Appeals court throws out life term in 2004 newborn’s death
WASHINGTON, Pa. (AP) — An appeals court has thrown out the life-without-parole sentence imposed on a western Pennsylvania woman in the murder of her newborn baby 17 years ago. PennLive.com reports that the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled that now-44-year-old Jessica Rizor’s attorney erred in not advising her to take a plea deal that would have allowed her to get out of prison in as little as 5½ years. Authorities said Rizor gave birth in November 2004 in a bathroom and her husband found the baby in the garbage after Rizor told him to take out a trash bag, which she said was full of Thanksgiving leftovers.

Pennsylvania attorney general jumps into ’22 governor’s race
By MARC LEVY, MARK SCOLFORO and MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s high-profile attorney general, Josh Shapiro, is set to announce his candidacy for governor on Wednesday. That’s according to his campaign spokesperson. The 48-year-old is a self-described progressive who led a nationally prominent investigation into sexual abuse of children by clergy. He further raised his political profile by pushing back against Donald Trump’s effort to overturn his election loss last year. Shapiro is the only announced Democratic candidate for governor. The Democratic incumbent, Gov. Tom Wolf, is constitutionally barred from running for a third term.

Story by Beaver County Radio News/Program Director Frank Sparks

(Greene Township, Pa.) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver are reporting that 24-year-old Brain Laskowski of Conneautville was robbed at gunpoint by two men in the 400 block of Upper Service Road, Greene Township, Beaver County.

The incident occurred on Friday at 9:15 PM when Troopers say the victim set up the purchase of an ATV with one of the suspects. The victim and two friends arrived at the location and were told that the ATV was being serviced and would be ready in a few minutes. In the meantime, one of the suspects asked for the money, and when the victim went to retrieve it from his vehicle, the suspect put a gun to his head and took a PNC bank envelope with $4,300 in it.

The second suspect slashed the driver’s side rear tire of the victim’s vehicle and the two drove off. The suspects were driving a black 2006 Dodge Journey with silver chrome and fled the area on Upper Service Road towards Route 18.

Keystone State News Connection

Emily Scott

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Amid staffing shortages at Pennsylvania’s long-term care facilities, there are growing fears many vulnerable older adults and their caretakers will be left to fend for themselves in the event of closures.

A recent survey of 82 operators and administrators of nursing homes, personal-care homes and assisted-living communities showed nearly 40% said they cannot afford to keep facilities open more than another year.

Many of the issues stem from a shortage of long-term care workers, who have experienced low wages and burnout during the pandemic. A majority of facilities have had to limit new admissions in the last six months as well.

Zach Shamberg, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, which conducted the survey among its members, said the results are alarming.

“They are being forced to turn potential residents away because they don’t have enough workers to care for those new residents and to continue providing care,” Shamberg observed. “In one of the oldest states, in terms of our population, that should be a real concern for every single Pennsylvanian.”

Wages in Pennsylvania long-term care facilities vary, with registered nurses making an average of $37 an hour and certified nursing assistants making an average of $15 an hour.

For respondents of the survey, more than 80% said maintaining a workforce is their biggest challenge.

Shamberg pointed out one of the issues facing facility operators is 70% of care in state nursing homes is paid for by Medicaid. However, costs have risen while Medicaid reimbursement rates remain stagnant.

“That Medicaid reimbursement allows them to provide care, but it also allows them to increase wages, to offer benefits,” Shamberg explained. “And until we see a meaningful investment from state leaders, we won’t be able to then invest in our workers.”

Reimbursement rates fall short by an estimated $50 per day, according to the association. Shamberg noted another way for Pennsylvania to save long-term care in the state is by passing legislation to cut some red tape and regulatory hoops that hamper entering a career in the industry.

Friday- October 8, 2021:

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) introduced the Pay Down, Upskill Act, legislation that would direct the U.S. Department of Education to provide eligible individuals with a one-time education credit of $10,000 to be used to pay down undergraduate student loan debt or to be used as a credit toward the pursuit of additional education or workforce training.

“Student loans are supposed to help people reach their career goals,” said Lamb.  “Instead, it has burdened too many borrowers with unsustainable amounts of debt, while the cost of higher education is increasingly out of reach for too many.  This bill will help reduce student debt loads while at the same time helping more Americans access the education that leads to good jobs.”

Credits from the Pay Down, Upskill Act would be available to American adults making less than $75,000, based on the same eligibility criteria used for the previous COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments (EIP).  For students interested in pursuing additional education or training, the credit would be eligible at public and non-profit institutions of higher education, as well as for certain certificate programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Studies have indicated that individuals with student loan debt are struggling to pay off the debt and are less likely than debt-free peers to buy homes, start families or save for retirement.

The Pay Down, Upskill Act is endorsed by Third Way.

Visit Lamb’s website for more information on the Pay Down, Upskill Act.