Travelers at Philadelphia International Airport and Pittsburgh International Airport Tuesday will likely see ICE officers assisting at security checkpoints.

The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh airports were two of 14 airports named for ICE backup for TSA workers—still working without pay as the Department of Homeland Security shutdown enters its 39th day—though it’s unclear how many ICE agents are at each airport, and what specific purpose they would serve.

In Philadelphia, where TSA lines were moving smoothly Tuesday morning, ICE agents could be seen walking the terminals, mostly hanging back and helping travelers as needed. 

It was also business as usual in Pittsburgh Tuesday morning, with standard security line wait times. Airport spokesperson Bob Kerlik said ICE was expected to begin assisting passengers at security checkpoints on Tuesday. 

We’ve got much more below on the arrival of ICE agents at the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh airports, along with reports on TSA shortages at some of Pa.’s regional airports.

Around 85,000 Pennsylvanians previously enrolled in the state’s ACA marketplace plan, Pennie, have dropped their coverage following the lapse of enhanced federal subsidies that reduced their monthly premiums. The average premium increased by 102%, with some reporting monthly premiums that tripled. 

For our QOTW, we want to hear from Pennie customers:

Have rising premiums on your Pennie plan made you rethink your health coverage—have you dropped it, or are you considering dropping it?

Here’s what you’re saying:

“I was hoping to retire a year early and purchase insurance through Pennie until I can start on Medicare, because I need to take care of my 90-year-old mom. I can’t do it now. I have to keep working.”

— Shelly, Bradford County

“If my employer had not added health Insurance to my benefits I would be uninsured right now. Pennie was a much better plan than I have now, which is basically catastrophic. The insurance industry and our government are not going to change anything because they benefit from the sick. It’s disgusting! We are supposed to be the greatest country in the world, and we don’t have universal healthcare.”

— Karen B., Wapwallopen

“I’m young(ish) but have a pre-existing condition that I’m concerned about enough that I can’t go without health insurance. And I’m now paying $190 more a month for my Pennie plan. It may not seem like much to some in Harrisburg and Washington, but I’m on a tight budget. My short term solution: stop buying organic meats and produce, and stop going to my weekly yoga class. These are things that are supposed to improve my health. Oh, the sad irony.”

— Rebbekah, Pittsburgh

“My wife and I are self-employed and we’re paying around $400 more a month for our plan. We were very judicious with the thermostat this winter, as I suspect we’ll have to be with the A/C in the summer. And that’s just the start. There was no winter weekend ski getaway this year, and I doubt a week at the beach is in the cards for the summer. Oh, and these gas prices. Anyone who still believes Republicans are the ‘working man’s’ party is beyond delusional. And I say this as an independent who has voted Republican numerous times, including Trump in 2016 and Dave McCormick last year.”

— Robert and Lisa Kjellstrom, Bucks County

Let us know how you’re navigating higher health insurance premiums through Pennie, and please let us know where you live.

The Original Thunderbird in Broomall. (Graham G. Harrington/The Keystone)

To those who celebrate, happy National Cheesesteak Day!

Whether you’re a cheese whiz fanatic or a provolone purist, you know that the Philly cheesesteak holds a special place in Pennsylvania’s culinary history.

Invented in the 1930s by hot dog stand owners Pat (of the iconic South Philly spot Pat’s King of Steaks) and Harry Olivieri, the sandwich exploded in popularity during the second half of the 20th century, and has become the signature Philadelphia food, as synonymous with the city as the Liberty Bell and Rocky Balboa. 

Nowadays, you can find cheesesteaks across the country, but nothing compares to a cheesesteak made in the state where it all started. Philadelphians may scoff at the idea of a cheesesteak made outside of the city limits, but if you keep your mind open, you’ll find many hidden (and not so hidden) cheesesteak gems throughout the state.

• Pa. US Sen. John Fetterman was one of two Democrats to join GOP senators to confirm Markwayne Mullin as the new head of the Department of Homeland Security. Get the story here.

• Southern York County’s elected school board approved a policy with broad language banning library books and any other material that “offends good taste or propriety.” Find out more here.

• Two Pa. lawmakers are among the 50 members of the Sharia-Free America Caucus, which has been denounced as an “anti-Muslim, extremist organization” by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Get the details in this report.

Our mission is to keep Pennsylvanians informed—from the hard news, to the feelgood news.

Our goal is to keep that news free and accessible to everyone. Your support makes that possible.

If you value local reporting and want to help keep the Keystone paywall-free, we hope you’ll consider contributing during our current Supporter Drive.

(Shutterstock)

Some volunteers aren’t always behind a desk or in an office. Some are called to run into the face of danger while being part of a volunteer fire department.

Jeff Hawryliw from Harborcreek is a fourth-generation volunteer firefighter at Erie’s Fairfield Hose Company. He follows in the family business of firefighting and is now the assistant chief.

“My great grandfather and grandfather were founding members and started the department in October of 1944,” Hawryliw said. “My dad, brother, sister and mom, along with aunts and uncles, were all involved in the fire service here. Now my sons and nephews are in.”

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from the The Associated Press, Ariana Figueroa from the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, USA Today via Reuters Connect, and Graham Harrington. It was edited by Paula Solis.

The Keystone is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.