News & Brews May 30, 2023

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Special election winners to be sworn in June 5

The winners of two special House elections will officially join the Legislature on June 5, per House Speaker Joanna McClinton’s office. Democrat Heather Boyd won election in Delaware County’s 163rd District, while Republican Michael Stender won in the 108th District in Montour and Northumberland counties. Neither outcome was a surprise, as the former district leans Democrat and the latter is Republican.

NTSB to hold hearing on East Palestine train derailment

The National Transportation Safety Board will hold two days of hearings on June 22 and 23 as part of its investigation into the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The Post-Gazette reports that the hearing “is open to the public, but only NTSB board members, investigators, scheduled witnesses and parties to the hearing are allowed to participate.” The hearing will be live streamed on NTSB’s YouTube channel.

Delco natural gas facility still in limbo

The Delaware Valley Journal reports, “An appeals court ruling has left the construction of a new Delaware County natural gas facility in limbo for months, with no clear sign as to when the project is expected to resume.” PECO wants the proposed facility to “play a key role in ensuring ample gas supply” to the county amid growing demand. But township officials are opposed to the plan.

In wake of scandal, money ‘appears’ in DuBois

Back in March, I shared the story that DuBois City Manager John “Herm” Suplizio had been arrested on charges related to stealing more than $620,000 from public funds. Suplizio had been former Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati’s hand-picked candidate to succeed him in the Senate. (Suplizio lost the GOP primary to now-Sen. Cris Dush.) Well, in the latest twist, Spotlight PA reports that nearly $100,000 in cash was hand-delivered to DuBois City Hall “tucked inside a cardboard box and packaged in a gift bag.” Needless to say, we have questions.

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