Fiedler named chair of House Energy Committee
State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler was appointed majority chair of the newly established Pennsylvania House Energy Committee.
Pennsylvania is the nation’s second-largest supplier of energy, and hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians work in the energy sector. As chair of the House Blue-Green Caucus, Fiedler has worked to advance energy policy that preserves these family-sustaining jobs while increasing production of renewables.
“I’m honored that Speaker McClinton and Leader Bradford have entrusted me with such an important role, and I’m ready to do big things with the new committee,” Fiedler said. “Demand is rising, and Pennsylvania has an opportunity to strengthen our role as an energy leader. I believe we can do that and more by expanding our energy production, especially in the growing renewables field, while creating good jobs and protecting our environment.”
This new committee will review bills related to energy production, infrastructure, manufacturing and more. Fiedler will serve as its first chair.
“Rep. Fiedler is a proven leader who, since being elected, has championed policies that support her neighbors and people across the state,” said Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton. “Her interest in the environment and energy issues, coupled with her intense focus on building a better future for all Pennsylvanians, equip her to be an effective chair of the new House Energy Committee.”
Young takes oath of office for new legislative term
State Rep. Regina Young was sworn in to office for the 2025-26 legislative session, launching her third term as the state representative for the 185th Legislative District in the House of Representatives. Young took the oath of office administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Todd in the House Chamber at the State Capitol in Harrisburg.
“Serving our communities in the 185th District continues to be the honor of my life,” said Young following the ceremony. “I’m excited to get back to work in Harrisburg and in our neighborhoods to improve public education for all, increase public safety and environmental justice for our communities, uplift the tourism and employment opportunities in our area, create more protections for our seniors and young people, and ensure economic development, relief and investment for our families, organizations and businesses, which enrich Philadelphia and Delaware counties.”
Young has already reintroduced legislation from the previous session that was approved in the House related to child labor law enforcement, addressing human trafficking in the commonwealth and increasing the use of mechanical insulation. Young’s assignments to official standing committees are expected in the coming weeks as the House organizes its business for the upcoming legislative session.
Evans vows to defend health care protections, Social Security, Medicare
Congressman Dwight Evans has begun a new term serving Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“I’m grateful to the people of the 3rd District for giving me another opportunity to serve them, and I appreciate the many calls, letters and emails I received during my rehab and recovery following my minor stroke last year,” Evans said. “As someone with a pre-existing health condition, I’ll keep fighting to defend the Affordable Care Act for the millions of fellow Americans who have pre-existing health conditions.
“We cannot go back to the days when people could be denied coverage or have their rates go sky-high because of a health condition. After eight years, President-elect Trump recently admitted he still only has ‘concepts of a plan’ to replace the Affordable Care Act, and that’s not something anyone should have to count for literal matters of life and death.”
Evans said his priorities for the new term are clear.
“While control of the White House and Senate are changing this month, my values and priorities have not – and will not,” Evans said. “I will continue working to bring federal funding to Philadelphia, and I will fight to lower costs and prices, and defend access to health care and tax fairness.
“I will continue to look for opportunities to work with Republicans on issues of common interest, but I’ll also be as strong as ever on defending progress like the $2,000 cap on Medicare out-of-pocket prescription-drug costs that just took effect this week. I’m proud to have voted for the Biden Inflation Reduction Act that created that cap and also capped the cost of insulin at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries. I will oppose Republican attempts to repeal that progress or other progress that President Biden and Democrats in Congress made for the American people. Cuts to Social Security and Medicare have been mentioned, and those are earned benefits that I will fight to defend for the people I represent.”
During Evans’ first seven years in Congress, his office has helped to return to or save more than $41 million for Philadelphians from federal agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs. Evans’ offices also help constituents with other federal concerns such as U.S. Postal Service issues and immigration or passport issues.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving as a member of the influential Ways and Means Committee, which oversees taxes, trade, Social Security and Medicare. In a narrowly divided House, I will continue to advocate for poverty-busters such as restoring expansions of the Child Tax Credit and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit,” Evans said.
Evans’ staff can help with federal services and concerns at his two full-time offices in Philadelphia, which are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, including 1310 Point Breeze Ave. in South Philly and 7174 Ogontz Ave. in Northwest Philly.
MLK Weekend at Museum of the American Revolution
Visit the Museum of the American Revolution over Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, Jan. 18-20, to honor the life, service and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through theatrical performances, pop-up talks, hands-on discovery carts, a poetry activity and more, visitors can discover the ongoing promise of the American Revolution and explore what it takes to change the world. All MLK Weekend activities are included with regular Museum admission. Tickets to the Museum can be purchased by calling 215-253-6731, at AmRevMuseum.org or at the front desk. Save $2 per adult ticket by purchasing online. Kids ages 5 and under are always free. All tickets are valid for two consecutive days.
Tumor Support Group to meet Jan. 15
Fox Chase Cancer Center will hold a meeting of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Support Group on Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 4-5 p.m. The group is for people diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors who are receiving treatment. Social workers will lead the group, and participants can share their personal experiences, ways of coping and helpful resources. For a link to participate, email Anjali.Albanese@fccc.edu or Mark.Itzen@fccc.edu. ••
Scanlon opposes Laken Riley Act; Evans doesn’t vote
U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon voted against the Laken Riley Act, which passed the House by a vote of 264-159. Rep Dwight Evans did not vote. He had voted against it when it passed in 2024.
All the votes against the bill were from Democrats.
Laken Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student killed last year while jogging in Georgia. The killer was a 26-year-old illegal Venezuelan who was caught in 2022 crossing the border, but released into the United States.
The Laken Riley Act would require the Department of Homeland Security to detail illegals arrested for burglary, theft, larceny and shoplifting. ••
New website for Review
The South Philly Review has a new website: https://patimes.media/
The website includes news, arts and entertainment, crime, sports, opinion and ways to subscribe and sign up for a newsletter.
The site includes an option to read the current issue in “flipbook” style.
Readers are also encouraged to follow the newspaper on Bluesky, on Facebook at South Philly Review and on X @SoPhReview.
In addition to the Review being delivered to homes, the paper can be found at these spots: https://patimes.media/pickup-locations/#spr. ••
New poems, stories by g emil reutter
On the Other Side of Goodbye, a new collection of poems, flash fiction and short stories by Lawndale resident g emil reutter, was just released by Alien Buddha Press.
The book is his eighth title with Alien Buddha Press. It can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Goodbye-emil-reutter/dp/B0DPCLN3Y3
For more information, visit https://gereutter.wordpress.com/about/ ••
Exhibit of UArts student work
Creative Philadelphia and City Councilwoman Rue Landau announced an exhibition titled Transcending Uncertainty: Art Endures at Home in Philadelphia, through Jan. 25, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the City Hall Art Gallery. The exhibition is a collaboration between Creative Philadelphia and Landau to support students and faculty affected by the recent closure of the University of the Arts. The exhibit features the work of 42 former UArts students, faculty and staff displayed on the first-floor art gallery within Creative Philadelphia-Room 116, and on the fifth-floor corridor near City Council offices. The exhibition features more than 50 artworks and was selected by artist Lauren Rinaldi, who also serves as Landau’s arts and culture liaison. ••
Comedy show at Painted Mug
The Black Power Rangers comedy tour will come to the Painted Mug Cafe, 1527 Jackson St. (at Mole Street), on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The show starts at 8 and features four black stand-up comedians: Wills Maxwell Jr., Brandi Roberts, Jarrod Fortune and Cordero Wilson. The show is for people 18 and older. Tickets cost $16.88. They are available at https://www.simpletix.com/e/black-power-rangers-comedy-tour-18-tickets-190171#smtx-click. ••
A retreat for moms
Mother Boniface Spirituality Center (3501 Solly Ave.) will present Mothers Be Still and Know That I Am God on Saturday, March 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The speaker will be Stephanie McCarthy, a Catholic wife, mother and spiritual director. The retreat is open to mothers of all ages for faith sharing and reflection with other mothers. The retreat costs $55 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. To register or for more information, call 267-350-1830 or visit msbt.org. ••
World Nativities exhibition at Glencairn
Glencairn Museum, 1001 Cathedral Road in Bryn Athyn, continues with holiday events, including the annual World Nativities exhibition through Jan. 26.
Glencairn Museum’s annual World Nativities exhibition presents dozens of three-dimensional Nativity scenes collected from around the world.
One of the highlights of this season’s World Nativities exhibition is a crafted Nativity scene by husband-and-wife artist team Karen Loccisano and R. Michael Palan, in memory of their friend Linda Weller.
Another standout piece in the World Nativities exhibition is a ceramic Nativity scene crafted by Armenian artist Gohar Petrosyan. It depicts the Adoration of the Shepherds, inspired by a 1262 Gospel illumination by Armenian artist T’oros Roslin. It was commissioned by Anna Akhobadze, a member of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Cheltenham. Akhobadze, a 15-year-old high school junior and church member who visited Glencairn’s World Nativities exhibition last season, was passionate about including an Armenian Nativity in this season’s exhibition.
For more information, visit GlencairnMuseum.org or call 267-502-2600. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW.
Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
