Winners & Losers
This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Who’s up and who’s down this week?
City & State
This week, smoke from Canada wildfires got in our eyes, on our cars and into our homes as Pennsylvania and surrounding states were blanketed with hazardous air, prompting a bevy of health warnings and cancellations of major events. State officials even declared a “Code Red” air quality alert, urging people to limit their outdoor activities if possible. We know Pennsylvanians are fond of Billy Joel’s “Allentown,” but “We Didn’t Start the Fire” may be cued up in heavy rotation for everyone hoping the smoke clears in time for his Philly concert next week.
Keep reading for more of this week’s Winners & Losers!
Mike Schlossberg -
Allentown state Rep. Mike Schloosberg scored a big win this week when the House approved his legislation that would allocate $100 million for mental health initiatives, including money for suicide prevention efforts and workforce development and retention initiatives in the behavioral health sector, among other uses. The proposal, which would use federal American Rescue Plan funds, now awaits action from the state Senate.
Cindy Dunn and Reggie McNeil -
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s cabinet is growing by the day, with two department heads confirmed by Senate lawmakers this week. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Dunn will return to her post after being re-confirmed by the Senate 49-1, while Reggie McNeil, Shapiro’s nominee to lead the Department of General Services, received a unanimous vote.
Kristen Welker -
If you want to “Meet the Press” on the national stage soon, you’ll have to go through this Philly native. Kristen Welker, NBC’s chief White House correspondent and former NBC10 news anchor, will be taking over for Chuck Todd on the network’s flagship political program. The Philly native grew up in Fairmount and knew from a young age she wanted to be a reporter. Here’s to hoping Welker begins her tenure by saying, “Good luck, Chuck.”
DuBois -
The City of Dubois has found itself in a bit of a bind. After city manager Herm Suplizio was charged with stealing more than $600,000 from DuBois’ public accounts back in March, neighboring municipality Sandy Township now wants to pause an already-approved consolidation with the beleguered municipality, according to Spotlight PA. In a court filing, township officials say the locality could suffer “substantial financial losses and harm” if the consolidation goes through. Some more DuPressing news for DuBois.
Sheriff scammers -
In a peculiar catfish extortion scheme, two men were changed in Pittsburgh for impersonating Allegheny County sheriff’s office employees and demanding payment for missing purported court dates. In a case unsealed this month, Raquan Hardy from South Carolina and Richard Long from Georgia were charged with stealing $43,000 from three victims while posing as Pittsburgh officers. The two will likely have plenty of time to think Long and Hardy about what they’ve done.
Jorden Robert Mink and Sandra Weyer -
The January 6 justice pool in Pennsylvania got a double dip this week, as two individuals were convicted and sentenced for their role in the Capitol riot. Jorden Robert Mink of South Fayette was sentenced to more then four years in prison for his involvement, which included assault, resisting or impeding officers and using a baseball bat to break a window. Another Pennsylvanian, by the name of Sandra Weyer, was found guilty of felony obstruction and four misdemeanor charges for helping remove barriers to the Capitol and yelling “Tear it down.”
NEXT STORY: A Q&A with Chad Dion Lassiter