Free Republic

In her time as Pennsylvania’s top health official, Dr. Rachel Levine not only led the Commonwealth through the complexities of an opioid epidemic followed by a global viral epidemic, as a transgender woman she fended off the hateful rhetoric from detractors opposed to not only her progressive-leaning policies but her gender identity. At every turn, Levine stayed focused on the duties of her public office. Now, just a little more than 100 days in office as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health, Levine is leveraging the same steeliness of character in her official capacity at the national level. Levine pays...

With Pennsylvania’s mask mandate and COVID-19 restrictions in the rearview mirror, cases of the disease are increasing statewide. Over the past week, there have been 2,930 cases reported by the state Health Department — the highest weekly count reported since June 12, when 2,997 cases were reported within one week. This week’s number of cases is nearly twice that of the previous week’s total of 1,606 cases across the state. The statewide total of cases since the pandemic began is 1,217,857. The amount of individuals hospitalized and in intensive care due to the virus has also increased. On July 15,...

Rudy Giuliani’s law license has been suspended. In a ruling handed down by the New York State Supreme Court Thursday, the state’s Attorney Grievance Committee successfully moved to have the former New York mayor’s license suspended. Specifically, Giuliani’s actions related to his defense of former President Donald Trump were to blame, according to the court. “We conclude that there is uncontroverted evidence that respondent communicated demonstrably false and misleading statements to courts, lawmakers and the public at large in his capacity as lawyer for former President Donald J. Trump and the Trump campaign in connection with Trump’s failed effort at...

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania schools will remain shuttered for the rest of the academic year because of the coronavirus pandemic that has sickened thousands and caused hundreds of deaths statewide, the governor said Thursday. The extended shutdown order, issued by Gov. Tom Wolf's education secretary, affects more than 1.7 million students in public and private K-12 schools. It means children will spend the rest of the year learning remotely. It also wipes out school plays and concerts, sporting events, field trips, proms and everything else that typically happens during the spring. “While this was a critical step for us...

The GOP tax plan was passed through the Senate Friday night in a 51-49 vote. There are a number of things included in the last-minute text, including a provision by Sen. Gardner of Colorado that exempts Kombucha, a fermented tea drink, from alcoholic taxes and regulations. Why it matters: These are small examples of what got slipped in the bill last-minute as the Senate vote neared, and reveals some of the senators' pet projects back in their home states. Odd amendments included in the tax plan: Sen. Orrin Hatch Prohibit things like cash and gift cards to be given as...