Latest news with #Argall
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protestors outside Sen. Argall's office object to civics bee question
A group of about 10 protestors gathered outside the Pottsville office of State Sen. David Argall (R-Rush Twp.) on Wednesday in objection to Argall's recent question to a sixth-grade student during the local round of the National Civics Bee. The protestors held signs referring to the question that Argall posed on the topic of book banning, when he asked the student if pornographic magazines should be allowed in kindergarten. Argall, a Republican who represents Schuylkill, Carbon and southern Luzerne counties, has since apologized for the question, admitting that it was inappropriate for the setting and that he made a mistake in asking it. But the fact that Argall asked it to begin with shows that Republicans politicians on the local, state and federal levels are so used to relaying MAGA talking points that they now do it without considering the audience, said Claire Kempes of Pottsville, who helped lead the protest. 'We really oppose book banning, and we oppose the way that Sen. Argall handled that question,' she said. 'They (Republican lawmakers) are scared to death to speak truth to power anymore. They use 'Maga-speak' even when talking to an 11-year-old kid.' Argall's Pottsville office was closed for a staff event midday Wednesday when the protest occurred, according to a sign on the door. Argall's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Protestors gather for a rally against Sen. David Argall's civics bee question outside the senator's office on Centre Street in Pottsville, Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) The civics competition was held April 16 by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce at the Penn State Schuylkill campus in Schuylkill Haven. A North Schuylkill sixth grader told the panel about her essay topic — book banning. The girl was referred to as Mary A. since the National Civics Bee has a strict policy stating that competitors should only be identified by their first name and last initial. When it was Argall's turn to talk to her, he noted the issue was relevant and widely debated in the state Senate. He then repeated to Mary a question that he said was brought up to the Senate recently: 'Should pornographic magazines be allowed in kindergarten?' Mary asked the senator for clarification: 'What does that mean?' Argall replied, 'Pictures of naked people.' Mary said that she doesn't believe such materials should be allowed in kindergarten and clarified what she meant by her topic of book banning. 'I don't think certain things like that should be allowed in schools for younger people, but that's a big difference than other books about … other people — people trying to be themselves — books like that are getting banned,' she explained. 'But I do agree that books like that should not be in elementary schools and kindergarten.' After the event, Mary's mother, Erin Anderson, said in a public Facebook post that the question 'was both wildly inappropriate and ridiculous.' Anderson said the discussion had no place at the civics bee, noting that her daughter's paper had nothing to do with pornography. 'I don't know when Mr. Argall last stepped foot in a library, but they aren't providing pornography,' Anderson wrote. 'Discussing this with my 6th grade daughter on a public stage shows a shocking lack of decency.' The post gathered a huge online reaction, with most joining in the criticism of Argall. Argall posted an apology on Facebook and emailed it in response to a question. 'During last night's local round of the National Civics Bee, I posed a question as a volunteer judge to a participant that was not age-appropriate for this setting,' he said. 'I apologize to the young lady, her family, and all the participants who worked hard to get to this point, with excellent presentations by the students who submitted entries on book bans and many other important subjects. 'I was attempting to ask if some books and magazines are not appropriate for some age groups, a subject which has received considerable attention in the General Assembly in recent years. In hindsight, my obvious mistake was in citing an example that was itself not appropriate for this age group, a mistake which I will not make again.' Colleen Kucirka of West Penn Township was among the protestors on Wednesday, holding a sign that said, 'Ban porn questions at the civics bee, not books.' Argall's question was embarrassing not just for the student and her family, but for all of those attending the event, and it forced parents to answer questions about pornography from their children, she said. Kempes agreed, and again said Argall's question was part of a larger problem in today's politics. 'It's scary,' she said. 'People need to be paying attention. We are.'
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania senator asked child ‘pornography' question during civics competition
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. (WHTM) — A Pennsylvania State Senator is apologizing after posing a pornography question to a sixth grade girl during a civics competition. On Wednesday, a local National Civics Bee competition was held at Penn State Schuylkill in Schuylkill Haven, giving students in grades 6-8 a chance to 'flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes.' According to the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce website, these student competitors came to discuss a variety of essay topics. Rapper Azealia Banks says she regrets Trump vote However, one student's topic of Book Banning drew a bit of controversy, not because of her topic, but because of a question asked by one of the participating judges, who happens to be a State Senator. According to a Facebook post by the mother of the girl whose essay was about book banning, State Sen. David Argall (R-Carbon/Luzerne/Schuylkill) asked the sixth grader if it was 'appropriate to give pornographic magazines to kindergarteners.' The mother says her daughter asked what the senator meant, seemingly because the young girl did not know what pornography was. Argall, the mother says, then responded by telling the young girl that pornography was 'naked pictures of people.' 'This discussion has no place at the Civics Bee,' the mother shared online. 'I am further appalled and furious that I now have to explain pornography to my fourth grader who was there to cheer on her sister.' Facebook sending out $40 payments to users over 'Like button' issue In response to the incident, Argall told abc27 news the following: During last night's local round of the National Civics Bee, I posed a question as a volunteer judge to a participant that was not age-appropriate for this setting. I apologize to the young lady, her family, and all the participants who worked hard to get to this point, with excellent presentations by the students who submitted entries on book bans and many other important subjects. I was attempting to ask if some books and magazines are not appropriate for some age groups, a subject which has received considerable attention in the general assembly in recent years. In hindsight, my obvious mistake was in citing an example that was itself not appropriate for this age group, a mistake which I will not make again. State Senator Argall The next round of the Civics Bee will be held in Harrisburg. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. Dave Argall's Civics Bee question stirs controversy
The parent of a sixth grade student competing at Wednesday's local round of the National Civics Bee raised concern about what she believed was an inappropriate question asked of her daughter by state Sen. David G. Argall, one of the event's judges. During the event, held at Penn State Schuylkill, judges took turns asking each of the top five contestants questions about the essays they had submitted for the Civics Bee. Mary A., a sixth grader at North Schuylkill, told the panel about her essay topic — book banning. The National Civics Bee has a strict policy stating that competitors should only be identified by their first name and last initial. When it was Argall's turn to talk to her, he noted the issue was relevant and widely debated in the state Senate. He then repeated to Mary a question that he said was brought up to the Senate recently: 'Should pornographic magazines be allowed in kindergarten?' Mary asked the senator for clarification: 'What does that mean?' Argall replied, 'Pictures of naked people.' Mary said that she doesn't believe such materials should be allowed in kindergarten, and clarified what she meant by her topic of book banning. 'I don't think certain things like that should be allowed in schools for younger people, but that's a big difference than other books about … other people — people trying to be themselves — books like that getting banned,' she explained. 'But I do agree that books like that should not be in elementary schools and kindergarten.' After the event, Mary's mother, Erin Anderson, said in a public Facebook post that the question 'was both wildly inappropriate and ridiculous.' Anderson said the discussion had no place at the Civics Bee, noting that her daughter's paper had nothing to do with pornography. 'I don't know when Mr. Argall last stepped foot in a library, but they aren't providing pornography,' Anderson wrote. 'Discussing this with my 6th grade daughter on a public stage shows a shocking lack of decency.' As of Thursday afternoon, Anderson's post garnered more than 2,000 reactions, more than 200 comments and was shared by more than 3,000 people. Argall later apologized for his question, saying it was inappropriate for the setting. 'During last night's local round of the National Civics Bee, I posed a question as a volunteer judge to a participant that was not age-appropriate for this setting,' Argall said in an email Thursday. 'I apologize to the young lady, her family, and all the participants who worked hard to get to this point, with excellent presentations by the students who submitted entries on book bans and many other important subjects. 'I was attempting to ask if some books and magazines are not appropriate for some age groups, a subject which has received considerable attention in the General Assembly in recent years. In hindsight, my obvious mistake was in citing an example that was itself not appropriate for this age group, a mistake which I will not make again.' Anderson, who attended the event with her husband, their younger daughter and Mary's grandmother, said the family was stunned when they heard Argall's question. They thought it was inappropriate and irrelevant to the content of Mary's essay. Anderson said she is proud of the calm and deliberate manner in which Mary responded, attempting to steer the conversation back to her topic. 'Despite being confused and put on the spot, she remained composed and respectful,' Anderson said in an email Thursday. 'I am incredibly proud of how she held herself together in such an unexpected and inappropriate moment.' Anderson said that discussions about adult content, media regulations or legal standards for libraries are best held in legislative hearings, professional forums and public policy spaces, and not in front of children during a civics competition. 'This wasn't a slip of the tongue,' she said. 'It was a deliberate, inappropriate question directed at a 12-year-old girl in a civic setting meant to celebrate youth leadership. What I do want is for student civic competitions like this to have clear protocols in place so that no other child is placed in a similar situation. Children should be asked questions about their essays — not dragged into adult talking points or made to define inappropriate content on stage.' Anderson clarified that Mary's essay was about the 'civic and constitutional implications of book banning,' focusing on how books are sometimes banned due to what could be deemed offensive content, including language, violence or the presence of LGBTQ+ characters. 'She argued that this violates the founding principles of equality and the civic virtue of respect,' Anderson said. 'She offered real, age-appropriate solutions: working with local librarians, school board members, and even elected officials to raise awareness and defend access to books for all students, especially those from underrepresented communities. 'Her thoughtful approach to civic action deserves to be the center of this conversation — not the deeply inappropriate behavior of an adult who misused the platform.' Mary, who received a trophy and a cash award for her third-place finish, made it through two rounds of multiple-choice quizzes to reach the final pool of five contestants. She and the other students who finished in the top three will advance to the state level of the National Civics Bee in Harrisburg on June 13.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania State Senator asked child 'pornography' question during National Civics Bee competition
SCHUYKILL HAVEN, Pa. (WHTM) — A Pennsylvania State Senator is apologizing after posing a pornogrpahy question to a 6th grade girl during a civics competition. On Wednesday, April 16, a local National Civics Bee competition was held at Penn State Schuylkill in Schuylkill Haven, giving students in grades 6th through 8th a chance to 'flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now According to the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce website, these student competitors came to discuss a variety of essay topics. However, one student's topic of Book Banning drew a bit of controversy, not because of her topic, but because of a question asked by one of the participating judges, who happens to be a State Senator. According to a Facebook post by the mother of the girl whose essay was about book banning, State Sen. David Argall (R-Carbon/Luzerne/Schuylkill) asked the 6th grade girl if it was 'appropriate to give pornographic magazines to kindergarteners.' The mother says her daughter asked what the State Senator meant, seemingly because the young girl did not know what pornography was. Argall, the mother says, then responded by telling the young girl that pornography was 'naked pictures of people.' 'This discussion has no place at the Civics Bee,' the mother shared online. 'I am further appalled and furious that I now have to explain pornography to my 4th grader who was there to cheer on her sister.' In response to the incident, Argall told abc27 news the following: During last night's local round of the National Civics Bee, I posed a question as a volunteer judge to a participant that was not age-appropriate for this setting. I apologize to the young lady, her family, and all the participants who worked hard to get to this point, with excellent presentations by the students who submitted entries on book bans and many other important subjects. I was attempting to ask if some books and magazines are not appropriate for some age groups, a subject which has received considerable attention in the General Assembly in recent years. In hindsight, my obvious mistake was in citing an example that was itself not appropriate for this age group, a mistake which I will not make again. State Senator Argall The next round of the Civics Bee will be held in Harrisburg. abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Looser education rules floated as fix to Pennsylvania's troubled home care workforce
This story first appeared in How We Care, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA featuring original reporting and perspectives on how we care for one another at all stages of life. Sign up for free here. HARRISBURG — Workers who help older adults with daily activities would no longer need a high school diploma or GED under a bill designed to boost employment in an industry that faces high turnover and rising demand. The bill, introduced by state Sen. Dave Argall (R., Schuylkill), would instead require potential employees to pass a competency exam. 'It's very evident that there just aren't enough people working there,' Argall said of the workforce. Advocates for nurses, caregivers, and older adults largely support the bill's intent, but argue that a more direct solution would be to increase wages. There are more than 213,000 direct care workers in the state, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data. They help over 400,000 Pennsylvanians with tasks such as eating, getting dressed, and bathing, according to the Pennsylvania Homecare Association, which represents the agencies most of those caregivers work for. Austin Cawley, director of legislative affairs at LeadingAge PA, which advocates for companies that provide services to older adults, supports the change to the educational requirement. But higher pay, he told Spotlight PA, would better address the problems facing the industry. Pay depends on the kind of direct care work, but averages to a little less than $15 an hour, according to federal data. Agencies pay direct care workers through the state's Medicaid program, which reimburses them. They take a portion of the reimbursement for administrative and training costs, and pay employees the rest. Pennsylvania caps the hourly reimbursement rate at $20.63, around $5 lower than those of its neighbors. Nursing homes and agencies have pushed for years for the state to raise the rate and in turn worker pay. Direct care workers are mostly employed by home care agencies and provide a range of nonmedical services to older adults. This support can help older people maintain independence and comfort as they age, which can keep them out of costly nursing facilities. Under Pennsylvania law, direct care work requires a high school diploma or equivalent GED certificate, or completion of a nurse's aide program, which teaches basic nursing assistant skills. State law also mandates that workers must be over 18 and free from certain medical conditions, including drug or alcohol addiction. (Some 16- and 17-year-olds are permitted to provide direct care, but restrictions apply to their work.) Argall's bill would direct the Department of Human Services to administer the test, but doesn't specify how, nor does it say who would write it or what exactly would be examined. According to the bill language, the exam would assess interpersonal communication skills, basic writing and reading comprehension, understanding of cultural and diverse communities, and awareness of mental and behavioral health needs. Kathy Cubit, an advocacy manager for the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of Elders, expressed reservations about loosening the educational rule. To ensure dropping the requirement doesn't diminish the quality of care, she would prefer to see the proposal piloted before it is implemented across the state. 'There's just so much at stake for both the worker and the resident, you want to make sure the work is being done right,' said Cubit, who otherwise supports the legislation. The bill is part of a package of legislation Argall introduced to encourage people to work as caregivers as more Pennsylvanians reach retirement age. 'What we're trying to do is encourage more people to consider this as a profession, and in so doing, that helps everyone,' Argall said. 'Give it a chance. You might like it, you might not — but give it a chance.' The other bills would permit 11th and 12th graders to work in direct care for school credit and add long-term care training to the state's nurse aide curriculum. Previous versions of the bills passed with bipartisan support in the state Senate last session. As part of this year's budget, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro pitched a $21 million funding increase to bump the pay of some direct care workers. These caregivers are paid through the Community HealthChoices waiver, a program that helps older adults and Pennsylvanians with physical disabilities directly hire support instead of going through an agency. Some critics called the proposal too narrow because it would apply only to caregivers who receive that waiver. The Pennsylvania Homecare Association said in a statement that the proposal 'disregards' hundreds of thousands of workers in the industry. Shapiro's funding pitch faces long odds despite the relatively low cost. State Senate Republicans have pushed back against the governor's proposed budget, arguing it would worsen Pennsylvania's structural deficit. Cody Jones, senior director of government affairs for the home care association, did not comment on Argall's legislation, but emphasized that the state's caregiver shortage 'cannot be solved' without increased wages. If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
