The year changes, but many questions remain the same
Politics
January 5, 2026

The year changes, but many questions remain the same

Anew year, the same questions. The turning of the calendar page doesn’t necessarily mean that the country has turned a page. Many of the same mysteries, many of the same challenges, many of the same principal actors remain -- though with nuances that could not have been anticipated a year ago, when Joe Biden was in his last month, when Donald Trump was girding for a second term.

Shapiro signs Pa. school cellphone ban
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By By WHITNEY DOWNARD Pennsylvania 
October 27, 2026
The new law bans student cell phone use in schools from the first bell through dismissal beginning next school year. Capital-Star More than 1.7 million K-12 students in public and private schools in P...
Voters to choose new 50th District state rep.
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By MICHAEL VINSICK mvinsick@yourmvi.com 
October 27, 2026
Republican Ben Humble and Democrat Lois Bower-Bjornson will face each other on Election Day. Voters in Pennsylvania’s 50th Legislative District will choose a new representative to represent them next ...
Family seeking help for Donora mother who suffered a stroke after giving birth
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By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
October 27, 2026
SheyAnne Holmes, a veteran and nurse at the county prison, has a long road to recovery, her family said. A Donora woman’s family is looking for the community’s help after she suffered a medical emerge...
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SPORTS
October 27, 2026
EQT move EQT moved to acquire Range Resources in a $13B stock deal. A3 EF girls advance The No. 7 Warriors are quarterfinal bound after beating visiting Latrobe.. A5