George Banks, who killed 13 people in the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania area in 1982, including five of his own children, died in prison on Nov. 2, 2025 at age 83, officials said. In 2012, on the 30th anniversary of the rampage, I wrote this story chronicling the carnage and the decades long battle over Banks’ competenceContinue reading “‘Out of a horror movie’: George Banks killed 13 in 1982 rampage”
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On Donald Trump, hush money and closure
Thoughts on President-elect Donald Trump’s sentencing and the denouement of the defining story of my career: Finality came with a flicker of a flat screen TV and $375 in court fees. “Godspeed,” the judge said, and the defendant — soon to retake his place as leader of the free world — disappeared from view. A digitalContinue reading “On Donald Trump, hush money and closure”
Midnight in the valley of good and evil
Thursday is the fifth anniversary of the verdict in Jerry Sandusky’s child sex abuse trial. He was convicted on 45 of 48 counts and is serving 30 to 60 years in prison. I covered the case for The Citizens’ Voice, Scranton Times-Tribune and other Times-Shamrock newspapers. Here’s my story recapping the case. By Michael R. SisakContinue reading “Midnight in the valley of good and evil”
Amtrak train derails, flips; Cars torn apart, 5 dead
By MICHAEL R. SISAK Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — An Amtrak train headed to New York City derailed and tipped over in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, mangling the front of it, tearing the cars apart and killing at least five people. Scores of passengers were injured, and some climbed out of windows to get away.Continue reading “Amtrak train derails, flips; Cars torn apart, 5 dead”
Rep. Charles Rangel’s final victory lap: Results then nostalgia
Rep. Charles Rangel, a political icon in New York City and beyond, died on May 26, 2025 at age 94. One of my first assignments for The Associated Press was reporting from his Harlem campaign headquarters on his final primary election night in 2014. Here’s what I wrote at the time: NEW YORK — Rep.Continue reading “Rep. Charles Rangel’s final victory lap: Results then nostalgia”
Michael Sisak 