Latest news with #SharifStreet
CBS News
19-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Community baby shower in North Philadelphia provides resources for new moms, families
It takes a village to raise a child, and a community baby shower in North Philadelphia on Saturday looked to make the job of being a parent a little easier. Kanika Force-Carter attended the event at Temple University. As a mom of three, she knows the hardships of being a parent. Carter recently had her youngest child, Kingston, and says having the support from the community eases the pressure of being a mom. "It takes a lot of stress off of you by giving you the resources needed so you can accomplish your goal of being a good parent," she said. Carter joined hundreds of families on Temple's campus for the event, which is now in its fourth year. The event focuses on promoting maternal health and wellness for new mothers while also providing resources to help them be successful parents. "These days, even working two jobs and having a man, it's hard," Carter said. "Rent is triple what it was when I was able to stay home and breastfeed my last two, so just having things like this really helps." For parents like Carter, it's the small things at the event that make a huge difference. Items such as diapers, formula and clothes were given to the new moms and families free of charge. Pennsylvania State Representative Sharif Street teamed up with Temple and other community partners to bring this event to North Philadelphia. Street says the event is also hoping to tackle the issue of maternal mortality, and it's something that continues to disproportionately affect Black and Brown women. "Part of that is lack of connection to resources, so we want to connect. We were intentional being in a zip code where those disparities are high," said Street. Over 80 vendors took part in the event, including Vera Thompson-Jenkins with Breastfeeding Awareness and Empowerment. Jenkins was at the event to provide educational resources about breastfeeding to help new moms. "Because again, maternal health is our goal, to make sure our babies and our communities ... that we're growing, we're thriving, that we are getting the best maternal care as possible." And for parents like Carter, the support from the community goes a long way in helping her and her family. "Makes a huge difference," she said.
Forbes
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Pennsylvania Lawmaker Files Yet Another Cannabis Legalization Bill
A Pennsylvania lawmaker has filed yet another bill to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, ... More making it the third cannabis legalization measure introduced in the past week. Pennsylvania Democratic state Rep. Amen Brown this week filed yet another bill to legalize recreational marijuana in the Keystone State. The new legislation, House Bill 1735, was filed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where it was referred to the House Health Committee on Wednesday. Brown's legislation is a companion measure to a bipartisan cannabis legalization bill (Senate Bill 120) filed in the Pennsylvania Senate last week by Republican Sen. Dan Laughlin and Sen. Sharif Street, a Democrat. Another cannabis legalization measure, House Bill 20, is also pending in the House after Democratic state Rep. Emily Kinkead and Republican Rep. Abby Major introduced the legislation on Monday. House Lawmaker Seeks Colleagues' Support The same day, Brown circulated a memo to his colleagues in the House seeking cosponsors for his bill, online cannabis news source Marijuana Moment reported on Wednesday. In the memo, Brown wrote that reforms in the legislation enjoy 'the strong support of two-thirds of Pennsylvanians across rural, suburban, and urban districts.' 'While Pennsylvania has made significant strides in legalizing medical marijuana, adult-use legalization would provide more access for patients who benefit from marijuana but may not qualify under current medical marijuana criteria,' Brown wrote. 'Legalization also helps strengthen the state's marijuana infrastructure, ensuring that both medical and adult-use programs can operate safely and efficiently.' If passed by the legislature and signed into law, Brown's bill would legalize cannabis in Pennsylvania for adults aged 21 and older. The measure would also establish a taxation and regulatory structure for the commercial production and distribution of marijuana through state-licensed retailers. Memo Highlights The Benefits Of Cannabis Policy Reform 'Legalizing marijuana enables the state to regulate the industry, ensuring that products are tested for safety, purity, and potency,' Brown said in the co-sponsorship memo. 'This approach not only protects consumers but also combats the unregulated black market, where safety standards are non-existent.' Brown's memo also highlighted the potential benefits of legalizing recreational cannabis for Pennsylvania's economy and job market. 'Legalizing marijuana presents an unprecedented economic opportunity for Pennsylvania. As states like Colorado and Illinois have demonstrated, legal marijuana markets generate revenue, create thousands of jobs, and support new businesses.' The Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg. The lawmaker also noted that ending cannabis prohibition allows for a reallocation of resources and noted the restorative justice provisions contained in the bill. 'It would help end the criminalization of marijuana users, particularly in communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana-related arrests,' he continued. 'By removing the penalties for adult-use and possession, we reduce the burden on law enforcement and the court system. Additionally, we can provide pathways to expunge prior marijuana convictions for individuals who have been arrested for possession in the past, allowing them a fairer chance at employment and participation in society.' An Island Of Prohibition Brown added that Pennsylvania is currently 'surrounded by states that have already legalized adult-use marijuana, including New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Delaware, Connecticut, and Maryland.' 'Legalization in these states has not only boosted their economies but has also reduced the strain on local law enforcement agencies,' he wrote. 'As these neighboring states continue to benefit from legalization, it is vital that Pennsylvania follows suit to remain competitive and prevent the outflow of tax revenue and economic opportunities across state lines.' Both bills in the House to legalize cannabis have been referred to the House Health Committee, while Senate Bill 120 awaits action from the Senate Law & Justice Committee.
Al Arabiya
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans of Philadelphia says he won't run for reelection
US Rep. Dwight Evans said Monday that he will not seek reelection to his Philadelphia seat, capping a career in public office that stretches back 45 years. Evans, a Democrat, said in a statement that he decided that the time is right to retire after his term is up in early 2027. Evans, 71, said he is in good health and capable of serving a year after he suffered what he has called a minor stroke. Evans is serving his fifth term. He originally ran for Congress in 2016 against then-US Rep. Chaka Fattah, a fellow Democrat who had been seeking a 12th term in Congress while under federal indictment. Prior to that, Evans served for 36 years in the state House of Representatives, rising to become Appropriations Committee chairman and the first Black chairman of the powerful committee. He was first elected when he was just 26. Evans' Philadelphia district is heavily Democratic, and a crowded 2026 Democratic primary–possibly including state Sen. Sharif Street, the state Democratic Party chair–is possible to determine a successor in the seat.
Washington Post
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans of Philadelphia says he won't run for reelection
HARRISBURG, Pa. — U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans said Monday that he will not seek reelection to his Philadelphia seat, capping a career in public office that stretches back 45 years. Evans, a Democrat, said in a statement that he decided that 'the time is right' to retire after his term is up in early 2027. Evans, 71, said he is in good health and capable of serving, a year after he suffered what he has called a minor stroke. Evans is serving his fifth term. He originally ran for Congress in 2016 against then-U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, a fellow Democrat who had been seeking a 12th term in Congress while under federal indictment. Prior to that, Evans served for 36 years in the state House of Representatives, rising to become Appropriations Committee chairman, and the first Black chairman of the powerful committee. He was first elected when he was just 26. Evans' Philadelphia district is heavily Democratic and a crowded 2026 Democratic primary — possibly including state Sen. Sharif Street, the state Democratic Party chair — is possible to determine a successor in the seat.
Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans of Philadelphia says he won't run for reelection
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans said Monday that he will not seek reelection to his Philadelphia seat, capping a career in public office that stretches back 45 years. Evans, a Democrat, said in a statement that he decided that 'the time is right' to retire after his term is up in early 2027. Evans, 71, said he is in good health and capable of serving, a year after he suffered what he has called a minor stroke. Evans is serving his fifth term. He originally ran for Congress in 2016 against then-U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, a fellow Democrat who had been seeking a 12th term in Congress while under federal indictment. Prior to that, Evans served for 36 years in the state House of Representatives, rising to become Appropriations Committee chairman, and the first Black chairman of the powerful committee. He was first elected when he was just 26. Evans' Philadelphia district is heavily Democratic and a crowded 2026 Democratic primary — possibly including state Sen. Sharif Street, the state Democratic Party chair — is possible to determine a successor in the seat.
