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Story of the day: Police chief Nate Harper is out, after Mayor Luke Ravenstahl “asks” for his resignation amid a slew of ethics questions. (You can watch the presser for yourself here.)It probably ain’t going to end here. For one thing, Harper’s replacement is Regina McDonald … who administers the secondary-employment program — which has been one focus of the investigation. Also, just as an FYI: During his press conference last night, Ravenstahl repeatedly professed that he was not a target of the investigation. But that may be less significant than it sounds, since prosecutors can change their minds in a hurry. (ADDED: I note our friends at Early Returns are making a similar point.)
Don’t plan on measuring for the drapes at Schenley High School any time soon: The Pittsburgh School Board is still riven by controversy over how to dispense with the building.
More Penn State-related legal action between Gov. Tom Corbett and the NCAA: The latter has now filed a lawsuit to overturn a state law requiring its $60 million Sandusky fine to be spent solely in Pennsylvania. And in other Penn State news … bars in State College stand to earn $5,000 for not serving alcohol on a “State Patty’s Day” drinking event this weekend. Hell, I’d not drink beer for half that.
Surprise, surprise: Sen. Pat Toomey earns an “A” grade from the Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity. (Tied for #2 was western PA House Rep. Tim Murphy.) But what’s this? Pat Toomey openly boasting of using federal money — and claiming it will “go a long way toward keeping jobs in Pennsylvania”? But … I thought “Washington doesn’t create jobs or prosperity”.
Finally, if all the grim headlines are getting you down, take a few minutes to test your knowledge of Pittsburgh neighborhoods, racing against the clock to locate such urban hotbeds as Chartiers City and New Homestead. (H/t to Null Space for this one.)
This article appears in Feb 20-26, 2013.
