News
Philadelphia Judge Stays Execution, D-A Vows Appeal
A Philadelphia judge has halted Wednesday’s scheduled execution of death row inmate Terrance Williams and granted him a new sentencing hearing. But prosecutors vow to appeal to the state Supreme Court. The judge not only granted a stay of execution, she vacated the death sentence, which grants Williams a new penalty phase. In the ruling, […]
Honoring Pennsylvania through Poetry
The Keystone State is rich with both poets and inspiration. “When you look at the landscape and the beauty of the state, you begin to realize how diverse she is,” explains former Perry County Poet Laureate Melanie Simms. “We’ve got mountains, we’ve got rivers. Aesthetically, it draws the artist’s eye.” For Simms though, it’s Pennsylvania’s […]
Radio PA Roundtable 09.28.12
On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, Brad Christman and Matt Paul update you on the stay of execution issued Friday for convicted killer Terrance Williams, who was scheduled to die by lethal injection at Rockview State Prison on Wednesday of the coming week. Former Radio PA Roundtable host Robert Lang (now of WBAL radio in […]
No Immediate Decision from Pardons Board
Pennsylvania’s five-member Board of Pardons voted 4 – 1 this morning to hear new arguments in the clemency application of a condemned killer from Philadelphia. The hearing has concluded and the case has been taken under advisement. The board’s recommendation must be unanimous in order for the governor to be able to commute Terrance Williams’ […]
Williams Execution Scheduled for Wednesday
Pennsylvania may issue its first lethal injection in 13 years next week. Condemned killer Terrance Williams is scheduled to be executed at Rockview State Prison in Centre County at 7:00pm on October 3rd. Williams was convicted for two murders in the 1980s and has exhausted most of his appeals. A stay or temporary reprieve is still possible before Wednesday’s […]
Faculty Offers Binding Arbitration as Talks with State System Continue
The two sides have been talking for over two years and now the faculty union at the 14 state owned universities has made a new offer. The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties is offering binding arbitration to the State System of Higher Education and asking for an answer by October 15th. State […]
Rendell: No Plans to Seek Public Office Again
Since he left office in January 2011, former Governor Ed Rendell sightings have been rare around the state capitol. That’s by design, as Rendell says he vowed “to be an ex-Governor” and refrain from criticizing the new administration. But Rendell opened up in a wide-ranging speech at a Pennsylvania Press Club forum, Monday, in Harrisburg. […]
State Taking More Steps to Ease Voter ID Card Process
As Commonwealth Court takes another look at the Voter ID law, directed by the state Supreme Court to review availability, officials have announced a new step to streamline the process of getting an ID before Election Day. They say it should only require one trip to a PennDOT licensing center. Pennsylvania Department of State spokesman Ron […]
Lawmakers Hear Conflicting Views of Turnpike Finances
Members of the House and Senate transportation committees got a crash course on Pennsylvania Turnpike finances this week. But it’s a good thing there was no pop quiz, because many of them were left with more questions than answers. “My head is spinning. Is there a crisis or isn’t there a crisis?” asked Rep. Mike […]
Jobs Bill Unveiled on Lawmakers’ First Day Back to Session
The new bill would incentivize qualified companies to relocate to Pennsylvania by allowing them to keep up to 95% of the Personal Income Tax they withhold on behalf of their employees. It’s dubbed Promoting Employment across Pennsylvania (or PEP!). “Employers that bring a certain number of jobs, pay good wages and provide quality benefits […]