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GT votes ‘no’ on marriage equality before gay son’s wedding

Plus: Spotlight PA State College team meets the community, a tuition increase for Penn State students, and a summer flower market.



July 28, 2022
Inside this edition: "GT" Thompson attends his gay son's wedding days after voting against legislation that would protect same-sex marriage, the Spotlight PA State College team meets the community, and a summer flower market.
 
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Flip Flop
Days after voting against the Respect for Marriage Act, which would offer federal protection for same-sex marriage, U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson attended the wedding of his gay son, NBC News reported Monday.

"Congressman and Mrs. Thompson were thrilled to attend and celebrate their son’s marriage on Friday night as he began this new chapter in his life," Thompson's press secretary, Maddison Stone, told NBC News in an email.

Thompson, a Republican from Howard Township, Centre County, represents Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District. His district includes 14 counties; Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, and McKean are among them.

Last week, Stone wrote in an email to Halie Kines of the Centre Daily Times that the Respect for Marriage Act "was nothing more than an election-year messaging stunt for Democrats in Congress who have failed to address historic inflation and out of control prices at gas pumps and grocery stores."
📝 More From Spotlight PA
» Wolf quietly steers $40 million to Pitt, Pa.'s other state-related universities

» Pa.'s unemployment trust fund is broke. The Wolf admin says a long-term fix will save taxpayers millions.

» WATCH: A free virtual panel on the new Pa. budget and what it prioritizes 
📷 Local Gem
Rural affairs reporter Ashad Hajela captured a gorgeous sunset on Monday in State College, Centre County. Want to be featured here? Send your best local pics to talkofthetown@spotlightpa.org.
📰 In Other News
» Penn State denied quick trademark win, judge questions sports merchandise industry (Centre Daily Times)

» The Pa. General Assembly wants you to know where your in-state tuition discount comes from (WPSU)

» Penn State set to increase tuition for most students, with a freeze for families who make under $75,000 (WPSU)

» As inflation soars, Penn State will roll out general salary increases (Centre Daily Times)

» 'We're still here.' Lemont businesses face challenges during ongoing construction. (Centre Daily Times)

» Pa. Department of Ag prohibits poultry showing, products at fairs (Potter Leader-Enterprise)

» Blair caseworkers plead for help (Altoona Mirror)
Happy to Meet You!
Local accountability reporter Min Xian, left, rural affairs reporter Ashad Hajela, center, and Dow Jones News Fund intern Emma Dooling, right.
On Tuesday evening, 3 Dots shut down Pugh Street in downtown State College for a flea market and block party, and it was a great opportunity for the Spotlight PA State College team — Min Xian, Emma Dooling, Ashad Hajela, Wyatt Massey, and Sarah Rafacz — to meet community members.

We enjoyed talking about local news with event-goers and sharing our public-service mission.

Engaging with and investing in the community is essential to our work in the regional bureau. Know of a community event we should attend? Send us an email!
📅 Events
Want us to list your event? Send it to us.

» July 30: Pick your own flowers and shop local vendors at Rooted Farmstead's Summer Market.

» July 30-Aug. 7: Explore the villages of Pine Grove Mills, Boalsburg, and Millheim during Route 45 Getaways.

» July 31: Learn about the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps at Poe Valley State Park.

» July 31-Aug. 6: The 86th Potter County Fair exhibits animals and farm products to "stimulate interest in rural community."

» Aug. 3: "Weird Al" Yankovic performs at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport.
🧩 The Puzzler
An anagram is a word, phrase, or name formed by rearranging the letters of another. For example, "spotlight" also forms "stoplight."

Decode the anagram and send your answer to talkofthetown@spotlightpa.org. We'll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA State College swag.

L I S T E N
 
Good luck!

Last week's answer: Forest

Winner: We had some great guesses, but we stumped you with this one!
Do you have events, community shoutouts, questions about our region, or tips on stories that we should pursue? Email our team.
 
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