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Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Senators Introduce Bill to Protect Investments in Israel – MyChesCo
HARRISBURG, PA — Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28) announced new legislation on Friday aimed at upholding Pennsylvania’s support for Israel. The proposed bill seeks to prohibit holdings in the Pennsylvania State Treasury or Commonwealth pension funds from boycotting or divesting from Israel and companies doing business with Israel. Additionally, it aims to withhold state funding from any higher education institution that participates in such activities.
The legislation comes in response to recent protests on college campuses across the United States. In several cases, these protests led universities to consider divesting from Israel and companies involved with the Israeli government.
“It is important that Pennsylvania continue to promote trade and commercial activities with Israel given Israel’s strategic importance to the United States as a long-standing ally and the only true democracy in a volatile region of the world,” said Senator Santarsiero. “To that end, we must act to prevent our Commonwealth, including our colleges and universities, from taking the wholly unwarranted action of divesting from Israel.”
Senator Phillips-Hill emphasized the need for unwavering support for Israel. “Policymakers at all levels of government need to do everything possible to support our nation’s number one ally in the Middle East: Israel,” she said. “Like America, Israel will not be bullied by detractors. A strong and prosperous Israel needs a strong partner in the United States. This bipartisan measure will ensure that no one can use antisemitic tactics to weaken our resolve to stand with Israel.”
The proposed legislation would not affect investment decisions made solely to advance the financial position of the funds. Instead, it focuses on preventing politically motivated actions against Israel that could harm the economic relationship between Pennsylvania and Israel.
Senator Santarsiero first sponsored similar legislation in 2015, which sought to prevent state funds from being allocated to Pennsylvania universities that chose to divest from Israel. The new bill builds on these efforts, reflecting ongoing concerns about maintaining strong ties with Israel amid rising calls for divestment.
Pennsylvania’s Bold Stand: Strengthening Ties with Israel and Combating Antisemitism
The importance of this legislation lies in its potential impact on Pennsylvania’s economic and diplomatic relations. Israel has long been considered a key ally of the United States, and maintaining robust trade and commercial activities with Israel is seen as vital to both nations. By prohibiting divestment, Pennsylvania aims to send a clear message of support and solidarity.
Moreover, the bill addresses the broader issue of antisemitism. By targeting divestment efforts often rooted in political opposition to Israel, the legislation seeks to counteract strategies that could isolate or harm the Jewish state. This stance reinforces the commitment to combating antisemitism in all forms.
For institutions of higher learning, the bill signifies the state’s position on international relations and economic policy. Universities considering divestment may face financial repercussions, prompting them to reconsider their stance on Israel. This could influence the broader academic and public discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and related geopolitical issues.
As Senators Santarsiero and Phillips-Hill prepare to introduce the legislation in the coming weeks, its progress will be closely watched. The bill represents a bipartisan effort to strengthen Pennsylvania’s ties with Israel while addressing contemporary political and social challenges.
In summary, the proposed legislation reflects Pennsylvania’s strategic and ethical commitment to supporting Israel. By prohibiting divestment and boycotts, the state aims to foster a stable and productive relationship with a crucial ally while addressing broader concerns about antisemitism and economic policy.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Lottery Pick 2 Day, Pick 2 Evening results for Dec. 18, 2025
The Pennsylvania Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 results for each game:
Winning Pick 2 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing
Day: 6-1, Wild: 7
Evening: 0-7, Wild: 1
Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing
Day: 9-1-4, Wild: 7
Evening: 9-4-8, Wild: 1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing
Day: 6-6-9-7, Wild: 7
Evening: 6-1-7-4, Wild: 1
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing
Day: 0-1-5-9-1, Wild: 7
Evening: 8-1-7-5-3, Wild: 1
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 18 drawing
20-26-46-57-60, Cash Ball: 02
Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing
01-02-26-31-38
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Treasure Hunt numbers from Dec. 18 drawing
02-11-19-20-22
Check Treasure Hunt payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Match 6 Lotto numbers from Dec. 18 drawing
20-24-29-31-39-40
Check Match 6 Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Sign the Ticket: Ensure your ticket has your signature, name, address and phone number on the back.
- Prizes up to $600: Claim at any PA Lottery retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
- Prizes from $600 to $2,500: Use a Claim Form to claim at a retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
- Prizes over $2,500: Mail your signed ticket with a Claim Form or in person at a Lottery Area Office (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Lottery Headquarters is currently not open to the public. Visit the PA Lottery website for other office locations near you.
When are the Pennsylvania Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: 1:35 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. daily.
- Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. daily.
- Treasure Hunt: 1:35 p.m. daily.
- Match 6 Lotto: 6:59 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
- Powerball Double Play: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Pennsylvania editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Pennsylvania
GIANT Company closing five Pennsylvania fulfilment centers
(WHTM) — The GIANT Company recently confirmed that it will be closing five of its Pennsylvania-based fulfillment centers.
According to The GIANT Company, these Pennsylvania fulfillment centers that will be closing down include locations in Lancaster, Philadelphia, Willow Grove, Coopersburg, and North Coventry.
The company will also be closing its centralized e-commerce fulfillment operations in Manassas, Virginia, per a press release.
A spokesperson with GIANT says these upcoming closures are the result of a company decision to transition fully to store-based fulfilment, as opposed to centralized fulfilment.
“We’ve learned over the past few years that there isn’t a one size fits all approach to our e-commerce business, particularly our fulfillment model” The GIANT Company said in an email. “With customers expecting faster delivery, we need to ensure we are operating as efficiently as possible to meet their ever-changing needs. ”
The GIANT Company adds that orders will now be “shopped” by GIANT Direct team members in store, and delivered orders will now be completed by a third-party instead of a GIANT Direct driver.
Some benefits of this change include faster delivery times, expanded assortment, delivery windows are now only one hour, and customers will be able to make changes to an order 2-3 hours before the delivery window, instead of the previous 4-6 hours window.
According to The GIANT Company, these fulfillment centers will continue to operate into early next year, with most closures occurring by the end of Q1 in 2026.
The fulfillment center in Lancaster County is expected to wind down operations by the end of April 2026, affecting 81 team members.
According to a WARN Notice filed with the Department of Labor & Industry, the GIANT fulfillment center located in Philadelphia will close down on February 13, a move that will affect 128 employees.
The GIANT Company notes that its focus now is to support team members affected by this transition.
“E-commerce remains an important segment of our business strategy and key to our future omnichannel growth,” The GIANT Company added. “We remain committed to providing an outstanding experience to our customers by offering speedy delivery, more delivery windows, broad product assortment and value.”
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania GOP Reps buck party on health care subsidies
Although he voted for the first iteration of the bill, which cut funding for Medicaid and Medicare, Fitzpatrick ultimately voted against it a few months later. Mackenzie and Bresnahan, however, did vote for its ultimate passage, which their opponents have been quick to jump on.
“Rob Bresnahan unleashed a health care crisis on Northeastern Pennsylvania by voting for the largest cuts to Medicaid in history, stripping funding from our rural hospitals, and failing to take meaningful action in time to prevent health care costs from skyrocketing for Northeastern Pennsylvanians next month,” Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti said in a statement.
“Ryan Mackenzie’s eleventh hour attempt to paper over his own record of gutting health care and jacking up costs is like an arsonist calling the fire department after he already lit the match,” said firefighter Bob Brooks, who is running to replace Mackenzie. “Hardworking people all across the Lehigh Valley are struggling with rising prices and a health care crisis that Mackenzie unleashed when he voted for Trump’s so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’”
Neither Fitzpatrick nor Bresnahan responded to WHYY News’ requests for comment, but Mackenzie replied with a statement in which he called the health care crisis “a serious issue with real-world consequences” and said “we must find commonsense, bipartisan solutions to protect access to health insurance for families in the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos.”
Mackenzie’s office pushed back on the characterization that the congressman waited until “the 11th hour,” arguing he has spent several months working with members on both sides of the aisle to find a bipartisan compromise. They also pointed out that Mackenzie participated in a televised town hall in September, during which he discussed the impending health care crisis.
Sans bipartisan compromise, Mackenzie called the three-year extension “the only remaining option.” He further blamed Democrats for failing to sign onto his efforts for compromise that would include “longer-term reforms that reduce costs.”
“The Affordable Care Act remains broken, and our health care system is in urgent need of reforms that improve transparency, expand choice, and reduce costs,” he said. “Supporting this discharge petition is currently the only way to keep discussions about bipartisan reforms alive.”
Harvie disputes that contention and that the “so-called problem solvers” among the Republican Party have their constituents’ best interests at heart.
“The Republican party’s been trying to kill the Affordable Care Act since it was originally passed, and I think this is just another step of what they’re trying to do and they’re trying to make it look like they’re not doing it,” he said. “Democrats have been fighting for people to have access to health care access that really is meaningful to expand health care opportunities for people.”
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