Keystone State News Connection

PA House Bill Would Divert CARES Act Money to School Vouchers

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania House Education Committee is scheduled to vote today on a bill that critics say would divert federal CARES Act money to fund a new school voucher program.

The Keystone State has about $1.3 billion in unspent CARES Act money.

Pennsylvania House Bill 2696 would put $500 million of that into a new state program that includes school vouchers for students at private and religious schools.

Christopher Lilienthal, assistant director of communications for the Pennsylvania State Education Association, contends that would appear to fall outside the parameters of the federal law.

“It is applying this money toward a program that is not directly related to COVID-19, the pandemic or any of the associated costs,” Lilienthal stated.

He said those funds are intended to address expenses directly related to the pandemic.

The bill’s sponsor said the vouchers would help students whose education has been disrupted.

But Lilienthal pointed out 90% of Pennsylvania’s children attend public schools, not the schools the vouchers would pay for, and those public schools are in trouble.

“Right now, we know that public school districts across the Commonwealth are struggling to address a $1 billion dollar local revenue shortfall that arose as a result of this pandemic and its economic effects,” Lilienthal said.

He called the bill an attempt by a small group of legislators to shift public funds from public education to tuition assistance for religious and private schools.

Lilienthal said the impact of the pandemic on public education is much more than a loss of revenue at the district level.

“There are additional expenses this year related to face coverings, hand sanitizer, certain PPE as well as certain expenses related to counselors and psychologists and mental health concerns for students,” Lilienthal added.

A similar bill will be the subject of a public hearing in the Pennsylvania State Senate next week.

Flash in dark sky was probably random meteor, expert says
PITTSBURGH (AP) — An expert says a flash that lit up the skies over parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio in the wee hours was most likely a random meteor. Many social media users in the Pittsburgh area reported seeing a streaking fireball shortly after 4 a.m. Wednesday. It remained in the skies for a short time before disappearing from view. The American Meteor Society says it received more than 200 reports of a bright fireball over eastern Ohio. An official with the nonprofit says it was probably a random meteor not associated with any known meteor shower.

Trump campaign threatens to sue over Philly election offices
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s campaign is threatening to sue over getting its campaign officials access to observe activity inside of newly opened satellite election offices in Philadelphia, where people can register to vote, apply for mail-in ballots and fill them out. A letter, sent late Tuesday night by a lawyer representing the campaign, insisted that the campaign has a legal right to observe the voting process and will sue by 5 p.m. Wednesday if doesn’t get it resolved. Election lawyers say there is no right in Pennsylvania law, even for a certified poll watcher, to observe inside an election office. Gov. Tom Wolf’s top elections official echoed that position.

‘I Am Woman’ singer Helen Reddy, ’70s hitmaker, dies at 78
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Helen Reddy, the Australian-born singer who scored an enduring hit with her feminist anthem “I Am Woman,” has died at 78 in Los Angeles. Reddy’s children announced their mother’s death Tuesday evening, saying that while they are heartbroken, they “take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever.” The Australian-born singer enjoyed a prolific career, appearing in “Airport 1975” as a singing nun and scoring several hits, starting with “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” from “Jesus Christ Superstar” in 1971. She won the best female pop vocal performance in 1973, thanking her then husband and God, telling the audience “because she makes everything possible.”

Country star and hit Elvis songwriter Mac Davis dies at 78
By KRISTIN M. HALL AP Entertainment Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country star and hit Elvis songwriter Mac Davis has died. He was 78. His manager said Davis died on Tuesday after heart surgery. Davis started his career writing hits for Presley, including “A Little Less Conversation” and “In the Ghetto.” The native of Lubbock, Texas, had a varied career over the years as a singer, actor and TV host and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006. He was named ACM entertainer of the year in 1974 after the success of songs like “Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country star Mac Davis, who launched his career crafting the Elvis hits “A Little Less Conversation” and “In the Ghetto,” and whose own hits include “Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me,” has died. He was 78.
His longtime manager Jim Morey said in a press release that Davis died in Nashville on Tuesday after heart surgery and was surrounded by family and friends.
Davis had a long and varied career in music for decades as a writer, singer, actor and TV host and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006. He was named 1974’s entertainer of the year by the Academy of Country Music and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“Thank you, dear Lord Jesus, for letting us know the man to whom you gave the most incredible talent,” said Reba McEntire in a statement. “He entertained and spread joy to so many people. What a wonderful legacy he left all of us with his music. Mac was one of a kind. I’m so blessed to have been one of his many friends.”
Born in Lubbock, Texas, and raised in Georgia, Davis was inspired by fellow Lubbock native Buddy Holly, but it was Elvis who gave him his first musical big break. Davis worked as a staff songwriter in Los Angeles for Nancy Sinatra’s publishing company when in 1968 Presley cut “A Little Less Conversation.”
Although it had a little success at the time, the song became a bigger hit after Presley’s death, being covered by more than 30 artists and became Davis’ most licensed TV soundtrack song. The song reached the top of the UK charts in 2002 after it was used in a Nike commercial and was featured in the hit movie “Ocean’s 11.”
Davis also helped craft the song “Memories” that was a cornerstone of Elvis’ big 1968 comeback TV special.
“A small town boy who’d achieved the greatest kinds of fame, he remained a good guy, a family man,” said country star Kenny Chesney. “That was Mac: a giant heart, quick to laugh and a bigger creative spirit. I was blessed to have it shine on me. And Mac, who was joyous, funny and created a family around him, never stopped writing great songs, creating music and inspiring everyone around him.”
Davis got a recording deal of his own in 1970, recording “Hooked on Music,” “It’s Hard to be Humble,” and “Texas in my Rearview Mirror,” and getting crossover success on pop charts. He had his own TV series, “The Mac Davis Show” on NBC, and also acted in TV and film, including alongside Nick Nolte in the football film “North Dallas Forty.” He even starred on Broadway, in “The Will Rogers Follies” and toured with the musical. The group Gallery had a hit on his song “I Believe in Music.”
“He was the songwriter behind some of the most iconic and timeless songs that transcend genres and generations and was named a BMI Icon in 2015,” said BMI President and CEO Mike O’Neil. “Beyond his extraordinary talent, Mac was a dedicated friend and advocate for songwriters everywhere.”
He also wrote songs recorded by Kenny Rogers (“Something’s Burning”), Dolly Parton (“White Limozeen”) and Ray Price (“Lonesomest Lonesome”). He was still writing later in life, getting co-writing credits on songs by Avicii ( “Addicted to You”) and Bruno Mars (“Young Girls.”)
“Today our country community lost an amazing entertainer, songwriter and artist,” said Sarah Trahern, CEO of CMA. ”I remember watching Mac’s TV show as a kid as well as his three years co-hosting the CMA Awards with Barbara Mandrell, which proved his command of the TV medium as well as the music.”

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Midland, Pa.) Midland Police requested that state police  assume the  investigation into an attempted homicide that occurred   early Monday morning.  The .  victim is identified as