Latest news with #DavidArgall
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
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania lawmaker proposes bill to criminalize 'masked intimidation'
(WHTM)– A Pennsylvania lawmaker will soon propose a bill to make 'masked intimidation' illegal. Pennsylvania Senator David Argall (R-29) said he is introducing legislation that would make masked individuals guilty if they intentionally harass, intimidate, or threaten any person or group. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Senator Argall created the bill in response to masked attacks against individuals from different walks of life. He specifically referenced anti-Semitic incidents in cities and college campuses across Pennsylvania and the incident last summer when a masked neo-Nazi group marched through Harrisburg with flags featuring swastikas. Argall said the legislation is being carefully crafted to ensure perpetrators' accountability while also allowing others to continue to wear masks for health, safety, and religious reasons. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Six Schuylkill road projects get state grants
Six transportation and infrastructure improvement projects in Schuylkill County were recently awarded state grants. A grant of $200,000 was approved to construct a dedicated right-turn lane and traffic signaling at the intersection of Route 61 and Altamont Boulevard near Frackville. These improvements will improve motorist safety outside the borough and support the construction of a commercial property expected to create 600 new jobs, state officials said. Also in Frackville, the borough was awarded $250,000 to replace deteriorating sidewalks along one block of North Lehigh Avenue. The sidewalks, curbs and handicap ramps are now in poor condition and pose hazards to pedestrians, officials said. Schuylkill Haven Borough was awarded $250,000 to make much-needed improvements to the sidewalks, curbing and handicapped ramps along the Parkway section of Route 443. The borough in 2023 had also received $300,000 from the state to support this project. The funding was awarded through the Multimodal Transportation Fund, which provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure safe and reliable transportation. The grants were approved during a recent public meeting of the Commonwealth Financing Authority. 'Investing in our infrastructure is essential to keeping our communities safe and accessible,' said State Represent Tim Twardzik, who represents Schuylkill. 'This funding will support critical sidewalk and roadway improvements across the 123rd District. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will have for residents and businesses throughout the region.' 'Projects like these are important for building strong communities yet can be very expensive for local governments,' said State Sen. David Argall, whose district includes Schuylkill. 'This highly competitive state funding will make drivers and pedestrians safer in our area.' In addition, a project to replace the deteriorating Clark Street Bridge over Good Spring Creek in Donaldson was awarded $453,881 in state monies. The project is a top priority for Frailey Township officials because of the high volume of residents, employers, construction vehicles, and first responders who use this bridge, officials said. The project was also awarded $100,000 from the Multimodal Transportation Fund in 2024. In East Union Township, $100,000 was awarded for the township's connectivity project that will improve multiple roads within the municipality. And Butler Township has received $20,280 through PennDOT's Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Enhancement Grant Program. The money will be used to buy radar signs to help reduce speeds and decrease the frequency and severity of motor vehicle accidents on Fairgrounds Road and Fountain Street. The signs will encourage safe driving habits and prevent accidents in the township, officials said.
