The Morning Agenda

Congress is cancelling over $1 billion in pre-approved funding for public broadcasting. The funding cuts threaten local news and educational programming across Pennsylvania. Workers who rely on tips are being advised to pay attention to their taxes this year. A "no tax on tips" provision is part of the federal tax cut and spending bill recently signed into law. Workers who get voluntary tips - not service fees - may benefit from claiming both cash and credit card gratuities on their taxes. Under current law drivers in Pennsylvania are only required to display one license plate, on the rear of their vehicle. But a state lawmaker will soon introduce legislation to change that. The owner of Lancaster County hydro-electric plants at Holtwood and Safe Harbor has agreed to sell Google massive amounts of electricity generated by the Susquehanna River dams to power some Google data centers. The 20-year, $3 billion agreement is between Google and Canadian owners Brookfield Asset Management. Lancaster and Lebanon Counties are in talks for a long-term solution for hazmat services. Much is still unknown about the restoration efforts at the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg, following an April arson attack that severely damaged part of the Front Street mansion. We explore what we know—and don’t know. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early this morning, between 2 and 3 am, the Senate approved cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting including NPR and PBS as well as member stations including WITF. The Senate vote was 51-to-48. Pennsylvania's senators voted along party lines. With a yes vote, Republican David McCormick voted to rescind funding for public broadcasting as well as foreign aid. Democrat John Fetterman voted against the bill. Earlier this week, Fetterman told the Philadelphia Inquirer the cuts undermine the very values of family and education Republicans claim to champion. Fetterman cited Fred Rogers, a Pittsburgh icon, who taught generations of American children about kindness and empathy through his PBS program "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood." Here’s the next step for the legislation: The Senate's approval of the cuts tees up a final vote in the House, which approved an earlier version last month. For the proposed rescissions to kick in, the bill would need to be signed into law by midnight Friday. Here’s a closer look at the financial implications of the bill. The legislation would claw back nearly $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting which represents the full amount it’s due to receive during the next two budget years. The corporation distributes more than 70% of that money to more than 1500 locally-operated public television and radio stations including WITF based in Harrisburg but serving a 19-county area of Central Pennsylvania. Ron Hetrick, President and CEO of WITF's parent organization Pennon calls today's decision "disappointing," while encouraging those passionate about public media to contact their elected representatives today. Hetrick adds that "In these moments of uncertainty, we remain unwavering in our mission to ensure our organization continues to serve as a trusted source of information and connection for our community." Now turning to another breaking story we’re following this morning: Vice President JD Vance touted the One Big Beautiful Bill Wednesday, making a stop in northeast Pennsylvania, at a Machine Shop in West Pittston. Vance praised President Donald Trump for retooling the economy in favor of American workers. Meantime, Around 50 people protested the Trump administration's immigration policies, education and healthcare cuts during Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Luzerne County on Wednesday. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Josh Shapiro says he wants to be sure Pennsylvania plays a key role in developing artificial intelligence, as well as providing the energy needed to support it. Speaking at an energy and A-I summit in Pittsburgh this week, Shapiro said the state's skilled workforce and natural gas reserves helped attract a $20 billion dollar investment in new data centers recently pledged by Amazon. A number of large-scale data center projects were announced across the state including a $15 billion project planned for the Carlisle area, a $6 billion project in the Lancaster area and a $5 billion project planned for York County. A nonprofit group that helps unemployed people stay in their homes is calling for state property reassessment laws to be updated. The lawsuit could affect property owners across the state. Another attempt is being made to eliminate local property taxes in Pennsylvania: This latest effort, in the form of an amendment to the state Constitution, is co-sponsored by state Senator Doug Mastriano of Franklin County. It would prohibit school districts from collecting property taxes beginning July first, 2029 and require the General Assembly to come up with another funding method for public schools. Some state lawmakers are taking another shot at legalizing adult cannabis use in Pennsylvania. Senators Daniel Laughlin and Sharif Street, as well as Representatives Emily Kinkead and Abby Major introduced bipartisan recreational cannabis bills just four days apart. Both bills incentivize minority, women and veteran-owned small businesses to open dispensaries across the state. Pennsylvania is one of 49 states sharing in a 20 million dollar settlement with drug maker Gilead Sciences. It stems from a lawsuit which accused Gilead of illegally providing financial and other incentives to medical personnel in exchange for promoting and prescribing its HIV medications. Danville-based Geisinger is eliminating nearly 100 Geisinger Health Plan positions as part of an "operational restructuring" amid financial challenges that include a $231 million operating loss last year. Four independent voters in Pennsylvania are asking the state Supreme Court to rule that the closed primary system violates the state constitution. They filed a lawsuit arguing that keeping independents out of primaries effectively denies them the right to vote in many districts where primaries determine the outcome. The 260th York State Fair kicks off Friday. and runs through the following weekend until Sunday, July 27th. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 30 was the deadline for a new state budget, so at this point, lawmakers are more than two weeks late - with little movement until late Monday night. That’s when The Pennsylvania state House passed a budget bill - one that’s smaller than Governor Josh Shapiro originally requested. But Republicans say more cuts are needed. Governor Shapiro is suing the Trump Administration over education funding. This newest lawsuit concerns $230 million in withheld education funds. The investigation continues into last Friday's disruption of 911 service in Pennsylvania. In Cumberland County Court, a homicide trial is underway this week for 27-year old Timothy Lloyd Sampson. The West Pennsboro Township man is accused of causing the death of his 13-month of son on New Year's Day of 2023. The Manheim Township board of commissioners is officially appointing an interim police chief, in the wake of the board's firing of Duane M. Fisher. Township commissioners appointed Lt. Brian Freysz to serve as interim chief. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania’s top emergency management official is calling on the federal government to rethink proposed changes to disaster aid, saying the measures could hurt emergency response in the state. Cleanup work is underway at a contaminated former dishware factory located just west of State College. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts are focused on the Jackson Ceramix Superfund site. Former local TV news anchor Janelle Stelson is running again for Congress. The Democratic candidate plans to challenge incumbent Republican Scott Perry in the 10th District, which includes Dauphin County and major swaths of Cumberland and York counties. She lost to Perry in the 2024 election by just over 1 percent of the vote, having out-performed Vice President Kamala Harris in the district. A protest this Thursday in Harrisburg honors the fifth anniversary of the death of civil rights leader and congressman John Lewis. The "Good Trouble Lives On" protest is part of a nationwide day of action happening in 1500 cities across the country. A popular bipartisan solar program designed to help save Pennsylvania schools save on energy costs may soon go dark. According to reporting by our partners at Spotlight PA, state funding for the program is in question as lawmakers try to reach a deal on a late, deficit-plagued state budget. The swimming beach at a Berks County lake is closed due to high levels of blue-green algae. York is named one of America's most beautiful main street communities by Reader's Digest. The list of 20 most beautiful main streets in America also includes Frederick, Maryland; Bath, Maine; and Woodstock, Vermont. Reader's Digest notes York's revitalization efforts encompassing housing, businesses and local landmarks. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rural health care and job training top a list of Pennsylvanians’ priorities, according to results of a recently-released special survey of public opinion. The process, designed like a town hall for people across the state, softened participants’ strongest political stances. State House Democrats blocked a vote on a bill to prohibit transgender girls from competing in school sports, late last week. The move comes after House Republicans used a political maneuver to force debate on the bipartisan Senate bill. We break down how it happened. Pennsylvania is among the states which have reached a multi-year, $720 million-dollar settlement with eight drug manufacturers. The deal stems from the companies' manufacuture of opioids and the part they played in a nationwide crisis regarding addiction and death. Last week marked a grim anniversary in Harrisburg. It's been two years since fire engulfed the Broad Street Market's brick building. You may have noticed new Pennsylvania license plates are hitting the roads. After 26 years Pennsylvania redesigned its license plate. And a deep dive with Jeff Vasser, president and CEO of Discover Lancaster, who explains how Lancaster County is getting a jump on next year's America250 celebrations by kicking off events this summer. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rural hospital leaders and advocates in Pennsylvania are planning for the future, following passage of that huge federal tax cut spending bill in Washington. It cuts more than a trillion dollars from Medicaid over the next decade. The law also creates a $50 billion rural health grant program, but experts have concerns about that, too. A marathon negotiating session between the city of Philadelphia and its blue collar workers' union paid off, resulting in a tentative contract agreement. The strike lasted more than a week, resulting in trash piling up on city streets. Adams County Commissioners are reviewing new plans for historic preservation in the county and welcoming public comment through the end of the month. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials - known as ICE - is approving a Lancaster County police department application to join a task force program giving officers some immigration oversight. The Quarryville Police Department's application was approved Monday, clearing the way for officers to receive ICE training. Cumberland County Commissioners unanimously approved a nearly $3.7 million dollar capital project to upgrade its dispatch system. Mike Snyder, deputy director for 911 communications, says the county hopes to implement a new system in about 18 to 24 months. More than $50,000 worth of equipment is missing from a Lancaster County fire company. Christiana Fire Company president Michael Ross says intruders broke through the front door and stole vital rescue tools. And a Friday feel-good feature: If you try to search for the local band in this next story, make sure you spell it correctly. The band's name is Midnight Disco, but it’s spelled without any of the I’s: MDNGHT DSCO. WITF Music’s Joe Ulrich sat down to talk to them and record a few tunes. You can see Midnight Disco’s performance and interview in our studio at https://www.witf.org/arts-and-culture/witf-music/ Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grocery stores often throw away products that are not expired, but that are past their suggested “Best by” date. That may change in Pennsylvania thanks to a new law signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro last week. It's been more than a century since archeologists discovered the tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh known as King Tut. Several members of the discovery team suffered untimely deaths shortly after, and the myth of the “mummy’s curse” was born. Scientists believe that team may have actually been exposed to a toxic fungus. Now, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania say that same fungus could help fight cancer. A recent three day clinic allowed firefighters in the city of Wilkes-Barre to get screened for cancer. First responders have an increased risk of cancer from so-called forever chemicals known as P-FAS, which can come from firefighting gear and smoke inhalation. Republican Congressman Dan Meuser - who explored a run for Pennsylvania governor - reportedly won't challenge Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro next year, even after getting an endorsement from President Donald Trump. More than 450 wildland firefighters are now prepared to repond to wildfires across Pennsylvania and nationwide after training at Shippensburg University. Firefighters from 11 states attended the week-long training, offered through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of Forestry. York City's comprehensive plan appears to be stalled... three months after it was last scheduled for a vote by city council members. A draft of the 200-page plan was previously available on the city's website, but it was removed sometime between April and July. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Allegheny County state House member has led the charge to repeal a 150-year-old ban on Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania. Governor Josh Shapiro is expected to sign it into law this week. A state appeals court ruled that a Western Pennsylvania municipality violated its own zoning law when it allowed a natural gas well to be built in a residential area. The future of the federal food benefits program known as SNAP - the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - is unclear. Nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians depend on SNAP benefits, and it costs about $500 million to administer SNAP annually in Pennsylvania. But there are sweeping changes to the program's state and federal funding formula going into effect, as a result of President Trump's newly-signed spending law. Governor Shapiro has said Trump's plan might mean the end for SNAP benefits. A Lancaster County lawmaker has introduced a bill to clarify the role of constables in the Commonwealth. Rep. Tom Jones, an East Donegal Township Republican, introduced a bill to modernize the regulations governing constables and clarify their roles in the court system and law enforcement. Tower Health is eliminating 50 positions across four hospitals, including Reading Hospital, and outpatient services. The nonprofit company says it's part of a streamlining process at the healthcare system. The Schuylkill County borough of Saint Clair is celebrating its 175th anniversary this week. And a deeper dive: Pennsylvania needs more power to meet growing demands for electricity. As a result, Governor Shapiro has proposed a statewide board to expedite the siting of large-scale electricity projects such as those needed to power data centers.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal spending bill calls for a reduction in Medicaid spending by an estimated $930 billion over the next decade. The shared federal-state health program currently provides insurance coverage to more than 70 million Americans with low incomes. Effects of the cuts will not only be felt by low-income Pennsylvanians, but through the state's hospitals and even nursing homes. The Trump administration is holding up nearly $7 billion dollars in federal funding that Congress had already approved for educational programs. Pennsylvania and other states were slated to get the money on July 1st. The State Department of Labor and Industry continues to offer support to workers impacted by the idling of the Cleveland-Cliffs Steelton plant. Assistance has included transition information and a job fair. Two Pittsburgh universities are among those working to understand the impact artificial intelligence is having on jobs. The study aims to get ahead of technology shocks that may change how people work. Developers in Pennsylvania who want to skip the line for certain environmental permits can apply through a new program from the state Department of Environmental Protection called Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development, or SPEED. A Dauphin County judge collapsed while riding his bike and was taken to Penn State Hershey Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead last Friday. Judge Michael J. Smith was a Magisterial District Judge of 20 years. In Centre County, efforts to strip control of a troubled rural water company from its longtime family owner have hit another roadblock, again delaying a permanent fix to years of unreliable service. Rock Spring Water Company and owner J. Roy Campbell recently rejected a $65,000 offer from nearby State College Borough Water Authority to buy the private system, according to reporting by our partners at Spotlight PA. Nine people were rescued from the Swatara Creek by the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department on the 4th of July. It happened near the Hershey Dam, a low-head dam operated by Pennsylvania American Water. Those rescued included three children. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beginning today, July 7, Pennsylvania will be a full participant in health care compacts that make it easier for qualified doctors, nurses and physical therapists to provide care in dozens of states. It’s part of the progress being made on licensing medical professionals in the Commonwealth. Finding sustainable and inclusive approaches to water management is the focus of a national gathering in Pittsburgh this week, July 8 through 11. Last weekend’s Independence Day holiday marked the nation's 249th birthday. It also began the countdown to next year's big America250 celebration. But here in Central Pennsylvania, there's a 250th dedication taking place THIS week in York. Here in Central Pennsylvania our tourism organizations are gearing up for America250. As we continue our series of conversations focused on America 250, joining us today is Mary Grace Kauffman, media relations manager for Destination Gettysburg. She's explains how preparations are coming in Gettysburg and Adams County. Join us throughout July for more conversations with the region's tourism leaders representing the Cumberland Valley, Lancaster and York. ICYMI, circle back to our June 30 episode to learn more about Visit Hershey & Harrisburg's America250 prep.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bill moving through Harrisburg would automatically seal the eviction records of thousands of renters across Pennsylvania. Housing advocates say the legislation would be a game-changer because it would help tenants haunted by their eviction records. Five years after a landmark Pennsylvania grand jury report slammed the Department of Environmental Protection for failing to protect the public from the health effects of fracking, advocates say little has changed. They want Governor Josh Shapiro to do more to protect residents. This Friday, Independence Day, York is hosting a special ceremony. That’s because the White Rose City has a historical connection to the Declaration of Independence. A former Lancaster County treasurer is sentenced to probation for stealing over $180,000 from the nonprofit Columbia Boys Athletic Association over a period of three years. A former Cumberland County borough manager is ordered to pay $32,000 to fix the town's money issues. A judge says 63-year old Fred Potzer needs to make restitution to cover the costs of a financial audit, after the former Newville Borough manager manipulated the borough's finances for the past 20 years. Trees that once stood along Second Street in Harrisburg, behind the Governors Residence, have been cut down. About ten trees were removed, as officials examine and tighten security following an arson attack that burned part of the mansion in April. Long lines at security, flight delays, crowded gates — summer is the busiest travel time of year at Pittsburgh International Airport. But for anxious passengers taking flight this summer, PIT PAWS volunteers have been bringing calm with a wag of the tail since 2017.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Josh Shapiro and Democrats in the state Senate are blasting President Donald Trump’s domestic spending plan. Shapiro told reporters that half a million Pennsylvanians could lose access to health care through Medicaid or other programs. Meantime, in Harrisburg, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania’s politically divided Legislature have missed Pennsylvania’s deadline to pass a budget for the new fiscal year, amid closed-door talks to try to produce a compromise. Shapiro said at a news conference he anticipates negotiators will agree on a plan "very soon.” UPMC headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh is the site of recent rallies. Julia Maruca from our friends at WESA explains, protesters are speaking out against the nonprofit's plans to end gender affirming care for patients under the age 19. A longtime Pennsylvania congressman is announcing he won't seek reelection. U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, a Philadelphia Democrat, is capping a 45-year career in public office. Heavy rain is causing flooding at a popular Lancaster County park set to host one of the region’s most popular 4th of July celebrations. Lititz Springs Park is awash in muddy floodwaters after torrential downpours. And in addition to 4th of July celebrations, a major historical commemoration is taking place this week in Gettysburg: the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spoiler alert, state lawmakers did not have a budget agreement in place by midnight, when the current fiscal year ended. However, that does not mean the state will immediately miss payments for public services. That would change if the impasse stretches over several months, meaning payments for county services and schools would be the first to be affected. Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa is upbeat though, saying he doesn't expect the months-long delays that have plagued past budgets. In Washington, the Senate's latest draft of the budget bill would quickly phase out lots of clean energy tax credits — including one for the production of clean hydrogen. That means new hydrogen businesses planned for the Philadelphia region could be scrapped. Pennsylvania organizations that fund science are experiencing an increase in applications for their grant dollars - and likewise, they're trying to increase funding requests, following the Trump administration's broad cuts to research funding. Dauphin County's Cleveland-Cliffs steel plant began idling operations Monday, affecting hundreds of workers as well as the entire community in Steelton. The company's decision leaves about 500 union workers and 60 salaried employees without jobs. Amazon plans to spend $20 billion to build two data centers in Pennsylvania, a move that state officials say will generate thousands of jobs over the next decade. But the full economic picture includes many unknowns - such as the centers’ full impact on electricity supply and prices, and the amount of tax revenue the state will forfeit to Amazon. The WNBA is expanding to 18 teams over the next five years with Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia all set to join the league. Philadelphia's team would launch in 2030. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, June 30, is the deadline for Pennsylvania lawmakers to pass a new state budget. But the legislature appears poised to miss the budget deadline for the fourth straight year. A years-long debate over how much to tax so-called “skill games” in Pennsylvania has escalated, leading up to the state budget deadline. And Democrats in the state House are pushing to reform the Pennsylvania’s tax code to make it harder for corporations to hide income in other places. It's being called America250. On July 4th of next year, the United States celebrates its 250th birthday.Across the country and across Pennsylvania planning is underway. Joining us to tell us more is Sharon Myers, President/CEO of Visit Hershey & Harrisburg. And this programming note: We look forward to bringing you conversations with many additional central Pennsylvania tourism leaders through the month of July to find out how they’re gearing up for next July’s America250, so keep an eye and an ear out for more conversations.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While Pennsylvania lawmakers haggle over the state budget, liberal advocacy groups are using protests to call for higher taxes on billionaires to fund public services. In 1979, Three Mile Island was the site of what is often called the worst nuclear power accident on U.S. soil. Our colleague Jaxon White, from LNP | LancasterOnline, has the latest on the restarting of the Island’s nuclear reactor. Environmental groups say Tokyo-based Nippon Steel’s recent purchase of U.S. Steel should lead to cleaner operations at the company’s Pittsburgh-area plants. But they haven’t heard much from the Japanese steelmaker. New disclosures with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission show President Trump will control the so-called “golden share," as part of the national security agreement under which he allowed Japan-based Nippon Steel to buy out iconic American steelmaker U.S. Steel. With the state budget deadline approaching, the company that owns “skill game” terminals throughout Pennsylvania says lawmakers have pushed it out of discussions on how the industry should be regulated. Taxing the casino-style games is a key part of Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget, one that would raise hundreds of millions of dollars to fund schools and public transit. The former captain of a Dauphin County fire company is wanted by police after missing two court appearances earlier this year. A Dauphin County judge issued a bench warrant for 55-year-old Steven Bartholomew’s arrest in March. He's accused of driving firetrucks for the Paxtang Fire Company No. 1 several times in 2024 without a valid driver’s license. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next year's Pennsylvania gubernatorial race is already on the political horizon. So far, the Republican field is shaping up with three prominent figures expressing interest. EMTs could soon be authorized to give caregivers medication that would reverse opioid overdoses, as a bill is quickly moving through the state Capitol. Pennsylvania could receive as much as 200 million dollars as part of a massive settlement with drug maker Purdue Pharma. That's according to PA Attorney General Dave Sunday. The payout is part of a $7.4 billion deal, stemming from the opioid crisis, in which prosecutors and addiction experts say Purdue and its owners the Sackler family played a major role. A portion of land in Somerset County is now protected through a recent acquisition by The Nature Conservancy. The land is part of a critical ecosystem, and it's being added to State Game Lands 82. Police say an 18-year old stabbed his father to death with a machete-style knife during an early-morning argument Tuesday in their West York home. Raw milk sold in Lancaster County and throughout Central Pennsylvania is contaminated and should be thrown out, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The milk is contaminated with an infectious intestinal disease. The affected milk is Meadow View Jerseys brand raw milk purchased since April 1 with sell-by dates between April 15 and July 8. A Pennsylvania college is addressing its growing financial issues by auctioning its art collection. Albright College, located in Reading, Berks County - according to a report by our partners at Spotlight PA - is preparing to auction more than 2,000 pieces of art. Gov. Josh Shapiro was joined by Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer LeSean McCoy, at the official ribbon-cutting for a new 41-unit housing complex in Harrisburg, to benefit low and moderate income home buyers. And comedian and actor Shane Gillis, a Mechanicsburg native, will be hosting this year's ESPYS awards show. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People around the world got a first look at pictures and videos from the new Rubin Observatory in Chile on Monday. We take you to a watch party on Penn State’s University Park campus, to meet some of the professors who helped bring the project to life. UPMC is among the hospital systems in Pennsylvania no longer providing certain gender-affirming care for transgender patients next month. Providers are urging UPMC to reverse its decision. Suicide is the leading cause of gun-related deaths in Pennsylvania. The state is offering one million dollars in grants to help communities prevent these deaths. An intense and nearly historic weather pattern is cooking much of the U.S. under a dangerous heat dome this week with triple-digit temperatures in places that haven't been so hot in more than a decade. That includes the entire 19-county WITF listening area, which remains under an extreme heat advisory through 8 pm Wednesday. A Lancaster County police chief is fired, in the wake of a video of an off-duty traffic stop he conducted - in which he drew a gun and grappled with a motorcyclist. And in the town of New Berlin, Union County, a central Pennsylvania tradition is being put on hold this year. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s being called a literacy epidemic. Only about one third of 4th graders in Pennsylvania are proficient in reading. That’s according to the latest federal numbers. Advocates are calling on state lawmakers to improve training for teachers and to support early literacy screening and intervention. Community college students can have a difficult time transferring to a 4-year school. But state-owned and related universities in Pennsylvania are adopting practices to help those students enroll and graduate. Pennsylvania Congressman Chris Deluzio is proposing legislation that would prohibit anyone convicted of corruption or financial crimes from working in the White House or a federal agency. It's part of a broader anti-corruption package Deluzio has been pursuing in recent months. It’s being called the "No Corporate Crooks" bill. Central PA is in the grips of a heat wave. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for the entire Central Pennsylvania region, through Wednesday night. For the first time this year, Pennsylvania's drought conditions appear to be reversed. Drought warnings have been removed from the entire state except for a very small portion of southern York and Lancaster Counties. Both U.S. senators from Pennsylvania are praising President Donald Trump’s decision to bomb nuclear facilities in Iran over the weekend. While many Democrats were stunned by the reported attack, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman was among the first to applaud Trump for the attack on the three Iranian facilities. The state's top fiscal watchdog - Pennsylvania Auditor General Tim DeFoor - is investigating Pennsylvania's Department of Aging. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The inmate population at the state Prison at Waymart in Northeastern PA is older than most other state lockups. And its volunteer-based hospice program allows inmates to receive training to care for other inmates at the end of their lives. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) recently announced a new initiative, creating a new statewide Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Technical Assistance Center, hailed as the first-of-its kind in the nation. Joining us for a deeper dive is Jackie Weaknecht, director of PCCD's office of justice programs. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's being called an historic partnership. It took a year and a half to close the deal, but Nippon [knee-pawn] Steel has completed its purchase of U.S. Steel for $15 billion. A new sculpture celebrates Blair County’s history, at the entrance to DelGrosso’s Amusement Park. It’s part of a statewide initiative to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. A Dauphin County nonprofit is among the organizations receiving funding, in the latest round of grants awarded by America250PA. Pennsylvania motorists can begin their America250 celebration early. PennDOT says license plates are now available marking Pennsylvania as the Birthplace of American Democracy. LancasterHistory's newest museum is being accepted into a National Park Service network dedicated to the U.S. era of Reconstruction. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The state's budget is due in the next two weeks, but House members have already approved Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposal for spending on transit. Legislation approved by the state House of Representatives would increase oversight of hospital sales and acquisitions in Pennsylvania when they involve for-profit and private equity firms. Water providers in Pennsylvania say they’re reducing toxic chemicals known as PFAs from drinking water. It's happening at the same time the Trump administration is threatening to weaken federal regulations set just last year. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania believe they’ve found a treatment that fights glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer. Jere Bagenstose is sentenced to 4 to 10 years in prison... for killing his estranged wife Maryann Bagenstose in 1984. The sentencing Tuesday brings an end to one of Lancaster County's oldest unsolved homicide cases. Now an update to a story we told you about earlier this week. The Adams County Commissioners are calling a controversial social media post by the Adams County sheriff “unacceptable.” Former staff at Lancaster County's Field of Screams are speaking out against what they describe as a hostile work environment. In a report by our partners at Spotlight PA, about 20 current and former volunteers who worked at Field of Screams covering a 15-year period through last year... describe a hostile environment where some unpaid adult staff sexually harassed, forcibly grabbed and groped young volunteers, and pressured teenagers into sex. Harrisburg's Juneteeth celebrations today include the city's Juneteenth Jubilee. This free event, held at Soldiers and Sailors Grove behind the Capitol kicks off at noon and features music, performances, children's activities and free food. Today is also Jubilee Day in Mechanicsburg, the longest-running one-day street fair on the East Coast. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Pennsylvania House bill would partially ban the use of artificial intelligence in political campaign ads. Supporters hope it boosts election integrity. The federal budget bill that passed the U-S House last month would have overhauled aid for college students. Education affordability advocates say the Senate’s version is an improvement, but they’re still worried. Penn State’s Board of Trustees has voted to remove one of its most outspoken members. The 30-4 vote is the latest chapter in an ongoing battle between the board and member Barry Fenchak. A central Pennsylvania sheriff is under fire for a controversial social media post. In York County, officials are approving a plan for a waste transfer station. A landfill, used since the 1970s, is nearing capacity. And the state is changing the ways doe tags are distributed to hunters. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. Senate is considering a spending plan that would eliminate incentives for clean energy. And some Pennsylvania companies say those cuts would devastate their businesses and raise energy costs. Meantime, U.S. Senator Dave McCormick says the future is bright for power production in Pennsylvania. He shared his vision for the state’s energy industry during a visit Monday to western PA. Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania are applauding two Trump administration proposals to rollback rules that cut power plant emissions. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says the goal is to, in his words, restore American energy dominance. Dozens of campuses in Pennsylvania plan to tap the Solar for Schools program to install solar panels using grant money. Some of the schools are counting on federal tax credits as well. But the budget House Republicans passed last month would make that harder. As the Trump administration ramps up efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, advocates in Pennsylvania are worried problems at the state's largest federal detention center will worsen. The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association is releasing its latest analysis of the Susquehanna River. The nonprofit advocacy organization found high levels of E.coli bacteria at 20 public water access points. An executive order issued late last week clears the way for what's being termed as a "partnership" between Pittsburgh-based US Steel and Nippon Steel of Japan. And Pennsylvania's budget deadline is quickly approaching. Gov. Josh Shapiro and state lawmakers have until June 30th to agree on a new spending plan. Several questions remain about how to balance the Democratic Governor's spending priorities. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voters across the state are telling lawmakers what they want for the future of state policies. A sample of Pennsylvanians across geography, race, age and politics are weighing in on the biggest issues of the day — with some help from an elite university and a rich backer. Pennsylvania’s Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen is critical of President Donald Trump’s proposed Medicaid cuts. The Pennsylvania Turnpike continues to modernize, as tollbooths begin to come down and interchanges are reconstructed. Homer C. Floyd, one of Pennsylvania’s premier civil rights leaders, has died at the age of 89. The long-time executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission died last week in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County after a prolonged illness. Five Lancaster County farms are among 35 Pennsylvania farms in 18 counties being preserved through a 10-million dollar investment by local governments and the Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation Program. Researchers are seeing a rise in the tick population in Pennsylvania. That climb is also driving up emergency room visits for tick bites. You may have heard them in parts of Pennsylvania — periodical cicadas are out in force. And they’re loud. WPSU’s Anne Danahy reports on a recent walk through Bald Eagle State Park with the cicadas. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Immigration advocates and union representatives rallied in downtown Pittsburgh this week. Demonstrators were showing solidarity with those in Los Angeles, by protesting the deportation of immigrants. The Pennsylvania state House has voted to raise the minimum wage on a county-by-county basis. We explain how the plan would work. More than 400 young people in Pittsburgh are being dropped from a federal program that provides free job training and education. Many youth are unsure of their next moves. Coyotes, foxes and crows are already fair game for Pennsylvania hunters on Sundays. But hunters may soon be allowed to chase deer, turkey and bear on all in-season Sundays as well. State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding stopped at the Waltz Estate and Winery and Family Farm in Manheim, Lancaster County earlier this week. He announced an investment of over $224,000 in Agriculture Promotion Grants. Opponents of President Donald Trump’s administration are set to rally in nearly 2,000 cities and towns this weekend, including dozens of locations across Pennsylvania. Rallies are set for Harrisburg, Lancaster, Carlisle, York, Gettysburg and Chambersburg. The No Kings Day of Defiance protests will happen during the military parade in Washington on Saturday for the Army’s 250th anniversary — which coincides with Trump’s birthday. And the Pennsylvania state House is pondering a bill that would ban the use of artificial intelligence in political campaign ads. Lawmakers say AI-generated images or videos could undermine the integrity of elections, if the technology is used to misrepresent candidates. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania is making its election data available to the public in new ways, with more updates to come. The Department of State’s new data dashboard makes information about elections easier to access and understand. State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding was in Perry County this week, as the Shapiro Administration continues to highlight how SNAP funding cuts will affect Pennsylvania farmers and families. Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a bill meant to streamline the approval process for energy generation projects in the state, but it faces opposition from many sides. A 15-year-old boy faces 20 to 40 years in prison after a jury in York County found him guilty of third-degree murder in the shooting death of his 12-year-old friend. A Lancaster County teen and her mother are charged with concealing the death of a child and other offenses. Susquehanna Regional Police say the teen aborted her fetus last spring by obtaining abortion drugs online and burying the fetus in her backyard. The James Beard Awards - the culinary world’s equivalent of the Oscars - are announcing winners later this month. In Pennsylvania, five Philadelphia chefs and restaurants are being considered. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s being hailed as the largest private sector investment in state history. Tech giant Amazon has announced it will spend $20 billion on two data center complexes in Pennsylvania. President Donald Trump has posted on social media about the proposed sale of US Steel of Pittsburgh to Japan-based Nippon. But details are still vague, and a deadline to complete the deal is a week away. A proposal to fund mass transit in Pennsylvania would involve a fee attached to the price for rideshare services, such as Lyft or Uber. With the summer driving season underway, gas prices seem to have settled in for the time being. We have the current trends at the pump. The US Supreme Court has rejected a Republican appeal and left in place a ruling allowing voters in Pennsylvania to cast provisional ballots when their mail-in votes are rejected for not following technical procedures in state law. The justices acted on an appeal filed by the Republican National Committee, the state GOP and the Republican-majority election board in Butler County. A motorcyclist was killed after a police pursuit last Thursday night. Pennsylvania State Police say a West Shore Regional Police officer attempted a traffic stop in Wormleysburg involving a motorcyclist who police say committed numerous traffic offenses. The midstate is resembling a mini-United Nations this week. Harrisburg University is hosting a delegation from the European Union. The health of the Chesapeake Bay declined over the past year, according to an annual report card issued by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. The University gave the bay a C. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pennsylvania state House has passed new limits on funding for cyber charter schools. The legislation would set a cap of $8,000 per student on reimbursements paid to the charters. Fewer recipients will get farmers market vouchers this summer and their distribution has been delayed. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture says that’s because the federal government is holding back money appropriated for the vouchers. Cumberland County has been recognized with a global award from the United States Army. June is Pride Month, with many celebrations and parades taking place around the region. WITF's The Spark recently spoke with Dr. Eric Selvey, President of the Pride Committee of Central PA, who explains the significance of this year's theme, "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now." We are learning more about the emergency response to a deadly attack at York's UPMC Memorial Hospital on February 22nd. Three Pennsylvania Game Commission wardens recently received commendation awards for their heroic actions during that attack. Logging will increase by ten percent in Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest under a directive from President Trump. It's part of a push by the Trump administration to boost domestic lumber supplies. Federal authorities are moving to drop a racial discrimination lawsuit against the Sheetz convenience store chain, as part of the Trump administration's move away from diversity, equity and inclusion. Southwestern Pennsylvania is attempting to recover from flooding and landslides, as the region is set to host the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club with play opening this Thursday and continuing through Sunday. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The lawsuit filed last week by Governor Josh Shapiro against the US Department of Agriculture deals with the termination of a three-year, $13 million dollar food assistance contract. That funding also affects food assistance programs for needy Pennsylvanians. And a PA food bank advocate speaks out against the cuts. Solar energy companies across the region are reeling at the prospects of rollbacks to the green energy tax credits, with thousands of jobs at stake. As the school year winds down, colleges and universities are preparing to send out bills for the next academic year. With that in mind, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is lining up a series of free webinars - which launch tomorrow - aimed at helping students and families. Beginning the night of Memorial Day and continuing through the summer until Labor Day, Taps is played in Gettysburg. The program, in its ninth year, called 100 nights of Taps, is organized by Wendy Allen, a Gettysburg gallery owner known for her paintings of Abraham Lincoln who serves as president of the board of directors for the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania. Wendy Allen joins us for conversation about the significance of 100 Nights of Taps.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture over its attempt to cancel a federally funded food purchasing program. Fewer recipients will get farmers market vouchers this summer and their distribution has been delayed. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture says that’s because the federal government is holding back money appropriated for the vouchers. State Senators on both sides of the aisle agree something helpful could be done with leftover money in campaign accounts. A key committee is advancing a bill to allow that extra money to be donated to nonprofits. An explosion was reported at Shell’s ethane cracker in Beaver County Wednesday afternoon. The State Library is offering a chance to imagine what Harrisburg's Old Eighth Ward looked like over 100 years ago. The U.S. Department of Energy is ordering an oil and gas power plant in southeastern PA to keep its turbines running through the hottest summer months as a precaution against electricity shortfalls in the mid-Atlantic grid. Cumberland County is a step closer to what would be its first data center. And Pennsylvania's cyber charter schools would see their funding cut under a bill passed by the state House this week. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interest in public records, especially for school boards and elections offices, has increased in recent years. But some lawmakers say there are bad actors using the right to access as a way to harass government officials. In response, the Senate is advancing a bill to allow government agencies to ignore records requests from so-called vexatious requesters for a year. Two Pennsylvania lawmakers hope to rejuvenate a state-funded program that helps cover the cost of badly needed home repairs. A new report from the Lenfest Institute for Journalism shows Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration is getting mixed reviews from residents who see some progress - but often feel left out of the process. Testimony is underway this week in the homicide trial of a York County teenager, accused of fatally shooting another York County teen. Harrisburg Area Community College's President and CEO John J. “Ski” Sygielski will remain in his role, past July 18th which was to have been his retirement date. The announcement came at HACC’s June 3rd board meeting. Otters once inhabited every river system in Pennsylvania. But by the early 1900s, most of them were gone. The Allegheny Front’s Julie Grant joins a wildlife biologist who has been working for decades to bring back river otters, and finds an environmental success story. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. Senate is considering a budget bill to slash taxes and federal spending. WITF's Jordan Wilkie explains Pennsylvania’s senators are split on support for President Donald Trump’s budget bill due to its reduction in social safety net programs. We hear from both Sen. Dave McCormick and Sen. John Fetterman. State Democratic leaders are urging their Republican colleagues to oppose Donald Trump’s federal spending bill, warning the plan could hurt Pennsylvanians. We hear from State Senate leader Jay Costa and emergency physician and PA House member Arvind Venkat. The Harrisburg School District is set to exit receivership. Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Carrie Rowe made the announcement Tuesday, calling it an historic milestone, since Harrisburg is the first Pennsylvania district to ever emerge from receivership. The district was first put under state control in 2019 in order to improve its finances and academic results. Harrisburg's former Bishop McDevitt High School is headed to sheriff’s sale this summer due to failed mortgage payments. That sale is slated for July 17th at the Dauphin County Administration Building. According to Dauphin County court documents, owner of the school's holding company, Jeremy Hunter, failed to pay off debt from two mortgage loans... totaling $2.2 million. An Ephrata man facing a 30-day sentence for disorderly conduct has now been charged with vandalizing an American flag outside a Lancaster County magisterial district judge's office. And water rates in Selinsgrove borough are increasing by 120 percent next month. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cancer survivors, health care advocates and doctors staged a protest outside Senator Dave McCormick's Philadelphia office. And a deep dive into the Trump administration's dismantling of USAID and how it's impacting University of Pennsylvania researchers, scientists and lab students.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fifteen colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, including HACC, are receiving special designation thanks to a recently created initiative to improve student mental health. A new report calls Pennsylvania's teacher shortage a crisis. About 45 counties are experiencing teacher shortages defined as severe or extremely severe, according to the report, by the group Teach Plus Pennsylvania. A pair of Native American tribes have filed a federal lawsuit in Pennsylvania, accusing the federal government of using trust fund money for the tribes to pay for boarding schools where generations of Native children were systematically abused. They included the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, which operated in Cumberland County from 1879 to 1918. A $580,000 cut to programs to combat homelessness in Lancaster County won’t be restored after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development denied an appeal filed by a county agency. One of the most powerful Republicans in Pennsylvania’s Senate is predicting this year’s state budget cycle will be among the most difficult “in a very long time.” Despite recent rainfall, parts of the midstate remain in dry or drought conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor’s latest map shows Moderate drought conditions continuing to plague all of Berks County, most of Lancaster County, about half of York County, and about half of Schuylkill County. A Gettysburg College professor has written the first comprehensive history of Yellowstone National Park since the 1970s. And now his book has received a prestigious award; selected from a field of more than 150 historical books, as the 2025 winner of The New York Historical’s annual Barbara and David Zalaznick Book Prize in American History. We take a deep dive with Randall Wilson who explains how the legacy of Yellowstone continues to impact us today.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Northeastern PA Congressman Dan Meuser is defending proposed Medicaid cuts and tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. He also told the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce he's considering a run for Governor in 2026. Health providers hope a new blood test for Alzheimer’s disease will lead to quicker and earlier diagnoses of the progressive form of dementia. Top Republican and Democratic officials in Pennsylvania are decrying a provision in the tax and spending cuts bill passed in the House last week that would ban states from adopting or enforcing artificial intelligence regulations over the next decade. The Reading School District will receive $51 million in federal funds following a court order to restore the funding. The order reverses an earlier decision by the U.S. Department of Education to revoke the funds, which put the future of the district's Reading High School Innovation Academy in jeopardy. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman is co-sponsoring legislation to help Holocaust survivors and their families reclaim artwork stripped from their possession by the Nazis. The bill is sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, to help smooth the legal process for survivors and heirs. A historic Lancaster County covered bridge is closed after being damaged in an accident Wednesday night. And a case currently in front of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is weighing the state's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, known as REGGI. We include a conversation between WITF's Asia Tabb and Julie Grant of the Allegheny Front from a recent episode of The Spark.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A state House member from western PA wants the state to help keep tabs on the owners of blighted properties, and to levy fines against them. Five of the 12 Pennsylvania Educators in the running for the Commonwealth's 2026 Teacher of the Year are from the Central PA region. Former magisterial district judge Sonya McKnight will spend at least 13 years in prison for attempted murder, per a judge's order issued in court Wednesday. U.S. Sen. David McCormick of Pennsylvania says an arrangement for Japan-based Nippon Steel to invest in Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel will guarantee an American CEO, a majority of U.S. board members and U.S. government approval over certain corporate functions. Former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin died Tuesday at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. He was 76 years old. And the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy wants to include people of all abilities in outdoor recreation with its new accessible area in Frick Park. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long range forecasts are predicting an especially hot summer, and that could mean higher demand for electricity. Federal regulators are warning the margins between electricity supply and demand are shrinking. Recipients of government assistance are increasingly falling victim to electronic thefts. Bipartisan legislation in Pennsylvania would require a report to detail how the state could make the leap to chip cards. Renovations are underway at Sunbury's City Hall. Mayor Josh Brosious says the upgrades are much-needed for the improved safety of city employees. A Cumberland County woman is facing charges after police say she hit a basketball official with a tripod at a Spooky Nook Sports event earlier this month. Thirty-two year-old Taylor Hair is charged with assault on a sports official and disorderly conduct. As the current school year begins to wind down, one state lawmaker is looking ahead to the next school year. A bill introduced by western PA state Rep. Andrew Kuzma would establish an annual sales tax holiday, beginning the first Friday of August and lasting for one week. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania’s Governor’s Residence underwent extensive security upgrades in the three years before last month’s arson attack. Jaxon White, with our sister newsroom LNP/Lancaster Online, reports that few details about the enhancements were provided in a response to a public records request. State and local officials are celebrating the opening of a new campground loop at Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County. The opening comes as state campgrounds see a spike in reservations. The Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer season, not only for travelers and beach-goers, but for boaters as well. We share safety recommendations from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. A Friday night crash that killed a pedestrian in Carlisle has been ruled a homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. Donald Trump says U.S. Steel will keep its headquarters in Pittsburgh as part of what he calls a “partnership” between the American steelmaker and Japan-based Nippon Steel, which sought to buy it. Pennsylvania's Attorney General is among those advocating on behalf of first responders and others who remain in need of health care, more than 20 years after the 9/11 attacks which destroyed the World Trade Center in New York. Cumberland and Perry counties are now part of an effort to allow people in need of drug treatment to avoid the criminal justice system. It's known as LETI, the Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative. And more than 50 people were evacuated from a Lancaster County movie theater after a fire broke out on Memorial Day. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Older Adult Advocacy Center in Scranton is the first of its kind in the state. It’ll serve older adults who are victims of abuse or neglect in parts of Northeast Pennsylvania. The Public Utility Commission has announced a series of six public hearings in early June regarding Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania's proposed rate increase, which could rise more than 10-percent. A progressive Pennsylvania group is calling for Democratic U.S. Sen. John Fetterman to resign, over his “apparent inability” to perform his job amid recent reports about his mental health. Pennsylvania Indivisible’s Bucks County chapter says polling of their statewide membership shows more than 90% of their 16-thousand members agrees with the request. A man has been charged with providing alcohol to the 20-year-old who fell from the outfield stands at a Pittsburgh Pirates game on April 30. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. That's what happened during Tuesday’s Primary, in one Lancaster County township. Voters in Colerain Township approved a small-games-of-chance referendum. It was the fourth time township voters have taken on the issue since the 1990s. Lake Pleasant in northwestern Pennsylvania was created more than 1500 years ago when a glacier retreated and is home to rare plants and birds like osprey. The Allegheny Front’s Kara Holsopple recently joined a team working to reforest an area that was once mined, as part of an effort to restore hundreds of acres of mineland across the region. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 770,000 Pennsylvanians cast ballots on Tuesday for state-wide judicial and local county and municipal primary races. Secretary of State Al Schmidt said the process of casting ballots in every county and more than 9,000 precincts went smoothly. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro wants bills safeguarding hospitals to reach his desk this legislative session- especially in the aftermath of the abrupt closure of Crozier Health near Philadelphia. Top Pennsylvania politicians accepted roughly 119-thousand dollars worth of gifts and hospitality from groups seeking to influence government last year. That's according to an investigation by Spotlight PA. Pennsylvania's Attorney General has announced the disbanding of a major drug distribution network that operated across Pennsylvania. AG Dave Sunday says law enforcement officers made several arrests and seized more than $6 million worth of fentanyl and xylazene, two substances which are often mixed in with heroin to make it more potent and potentially deadly. For bird lovers, it’s like the Super Bowl, the Kentucky Derby and New Years Eve all rolled into one. Earlier this month, New Jersey Audubon’s World Series of Birding, or WSB took place. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A proposed class action lawsuit recently filed in Pennsylvania is targeting tech billionaire Elon Musk and his pro-Trump America PAC. Jaxon White with our sister newsroom LNP | Lancaster Online explains one of the three lead plaintiffs lives in Lancaster. A federal program that helps low-income families heat their homes in the winter could be on the chopping block, after the Trump Administration proposed cutting it from next year’s budget. The move could leave hundreds of thousands of households in Pennsylvania struggling to pay their utility bills. Planned Parenthood advocates and leaders in Pennsylvania say a federal proposal to block clinics from participating in Medicaid could lead to closures in the Commonwealth. Today is Pennsylvania's primary election day. Democrats and Republicans across the commonwealth will determine which candidates go on to run in the general election. Ballots will vary depending on where voters live, and could include races for mayor, school board, city council, various judicial offices, district attorney, and more. Statewide, voters will weigh in on primary candidates for Commonwealth and Superior Courts. And a vote on whether to close seven of Penn State's Commonwealth Campuses, including York and Mont Alto, will happen this week. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomorrow is Pennsylvania's Primary Election Day. But this fall, three incumbent justices on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court are facing opposition in what’s usually a quiet retention vote. Carmen Russell-Sluchansky from our friends at WHYY reports on how this year is shaping up to be different. And The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard arguments last week over the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, known as RGGI ("Reggie"). Julie Grant from our friends at The Allegheny Front reports. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization PennEnvironment recently released a report that ranks Pennsylvania 49th in the nation for its growth in six key areas of solar, wind and geothermal generation over the past decade. WITF's Karen Hendricks has a deep-dive conversation with Flora Cardoni, deputy director of PennEnvironment, to interpret the report. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is warning that cuts to Medicaid health care that Congress is considering would mean billions of dollars in lost federal aid to Pennsylvania, hundreds of thousands of people losing access to the program and more rural hospitals shutting their doors. In Harrisburg, legislation designed to improve access to hospital financial-aid programs in Pennsylvania has been approved by the state House. Allegheny County Democrat Arvind Venkat authored the bill to prevent patients from falling into medical debt. The bill received strong bipartisan support, including from Republican Tim Twardzik of Schuylkill County. More than a thousand postdoctoral scholars and research associates at the University of Pennsylvania want to form a union. The school is challenging that move. It’s not even Memorial Day yet, but this year’s Fourth of July parade is already being cancelled by one Philadelphia-area township, amid security concerns. There is no definitive threat facing Whitemarsh Township in Montgomery County, but township officials are leaning on the side of safety. Lancaster City Council joined a chorus of municipalities voicing their support for a $15 minimum hourly wage in Pennsylvania. By a 7-0 vote, the council passed a resolution supporting House Bill 1150, which would more than double Pennsylvania’s minimum hourly wage, currently $7.25. As Rite Aid drug stores are preparing to shut down, Pennsylvania's Attorney General is advising customers of other, more crucial deadlines. AG Dave Sunday says June 6th is the final day consumers can use Rite Aid gift cards, coupons, bonus points, or other in-store rewards. A new $19.1 million dollar Lancaster County manufacturing facility opened this week and is ramping up production of bone broth and soup. The company Kettle & Fire is launching with 60 employees but plans to eventually grow to a workforce numbering close of 150. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman is calling for bipartisanship in order to tackle the issue of air traffic safety. Fetterman took the opportunity to highlight a Pennsylvania school. He told Franklin McIntosh, the FAA's deputy head of air traffic control, about the Community College of Beaver County, the only school in Pennsylvania that offers FAA air traffic controller training. Musician Zachariah King hails from the Perry County village of Eshcol, which helped form his musical career. King and his bandmates stops by our studio and talks with WITF Music’s Joe Ulrich about his music, community, and the preservation of local heritage. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Penn State’s administration officially released a report, outlining which of its campuses it’s recommending for closure and why. That list includes two campuses in central Pennsylvania--Mont Alto and York. Factors include declining enrollment and steep maintenance costs. Democrats in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives are sending a suite of election reforms to the Republican-controlled Senate for consideration. The House was also scheduled to vote on voter ID, but Republican support fell apart at the last minute. A state Senate committee quickly moved to shut down a House-passed bill legalizing adult-use recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania. In Washington, D.C., the founder of an Altoona substance use disorder support group is advocating before Congress this week--part of a group of parents impacted by drug addiction who are partnering with the national advocacy group Drug Policy Alliance. Microtransit could be coming to Lancaster County. South Central Transit Authority, the agency overseeing Red Rose Transit Authority, is considering adding the service which is part-Uber, part-public transit, and would potentially cover areas of Lancaster County where buses don't reach. Geisinger Medical Center is marking the launch of its $880 million expansion and modernization project. Officials ceremonially broke ground on the Danville, Montour County project.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Pennsylvania Hall of Fame voter is getting ready to vote for the 82nd year in a row. WITF's Jordan Wilkie introduces us to Lorraine Koons of Lebanon County--who, before she was old enough to vote, worked at the Middletown Air Depot to support the World War II effort by helping build and repair B-17 bombers. When students are routinely missing class, Pennsylvania schools must offer to meet with families before turning to legal action. But educators -- and judges -- are telling lawmakers the supports they can offer families are limited. A Central Pennsylvania lawmaker is facing backlash after posting an online video involving a flamethrower. Sen. Dawn Keefer, a York County Republican, faces criticism after posting a video in which she torches Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal with a flamethrower--a month after Shapiro and his family were evacuated from the Governor’s Residence during a firebombing that left part of the building badly damaged. A former Lancaster city police officer was mistakenly overpaid $114,000 in retirement benefits over the last three years. That's according to an audit of the bureau’s pension plan. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency is opening a new center to better train first responders to handle crisis situations. The agency is launching a statewide Crisis Intervention Team Technical Assistance Center — the first of its kind in the nation. One of two B-29 bombers that remain in flying condition, worldwide, flew over south-central Pennsylvania on Monday. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the wake of Steelton's Cleveland-Cliffs plant temporarily laying off more than 500 employees, a southwestern Pennsylvania state senator says his new bill could encourage new investment in aging steel plants. The Pennsylvania State Police will no longer carry shotguns in their cruisers. Early May rainfall, along with expected rainfall this week, may ease Lancaster County's severe drought status. Berks County officials are reviewing a report analyzing the county inmate population and its finding that jail is too often used as a default tool to address social issues such as poverty, homelessness and substance use. Pottsville Mayor Mark Atkinson is resigning for health reasons. The Hershey Bears continue their quest for their third straight Calder Cup, as well as their 14th AHL championship overall. Last year, a nonprofit group in Pittsburgh, with a partner in Philadelphia, was awarded a large federal grant as part of a $2 billion climate justice program through the Inflation Reduction Act. But now, climate and environmental justice projects are "out" with the Trump administration, and the grant has evaporated. The Allegheny Front’s Julie Grant reports what's at stake. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Penn State is behind its peers when it comes to commercializing its research. Voters will soon head to the polls in the first round of elections for local offices. Primary elections for judges, mayors, school directors and some election workers are on May 20. Secretary of State Al Schmidt says turnout is traditionally low for local elections even though they offer more tangible impact for voters. Pennsylvania’s neighboring states, New Jersey and Delaware are among 17 states [along with the District of Columbia] that are suing the Trump administration over wind energy. Firefighters battled two forest fires for two weeks recently in Cumberland County's Michaux State Forest. Providing more details and context is Mike Kern, the state's Forest Fire Protection Chief, within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of Forestry. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A committee in the Pennsylvania House is advancing two elections bills. Voter ID and a suite of reforms are being sent to the House floor for consideration. Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, a Democrat from Philadelphia, says the elections reform package will address election security concerns like double voting and improving verification of voter registration, while voter ID is a solution in search of a problem. Historical societies, libraries and other local education and government organizations can apply for state funding to help improve the care and accessibility of Pennsylvania's historical records. On May 2nd, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission disclosed, in their online public library, that a fire broke out at Three Mile Island's Unit 2 reactor building back on Febrary 11th. Plant owners TMI-2 Solutions did not put out a public notice... although they did notify the NRC and the state Department of Environmental Protection at the time. That means a community advisory panel did not learn about the fire until the NRC's public posting on May 2nd. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman was meeting recently with representatives from a Pennsylvania teachers union when things quickly devolved. Fetterman began repeating himself, shouting and slamming his hands on a desk. The interaction adds to the questions being raised about the Democratic senator's mental health and behavior barely three years after a he survived a stroke and two years after being treated for depression. The Pittsburgh Pirates fired manager Derek Shelton following a rocky opening month to the Major League Baseball season that saw Pittsburgh quickly slip into last place in the NL Central. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania’s Republican senators, joined by five Democrats, are trying to ban transgender athletes from participating in school or collegiate sports. The Senate - after 90 minutes of heated debate - voted to pass the bill despite indications it will not be picked up in the House. Pennsylvania House Democrats are planting the seed for a recreational marijuana program. The adult-use bill passed out of committee by a narrow 14 to 12 vote. A story on the gunfire which broke out at a Donald Trump rally in western Pennsylvania last summer is the recipient of journalism's top award. Two hospital systems that serve central Pa. have indicated they will no longer offer gender-affirming care to children and teens after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January. Penn State Health and UPMC said they will comply with the executive order that said any health systems that provide gender-affirming care for children under 19 years old would lose federal funding. In response to the February shooting at York's UPMC Memorial Hospital, the state House of Representatives has passed a bill intended to curb workplace violence in healthcare facilities. Two weeks after they began, a pair of wildfires in Michaux State Forest are considered fully extinguished. Some encouraging news for a 20-year-old who fell from the top of a 21-foot-high wall onto the warning track at PNC Park during a Pittsburgh Pirates game last week: Lavan Markwood has taken his first steps since the accident. And Mechanicsburg has a new police chief. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The head of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said a potential move to cut 80-thousand jobs at the agency is a “goal” — not a concrete plan. And Pennsylvania veteran advocates react. President Trump is again targeting sanctuary cities like Philadelphia. Philly has a long history of protecting immigrants. District Attorney Larry Krasner says Philadelphia’s laws—and the Constitution—are clear. Pennsylvania-based Rite Aid is once again seeking bankruptcy protection. James Malone recited the oath of office on Monday, officially starting his term as the lone Democratic state senator from Lancaster County. The 51-year-old's surprise victory in a March special election made national headlines after he defeated Republican Josh Parsons. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.