Sobrevivientes piden que el próximo papa aplique tolerancia cero ante abusos y señale a cardenales

Por

-

30/04/2025

Sobrevivientes-piden-que-el-próximo-papa-aplique-tolerancia-cero-ante-abusos-y-señale-a-cardenales — Tres monjas caminan por la Plaza de San Pedro después de un chuvasco en el cuarto día de luto por la muerte del papa Francisco, en el Vaticano, el 29 de abril de 2025. (Foto: AP/Francisco Seco)

Una coalición de sobrevivientes de abusos sexuales por parte del clero exigió el miércoles que los cardenales que participen en el cónclave para elegir a un sucesor de Francisco elijan a un papa que adopte una política de tolerancia cero universal contra las agresiones y que no tenga antecedentes en el manejo de estos casos.

El grupo End Clergy Abuse hizo pública una carta abierta dirigida a los cardenales que mantienen reuniones informales esta semana, antes del inicio del cónclave el 7 de mayo. SNAP, el principal grupo de sobrevivientes en Estados Unidos, también identificó a cardenales con antecedentes problemáticos en una nueva base de datos, lo que refleja un nuevo nivel de escrutinio para los posibles candidatos al papado.

Esto se produce en medio de dudas reales acerca de la relevancia que tiene el escándalo de los abuso en las discusiones para encontrar a un nuevo pontífice. Después de dos décadas de revelaciones implacables sobre agresiones y encubrimiento que han desacreditado a la jerarquía católica, muchos líderes eclesiástico quisieran pensar que el problema es cosa del pasado, afirmaron los sobrevivientes.

“La crisis de los abusos sexuales no es un asunto del pasado. Está presente. Y en ningún lugar es más visible su devastación que en el Sur Global”, indicó la carta.

ECA y SNAP han pedido a la Iglesia católica adopte una política de tolerancia cero por la que un sacerdote sea expulsado permanentemente del ministerio eclesiástico por un solo acto de abuso sexual, ya sea admitido o demostrado según el derecho canónico. Esa es la política en la institución en Estados Unidos, adoptada en el apogeo del escándalo en el país en 2002, pero no se ha adoptado en ningún otro lugar.

El asunto se está debatiendo en tiempo real en Roma durante las reuniones de los cardenales: se ha visto al peruano Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, de 81 años, con el atuendo completo de cardenal entrando y saliendo de la Santa Sede, a pesar de estar bajo sanción vaticana por abusar presuntamente de un menor. Cipriani no puede asistir al cónclave en sí porque tiene más de 80 años, pero ha estado asistiendo a los encuentros previos.

El Vaticano confirmó en enero la imposición de sanciones disciplinarias a Cipriani, el primer cardenal del Opus Dei de la historia, tras acusaciones de abuso sexual. Las sanciones incluían su salida de Perú y restricciones en su actividad pública y al uso de insignias. El Vaticano indicó que se le permitía incumplirlas en algunas ocasiones.

Preguntado por qué Cipriani se presentaba como cardenal y participaba en las reuniones, el portavoz del Vaticano, Matteo Bruni, dijo que las regulaciones de la Santa Sede sobre los encuentros previos al cónclave son claras y exigen que todos cardenales asistan a menos que tengan “impedimentos legítimos” por “cuestiones personales o físicas”.

Cipriani, que vive en Madrid y Roma, ha calificado las acusaciones de “completamente falsas”.

Bruni afirmó que los cardenales abordaron esta semana el tema de los abusos, entre otros desafíos que enfrenta la Iglesia.

A principios de año, SNAP lanzó una iniciativa en internet, Conclave Watch, para proporcionar información sobre los cardenales y sus antecedentes. El grupo dice que, desde el lanzamiento, sobrevivientes de Fiyi, Tonga, Bélgica, Francia, Sudáfrica, Malawi, Italia, Canadá y Estados Unidos se han puesto en contacto con información adicional.

La iniciativa evalúa a los cardenales que se considera que aspiran al papado en sus registros de manejo de casos de abuso sexual, incluyendo si estuvieron involucrados en su encubrimiento, así como su aceptación de la ley de tolerancia cero propuesta por SNAP y ECA.

“Los sobrevivientes de abusos no quieren ver otro cónclave que elija a un papa que haya protegido y encubierto a delincuentes del clero”, dijo Sarah Pearson, portavoz de SNAP.

Bucks County Man Pleads Guilty to Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography

Región

Por

PR/CP

-

30/04/2025

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Brian Zenszer, 44, of Warminster, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Court Judge Harvey Bartle III on one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

Zenszer was charged by indictment in December of last year.

As presented in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, on or about July 21, 2024, Zenszer knowingly distributed a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and, on or about November 6, 2024, possessed a Samsung cellular phone containing visual depictions of minors, including one or more prepubescent minors who had not attained 12 years of age, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

The charges arose from two CyberTips reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding two accounts on the Kik messaging app that had uploaded suspected files of child pornography. Investigators determined both accounts belonged to Zenszer.

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29 and faces a maximum possible term of 40 years’ imprisonment and a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maureen McCartney.

National Apprenticeship Day, Celebrates Winners of 2024

Región

Por

PR/CP

-

30/04/2025

Bethlehem, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) celebrated National Apprenticeship Day with a ceremony recognizing the winners of the 2024 PA Registered Apprenticeship and Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Awards. The event showcased the importance of registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, as well as the role they play in supporting Pennsylvania’s workforce, which is a priority in Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 proposed budget .

Over his first two budgets, Governor Shapiro has increased funding for vo-tech, career and technical education (CTE), and apprenticeships by nearly $65 million – a 50% increase since the day he took office.

Organized by L&I’s Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO), in partnership with the German American Chamber of Commerce – Philadelphia and Northampton Community College where the event was held, the celebration honored five awardees for their accomplishments and contributions to their communities.

“Apprenticeships offer a proven pathway to gain hands-on experience, develop critical skills, and build successful careers with family-sustaining wages, all without the burden of student loan debt,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “I’m proud to be a part of the Shapiro Administration, as we understand these continued, strategic investments are building a stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient workforce.”

After receiving nominations from across the Commonwealth, a committee evaluated and selected finalists, which were then voted on by the public considering the following factors, including pride in their program, recruitment methods, and more.

The winners and a description of each award are as follows:

Outstanding Registered Apprentice Award: Presented in recognition of leadership qualities, problem solving, motivation and willingness to learn skills in completing a Pennsylvania registered apprenticeship program and achieving journey worker status.

· Winner: Tabitha Oden, Pittsburgh Sheet Metal Workers Local 12

Outstanding Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor Award: Presented in recognition of a successful Pennsylvania registered apprenticeship program. The registered program chosen has exemplified embracing partnerships, apprenticeship ecosystem building, and training successful journey workers.

· Winner: Pittsburgh Roofers Local 37, JATC – Group Joint

· Winner: German American Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia – Group Non-Joint

Outstanding Registered Pre-Apprentice Award: Presented in recognition of an individual who has demonstrated a motivation to succeed and a commitment to learning new skills and advancing their career through completing a pre-apprenticeship program.

· Winner: Melody Rodriguez, IBEW Local 375, Electrician Pre-Apprenticeship

Outstanding Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Sponsor Award: Presented in recognition of a successful Pennsylvania registered pre-apprenticeship program. The program chosen is an integral part of the apprenticeship ecosystem and valued in assisting pre-apprentices with achieving success.

· Winner: Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation

“For us, National Apprenticeship Day is every day and while we know Pennsylvania is home to many great programs, it is our honor to celebrate the accomplishments, leadership, and success of these especially outstanding individuals, programs, and organizations today,” said ATO Director Tara Loew. “Our Commonwealth is making incredible strides in growing the number of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs and ensuring existing programs provide meaningful career opportunities to Pennsylvanians. All of this would not be possible without the support of Governor Shapiro.”

The Shapiro Administration has approved 90 new apprenticeships and enrolled nearly 14,128 new apprentices since the Governor took office. The Governor’s proposed 2025-2026 budget looks to build upon the momentum made in workforce development over the past two years by creating a dedicated $12.5 million Workforce and Economic Development Network appropriation, leveraging $10 million in existing funds and $2.5 million in new state funds to train additional workers.

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that, on average, apprentices earn a starting wage of $80,000 per year after graduation and are on track to earn $300,000 more over their careers compared to workers who do not graduate from an apprenticeship program. For every dollar spent on apprenticeships, employers get an average of $1.47 back in increased productivity.

Established in 2016, the ATO is responsible for guiding and promoting the expansion and compliance of all registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs across the Commonwealth. The ATO currently supports 850 unduplicated program sponsors, 128 registered pre-apprenticeship programs, and 1,484 occupation-specific registered apprenticeship programs across the Commonwealth, with 15,803 registered apprentices currently active.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, please visit the website or follow L&I on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

Prosecutor says officer killed in gunman’s Pennsylvania hospital siege was hit by police fire

Por

Associated Press

-

30/04/2025

An officer killed while responding to a Pennsylvania hospital siege was struck by a shotgun blast fired by police that also hit an armed man holding hostages, a prosecutor disclosed at a news conference Wednesday.

The attacker and West York Patrolman Andrew W. Duarte were killed in the gunfire in York on Feb. 22, while several other people were injured.

The shotgun blast also wounded a second officer responding to the intensive care unit, York County District Attorney Tim Barker said in announcing the results of his investigation.

Barker called the officers heroes who ran into a dangerous situation, ready to risk their lives and save hostages. He said attacker Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz “unleashed a torrent of evil” and directly caused Duarte’s death.

Law enforcement arrive at the scene of a shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa., Feb. 22, 2025. (Photo: AP/Mark Scolforo/File)

“I looked at every moment of video and I saw on every person’s face that willingness to walk into, to run into the path of gunfire and potential death. They were willing to lay down their lives for every single person at that hospital,” Barker said. He called their actions “100% justified and legally appropriate.”

The attack at UPMC Memorial Hospital occurred after the gunman learned from a doctor that the woman he lived with had died after treatment there, Barker told reporters. Investigators seeking a motive in Archangel-Ortiz’s “mental state” came up empty, he said.

“There was no description provided whatsoever that would lead anyone to have believed that the actor was going to commit this type of mass violence,” Barker said.

Duarte’s last act was to run toward the threat, Chief Matthew Millsaps had said previously at the officer’s funeral.

Archangel-Ortiz, 49, had purchased zip ties and a knife that morning and used a gun stolen in 2017 from a neighboring county during the attack, Barker said. He said Archangel-Ortiz appeared to become nauseous when a doctor told him the woman had been moved to the hospital morgue.

The remains of West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte, arrive for his funeral at Living Word Community Church, in Red Lion, Pa., Feb. 28, 2025. (Photo: AP/Matt Rourke/File)

Moments later, he displayed a gun and announced: “This is what we’re going to talk about,” Barker said. Archangel-Ortiz shot the doctor, grazing his arm and piercing a jacket. The doctor, who had texted to warn colleagues of the gunman, fled from the ICU.

What ensued was a chaotic series of events in which Archangel-Ortiz threatened hostages and patients and made one hospital worker zip tie others. A hospital worker who had been shot in the leg was able to flee and lock herself into a bathroom.

Barker said Archangel-Ortiz also called his brother during the siege, telling him to clean up his home and give away his jewelry. “This is how I’m going out,” Archangel-0rtiz told his brother, Barker said.

Police tried to negotiate and de-escalate the crisis, Barker said, as they also organized teams at the intensive care doors and formulated a plan to have officers follow someone with a tactical shield into the unit.

He said Duarte was hit in the shoulder and chest.

A person walks by the entrance of UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa., Feb. 22, 2025. (Photo: AP/Matt Rourke/File)

In all, Barker said, four workers were hurt — the doctor and worker who were shot, a third person with head trauma and a fourth with a minor injury. Two police officers were shot, a third was injured by shrapnel and Duarte was killed. He did not disclose the name of the officer who fired the shotgun.

When police recovered Archangel-Ortiz’s 9mm handgun, it was not loaded.

Barker said they had no details on why Archangel-Ortiz did what he did, noting, “sometimes there is no ‘why.’”

“The only thing that we can state is that he, on his own, decided to enter UPMC that day, fully prepared to take hostages and kill people,” Barker said.

Leah Fauth gets a hug after leaving flowers in front of the West York Police Department after a police officer was killed responding to a shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa., Feb. 22, 2025. (Photo: AP/Matt Rourke/File)

Some of the nurses who survived the attack have shared their accounts in social media, disclosing details about injuries and treatment and how the attack has haunted the survivors. The attack highlighted rising violence against U.S. healthcare workers and the challenges of protecting them.

Nurse Tosha Trostle said in a Facebook post that she was held against him as a shield at gunpoint, arms zip-tied behind her back, as they walked through a doorway and encountered a phalanx of responding police officers. She said she begged Archangel-Ortiz to let her go and that he pushed the gun against her neck and spine. She heard gunshots and fell onto the floor under his body, then was able to get to safety.

Philly judge faces ethics complaint over role in wife’s cheesesteak shop

Por

Associated Press

-

30/04/2025

A Philadelphia judge’s role in a cheesesteak shop owned by his wife has prompted a panel to allege he’s violated the state’s ethics rules.

The Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board on Tuesday filed a complaint against Common Pleas Judge Scott DiClaudio over Shay’s Steaks, a high-end cheesesteak restaurant that opened more than a year ago a few blocks from city hall. He’s accused of using his status as a judge to promote the business.

“This complaint is such a farce,” DiClaudio, who is acting as his own lawyer, said in a phone interview Tuesday evening. “People do not come to Shay’s because a judge may make their cheesesteak.”

“I have a support role, which I’m permitted to have,” he said. In a podcast interview cited by the board, DiClaudio discussed decisions about pricing, ingredients, salary levels for employees and competing restaurants.

“I don’t mind charging $19, because I’m giving you a better quality steak,” DiClaudio said on the podcast.

Lately, he said, health issues and the demands of having a young child have limited his time in the business. As a criminal court judge, his focus these days is on court actions filed by defendants after they have been convicted.

Shown is Shay’s Steaks in Philadelphia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (Photo: AP/Matt Rourke)

The Judicial Conduct Board investigates and prosecutes possible instances of judge misconduct in Pennsylvania. The case will be heard by the Court of Judicial Discipline.

The board complaint notes that news coverage of the restaurant in Philadelphia, where cheesesteaks are the subject of perpetual public interest, has noted he is a judge. One story referred to him as “whiz honor” — a reference to the use of Cheez Whiz on some cheesesteaks.

If anything, DiClaudio said, his role in the restaurant may be improving the image of judges in the minds of his fellow Philadelphians, giving them “confidence in the judiciary — that we’re not all robots.”

Shay’s Steaks is named for his late mother and the luncheonette his parents ran for more than two decades in South Philly.

The complaint references several news stories about the restaurant that describe him as a judge.

“I had no idea what they were going to write,» DiClaudio said. «I had no say in the editing process until I saw it myself.”

He noted a sign at the restaurant states Jackee DiClaudio is the owner — the couple lives in the same building as the restaurant. He said Shay’s Steaks has never used an image of him in judicial robes or described him as a judge in advertising materials. He says he’s never been paid for his work there, and that the profits go to his wife.

DiClaudio is accused of falling short of a requirement that judges always act in a way that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. Another allegation is that he violated a rule that judges “not abuse the prestige of judicial office to advance the personal or economic interests of the judge or others, or allow others to do so.”

Shay’s Steaks in Philadelphia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (Photo: AP/Matt Rourke)

County judges such as DiClaudio may not have other employment that would in any way interfere with their judicial duties and responsibilities, said Sam Stretton, a prominent judicial ethics lawyer. He has represented DiClaudio in the past, and may again in the current matter.

“He’s very proud of his wife and what she’s doing there,” Stretton said. “Sure, he gives input but I don’t see that as being prohibited. The issue he’s got to deal with is: Is there self-promotion here?”

Complicating the case is that DiClaudio is currently on probation under a decision by the Court of Judicial Discipline that involved tax liens and an unpaid bill. He was found to have not acknowledged debt on his financial disclosure forms and did not obey court orders, leading to repeated contempt citations against him, the court said.

He was suspended without pay for two weeks, so in order to qualify for a pension and retiree health care he needs to serve two additional weeks after his term expires in January 2026. A Democrat, he is seeking retention to another 10-year term. If he wins retention he says he is considering retiring early next year.

La Administración Trump recorta $1.000 millones en subvenciones para salud mental

Por

Associated Press

-

30/04/2025

WASHINGTON— La Administración Trump está avanzando para cancelar 1.000 millones de dólares en subvenciones para la salud mental en las escuelas, argumentando que reflejan las prioridades del gobierno anterior.

El martes se notificó a los beneficiarios de las subvenciones que la financiación no continuaría después de este año. Una ley sobre violencia armada promulgada por el entonces presidente demócrata Joe Biden en 2022 destinó 1.000 millones de dólares a programas para ayudar a las escuelas a contratar más psicólogos, consejeros y otros trabajadores de salud mental.

Un nuevo aviso indicó que una revisión de los programas por parte del Departamento de Educación encontró que estos violaban el propósito de la ley de derechos civiles, entraban en conflicto con la política del departamento de priorizar el mérito y la equidad, y constituían un uso inapropiado de dinero federal.

Los recortes se hicieron públicos en una publicación en redes sociales del estratega conservador Christopher Rufo, quien afirmó que el dinero se utilizó para promover «racialismo y discriminación de izquierda». Publicó extractos de varios documentos de subvenciones que establecían objetivos para contratar a ciertos números de consejeros no blancos o para seguir otras políticas de diversidad, equidad e inclusión.

«No más fondos para activistas bajo el pretexto de la salud mental», escribió Rufo.

El Departamento de Educación confirmó los recortes. En una actualización a los miembros del Congreso que fue obtenida por The Associated Press, los funcionarios del departamento dijeron que la administración republicana encontrará otras formas de apoyar la salud mental.

Según el aviso, «el Departamento planea reimaginar y volver a competir por los fondos de su programa de salud mental para apoyar de manera más efectiva las necesidades de salud conductual de los estudiantes».

La administración del presidente Donald Trump ha recortado miles de millones de dólares en subvenciones federales que se considera están relacionadas con políticas de inclusión y ha amenazado con recortar miles de millones más de las escuelas y universidades por prácticas de diversidad. La administración dice que cualquier política que trate a las personas de manera diferente debido a su raza equivale a discriminación, y argumenta que las políticas de inclusión a menudo se han utilizado para discriminar a estudiantes blancos y asiático-estadounidenses.

PUC Working Closely with Utilities and State Agencies to Ensure Restoration of Power Across Pennsylvania

Por

PR/CP

-

30/04/2025

PUC Reminds Residents: Safety First, Especially Around Downed Wires, Generators, and Storm Cleanup

HARRISBURG. – Following a powerful and fast-moving storm system that swept across much of Pennsylvania, causing widespread damage to electric utility infrastructure, roadways, and telecommunications networks, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is urging residents to remain alert, informed, and cautious during the ongoing recovery process.

As of this afternoon, there are 426,000 utility customers without power across the Commonwealth – down from more than 557,000 outages reported last evening. The heaviest impact remains in Allegheny County, which accounts for more than half of all reported outages. Other hard-hit counties include Westmoreland, Centre, Indiana, Washington, Cambria, Beaver, Jefferson, Armstrong, and Clearfield, where crews are actively assessing damage and working to restore essential services.

In response to the storm, the Commission has been in close communication with utilities, along with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), the Governor’s Office, and other state and local agencies, to ensure a coordinated, efficient restoration effort.

“This was not a routine weather event. The intensity and scale of the damage—affecting not just electric systems but also roadways, cell towers, and other infrastructure—requires an all-hands response,” said PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank. “We are working closely with our partners to help ensure that service is restored in a way that is both safe and efficient, even as conditions remain challenging in many areas.”

Electric utilities are executing emergency response plans, prioritizing restoration to critical facilities such as hospitals, public safety agencies, and water systems. From there, crews focus on repairs that will restore power to the greatest number of customers, which often requires work at substations or transmission lines located outside of individual neighborhoods.

“We understand the frustration and uncertainty that come with extended outages,” Chairman DeFrank added. “But even if you don’t see utility crews on your street, know that vital repairs may be happening nearby to restore service to your home.”

PUC Investigates Fatal Incidents Involving Downed Power Lines

The PUC’s Safety Division is also investigating two fatal incidents related to downed electric lines—one in Pittsburgh and one in State College. These tragedies occurred during the storm’s aftermath and are a sobering reminder of the extreme danger posed by storm-damaged utility lines.

“Any downed wire must be treated as live and extremely dangerous,” stressed Chairman DeFrank. “That includes not just the line itself, but also any tree, fence, vehicle, or puddle the wire may be touching.”

Residents are strongly urged to stay clear of all downed wires and to report them immediately to their electric utility and, when appropriate, to 9-1-1.

Power Outage Safety

If you experience an outage, consider the following tips:

Report the Outage to Your Electric Utility – Do not assume it’s already been reported.
Stay Away from Downed Wires – Always assume fallen lines are energized and dangerous.
Avoid Puddles or Objects in Contact with Wires – They can conduct electricity.
Never Attempt to Remove Trees or Branches from power lines.
Don’t Call 9-1-1 for Outages – Only call 9-1-1 if there is an emergency or safety hazard like a live wire.

Staying Safe While You Wait for Power to Return

Use Flashlights, Not Candles – Avoid fire hazards during power loss.
Turn Off Appliances and Electronics – Prevent damage from surges when power is restored.
Leave One Light On – So you’ll know when power is back.
Wait Before Powering Up – After electricity is restored, wait 15 minutes before turning on major appliances.
Use Generators Safely – Operate them outdoors and away from vents or windows. Never connect them to home wiring, which can endanger utility crews.
Check on Neighbors – Especially seniors or those with special needs.

The PUC remains fully engaged with utilities, state agencies, and emergency managers to monitor progress and support the safe, timely restoration of service.

Additional Guidance and Resources

In coordination with the Governor’s Office, PEMA, and other Commonwealth agencies, the PUC encourages residents to stay informed about ongoing storm-related hazards that extend beyond utility service.

Severe weather and high winds have impacted roadways and travel across western and central Pennsylvania, leading to numerous closures. For up-to-date information on roadway conditions, visit www.511PA.com or use the 511PA smartphone app, which provides 24/7 updates on traffic, closures, and weather conditions statewide.

Additionally, residents are urged to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, especially during active or changing conditions. Free alert systems, including mobile apps, NOAA weather radios, and local media outlets, can help keep families and communities safe during emergencies.

For statewide storm response updates, visit www.Ready.PA.gov.

Working together, Pennsylvania’s utility providers and public agencies remain committed to restoring essential services and helping residents recover from the storm safely.

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

Committee of Seventy Prepares Poll Workers with Information Sessions Ahead of Election Day

Por

PR/CP

-

30/04/2025

Elecciones-en-EEUU — Carlos Salas, de 78 años, quien recientemente se convirtió en ciudadano estadounidense y votó en su primera elección, sostiene una calcomanía con la leyenda "Yo voté" en su estudio, el domingo 3 de noviembre de 2024, en Alamo, Texas. (Foto: AP/Archivo)

Philadelphia, PA – The Committee of Seventy, in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, is hosting a series of virtual information sessions to support Pennsylvanians serving as poll workers and poll watchers in the upcoming May 20, 2025 primary election. Launched April 22 and running through May 19, the sessions are designed to prepare new and experienced poll workers to uphold election integrity and ensure a smooth experience for voters.

The sessions include essential information for poll workers across Pennsylvania in the poll worker 101 sessions, as well as specialized sessions on poll watching, using Philadelphia’s e-poll books, open Q&A opportunities, and de-escalation training, first introduced during the 2024 cycle to help poll workers navigate potential challenges at polling places.

“Just because it’s not a presidential election year doesn’t mean the need for poll workers is any less urgent,” said Lauren Cristella, President and CEO of the Committee of Seventy. “Every election, we rely on more than 45,000 Pennsylvanians to help our democracy function. These information sessions are about making sure those who step up are ready to serve their communities with clarity and purpose. Poll workers are essential to maintaining access, fairness, and trust in our elections, no matter what’s on the ballot.”

Leading the sessions is Seventy’s Senior Advisor on Election Administration, Jeff Greenburg, a former Mercer County election director who has trained more than 10,000 poll workers over his career.

“These sessions aren’t just informational, they foster confidence in our elections,” said Greenburg. “From first-time poll workers to seasoned veterans, understanding the rules, processes, and expectations helps ensure a smooth Election Day for everyone involved. We’re here to break down the law, answer questions, and prepare Pennsylvanians to serve in these critical roles.”

The information sessions aim to complement the required training covering the fundamentals about poll worker procedures offered by Pennsylvania counties. These sessions provide a practical overview for new participants and a helpful refresher for veterans of the process. Poll watcher sessions will also clarify the appropriate and legal role of observers at polling locations.

«The time to participate in our democracy is now,» said Susan Gobreski, President of the State Board of Directors for the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. «Voting always matters and helping to make sure all eligible voters are able to cast their ballot is one of the most important acts any one of us can do.»

More information on the sessions, including a full schedule and sign-up links, is available on Seventy’s website here. Additional tools and resources for poll workers and poll watchers can also be found on the site.

It should be noted that elected poll worker positions will be on the ballot during the primary election on May 20th as well. While the deadline to submit nominating petitions for these positions has passed, interested candidates can still run through a write-in campaign. A video explaining the process can be found here.

Visa H-3: Una puerta que muchos no conocen para vivir y formarse en EE. UU.

Por

Héctor Benítez Cañas

-

30/04/2025

Cuando se piensa en vivir legalmente en Estados Unidos, la visa H-3 no suele ser la primera en la lista. Sin embargo, esta opción poco conocida puede ser la clave para quienes desean adquirir formación especializada, experiencia práctica y una inmersión cultural única en territorio estadounidense.

La visa H-3 está diseñada para personas extranjeras que buscan capacitarse en áreas que no están fácilmente disponibles en su país de origen. Aunque no permite estudiar en una universidad ni trabajar de manera permanente, sí abre las puertas a programas de entrenamiento profesional, prácticas en empresas, o formación en áreas como finanzas, salud, educación, tecnología y más.

¿Quién puede aplicar a una visa H-3?

Este tipo de visa se divide en dos categorías principales:

1. Trainees (aprendices): Para quienes serán entrenados en cualquier campo que no sea educación médica o posgrados.

2. Special Education Exchange Visitors: Para participar en programas de entrenamiento en educación especial, como asistentes o cuidadores de personas con discapacidades.

El objetivo es que el beneficiario regrese a su país con los conocimientos adquiridos para aplicarlos profesionalmente, generando un impacto positivo en su comunidad.

¿Por qué considerar la visa H-3?

● Experiencia profesional en EE. UU.: Acceso a empresas estadounidenses dispuestas a invertir en tu formación.

● Duración flexible: Hasta dos años en la mayoría de los casos.

● No necesitas una universidad: Basta con tener una organización o empresa dispuesta a ofrecer el entrenamiento.

● Puedes incluir a tu familia: Cónyuge e hijos menores pueden acompañarte bajo visa H-4 (aunque no pueden trabajar).

● Oportunidad de crecimiento: Es una excelente base para quienes luego desean migrar con visas más avanzadas o estudiar formalmente en el país.

Una opción estratégica y real

La visa H-3 puede ser una gran estrategia para dar el primer paso hacia un futuro profesional en Estados Unidos. Si cuentas con el perfil adecuado y una organización patrocinadora, este camino puede abrirte las puertas al aprendizaje, la experiencia laboral y nuevas oportunidades migratorias.

* Héctor Benítez Cañas es abogado de inmigración en Miami. Su firma Benme Legal se dedica a la práctica exclusiva de la Ley de Inmigración. https://www.benmelegal.org/

Aumenta la desaprobación de las políticas migratorias de Trump

Por

EFE

-

30/04/2025

Un 52 % de los estadounidenses está en desacuerdo con varias de las políticas migratorias de la Administración de Donald Trump y cree que ha ido demasiado lejos en las deportaciones de inmigrantes irregulares, reveló este miércoles una encuesta de la cadena CNN.

Un 52 % afirma que el país no se ha vuelto un lugar más seguro para vivir como consecuencia de estas acciones y una mayoría del 56 % está a favor del regreso a Estados Unidos de Kilmar Ábrego García, un migrante salvadoreño enviado a la cárcel de máxima seguridad de El Salvador pese a que tenía una orden judicial que lo protegía de ser deportado.

El sondeo, realizado por el instituto demoscópico SSRS entre el 17 y el 24 de abril a 1.678 adultos, refleja un aumento en la desaprobación de la gestión migratoria de Trump, que la propia encuesta situó en un 45 % en febrero.

El 33 % de quienes están de acuerdo con el manejo de la Administración ha bajado de un 39 % registrado hace dos meses.

Un 43 % de los encuestados afirma que el Gobierno ha sido muy o algo cuidadoso en la observación de la ley en cuanto a las deportaciones, frente a un 57 % que cree lo contrario.

Trump ha invocado la Ley de Enemigos Extranjeros, hasta ahora solo aplicada en tiempo de guerra, para hacer realidad su promesa de llevar a cabo deportaciones masivas históricas, en medio de la polémica y las críticas de organizaciones en defensa de los inmigrantes.

El presidente republicano ha insistido, por su parte, en la necesidad de proteger a los estadounidenses de «criminales peligrosos», asociados a bandas como la venezolana Tren de Aragua, algo que cuestionan sus detractores.

La encuesta de CNN refleja un 49 % de oposición al uso de esta legislación para apresurar las operaciones de devolución.

Las cifras de Trump en materia de inmigración siguen siendo más sólidas que su índice de aprobación general del 41 % en sus primeros 100 días de gobierno, – que se cumplen este miércoles -, el más bajo para cualquier presidente recién elegido en 100 días desde al menos Dwight Eisenhower, incluido el primer mandato del propio Trump (2017-2020).

Una encuesta reciente, también de CNN, reveló que el 59 % de los estadounidenses cree que las políticas del mandatario han contribuido a empeorar la economía del país.

¿Quién puede aplicar a una visa H-3?

¿Por qué considerar la visa H-3?

Una opción estratégica y real

Populares de la Semana

En tendencia