COVID-19 Update, Dec. 9: Gov. Wolf tests positive for COVID

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Gov. Tom Wolf Ahead of expected tightened restrictions in Pennsylvania, as COVID-19 cases continue to spike, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday that he has tested positive for the virus. Wolf released the following statement, Wednesday afternoon: “During a routine test yesterday, I tested positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms and am feeling well....

COVID-19 Update, April 7: Pa. deaths spike; Wolf denounces racism

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Deaths related to COVID-19 spiked sharply Monday, as the state Department of Health reported 78 new fatalities caused by the virus in the state, as additional positive tests grew by 1,579. So, far, according to DOH, 240 Pennsylvanians have died in the pandemic and more than 12,000 Americans have died, according to Centers for Disease Control. DOH reports 14,449...

Mr. President, we ARE scared, and you aren’t helping

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times If you’re not scared, you’re not paying attention. COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire, we see massive shortages of medical equipment and testing and a federal government paralyzed by a cult of personality, ignorance and lies. Thankfully, most of our state governors — including our Tom Wolf — have stepped up to partially fill the void of leadership. So,...

State Police fees: an idea whose time has come

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times So…so much for putting a stop to writing about stuff. Despite an ill-advised detour into politics and some mild, annoying and decidedly non-life threatening health issues, not writing was beginning to feel increasingly like not breathing, so here I am again. For now — and obviously everything on this green Earth is really “for now” — I’m going to return...

Endorsement: Tom Wolf for Governor

With Pennsylvania continuing to be unable to function on a basic level — schools continue to be underfunded, our infrastructure continues to crumble from years of neglect and increasingly even State Police coverage is threatened for local communities — there was an opportunity for a bold, new vision to really address the commonwealth’s problems by a gubernatorial candidate this year. Unfortunately,...

For GOP, the call is coming from inside the house

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Those of you old enough to remember 1980s slasher movies (or those of who have seen countless Internet memes) might be able to relate to both local and national Republicans when I note it appears that “the call is coming from inside the house.” Yes, Bob Woodward’s Fear and the now-famous Op/Ed in The New York Times display a litany of Republicans willing,...

Осенью этого года у местных республиканцев может быть только российская проблема

Translation: This fall, local Republicans may have a Russian problem By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times So, comrades, how was your week? If you happen to be a Republican, and hold public office locally, the guess here is: not too great. Between the missteps, lies, new infidelity claims (and tapes, lordy) and policy decisions of El Presidente For Life Donald J. Trump (seems about right for a would-be...

For GOP candidates the question is: To Trump or not to Trump?

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times With summer bearing down on us (finally!), it seemed like a good idea to take one quick snap shot of the local political scene before moving into our summer hiatus (and yes, we already skipped an edition of Politics as Unusual (PAU), sensing something of a politics overload for you, the reader). As this could well be the final edition of PAU until — gasp —...

Wagner, Barletta win statewide; Andrew, Roe, Williams win local nods

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Voters across Chester County — and Pennsylvania — made their choices Tuesday in the primary elections that settle both statewide and local legislative races in a typically low turnout election, but one that saw local Democrats turn out at a higher rate than their Republican counterparts, a break from recent primary election in the county. While Gov. Tom Wolf...

Op/Ed: Young people marched on gun safety, we must listen

By Tom Wolf, Governor, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf Young people marched for their lives. We need to listen – and act. The March for Our Lives brought together young people from across the country and Pennsylvania to demand safer schools and stronger gun safety laws. Their passion and activism took many forms in an historic show of solidarity, and they have inspired millions to join them in their...