Harrison Cann

Pennsylvania airports decline to show video blaming government shutdown on Democrats Transportation authorities have shelved the message out of concern it violates the Hatch Act

The Philly and Pittsburgh airports are among many nationwide not displaying a video of Kristi Noem blaming the ongoing government shutdown and its impacts on Transportation Security Administration operations on congressional Democrats.  www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...

Andrew Yang’s Forward Party endorses Pat Dugan in Philadelphia district attorney race Dugan, who lost to the incumbent Larry Krasner in the Democratic primary, is running again in the general election

With less than a month before Krasner v. Dugan Part II, the challenger has another group backing his campaign.

Andrew Yang’s Forward Party endorses Pat Dugan in Philadelphia district attorney race: www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...

SEPTA to keep aging fleet despite warning from national safety bureau After five fires this year, the NTSB is recommending SEPTA suspend its Silverliner IV fleet

The spotlight on SEPTA isn’t going away anytime soon.

The transit agency plans to keep its aging fleet despite a warning from national safety bureau: www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...

Commonwealth school districts are still working on improving buildings and environments Schools across the state have long dealt with mold, asbestos and other environmental hazards inside their walls.

My September feature:

Schools across the state have long dealt with mold, asbestos and other environmental hazards inside their walls.
www.cityandstatepa.com/policy/2025/...

Philadelphia pushes back against scrubbing of slavery from National Park signs City history runs up against the White House’s order to restore “truth and sanity” to historic sites.

New: Featuring several significant sites and historymakers’ homes, Philly is at a crossroads of accountability as President Trump’s administration continues its crackdown on historic landmarks and signage it deems “disparaging” of the country’s founders.
www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...

Gov. Josh Shapiro calls for states to have more sway over the largest U.S. power grid Shapiro kicked off the Summit of the State of PJM Interconnection in Philadelphia Monday morning

New: Pitching the “PJM Governors’ Collaborative,” Josh Shapiro called for states to have more of a say in PJM, a member-run organization overseen by a board of managers, to better advocate for their interests in the regional grid. www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...

Five for Friday: Recapping Philadelphia City Council’s legislative kickoff City & State’s highlight tape from Philly Council’s first day back in session

A Birds-themed look at Philly Council's return: This year's playbook includes a variety of moves, from tackling nuisance businesses to sidelining select smoking substances.

www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...

SEPTA’s short-term funding fix: How we got here and what’s next The Shapiro administration and PennDOT are moving forward with the transit agency’s request to use up to $394 million in capital assistance funds for daily operations

Latest: The Shapiro administration and PennDOT are moving forward with SEPTA’s request to use up to $394 million in capital assistance funds for daily operations.
www.cityandstatepa.com/policy/2025/...

Succession plan: Sharif Street steps down as state Democratic chair to focus on congressional run Street is one of at least seven candidates to throw their hat in the 3rd Congressional ring following Dwight Evans’ retirement announcement

Succession plan: Sharif Street, who stepped down as state Democratic chair to focus on a congressional run, is one of at least seven candidates to throw their hat in the 3rd Congressional ring following Dwight Evans’ retirement announcement.
www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...

Q&A with PUC Chair Stephen DeFrank The utility commission chair talks about meeting energy needs and impact of data centers

Earlier this month, I spoke with PUC Chair Stephen DeFrank.

As the head of the commission that regulates public utilities in PA, DeFrank talked about the state’s grid keeping up with rising demand, extreme weather events, cybersecurity threats and more. www.cityandstatepa.com/personality/...

Latest Issue City & State is the premier multimedia news organization dedicated to covering New York and Pennsylvania's local and state politics and policy.

Check out City & State's August issue and the 'Who's Who in Labor' list! fliphtml5.com/bundy/fvsy

Students, commuters, businesses bear brunt of budget-driven SEPTA service cuts The transit agency, facing a budget shortfall, began implementing service reductions just before the first day of the school year

Back-to-school season has started – and SEPTA is racking up unexcused absences.

In the wake of the continued inability of Harrisburg politicians to enact a budget and commit funding to public transit, SEPTA’s long-promised service cuts are taking effect:
www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...

Watlington said anecdotally that a high school that typically sees first day attendance around 90% had attendance numbers in the 70s today.

Mayor Parker and Superintendent Watlington are speaking now about the city’s contingency plans amid the SEPTA cuts.

Parker said 52,000 students, 1,000 city employees and about 65,000 seniors rely on public transit in Philly.

Happening now: Philly Councilmembers are holding a press conference urging Harrisburg lawmakers to pass SEPTA funding — the same day major service cuts are hitting the regional system.

Phillies, MLB leadership emphasize need for 2026 All-Star Game to invest in youth baseball, North Philadelphia A panel discussion at Temple University outlined how the 2026 event can leave a lasting impact and community investment.

Wednesday night, Temple’s Klein College of Media and Communication brought together the MLB, Phillies and the City of Philadelphia to explore how the 2026 MLB All-Star Game can leave a lasting impact on youth baseball and community investment in North Philly.
www.cityandstatepa.com/policy/2025/...

- 75% of schools that tested for radon found levels that exceeded the federal action level
- 52.3% of schools that tested for lead in drinking water exceeded action level
- 61.5% of schools had mold presence high enough to be recommended for remediation

Study: PA schools plagued by widespread lead, mold, radon and other environmental hazards A report on the environmental health of commonwealth schools found threats and harmful substances exist across the board

Alarming numbers about PA schools: A new report finds that environmental hazards, from widespread lead exposure in water and paint to the high prevalence of mold and radon, are impacting schools and students around the commonwealth. www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...

‘No Secret Police’ legislation seeks to unmask, identify ICE officers PA Senate Democrats have introduced a bill that would require law enforcement to identify themselves and remain maskless

New: PA Senate Dems are introducing a bill that would require law enforcement to identify themselves and remain maskless
www.cityandstatepa.com/policy/2025/...

‘It will be a disaster’: Labor leaders, teachers sound the alarm as SEPTA cuts loom Massive service reductions and fare increases would impact students, workers and residents around the region

Massive SEPTA service reductions and fare increases will impact students, workers and residents around the region.

I spoke with those who'll be impacted - from union members to teachers - about what the cuts will mean to them.
www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...

On WPHT, Kim Ward says Shapiro and House Dems are using city school children as "pawns" in the transit funding talks.

"I really find it terrible that they are using the most vulnerable people and our school kids to try to force the legislature and the people of PA to give in."

Update: On Sunday, after House Democrats indicated they would bring the bill up for a vote on second consideration and set up a Monday vote for third and final consideration, legislators re-committed the bill to the House Appropriations Committee – setting up the vote for Monday.

Gov. Josh Shapiro hammers home need for public transit funding in state budget The governor appeared next to other politicians and labor leaders at the latest in a string of press conferences calling for a state budget that funds public transit

Shapiro joined politicians and labor leaders at the latest in a string of press conferences calling for a state budget that funds public transit www.cityandstatepa.com/policy/2025/...

Shapiro says the state Senate continues to “fail to act” and fund mass transit.

“We are past the point of short term stop gap measures. We are past the point of a few months of fixes. It is time to have recurring long term revenue for SEPTA.”

Happening now: Gov. Shapiro is speaking at SEPTA HQ with labor leaders and local officials about the importance public transit funding.

Transit advocates’ three-word message for state Senate: ‘Do your job’ SEPTA is set to have drastic service cuts and fare increases should the state budget not include transit funding soon

Public transit advocates and riders had a clear message for the state Senate Wednesday morning: Do your jobs so we can get to ours.

www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...

Here are a few SEPTA substitutions should Philly's Regional Rail face severe cuts.

TLDR: Buses, walks and rideshare services could cost riders more time and money if funding issues cause route reductions. www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...

In Philadelphia, temporarily banning cars has become a new economic driver The city’s Open Streets program has become successful and popular enough that key figures are looking into how to make permanent road closures a reality.

Open Street initiatives have proven to be wildly successful in cities around the world. Now, with Philadelphia’s Open Streets program expanding in just its second year, many are wondering if there’s a path to a permanent pedestrian street in Center City.

www.cityandstatepa.com/policy/2025/...

African-American Chamber of Commerce keys on economic outlook, 2026 opportunities for Black-owned businesses Conversations centered around how the organization can be a ‘force multiplier’ for entrepreneurs, the city and the commonwealth.

The question for Black-owned businesses ahead of 2026 events: How can we become a key part of the economic engine? www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...

Breaking Regulations: Changing zoning, codes and bureaucracy could key housing solutions Pennsylvania politicians at all levels are scrambling to find effective solutions to the state’s affordable housing crisis.

New: With housing supply unable to keep up with demand, and rents and home prices only getting higher, it’s out with the NIMBYs and in with relaxed regulations that could be a construction catalyst. www.cityandstatepa.com/policy/2025/...