Latest news with #Seder
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Suspect in arson at Pennsylvania governor's official residence to seek delay in next court hearing
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A man accused of trying to burn down Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro 's official residence is seeking to delay his next scheduled court appearance because he is receiving mental health treatment, his lawyer said Friday. The suspect, Cody Balmer, had been scheduled to appear in court next Wednesday for a hearing to determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence against Balmer to take the case to trial. But Mary Klatt, the chief public defender of Dauphin County, said Balmer's hearing will be postponed because he is receiving treatment. 'Everyone wants to ensure Mr. Balmer is mentally fit when this matter comes before the Court,' Klatt said in an email to The Associated Press. Balmer is currently being held at the state prison in Waymart, the only state prison with a mental health unit for men, according to the state Department of Corrections. Balmer, 38, is charged with attempted homicide, arson and other offenses for setting a fire that tore through a section of the state-owned residence's first floor and forced the governor, his wife, children and members of his extended family to flee in the middle of the night, hours after they celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover with a Seder in the residence. Shapiro, who is Jewish, is viewed as a potential White House contender for the Democratic Party in 2028. Balmer told police that he had intended to attack the governor with a hammer if he had encountered him that night, police said in a court filing. No one was injured in the blaze, which fire officials say caused millions of dollars in damage to the heavily protected residence. Balmer has not entered a plea. Balmer has been held without bail since turning himself in to state police after the April 13 fire. Klatt has said he would be evaluated to see if he is competent to stand trial. Balmer's mother and brother say he suffers from mental illness, something that Balmer denied in one brief court appearance. Authorities say Balmer expressed hatred for Shapiro.
23-05-2025
- Politics
Suspect in arson at Pennsylvania governor's official residence to seek delay in next court hearing
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A man accused of trying to burn down Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro 's official residence is seeking to delay his next scheduled court appearance because he is receiving mental health treatment, his lawyer said Friday. The suspect, Cody Balmer, had been scheduled to appear in court next Wednesday for a hearing to determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence against Balmer to take the case to trial. But Mary Klatt, the chief public defender of Dauphin County, said Balmer's hearing will be postponed because he is receiving treatment. 'Everyone wants to ensure Mr. Balmer is mentally fit when this matter comes before the Court,' Klatt said in an email to The Associated Press. Balmer is currently being held at the state prison in Waymart, the only state prison with a mental health unit for men, according to the state Department of Corrections. Balmer, 38, is charged with attempted homicide, arson and other offenses for setting a fire that tore through a section of the state-owned residence's first floor and forced the governor, his wife, children and members of his extended family to flee in the middle of the night, hours after they celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover with a Seder in the residence. Shapiro, who is Jewish, is viewed as a potential White House contender for the Democratic Party in 2028. Balmer told police that he had intended to attack the governor with a hammer if he had encountered him that night, police said in a court filing. No one was injured in the blaze, which fire officials say caused millions of dollars in damage to the heavily protected residence. Balmer has not entered a plea.
Winnipeg Free Press
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Suspect in arson at Pennsylvania governor's official residence to seek delay in next court hearing
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A man accused of trying to burn down Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro 's official residence is seeking to delay his next scheduled court appearance because he is receiving mental health treatment, his lawyer said Friday. The suspect, Cody Balmer, had been scheduled to appear in court next Wednesday for a hearing to determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence against Balmer to take the case to trial. But Mary Klatt, the chief public defender of Dauphin County, said Balmer's hearing will be postponed because he is receiving treatment. 'Everyone wants to ensure Mr. Balmer is mentally fit when this matter comes before the Court,' Klatt said in an email to The Associated Press. Balmer is currently being held at the state prison in Waymart, the only state prison with a mental health unit for men, according to the state Department of Corrections. Balmer, 38, is charged with attempted homicide, arson and other offenses for setting a fire that tore through a section of the state-owned residence's first floor and forced the governor, his wife, children and members of his extended family to flee in the middle of the night, hours after they celebrated the Jewish holiday of Passover with a Seder in the residence. Shapiro, who is Jewish, is viewed as a potential White House contender for the Democratic Party in 2028. Balmer told police that he had intended to attack the governor with a hammer if he had encountered him that night, police said in a court filing. No one was injured in the blaze, which fire officials say caused millions of dollars in damage to the heavily protected residence. Balmer has not entered a plea. Balmer has been held without bail since turning himself in to state police after the April 13 fire. Klatt has said he would be evaluated to see if he is competent to stand trial. Balmer's mother and brother say he suffers from mental illness, something that Balmer denied in one brief court appearance. Authorities say Balmer expressed hatred for Shapiro.
Boston Globe
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
‘Reformed' is a charming show about a young rabbi
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up And Léa isn't sure either, so she rehearses different voice memos. Yes, do it. No, don't. Oh no, uh, there was a family emergency, I can't help you . But invariably, she does help them, with real care and curiosity, not in trite or Pollyannaish ways. She is doctrinal but not doctrinaire, and all these rituals of change for her congregants are rituals of change for her, too. She becomes more confident and mature ushering a reluctant bar mitzvah boy through the process. She hones her discernment skills while officiating a wedding. Advertisement The most intriguing relationship on the show is between Léa and Arié (Lionel Dray), the local orthodox rabbi and her former teacher. There's a magnetic pull and constant fascination between them, a lot of trust but also a sense of betrayal. He's her mentor, and they have an intense erotic energy, but each also sees the other as practicing religion incorrectly -- a tension that can be playful right up until it is profoundly hurtful. The goings on at their respective shuls highlight their own misgivings about their denominational choices: Maybe her practice is shallow; maybe his practice is misogynistic. Let's resolve to smolder at each other about it. Advertisement In addition to being charming, 'Reformed' is interesting. Sitcom shenanigans nestle alongside philosophical musings. A farce unfolds at a Seder, and goofy sibling banter segues into deeper conversation and back. All eight episodes are available to stream now on Max. This article originally appeared in .
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Shapiro on arson attack of home: ‘The devastation was shocking'
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said 'the devastation was shocking' following the recent arson attack at his residence, adding in a New York Times opinion piece that 'it looked like a bomb had gone off in the middle of our home.' 'Windows were smashed in, and there was glass everywhere. Some tables were turned over, and others had just melted away. Artwork from the New Deal era that had hung on display for visitors to enjoy had disintegrated into the walls. Plates we had eaten our Seder dinner on were broken and covered in soot,' Shapiro wrote in the Times. 'The Haggadah — our prayer book for the Seder — was burned so badly, only a few short lines of text were recognizable. The devastation was shocking, and to me, it did not appear to be an accident. The damage was too extreme,' he added. Shapiro said '13 hours after the arsonist invaded our home, I stood at the window that he had climbed through, receiving an update from the Pennsylvania State Police, and then made clear to the people of my state that nothing would deter me from doing my job — and nothing would deter me from practicing my faith openly and proudly.' 'And I meant it. After I concluded my remarks, I rejoined my family to celebrate our second Passover Seder,' he added. According Pennsylvania State Police, the suspect who was arrested in connection with the arson attack at Shapiro's residence pointed to the struggle of the Palestinian people as his motivation. Shapiro told reporters Tuesday that President Trump had called over the weekend to ask about the arson attack. 'He was very gracious. He asked how Lori and the kids were doing. [We] talked for a couple minutes about what transpired at the residence, and then we talked about for maybe the next 15 minutes or so about a whole host of other topics,' Shapiro said of the call. 'Obviously, I'm not going to get into our private conversation,' he continued, 'but he's attuned to the issues that are important to me. I, of course, know the issues that are important to him, and we agreed to stay in touch going forward.' Shapiro said the call from the president came from his cellphone, so he didn't recognize the number initially and let it go to voicemail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
