• Pennsylvania legislators want open primaries: As much as 16% of Pennsylvania’s registered voters are unaffiliated with a party, which under current state law prohibits them from participating in primary elections, even though their taxes fund them. Pennsylvania is one of ten states which hold “closed” primaries where only party members can vote. State legislators have been trying to pass a law opening the primaries to all voters since 1994. A recent attempt by state Senator Lisa Boscola has gained sponsors in the legislature. Opening the primaries has support from 77% of the population, according to a poll by Franklin and Marshall College. (Source: LNP)
• Manheim school board considering hiring legal counsel after report of alleged indecent exposure: After reports of an indecent exposure on a boy’s lacrosse trip last spring came to light in mid-February, the school board will consider retaining a law firm at their next meeting. While the board has not said whether the potential hires will be investigating the incident, one of the firms said in their engagement letter that investigating will be their goal. The board says that more information will be provided at the meeting. No one in the school’s administration reported the indecent exposure incident, despite being mandatory reporters. (Source: LNP)
• South-central Pa. cities to hold mayoral elections: Several cities in south central Pennsylvania will hold primary elections for their mayors. The filing deadlines have passed, meaning the lineup of candidates can now be seen. Lancaster will decide between two Democrats, Janet Diaz and Jamie Arroyo. Harrisburg’s election is between five Democratic candidates, including current Mayor Wanda Williams, City Treasurer Dan Miller, and Councilman Lamont Jones. (Source: WGAL)
• Harrisburg apartment tower owner faces lawsuit: The owner of Harmony Tower, an apartment building in downtown Harrisburg which has been plagued by lack of hot water for months, has been hit with a mortgage foreclosure action relating to their lack of maintenance on the building. A reciever has been appointed to manage the rent money of tenants, who are withholding their rent due to the major problems with the property. A man affiliated with Harmony Tower’s owner was previously charged with felonies related to “nuisance properties” around Pennsylvania, and the owner is believed to have used stolen identities and is currently incarcerated. (Source: ABC 27)
• Nation/world: BBC investigates global fentanyl trade targeted by Trump (Source: BBC News) White House withdraws nomination for CDC director pick (Source: NBC News)Trump threatens 200% tariffs on European alcohol (Source: CBS News) Senate Democrats plan to reject Republicans’ funding bill as government shutdown nears (Source: NBC News)
