Will new COVID spike tamp down in-person voting, leading to a GOP disaster?

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa On Saturday, The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 1,742 new cases of COVID-19, the highest number reported in the state since April. National sources reported about 55,000 new cases — without Florida numbers — and nearly 1,000 deaths. Since there appear to be no new restrictions to limit the spread of the virus on the horizon, we’re...

Pa. legislative Republicans show irresponsibility — again — in new COVID outbreak

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa It’s been a long year, considering it’s just been a week. I can’t list the entire magnum of chaos that happened this past week in D.C., so I’m going to focus on the ones that immediately impact voting in Pennsylvania and Chester County. Keeping it local, it looks like the Republicans in the legislature were saved from themselves when State...

The fact-challenged whiners are winning on COVID, and we’re all going to lose

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Well, ready or not, we’re reopening. Tomorrow, restaurants will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity, it looks like the college football leagues that initially cancelled will now try to play and there is increasing pressure for local school districts to resume in-person instruction. Now, understand, these moves aren’t based on science or that...

Wolf calls out Trump, GOP, saying they continue to be ‘irresponsible’ on COVID

Gov. Tom Wolf In the wake of a ruling by a federal judge declaring some of his emergency orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Tom Wolf issued a scathing statement Tuesday, calling out President Donald Trump and Republicans in the legislature (and some of the toady business groups egging them on locally). In a lengthy, fiery statement, Wolf called out Republicans over distorting the truth,...

Wolf gives green light to restaurants increasing indoor capacity to 50%, Sept. 21

Hands with glasses over a festive table. Offering some hope to local struggling restaurants, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday that he would ease indoor seating restrictions from a max of 25% percent of capacity to 50% of capacity — but would require restaurants to stop serving alcohol after 10 p.m. and eateries to “self certify” that they are meeting all health and safety requirements. “While...

Let’s not blame local officials for playing it safe in the Age of COVID

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa By rights, we should be enjoying the start of a new school year — bragging on our kids, showing off their new clothes and school gear. In a normal year, we should talking about which high school football teams in the Ches-Mont are early break outs and which programs look to be struggling. We should, as usual, bemoan the length and stupidity of the...

Roadtrip shows why we’re losing the fight against COVID-19

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa The great thing about a road trip is seeing how amazing America can be. In a pandemic, though, one also sees how foolish, ignorant and careless some Americans can be. A few thoughts from voluntary quarantine (beyond the fact that sleeping on the couch in my home office/detention cell is not super comfortable). My daughter is a sophomore (and a half...

Chesco Commissioners to Wolf: shutdown Mariner East II

WEST CHESTER — The County Commissioners Tuesday strongly called on Gov. Tom Wolf to end construction and revoked permits on the Mariner East II pipeline after a series of events, including sinkholes and release of materials into Marsh Creek Lake. The letter making the request said: Dear Governor Wolf: During a telephone conference with Commonwealth officials on Friday, August 14, 2020,...

Could Wolf’s call on HS sports help reelect Trump?

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa It’s probably not Gov. Tom’s Wolf’s intention, but if his actions this week prevent fall high school sports, he may have unwittingly helped reelect President Donald Trump. Before you lose your — well, you know — hear me out. Generally speaking, I’ve been pretty consistent in my praise of Wolf’s actions regarding COVID-19. His aggressive...

PIAA to Wolf: Cancelling 2020 sports may have ‘unintended consequences’

By Mike McGann, Editor, the Times @mikemcgannpa The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) is asking Gov. Tom Wolf to have a discussion about the cancellation of fall school sports, after the governor said Thursday he strongly recommends cancelling all youth sports through Jan. 1, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wolf did not order a ban — the ultimate decision on fall sports...