Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania sends $6M for these homeless services
(The Center Square) – About two dozen grants totaling $6.3 million will go to 25 counties in Pennsylvania to combat homelessness.
The Emergency Solutions Grants, issued by the Department of Community and Economic Development, can be used for prevention, emergency rehousing, street outreach, emergency shelter, and related uses.
“The funding approved today will go to trusted community organizations to assist individuals and families experiencing or facing homelessness,” department Secretary Rick Siger said in a release. “The Shapiro administration is committed to helping the most vulnerable members of our communities, and ESG funding provides local governments and nonprofits across the commonwealth with the tools they need to help unlock critical housing resources to support them.”
ESG is an acronym used in conjunction with environmental, social, and governance policies in investments.
The largest grant, $1.5 million, will cover a baker’s dozen of counties in western Pennsylvania. Lawrence County Social Services and a dozen other recipients will use the money to fund existing homelessness services in the area. The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence will receive $750,000 for statewide efforts to provide emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and homelessness prevention.
The Center for Community Action will also receive $490,000 for homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, and emergency shelter services in central Pennsylvania. A full list of awards is available on Department of Community and Economic Development’s website.
The money follows a September announcement that the Department of Agriculture provided $1.6 million for dozens of soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters to shore up access to emergency meals.
Experts have said homelessness is driven by restraints on getting new housing built, as The Center Square previously reported. Pennsylvania’s home prices have crept up in recent years, whether in urban, suburban, or rural parts of the commonwealth, and in response, state legislators have proposed some wide-ranging reforms to make it easier to get housing built.
However, despite those pressures, homelessness has decreased in some parts. The Department of Community and Economic Development estimates about 15,000 Pennsylvanians are homeless. In Philadelphia, homelessness fell by 22% from 2018 to 2022, along with a 19% reduction in chronic homelessness. In 2021 and 2022, however, chronic homelessness numbers started to rise again.
Administrative issues could make the problem worse in Pennsylvania’s largest city, too: its Office of Homeless Services overspent its budget by $15 million and faces an investigation over the scandal.
Don’t get fooled: Here’s 24 scam texts I received in just one month
Although some may be humorous, others appear legit. Here are 24 texts I received in just one month’s time, as well as one I’m surprised I never got.
Spam texts are listed in the same order that was received.
Gallery Credit: Mike Brant
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania artists creates painting for fallen IRCSO deputy
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. — A Pennsylvania artist is honoring Sgt. Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, through a moving tribute — a powerful painting inspired by her service and sacrifice.
Jonny Castro created the piece, and he is a police officer and forensic composite artist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
WATCH WPTV’S COVERAGE BELOW:
Pennsylvania artists creates painting for fallen IRCSO deputy
Castro has created more than 2,000 portraits of fallen first responders, and his most recent is Sgt. Sweeting-Mashkow’s.
“What makes it so special is just the fact that she was given that sergeant rank for giving her life in the line of duty,” said Castro. “Her selfless service and her heroism.”
Sgt. Sweeting Mashkow was shot and killed Friday while serving an eviction notice in the Bermuda Club Community off A1A. Castro ties in his roles as a police officer and forensic composite artist into his work.
“You’re constantly working, constantly drawing facial features, so about 10 years ago, coming up on 10 years, I did my first one and everybody seemed to enjoy it,” said Castro.
He said after learning about Sgt. Sweeting Mashkow’s tragedy, he was deeply moved. He learned about it on social media and immediately began sketching.
“It’s sad to think that she was on the job for 25 years,” said Castro.
He also created a portrait for the three fallen Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies last year.
“What do you hope loved ones say or feel when they see this portrait that you created?” asked WPTV’s Zitlali Solache.
“I hope they know there are people like me all the way up in Pennsylvania and as far west as California that are praying for her family and wishing them the best during this tragic time — especially around the holidays,’ replied Castro.
The goal is for the art to be a piece that the family holds dearly. Castro said he will also begin sketching David Long’s piece on Tuesday. Long is the locksmith also involved in the fatal eviction call.
“I think that’s what makes it special, just because she doesn’t have any photos. She will never have a photo as a sergeant,’ said Castro. “This may be the only one, so I just hope to know the family enjoys it and they hang it proud on their wall.”
Castro says he will be in touch with Sheriff Eric Flowers to ship the painting over.
Pennsylvania
Popular HBO series gets biggest-ever Pa. film tax credit | Today in Pa.
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SEPTA says it’ll fully restore rail service by late next month. Alcohol sales dipped statewide last year. This is Thanksgiving’s current forecast, which many of you might be wondering about. Also, Pennsylvania just gave a record film tax credit to a popular HBO series.
Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of “Today in Pa.,” a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. “Today in Pa.” is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, what’s happening today in Pa.
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Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania adopts CROWN Act, preventing discrimination based on a person’s hair
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 7:28PM
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro officially signed a bill, known as the CROWN Act, on Tuesday.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Pennsylvania took a major step towards equality when it comes to natural hair.
Governor Josh Shapiro was at the Island Design Natural Hair Studio in Philadelphia’s Parkside neighborhood on Tuesday morning to officially sign a bill, known as the CROWN Act.
It prevents discrimination based on a person’s hair type, texture or style in schools, the workplace and social venues.
Pennsylvania is now the 28th state to adopt the CROWN Act, joining New Jersey and Delaware.
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