WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Transportation joined health care leaders, organ donation organizations, and families impacted by organ donation this week to celebrate PA Donor Day and encourage more Pennsylvanians to register as organ donors.
PA Donor Day is recognized on Aug. 1 — a date symbolizing that eight lives can be saved by one donor.
More than 6,000 Pennsylvanians are currently on the state’s transplant waiting list, and far too many die each year waiting for a match.
“As a practicing pediatrician, I saw firsthand the life-changing impact of organ donation,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “Children and families were given a new lease on life thanks to the selfless action of someone they often never met. We need more Pennsylvanians to sign up and help save lives.”
One organ and tissue donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of up to 75 others through tissue donation — aiding patients recovering from spinal injuries, burns, vision loss, and more.
Currently, about five million Pennsylvanians are registered organ donors — roughly half of driver’s license and state ID holders. But increasing that number is key to saving more lives.
“Choosing to become an organ donor can save or dramatically improve someone’s life,” said PennDOT Executive Deputy Secretary Larry Shifflet. “And you don’t have to wait until you renew your license — you can register at any time.”
Signing up is fast, free, and easy:
• Residents can register when visiting any PennDOT Photo License or Driver License Center.
• Those under 18 must have a parent or guardian’s consent.
• There is no additional fee to add the “Organ Donor” designation to a license or ID.
• Pennsylvanians can also register online — a process that takes less than 90 seconds.
“The shortage of registered organ donors is a public health crisis — but it’s one we can all help solve,” said Richard D. Hasz Jr., president and CEO of the Gift of Life Donor Program. “On PA Donor Day, we ask Pennsylvanians to join us in expanding the donor registry. By registering, individuals can offer hope — and the gift of life — to thousands waiting.”
“PA Donor Day is a special opportunity to come together in kindness and compassion,” said Susan Stuart, president and CEO of Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE). “Encouraging our family, friends, and neighbors to learn more and sign up as donors gives hope to those who need it most — and honors the incredible generosity of donor families across the Commonwealth.”
Rep. Meuser supports bill to strengthen border security, support veterans
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, announced his support for H.R. 4160 — the Veterans Border Patrol Training Act — a bipartisan bill aimed at helping service members transition into civilian life while addressing staffing shortages within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Each year, Meuser said approximately 200,000 service members separate from active duty, entering a job market that often under-utilizes their unique skills. While federal programs like DoD SkillBridge assist in this transition, barriers remain for many veterans seeking meaningful employment in federal service.
Meuser said the Veterans Border Patrol Training Act builds on SkillBridge by establishing a five-year inter-agency pilot program that connects transitioning service members with career pathways in U.S. Border Patrol. The Departments of Homeland Security, Defense, and Veterans Affairs will jointly oversee the initiative.
Meuser said the program will allow eligible service members to train, intern, or apprentice with Border Patrol during their final 180 days of military service, with the goal of full-time employment upon discharge.
The bill also requires DHS to report annually to Congress on program outcomes — including participation rates, hiring numbers, and demographic information — ensuring accountability and transparency.
With CBP facing persistent personnel shortages, particularly along the southern border, Meuser said this legislation creates a direct pipeline to strengthen homeland security with highly qualified individuals. At the same time, he said it recognizes the value of military service and provides a meaningful path forward for veterans.
“Our veterans have the discipline, leadership, and real-world experience that make them exceptionally well-suited for missions like border security,” said Meuser. “This bill strengthens our national security while creating new career opportunities for those who have already served our country in uniform. It’s a win-win — and I’m happy to support it.”
The Veterans Border Patrol Training Act was referred to various committees — Homeland Security; Armed Services; and Veterans’ Affairs — where it awaits further action.
Sen. Baker: Malicious deepfake scams targeted by new law
Senate Judiciary Chair Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, said this week that technology such as artificial intelligence has been used to commit financial scams, injure personal reputations and disrupt the political process.
Baker said legislation has been enacted to classify these deepfakes and other forms of digital impersonation as digital forgeries, punishable by law.
Baker said Act 35 of 2025 amends current forgery provisions to include “forged digital likeness.” Under the changes, she said if someone creates a digital representation of a real person without their consent and distributes it as genuine, with the intent to defraud or injure, they would be subject to penalties.
Baker said the new law targets harmful impersonations, while safeguarding legitimate artistic, journalistic and expressive works.
“Deepfakes are being used to commit a variety of costly and disruptive crimes including scamming the elderly, embarrassing and extorting public and private individuals, and interfering with political campaigns,” Baker said. “Bringing these disreputable and damaging actions under the definition or forgery will help prosecutors bring bad actors to justice.”