Dr. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity heart surgeon best known as the host of TV’s “Dr. Oz Show” after rocketing to fame on Oprah Winfrey’s show, announced Tuesday that he is running for Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat as a Republican.

Oz, 61, will bring his unrivaled name recognition and wealth to a wide-open race that is expected to among the nation’s most competitive and could determine control of the Senate in next year’s election.

https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-pa-dr-oz-senate-20211130-7l22deozzfgdzhv5l2snxuvf2a-story.html

HARRISBURG (KDKA) – Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Centre County Republican is quarantining at home after being diagnosed with a breakthrough case of COVID-19. He hasn’t been in the Capitol since Nov. 18, a spokesperson said.

Benninghoff was fully vaccinated earlier in the year and developed mild symptoms before Thanksgiving, a statement said. He got tested, and a spokesperson said he received the positive diagnosis Monday.

Benninghoff said in a statement that he’ll continue to follow House Republican Caucus COVID-19 protocols before ending from quarantine and is working from home.

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2021/11/29/pennsylvania-house-majority-leader-kerry-benninghoff-covid-19/

John J. Lorenzo, chairman of Rostraver Township commissioners, is accused of using prepaid, disposable “burner” phones and set up fake Facebook accounts to harass political opponents and rivals for more than two years, according to criminal complaints filed Tuesday.

A yearlong investigation started after fellow Commissioner Gary N. Beck Sr., a Democrat, complained to police that someone had set up a Facebook account “in his name, using photographs of him in various activities and demographic information.”

Township police and a Westmoreland County detective learned that Beck didn’t have a Facebook account.

https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/rostraver-commissioner-arrested-by-police-accused-of-harassing-rivals-via-text-social-media/