This week's biggest Winners & Losers

In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue, and while he didn’t originally settle in Philadelphia, he might be staying there for the time being. We’re talking about his statue of course, which appears to remain in Philly’s Marconi Plaza after Common Pleas Court Judge Paula Patrick ruled that the city’s decision to remove it wasn’t supported by law. George Bochetto, an attorney representing the Friends of Marconi Plaza, who fought to keep the statute firmly affixed to the ground, said his clients were “ecstatic” at the ruling, which can be attributed to Bochetto’s handiwork.

A media company treating reporters less than optimally? No way. Alexis Johnson was one of two Black Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalists who were allegedly denied the right to cover racial justice protests last year. The Post-Gazette claimed that one of Johnson’s tweets was biased, but it quickly faced backlash from those in and outside the journalism community when the publication yanked her from her assignment. A judge rejected the Post-Gazette’s motion Wednesday to dismiss the lawsuit, stating that the publisher did not maintain an absolute discretion regarding the First Amendment and personnel decisions.

With an increasingly difficult situation in Afghanistan, one Pittsburgh aid group is stepping up to the occasion. The Jewish Family and Community Services, led by director of refugee and immigrant services Ivonne Smith-Tapia, is spearheading the local effort to resettle Afghans fleeing chaos in their home country. Thanks to them for welcoming those in need.

As president and CEO of Little League, Stephen Keener is in a tough spot. He’s trying to keep the Little League World Series on track as the state sees a renewed increase in COVID-19 cases, but on the other hand, Little League is threatening to cancel the tournament entirely if a Lycoming County judge orders the addition of two teams. Yes, the tournament has already been scheduled and organized, and additional teams likely would present some challenges, but is cancelling the world series and snatching away a once-in-a-lifetime moment for young players – based on the addition of just two teams – really the right move? We think not.

Edward McAlanis, chairman of the East Cocalico Township recreation board, announced his candidacy for Smokestown Judge of Elections earlier this year, just months after he was involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. His cellphone records connected him to messages and posts sent from inside the building, and he was later charged with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. He’s now in the justice system, but not in the way he imagined.

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser is a loser this week due to his failure to report stock purchases that were made by his family at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – a time when the nation’s economy was in a state of disarray. Meuser reported the purchases this month, more than a year after they were due, and said the late reporting was due to “human error.” According to LegiStorm, which originally reported the news, Meuser isn’t alone, as a bipartisan collection of members of Congress also failed to report stock purchases on time. At least something receives bipartisan buy-in in Washington?