Scoring Pa.'s newly proposed congressional map

Plus, school mask rule tossed by state Supreme Court.

Plus, school mask rule tossed by state Supreme Court.

View this email in your browser SUPPORT SPOTLIGHT PA A daily newsletter by  Your Postmaster: Colin Deppen December 13, 2021 Map checks, no room, school masks, outside oversight, election strategy, high stakes, campaign cast, and how to help storm-ravaged Kentucky. It's Monday.  Want to see your message here? Contact us about sponsoring PA Post.  Dear reader,  Without giving it all away, we've got some big news coming in 2022 to grow Spotlight PA and deliver more vital journalism. But first it's essential we hit our $70,000 end-of-year fundraising goal. Help us cross the finish line strong and make a tax-deductible gift now. As a special bonus, every single contribution will be TRIPLED. The future of Pennsylvania will forever be shaped by the outcome of critical races next year for governor and U.S. senator. From abortion to election reforms, school funding to taxes, everything will be on the line. Our journalism stands out among the rest, keeps elected officials honest, empowers voters — and gets results. Now is the time to show your support so this work can continue and grow in 2022. Please give today and join this special effort. Onwards together, —Christopher Baxter, Editor in Chief FAIR FIGHT NOTABLE / QUOTABLE "This is outrageous. I don't see how anyone can justify this hiring." —Activist Asa Khalif on Michael Paige, who was hired by the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office after being accused of sexual assault as a Philadelphia cop GETTING CLOSE We're getting close to our goal of raising $70,000 by the end of the year in order to unlock a massive $70,000 matching gift. Give now to ensure we can meet this goal and continue our vital investigative journalism. Don't miss this chance to have your contribution TRIPLED. The future of Spotlight PA depends on your support, and we can't afford to lose this critical journalism. Make a tax-deductible gift right now and help us keep it going. 💉 COVID-19 NEWS » NO ROOM: Hospitals in places like Lancaster are overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases and diverting patients in response, LNP reports. In Montour County, a man died while waiting for care, with officials calling the death a "direct result of overcrowding and people not getting vaccinated." » STAFF SHORTAGE: There is an exodus of nurses underway at hospitals across Pennsylvania, the Morning Call reports, with many claiming they're overworked and underpaid. COVID-19 stress is also a factor. To find a COVID-19 vaccine, use the federal government's online tool, call 1-800-232-0233, or text your zip code to 438829 (GETVAX). 📅 UPCOMING EVENTS » LAWFUL VS. AWFUL: Join us Thursday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. EST via Zoom for a free panel discussion on why killings by police often are ruled justified and who oversees the process. Register for the event here and submit your questions to events@spotlightpa.org.  📷 POST IT A peek at Longwood Gardens' fire and ice-themed Christmas display in Kennett Square, courtesy of @lora_explores. Send us your gems, use the hashtag #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania. DAILY RUNDOWN MASK RULING: Pennsylvania's Supreme Court has thrown out the Wolf administration's statewide school mask rule, prompting some districts to immediately make masks optional amid rising case counts, per TribLIVE. Wolf spokesperson Beth Rementer described the decision as "extremely disappointing" and called masks "a proven and simple way to keep kids in school." The justices have yet to issue an opinion in the case.  EXTERNAL REVIEWS: A state oversight panel says Pennsylvania State Police troopers who kill or injure someone should not be investigated by their own agency, and an independent prosecutor should review the case. Spotlight PA reports the endorsement came after the panel raised questions about the role of Beaver County's district attorney in a State Police shooting the DA himself later ruled justified. IN THE ROOM: A retired U.S. Army colonel bent on overturning the 2020 election says he met with former President Donald Trump and his staff on multiple occasions, including a Nov. 25 Oval Office meeting that included several Pennsylvania legislators. The Washington Post's reporting doesn't name the lawmakers, but it does raise new questions amid an ongoing GOP-led review of Pennsylvania ballots. ABORTION RULING: Texas' six-week abortion ban is still standing after a U.S. Supreme Court review that also left the door open for further challenges of the law — the most restrictive of its kind in the nation. Spotlight PA explains why this case and another pending high court abortion ruling have raised the stakes in the race for governor of Pennsylvania, where similar restrictions have already been introduced. CAMPAIGN MOVES: State Sen. Scott Martin (R., Lancaster) is officially running for governor, with the frequent critic of the state's school mask rule joining a crowded GOP primary field. Meanwhile, a New York Times profile of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and physician Val Arkoosh says she's running as "the anti-Dr. Oz," quoting Arkoosh as saying, "It really does take a doctor to stand up to a doctor." IN OTHER NEWS EVICTION FILINGS: Local restrictions and rent relief programs coincided with lower levels of eviction filings in the months since the U.S. Supreme Court tossed a federal ban, Princeton's Eviction Lab reports. Spotlight PA has chronicled the trouble with Pennsylvania's emergency measures. SPORT REPORT: In Pittsburgh sporting news: The sale of the Penguins to the owners of the Boston Red Sox has been approved by the NHL and could be finalized this month; and the "fake slide" that gave the Pitt Panthers early ACC Championship momentum has now been banned by the NCAA. HOW TO HELP: If you're in a position to help after catastrophic storms tore through the midwest over the weekend, leaving scores dead or missing in Kentucky, Louisville's Courier-Journal has a list of aid groups and organizations in need of time, money, and supplies.  SPAM BLOCK: Outraged over Kellogg's decision to replace striking workers, including hundreds in Lancaster County, because the union employees rejected a contract offer, Redditors began flooding the company's job portal with fake applications and crashed the system. SANTA SNAPS: Reporter Mike Holden is tracking Santa in Pittsburgh, from the liquor store to his motorcycle cruises — it's happened there before. And that reminded me of The Incline's historical look at letters to Santa from Pennsylvania kids, including my fave, Goosey White the "hammer boy." THE SCRAMBLER Unscramble and send your answer to scrambler@spotlightpa.org. We'll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA swag.   N E S R U C I O S P   Friday's answer: Superfluous Congrats to our weekly winner: Connie K. Congrats to our daily winners: Michelle T., Ted W., Susan F., Susan N., Vicki U., David I., Joyce D., Garrett W., Al M., Barbara F., Doris T., Neal W., Mike B., Becky C., Jessica K., Elaine C., Jodi R., Kimberly S., Heidi B., Dan W., Steve D., David S., Susan D., Don H., Chris M., Tish M., Joel S., Bruce T., Dianne K., George S., Judith D., Irene R., Craig E., Johnny C., Bill S., Karen W., John P., James B., Alan V., Beth T., Brian B., and Elizabeth W. Like PA Post? Share it with a friend. Love PA Post? Chip in to support local journalism. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. ... we have a small favor to ask We believe everyone in Pennsylvania should have access to this kind of unique, in-depth, and essential public-service journalism regardless of what they can afford. That’s why we don’t have a paywall on our site, charge a subscription fee, or clutter our articles with ads that have nothing to do with our state. Instead, we use the honor system. We are doubling down on the idea that if we ask our readers to contribute what you think we’re worth, we can build a sustainable business model for independent news. If you value the unique journalism Spotlight PA provides, pay it forward and make a contribution now. All gifts will be TRIPLED. SUPPORT SPOTLIGHT PA Spotlight PA is an independent, non-partisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and WITF Public Media. Copyright © Spotlight PA / The Philadelphia Inquirer, All rights reserved. Spotlight PA 225 Market St., Suite 502A Harrisburg, PA 17101 newsletters@spotlightpa.org You're receiving this email because you subscribed to PA Post, a daily newsletter by Spotlight PA. 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