Katie Meyer

A federal judge has ruled in favor of Democrats in a close, hotly contested Pa. state Senate race that caused an uproar in the Capitol last week.

Less than two weeks before President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated, fractures in Pa.’s evenly split congressional delegation have widened.

“We saw bloodshed because a demagogue chose to spread falsehoods and sow distrust of his own fellow Americans,” said U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey. “Let’s not abet such deception.”

Wednesday’s congressional certification is one of the last steps to confirm Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election ahead of inauguration.

The state has confirmed that an Allegheny County Democrat won another term in the Senate by 67 votes. The GOP is still hoping the courts will overturn the outcome.

Based on allegations of fraud and “unlawful practices,” found meritless by the courts, many Republicans plan to contest the results in key swing states, including Pa.

Some proposals would completely get rid of no-excuse absentee voting; other plans would clarify rules around how mail ballots can be submitted and counted.

As coronavirus cases trend downward, the governor plans to lift indoor dining ban and other mitigation efforts.

Only two other U.S. states elect judges the way Harrisburg Republicans are suggesting. The referendum could end up on the ballot in the May primary.

Historians, public health experts, and grassroots activists told us these 2020 themes were most significant and will most clearly shape what the road ahead holds for Pa.

Pennsylvania’s 20 electors have cast their votes for Joe Biden. This was expected — though some Republicans still want to circumvent the result.

Councilmember Mark Squilla has tested positive for COVID-19. He says he has mild symptoms, and doesn’t know where he got the virus.