Author Archive

Justin Sweitzer

Managing editor, City & State Pennsylvania

Justin Sweitzer is managing editor of City & State Pennsylvania.

Campaigns & Elections

Politics

Mayoral primaries across PA: Nail-biters, blowouts and upsets

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey lost the Democratic primary to Corey O'Connor, while incumbents in Harrisburg, Allentown and Scranton are poised for victory.

Interviews & Profiles

Politics

‘There’s so much potential’: Thomas West makes his case for mayor of Pittsburgh

The GOP mayoral candidate and business owner spoke with City & State about his goals for the Steel City.

News & Politics

Politics

‘We have the ability to start rebuilding our city’: Pittsburgh mayoral candidate Corey O’Connor discusses his bid

O’Connor talked with City & State about his motivation for running, Pittsburgh’s finances and improving the city’s business climate.

News & Politics

Politics

‘We have to stand up for our city’: Ed Gainey outlines his vision for a second term

The mayor of Pittsburgh spoke with City & State about his first term in office and what he plans to do if elected for another four years.

Education

Policy

School voucher debate returns to Harrisburg

The Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee advanced a bill on Tuesday that would create a private school scholarship program.

Capitol Beat

Policy

Cannabis legalization bill advances in Pennsylvania House

Lawmakers on the House Health Committee voted 14-12 to advance the bill.

News & Politics

Politics

‘We have to seize this moment’: Sanders, Deluzio bring ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour to Harrisburg

The lawmakers spoke out against President Donald Trump and the influence of money in politics.

Interviews & Profiles

Personality

A Q&A with State Rep. Tarik Khan

Khan, a registered nurse and nurse practitioner, spoke with City & State about how his nursing background informs his work as a legislator.

Interviews & Profiles

Personality

A Q&A with Erin Mrenak, director of the Erie County Department of Health

Mrenak talked with City & State about lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and what Erie County is doing to protect public health.

Capitol Beat

Policy

Winging it: How government agencies are fighting bird flu

COVID, quarantines, worst- and best-case scenarios: behind the scenes of Pennsylvania’s fight against avian flu and the next pandemic.

Donald Trump

Politics

Pennsylvania donors give $8.6M to Trump inaugural committee

Prominent donors included Comcast, FedEx and Jared Isaacman, Trump’s nominee to lead NASA.

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Capitol Beat

Politics

30 things we know about the arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor’s residence

More information is coming to light daily about the attack and suspect Cody Balmer.

General Assembly

Policy

‘AI is not the future; it is current’: Lawmakers examine how to make Pennsylvania an AI powerhouse

GOP lawmakers traveled to Pittsburgh for a hearing focused on all things artificial intelligence.

Capitol Beat

Politics

3 things to watch in the aftermath of arson attack on Shapiro, family

Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, was arraigned Monday evening and is charged with attempted murder and setting fire to the governor’s residence.

News & Politics

Politics

Gov. Shapiro, family safe after arsonist targets governor's mansion

State Police say an arsonist set fire to the governor’s residence early Sunday morning.

Campaigns & Elections

Politics

GOP appeals federal judge’s mail-in ballot decision

A federal judge ruled this week that Pennsylvania’s date requirement for mail ballots ‘does not pass constitutional muster.’

Policy

Policy

Warehouses have become PA’s biggest cash crop – for better and worse

A look at how Pennsylvania became a warehouse and logistics powerhouse – and how local communities are making sure they don’t get boxed out.

Politics

Politics

Democrats pick up state Senate seat as they win 2 special elections in PA

Pennsylvania Democrats flipped a state Senate seat and retained their state House majority.

Policy

Policy

‘We’re fighting back’: PA House Dems celebrate passage of Affordable Care Act protections

The bipartisan votes now put the onus on state Senate Republicans to advance the four bills and send them to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk.