Gabby Pogel
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Legal Hotline: Prizes in Bingo and Small Games Ads
Q: Can bingo and small games of chance ads include specific prizes and dollar amounts of prizes? A: Pennsylvania’s Bingo Law allows prizes and dollar value of prizes to be awarded in each game and in a single day to appear in ads, but the Small Games of Chance Act does not permit prizes or dollar values…
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Essential Tips for Staying Safe on the Job
Best practices for journalists On January 12, PNA hosted the eleventh session of the PNA Foundation Journalism Training Certification Program. Attendees gained safety best practices, including managing interactions with public officials, navigating potentially volatile situations, and protecting themselves while covering events. Explore the list of safety suggestions below. Moderated by Paula Knudsen Burke, senior supervising…
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Legal Hotline: Organizational Meetings 2026
Q: A local borough council member told me they won’t be holding an organizational meeting in January, and they are the only borough in my area not holding one. Aren’t boroughs required to hold an organizational meeting every year, and are these organizational meetings public? A: Boroughs are required to hold an organizational meeting in even-numbered…
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Sunshine Act Regular Meeting Notice
Q: Does the Sunshine Act require agencies to provide a general meeting notice at the beginning of the year, and if so, what are the requirements? A: Yes. The Sunshine Act requires agencies to provide public notice of its regular meeting schedule. Section 709 of the Act requires agencies to “give public notice of its first regular…
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Herald-Standard’s Give-A-Christmas campaign raises funds for local Salvation Army programs
For 40 years, The Herald-Standard (Uniontown) has conducted its annual Give-A-Christmas campaign to support Salvation Army service centers in Fayette County. The campaign’s goal this year is to raise $10,000, with all donations remaining in the local area to help fund the Salvation Army’s many community programs. The holiday fundraiser began four decades ago when…
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Wayne Lowman is the new publisher at the Gettysburg Times
Wayne Lowman was named publisher of the Gettysburg Times in August, officially taking the reins in September. Lowman spent the previous seven years as the general manager for the Daily Collegian, the print and digital student-run newspaper at Penn State University – Main Campus. Lowman has previous experience covering Adams County. He was the editor…
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Times Old Newsies carry forward an 86-year holiday tradition of giving
Each December, a familiar burst of festive spirit returns to Erie County as the Times Old Newsies embark on their annual holiday fundraiser. Known publicly as the Times Old Newsies, the organization operates as the Times Needy Fund, an independent nonprofit founded in 1939 to support residents facing food insecurity. Its mission has remained unchanged…
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Legal Hotline: Proposed budget copies and inspection
Q: A borough in our coverage area discussed and approved a proposed budget at its last public meeting. They also published public notice of the proposed budget’s approval. When I asked for a copy at the meeting and later at the borough’s main office, officials refused and said I can review a copy of the proposed…
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MediaNews Group continues 35-year tradition with Operation Holiday begun by The Mercury
For 35 years, The Mercury (Pottstown) now joined by the Reading Eagle, The Reporter (Lansdale), The Times Herald (Norristown) and Daily Local News (West Chester), have united their readers around a shared mission: ensuring local families can experience a warm, hope-filled holiday season. Fundraising for the 2025 Operation Holiday program began on November 23, renewing…
