Tabla de contenidos para April 25, 2025 en ScoopUSA Digital

STATE COLLEGE, PA, April 23, 2025 — The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) kicked off the 2025 Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) Conference in State College. The two-day event brought together over 530 criminal justice and behavioral health professionals from across the Commonwealth, the largest gathering since its inception in 2007. Throughout the Conference, participants engaged in discussions related to new and reemerging issues impacting the criminal justice and behavioral health systems and innovative solutions to address evolving trends. Under the Shapiro-Davis Administration, the Commonwealth has achieved notable improvements in public safety. According to data released by Cease-FirePA, Pennsylvania has seen a 42% decrease in total victims of gun violence statewide and a 38% drop in gun deaths by firearm since 2022. These outcomes reflect the impact of…

ATLANTA (AP) — The pastor of a Georgia megachurch who led a nationwide 40-day "fast" boycott of Target stores over the retail chain's commitment to diversity initiatives is now calling for that effort to continue as a "full Target boycott." The Rev. Jamal Bryant said this week that the Minneapolis-based retailer has not met all of the boycott effort's demands. Among them: Restoring its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and pledging money to Black-owned banks and businesses. Target announced in January that it would phase out a handful of DEI initiatives, including a program designed to help Black employees build meaningful careers and promote Black-owned businesses. Conservative activists and President Donald Trump have sought to dismantle DEI policies in the federal government and schools. Bryant is the pastor…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Education Department will begin collection next month on student loans that are in default, including the garnishing of wages for potentially millions of borrowers, officials said Monday. Currently, roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans. The Trump administration's announcement marks an end to a period of leniency that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. No federal student loans have been referred for collection since March 2020--including those in default. Under President Joe Biden, the Education Department tried multiple times to give broad forgiveness of student loans, only to be stopped by courts. "American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies," Education Secretary Linda McMahon said. Beginning May 5, the department will begin involuntary collection…

PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 14, 2025—April is Christian Music Month! It's a special month to observe, celebrate, and amplify faith-based music. Fans are encouraged to support their favorite artists and find new voices and songs to add to their playlists, worship services, and music libraries. It's the perfect time for artists and creatives to unify across the sometimes segregated sub-genres of Gospel, CCM, Southern Gospel, Rap/Hip Hop, Rock, Worship, and Spanish in Christian music. 3X Stellar Gospel Award nominee Dr. Alyn E. Waller and Dove Award-winning CCM artist Joseph Habedank unify their voices and collaborate on a new radio single, "We Sing Glory To Your Name." Dr. Waller and Habedank croon fluidly through the soulful ballad, each delivering heart-filled vocals that encourage listeners to give reverence and gratitude to the Lord.…

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Thousands of people began filing through St. Peter's Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis on Wednesday at the start of three days of public viewing ahead of his funeral. Throngs of the faithful made their way to the 16th-century basilica's main altar, where Francis' open wooden casket was perched, as Swiss Guards stood at attention. Over the coming days, tens of thousands of people are expected to pass through, and the Vatican said it may extend the viewer hours even longer due to high turnout. In the first 8 1/2 hours, 19,430 people paid their respects to the pope. Francis was laid out in red robes, clasping a rosary and wearing a bishop's miter, the traditional pointed headdress. Mourners waited hours to reach…

In a world full of noise, distractions, and daily routines, it’s easy to drift into autopilot—going through the motions without ever asking, Why am I really here? But every now and then, something shakes us awake. A moment. A memory. A loss. And we’re reminded that our time here is not promised, so we must make it count. Recently, the world paused to mourn the passing of a giant—Pope Francis, who left this earth at the graceful age of 88. He was more than a spiritual leader; he was a voice of love, compassion, and unity in a divided world. Whether you followed his faith tradition or not, it’s hard to deny the powerful legacy he left behind. He lived his life with a clear purpose, choosing each day to…

As he does one day each month, the Rev. Robert Turner hit the road from his home in Baltimore last week and traveled — on foot — 43 miles (69 kilometers) to Washington. He arrived by evening on April 16 outside the White House, carrying a sign that called for “Reparations Now." This time, Turner added another stop on his long day's journey — the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Turner knelt in prayer and laid a wreath at the entrance of the museum in support of its mission, which incurred President Donald Trump's criticism alongside other Smithsonian Institution sites. In a March 27 executive order, Trump alleged that Smithsonian exhibits had disparaged the nation's history via a “divisive, race-centered ideology.” Turner wanted to show support for…

STRASBURG, PA, April 22, 2025 – The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) celebrated the golden anniversary of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. This significant milestone marks 50 years to the day since the world-class Museum of Railroad History first opened its doors to the public in 1975. "The 50th anniversary of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is a testament to the enduring power and significance of our state's rich industrial and transportation heritage," said Andrea Lowery, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. “As the Commonwealth's official railroad museum, it has captivated and educated generations, and we at PHMC are immensely proud of its past achievements and excited to support its continued journey in preserving and sharing this vital part of our history for the next 50…

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ryan Howard was a rookie with the Philadelphia Phillies, just putting baseball on notice with his moonshot home runs when he met Buck O'Neil, a champion of Black ballplayers during a monumental, eight-decade career on and off the field. Howard was introduced to O'Neil as a modern-day Josh Gibson, one of the Negro League's greatest players, who hit .466 for the 1943 Homestead Grays. Howard, who hit at least 45 homers four times in his career, was too embarrassed to accept the comparison. "Mr. O'Neil was like, 'Do you got that power?' I said, 'Yes sir, I do,'" Howard said. "He told me: 'Don't be ashamed of it. Let it out.' It was great, just hearing the stories from and just being in his presence." O'Neil, who…