In January 2020, a new type of gun law goes into effect in three states. Courts can temporarily remove firearms from someone deemed to be a risk to themselves or others. 

But, as part of our top stories of 2019, PA Post’s Ed Mahon looks at how efforts to pass a similar measure stalled in Pennsylvania.

How gun removal bills stalled in Pa. in 2019

Listen: Horse racing vs. college scholarships

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf wants to take about $200 million away from the horse racing industry and divert it to pay for scholarships at the 14 state-owned universities.

Horse racing vs. College scholarships

Audio story broadcast in Pennsylvania on April 3, 2020.

Audio: Gov. Wolf's business closure facing challenges from Republicans, some businesses

Some Republicans, business challenging Gov. Tom Wolf's business closures

During the coronavirus pandemic, 37-year-old Andrew Cousins saw his income as a rideshare driver in Erie drop by more than half.

Some days, he was lucky to hit $40. His efforts to find an IT job have stalled. Stay-at-home orders have separated him from friends -- which makes his depression harder to manage.

He finds moments of connection. Andrew documented the pandemic's effect on his life in video diaries and interviews, and shares his story as part of America Amplified.

He starts by talking about a community group he helped found, which was supposed to celebrate its one year anniversary two months ago.

Andrew Cousins: 'I want to go back to my normal Saturday night routine.”

Listen: The fight at one mask company in Pennsylvania

I worked with fellow PA Post reporter Emily Previti and America Amplified producer Andrea Tudhope on this non-narrated story about how the coronavirus has changed summer plans for people in Erie and Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This feature ran on the May 24, 2020, show, which was broadcast on stations across the country.
The image is of YahMoorah Shakoor-Hooker.
https://www.npr.org/podcasts/842652041/america-amplified-life-community-and-c-o-v-i-d-19

'Our lost summer': Erie and Williamsport

"As refugee children, we don’t belong anywhere," Biletambe Malango.

Listen: How refugees changed Erie

The city of Erie has seen hundreds of millions of dollars in new investments for building projects in recent years. That’s a promising sign for what has been a struggling economy. But Erie consistently ranks as one of the worst metro areas for black people, based on racial disparities in income and other factors. For America Amplified, PA Post’s Ed Mahon explains how a grassroots group of Black residents is trying to change that.

edmahonreporter