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www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 115 No. 32 Two Sections
AUGUST 7-13, 2024
THE RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE IS HEATING UP
HARRIS PICKS WALZ
THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL TICKET—KAMALA HARRIS, TIM WALZ. HARRIS ANNOUNCED ON AUG. 6 THAT GOV. WALZ WOULD BE HER RUNNING MATE IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.
Popular Minnesota governor relates well to rural, conservative voters by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's mother was an educator, his father was a medical officer, then a pediatrician. He grew up
in Montgomery County, Pa., outside Philadelphia, where only 6 percent of the residents lived at or below the poverty level, and Shapiro's family was not a part of that 6 per-
cent. Following college, Shapiro attended and finished law school at Georgetown University. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, meanwhile, was raised in the middle of
nowhere, Nebraska. His first job was on a farm. His father died when he was 19. Senator of Minnesota, Amy Klobuchar, said on CNN on Aug. 6 that he essentially "came
from nothing." As for law school? Don't even think about it. Walz enlisted in the Army National Guard when he was 17 following high school, earned his
bachelor's degree on the G.I. Bill from Chadron State College (Nebraska) in 1989, moved to Minnesota, worked as a high SEE HARRIS A8
Kayla Portis becomes Sharpsburg’s first Black mayor Has been part of community for decades by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
The U.S. Census says there's about 180 Black people that currently live in Sharpsburg, or 5.6 percent of the borough's population. But don't let the small percentage fool you—in the past eight months, African Americans are making historic moves in Sharpsburg politics. Kayla Portis, 39, a Sharpsburg Borough
councilmember since 2021, made history on July 11 by being appointed Sharpsburg's first Black mayor. And following an open interview process with Portis and other candidates on that July 11 evening by members of council, guess who officially nominated Portis for mayor? Corey Ochai, who made history in January 2024 by becoming the town's first Black male councilmember.
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After Councilman Ochai nominated Portis, Sharpsburg Councilwoman Sarah Ishman seconded the nomination. A vote came thereafter, and the remaining councilmembers voted Portis into office. Applause was then heard throughout the room, some 40 people in attendance, and Portis, wearing a long, black and white dress, was sworn into office by District Judge Matthew V. Rudzki. "I felt like I was ready," Portis told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview, Aug. 1. "I've been here most of my life, and I was ready to proSEE PORTIS A8
SHARPSBURG MAYOR KAYLA PORTIS (PHOTO BY NANCI GOLDBERG)
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AWARDS CEREMONY Friday, September 13, 2024 Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown Hotel 600 Commonwealth Place|Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Chandi Chapman, Celebrity Host
Robert Hill, Legacy Award honoree