(Harrisburg) -- Partisan posturing is in full effect at the state Capitol as budget talks continue to stall. Republican Representative Mario Civera -- who chairs the House Minority Appropriations panel -- has been hectoring Democratic leaders on the floor all week, urging them to call a full chamber vote on a spending plan.
But, Governor Rendell's chief of staff, Steve Crawford, is dismissing the GOP criticism.
Rendell and legislative leaders met twice this week. They're scheduled to sit down again on Monday.
(Harrisburg) -- Fireworks are always a big part of Fourth of July celebrations. But the current economic situation is forcing some midstaters to cut back on the amount of explosions this year. Kristina Stoltz of New Cumberland took her three kids to do their firecracker shopping at the Keystone Fireworks booth at Colonial Park Mall. She says they normally spend about $40 on sparklers and other fireworks but this holiday, they'll be spending half that.
Stoltz says they're also doing less traveling and trying to find other ways to save by going to free events and festivals closer to home. Brian Shaub, co-owner of Keystone Fireworks in Lancaster says three-quarters of sales will take place over the weekend, but so far, they're on par with last year.
In July, WITF reporter Scott Detrow will be spending three weeks in Iraq, embedded with the Pennsylvania National Guard's 56th Stryker Brigade. As part of his preparation for the trip, Scott read The Forever War, by NY Times correspondent Dexter Filkins. Â The book is a collection of gripping episodes that chronicle Filkins' work covering the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
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Scott Detrow, who recently won a national Edward R. Murrow Award for the ongoing WITF series Impact of War, was so taken with the book, he convinced us to make it our WITF/Borders Pick-of-the-Month for July. Here's Scott's report on The Forever War , and there's more information on the book below.
The NewsHour's Gwen Ifill discusses her latest book and current events.Gwen Ifill is moderator and managing editor of "Washington Week" and senior correspondent for "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer."
On the 2009 A Capitol Fourth, the Muppets of Sesame Street will perform a musical medley of patriotic favorites as well as iconic songs that we all know and love from this breakthrough children's television series that is celebrating 40 years of fun and learning.
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Recently, Elmo and Big Bird spoke with us about the Fourth of July, visiting Washington DC, and their upcoming appearance on A Capitol Fourth.
Jimmy Smits hosts this celebration of America's 233rd birthday, featuring fireworks, Barry Manilow, Aretha Franklin, pop star Natasha Bedingfield, the "Jersey Boys" cast, vocalist Michael Feinstein, pianist Andrew von Oeyen and the "Sesame Street" Muppets, as well as Erich Kunzel and the National Symphony Orchestra. Included: Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" accompanied by cannon fire from the U.S. Army Presidential Salute Battery. From the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
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A Capitol Fourth - America's National Independence Day Celebration Live on WITF-TV from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Saturday, July 4th, from 8:00 to 9:30 pm ET
(Harrisburg) -- Partisan posturing is in full effect at the state Capitol as budget talks continue to stall. Republican Representative Mario Civera -- who chairs the House Minority Appropriations panel -- has been hectoring Democratic leaders on the floor all week, urging them to call a full chamber vote on a spending plan.
(Harrisburg) -- Fireworks are always a big part of Fourth of July celebrations. But the current economic situation is forcing some midstaters to cut back on the amount of explosions this year. Kristina Stoltz of New Cumberland took her three kids to do their firecracker shopping at the Keystone Fireworks booth at Colonial Park Mall. She says they normally spend about $40 on sparklers and other fireworks but this holiday, they'll be spending half that.
The NewsHour's Gwen Ifill discusses her latest book and current events.Gwen Ifill is moderator and managing editor of "Washington Week" and senior correspondent for "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer."
Fourth of July Reflections from Elmo and Big Bird
