This week’s biggest Winners & Losers

It’s a dunderful life in Mifflin County, where high school teacher Ashlie Crosson was named the 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. Crosson, who serves as a 10th grade English teacher, Advanced Placement Language teacher, journalism teacher and digital publications advisor, was chosen among 12 finalists and will represent the commonwealth in the National Teacher of the Year award to be announced at the White House in the near future.

Pennsylvania government officials may not be the ones known for delivering presents during the holiday season, but this year they delivered long-sought state funding that was tied up in this year’s state budget negotiations just before the end of the year. Lawmakers passed several pieces of outstanding budget legislation this week, distributing funds for libraries, community colleges and hospitals – to name a few. Finishing the year with a budget in place? That’s a win in our book.

Philadelphia’s mayoral race is long over – but some write-in votes caught people’s eyes this week. Philly favorites Quinta Brunson and Taylor Swift each earned a couple of write-in votes for the city’s executive office, but sports stars outshined the two ladies. Eagles stars Jason Kelce and Jalen Hurts received 19 and 17 votes, respectively, while Phillie Bryce Harper got 11 and Sixers MVP center Joel Embiid received five. The jury is still out on any of their involvement in the Parker administration.

Philadelphia’s Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Constance DiAngelo, who was appointed to the position just last year, resigned on Tuesday. While no reason was given for DiAngelo’s exit from the role, her resignation comes following allegations surfacing that DiAngelo’s office wrongly cremated the remains of their 16-year-old daughter Ashay. The McCord family, who are now suing the city, waited weeks to bury their daughter before finding out she’d been cremated.

York County officials are once again facing criticism due to a secretive meeting held with a group promoting debunked conspiracy theories, this time after holding a video meeting with residents pushing false theories about 5G, according to the York Dispatch. The Dispatch reports that since the Nov. 15 meeting – which generated concerns about whether the county violated the Sunshine Law – the county has not taken action on a plan to expand internet access in the county using Wi-Fi emitters.

It’s been a troubling week for Pennsylvania’s only Ivy League institution. President Liz Magill and Board of Trustees Chair Scott Bok resigned over the weekend following Magill’s congressional testimony from last week, and this week $33 million funding for Penn’s veterinary school failed to receive enough votes to advance amid GOP concerns over the university’s approach to combating antisemitism.