Tom Riese
State Capitol ReporterTom Riese is WESA's first reporter based in Harrisburg, covering western Pennsylvania lawmakers at the Capitol. He came to the station by way of Northeast Pennsylvania's NPR affiliate, WVIA. He's a York County native who lived in Philadelphia for 14 years and studied journalism at Temple University. Tom can be reached at triese@wesa.fm.
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Henry was named to lead the Attorney General’s office after Shapiro left it to become governor. And while she committed to not seeking a full four-year term as AG, Shapiro made it possible to lead the new office, which investigates and prosecutes cases of fraud, misuse of taxpayer dollars, and misconduct within state government agencies. -
Tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians have been arrested for cannabis possession in recent years, and some lawmakers say criminal justice reform is a key concern for any legislation. -
With U.S. Steel’s proposed sale to Japanese firm Nippon Steel in peril, local officials are making a final attempt to build support for it — while other backers hope Gov. Josh Shapiro will weigh in as well. -
Down-ballot Pennsylvania Democrats say breaking with national party message was key to their successIn an election dominated by Republicans, Democrats say the fact that they didn’t lose ground in the legislature is a win in itself. How did it happen? -
When a suspect killed Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire in January 2023, authorities said he used a converted pistol that could spray bullets at a rate of dozens per second. That didn’t stop the state House from voting down a bill in May 2024 to ban the device that made the conversion possible. -
“This is not simply a matter of differences on the health care agenda that the incoming Trump administration may have,” said emergency physician and state Rep. Arvind Venkat (D-North Hills). “This fundamentally goes to whether we will protect the health and well-being of our fellow Pennsylvanians and Americans or not.” -
A Philadelphia native, Khalid Mumin has led Gov. Josh Shapiro's Education Department since June 2023. He'd previously been a superintendent of two southeastern Pennsylvania districts — Reading and Lower Merion. Mumin put in his two weeks' notice Friday. -
Three Western Pennsylvania districts and the Department of Education settled a lawsuit concerning the state’s Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education framework. -
Abney, a Philadelphia native, moved to Pittsburgh to study communications and social work and now serves on the House committees for Aging, Education and Community Development, among others. He takes over for Rep. Nick Pisciottano (D-West Mifflin), who was elected to retiring Sen. Jim Brewster's seat in the 45th District. -
Mount Lebanon Democratic state Rep. Dan Miller is relinquishing his House leadership role next session — setting the stage for a possible run for Common Pleas Court judge next year.
