Tom Lisi

Trump admin. threatens to withhold $460M in food-stamp funding if Pa. doesn't share personal data A long-simmering battle between Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and the White House over the state’s food-stamp program is set to come to a head by the end of this week.

The USDA has given Pennsylvania until Friday to provide personal data about those who receive food assistance. And if it doesn’t get the data, it has threatened to withhold more than 10 cents of every dollar in food aid the state currently receives — nearly half a billion dollars each year.

Stricter work requirements for SNAP program already underway in Pennsylvania As of Sept. 1, many Pennsylvania adults receiving food assistance from the SNAP program must submit paystubs to the state to verify they worked or participated in a job training

Medicaid cuts got all the attention over the big beautiful bill, but those don’t take affect until after midterms. Similar SNAP cuts are taking effect now.

The level of mistrust is astounding. I swear, positive stories are harder than critical stories nowadays. Positive news requires cooperation. And there isn’t any. 4/4

I don’t really get how written answers are less likely to be misquoted. Is it that we don’t teach shorthand or typing? It’s not about having a record, we can all easily record our conversations. 3/

I get a call today that I need to submit questions in writing. Just to let people know about a loan for farmers. Guy says, sorry we’ve been misquoted so many times, the powers that be insist on this. Sigh. 2/

Here’s where we are in journalism: I made several calls to different levels of the USDA this week to talk to someone about a loan program for losses from a drought. I can’t think of something less controversial. 1/

My latest:

Talked to a number of people about the narrowing gap voter registrations here in PA. But maybe what’s just as notable as the GOP gaining on Dems is the consistent rise of independents — www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

Lancaster County GOP commissioners parlay story of car crash survivor into jabs at rival Editor's note: This story was updated on Aug. 27 at 6:27 p.m. to reflect a statement provided by Treasurer Amber Martin.

Hasn’t been this spicy for a few weeks in Lancaster County building.

Lancaster County GOP commissioners parlay story of car crash survivor into jabs at rival lancasteronline.com/news/local/l...

Personal news: I'm starting at WITF as its new state Capitol reporter.

I'm expanding my coverage of Pennsylvania government/politics, focusing on how decisions made in Harrisburg ripple out to affect people and communities across the Commonwealth.

Why is it so hard to know what Daryl Heller owns? A law professor explains. As a federal bankruptcy judge mulls whether to appoint a trustee to oversee former ATM network owner Daryl Heller’s personal Chapter 11 bankruptcy, legal experts say that real estate owned

Why is it so hard to know what Daryl Heller owns? A law professor explains. @lancasteronline.bsky.social

lancasteronline.com/news/local/w...

“He knows these officers are going to rely on what he's saying, that he’s reporting this to law enforcement, that's it’s going to be part of the response.”

New story today from @annrejrat.bsky.social and @spotlightpa.org about the regulatory failures at Field of Screams that contributed to a culture that saw teenage volunteers at the popular haunted attraction. The owners continue to remain silent about @annrejrat.bsky.social's findings.

Let’s look at U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker’s latest campaign finance reports, where he disclosed more than $1 million on hand as of June 30 between two PACs. 🧵⬇️

"It is hard to take @LancasterOnline seriously when they’re more interested in amplifying protest theatrics than covering the real work we do for Lancaster and York County families every day. Their recent article about how my staff meets with constituents on a weekly basis is bizarre—they meet with my office staff every week, but they say they can’t get in touch with me? The implicit bias of LNP is clear in their print and digital headlines. Their latest article lays out the exact reason why I do not do in-person town halls. Organizations like Indivisible have a playbook for intentionally disrupting public events. As I have said for years, I am interested in having productive conversations. I do that routinely meeting constituents one-on-one, in small groups, through telephone town halls, visits across the community, and more. Having a productive conversation is impossible when there are individuals who intend to disrupt the event. Public discourse is done a disservice with these antics. And leave it to Opinion Editor Suzanne Cassidy and the other avowed progressive liberals of the Editorial Board to ignore how the One Big Beautiful Bill finds over ONE TRILLION DOLLARS in SAVINGS—the greatest amount achieved in our nation’s history for a reconciliation bill. We achieve those savings by rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse of programs like Medicaid and SNAP, preserving the programs for those truly in need. The bill also advances the priorities that the American people care about—low taxes, border security, unleashing American energy, and providing for a strong national defense. Talk about out of touch. It’s not hard to see why LNP|LancasterOnline is continuing to fail."

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker responded in part to LNP's reporting on a group of local Indivisible members who organize weekly meetings with his staff to voice their opposition to his policy stances.

Full story here: lancasteronline.com/news/politic...

Interesting data: Amtrak usage in Lancaster County since COVID. Wonder where it is now.

These are Lancaster County's most dangerous intersections Lancaster County’s most dangerous intersections are located in West Hempfield Township, East Hempfield Township and Manheim Township, based on three different types of analysis that include recently...

Lancaster County’s most dangerous intersections are located in West Hempfield Township, East Hempfield Township and Manheim Township, based on three different types of analysis that include recently released data from the state Department of Transportation.
lanc.news/4kuFvb3

Attorney general: ‘Everyone is Welcome Here’ sign cannot be displayed in Idaho schools The sign violates a new law that prohibits the display of flags or banners have a political viewpoint, according to an Idaho attorney general’s office opinion obtained by EdNews through a pub…

Idaho Attorney General: ‘Everyone is Welcome Here’ sign cannot be displayed in Idaho schools because they are “part of an ideological/social movement.” www.idahoednews.org/top-news/att...

ATM network owner Daryl Heller failed to disclose four-acre property in Tioga County, breaking court rules Nearly five months into his personal bankruptcy proceeding, ATM network operator Daryl Heller is still struggling to meet the requirement that he reveal all of his personal assets.

Nearly five months into his personal bankruptcy proceeding, ATM network operator Daryl Heller is still struggling to meet the requirement that he reveal all of his personal assets.
lanc.news/3I6kSVb

Law enforcement pushes GOP commissioners to build central booking area in new Lancaster County prison Local law enforcement officials — from police chiefs, to the sheriff to the district attorney — believe plans for the new Lancaster County prison must include a space that streamlines

Local law enforcement officials — from police chiefs, to the sheriff to the district attorney — believe plans for the new Lancaster County prison must include a space that streamlines the booking process that follows an arrest.
lanc.news/445pgw5

Update on Lancaster County hazmat contract that expires next week — the county says nothing is official but doesn’t seem likely to keep working with HazMat 2.

HazMat 2 said it’s already been told to leave its building

An inside look at reopening Three Mile Island’s nuclear plant expected in 2027 [video] LONDONDERRY TOWNSHIP — Hundreds of analog switches, dials and levers covered a soft green panel in the control room of the renamed Unit 1 nuclear reactor on Three Mile Island

An inside look at the reopening of Three Mile Island’s nuclear reactor expected in 2027 (video/photos included) lancasteronline.com/news/politic...

Manheim Township police chief firing revives political debates of last 5 years Manheim Township commissioners were united Monday in their decision to fire police Chief Duane M. Fisher and their support for the police force he leaves behind.

My latest on sacking of Lancaster County police chief.

Tenants could see certain eviction filings sealed under proposal passed by Pa. House HARRISBURG — Tenants with eviction cases that are seven years or older are one step closer to having them sealed from the public eye.

Tenants could see certain eviction filings sealed under proposal passed by Pa. House lancasteronline.com/news/politic...

In recommending healthcare provider, Dauphin County Prison board ignores consultant rankings The board suggested the county hire one of two providers despite questions about misconduct and ethics.

The Dauphin County Prison Board recommended the county choose between PrimeCare & Wellpath for the jail’s healthcare
There is a wild disconnect with board members trusting an audit that found P was ok at DCP but recommending two of the lowest ranked bidders

www.pennlive.com/news/2025/06...

Latest on investigation.

National Labor Relations Board to 3rd Circuit Court: Hold the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Contempt on Health Care | The NewsGuild - TNG-CWA The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is facing the prospect of daily, compounding fines over its refusal to comply with a U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals order.

NEW: In 91 years of NewsGuild history, we’ve never seen anything like this.

The NLRB is asking a federal court to hold the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in contempt for refusing to restore health care to striking workers.

newsguild.org/national-lab...

This investigation was done by @annrejrat.bsky.social and we're proud to publish it.

Ann started this project when she was at LNP. Unfortunately, she got laid off last year. She brought it to us, asking if we'd consider working with her to get it out.

She did an amazing job on a difficult story.

'An impossible situation': Financial challenges push SDL closer to big tax hike [Lancaster Watchdog] Lancaster County’s largest school district plans to raise taxes 4.25% starting July 1, marking the highest increase since 2008 but still not enough to avoid layoffs and a hiring freeze.

The School District of Lancaster's board passed a proposed budget with a 4.25% tax increase. If approved in the district's final budget, that would be the highest tax increase from the city school district since 2008.

via @lancasteronline.bsky.social

lancasteronline.com/news/local/a...