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Poll: About half of Americans confident in democracy’s future

About half of Americans are confident about the future of democracy in the U.S., but nearly two-thirds say the country is not living out its founding principles, according to a recent poll. The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll surveyed more than 2,500 registered voters, asking them how confident they were about democracy’s future and how well America’s founding principles were being practiced today. A total of 63% indicated ‘not too well’ or ‘not well at all,’ though more still believed in democracy’s future than not (47% to 44%). The single-most optimistic group on ...

AG sues wedding photographer

From staff reports HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday has filed a lawsuit against a Philadelphia wedding photography business, alleging it failed to provide wedding photos and videos to customers and refused to refund deposits. The lawsuit, filed in Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, names Christina Hernandez Artistry LLC, doing business as Wandering Stardust Collective, and its owner, Christina Garcia. According to the Attorney General’s Office, the business entered into contracts with consumers to photograph and record their weddings but failed to deliver the ...

Valley REC golf outing raises $90K for six local families

From staff reports HUNTINGDON — Valley Rural Electric Cooperative’s annual Benefit Golf Outing raised approximately $90,000 to help six area families facing serious medical conditions. The fundraiser, held June 25 at Huntingdon Country Club, featured 52 teams competing in a best-ball scramble along with a silent auction and raffles. Valley REC employees closed the cooperative’s four offices for the day to organize and staff the event. “We hope this tournament is a bright day in the journey of these families who have faced so many challenges,” Valley REC President and CEO ...

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Police reports

Driver charged after alleged DUI crash into hotel McVeytown — A 60-year-old McVeytown woman is facing charges after allegedly crashing into the Wayne Hotel while performing donuts in the parking lot Thursday evening. According to Pennsylvania State Police at Lewistown, Laurie A. Atherton was operating a 2005 Toyota Tacoma at about 6:43 p.m. June 25 when she lost control while driving in the parking lot of the Wayne Hotel along U.S. 522 in Wayne Township, striking the building before fleeing the scene. Police later made contact with Atherton and conducted field sobriety tests, ...

As deadline looms, no state budget deal in Harrisburg

With one day left before the deadline to produce a state budget, closed-door negotiations among top state Democrats and Republicans were said to be continuing on Monday but there was no indication a deal had been reached. If no budget is passed by the end of Tuesday, it will be the fifth year in a row Pennsylvania leaders failed to meet the June 30 deadline. That time frame includes every year of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s three and one-half year tenure. The Republican-controlled Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday afternoon made a move that appeared to be a technical ...