Las elecciones del 5 de noviembre en las que se enfrentarán el expresidente Donald Trump (2017-2021) y la vicepresidenta, Kamala Harris, están provocando estrés en la mayoría de la sociedad estadounidense, señala un estudio publicado este martes por la Asociación Estadounidense de Psicología.
Dentro de dos semanas, EE. UU. decidirá entre los modelos opuestos del candidato republicano y la demócrata, y las encuestas pronostican que quien consiga ocupar el Despacho Oval lo hará por un margen muy estrecho de votos.
Según el portal de encuestas FiveThirtyEight, Harris lidera los sondeos nacionales por casi dos puntos, aunque en los últimos días está perdiendo ventaja. En cambio, en los de los siete estados clave para ganar estas elecciones, ambos candidatos están prácticamente empatados.
La incertidumbre de no saber quién liderará el país los próximos años está provocando estrés a un 69 % de los participantes de la encuesta ‘Stress in America’, realizada por el centro de investigación The Harris Poll tras entrevistar a más de 3.000 adultos del país mayores de 18 años entre el 1 y el 23 de agosto de este año.
El número crece unos dígitos cuando son preguntados por el futuro y la economía de la nación: el 77 % de los estadounidenses dice sufrir estrés en su día a día por la deriva que pueda tomar el país dependiendo de quien gobierne, y un 73 % por la economía.
La inteligencia artificial, como una herramienta para la desinformación y las noticias falsas, ha sido una de las protagonistas de estas elecciones, tanto es así, que a un 82 % le preocupa que la gente pueda estar basando sus valores y opiniones en información falsa o inexacta.
Asimismo, la polarización y la fractura social que ha provocado la política en los últimos años han aumentado el número de ciudadanos que sufre estrés en casi 20 puntos desde 2016, antes lo sufría un 52 %, y eso les conduce a escenarios catastrofistas, aunque no irreales.
Siete de cada diez están preocupados por si las elecciones presidenciales pueden desarrollar una espiral de violencia en el país y más de la mitad (56 %) cree que estos comicios podrían suponer el fin de la democracia en EE. UU.
Estos datos no sorprenden después de una campaña en la que Trump ha sufrido un intento de asesinato, sugirió ordenar la intervención de las Fuerzas Armadas para enfrentar a un supuesto «enemigo interno» el día de las elecciones y persiste la preocupación de que los republicanos pudieran rechazar los resultados en caso de derrota.
Según los encuestadores, precisamente este clima de polarización está ejerciendo como trampolín para el activismo y la movilización.
Más de tres cuartas partes de los adultos (77 %) afirmaron que tienen intención de votar en las elecciones presidenciales. Las comunidades que más se sienten interpeladas a participar en los comicios son los negros y los latinos, uno de los mercados de voto por el que más están peleando ambos candidatos.
Fotografía del 17 de octubre de 2024 de personas tomándose fotos en el Despacho Oval del museo interactivo 'The People's House' (La Casa del Pueblo), una réplica de la Casa Blanca, en Washington (EE.UU.). EFE/ Octavio Guzmán
Washington- Todavía se desconoce quién se sentará en la Oficina Oval tras las elecciones de noviembre, pero cualquier persona puede visitar una réplica idéntica a tan solo unos metros de la Casa Blanca y ponerse por primera vez en la piel del presidente estadounidense por un día.
Se trata de ‘The People’s House’ (La Casa del Pueblo), un museo interactivo que abrió sus puertas en septiembre para mostrar de una manera nunca antes vista la historia y los secretos de la residencia presidencial más importante del mundo.
Ya es posible tomarse fotos en el escritorio de madera del mandatario, pasear por la columnata del Ala Oeste o participar en una elegante cena de Estado gracias a los espacios, objetos y hologramas de la exposición.
El museo, de entrada gratuita, es una iniciativa de la Asociación Histórica de la Casa Blanca, una fundación privada creada en 1961 por la entonces primera dama Jackie Kennedy para restaurar la mansión ejecutiva, muy degradada en aquella época, y preservar su legado.
Además de diseñar los ornamentos navideños, esta asociación tiene una importante tarea de divulgación sobre la historia de la Casa Blanca que, con la apertura de ‘The People’s House’, ha dado un nuevo salto.
Un nuevo museo al lado de la Casa Blanca
El proyecto, que tuvo un coste de 85 millones de dólares, aspira a convertirse en una de las atracciones más populares de Washington, ciudad que en 2023 recibió a 26 millones de turistas, recuperando los niveles prepandemia.
Muchos no tienen la oportunidad de visitar la Casa Blanca (la original) porque se debe pedir cita con antelación a través de un congresista o una embajada. En total, unas 10.000 personas acceden cada semana a esos tours.
Para los que no tienen esa suerte, ‘The People’s House’ ofrece una alternativa a tan solo una calle de la Avenida Pensilvania 1600.
«Creemos que es muy importante tener un lugar para enseñar la historia de la Casa Blanca al lado de la Casa Blanca», explica a EFE Luke Boorady, director del museo.
La exhibición arranca con una gran recreación de la fachada de la Casa Blanca, edificio planeado por el primer presidente del país, George Washington, e inaugurado en 1800 por su sucesor, John Adams.
Una maqueta gigante, al estilo de una casa de muñecas, permite conocer los diferentes salones de los tres pisos de la mansión a través de tecnología interactiva.
Se puede entrar en la sala del gabinete y escuchar discursos de Abraham Lincoln o Franklin D. Roosevelt; o sentarse en la mesa de una pomposa cena de Estado amenizada con actuaciones que artistas como Stevie Wonder o Montserrat Caballé dieron en la Casa Blanca.
Los presidentes van cambiando, pero el personal de la residencia permanece, por eso hay una galería que homenajea a los cocineros, jardineros y otros empleados.
La Oficina Oval, la atracción estrella
Aunque el espacio más popular es, como no podía ser de otra forma, la recreación a tamaño real de la Oficina Oval, donde no hay ningún detalle sin cuidar: «Es una representación exacta del que hay al otro lado de la calle. Ha sido todo un éxito», explica el director.
El escritorio Resolute, utilizado durante décadas por los presidentes, es una réplica que cuenta incluso con la pequeña puerta por la que se asomó el hijo de John F. Kennedy en una de las fotos más famosas de la Oficina Oval.
Tanto la decoración como las cortinas y los muebles son exactamente iguales que los que hay ahora en el despacho del presidente, Joe Biden, quien al llegar al poder en 2021 colocó un busto del activista César Chávez y la Biblia de su familia.
Pero esos objetos son temporales dado que el museo redecorará el espacio el próximo año según los cambios que haga el nuevo mandatario, ya sea la demócrata Kamala Harris o el republicano Donald Trump.
Los visitantes no pierden el tiempo y aprovechan para sentarse en el escritorio y tomarse fotos mientras fingen, entre risas, llamar por teléfono a un líder extranjero.
«Siéntese, señora presidenta», se escucha a una mujer decirle a su amiga. Las elecciones del 5 de noviembre decidirán si Estados Unidos tendrá a su primera mujer presidenta, pero en ‘The People’s House’ eso ya es una realidad.
Radio host and owner of radio station La Mega 101.7 FM Victor Martinez on the air in Allentown, Pa., Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Photo: AP/Ryan Collerd)
The sun was creeping over the horizon on a recent morning in Pennsylvania’s erstwhile steel country, but inside a house next to two radio towers, Victor Martinez stood with a microphone, ready to broadcast his views to thousands of Spanish-speaking listeners.
“Señores, abran los ojos,” Spanish for “Gentlemen, open your eyes,” he said, after playing a recent interview where former President Donald Trump suggested he could deploy the U.S. military to deal with the opposition. “Three weeks before Election Day, this guy has the nerve to say that we should use the army to put what he calls ‘crazy liberal Democrats’ in prison.”
Pennsylvania is arguably the hardest fought of the battleground states and happens to have one of the fastest-growing Hispanic communities in the country, in what is known as the 222 Corridor, after the highway that connects small cities and towns west and north of Philadelphia. It’s fertile ground for both Democrats and Republicans to test their strength among Latinos in a state where small margins decide who gets 19 electoral votes. It’s a place where Democratic nominee Kamala Harris can prove that her party still commands a large share of the demographic’s support, and where Trump’s campaign has been working to gain ground.
“This is the epicenter for Latino voters in Pennsylvania,” said Martinez, who is of Puerto Rican descent and lives in and broadcasts his show from Allentown. “I like the fact that Kamala Harris has to keep sending people over here to listen to us and talk to us. I like it. I like the fact that JD Vance has to keep coming back. I like it, because that means that they have to pay attention to us.”
Pennsylvania’s Latino eligible voter population has more than doubled since 2000 from 206,000 to 620,000 in 2023, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. The population in cities like Allentown and Reading is now more than half Hispanic, with a majority being of Puerto Rican descent and a sizable portion of Dominican origin.
Dominican American voter Franklin Encarnacion, 58, who plans to vote for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, poses in Allentown, Pa., Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Photo: AP/Ryan Collerd)
Martinez also streams his show on YouTube and Facebook, using a large screen with an image of the White House as a backdrop for his segment on politics, which has become the highest-rated portion of his four-hour radio show.
Despite his public stance against Trump, Martinez says he simply wants more Latinos to get out and vote to start building more of an influential bloc, the same way Cubans have done in Florida, where he used to live and where he shaped his political views. He says he liked former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, both Republicans.
“I don’t want politicians to think that they have us in the bag. No, they should be fighting for us,” he said. “I’m from Florida, so I’m very well aware of the power the Cubans cultivated in South Florida. They got that power because they vote.”
In Pennsylvania, roughly half of all requested mail and absentee ballots had been cast by Monday. Of those, 63% had been returned by Democrats with about 27% returned by Republicans, according to Associated Press election research. In recent elections, Democrats have been more likely to participate in advance voting, while Republicans have favored voting in-person on Election Day.
Dominican American voter pastor Miguel Cleto who plans to vote for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, poses in Allentown, Pa., Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Photo: AP/Ryan Collerd)
Democrats also are returning more mail and absentee ballots in the two counties that concentrate the most Hispanics in the state. In Lehigh, home to Allentown, Democrats accounted for about 62% of returned mail and absentee ballots with Republicans at 27%. In Berks County, home to Reading, Democrats accounted for about 60% of the total with Republicans at about 31%.
The Trump campaign opened a Latino outreach office in the region and won the endorsements of popular Puerto Rican reggaeton artists such as Anuel AA and Nicky Jam.
“President Trump has always been about trying to influence the Latino population. It’s not the usual ‘oh we need Latinos.’ He appreciates our work and sees our potential,” said Marcela Diaz-Myers, a Colombian immigrant who heads a new task force the Pennsylvania GOP formed to do Hispanic outreach.
Trump lost Pennsylvania to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020, after winning the state and the presidency in 2016. Nationwide, about 6 in 10 Hispanic voters supported Biden in 2020, according to AP VoteCast, a broad survey of the electorate.
Harris’ campaign is hoping their network of surrogates, including Martinez, Puerto Rican artists and other popular Latino figures, helps them hold Biden’s Latino lead, or at least stunts Trump’s efforts to make inroads within this group.
The mayor of Allentown, Matt Tuerk, has been knocking on doors for the Democratic vice president and sees Harris’ campaign resonating deeply with older Latino voters and particularly women, who often tell him things like “I will vote for ‘la mujer,’” Spanish for “the woman.”
Tuerk, who is of Cuban descent, says the Trump campaign believes it has some traction with younger Latino men, and he warned the Harris campaign that he was hearing more of Trump’s digital ads airing at the city’s barbershops where they play Bachata and merengue, musical genres from the Dominican Republic.
One of Trump’s most popular Hispanic surrogates is Robert Unanue, the CEO of Goya, which produces many food products considered staples in Latino homes. Unanue has been courting Latino voters in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona and North Carolina.
Radio host and owner of radio station La Mega 101.7 FM Victor Martinez on the air in Allentown, Pa., Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Photo: AP/Ryan Collerd)
Unanue says some Latinos are against high arrivals of immigrants because many have struggled for years to legalize their status and have spent effort and money to become U.S. citizens. He said many do not think Trump would deport those who have been here a long time and have no criminal record, even though the GOP nominee has vowed to conduct the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
“Trump is not going to deport la tia, or la sobrina or la prima,” Unanue said, using the Spanish words for aunt, niece and cousin. “He is going to focus first on the criminals and second on the deadbeats, people coming to this country to take from us who work hard.”
Trump regularly rails against immigrants, saying they are taking jobs and bringing violent crime to the U.S. He has said those accused of murder have “bad genes.” He has suggested he would use the National Guard, and possibly the military, to target between 15 million and 20 million people for deportation, though the government estimated in 2022 there were 11 million migrants living in the U.S. without permanent legal permission.
Along Allentown’s Seventh Street, or what locals call Calle Siete, there is a mix of Latino-owned restaurants and grocery stores and Dominican beauty salons.
Franklin Encarnacion, 58, of the Dominican Republic, says he sees a lot of support for Harris in this neighborhood.
“She is a woman. She knows what we need in our homes. She knows that things are getting expensive,” Encarnacion said, adding he felt Trump has focused too much on saying he wants to deport immigrants.
On the same commercial strip, Miguel Cleto, a pastor from the Dominican Republic, said he thinks Democrats have handled immigration poorly, and they are on the wrong side of the abortion issue.
“Donald Trump is the only solution for this country to go back to where it was,” he said.
PHILADELPHIA. – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Yaniv Gola, 51, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Kai N. Scott to 16 months’ incarceration followed by three years of supervised release for interstate communication of threats.
In February of this year, Gola was charged by information with using a Voice Over Internet Protocol service to mask his phone number and make telephone calls threatening to injure, rape, and kill eight different victims between August 2, 2022, and November 5, 2023. He pleaded guilty to the eight counts against him on February 14.
On one of these calls, Gola threatened, “You f***ing Jew, now I know where you are. I’m going to kill all you Jews … You all should be shoved back into ovens. I’m going down to [victim’s business location] to kill you.” On another call, Gola said to a victim, “I want to put a bullet in your head … You f***ing Muslims.” In the most recent call, Gola threatened a victim, “You’re Jewish, I’m from Hamas. You’re animals and pigs … If you don’t leave that place, we’re going to blow you up.”
“Yaniv Gola made hundreds of these calls and texts, terrorizing his victims with incredibly vile, violent threats,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “He learned where they lived and worked, deploying those details just to heighten their fear. My office and the FBI will continue to hold accountable anyone making such cruel and criminal threats.”
“The details of this case serve as an alarming reminder of threats members of our community face because of their beliefs,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office. “We thank our law enforcement partners who work alongside us every day as we work to ensure the safety and security of our communities. Let today’s sentence serve as a reminder that the FBI will continue to diligently pursue those who make violent threats against those we are charged to protect.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Jeanette Kang. The FBI was assisted by the Philadelphia Police Department, the Media Borough Police Department, the Cinnaminson Township (N.J.) Police Department, the Newtown Township (Delaware County) Police Department, and the Haddonfield (N.J.) Police Department.
Interested organizations can apply for three grants designed to address Philadelphia’s gun violence crisis
Philadelphia-The Office of Public Safety’s (OPS) Anti-Violence Community Partnership Grants (AVCPG) application opened October 15th! With a new, streamlined application process, interested organizations can now review the requirements for and apply to the most suitable AVCPG in one place.
The City of Philadelphia Anti-Violence Community Partnership Grants are comprised of three grants: the Targeted Community Investment Grant (TCIG), the Community Capacity Grant (CCG), and the Community Expansion Grant (CEG). To date, the Office of Public Safety has funded over 200 organizations since the program’s founding in 2019.
TCIG funds community-based violence prevention programs and activities that improve public safety, increase opportunities for self-development and care, and build a stronger sense of community throughout neighborhoods most impacted by gun violence. Grant awards range from $1,500 to $50,000.
The Community Capacity Grant is a new grant level for experienced TCIG grantees who have shown excellence during the granting process. CCG grantees will be awarded between $50,000 and $100,000 and have access to customized training to assist them in sustainably scaling up their operations. The application is by invitation only.
CEG directly funds and supports organizations that are focused on reducing violence through trauma-informed healing and restorative practices, as well as safe havens and mentorship. Grant awards are between $100,000 and $1,000,000.
This year, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration, in partnership with Philadelphia City Council, invested a historic $30 million into the grant program.
“The City’s Anti-Violence Community Partnership Grants are a testament to what can be achieved when the City invests in our communities and the people working on the ground to make our city safe,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “That’s why my administration is investing $30 million into our community violence prevention and intervention organizations, and it is why I am committed to making the Anti-Violence Community Partnership Grants a regular part of my administration’s operating budget. I will continue to work closely with Chief Public Safety Director Adam Geer and his team to make sure this program is a success.”
Interested applicants are encouraged to attend an AVCPG virtual information session. Registration is currently open for the following dates:
Thursday October 24, 2024, 6:30 pm
Tuesday October 29, 2024, 6:30 pm
Thursday October 31, 2024, 12 pm
Thursday November 5, 2024, 12 pm
Thursday November 7, 2024, 6:30 pm
Tuesday November 12, 2024, 12 pm
Thursday November 14, 2024, 6:30 pm
In order to ensure a successful application submittal, the City recommends applicants note the following schedule for application submission, review, and award:
Application Period: October 15, 2024 – November 18, 2024
Review Period: November 19, 2024 – December 15, 2024
Announcement of Grants: December 16, 2024
Programming Periods:
January 15, 2025 –December 15, 2025 (CEG)
March 17, 2025 – December 15, 2025(CCG)
June 2, 2025 – September 23, 2025(TCIG)
“I am looking forward to this coming cohort of Anti-Violence Community Partnership grantees,” said Chief Public Safety Director Adam Geer. “Our dedicated AVCPG management team has built a robust system of support and accountability for our grantees, and I’m confident in our ability to steward these public dollars with integrity and compassion for our communities most impacted by gun violence.”
Organizations looking to learning more about the Anti-Violence Community Partnership Grants should email antiviolencegrants@phila.gov .
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump participates in a roundtable with Latino leaders Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024 in Doral, Fla. (Photo: AP/Alex Brandon)
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Tuesday said she would work to bring more funds to community banks to help Latino men secure small business loans, while Republican Donald Trump’s economic roundtable aimed at Latino voters devolved into a tirade of insults against his opponent.
Harris said in an interview with Telemundo that “we need to construct a strong economy that supports the working class.”
“I know that Hispanic men often have more difficulty securing loans from banks because of their connections and the fact that things aren’t necessarily set up so that they will qualify,» she said in an interview in English that was translated into Spanish. «For that reason, I’m focused on seeing what we can do to bring more capital to community banks that better understand the community so we can give them that kind of loans.”
In response to Trump’s claims that she was a socialist, she said: “I’m a capitalist. I’m a pragmatic capitalist.”
Trump, meanwhile, described Harris as “lazy,» railed against green energy and talked about “extreme» presidential power during remarks at his golf club in Doral, a Miami suburb.
Insisting President Joe Biden did not need congressional approval to curb illegal immigration, he said: “As president, you have tremendous — it’s called extreme power. You have extreme power.»
Trump also continued to hammer Harris as “low IQ” and invoked a racist trope, calling her “lazy as hell” for not holding any public events Tuesday. She was in Washington for meetings and was scheduled for TV interviews with Telemundo and NBC after more than two straight weeks of campaigning.
“Who the hell takes off when you have 14 days left?” he asked.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., attend a campaign event Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Brookfield, Wis. (Photo: AP/Morry Gash)
The Trump and Harris campaigns see what could be an election-deciding opportunity with Latino men, who could swing the outcome in states such as Pennsylvania, Arizona and Nevada if their traditional support for Democrats erodes. Trump believes he’s made inroads among Latino men. Harris’ team is seeking to shore up support within the same group with the election just two weeks away.
The effort sets up a question of whether memories of a Trump presidency or the promise of new policies under Harris will do more to energize Latino voters.
”We are very confident that these policies resonate because we’ve seen them resonate in speeches and focus groups,” said Matt Barreto, a Harris campaign pollster. “It speaks to Latino men in particular about being successful and achieving the American dream.”
In 2020, AP VoteCast found that 9% of voters nationwide identified as Latino, and 63% of them backed Biden in the election. That race was defined broadly by the pandemic that shut down much of the country, whereas this year’s race has issues such as the economy, immigration, abortion rights and democracy at the forefront.
Harris said she would work to double the number of registered apprenticeships. She is stressing how she would remove college degree requirements for certain federal government jobs and encourage private employers to do likewise. Harris also wants to provide forgivable loans worth up to $20,000 each to 1 million small businesses.
During Trump’s event, he sat after his opening remarks as elected officials and business leaders who are Latino praised the economy during his administration, thanking him specifically for tax cuts he signed in 2017.
Later, he claimed that he had recently seen a solar field “that looked like it took up half the desert.”
“It’s all steel and glass and wires. And it looks like hell,” he says. “You see rabbits, they get caught in it.” Trump often rails against wind power, claiming the turbines “kill all the birds” and confuse whales.
At the close of the event, Latino faith leaders prayed over Trump, his head bowed as some placed their hands on his shoulders. Guillermo Maldonado, senior pastor of King Jesus International Ministry, said during the prayer that «there’s a higher assignment for him to finish with this nation.”
During a rally later in North Carolina, Trump, who has been laying the groundwork to challenge the election results if he loses, again commented on Harris not holding any public events Tuesday. He offered this cryptic take: “I think she knows some kind of result that we don’t know.”
Looking forward to a rally in Madison Square Garden on Sunday, he said, “We want to close it out with beautiful bang,” noting there was more campaigning to come.
Both campaigns were jockeying for an edge with the increasingly diverse electorate in the closing weeks of the campaign. Harris has also focused on Black men, to whom she also pitched the forgivable loans for small businesses. She went on the podcast “Call Her Daddy” to appeal to younger women, while Trump has appeared on podcasts to target younger men.
In a close race, the Harris campaign is betting that Latino men are getting more attuned to policy specifics as the election draws closer.
Based on focus groups, Barreto said the Harris campaign found that Latino men in particular wanted access to apprenticeships that could give people without college degrees access to a financially stable career.
The latest Labor Department figures show there are 641,044 registered apprenticeships, an increase from the Trump administration, when apprenticeships peaked in 2020 at 569,311. Doubling that figure, as Harris has proposed, would put the total number of apprenticeships at roughly 1.2 million over four years.
Latino men also expressed a need for access to capital and credit to start companies, as the Treasury Department reported on Oct. 10 that Latino business ownership is up 40% over pre-pandemic levels and could keep climbing with better financing options.
Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will be on Univision’s “El Bueno, La Mala, y El Feo,” a syndicated radio show, this week, while Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, will be interviewed this week by Univision’s nationally syndicated afternoon radio program “El Free-Guey Show.” Emhoff will also be interviewed by Alex “El Genio” Lucas on Nueva Network Radio.
Trump hopes to convince Latinos that they can trust a fellow businessman such as himself, even as he’s also called for the mass deportation of immigrants in the country illegally.
“Hispanic people — they say you can’t generalize, but I think you can — they have wonderful entrepreneurship and they have — oh, do you have such energy. Just ease up a little bit, OK? Ease up,” Trump said at an Oct. 12 event. “You have great ambition, you have great energy, very smart, and you really do like natural entrepreneurs.”
Carlisle, PA — Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike), launched a new, statewide training program to improve new driver safety and roadway worker protection. The launch took place at Carlisle High School to highlight teen driver safety during National Teen Driver Safety Week.
Pennsylvania’s New Driver Work Zone Safety Program is a training project that uses engaging videos, infographics, knowledge checks, and powerful testimonials to teach new drivers work zone laws, signage and key facts, in addition to offering real-life scenarios to enhance understanding. This new program launched during National Teen Driver Safety Week, an annual observance aimed at educating safe driving among teens, and all new drivers in the commonwealth.
“PennDOT wants you to be safe whether you’re working on our roadways or driving on them, and we take many precautions to keep work zones safe for everyone,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “We’re always looking for ways to improve safety on our roadways, for drivers of all ages and experience levels. That’s why we were proud to partner with the PA Turnpike on this program.”
The free, 35-minute virtual course is currently available in English and Spanish via PennDOT’s website. The transportation agencies will also collaborate on hands-on training opportunities to supplement the course.
«We are thrilled to help launch this program, which furthers our commitment to safety – the driving force for everything we do here at the PA Turnpike,” said Chief Operating Officer Craig Shuey. “Our roadway is only as safe as the drivers who use it and helping them understand the importance of slowing down and paying attention in work zones is critical.”
Last October, Oklahoma became the first state in the nation to require new drivers to pass a work zone safety course to get their licenses. After hearing about Oklahoma’s success, the PA Turnpike developed a playbook for introducing a similar program and has been working with PennDOT to make it a reality. The project was funded through $50,000 from the Federal Highway Administration State Transportation Innovation Council Incentive Program.
“FHWA’s State Transportation Innovation Council Incentive Program is an important way we are helping states to advance innovative solutions to address their unique transportation needs,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White. “Improving work zone safety is a priority for FHWA and we are pleased to see Pennsylvania deploying federal funding to achieve this goal.”
In recent years, more than four out of every 10 work zone crashes in Pennsylvania involved deaths or injuries. There are more than 1,400 work zone crashes across Pennsylvania annually, with more than 600 resulting in injuries and 15 in death.
While the program is free and encouraged for all Pennsylvania residents, it is especially beneficial for new drivers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drivers aged 16-19 are nearly three times more likely to die in a crash than drivers aged 20 and up per mile driven.
“As Secretary of Education, I care deeply about the health and safety of Pennsylvania’s 1.7 million learners both in and out of the classroom,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “Knowledge is power, and this practical, experiential learning opportunity will help new drivers keep themselves—and others—safe while they’re on the road.”
From 2019 to 2023, there were nearly 80,000 crashes involving at least one teen driver in Pennsylvania, resulting in 483 fatalities. Some key factors in crashes involving teen drivers in Pennsylvania include driver inexperience, driver distractions, driving too fast for conditions, and improper or careless turning. The risk of a crash involving any of these factors can be reduced through practice, limiting the number of passengers riding with a teen driver, obeying all rules of the road, and using common sense.
The joint training project extends PennDOT and the PA Turnpike’s collaboration on increased work zone safety awareness. Both organizations host work zone-related educational events throughout the year. This March, PennDOT and the PA Turnpike, in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police, started enforcement of the statewide Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program, which uses vehicle-mounted systems and electronic speed timing devices to detect and record motorists exceeding posted work zone speed limits by 11 miles per hour or more.
Experts to Discuss the Spread of AI-Generated Disinformation and Strategies to Protect Election Integrity
Philadelphia, PA – Chair of the Technology and Information Services Committee, Councilmember Rue Landau, will partner with the Committee of Seventy to convene a panel discussion on the risks posed by AI-generated disinformation. The discussion will cover the measures needed to combat the effects of AI-generated political disinformation on election security. The event will be held on October 24 at 3 PM at the National Liberty Museum and moderated by C70’s own Lauren Cristella.
This panel follows a resolution introduced by Councilmember Landau, calling for hearings on the use of AI in both local government and the private sector. The upcoming discussion will focus specifically on the use of AI technology to generate and spread disinformation at scale ahead of elections and will feature insights from experts across various fields.
Councilmember Landau commented, «During this election season, it is becoming all too common to see fake and harmful information about candidates and elections, thanks to advances in AI technology. We are in the midst of a digital renaissance, but the public’s trust in communications about elections is at risk. This is a crucial time to highlight how state and local government and the private sector are stepping up to ensure these technologies are used safely and our elections are secure”
“As we approach Election Day, the risks posed by AI-generated disinformation are more pressing than ever. At the Committee of Seventy, we believe that ensuring free, fair, safe and secure elections is fundamental to a healthy democracy. Adding another layer of disinformation only makes it harder for people to get involved and stay informed. This panel is a critical step in addressing these evolving threats, and we’re grateful to Councilmember Landau for her leadership in safeguarding both the integrity and accessibility of our elections,” said Lauren Cristella, President and CEO of the Committee of Seventy.
Panelists include Chairman Omar Sabir, City Commissioner of the County of Philadelphia, Philip Hensley-Robin (Executive Director of Common Cause PA), Lara Putnam (Professor at Pitt Cyber, the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security), and Bret Schafer (Head of the Information Manipulation Team at the Alliance for Securing Democracy). The discussion will cover topics such as the rise of AI-generated disinformation, election security measures, and the role of stakeholders in combating these threats.
Governor Shapiro signed Act 112 of 2024 into law during a celebration hosted by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American & Pacific Islander Affairs officially recognizes Diwali as a state holiday in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA – Yesterday, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 402 into law — officially recognizing Diwali as a state holiday in Pennsylvania while attending a Diwali, Tihar, and Bandi Chhor Diwas celebration hosted by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American & Pacific Islander Affairs in the atrium of the Keystone Building in downtown Harrisburg.
The bipartisan legislation marks a significant moment for the Commonwealth, celebrating the rich cultural diversity of its residents and the traditions of the over one billion Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs worldwide who celebrate Diwali, including hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians.
“By signing this bill into law, we are not only recognizing the importance of Diwali but also celebrating the rich cultural heritage and many contributions of the Asian American community to Pennsylvania,” said Governor Shapiro. “Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair – values that should help guide our Commonwealth. Pennsylvania is stronger because of its diversity, and this new state holiday is a powerful reflection of the inclusion, respect, and unity that we cherish in this Commonwealth. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to honoring the traditions and cultures that make our state vibrant and dynamic.”
Diwali, known as the «Festival of Lights,» is one of the most significant festivals in South Asian culture. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The festival lasts five days, with the main celebration occurring on the third day, which is marked by family gatherings, the lighting of lamps, and fireworks. This year, Diwali will be celebrated from October 29 to November 3, with the main festival day falling on October 31.
«Diwali is the festival of lights. It is the most important festival for the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh community,” said Razin Karu, Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American & Pacific Islander Affairs. “It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, of good over evil, of knowledge over ignorance, and of truth over falsehood. Many Pennsylvanians with roots in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh observe the festival of Diwali and more than 1 billion people around the world celebrate this holiday in South Asia and the diaspora around the world. It’s a privilege to join Governor Shapiro as he signs this law to officially recognize Diwali as a state holiday in Pennsylvania.»
The legislation, sponsored by Senator Greg Rothman and Senator Nikil Saval, garnered broad bipartisan support in both the Senate and House. Representative Arvind Venkat championed companion legislation, House Bill 436, which passed in April 2023.
“Recognizing Diwali as an official state holiday celebrates our Commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity,» said Senator Rothman. «I’m grateful for Governor Shapiro’s signature on this historic legislation.”
“Wherever we’re from and whatever our background, all of us deserve to have our cultures recognized and honored. As the number of Asian Americans grows steadily here in Pennsylvania and across the country, our Commonwealth’s official recognition of Diwali sends a clear message of inclusion,” said Senator Saval. “I am so proud to have worked with my colleagues in the state legislature to put Pennsylvania at the forefront by acknowledging Diwali’s deep cultural significance and inviting all people to reflect on the endless struggle of light over darkness.”
“Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by over a billion Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists worldwide, including hundreds of thousands in Pennsylvania. It represents not only the celebration of the triumph of good over evil, but also a sacred time for families of multiple faiths to celebrate the bond that keeps them together and strengthens their connections with one another,” said Representative Venkat. “This bill recognizes and honors our diversity in Pennsylvania and fosters a stronger sense of community and inclusivity throughout the commonwealth.”
Though officially designated as a state holiday, schools, government offices, and businesses are not required to close on Diwali. The recognition serves as an acknowledgment of the cultural significance of the festival and encourages all Pennsylvanians to embrace and celebrate the diverse traditions that make up the fabric of the state.
The law, which designates the 15th day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartik as «Diwali Day» annually, takes effect immediately, making Diwali 2024 the first official celebration under the new law.
These grant monies will help service members translate their military skills to civilian life after serving in the armed forces.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today awarded a $400,000 grant specifically for veterans in Delaware County as part of the Veterans Employment Program (VEP), helping to connect veterans with job opportunities and employment support in Pennsylvania.
The Delaware County Workforce Development Board will collaborate with the Delaware County Office of Military and Veterans Affairs to assist veterans to succeed in the workforce. The grant will focus on Delaware County’s most vulnerable veterans, those involved in the justice system, and those living in poverty due to a disability in obtaining support and career services.
«We are excited to support the Delaware County Workforce Development Board in their efforts to empower our veterans,» said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. «Their proposal shows a deep understanding of the challenges veterans face in employment and presents innovative solutions to provide essential services to help them adapt in the workforce and become successful.»
Since taking office, Governor Josh Shapiro has been focused on creating real opportunities for hardworking Pennsylvanians to access good paying jobs. The Shapiro Administration supports skills-based hiring, recognizing the value of every career path, whether or not it requires a college degree. In July, Governor Shapiro signed the bipartisan 2024-25 budget, which increases Pennsylvania’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) funding by $30 million and expands registered apprenticeship programs by $2 million to help fill critical nursing positions across the Commonwealth.
The VEP initiative is designed to help veterans, members of all Reserves units and the Pennsylvania National Guard, and spouses of veterans and service members translate their military skills to civilian life. Pennsylvania is home to more than 650,000 veterans, roughly five percent of the Commonwealth’s population. In October 2023, the Shapiro Administration announced nearly $800,000 in additional funding for Veterans Employment Program projects across the Commonwealth.
“We are grateful to the Shapiro Administration for reaching out into our communities to assist veterans who are having difficulties finding employment, especially those in need,” said Brig. Gen. John Pippy, acting adjutant general and head of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “We are looking forward to the good work that will be done in Delaware County and to seeing more Pennsylvania veterans make a positive contribution in the workforce and their communities.”
The period of performance is December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2026.
