PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh: Democratizing SAT prep
Neighbors in Need is a nonprofit that provides scholarships to Pittsburgh Prep, a tutoring company. Together, they launched a free online SAT tutoring course. Now, the College Board has partnered with Khan Academy to do the same, in a push to make SAT prep available even to those who don’t have money to spend on private tutors.
Southwest PA: Horse therapy horse for people with PTSD and disabilities
Horses are among the best therapy animals because they’re responsive to human emotion and body language. Four farms in Southwestern Pennsylvania can help treat children with both physical and mental disabilities and at-risk children who’ve been abused. Nickers ‘n Neighs is also partial to help veterans overcome post-traumatic stress.
Washington County: Donora drug bust
The Washington County District Attorney arrested a 28-year-old man on charges of intent to deliver heroin, possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. Authorities confiscated 263 stamp bags of heroin.
Reading: FBI search City Hall, continuing Allentown case
The FBI moved to Reading, where they served warrants at the mayor’s office, city council, the finance department and controller, seeking documents related to contracts. The offices are cooperating. Mayor Vaughn Spencer used the same campaign consultant as Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski: H Street Industries.
Philadelphia: Questions surrounding a ‘Good Samaritan’ case
Does it count as self-defense when you shoot someone who may have committed a crime that you didn’t see? That’s what Hatboro Councilman George Forgeng did when he shot and wounded a bank robbery suspect. Forgeng didn’t see the crime, didn’t know whether the suspect was armed and only assumed guilt because of a broken dye pack outside the bank.
Harrisburg: Couple caught having sex on federal building roof, including U.S. Marshal
A photographer leaked photos of the couple on Wednesday, sending them to the news because she feared they could pose a security risk. At least one of the suspects is in the U.S. Marshals Service. The incident is currently under investigation.
NATIONAL
Office of Personnel director resigns
After news regarding the scope of the cyber attack broke, Katherine Archuleta submitted her resignation to President Obama on Friday. The acting role will be filled by the former director of a consulting firm until a new, competent and technologically savvy replacement can step in to manage the crisis.
Charleston shooter shouldn’t have been able to buy gun
A loophole in the system allowed Dylann Roof, suspected Charleston, S.C., shooter, to purchase the handgun allegedly used for the murders. Roof tried to buy the gun but was denied because further investigation into his criminal history was needed. The FBI didn’t obtain the documents within the three-day waiting period, so Roof was able to return and buy the gun.
Parole boards keep prisoners behind bars
The U.S. has more than 1.5 million people incarcerated, and 26 states have nearly limitless authority to determine who stays there and why, and they don’t have to give reasons. Parole boards only release a fraction of prisoners because they don’t want those releases to haunt them.
IN OTHER NEWS
Toronto mourns, offers candlelight vigil for dead raccoon
It started when a concerned citizen tweeted Animal Services to pick up the body of a dead raccoon. But despite repeated notices, it was left there for more than 10 hours. As the day progressed, more passersby stopped to honor the animal. People brought flowers, cards, a framed photograph and candles, and named him Conrad.
The daily report was compiled by Stephanie Roman, a PublicSource intern. You can reach her with questions or suggestions at sroman@publicsource.org.
