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New bill would punish schools that boycott Israel

Plus, PSU surgeon let go after raising transplant concerns.

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Friday, June 21, 2024
Today: Boycott punishment, transplant concerns, election deniers, whistleblower 'retaliation,' Casey on the attack, and bad bridges.
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DIVESTMENT CRACKDOWN
A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania senators introduced a bill in response to protests at campuses across the state and nation against Israel’s war in Gaza and the civilian death toll. 
 
Among the demands, students have asked their university administrations to divest from Israel.
 
Universities and colleges would be unable to receive state funding if they boycott Israel or make financial decisions penalizing the country under this bill.
 
The legislation would also prevent any public fund, including those managed by the Pennsylvania Treasury, from taking similar action. 

Read Spotlight PA's full report: Colleges would face financial punishments for boycotting or divesting from Israel under bill.
NOTABLE / QUOTABLE

“We can die.”
 
—Outdoor worker Elza Connelly on the potential risks as a “heat dome” brings scorching temps to the midwest and northeast
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📷 POST IT
An eastern pondhawk dragonfly at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve in Bucks County, via Don N. Have a photo of your own to share? Send it to us by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania
a blue dragonfly on a big green leaf
DAILY RUNDOWN
Today's top news story in Pennsylvania.
DISMISSED DOCTOR: A top Penn State surgeon had voiced concerns for months about Penn State Health’s kidney and liver transplant programs before he was dismissed. Spotlight PA reports: “By the time he was told to leave the hospital, Raymond Lynch had nearly run out of people to warn.” In May, Penn State Health announced it will discontinue both programs amid scrutiny from federal regulators.
 
Today's second top news story in Pennsylvania.
ELECTION LAWSUIT: The United Sovereign Americans group, which one watchdog says is part of an effort to fuel distrust in election results, is suing Pennsylvania officials, alleging the commonwealth’s voting system did not meet minimum federal standards because of its error rates in 2022, LNP reports, via sister site WITF. The Pennsylvania Department of State is calling the lawsuit “frivolous.”
 
Today's third top news story in Pennsylvania.
RETALIATION CLAIM: A whistleblower was sent back to solitary confinement at Dauphin County Prison after an altercation with corrections officers last week, PennLive (paywall) reports. The whistleblower’s mom fears the incident was retaliation against her son for exposing conditions inside the jail. Observers say officers took legal papers from Taji Abdullah that included privileged communications.
 
Today's fourth top news story in Pennsylvania.
KEY ISSUE: U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.), who once referred to himself as a “pro-life Democrat,” is attacking his GOP challenger on the issue of abortion rights. In a new TV ad, Casey accuses Republican David McCormick off wanting to “make abortion illegal even in cases of rape and incest,” which McCormick said is incorrect. Democrats have embraced what the AP calls Casey’s "recalibrated" position.
 
Today's fifth top news story in Pennsylvania.
BRIDGE MONEY: A study released Thursday by a D.C.-based national transportation research nonprofit says funding is critical to continue improving bridge conditions in Pennsylvania, TribLIVE reports. The study estimates the percentage of Pennsylvania’s bridges in poor condition could jump from 13% to 17% by 2029 without a hike.
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IN OTHER NEWS
SECRET SESSION: Some Cumberland Valley school board members are under scrutiny by their colleagues over a secret meeting held in April, PennLive (paywall) reports. 
 
CEASEFIRE CALL: Lancaster City Council members will vote next week on whether to adopt a ceasefire resolution addressing the war in Gaza, LancasterOnline | LNP (paywall) reports.
 
NEW BEGINNINGS: Philadelphia’s Project HOME named state Rep. Donna Bullock (D., Philadelphia) as its new CEO, meaning Democrats will have to find someone to run for the seat, The Inquirer (paywall) reports.                                                                                           
BIRD WATCH: The Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking residents to report any bird sightings in their areas to help with the state’s third bird atlas, WTAJ reports. 
 
OLYMPICS-BOUND: University of Pennsylvania senior Matt Fallon broke the American record in the 200-meter breaststroke to punch his ticket to the Olympics in Paris, The Daily Pennsylvanian reports.
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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. Answers submitted by 5:30 p.m. on issue date will be counted.
 
P I S D T I I R E D

Yesterday's answer: Divination

Congrats to our daily winners: Jon W., Beth H., Lynne E., Marty M., Bob C., Don H., Elaine C., Mike B., Susan N., Jane R., Sherri A., Nan S., Jody A., Eric F., Beth T., Adrien M., Nancy C., Barbara F., Richard A.., Julie K., Stanley J., Wendy A., Ada M., Marie B., Pat E., Kimberly D., Tom M., Timothy A.,  Annette I., Jim A., Kimberly S., Judith D., Dan E., Mary D., Dan A., William Z., Craig E., Perry H., Jodi M., John A., Starr B., Ted W., and David W.
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