Fresh off sweeping victories in the election, the Republican-controlled Senate on Monday blocked state Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm from serving another six years in the job, dealing a blow to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.

The 32-18 vote against Storm — including nearly all Republicans and five Democrats — came after eleventh-hour attempts by Democrats to stop the vote, Spotlight PA reports. Wolf recalled her nomination, but Republicans, in a rarely used move, voted down the recall.

A spokesperson for Wolf, Lyndsay Kensinger, said in a statement the governor “is very disappointed that the Senate voted this nomination down without even the benefit of a hearing to consider her qualifications.”

THE CONTEXT: For months, Storm has been in the crosshairs of the GOP, in part, because of her outspokenness in high-profile cases involving victims of sexual abuse.

And in an interview Monday, she characterized the vote as “a political hit job” masterminded by the Senate’s top Republican, Joe Scarnati. (Scarnati did not respond to a request for an interview Monday.) 

But it wasn't just Republicans who voted against Storm. Sen. Sharif Street, of Philadelphia, said she had not properly represented communities of color.

"Just because our victimhood is different, just because we look different, just because we come from poor neighborhoods, just because we are from Philadelphia, doesn’t mean we are not victims," he said. 

“It would be nice to have more than one option."

— Sharon Calloway, a frequent train traveler from Uniontown, on Amtrak's proposal to add an additional Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg daily trip

LANCASTER LEATHER: When members of the 117th U.S. Congress are sworn in this January, they will each get a little piece of Pennsylvania. A Lancaster-based leatherworker has been tasked with making wallets that will hold representatives' voting cards.

TURKEY-DAY PLANS: Pennsylvanians are gearing up for a most unusual Thanksgiving. In Philadelphia, just 22% of survey respondents said they plan on traveling for the holiday. If you are planning to fly, here's how you can stay safe. But before you go, you might want to check out this new tool that estimates the chances someone else at your gathering might be sick.

INCREDIBLE CARVING: No, not your skills slicing and dicing turkey, but this Erie man's incredible carving of a damaged maple tree. Master carver Huaman Mallqui, 40, calls his sculpture 'Nest of Dreams.' Mallqui works with interior designers and commercial clients worldwide designing and creating new pieces or restoring ancient wooden artwork.

WHAT GIVES? You're not alone if you're wondering how much to trust political polls going forward. The director of the Franklin & Marshall College Poll makes his case, arguing that people's unhappiness stems from "overestimation or overreliance" on the numbers.

HEADS UP: Literally — if you're in central Pennsylvania, tilt your head up at the sky this Friday around 6:18 p.m. to catch a glimpse of the International Space Station. You can type in your own location here to get a complete schedule in your area.