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Potential Harris VP pick Josh Shapiro’s actions while in office receive renewed attention
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a contender to become the Democratic vice presidential candidate, has seen his record come under scrutiny, with some of his actions while in office receiving renewed attention. Here’s what we know about those cases.
Questions over Shapiro’s handling of 2011 death of Ellen Greenberg
In 2011, Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old Philadelphia teacher, was found dead in her apartment by her fiance. She had 20 stab wounds to her body, including in the back of her neck. The medical examiner’s office initially ruled the death a homicide, but police publicly objected to the ruling because her apartment door was locked from the inside and her fiancé, who said he broke down the door to get to her, had no defensive wounds. The medical examiner’s office then revised the findings, saying the cause of death was suicide.
Greenberg’s parents had been fighting since her death to have the case reexamined, and when one of their lawyers became Philadelphia’s district attorney in 2018, the family appealed to him to reopen the case. Citing a conflict of interest, however, he recused himself and sent the case to state Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s office.
In February 2022, the attorney general’s office announced it had reviewed the case and ruled once again the cause of death was suicide. However, in July 2022, Shapiro’s office referred the case back to the Philadelphia district attorney’s office, after critics cited unverified claims that Shapiro had connections to Greenberg’s fiancé’s family. The attorney general’s office said, “While the Office of Attorney General does not have an actual conflict in this matter, circumstances beyond our control have created the appearance of a conflict.”
Shapiro’s team previously told The Philadelphia Inquirer it had never addressed or clarified the allegations because it was “not acknowledging unfounded accusations.”
In July, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed to hear Greenberg’s parents’ case. Their attorney, Joe Podraza, told CBS affiliate WHP-TV they are seeking a decision on “whether coroners and medical examiners have absolute power, or can they be challenged when the evidence shows they are not only mistaken, but grossly mistaken.”
The Greenbergs have also filed a civil suit against members of the medical examiner’s office, the police department, and the DA’s office.
Shapiro’s office accused of mishandling sexual harassment complaint against aide
As governor, Shapiro has drawn criticism from the National Women’s Defense League and others for his office’s handling of a sexual harassment complaint made against one of his former cabinet members.
A former employee of the governor’s office alleged in a March 2023 complaint that Michael Vereb, who was Shapiro’s head of legislative affairs, sexually harassed her for months and retaliated against her for speaking up. The woman resigned from her job after reporting the issue, saying the governor’s office did not remedy the situation or protect her from retaliation.
In early September 2023, Shapiro’s administration paid $295,000 in a settlement to the woman. Shapiro’s office announced Vereb’s resignation later that month.
Both parties signed a nondisclosure agreement as part of the settlement, according to the New York Times, agreeing not to discuss the case publicly.
In a statement to The New York Times on Aug. 3, Shapiro spokesman Manuel Bonder said the governor “was not aware of the complaint or investigation until months after the complaint was filed.”
“Governor Shapiro has no tolerance for harassment in the workplace or anywhere else,” Bonder said.
Fetterman aides raise concerns that Shapiro was slow to grant clemency on Board of Pardons
As state attorney general, Shapiro spent six years on Pennsylvania’s Board of Pardons, alongside then-Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, with whom he frequently disagreed publicly. A 2019 report by the Pennsylvania Capital-Star found that Shapiro voted to commute 17 sentences, compared to Fetterman’s vote to commute 30 sentences.
Politico reported that Fetterman’s advisers brought up Shapiro’s commutation record with Vice President Kamala Harris’ team. Shapiro and Fetterman were on opposite sides of a 2019 clemency vote for two prisoners — Lee and Dennis Horton — who were over two decades into their life sentences for a robbery and fatal shooting that both said they did not commit. During their time in prison, the brothers had good behavioral records, including no reports of misconduct.
In December 2019, the Board denied the Hortons’ request for clemency in a 2-3 vote – Shapiro voted against granting clemency, while Fetterman voted in favor. A spokesman for Shapiro told The Philadelphia Inquirer that Shapiro wanted the board to hold the case so he could interview the brothers separately and seek information missing from their files.
When the case came under review again in 2020, Shapiro voted with the rest of the board to free the brothers. Shapiro’s spokesman told Politico: “The governor evaluates every pardons case individually and on its merits and during his time as attorney general, he approved more pardons and commutations than all of his predecessors over the last 25 years, combined.”
Certain boxes of waffles sold at Costco Wholesale stores in the Midwest are being recalled because they may contain plastic, according to a notice by supplier Kodiak Cakes.
The recall involves Kodiak Power Waffles Buttermilk & Vanilla 40 count with the UPC code 705599019203 and a use-by date of Jan. 10, 2026, and only impacts products with the lot code 24193-WL4 and a time stamp of 12:00-23:00, according to the Park City, Utah-based company.
The recalled products were sold at Costco warehouses in 13 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
The action was initiated “due to the potential presence of soft plastic film,” according to Kodiak, which noted that no injuries or illnesses had been reported.
Those who purchased the recalled product can return it to their local Costco for a refund.
People with questions can email Kodiak at: flapjacks@kodiakcakes.com or call 801-328-4067. Messages will be returned between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mountain time, Monday through Friday.
Tyson Foods is misleading shoppers and investors over its ability to reach “net-zero” carbon emissions by 2050 as well take other steps aimed at protecting the environment.
Tyson, the world’s second-biggest meat processor, should have to curtail its climate claims or release a substantial plan to support its claims, according to a lawsuit filed on Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group. The complaint is part of an effort to “hold the biggest, most powerful contributors to the climate crisis — across industries — accountable for greenwashing,” EWG stated.
Tyson Foods has said since 2021 that it would hit net-zero emissions — the point at which the amount of greenhouse gases a company emits is offset by the emissions that are removed from the atmosphere — by 2050 by using more renewable energy and no longer contributing to deforestation.
The Arkansas-based meat company also sells a brand of “climate-friendly” beef that Tyson says is made with 10% fewer emissions than conventional meat.
A spokesperson said Tyson does not comment on litigation, but defended the company’s “long history of sustainable practices.”
The suit against Tyson was filed in Washington, D.C., which has a consumer protection law in place that lets consumer groups sue companies for false advertising.
The same claim of greenwashing — a term attributed to environmentalist Jay Westerveld that refers to making false or misleading statements about the environmental benefits of a product or service — was made in February in a suit filed by New York State Attorney General Letitia James against JBS, the world’s largest beef producer, over its claim it would reach net-zero emissions by 2040.
James’ suit against the Brazilian meat conglomerate came after Earthjustice successfully challenged JBS’ environmental messaging before an ad industry self-regulatory organization in 2023.
Livestock production accounts for 14.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions globally, with cattle responsible for two-thirds of the total, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
The Science-Based Targets Initiative, a UN-backed agency that reviews net-zero goals, is calling for the food and agricultural sector to reduce its emissions by 3% annually between 2020 and 2030.
Delta Air Lines last year dismissed as “without legal merit” a suit filed by a passenger that alleged the airline’s claim to be “the world’s first carbon-neutral airline” to be marketing spin. Coca-Cola is currently defending itself in a similar case in which the beverage make is accused of overstating its recycling efforts.
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A cooler rate climate benefits a wide range of borrowers. From prospective homebuyers to current owners looking to refinance to those saddled with high rates on personal loans and credit cards, lower rates offer a welcome economic reprieve. They also require a different approach than what many have been accustomed to in recent years. And with the Federal Reserve officially cutting its federal funds rate for the first time in four years on Wednesday, now could be that time.
For those considering borrowing from their home equity, there are multiple options available. But a home equity line of credit (HELOC) is arguably the best and most cost-effective way to do so right now, particularly compared to home equity loans and cash-out refinancing. Below, we’ll detail why you should strongly consider borrowing with a HELOC as the Fed begins to cut interest rates.
Start by seeing how low of a HELOC rate you could secure here.
Why you should open a HELOC as the Fed cuts rates
A HELOC, for much of the last two years, has arguably been a less beneficial way to borrow from your home equity than a home equity loan. That’s because the latter comes with a fixed rate that will only change if refinanced. And that was a major advantage in a climate in which rates were raised numerous times between 2022 and 2023.
But that environment looks to be changing now.
With the first rate cut since 2020 issued this week, and two additional ones likely for November and December (when the Fed meets again), a HELOC could take the preferential place of home equity loans.
That’s because HELOC rates are variable and subject to change as the rate climate does (usually every month). That’s a drawback when rates are high and rising but now becomes a distinct advantage as rates cool again. With a HELOC, borrowers will automatically see their rate fall without having to refinance on their own.
Not only will they then save with a lower rate, but they’ll also save out-of-pocket costs if they had pursued a home equity loan. That’s because home equity loans come with closing costs to refinance (1% to 5% of the loan’s value, on average). But if you pursue a HELOC, you can add those savings to what you’ve already got back with the rate drops.
It’s not a perfect trade-off, and right now, home equity loans have better rates than HELOCs (8.46% versus 9.26%). But if you’re looking to position yourself for maximum savings ahead of additional rate cuts, a HELOC may be best to open now.
Get started with a HELOC today.
Don’t forget the tax benefits
A HELOC, in addition to the variable rate nature that benefits borrowers right now, also comes with tax advantages. Specifically, you can deduct the interest paid on the line of credit if you use it for eligible home repairs and renovations. At the same time, home equity loans also come with the same tax benefit. So carefully consider your intended use before getting started and don’t make this the deciding factor considering both options offer the same tax feature.
The bottom line
A HELOC could soon become the preferential home equity borrowing option, if it isn’t already. With a variable interest rate that is set to decline as overall rates do, borrowers could be well-positioned to realize additional savings in the future without having to do any of the work (or pay for any of the costs) associated with refinancing a home equity loan. But both borrowing options do have tax benefits, and other unique features, so weigh them carefully against one another to better determine which one is the right fit for you now.