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In this Update:
* VAEP Hearing on the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy
* Mechanicsburg Navy Depot Visit and Navy Briefing
* Honoring Dr. Wayne Hoover’s Retirement
* Visiting the Future Site of Gettysburg’s Agriculture Discovery Center
* Navy’s 250th Birthday
* Gettysburg Battlefield Operations During Federal Government Shutdown
* My Statement on the Raising of the Chinese Communist Flag
* Rock the Ribbon During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
* Open Government: How to Access Public Records
* Applications Accepted for Keystone ChalleNGe Academy January Class
* Resources for Choosing an Insurance Provider
* Find the Best Fall Foliage Nearby and Statewide

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** VAEP Hearing on the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy
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On Tuesday I held a VAEP Hearing to highlight The Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy. This is a tuition-free, 22-week residential program hosted at Fort Indiantown Gap in Annville, Pennsylvania, aimed at helping 16- to 18-year-olds regain momentum.

The program operates under a military-style structure and is a collaboration between the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the National Guard Bureau, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Cadets engage in academic instruction (for credit recovery or GED preparation), physical training, leadership and life skills development, community service, and job-readiness training, all within a disciplined, supportive environment.

This program is exceptional and is providing opportunities for these students that will change the course of their lives!


** Mechanicsburg Navy Depot Visit and Navy Briefing
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On Monday, I attended an important Navy briefing from Captain Dawson. He discussed the critical role of Pennsylvania’s Navy facilities and highlighted the Federal Role of the base and its impact to the state and region! Afterwards we took a tour of the Mechanicsburg Navy Depot facility!


** Honoring Dr. Wayne Hoover’s Retirement
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Wednesday, I presented Dr. Wayne Hoover of Chambersburg, PA with a PA Freedom Medal and a Senate Citation acknowledging his recent retirement from WellSpan Digestive Health of Chambersburg, formerly Chambersburg Gastroenterology Associates. He celebrates 33 years of exceptional service to our community! Thank you!


** Visiting the Future Site of Gettysburg’s Agriculture Discovery Center
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Thursday, I visited the future site of the Agriculture Discovery Center, which will be located right behind The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg.

This exciting project will celebrate Pennsylvania’s proud agricultural heritage while showcasing innovation, education, and hands-on learning for families, students, and visitors. The Center will not only highlight the importance of farming in our daily lives but also bring new opportunities and tourism to the Gettysburg area.

We’re proud to support this initiative and look forward to seeing it become a reality for our community!


** Navy’s 250th Birthday
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Please join me for the Navy’s 250th Birthday! This will be a fantastic event honoring and celebrating the United States Navy!
Tuesday, October 14th at 11AM. WWII American Experience Museum, 845 Crooked Creek Rd. Gettysburg, PA


** Gettysburg Battlefield Operations During Federal Government Shutdown
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A federal government shutdown began on October 1 due to Congress prolonging the passage of funding bills. As a result, certain government services are affected, but key sites in Gettysburg remain accessible. According to officials from Gettysburg National Military Park, the park is open for both guided and self-guided tours, and the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center remains open, operated by the Gettysburg Foundation. While the house at Eisenhower National Historic Site is closed, the grounds are still open to the public, though all National Park Service programming has been canceled for the duration of the shutdown. Despite these limitations, Gettysburg continues to welcome visitors, offering access to its historic sites and tours


** My statement on the Raising of the Chinese Communist Flag
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I condemned the ceremony to raise the flag of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over Philadelphia’s City Hall on Tuesday, September 30.

This is a terrible idea by flying the CCP’s flag over one of America’s most historic cities, we risk sending the message that Pennsylvania condones or legitimizes one of the world’s most brutal regimes. We should be standing with victims of oppression—not honoring their oppressors.

The CCP has a long and well-documented history of human rights abuses, including:
* Persecution of Christians and other religious minorities such as Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, and Falun Gong practitioners. Thousands are imprisoned, tortured, or disappeared simply for practicing their faith.
* State-sanctioned organ harvesting, especially from prisoners of conscience, as confirmed by international tribunals and human rights organizations.
* Ongoing suppression of free speech and democracy in Hong Kong and mainland China, where dissent is met with censorship, imprisonment, or worse.
* Mass surveillance and repression of citizens, with technology used to enforce totalitarian control rather than protect human rights.

Philadelphia is the birthplace of American liberty. It is where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed, documents rooted in God-given freedom and human dignity. To hoist the banner of an atheistic regime that persecutes Christians, tramples faith, and crushes freedom dishonors the sacrifices of those who built this nation.

I called on city leaders to cancel the event and instead use the occasion to highlight the plight of the millions suffering under Communist China’s rule.

As Pennsylvanians and as Americans, we should be a voice for the persecuted, not a platform for their persecutors. Raising the CCP flag in Philadelphia is not a symbol of cultural exchange—it is a betrayal of our values.


** Rock the Ribbon During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I hope you’ll join me in supporting those affected by breast cancer by raising awareness and encouraging early detection. You can find plenty of useful information to share at this resource page ([link removed]) .

I was proud to support Senate passage of legislation to strengthen Pennsylvania’s no-cost breast cancer screening law ([link removed]) by ensuring diagnostic imaging is fully covered. The measure awaits action in the House of Representatives. Let’s come together and Rock the Ribbon with purpose and compassion.


** Open Government: How to Access Public Records
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Under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law ([link removed]) (RTKL), all state and local government agency records are presumed to be public. If an agency wants to withhold a record, it must prove that it is entitled to do so under the state law or court order.

The Office of Open Records ([link removed]) maintains information about the RTKL and Sunshine Act ([link removed]) , which governs public meetings. This includes information about filing a request for records ([link removed]) , a database of Agency Open Records Officers ([link removed]) and a Citizens’ Guide to the RTKL ([link removed]) .

The office also provides information about filing an appeal ([link removed]) when a RTK request is denied and provides a variety of training resources including PowerPoint presentations ([link removed]) and videos ([link removed]) .


** Applications Accepted for Keystone ChalleNGe Academy January Class
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Teens between the ages of 16 and 18 can apply now for the Jan. 2026 class of the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County.

A National Guard program, the academy uses a military academy training model to provide structure and discipline for youth. Classes begin in mid-January and mid-July each year. The residential portion of the program runs for 22 weeks.

All meals, housing, uniforms and school supplies are provided at no cost. You can learn more and apply here ([link removed]) .


** Resources for Choosing an Insurance Provider
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Cost matters when choosing insurance, but it’s not the only factor. Comparing quotes, checking coverage and reviewing customer feedback can help you decide.

A good rule of thumb is to compare at least three companies, according to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. The department has resources to help you:
* Find and research insurance companies and agents
* View consumer complaints
* Search regulatory and enforcement action
* Search specialized insurance professionals

Access information to help you make these important decisions here ([link removed]) .


** Find the Best Fall Foliage Nearby and Statewide
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Pennsylvania offers one of the longest and most varied fall foliage seasons in the world. You can find the best spots to view these vibrant displays with the fall foliage map ([link removed]) from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

In addition, the department’s weekly Fall Foliage Reports ([link removed]) offer regional updates, photos and expert tips to help you experience these seasonal landscapes.

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