defeated Cornell in Week 11, 27-20. They play Jeannette in a WPIAL semifinals playoff game on Friday on Trib HSSN.

2. Bishop Guilfoyle (11-1) (2) (D-6): The Marauders defeated Claysburg-Kimmel in Week 11, 49-7. They play Northern Cambria in the District 6 championship game on Saturday.

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3. Westinghouse (8-1) (3) (D-8): The Bulldogs did not play in Week 11. They host Windber in a PIAA first round state playoff game on Friday.

4. Clairton (12-0) (4) (D-7): The Bears defeated California in Week 11, 54-0. They play Bishop Canevin in a WPIAL semifinals playoff game on Friday.

5. Port Allegany (11-0) (5) (D-9): The Gators defeated Keystone in Week 11, 57-14. They play Redbank Valley in the District 9 championship game on Friday.

Out: None

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New building at University of Pennsylvania aims to become hub for AI research

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New building at University of Pennsylvania aims to become hub for AI research


Wednesday, November 13, 2024 4:04AM

New building at University of Pennsylvania aims to become hub for AI research

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Action News got a sneak peek at the University of Pennsylvania’s newest building, which is dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence and data science.

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Amy Gutmann Hall is designed as a hub for collaborative research in AI.

The building at the northeast corner of 34th and Chestnut streets was built using mass timber, an emerging architectural material.

Officials say the hope is that the research done at the new building will put Philadelphia on the map as a center for AI innovation.

Gutmann Hall is set to open in early 2025, according to university leaders.

Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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