IN THE NEWS
Toledo Forms a Bond with Scranton Over ‘Office’ Spinoff ‘The Paper’
MAY 13, 2025
TOLEDO, OH — First, there’s the buzz. Local officials are reeling with joy over NBC’s announcement that it has selected Toledo as the setting for a spinoff of its hit television series, The Office, that it plans to debut on the network’s Peacock streaming service this September. Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz told The Blade there’s a twofold benefit if the upcoming show, called The Paper, is anywhere near as successful as The Office.
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti celebrates after cutting police tape and unveiling the renovation to the exterior of City Hall on Tuesday morning. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton Celebrates Completion of Nearly $4.8 Million City Hall Restoration
APRIL 22, 2025
SCRANTON, PA — Officials gathered Tuesday morning on the steps of City Hall to recognize completion of the building’s exterior renovations. Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti said it was a moment the renovation team didn’t want to go unnoticed. “Restoring and preserving City Hall has been a critical goal for us,” she said. “The teams of experts that have worked on our building for the past 14 months have transformed the city’s skyline and instilled newfound confidence in Scranton’s future.”
Chris Kelly Opinion: Paige against the Machine
APRIL 20, 2025
SCRANTON, PA — In its marquee sales event of the spring, the city Democratic Machine is rolling out a used car salesman for voters to test-drive in the May 20 Primary Election. He’s an older model with high miles, deep dents and a history of costly damage to taxpayers, but former Scranton School Board President Bob Sheridan has “always wanted to run” for mayor, so why not give the plucky clunker a courtesy spin?
WHERE LOCAL MATTERS (PODCAST)
APRIL 10, 2025
How To Really Run A City — In this episode, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter, along with Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt, bring Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti onto the show. Cognetti is demonstrating how cities are blazing a way forward amidst the daily chaos spilling out of Washington, D.C. “This is where local matters,” Cognetti says. “At the local level, we’re nimble, we’re able to try things that are harder at the state level, and definitely at the national level.”
Pelosi is Surprise Guest in Scranton as NEPA Participates in National 'Hands Off!' Protests
Mayor Paige Cognetti poses with Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for a selfie with Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan (first from the left) and Democratic National Committee Treasurer, Virginia McGregor (second from the left), and local community leaders in attendance at the rally Saturday, April 5, 2025.
APRIL 5, 2025
SCRANTON, PA (WVIA) — Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined thousands across America who took to the streets on Saturday to protest Trump administration policies. The Democratic congresswoman wasn't at home in California, or in Washington, D.C., but in Scranton.
Hundreds Rally at Scranton "Hands Off!" Protest Featuring Nancy Pelosi
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Despite wet weather, hundreds gathered in downtown Scranton in part of a national wave of protest. The protest was aimed at protecting public services and threats against programs many Americans rely on.
'Hands Off!' Protest Held in Scranton
APRIL 5, 2025
SCRANTON, PA (WNEP) — Dozens of people gathered on Courthouse Square in Scranton Saturday afternoon to voice their opposition to the Trump administration. Jessica Brittain from Action Together NEPA says people are here to fight against cuts they believe will only make life harder for the average American: "What we're seeing is so much energy to fight back, but fight for each other, and that's what it's really all about."
‘Hands Off!’ Rally Demands Action Against Trump Policies
APRIL 5, 2025
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Protestors gathered nationwide this weekend to say ‘hands off!’ to the Trump administration. Tariffs, cuts to federal spending, and tax cuts for billionaires. These are just a few of the issues protestors say they’re fighting at “Hands Off!” rallies across the country.
Plans in Motion for New Scranton Splash Pad
APRIL 2, 2025
SCRANTON, PA — Plans are in motion for a new splash pad in the City of Scranton. Officials announced they are now accepting bids for its installation. This comes as part of a broader effort to revitalize an area long overdue for renewal. What was once an abandoned pool site is soon to be a cornerstone of community life in Scranton, thanks to a multi-million-dollar investment.
Here’s What Some Democratic Voters Say Their Party Should Do
APRIL 1, 2025
NEW YORK TIMES — Before the election, Julisa Rojas believed that Democrats were by no means perfect, but she thought they could steer the country in a better direction. So, she said she canvassed neighborhoods in Georgia, where she helped register people to vote.
Mayor Proposes Stricter 'Pave Cut' Ordinance to Improve Roadways
MARCH 31, 2025
SCRANTON, PA — Mayor Paige Cognetti has introduced an amendment to Scranton's street openings and excavations code, known as the "pave cut" ordinance. The proposed changes aim to ensure that companies restore roadways to comply with PennDOT standards and city permits while also helping to control traffic.
Students Honored in Women’s History Month Bookmark Contest
MARCH 27, 2025
SCRANTON, PA — The first woman mayor of Scranton. The namesake of a local hospital. A female pediatrician. A former principal at Marywood University. A beloved community member. While Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, Abigail Geisinger, Dr. Kate Tigue, Sister Coleman Nee and Jane Cali came from different backgrounds, were not all active at the same times, and dedicated their lives to varying areas of focus, the five are connected in a special kind of sistership.
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti gives the annual State of the City address on Tuesday, March 25, at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.
Mayor Paints Portrait of Scranton on a Positive Path Forward
MARCH 25, 2025
SCRANTON, PA (WVIA) — Mayor Paige Cognetti on Tuesday described a city where federal, state and private investments are being made in public safety, infrastructure, parks and the economy. “We have so much that's going on right here in Scranton. People want to be here. They want to put their money here," she said during her State of the City address at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.
Scranton Mayor Delivers State of the City Address
MARCH 25, 2025
SCRANTON, PA (WBRE/WYOU) — Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti presented her State of the City address Tuesday morning, highlighting accomplishments and what the future holds for the Electric City. For the last four years, Mayor Cognetti says she has worked to improve the quality of life for the people of Scranton with the goal of transparency in the local government.
‘Unlock the future:’ Cognetti Touts Achievements in Optimistic State of the City Address
MARCH 25, 2025
SCRANTON, PA — Touting considerable investments in infrastructure, parks, public safety and internal operations, Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti celebrated Tuesday her administration’s progress while casting a momentum-driven vision for Scranton’s future in her latest state of the city address.
Renovations Planned for Scranton Park
MARCH 20, 2025
SCRANTON, PA - A popular playground in Scranton will soon receive a much-needed facelift as the city prepares for a remodeling project. "And we have a $400,000 grant from the state to do a total rehab of the park. So, we have a bid out right now for design and engineering to remake what this park is," said Mayor Paige Cognetti, (D) Scranton.
Scranton Prepares Paving Program
MARCH 14, 2025
SCRANTON, PA - With winter turning to spring this week, Scranton plans to pave parts of at least two dozen streets this summer and finish by fall, the city announced Wednesday. The city is accepting bids from contractors through March 27 for this paving program funded with state Liquid Fuels Funds allocated to the city and coming out of the city’s general fund. “We are all excited for spring, and here at the city we are even more happy because we are getting ready to pave dozens of streets,” Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti said in a statement.
New Pools and Splash Pads Set to Make a Splash This Summer in Scranton
MARCH 14, 2025
SCRANTON, PA — It will be a busy spring in Scranton's parks to prepare for what city officials hope will be an even busier summer. The city is planning to open five pools and splash pads across Scranton this summer, more than in recent years.
A massive undertaking to preserve a centerpiece of Scranton's history is almost complete.
Finishing up Renovations at Scranton City Hall
MARCH 13, 2025
SCRANTON, PA — Brick by brick for 14 months, workers have been fixing Scranton City Hall from the bottom up, literally. The work being done on the roof this week will wrap up the nearly $5 million project to preserve the building built in 1888.
Trump’s Tactics Lead Americans to Question Role on World Stage
MARCH 10, 2025
NEW YORK TIMES — Among supporters and detractors alike, his transactional approach to foreign policy has upended old notions about the United States as a global leader…The Oval Office dressing-down of Mr. Zelensky shocked America’s allies abroad. But it was especially distressing to some people in Pennsylvania.
Scranton City Hall Glows Green for First Time in Decades
MARCH 9, 2025
SCRANTON, PA — For the first time in nearly four decades, Scranton’s city hall is glowing green in celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day and the parade. The Tower lights come as part of a restoration project which also includes the scaffolding’s scheduled removal in the Spring.
Newsmakers Meet the Mayors March 2024
MARCH 5, 2025: UPDATED ON MARCH 10, 2025
SCRANTON, PA — Four mayors, four different views on a variety of topics.
Northeast Pennsylvania Mayors to be Featured on ‘Newsmakers’ Program
MARCH 6, 2025
WILKES-BARRE, PA - Mayors of four cities in Northeast Pennsylvania will be featured on the “Newsmakers” program on WBRE/WYOU. Hosts Jayne Ann Bugda and Andy Mehalshick will be joined by Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown, Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo and Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat for a roundtable discussion, according to the station.
Scranton Eyes Astound Broadband as City’s Second Cable Television Service
MARCH 5, 2025
SCRANTON, PA — Scranton might get a second cable television franchise serving the city, Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti announced Tuesday. In a news release, the mayor said the city aims to enter into a nonexclusive agreement with RCN Telecom Services (Lehigh) LLC, doing business as Astound Broadband, “to construct, operate and maintain a cable system” serving all residences in the city.
Scranton received $68.7 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. (Brandon/Adobe Stock)
Scranton Mayor Puts Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to Work
MARCH 3, 2025
SCRANTON, PA — A Pennsylvania city is leveraging funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve road safety, housing, and more. The largest infrastructure project funded by the Infrastructure Bill is an Amtrak line from Scranton to New York City. It is now entering phase two, one of only five projects nationwide to progress to the mark.