BROOKE SCHULTZ

Reporter

Schultz is a reporter for The Associated Press based in Pennsylvania. She is a Report for America corps member.

Philadelphia Police Academy applicants take a a reading entry exam in Philadelphia, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. The city has moved to lower requirements for the entry physical exam at its police academy as part of a broader effort nationally to reevaluate policies that keep law enforcement applicants out of the job pool amid a hiring crisis. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

With police departments facing a hiring crisis, some policies are being loosened to find more cadets

The Philadelphia Police Department is seeing success in more recruits passing the entry physical fitness exam thanks to a new law that changed the standards.

FILE - This Oct. 17, 2023 file photo shows the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh. The Allegheny County jail could significantly increase its mental health staffing and provide more training about use of force and restraint after five inmates alleged that the Pennsylvania facility treats those with mental illness unfairly, under proposed settlement filed Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Allegheny County promises more mental health support, less use of force at its jail

The Allegheny County jail could significantly increase its mental health staffing and provide more training about use of force and restraint.

FILE - The West section of the State Correctional Institution at Phoenix is seen, June 1, 2018, in Collegeville, Pa. Arguing that solitary confinement worsens mental health crises and violates Constitutional rights, six people incarcerated at prisons throughout Pennsylvania, including the State Correctional Institution at Phoenix, filed a federal class action lawsuit Monday, March 4, 2024, seeking to end indefinite use of the practice. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma, File)

Mental health concerns prompt lawsuit to end indefinite solitary confinement in Pennsylvania

Arguing that solitary confinement worsens mental health crises and violates Constitutional rights, six people incarcerated at prisons throughout Pennsylvania have filed a federal class action lawsuit seeking to end indefinite use of the practice.

FILE - Taylor Swift wears a Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce puffer jacket, designed by Kristin Juszczyk, as she arrives before an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File)

Fashionable fan apparel is in the spotlight. There’s still an untapped market for the NFL

Taylor Swift in January donned a red puffer jacket with boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce’s number for a playoff game.

This Jan. 2024 combination photo shows nominees for a Bucks County special election to fill a vacant Pennsylvania state House seat, Republican Candace Cabanas, left, and Democrat Jim Prokopiak in Fairless Hills, Pa., (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Democrats retain majority in the Pennsylvania House with a 102-100 partisan divide

Democrats have retained their slim majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Voters elected a former school board member on Tuesday to represent them in a Philadelphia suburb that has been trending more to the left.

Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers his budget address for the 2024-25 fiscal year to a joint session of the Pennsylvania House and Senate in the Rotunda of the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Pennsylvania governor seeks billions for schools and development in budget that envisions legal weed

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s second budget proposes significant increases to education and economic development and would regulate adult use marijuana, while leaning heavily on Pennsylvania’s flush reserves to underwrite his vision.

This Jan. 2024 combination photo shows nominees for a Bucks County special election to fill a vacant Pennsylvania state House seat, Republican Candace Cabanas, left, and Democrat Jim Prokopiak in Fairless Hills, Pa., (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Democrats are defending their majority in the Pennsylvania House for 4th time in a year

The balance of power in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is at stake for the fourth time in a year.

The debate over Native American mascots persists as some schools reinstate the logos

A passionate student letter prompted a southern Pennsylvania school district to change its Native American logo years ago.

Pennsylvania’s governor to push for millions in funds for economic development in budget

Pennsylvania’s Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to devote millions of dollars to creating a 10-year economic development plan.

FILE - Vegetation stands in the foreground of the Pennsylvania Capitol on Dec. 16, 2021, in Harrisburg, Pa. Democrats in majority control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives advanced several gun control measures Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2024, including an attempt to ban sales of automatic and semi-automatic guns after years of standstill in the politically divided state government. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Gun control measures advance out of Democratic-controlled Pennsylvania House committee

Democrats in majority control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives have advanced several gun control measures.

Workers begin demolition Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at the Tree of Life building in Pittsburgh, the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, as part of the effort to reimagine the building to honor the 11 people who were killed there in 2018. The demolition work began slowly, with crews picking away at the building's exterior. Most the building will be removed, although portions of the sanctuary walls will be preserved. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Tree of Life synagogue demolition begins ahead of rebuilding site of deadly antisemitic attack

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Demolition got underway Wednesday at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, as part of the effort to reimagine the building to honor the 11 people who were killed there in 2018.

Democrats’ education funding report says Pennsylvania owes $5B more to school districts

A commission reviewing how Pennsylvania distributes money to public schools has approved a report that suggests the state is underfunding its districts by more than $5 billion.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner speaks in Philadelphia, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philly’s elected prosecutor sues to stop law designed to limit authority on transit system crimes

Philadelphia’s two-term elected progressive district attorney is suing to halt the appointment of a new special prosecutor for crimes that occur on the city’s trains.

Radio reporter fired over comedy act reinstated after an arbitrator finds his jokes ‘funny’

A reporter who was fired for his standup comedy has been reinstated to his job at a Philadelphia-based public radio station through an arbitrator.

Poor schools are prepared to return to court if Pennsylvania budget falls short on funding plan

The poor schools that won a landmark school funding court case in Pennsylvania last year are prepared to go back to court if the Legislature and governor don’t adequately address shortfalls in the coming months.

Cherelle Parker, the newly sworn-in 100th mayor of Philadelphia, left, and new Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, right, raise their hands together to the audience during their inauguration ceremony, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at the Met in Philadelphia. (Alejandro A. Alvarez/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Cherelle Parker publicly sworn in as Philadelphia’s 100th mayor

Cherelle Parker has been sworn in as Philadelphia’s 100th mayor, becoming the first woman in that role.

FILE - Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner speaks with members of the media during a news conference in Philadelphia on Oct. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Philly’s progressive prosecutor, facing impeachment trial, has authority on transit crimes diverted

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A new law taking aim at Philadelphia’s progressive prosecutor creates a new position that diverts authority from the twice-elected district attorney, with Republican lawmakers arguing the legislation is necessary to prosecute crimes they say aren’t pursued.

FILE - Taylor Swift performs during "The Eras Tour," May 5, 2023, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. Swift is adding one more accolade to her repertoire this year: a resolution recognizing 2023 as the Taylor Swift era in her home state of Pennsylvania. The resolution passed the state House of Representatives on Wednesday, Dec. 13. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

Pennsylvania is in its Taylor Swift era, her home state decides

Taylor Swift is adding one more accolade to her list of accomplishments this year: a resolution recognizing 2023 as the Taylor Swift era in her home state of Pennsylvania.

Private schools, child care legislation pass in Pennsylvania as lawmakers move past budget feud

Lawmakers are moving past a monthslong budget feud in Pennsylvania’s Capitol. The House and Senate approved legislation Wednesday that ties up loose ends and sends millions more to subsidize private school tuition and child care.

FILE - The Pennsylvania Capitol is seen, Feb. 21, 2023, in Harrisburg, Pa. Public school advocates in Pennsylvania are criticizing publicly funded programs that pay tuition at private and religious schools. They say many such schools discriminate by cherry-picking which students are able to attend. School funding is an unresolved area of contention as the House and Senate return to session on Monday, Dec. 11. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Pennsylvania school choice program criticized as ‘discriminatory’ as lawmakers return to session

Public school advocates in Pennsylvania are criticizing publicly funded programs that pay tuition at private and religious schools.

FILE - Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner speaks during a news conference in Philadelphia, Jan. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

GOP impeachment effort against Philadelphia prosecutor lands before Democratic-majority court

Pennsylvania’s highest court is deliberating whether the Legislature can proceed with its impeachment trial against Philadelphia’s elected progressive prosecutor.

Pennsylvania House passes ‘shield law’ to protect providers, out-of-staters seeking abortions

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives has passed a measure seeking to protect those who come to Pennsylvania to get abortions.

FILE - The Pennsylvania Capitol is seen, Feb. 21, 2023, in Harrisburg, Pa. Democrats who control the state House of Representatives on Tuesday, Nov. 14, advanced an estimated $1.8 billion boost to the pensions of Pennsylvania state government and public school retirees, with supporters saying they have been hard hit by inflation. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Pennsylvania House OKs $1.8 billion pension boost for government and public school retirees

Lawmakers are advancing an estimated $1.8 billion boost to the pensions of Pennsylvania state government and public school retirees.

FILE - In this Aug. 30, 2020 file photo, an unidentified man participates in a Blue Lives Matter rally in Kenosha, Wis. A federal court has ruled that a Pennsylvania township cannot ban an American flag with a thin blue line from being publicly displayed, or prohibit use of its image by township employees, saying it is a violation of the First Amendment. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

Barring ‘thin blue line’ flag on Pennsylvania township property is unconstitutional, US court rules

A federal court has decided that a resolution prohibiting the display of an American flag with a thin blue line on all township property in a Pennsylvania community is unconstitutional.

Democrat Susan Gibson, middle, hugs supporters after an announcement that she and fellow Democrats swept the Central Bucks, Pa., school board races on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. (Jason Nark/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Liberal and moderate candidates take control of school boards in contentious races across US

Liberal and moderate candidates have won seats in high-profile polarizing elections against social conservatives across the U.S.

FILE - The Michigan State Capitol is photographed, Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Lansing, Mich. Democrats in Michigan who have enjoyed control of the governor’s office and slim majorities in both chambers of the Legislature for the past year will soon temporarily lose their majority in the House of Representatives. Two state representatives, Lori Stone and Kevin Coleman, won mayoral races in suburban Detroit and are expected to vacate their seats later this month. The loss of two-seats will put the state House in a 54-54 deadlock until special elections can be held. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

Wins in local races will disrupt Michigan and Pennsylvania Democrats’ hold on legislative chambers

Michigan and Pennsylvania will emerge from the Tuesday election with House legislative chambers evenly split between Republicans and Democrats in yet another sign of how narrowly divided the two swing states have become.

Democratic mayoral candidate Cherelle Parker takes the stage during an election night party in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Parker was elected as Philadelphia's 100th mayor, becoming the first woman to hold the office. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Voters elect Democrat Cherelle Parker as Philadelphia’s 100th mayor — and the 1st woman

Pennsylvania voters have elected women for the first time to lead Philadelphia and the state’s second-largest county, which includes Pittsburgh.

A Pennsylvania nurse is accused of killing 4 patients, injuring others with high doses of insulin

A Pennsylvania nurse who allegedly gave lethal doses of insulin to numerous patients at health care facilities has been charged with additional crimes.

FILE - The Pennsylvania Capitol is seen, Dec. 16, 2021, in Harrisburg, Pa. Four of Pennsylvania’s top universities are getting closer to receiving their overdue state subsidies after the state House of Representatives passed their appropriation on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, with the caveat the schools must freeze tuition next year. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

4 Pennsylvania universities closer to getting millions after House OKs bill on state subsidies

Four of Pennsylvania’s top universities are a step closer to receiving delayed state subsidies. The state House of Representatives passed their annual appropriations Tuesday, setting the condition that the schools freeze tuition next year.

Bill to increase transparency of Pennsylvania’s universities passes House

An effort supporters say will increase transparency in several leading Pennsylvania universities passed the House of Representatives while the universities’ annual state subsidies remain snarled in the Legislature due to a partisan funding dispute.