Politics
Judge rejects Trump lawsuit seeking to force Philadelphia to allow poll watchers
Philadelphia lawyers argued that because satellite offices are not official voting locations like polling places, poll watchers are not permitted under state law to observe activities there.
Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board endorses Joe Biden for president
The Inquirer editorial board outlined five key areas in which Biden would be able to better benefit Pennsylvania: public health, the environment, the economy, racial justice, and education.
Phila. District Attorney launches task force to investigate voter intimidation
The task force consisting of local prosecutors and detectives will be responsible for reviewing and investigating complaints until and after election day.
Political and film groups host screening of 'Boys State' documentary amid election season
"Boys State" follows over a thousand 16-and-17-year-old boys who gather for an elaborate mock exercise in which they “build” their own state government, mirroring the intense party divisions and hyper-masculinity currently plaguing national politics.
Biden will hold Philadelphia town hall in lieu of canceled second presidential debate
The debate was canceled on Oct. 19 after President Donald Trump, who had recently tested positive for COVID-19, refused to participate in a virtual debate
Phila. councilmember, Penn alum Helen Gym urges her alma mater to pay PILOTs amid pandemic
While Gym believes Penn has made great contributions to Philadelphia, she thinks the University has an unfinished role in uplifting one of the poorest cities in the country.
Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey announces retirement
The announcement comes as a shock to Philadelphia's political establishment, as Toomey's decision puts Republicans at a disadvantage in the state's next elections.
'Sheer hypocrisy': Professors, Penn Dems express concern over Barrett's election year nomination
They were especially frustrated with the perceived hypocrisy of the Republican Senators who blocked former President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee in March 2016, stating that the winner of the upcoming election should decide who chooses the nominee.
Biden holds lead over Trump in post-debate polls of Pennsylvania voters
Pennsylvania voters gave worse ratings of Trump’s personal characteristics in a New York Times/Siena College survey conducted just after the first presidential debate.
Penn Dems and College Republicans face off in Penn's edition of the presidential debate
Student debaters explained why they feel that their respective candidates are best fit to lead the nation for the next four years, with particularly tense moments occurring when the speakers faced off about white supremacy.
‘Avalanche of lies’: Election experts, students critique Trump’s presidential debate antics
Several students and professors stressed their frustration with candidates’ inability to achieve productive discussion, and cited Trump’s refusal to condemn white supremacy as one of the night's most shocking sentiments.
Phila. judge orders USPS to halt cost-cutting changes in anticipation of election
Pennsylvania joined six other states and the District of Columbia on Monday in requesting the halt.
From civil rights to Black Lives Matter: Inside the fight for racial justice at Penn
The Black Lives Matter movement inspires numerous comparisons to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. But some Penn alumni — who have marched on its bloodiest streets and decades later, remain committed to seeking justice — are not convinced there can necessarily be a direct comparison.
Pa. Governor Tom Wolf criticizes Trump for holding campaign rallies during pandemic
Trump's packed rallies, including many unmasked attendees, have conflicted with state COVID-19 restrictions.
Philadelphia city treasurer fired after charges in multiple fraud schemes
Philadelphia Treasurer Christian Dunbar, appointed in 2019, was removed from his position Friday after being charged with fraudulently obtaining United States citizenship through marriage fraud and bank embezzlement from a prior job.
Pennsylvania will allow mail-in ballots this election. Here's all you need to know.
While absentee ballots require the voter to list a reason they cannot vote in person– like traveling out of state during the election, or having an illness or physical disability – anyone can apply for and receive a mail-in ballot.
CAFSA says Penn’s compliance with latest Title IX policy is ‘extremely unethical’
The new regulations now allow different third party advisors, who may be attorneys, to cross-examine students involved in the complaint, and they make the definition of "sexual assault" more narrow and subjective.
Kamala Harris meets Penn community members, Dem. party leaders while campaigning in Phila.
After spending the morning with Latinx elected officials and community leaders during a closed-door roundtable discussion in Kensington, Harris made a surprise visit to the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee headquarters.
Penn Dems will deliver voting materials to over 500 off-campus residences to boost turnout
The goal of the initiative is to make it easier and free-of-charge for undergraduates living near campus to have the materials to get their vote in on time.