U.S. Soldiers from the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team have recently gone to Africa to help Special Operations Command Africa. There are nine Soldiers going to Somalia in the Horn of Africa and five going to Benin in West Africa as part of Task Force Iroquois teams. “During our time together, we have become a strong team that works hard to accomplish our mission and takes care of each other,” said Lt. Col. Mark Kurzawa, the officer-in-charge of the Horn of Africa Forward Logistical Element. Since January, the members of the task force have taken part in...

Although the term “squatter’s rights” may seem contradictory, it is becoming a concern that has led lawmakers to look for more protections for homeowners in Pennsylvania. Although squatters are considered trespassers, not all trespassers are squatters. The confusion between different terms and the absence of specific laws to deal with the newest type of squatting has created difficulties for both the police and homeowners. State Representatives Martina White from Philadelphia and Donna Scheuren from Gilbertsville have introduced bills to create a clear legal process for removing squatters from homes. Every state has laws called Squatters Rights that apply to people...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified two commonly found chemicals as hazardous substances. This is an important measure taken to safeguard your health, according to experts. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used a lot. The EPA has classified both substances as hazardous under the federal Superfund law, which deals with the clean-up of toxic waste. “We refer to them as forever chemicals because they remain in the environment and our bodies for a long time.” “They usually don’t stop working,” explained Stephanie Wein, an advocate for clean...

The Illinois Senate approved a bill on Thursday that would prohibit the use of four food additives commonly found in products such as candy, soda, and baked goods. The Illinois Food Safety Act, also known as Senate Bill 2637, was approved with a bipartisan vote of 37-15. It will now move to the House for further consideration. The chemicals that would be banned are brominated vegetable oil, red dye No. 3, propylparaben, and potassium bromate. These additives are used in many different types of food products. Brominated vegetable oil is a substance that helps prevent citrus flavoring in sodas from...

The office of Attorney General Dana Nessel is investigating a $20 million grant given to a businesswoman in Metro Detroit. The grant money was used for various expenses, such as a $4,500 coffee maker, a $11,000 first-class plane ticket, and $408,000 in salaries for two individuals over a period of three months. Nessel’s office has confirmed that they are investigating a grant given to Fay Beydoun for a nonprofit organization. The organization was incorporated just 10 days after the spending bill containing the earmarked funds was passed. The office refused to give more details, including why they became interested in...

Dan Gilbert’s real estate company announced on Wednesday that their new skyscraper, located on the Hudson’s site in downtown Detroit, will include an ultraluxury EDITION Hotel. Additionally, there will be 97 residential condos with a similar high-end branding. The EDITION Hotel, which is owned by Marriott, has been anticipated to open in a new 45-floor skyscraper for some time. However, these plans were only officially confirmed on Wednesday. The condominiums, which will be located above the hotel floors of the skyscraper, will be called The Residences at The Detroit EDITION. The residences are expected to be ready for occupancy in...

Lee Chatfield, the former Speaker of the Michigan House, has been accused of stealing money from both public and private sources. The money was allegedly used to fund a luxurious lifestyle, including expensive meals, fancy hotels, and trips to exotic places. Attorney General Dana Nessel announced on Tuesday that Chatfield and his wife, Stephanie, are facing felony charges for these actions. Chatfield, aged 35, was a leader of the majority party at the state Capitol from 2019 to 2020. He has been charged with 13 counts of embezzlement, conspiracy, and larceny in East Lansing district court, according to Nessel’s announcement...

Daily Detroit News: Kara Berg, a reporter for the Detroit News, was recently recognized by the Michigan Press Association Foundation. She received the 2024 Wade H. McCree Advancement of Justice Award, along with three other journalists. Berg won a journalism award on Sunday in East Lansing for her special series called “Michigan Kids keep dying on Child Protective Services’ watch.” The series investigated and documented several cases of child abuse and neglect in the state’s Children’s Protective Services. In a statement, officials from the MPA Foundation said that Berg’s reporting provided possible solutions for policymakers to consider as they work...

A man from Pittsburgh is being charged with a serious crime for reportedly attempting to meet a young person and trying to take a gun from the police officer who apprehended him. Adham Helmi, who is 22 years old, is being charged with a serious crime called statutory sexual assault. The police were told by a group called 814 Pred Hunters that he had been having sexual conversations with someone he thought was a 15-year-old girl, but it was actually a decoy. Helmi and the decoy had supposedly arranged to meet at a hotel on April 17 to engage in...

Pennsylvania’s online casino games had an extremely successful month in March, breaking records for state gaming revenue. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced this week that the total revenue from all types of gaming in the state reached a record high of over $554.6 million for the month. Pennsylvania earned over $191 million in revenue from iGaming for the month. In December 2023, the highest monthly gaming revenue for Pennsylvania was $534.2 million. Users in Pennsylvania made the most of the top PA online casino bonus codes, resulting in record-breaking revenue this month. iGaming Drives Pennsylvania Revenues Last month, Pennsylvania...