Latest news with #Pennsylvanian
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
L&I assists thousands with unemployment compensation claims
Jun. 1—WILKES-BARRE — Now in its third year, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry's (L&I) UC Connect program continues to provide essential, in-person assistance to Pennsylvanians looking for help navigating the Unemployment Compensation (UC) system. Since its launch in May 2022, UC Connect has helped more than 106,000 Pennsylvanians resolve claims, navigate eligibility issues, and connect to community-based resources, helping more than 700 people in April 2025 alone. Offered at PA CareerLink locations statewide, UC Connect appointments are tailored to claimants who lack reliable internet, are unfamiliar with digital systems, or need language support. With sustained demand for in-person help, L&I has embedded UC Connect into its long-term customer service model. "As UC Connect enters its third year, it remains a necessary and effective tool for delivering unemployment services equitably," said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. "In-person support ensures that no Pennsylvanian is left out of the system simply because they don't have access to broadband or need help understanding the process. L&I has expanded UC Connect's services and took the initiative statewide, and it's clear that our efforts are making a difference in delivering faster, better service for Pennsylvanians." After initially launched as a pilot program in 2022, UC Connect was made a permanent service through bipartisan investments in the 2023 — 24 budget, enabling L&I to hire more than 380 UC interviewers to expand service delivery across Pennsylvania. Unemployment Compensation system update The Department first eliminated a backlog of 40,000 claims from the pandemic era — each requiring case-by-case review — within seven months. The Department then shifted focus to scaling up staff, reducing wait times, and improving access for all Pennsylvanians. Key service highlights from April 2025 include: —Average call wait time was reduced to 18 minutes and 56 seconds. —5,321 live chat sessions were completed—an increase from the same time last year —44,077 new UC claims were filed —$157 million in UC benefits was paid to 99,518 individuals —86,616 helpline calls were answered —13,965 email inquiries were processed —709 individuals received in-person assistance through UC Connect Since the beginning of 2025, L&I has paid out $784 million in UC benefits to more than 483,000 individuals, responded to 361,258 helpline calls, and provided 3,112 UC Connect appointments. Risk-limiting audit of 2025 primary election begins The Department of State this week began Pennsylvania's statewide risk-limiting election audit (RLA) of the May 20 primary. "This is our sixth statewide risk-limiting audit since the 2022 general election," Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said. "RLAs are proven to be the highest standard of comprehensive election audits because the RLA process provides a statistically sound, scientific method for confirming, with a high degree of confidence, that the reported outcome of the audited election is accurate." Schmidt said 10 Department employees took turns rolling 10-sided dice to deliver the random 20-digit "seed number," which is used to determine which batches of ballots counties will audit over the next several days. A random-selection drawing on May 23, resulted in the selection of the contest for the Republican nomination for Judge of Commonwealth Court for this RLA. During the audit, county officials will hand-tally the randomly selected ballot batches, then compare those vote counts to the original machine counts for the selected race. Known as a "batch comparison" type of RLA, this pre-certification audit can confirm whether counties accurately tabulated paper ballots so that a full hand count would produce the same reported outcome. The RLA will be carried out in addition to the 2% statutorily required review that counties must perform after each primary and general election in Pennsylvania. For that review, county officials are required to conduct a statistical recount of a random sample of at least 2% of all ballots cast, or 2,000 ballots, whichever is fewer. Counties must complete the RLA by June 5, and they must certify all election results to Schmidt by June 9. Fetterman joins push to return stolen art to Holocaust survivors U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, is pushing legislation to help survivors of the Holocaust and their families reclaim tens of thousands of pieces of artwork stripped from them by the Nazis. The bill, sponsored by Fetterman and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, attempts to smooth the legal process for these survivors or their heirs as they petition the courts for return of the art, according to a news release. Though Congress passed a bill with the same aim nearly a decade ago, some museums, institutions and governments have stonewalled and battled families in their reclamation efforts, Fetterman's office said. "Some 80 years after the Holocaust, we have a moral responsibility to do right by the victims of these atrocities and their families," Fetterman said in a statement. The proposal extends the original Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act, which is set to expire at the end of 2026. Recognizing the difficulty of tracking down artwork stolen during the Holocaust, Congress in 2016 passed the act to give families six years to file a legal claim for a piece after they've located it. The new bill backed by Fetterman also seeks to make sure families' court claims get fair consideration on their merits rather than being dismissed over technicalities, the release stated. During the Holocaust, Nazi Germany seized hundreds of thousands of pieces of artwork from Jewish people. While the U.S. and other allied nations have tried to restore these valuables to their rightful owners, more than 100,000 pieces still have not been given back, according to Fetterman's office. Fetterman is co-sponsoring the bill introduced by U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut. DCNR: Free menstrual products available in 68 state parks Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn this week was joined by First Lady Lori Shapiro and members of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Next Generation Engagement to announce a new initiative that makes free menstrual products available in 68 state parks across Pennsylvania. The products are now stocked in park offices, visitor centers, and environmental educational centers at participating parks, offering a convenient and essential resource for visitors. Signage in English and Spanish helps park-goers locate where products are available. This effort is part of the Shapiro Administration's broader work to make public spaces across the Commonwealth more accessible and supportive for all. The announcement coincides with Menstrual Hygiene Day — highlighting the importance of addressing period poverty through public policy and access. "I've been so inspired by all the young women I've met who are making their voices heard and starting conversations on period poverty — talking so comfortably about something that, for so long, has been a taboo subject," said First Lady Shapiro. "Thanks to them speaking up, Pennsylvania has taken some major steps to ensure more women have access to basic hygiene supplies throughout the day. I want everyone to be able to enjoy their time outdoors, and DCNR's work to get free menstrual products in the bathrooms and visitor offices of our state parks is critical to making our outdoor spaces welcoming to everyone." "No one should have to cut an outdoor adventure short because of their period — DCNR has you covered," said Secretary Dunn. "We are committed to creating inclusive, welcoming outdoor spaces — and that means meeting people's basic needs without stigma or barriers." DCNR will evaluate the program's success and expand it to additional park locations in the future. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
$1 billion in school mental health grants won't be renewed; PA organizations are worried
(WHTM) – The Strong Minds, Bright Futures is a statewide partnership of over 60 organizations dedicated to improving youth mental health across Pennsylvania. They are strongly urging the Department of Education to reconsider the decision to cut $1 billion in federal grants supporting school-based mental health services. 'I think many of our kids, our families and even our teachers and principals don't yet understand the negative impact that this is going to have,' said CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Marcus Allen. Advocates say if this decision is not reversed, it will leave more than 250,000 students across the Commonwealth without mental health support. Families will lose access to school counselors, social workers, and programs designed to support students' well-being and prevent youth suicide. 'The Trump administration taking a wrecking ball to this funding that provides these critical services for students who are experiencing behave, role and emotional challenges. It's incredibly shortsighted,' said Chris Lilienthal with the Pennsylvania State Education Association. This funding stems from a law passed in 2022 following the tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The law is called the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. 'It was designed to help schools hire mental health professionals including counselors and social workers,' said Allen. 36 schools across Pennsylvania received funding, including four in the Midstate. Senator John Fetterman shared a statement with abc27: 'We're facing a mental health crisis in this country, and I don't know any Pennsylvanian who thinks our kids have the mental health support system they need in our classrooms. As a senator, but more importantly, as a parent, I'm working to improve access and increase the number of counselors in our schools. Instead, the Trump administration is gutting the very program that would make these improvements possible. It's a cruel move that will only hurt our kids. I'm calling on the administration to immediately reverse course.' Department of Education Deputy Assistant Secretary, Madi Biedermann said in a statement: 'The Department decided not to continue funding these grants beyond the initial award terms. These grants are intended to improve American students' mental health by funding additional mental health professionals in schools and on campuses. Instead, under the deeply flawed priorities of the Biden Administration, grant recipients used the funding to implement race-based actions like recruiting quotas in ways that have nothing to do with mental health and could hurt the very students the grants are supposed to help. We owe it to American families to ensure that tax-payer dollars are supporting evidence-based practices that are truly focused on improving students' mental health.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
5 Rangers takeover takeaways from is £20m enough to SFA delay and San Francisco 49ers benefits
Andrew Cavenagh is the new chief of Ibrox and here Andy Newport lays out his main takeaways from the big takeover The final seal of approval came shortly after 9pm on Thursday night. With one last email from the sixth floor at Hampden, Rangers' new owners were at last given the green light to take control of Ibrox and begin what the blue half of Glasgow will hope is a bright new era. The Gers faithful have been waiting desperately for news on the deal that will see Andrew Cavenagh and his partners from the San Francisco 49ers take control of the club since Record Sport broke the news back on February 19. In the meantime, they've had to deal with radio silence from the men at the top of the Marble Staircase and sneering talk of a fakeover from rivals across the city. In the end, another 99 days would pass from our exclusive front page story before the consortium of US businessmen would be able to put pen to paper. The final stumbling block was SFA approval. But when that dropped late on Thursday, the path was cleared for the American revolution to complete. Ibrox insiders say there was no popping of champagne or pats on the back as the keys were handed over. Everyone involved knows the hard work starts here. The job now for Cavenagh, Paraag Marathe and the rest of the club's new regime is to Make Rangers Great Again. Money to spend Buying Rangers hasn't come cheap. The consortium has had to splash out a significant eight-figure sum in order to buy out former chairman Dave King and John Bennett, plus portions of stakes held by other Ibrox investors. Those transactions have taken the American group to the 51 percent mark required to snatch power on Edmiston Drive. But that isn't the end of their spending, with a promised £20million investment to come next month. A share issue will take place alongside an extraordinary general meeting on June 23 to rubber stamp the fresh injection of cash, that will go primarily to supporting the new Gers gaffer's summer spending spree. That share issue should also see the consortium's controlling stake increase further. There could be additional sums to come later down the line, while existing shareholders like Douglas Park, George Taylor, Stuart Gibson and John Halstead will continue to put money in if needed. Sums like £20million don't go far in today's transfer market but the new board will focus on spending smarter than has been the case for far too long at Ibrox. New man in charge Andrew Cavenagh has been a regular at Ibrox in recent months while leading the takeover talks - and he'll become an even more familiar presence as he takes over as the club's new chairman. The multimillionaire health insurance tycoon has impressed senior figures at the club with his passion for the game and his methodical approach to business. A former colleague soccer player who has travelled Europe to watch football, the Pennsylvanian businessman has been seduced by the Ibrox atmosphere and is now committed to bringing the glory days back to Govan. He plans on making regular trips to Glasgow as he leads from the front. He'll make his first public address to supporters after the EGM on June 23 but his opening mission statement to the Ibrox faithful could not have been any clearer: 'Our focus is simple: elevate performance, deliver results, and bring Rangers back to where it belongs - at the top." Supporting cast Cavenagh will be joined in the Blue Room by four of his American compatriots. Leeds chairman and senior 49ers exec Paraag Marathe will also take up the role as vice-chairman at Ibrox. Additionally, the impressive line-up in the directors box will be boosted by the additions of Boston-based equity firm chief Mark Taber, Andrew Clayton - co-founder of Cavenagh's Philadelphia-based insurance firm ParetoHealth - and Leeds co-owner Gene Schneur. CEO Patrick Stewart stays on in his present role while departing chairman Fraser Thornton will remain on the board to provide a local presence for his new Stateside colleagues. Current directors John Halsted and George Taylor are also staying on but Graeme Park, Julian Wolhardt and Alastair Johnston will step down. There are no current plans for fan representation on the board but talks have taken place with groups like Club 1872 to ensure supporters are kept onside. 49ers benefits Rangers are an institution that have been crippled by poor decision making on and off the pitch for far too long. But the new regime hope to finally bring some savvy thinking back to Ibrox as they tap into the 49ers' sporting expertise. Both in the NFL and down south at Leeds, the San Francisco side of the consortium are no strangers to success on the field. The 49ers have reached three Superbowls in the last 13 years, while their involvement at Elland Road has resulted in Leeds' return to the Premier League this summer. It will be Marathe's job now to make similar overhauls at Ibrox, with the focus on drastically improving performance on the business and commercial sides as well as the club's player-trading model. SFA approval With the 49ers in control of Leeds, Cavenagh and co were forced to get approval from Hampden chiefs before they could complete the takeover. But those close to the deal were always confident of the thumbs up having seen the likes of Hibs also get approval on the back their Bournemouth chief Bill Foley's Easter Road investment Although now part of a multi-club model, there are significant differences to the umbrella arrangements used by the likes of the City Group and Ineos, owners of Manchester United and Nice. There are separate consortiums and structures in place at Ibrox and Elland Road, meaning both clubs will be able to operate independently of each other. New manager hunt The search for Philippe Clement's replacement goes on but expect that process to step up in the days to come. New sporting director Kevin Thelwell officially starts work in Glasgow on Monday but he's already been playing a part as the club works its way through a shortlist of candidates. Gretar Steinsson, the 49ers' football advisor, won't be taking up an official role in Glasgow but will be on hand to offer assistance, as he has been doing during the on-going search for a new boss. Davide Ancelotti remains the favourite for the gig, with Russell Martin, Francesco Faroili and Brian Priske also in the running. Ibrox improvements Gers insiders have laughed off any suggestions that the new board will look to rename the club's home of 126 years. But Cavenagh and Marathe have already started coming up with ideas for how to upgrade the old place. They were given a guided tour last month and while impressed by the ground, they saw plenty of scope for improvements and innovation.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
PA making state government workforce stronger and more competitive
May 26—WILKES-BARRE — To mark the one year anniversary of Gov, Josh Shapiro's executive order to strengthen the Commonwealth state employee workforce, the Shapiro Administration this week announced the completion of key milestones to improve recruitment, hiring, retention, and development so that Commonwealth agencies can continue to attract highly qualified and dedicated public servants to address the needs of Pennsylvanians. Initiatives to hire more bilingual workers, expand access to childcare, and engage with job seekers are delivering real results that build on Gov. Shapiro's goal of making the Commonwealth a top employer. "Pennsylvania state government should be a place where the best and brightest want to work; a place where every Pennsylvanian, no matter their background, can see themselves thriving in meaningful careers," said Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver. "Through the work of the HIRE Committee and the actions taken through the Governor's executive order, we are making tangible progress in creating a workforce that is as diverse, dynamic, and innovative as the people we serve." "At DGS, we're proud to play a key role in supporting Governor Shapiro's vision of making the Commonwealth a top-tier employer by investing in the people who serve Pennsylvania every day," said Secretary of General Services Reggie McNeil. "From expanding access to quality childcare to improving physical accessibility and ensuring dignity through free menstrual products and single-use restrooms, our work is focused on creating a workplace that values every employee and meets the needs of a modern workforce." Over the past year, the HIRE Committee has built on this foundation through targeted initiatives and pilot programs that include: —Eliminating Waiting Periods for Benefits — Effective Aug. 1, 2025, the waiting period for new hires to enroll dependents into PEBTF medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage without paying additional out of pocket costs will be eliminated. —Offering Financial Incentives for Bilingual Employees — Launched in April, this pilot program at L&I provides a $1.00 per hour bonus — almost $1,000 more over the course of the 6-month pilot — for bilingual employees in certain Unemployment Compensation and PA CareerLink positions to ensure Pennsylvanians who speak a language other than English receive efficient, effective service. —Fostering Re-entrant Success through Employment Opportunities — OA is piloting a hiring program with the Department of Corrections to promote pathways to employment in state government for people who have previously interacted with the criminal justice system. —Hosting the Second Annual Commonwealth Job Fair — OA hosted the second multi-agency job fair for job seekers in the Harrisburg area in March, attracting over 1,000 registrants to learn about open positions and opportunities to join public service. —Enhancing Services for Pennsylvanians with Limited English Proficiency — After hiring the first enterprise language access program manager, OA has prioritized expanding technical assistance and training for agency staff on procuring high-quality translations and language services, supporting agencies as they develop language access plans, and building open and continuous communication with agencies to distribute translated materials and information to Pennsylvanians who need it most. —Promoting Employee Work/Life Balance — The Commonwealth has expanded assistance for mental health and substance misuse issues, family care-giving, and more to support the well-being of all employees. —Expanding Access to Employee Child Care — DGS is managing the expansion of the Keystone Early Learning Center, a year-round childcare facility available to Commonwealth employees. —Improving Accessibility of Commonwealth Buildings — DGS continues to lead an accessibility study that is the first step in helping to improve access and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities throughout the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex. —Offering Free Menstrual Products — DGS has placed menstrual products in woman's restrooms and single-use restrooms throughout Commonwealth buildings directly managed by the agency to ensure that essential hygiene products are readily available to employees and visitors who need them. —Continuing to Add Single-Use Restrooms — DGS has added 12 single-use restrooms in state government facilities following the issuance of the HIRE executive order. State graduates inaugural class of 15 small business owners from Mentor Protégé Program The Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS) this week graduated the inaugural cohort of the Mentor Protégé Program (MPP) — a key initiative started under the Shapiro-Davis Administration to expand opportunities and access for small, small diverse, and veteran-owned businesses seeking to compete in the Commonwealth's procurement process. The MPP, established under Governor Shapiro's Executive Order 2023-18, provides small business owners with one-on-one mentoring relationships with seasoned prime contractors. Mentors provide guidance, support, and valuable insights to help protégés improve their business management and contract bidding skills which could be useful in acquiring additional Commonwealth business. "This program is a reflection of the Shapiro-Davis Administration's commitment to economic equity and opportunity," said DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil. "By investing in mentorship and creating space for small, small diverse and veteran-owned businesses to grow, we're strengthening Pennsylvania's economy and seeking to ensure that our procurement processes reflect the diversity and talent of our business community." This first cohort, focused on IT services, included 15 business participants who engaged in targeted programming on business development, procurement readiness, leadership, and strategic planning. Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis participated in the ceremony with a special pre-recorded message, applauding the graduates and reaffirming the Shapiro-Davis Administration's commitment to breaking down barriers for small, small diverse, and veteran-owned businesses. "Small businesses are the backbone of our communities—and when we empower them, we uplift all of Pennsylvania," Davis said. "This administration is committed to cutting red tape, reducing wait times, and creating real ladders of opportunity." League of Women Voters of Wilkes-Barre to hold Annual Meeting June 5 The League of Women Voters of Wilkes-Barre will hold its annual dinner meeting on Thursday, June 5, at 6 p.m., at Theo's Metro Restaurant, 596 Mercer Ave., Kingston. The guest speaker will be Ned Miller, the Northeast Regional Representative for Fair Districts PA. Fair Districts PA is a nonpartisan, statewide coalition that advocates redistricting reform to ensure that the process of determining Pennsylvania's congressional and state legislative districts is fair and transparent. The cost of the buffet dinner is $42 for members and $45 for non-members. RSVP by Friday, May 30. Founded in 1944, The League of Women Voters of the Wilkes-Barre Area (LWVWBA) is a nonpartisan organization that presents citizens of the Wilkes-Barre area with educational tools about issues and candidates so they can make informed decisions on election day. Activities include publishing a government directory and voters guides, voter registration drives, and hosting events where constituents can meet their elected officials. Entirely run by local volunteers, League membership is open to all, regardless of political affiliation or gender. To reserve your seat at the Annual Meeting, contact the League at — 570-675-3429 — or email at lwvwba@ Or visit the League Website at — League updates can be found on Facebook @LWVWB. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
USA Today
17-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Dustin Stoltzfus prediction, start time for UFC Fight Night 256
Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Dustin Stoltzfus prediction, start time for UFC Fight Night 256 Powerful middleweights Nursulton Ruziboev and Dustin Stoltzfus clash at UFC Fight Night 256. How long will it last? Nursulton Ruziboev and Dustin Stoltzfus meet Saturday on the main card of UFC Fight Night 256 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. Last event: 2-3 UFC main cards, 2025: 43-38-1 Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Dustin Stoltzfus UFC Fight Night 256 preview Ruziboev (35-9-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) will aim to keep the momentum going after returning to the win column with a second-round knockout of Eric McConico in February. A proven dangerous finisher, the 31-year-old from Uzbekistan has not needed the judges' scorecards to record a victory. His lone setback in the UFC last May was the first time he entered a third round since 2019. ... Stoltzfus (16-6 MMA, 3-5 UFC) also returned to the win column in his previous outing. In November, the 33-year-old Pennsylvanian finished Marc-Andre Barriault in the opening round. Stoltzfus has traded wins and losses over his past five outings. Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Dustin Stoltzfus UFC Fight Night 256 expert pick, prediction Fulfilling Mick Marynard's minimum on middleweight main card features is a bout between Ruziboev and Stoltzfus. I'm not the biggest believer in Ruziboev's skill ceiling given the lack of depth to his game, but I can understand why he's favored here. Still, even though Ruziboev's countering acumen and length will likely lead him to an early win, I'm not entirely confident that this is a match he can afford to be taken down in. Stoltzfus may not have a Demian Maia level of 'game over' grappling, but the German-loving American is an excellent grappler who owns black belts in both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Luta Livre. Add in Stoltzfus' steady striking improvements, and he can make things very interesting, particularly inside the smaller cage, if he can extend this fight. The potential problem, however, is that Stoltzfus's lack of speed and striking defense will likely make him too much of a susceptible target early. It's dog or pass from a betting perspective, but the official pick is Ruziboev by knockout in Round 1. Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Dustin Stoltzfus UFC Fight Night 256 odds The oddsmakers and the public favor the fighter from Uzbekistan, listing Ruziboev -325 and Stoltzfus +250 via FanDuel. Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Dustin Stoltzfus UFC Fight Night 256 start time, how to watch Ruziboev and Stoltzfus are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 7:40 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts on ESPN+.
