Tom Riese
ReporterTom Riese is WESA's first reporter based in Harrisburg, covering western Pennsylvania lawmakers at the Capitol. He came to the station by way of Northeast Pennsylvania's NPR affiliate, WVIA. He's a York County native who lived in Philadelphia for 14 years and studied journalism at Temple University.
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Pennsylvania lawmakers rebuked U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Wednesday, denouncing disparaging comments he made recently about autism. -
Democrat Dan Frankel, who chairs the House health committee, wants the state to create 'strict reporting requirements' for companies that sell cannabis products used for medical purposes. -
Since last week, when Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order to more easily hire former federal employees to state jobs, more than 700 laid-off feds have applied for 1,200 jobs, a spokesperson for the state's human resources office says. -
Governor said the order directs state agencies to consider relevant federal experience analogous to state-level experience — a move that could improve the hiring prospects of those government workers. He also unveiled a new state career website to attract fired federal workers. -
Governor Josh Shapiro says the state once again has access to more than $2 billion of federal money that had been frozen last month by the Trump administration. -
The decision Thursday comes weeks after 22 other states challenged the president's decision. Notably, Republican Attorney General Dave Sunday's office is not listed on the formal complaint. -
The bipartisan legislation comes from two southwestern Pennsylvania lawmakers, Rep. Arvind Venkat (D-McCandless) and Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Upper St. Clair). The bill passed the Agriculture committee last week and could see a floor vote on Wednesday. -
PJM Interconnection, which controls the flow of electricity to a dozen states, planned to hike rates for consumers through 2028. Shapiro joined the governors of Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey to file a federal complaint Dec. 30 to try to block the move. -
Republican state Senate Leader Joe Pittman says he’ll introduce a bill to regulate skill games with hopes of diverting revenue to transit and transportation infrastructure. Opponents of tying the two interests together want to see other options. -
Pennsylvania’s three statewide row officers have been sworn in to four-year terms, marking the first time that all three offices were filled by Republicans at the same time who were elected. Attorney General Dave Sunday spoke about his prosecutorial philosophy.
- Democratic state Rep. Matt Gergely dies, weeks after medical emergency
- Advocates say Pennsylvania must speed up efforts to fund poor school districts
- Outgoing Pennsylvania AG Michelle Henry tapped to lead inspector general's office
- Push for marijuana legalization in Pennsylvania includes calls for social equity
- Pennsylvania gun-reform group takes aim, again, at 'Glock switch'
- Pa. state House member and ER doctor Arvind Venkat urges 'no' vote on RFK Jr.
- Pennsylvania Education Secretary Khalid Mumin resigns, replacement announced
- Pa. education officials say teacher training lawsuit won’t affect classroom curriculum
- 'State's defender' or 'top cop'? Differing views on role of Pennsylvania AG shape race
- Pa. House members seek voter education in county jails, state issues guidance