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Schools, child care legislation advances in Pennsylvania as lawmakers try to move past budget feud

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Schools, child care legislation advances in Pennsylvania as lawmakers try to move past budget feud


The bill also would boost the amount of tax credits — from $12 million to $60 million — for donations that go to private schools that serve a larger proportion of students from lower-income families.

Public school advocates have criticized the program as discriminatory, saying many of the eligible schools cherry-pick the students they want to teach and have policies that discriminate on the basis of religion, LGBTQ+ status, disability or another reason.

They also say it siphons money away from public schools at a time when a landmark court decision found that the state’s system of school funding is violating the constitutional rights of students in the state’s poorest districts

Awaiting a vote Wednesday night was legislation with a key concession to Democrats, an expansion of a year-old state child care and dependent tax credit.

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The bill would raise the current child care tax credit from 30% to 100% of the federal child care and dependent tax credit, at an annual cost of hundreds of millions of dollars to the state.

The size of the child care tax credit is based on income, but the biggest tax credit would be $2,100 — instead of $630, under current state law — for families making below $43,000 and spending $6,000 or more on child care for two children.

That bill also carries another win for Democrats: $175 million in one-time aid to clean up lead, asbestos, mold and other environmental health hazards in school buildings.

Meanwhile, the bill headed to Shapiro’s desk allows hundreds of millions of dollars to flow after spending months snarled in the Legislature.

That includes more than $300 million for libraries and community colleges, and $100 million in federal aid for school mental health services.

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To encourage more college students to become teachers, the bill would create a program to give a stipend of up to $15,000 to student teachers. With numerous schools having difficulty hiring or retaining teachers, the stipends are aimed at easing a hardship for college students finishing up a teaching degree who each must student-teach in schools for 12 weeks without pay.



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Pennsylvania

Barron Trump to attend University of Pennsylvania? Pro-Palestinian protests influence college choice

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Barron Trump to attend University of Pennsylvania? Pro-Palestinian protests influence college choice


Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron, is currently exploring universities to attend. Having graduated from high school last month, Barron has been applying to various colleges and, according to his father, was accepted at all the institutions he applied to. In a recent Fox News interview, Trump stated that Barron’s college search has been impacted by the recent pro-Palestinian protests and “rioting” occurring on campuses nationwide.

Barron Trump, son of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, receives his diploma during his graduation ceremony at Oxbridge Academy, Friday, May 17, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)(AP)

Is Barron Trump planning to attend UPenn?

Barron, 18, was previously chosen by the Florida GOP to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, an offer he later declined. He often makes headlines due to his tall height and his resemblance to his mother, Melania. The only child of Donald and Melania Trump, Barron was a senior at Oxbridge Academy near West Palm Beach and recently graduated in the midst of his father’s high-profile hush money trial. About a year ago, Donald Trump mentioned that his youngest son was considering the University of Pennsylvania, where he himself attended and studied at the Wharton School.

Also read: US braces for wild weather week: Extreme heat in Midwest, Northeast to sudden snowfall and thunderstorms

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College decision altered by ‘rioting’

Lately, numerous prestigious colleges in the United States, such as UPenn, Columbia, and NYU, have emerged as key locations for intense pro-Palestinian protests. Across the country, more than 130 educational institutions have seen thousands of students come together to protest the current situation in Gaza, arranging rallies and establishing temporary camps. Even with over 2,000 arrests, these protests continue as colleges prepare for their upcoming graduation ceremonies.

During his interview with FOX, the Republican party’ presumptive nominee said, his son’s choice of college destination was changed due to “rioting.” Its is yet to be seen where he goes.

Also read: Meghan Markle’s business move has nothing to do with Kate’s return as she has ‘no control over…’

UPenn plans to tackle campus protests

On June 6, the University of Pennsylvania introduced new, stringent guidelines for campus events and demonstrations. The “temporary standards and procedures” policy specifies that “encampments and overnight demonstrations are not permitted in any University location, regardless of space (indoor or outdoor). Unauthorised overnight activities will be considered trespassing and addressed.”

With the updated regulations, the university has the authority to request identification from individuals at gatherings or demonstrations to verify their affiliation with the university. Should they not be Penn students, these non-students may face more restrictions in their freedom of expression on campus compared to Penn students.

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103-year-old WWII veteran credits soda and dark chocolate for his longevity as he celebrates birthday

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103-year-old WWII veteran credits soda and dark chocolate for his longevity as he celebrates birthday


A Pennsylvania World War II veteran celebrated his 103 birthday earlier this month, calling it the greatest day of his life, while he shared the secret of his extraordinary longevity.

Frank Pugliano Sr., dressed in his WWII veteran jacket and hat, enjoyed the birthday festivities along with his family and friends at Boyce Park, outside of Pittsburgh, PA. last weekend where tables were decorated with tiny American flags.

“The greatest day of my life,” he told WTAE. “I never thought I’d be here at 103, going from what I went through. You never know. A lot of my friends never made it, but I made it.”

Pugliano credits Coca-Cola and dark chocolate as the reason he made it to 103, he told the outlet.

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World War II Army veteran, Frank Puggliano Sr. celebrated his 103rd birthday earlier this month. Facebook

The Italian-born soldier immigrated to the US when he was only 6 years old and graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1942, according to the Tribune-Review.

Pugliano enlisted in the US Army and served for three years in the Pacific theater, where he survived a Japanese torpedo attack while he was deployed on a convoy mission to Luzon in the Philippines.

He says he saw a lot of young men lose their lives during the attack.

Pugliano was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945.

Pugliano attended his birthday party at Boyce Park outside of Pittsburgh last weekend. Facebook
A birthday cake decorated “Happy 103rd Birthday Frank” was waiting for Pugliano at the party. Facebook

Following his return home, Pugliano married his high school sweetheart, Mary Strough, and the couple were married for 65 years until she died in 2011.

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He became a diesel mechanic after his military service, specializing in heavy equipment.

At the time of his centennial milestone, Pugliano credited “good Italian genes” and staying active as the reason he reached triple digits.

“The doctor told me, ‘Whatever you’re doing, do it,’” Pugliano told the newspaper, boasting about his excellent health except for bad knees.

“His health is remarkable and he doesn’t look his age. His frame of mind, everything … it’s absolutely incredible,” Pugliano’s son, Frank Pugliano Jr. said at his father’s 100th birthday.

The 103-year-old says he cuts his grass and maintains his home to keep active.

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The Greatest Generation member still keeps up with the times, using his iPad daily and running his own Facebook account.

“That’s how I keep in touch with my relatives,” Pugliano said.

At the time of his centennial milestone, Pugliano credited “good Italian genes” and staying active as the reason he reached triple digits. Facebook
The 103-year-old says he cuts his grass and maintains his home to keep active. Facebook

He most recently worked at a 55-and-over residential community, maintaining the clubhouse until he was 98 years old.

Pugliano said his favorite dishes include three eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast and coffee at Kings Family Restaurant and pasta fagioli at his favorite restaurant, The Olive Garden, according to the Tribune.

In March, Vincent Dransfield, a former New Jersey volunteer fire chief and great-grandfather of seven turned 110.

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Pugliano enlisted in the US Army and served for three years in the Pacific theater until he was honorably discharged in 1945.
Following his return home, Pugliano married his high school sweetheart, Mary Strough, and the couple were married for 65 years until she died in 2011. Facebook

Dransfield is one of the few men in the group of 110-plus-year-olds and has lived a healthy life all those years with just some knee pain to complain about, according to “Today.”

He lives alone with no home aide or extra help, cooks simple food for himself, walks up and down his three-level house and drives “pretty good” daily with no issues.



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