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Shapiro administration launches new driver work zone safety program during national teen driver safety week

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PR/CP
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driver
(Photo: File)

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.

Councilmember landau and committee of seventy to host panel on AI and election security in Philadelphia ahead of Election Day

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PR/CP
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Councilmember
(Photo: File)

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 signs bipartisan bill into Law bipartisan Diwali as an official state holiday in Pennsylvania

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PR/CP
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Diwali

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.

Shapiro administration invests $400,000 to boost veteran employment in Delaware County, help vets succeed post-service

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PR/CP
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Delaware

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. 

Harris asegura y explica como su plan beneficiará a los hombres latinos

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Redacción Impacto
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Harris

En la entrevista de este martes en Telemundo, la vicepresidenta Harris anuncia nuevos esfuerzos para ampliar las oportunidades a través de la inversión en pequeños negocios y empresarios, la capacitación profesional entre otras cosas.

La campaña de la vicepresidenta Harris, el gobernador Walz suman nuevos esfuerzos para llegar al electorado hispano a través de medios hispanos. A estas entrevistas se une también el segundo caballero Doug Emhoff.

La nominada presidencial demócrata y vicepresidenta, Kamala Harris, y su compañero de fórmula, el gobernador de Minnesota Tim Walz, se presentan en el Fiserv Forum en un mitin de campaña en Milwaukee, el martes 20 de agosto de 2024. (AP Foto/Jacquelyn Martin)

SU AGENDA EN LA RECTA FINAL

La vicepresidenta Harris, el gobernador Walz y Doug Emhoff participarán esta semana en entrevistas con los medios de comunicación hispanos.
La campaña estará presente en todas partes en los últimos días de la campaña: desde un evento de votación anticipada en Wisconsin hasta un desfile de voto anticipado en Las Vegas, también con camiones de comida en Arizona, Pensilvania y Nevada. Los miembros del Caucus Hispano del Congreso, los secretarios del gabinete y otros mensajeros de confianza, cómo los “influencers” latinos, también se desplegarán por los estados clave para organizar festivales, fiestas y otros eventos culturalmente relevantes. 

Este martes, la vicepresidenta Harris participa en una entrevista con Julio Vaqueiro, de Telemundo, que se transmitirá en todas las plataformas de NBC Universal a nivel nacional, alcanzando al 95% de las familias latinas de 210 mercados. 

El gobernador Walz se unirá a El Bueno, La Mala y El Feo de Univision, un programa de radio sindicado que alcanza a millones de latinos en todo el país. 

Mientras el segundo caballero Doug Emhoff grabará una entrevista en el programa de radio sindicado a nivel nacional de Univision, El Free-Guey Show, que alcanza a millones de latinos estadounidenses en todo el país. Emhoff también participará en una entrevista con Alex “El Genio” Lucas en Nueva Network Radio, un programa sindicado en 72 emisoras y 43 mercados.


Harris presenta una nueva “Agenda de Oportunidades para los Hombres Latinos” que busca reducir los costos, aumentar la cantidad de propietarios latinos de viviendas y ampliar las oportunidades de empleo, así como garantizar que los hombres latinos y sus familias puedan lograr sus metas y alcanzar su sueño americano. Como parte de su compromiso con los hombres latinos y su potencial, hoy anuncia nuevas propuestas para invertir en los pequeños negocios, los trabajadores y los veteranos latinos.

Por medio de un comunicado la campaña compartió los puntos destacados de esta nueva agenda se incluyen:

EDUCACIÓN, CAPACITACION Y DESARROLLO

Crear oportunidades para los hombres latinos en la fuerza laboral a través de programas de capacitación, incluyendo duplicar los programas de prácticas registradas y eliminar los requisitos innecesarios de titulación universitaria, beneficiando en total a 2 millones de trabajadores.El plan de Harris incluye invertir en los hombres latinos creando más oportunidades de capacitación profesional, sueldos más altos y ayudar a conseguir el éxito de sus pequeños negocios.

La idea es ampliar los programas de capacitación registrados que conduzcan a empleos bien remunerados para los hombres latinos y otras personas, por ejemplo, duplicando los programas de aprendizaje y asociándose con empresas, sindicatos, universidades comunitarias, organizaciones de confianza como UnidosUS, grupos religiosos e instituciones de servicio a los hispanos para ofrecer más oportunidades de formación de calidad que lleven a buenos empleos.

Eliminar los requisitos de titulación innecesarios para los hombres latinos sin titulación universitaria para 500.000 empleos federales, colaborando al mismo tiempo con el sector privado para hacer lo mismo.

Ampliar las asociaciones innovadoras con 1.000 escuelas preparatorias para permitir que cientos de miles de estudiantes comiencen a trabajar para así encaminarse a una carrera exitosa mientras están aún en la escuela, ya sea a través de un puesto de trabajo garantizado en una empresa asociada o con una ventaja inicial para obtener un título universitario o técnico. 

Ampliar los programas de desarrollo profesional y las posibles carreras profesionales para los más de 1,5 millones de veteranos latinos y los 240.000 miembros del servicio activos, invirtiendo en programas y organizaciones que capacitan y contratan a veteranos. 

Permitir a los pasantes registrados y a los profesionales de la construcción, el 30% de los cuales son latinos, deducir el gasto de las herramientas y equipo necesario para así recibir descuentos fiscales, ayudando a reducir las barreras para que los jóvenes trabajadores latinos se inicien en los oficios de la construcción.

IMPULSO A LOS NEGOCIOS

Además, el plan incluye aumentar la financiación inicial o para expandir sus propios negocios con un millón de préstamos condonables de hasta $20.000 y préstamos sin intereses con pagos diferidos para ayudarlos a expandir sus negocios.

Según su campaña bajo la dirección de la vicepresidenta Harris, los latinos propietarios de pequeños negocios han aumentado un 40% y siguen creciendo con la tasa más rápida de los últimos 30 años. Pero investigaciones han demostrado que los bancos niegan más préstamos grandes a los latinos, incluso con menos deudas y puntajes crediticios similares a personas blancas, por lo que quiere asegurarse de que a los hombres latinos y a otras personas con buenas ideas (en la construcción o en las finanzas) no se les niegue la posibilidad de poner en marcha o ampliar su pequeño negocio por falta de acceso al capital.

Los préstamos se concederían a través de una nueva asociación entre la Agencia Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA, por sus siglas en inglés) y socios de confianza, como instituciones que dan préstamos impulsadas por misiones y bancos con una reputación de compromiso en sus comunidades, ayudando así  a los empresarios latinos y a otros emprendedores a ampliar sus negocios trabajando con bancos comunitarios, instituciones financieras de desarrollo comunitario (CDFI, por sus siglas en inglés) y otros socios comunitarios de confianza para proporcionarles préstamos sin intereses o con intereses bajos, y con pagos diferidos.

Harris
Electores y líderes latinos en Estados Unidos dicen sentirse entusiasmados de que Kamala Harris sea la nominada presidencial demócrata, pero para que ella obtenga su crucial respaldo, quieren saber cuál es su posición con respecto a temas como la economía, la inmigración y la educación. (Foto: RRSS)

VIVIENDA

Aunque convertirse en propietario de vivienda es un motor clave para la creación de riqueza en Estados Unidos, menos del 50% de las familias latinas son propietarios de su propia vivienda, casi 25 puntos porcentuales menos que las familias blancas

Bajo su Administración buscaría duplicar la cantidad anual de compradores latinos de su primera vivienda, hasta casi 600.000, con el fin de generar riqueza y crear seguridad financiera para los hombres latinos y sus familias.

El plan incluye para construir 3 millones de nuevas viviendas asequibles, reduciendo los costos de la renta y de la vivienda. 

También proporcionar $25.000 de ayuda para el pago inicial a quienes compren una vivienda por primera vez.

“Como presidenta, Kamala Harris invertirá genuinamente en nuestro futuro y se asegurará de que todos tengan una oportunidad justa de alcanzar su sueño americano”, dijo el senador Alex Padilla, miembro del Consejo Asesor Nacional de la Campaña Harris-Walz. “La decisión en esta elección no podría ser más clara: Kamala Harris incluirá a la comunidad latina en el éxito y el bienestar de nuestro país, mientras que Donald Trump se postula descaradamente para recortar los impuestos a las corporaciones, aumentar los costos de la atención médica y los alimentos y demonizar a nuestra comunidad”.

Según la campaña Harris Walz, bajo una eventual administración de Trump aumentaría los costos de las familias de clase media en casi $4.000 al año, separaría a las familias latinas y eliminaría la atención médica asequible para más de 4 millones de latinos.

Shapiro administration announces Winners of 2024 Governor’s award for safety excellence 

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PR/CP
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Winners

Hershey, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry today announced the winners of the 2024 Governor’s Award for Safety Excellence (GASE) at the Governor’s Occupational Safety & Health (GOSH) Conference. Since 1997, the highly competitive GASE award has recognized outstanding workplace safety programs, promoted management/employee collaborations, and supported the sharing of valuable best practices and strategic development of safety policy across the Commonwealth.

The two companies honored this year are Chapman Corporation of Washington, PA and the Gettysburg Foundation in Gettysburg, PA. Both organizations excel at their commitment to employee safety and innovative practices that go beyond standard safety requirements.

«This annual award showcases Pennsylvania’s commitment to workplace safety. We’re proud to recognize Chapman Corporation and Gettysburg Foundation with the Governor’s Award for Safety Excellence,» said Nancy A. Walker, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. “Both organizations prove how innovative safety practices can lead to exceptional results. Chapman’s million-hour milestone without a lost-time injury and Gettysburg Foundation’s proactive approach to visitor and staff safety show that as we face new challenges in workplace safety, including remote work and AI integration, prioritizing worker protection is essential for success in today’s business environment.»

Secretary of Labor and Industry Nancy Walker delivers remarks at the 2024 GOSH Conference. Pictured here is a moment from the event.

Chapman Corporation, a family and woman-owned mechanical, electrical, and civil contractor, has achieved over one million hours worked with no lost-time to injury in three years. Currently serving customers throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, Chapman Corporation received a Zero Injury Award from the National Maintenance Agreement Policy Committee and has a zero DART (Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred) rate according to the Association of Union Contractors. Their unique safety practices include the implementation of a 3D Lift Plan to virtually simulate crane lifts before execution and the creation of the «Finish Strong Program» to combat complacency as projects near completion. 

The Gettysburg Foundation, which operates several historical sites including the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, has maintained a zero-incident rate for over three years. Their standout safety initiatives include a collaborative safety program involving all entities in daily operations and a specialized employee evacuation route designed to address active shooter concerns for employees. 

L&I supports workplace safety throughout the Commonwealth through various programs and training. 

Certified workplace safety committees, supported by L&I’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Health & Safety Division, are effective tools for Pennsylvania businesses to protect their workers and save money. Pennsylvania employers who establish certified workplace safety committees receive a five percent discount on their workers’ compensation insurance premiums.

More than 13,000 state-certified workplace safety committees have been established since March 1994, protecting more than 1.6 million workers. Additionally, employers with certified workplace safety committees have saved more than $920 million in workers’ compensation premiums. These savings in insurance costs are due solely to the five percent premium discount provided to businesses that have these committees.

Launched in 2012, the Pennsylvania Training for Health and Safety (PATHS) program is a free and comprehensive statewide service that provides safety training sessions and other resources. PATHS training can be customized for an employer’s needs to prevent workplace safety incidents. More than 35,000 people annually participate in these trainings.

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Pennsylvania on Election Day

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Associated Press
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Pennsylvania
A worker processes mail-in ballots at the Bucks County Board of Elections office prior to the primary election in Doylestown, Pa., May 27, 2020. (Photo: AP/Matt Slocum/File)

Pennsylvania voters are almost sure to play a pivotal role in the Nov. 5 general election, with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress and the state Legislature in the balance.

With its 19 electoral votes, the commonwealth is the largest prize among the battleground states and an important piece of both campaigns’ path to victory. Both Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump have made frequent visits to the state since becoming their parties’ nominees, including for their sole debate in Philadelphia in September.

Pennsylvania was one of three “blue wall” swing states that went narrowly for Trump in 2016 after almost 30 years of voting for Democratic presidential candidates; the others were Michigan and Wisconsin. Four years later, Democrat Joe Biden won all three states back for Democrats with a margin in Pennsylvania of about 80,000 votes out of more than 6.9 million votes cast. The states remain key electoral prizes this year.

In the U.S. Senate race, Democratic incumbent Bob Casey seeks a fourth term against Republican Dave McCormick. Casey, the son and namesake of a former two-term governor, has one of the most recognizable names in state politics but this year he faces what has shaped up to be the toughest race of his Senate career. The seat is critical to Democratic hopes of keeping control of the narrowly divided chamber. McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO and Army combat veteran, ran for Pennsylvania’s other U.S. Senate seat in 2022 but lost the GOP nomination to Mehmet Oz, who went on to lose to Democrat John Fetterman.

Further down the ballot, a handful of competitive races could play a role in determining control of the U.S. House. In the 7th Congressional District, Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Wild seeks a fourth full term against Republican Ryan Mackenzie. In the neighboring 8th Congressional District, Democratic U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright seeks a seventh term against Republican Robert Bresnahan. The 7th District in eastern Pennsylvania narrowly went for Biden in 2020, while voters in the 8th District, which includes Biden’s hometown of Scranton, preferred Trump.

In the race to control the state Legislature, Democrats are defending the razor-thin state House majority they won in 2022 for the first time in 12 years and have since successfully defended in several special elections. All 203 state House seats and half the 50 state Senate seats are up for election this year. Republicans have a majority in the state Senate.

This is an official Pennsylvania mail-in ballot in Pittsburgh, Oct. 3, 2024. (Photo: AP/Gene J. Puskar/File)

Here’s a look at what to expect in the 2024 election in Pennsylvania:

Election Day

Nov. 5.

Poll closing time

8 p.m. ET.

Presidential electoral votes

19 awarded to statewide winner.

Key races and candidates

President: Harris (D) vs. Trump (R) vs. Chase Oliver (Libertarian) vs. Jill Stein (Green).

U.S. Senate: Casey (D) vs. McCormick (R) and three others.

7th Congressional District: Wild (D) vs. Mackenzie (D).

8th Congressional District: Cartwright (D) vs. Bresnahan (R).

Other races of interest

U.S. House, Attorney General, Auditor General, Treasurer, state Senate and state House.

A polling judge, right, helps guide a voter’s ballot into a voting machine during the Pennsylvania primary election, at Mont Alto United Methodist Church in Alto, Pa., on May 17, 2022. (Photo: AP/Carolyn Kaster/File)

Decision Notes

Several factors contribute to a relatively slow vote counting process in Pennsylvania. Under Pennsylvania law, elections officials must wait until 7 a.m. ET on Election Day before they can begin to process ballots cast by mail and prepare them to be counted. The actual tabulation of mail ballots cannot begin until after polls have closed. Because of the overall volume of mail ballots — they comprised almost a quarter of the total vote in the 2022 midterm elections — and the varying amounts of time it takes the state’s 67 counties to tally these votes, determining a winner in a highly competitive race could take several days, as it did in the 2020 presidential election.

The first vote results reported after polls close are expected to come from mail ballots. Results from later in the night are expected to be a mix of mail votes and votes cast in person on Election Day. Once the vote counting stretches into the day after Election Day and beyond, the vote results are once again expected to come mostly from mail ballots.

Overall, votes cast by mail have tended to favor Democrats, ever since the issue of early and mail voting became highly politicized during the 2020 election. This means the Democratic candidate in a competitive contest could take an early lead in the vote count in the initial vote reports after polls close, even though the race may tighten considerably as more votes are tabulated.

In 2020, Biden took an early, temporary lead after mail voting results began to be released shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. ET. By about 10 p.m. ET, Trump took the lead as more results from Election Day voting were released. By early Wednesday morning, Trump led Biden by nearly 700,000 votes, but that lead would gradually shrink as more mail ballots were tabulated. Biden eventually retook the lead by Friday morning.

The suburban “collar counties” around Philadelphia are key battlegrounds and have been trending toward Democrats in recent years. In statewide elections, Republican candidates tend to win overwhelmingly in rural areas statewide, while Democrats rely on lopsided support in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Erie and Northampton counties on opposite sides of the state may also hold clues on election night. They are two of only 10 counties across all the presidential battlegrounds that voted for Trump in 2016 and flipped to Biden in 2020.

The Associated Press doesn’t make projections and will declare a winner only when it has determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap. If a race hasn’t been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, like candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear it hasn’t declared a winner and explain why.

In Pennsylvania, races with a vote margin of 0.5 percentage points or less are subject to an automatic recount. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is eligible for a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome.

Processed mail-in ballots are seen at the Bucks County Board of Elections office prior to the primary election in Doylestown, Pa., May 27, 2020. (Photo: AP/Matt Slocum/File)

Past presidential results

2020: Biden (D) 50%, Trump (R) 49%, AP race call: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, 11:25 a.m. ET.

Voter registration and turnout

Registered voters: 9,036,833 (as of Oct. 14, 2024). About 44% Democrats, about 40% Republicans, about 12% unaffiliated.

Voter turnout in 2020 presidential election: 76% of registered voters.

Pre-Election Day voting

Votes cast before Election Day 2020: about 38% of the total vote.

Votes cast before Election Day 2022: about 23% of the total vote.

Votes cast before Election Day 2024: See AP Advance Vote tracker.

How long does vote-counting take?

First votes reported, Nov. 3, 2020: 8:09 p.m. ET.

By midnight ET: about 54% of total votes cast were reported.

Identifica y evita a las personas conflictivas en la empresa

Por
Jacques Giraud
-
personas
(Foto: Ilustrativa/Pexels)

¿Alguna vez conociste a alguien que parecía agradable, hasta que un día de pronto cambió, volviéndose en tu contra por un pequeño desacuerdo o amenazándote con humillarte públicamente? Usualmente se considera que dichas personas tienen “personalidades altamente conflictivas”.

Después de estudiar y observar sobre este tema en mis 30 años de experiencia profesional, hay muchas lecciones importantes por ser aprendidas:

  1. Son predecibles: Tienen un estrecho patrón de conducta, sentimiento y pensamiento.
  • Incrementan los conflictos en vez de manejarlos o resolverlos: implica una escalada intensa y repentina del conflicto (gritar, huir, evadir, juzgar, victimizarse, ser violento); otras, arrastrar un conflicto por meses o años, mientras incluye a muchas personas.
  • Para ellos, el problema no es el problema: validar cómo el comportamiento influye en la relación causa-raíz del problema, es vital para “desmontar” el conflicto.
  • Tienen un patrón identificable: se movilizan generalmente entre los patrones del triángulo de Karpman.

También conocido como el Triángulo Dramático, es un modelo de análisis de las dinámicas de conflicto interpersonal que puede aplicarse eficazmente a las relaciones laborales. Describe tres roles que las personas suelen adoptar en situaciones de conflicto: víctima, perseguidor y salvador.

La víctima

En el contexto laboral es un colaborador que se siente incapaz de controlar o mejorar su situación. Puede ver a su jefe o compañeros como responsables de sus dificultades y no asumir la responsabilidad de sus acciones. Un jefe que actúa como víctima puede sentir que las circunstancias (presión del mercado, falta de recursos) son insuperables y que está “atrapado”, lo que puede llevar a la falta de liderazgo proactivo.

El perseguidor

Este rol lo toma alguien que culpa y critica a los demás de forma constante. En el trabajo, un jefe perseguidor puede ser extremadamente controlador, culpar a sus empleados por los errores y generar un ambiente de miedo y desconfianza. Suelen ser autoritarios.

El salvador

En el rol de salvador, una persona intenta “rescatar” a los demás, incluso cuando no se lo han pedido. En el trabajo, un jefe salvador podría sobreproteger a los colaboradores.

El impacto del triángulo en las relaciones laborales genera disfuncionalidad cuando líderes y colaboradores alternan entre estos roles.

Cómo romper el triángulo

Cuando realizo procesos de mentoría y coaching, activo los siguientes protocolos para disminuir el impacto en la empresa:

  1. Tanto líderes como colaboradores deben asumir la responsabilidad de sus acciones y evitar culpar a los demás o esperar que otros los “rescaten”.
  • Los líderes deben ser conscientes de no caer en roles persecutores o salvadores, promoviendo una cultura de apoyo y autonomía.
  • Fomentar un ambiente donde se pueda expresar feedback de manera constructiva y se respeten los límites profesionales, eliminar la agenda “oculta” y ser valientes en las comunicaciones difíciles.

Quizás ya conozcas a personas con estos rasgos. Si es así, nunca les digas que son altamente conflictivas o tienen un desorden de personalidad. Lo verán como un ataque a su vida, y como una razón válida para hacerte su objetivo de “culpas”, probablemente durante los próximos años. Mejor aprende a evitarlas o a lidiar con ellas, sin que te conviertan en su objetivo principal.

* Jacques Giraud es ingeniero, especialista en desarrollo organizacional, master coach y mentor, con más de 25 años de experiencia y más de 400 seminarios impartidos como facilitador de Insight Seminars en más de 14 países. Autor del libro “Super Resiliente”. www.jacquesgiraud.com

Continúa el apagón en Cuba por cuarta jornada; clases y actividades no vitales suspendidas

Por
Associated Press
-
apagón
Personas preparan una sopa en una fogata durante un apagón que siguió a la falla de una importante planta energética en La Habana, Cuba, el sábado 19 de octubre de 2024. (AP Foto/Ramón Espinosa)

LA HABANA— Los cubanos atravesaban la cuarta jornada de una de las peores emergencias energéticas de los últimos años con un abastecimiento de electricidad parcial e intermitente, lo que suscitó algunas protestas menores en zonas de La Habana ante advertencias del gobierno contra eventuales desmanes.

El gobierno suspendió las clases y las actividades no vitales hasta el miércoles mientras se recupera el sistema energético nacional que colapsó el viernes, pero continúa con la operación de servicios básicos como hospitales y bombeo de agua.

A la vez, la parte oriental de la isla enfrentaba el paso del huracán Oscar, degradado a tormenta tropical, que dejó hasta el momento al menos seis fallecidos.

En las madrugadas del fin de semana hubo algunas protestas en barrios populares que no habían recibido nada de corriente como Centro Habana y Santos Suárez, constató The Associated Press. Varias docenas de vecinos hacían sonar sonaban sus cacerolas, algunos pocos en las calles y otros desde sus balcones.

El presidente Miguel Díaz-Canel reconoció el domingo por la noche que la gente estaba disgustada por la falta de luz. “Hay toda una capacidad desde el partido y otras organizaciones para dar respuesta a las inquietudes de la población, siempre que sea de manera decente, organizada, civilizada y disciplinada”, dijo el mandatario, que advirtió que “no vamos a permitir que nadie actúe provocando hechos vandálicos y mucho menos alterando la tranquilidad ciudadana de nuestro pueblo”.

La Habana, la ciudad más grande del país y hogar de dos millones de personas, lucía semiparalizada el lunes. Las autoridades dijeron que el transporte sería normal, pero se veían pocos autobuses y carros en las calles.

La gente hacía cola para comprar pan y alimentos subvencionados y sólo despachaban algunas gasolineras.

Al mismo tiempo, en el oriente de la isla las provincias de Guantánamo, Santiago, Granma, Las Tunas y Holguín recibían a Oscar, un huracán categoría uno degradado a tormenta tropical, complicando más aún el escenario energético, tanto por su capacidad de destruir infraestructura como la imposibilidad de usar centrales en esa zona para generar energía.

Oscar entró por las inmediaciones de la ciudad de Baracoa en la tarde del domingo y con un tránsito lento dejó aguaceros y algunas marejadas, así como inundaciones en áreas bajas.

Al menos seis personas fallecieron, según reportó la televisión cubana, en una localidad llamada San Antonio del Sur, en la provincia de Guantánamo. Las autoridades no dieron detalles hasta el momento sobre la cuantía de las afectaciones.

El camino pronosticado para Oscar pasa por varias centrales y plantas de generación de energía, lo cual obstaculiza una normalización de la corriente, explicó el ministro de Energía y Minas, Vicente de la O.

De la O dijo a periodistas el domingo que esperaba tener una reconexión el lunes o a más tardar el martes, pero advirtió que se llegaría al nivel anterior al colapso, con apagones frecuentes.

Por su parte, el presidente Díaz-Canel aseguró durante unas declaraciones en la noche del lunes que “en las próximas horas” se lograría superar la emergencia, pero aclaró que los problemas de fondo de apagones, aunque no tan prolongados, subsistirán.

“Entraremos entonces en una etapa del manejo de los déficit que nos quedan, que era la situación que estábamos viviendo antes del primer proceso de desconexión (el viernes)”, señaló el mandatario quien dijo que se trabajará en superarlos.

La emergencia energética comenzó el jueves por la noche cuando en horario pico el 50% del país se vio a oscuras por falta de generación eléctrica, una situación que provocó una comparecencia especial del primer ministro Manuel Marrero para disponer medidas de ahorro como la suspensión de las clases o actividades no vitales y el anuncio de incrementos en la tarifa.

Sin embargo, la situación más crítica se desató el viernes por la mañana con el colapso total del sistema energético ocasionado por la salida de funciones de la central Antonio Guiteras, explicó el domingo el titular de Energía.

Un reporte del ingeniero Lázaro Guerra del Ministerio de Energía y Minas informó a medios de prensa locales que el país estaba sirviendo unos 700 megavatios. Normalmente la demanda en horario pico suele ser de unos entre 2.000 y 3.000 megavatios.

Las autoridades eléctricas informaron que el 80% de La Habana ya cuenta con luz, aunque AP constató que el servicio era intermitente.

La población se mostró algo escéptica y preocupada.

“Tenemos el freezer (refrigerador) lleno de comida y estamos asustados”, dijo a AP Juan Estrada, un pequeño comerciante de 53 años del popular barrio de Centro Habana que no tenía luz desde el viernes, salvo por 10 minutos en la madrugada del lunes para luego volver al corte.

Estrada dijo que por el apagón se descongelan las neveras y no hay gas o bombeo de agua, mientras muchas familias dependen de la electricidad para cocinar alimentos. Además los equipos electrodomésticos se afectan con el alto voltaje inicial al restablecerse el servicio.

“El país está parado completo”, señaló con asombro Mayde Quiñones, un ama de casa de 55 años. “Esto afecta a todo el mundo, sobre todo a la gente mayor”, agregó la mujer que cuida a su octogenaria suegra.

La emergencia energética obedece principalmente a un aumento de la demanda, la falta de combustible para alimentar las plantas de generación y las frecuentes averías en las viejas centrales termoeléctricas. Los dos últimos factores están ocasionados por las sanciones de Estados Unidos, que le impiden a Cuba comprar crudo o sus derivados o adquirir las piezas de repuesto.

En cuanto a la electricidad “hay mucho para hacer no sólo con la provisión de combustibles sino con la mala situación de la capacidad de generación y las líneas de transmisión. (Cuba) no ha hecho inversiones en muchos años, ha traído estas barcazas generadoras de Turquía pero necesita mucha más inversión y la economía está tan mal que no puede hacer esas inversiones”, dijo a AP Francisco Monaldi, director del programa latinoamericano de energía del Baker Institute en Estados Unidos.

La situación forma parte de una dura crisis económica que se hizo sentir en la población con desabastecimiento, inflación y apagones.

Durante sus comentarios el domingo por la noche, el presidente Díaz-Canel dijo que el tenso escenario era producto de la “guerra económica” que Estados Unidos tiene contra Cuba para presionar por un cambio de modelo político en la isla. “Esto incluye la persecución financiera y energética. No hemos contado con los suministros estables de combustibles para que el sistema pueda operar en toda su capacidad y con toda su estabilidad”, señaló el mandatario.

La secretaria de prensa de la Casa Blanca, Karine Jean-Pierre, señaló el lunes que Estados Unidos no es culpable de los apagones en Cuba y que evaluaría los próximos pasos si la isla solicitaba ayuda.

Jean-Pierre dijo que “la mala gestión a largo plazo de su política económica y sus recursos por parte del gobierno cubano ciertamente han aumentado las dificultades de la gente en Cuba”.

El reclamo de energía estuvo detrás de las protestas de julio de 2021, las más importantes en la isla en casi tres décadas. Otras manifestaciones más pequeñas y localizadas se desarrollaron en octubre de 2022 y marzo de 2024 y en todas las ocasiones la isla señaló el interés de Estados Unidos y los grupos de presión de usar los reclamos para promover cambios de gobierno.

El apagón es considerado el peor de Cuba en dos años después de que el huracán Ian tocó tierra como una tormenta de categoría 3 en 2022 y dañó las instalaciones energéticas del occidente del país, ocasionando otra desconexión nacional.

Liz Cheney helps Harris seek moderate votes as they paint Trump as a dangerous choice

Por
Associated Press
-
Harris
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, right, during a town hall at Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield, Wisc., Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (Photo: AP/Jacquelyn Martin)

Kamala Harris teamed up with Liz Cheney in three battleground states on Monday to make a bipartisan appeal to Republicans who might be uneasy about Donald Trump, describing the former president as a malignant force that must be excised from American politics.

In an election that’s expected to be decided by thin margins, Democrats are trying to persuade enough people to cross the aisle to nudge Harris over the finish line. It’s a strategy that goes against longtime political doctrine that suggests candidates must tend to their ideological base above all else, sometimes to the detriment of reaching out to swing voters.

But with Trump alienating some Republicans with his election denial and acting increasingly erratically on the campaign trail, Harris is betting there’s a path to victory with college-educated suburban voters who have already been drifting toward the Democratic Party.

Cheney, a former congresswoman from Wyoming, said Harris would “lead this country with a sincere heart.”

“We might not agree on every issue,» she said at the third event of the day in Brookfield, Wisconsin, near Milwaukee. «But she is somebody you can trust.”

Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, was essentially exiled from the Republican Party for participating in a congressional investigation of Trump’s involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. She lost her congressional seat in a primary battle two years ago.

It’s not the only issue where Cheney has broken with her party, as she made clear Monday. Even though she considers herself to be “pro-life,” she said abortion restrictions have gone too far since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

“I have been very troubled, deeply troubled by what I have watched happen in so many states,” Cheney said.

Taken in their totality, her comments over the course of the day amounted to an extraordinary attempt to roll out the welcome mat for Republican voters to back Harris, a politician that Cheney herself once described as a “radical liberal.”

“This is not a normal election,” said Charles Sykes, a conservative commentator who moderated the Wisconsin event. “Dogs and cats together, in this strange moment.”

Harris, the Democratic vice president, talked about Trump as a cruel figure who has exhausted Americans with his divisiveness.

“He tends to encourage us as Americans to point our fingers at each other,» she said. «That’s not in our best interests. The vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us.”

At times, Harris and Cheney spoke wistfully of a time when Democrats and Republicans could argue about their differences without the country’s constitutional foundation at stake.

“The strength of our democracy requires a strong two-party system,” Harris said.

With just over two weeks to go before the presidential election, Harris is looking for support from every possible voter. Her campaign is simultaneously hoping to persuade those who haven’t made up their minds, mobilize any Democrats considering sitting this one out, and pick off Republican voters in areas where support for Trump may be fading.

All three of the counties visited by Harris and Cheney on Monday — Chester County in Pennsylvania, Oakland County in Michigan and Waukesha County in Wisconsin — were won by Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who ran against Trump for the Republican nomination.

A few votes here and there could add up to an overall win. In Waukesha County, for example, Haley won more than 9,000 primary votes even after she dropped out of the race. Overall, Wisconsin was decided for President Joe Biden in 2020 by just 20,000 votes. In-person early voting in the state starts Tuesday.

Trump lashed out at Cheney on social media, calling her “dumb as a rock” and accusing her of being a “war hawk.”

Cheney reminded people that “you can vote your conscience and not ever have to say a word to anybody.”

“There will be millions of Republicans who do that on Nov. 5,” she predicted during the second event of the day in Royal Oak, Michigan, near Detroit.

Harris referenced a report in Bob Woodward’s latest book that Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Trump is “fascist to the core.”

She also said voters should take Trump’s rhetoric seriously rather than write it off as a “sick sense of humor.”

“Some people find it humorous what he says and it’s just silly,” she said. “But understand how serious it is.”

The more intimate settings Monday were a shift for Harris, whose campaign has mostly focused on rallies with thousands of people. The audiences listened intently to her and Cheney, sometimes nodding along or smiling. During Harris’ story about a young boy who was afraid of a school classroom where there wasn’t a closet to hide from a shooter, some eyes welled with tears.

Trump has frequently tried to paint Harris, who is from deep blue California, as a radical liberal, but she struck a moderate tone during her appearances with Cheney.

At the first event of the day, in Malvern, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, Harris promised to “invite good ideas from wherever they come” and “cut red tape.» She also said “there should be a healthy two-party system” in the country.

“We need to be able to have these good intense debates about issues that are grounded in fact,” Harris said.

“Imagine!” Cheney responded.

“Let’s start there!” Harris said as the audience clapped. “Can you believe that’s an applause line?”

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