The Morning Agenda

Pennsylvania's state House Republican leader says transit agencies in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh should consider privatizing some functions to avoid service cuts. House minority leader Jesse Topper says Philadelphia's transit system -- the largest in the state -- could run more efficiently by hiring outside drivers. A spokesperson for Pittsburgh Regional Transit dismissed the idea. Pennsylvanians have less than a week to obtain a Real ID by the May 7th deadline. PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said PennDOT is ramping up for the last-minute rush. A new greenhouse gas emissions inventory from Philadelphia shows planet-warming emissions, are decreasing... from sources such as cars, trucks, homes, industrial facilities and leaks from gas pipelines. Sophia Schmidt, from our friends at WHYY's Climate Desk, reports. Pennsylvania was set to receive $13 million over three years to purchase fresh produce for communities in need. That funding was blocked by the Trump Administration last month. Isabela Weiss from our friends at WVIA reports, some farmers say the Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) program was deeply flawed and didn’t meet local needs... while food bank organizers say the funding is essential. The West York police officer killed in a York hospital seige in February... was killed by friendly fire. York County District Attorney Tim Barker says Andrew Duarte was struck by a shotgun blast fired by police that also hit an armed man holding hostages. Attorneys General from Pennsylvania and 39 other states are calling on Congress not to eliminate funding for a vital federal program. The Legal Services Corporation, or LSC, provides representation for eligible veterans and older individuals in rural areas. Harrisburg city officials have issued an emergency declaration for the 6th Street corridor. They're calling 6th Street a public safety hazard... between Maclay and Reily Streets... due to drivers consistently traveling above the posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour. Local musician Darrion Washington stopped by our studio recently to play a couple of his songs and chat. His music takes listeners through a range of emotions, from softer melodies to agonized wails. Darrion was joined by his friend and guitarist Austin VonStetten for a performance and conversation in our studio with WITF Music’s Joe Ulrich.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House and Senate members are back in session this week to continue negotiations on a state budget for the fiscal year that begins July first. As WITF's David Payne reports, one of the issues lawmakers will be discussing is funding for mass transit. The owners of Restorative Roots Recovery want to continue operating recovery houses in northeastern Pennsylvania, but they're concerned about the Trump administration's federal funding cuts. Lydia McFarlane from our friends at WVIA reports from the only licensed male recovery houses in Luzerne County. The Eagles visited the White House Monday to celebrate the team’s Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Speculation about who would and wouldn’t attend the celebration had been going since the date was announced last month. Nick Kariuki with WHYY's Billy Penn was in Washington D.C. for the event. Yesterday, April 30th, was the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. For stories about the war from Central Pennsylvanians who lived through it, see: https://vietnam.witf.org/stories/ Two people were electrocuted in Pennsylvania... one in State College and one in Pittsburgh... amid severe storms that swept across the state Tuesday night. It's been two weeks since a shooting at Florida State University killed two and injured six. We're now learning that one of those injured is Gettysburg native and FSU student Reese Gourley. Her family released a statement through their attorney stating that their daughter suffered a gunshot wound in her back and now faces a long recovery. U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement... Known as ICE... has approved agreements with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and Northwest Regional Police Department. The agreement allow the two local agencies to arrest and detain people on behalf of the federal agency. Controversial Commonwealth University president Bashar Hanna will step down on July 31st to accept a new leadership role in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. A Mifflin County High School English and Journalism teacher is the 2025 National Teacher of the Year. Ashlie Crosson teaches 10th through 12th graders in A-P English, 10th grade English, and a class called Survival Stories... an elective that approaches global humanitarian crises from a youth perspective. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some international students in Pennsylvania and elsewhere lost their student status recently, which allows them to stay and study in the U.S. Alan Yu from our friends at WHYY reports, the decision has now been reversed. The Trump administration has long flirted with the idea of selling the U.S. Postal Service to the highest bidder. Kenny Cooper, also from our friends at WHYY, reports Philadelphia-area letter carriers and post office workers are on edge. In the wake of an arson attack on the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg, Dauphin County officials admit a 911 dispatcher mishandled a call the morning of the fire. After nearly a week, firefighters are making steady progress containing a pair of wildfires in a central Pennsylvania state forest. The fires cover more than 2700 acres in Michaux State Forest, about 30 to 50 miles southwest of Harrisburg. We could be in for a Congressional rematch in central Pennsylvania's 10th House District in 20-26. U.S. Representative Scott Perry's spokesman confirms he will be running for an eighth term in the U.S. House. And Janelle Stelson is reportedly telling Democratic Party leaders she's strongly considering challenging Perry again. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pennsylvania House is broadening and advancing a consumer data privacy bill. WITF’s Jordan Wilkie reports it would allow Pennsylvanians to ask companies to not collect certain data and have them delete other data already on-hand. A Johnstown-based mining company has gotten the go-ahead to expand an underground coal mine in Westmoreland County. LCT Energy operates the 2800-acre Rustic Ridge “Number One” coal mine in Donegal, just south of the Pennsylvania Turnpike exit there. The company recently got approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to expand the mine northward, underneath the Turnpike. Reid Frazier, from our friends at the Allegheny Front, reports opponents of the project worry about the potential for environmental damage. Dauphin County officials admit a 911 dispatcher did not appropriately escalate a call in accordance with county policy, early Sunday morning, April 13th, an hour after an arson attack on the Governor's Residence. Campgrounds, boat ramps, welcome centers and other recreational facilities run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in six states are being closed or seeing hours reduced due to funding cuts by the Trump administration. The cuts include Blue Marsh Lake located near Reading, in Berks County. Mike Sullivan’s nearly decade-long tenure running the Pittsburgh Penguins is over. The team announced Monday that it was parting ways with the two-time Stanley Cup winning coach just over a week after the Penguins missed out on the playoffs for a third straight season. And the Hershey Bears open their Calder Cup playoff run this week. Game one is Wednesday night in Hershey, versus the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in an Atlantic Division best-of-five semifinal series. Hershey is seeking its 14th AHL championship overall. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Firefighters are making steady progress fighting a pair of wildfires in Cumberland County... despite gusty winds over the weekend. The fires cover more than 27-hundred acres in Michaux State Forest, between 30-50 miles from Harrisburg. At least 12 Bhutanese refugees and former Pennsylvania residents are now stateless people in India and Nepal after U-S deportations. WITF’s Jordan Wilkie reports the men were sent to Bhutan, despite the fact that they are not considered citizens of the Himalayan nation. Meantime, a suburban Philadelphia sheriff's office is teaming up with US Immigration Customs and Enforcement. Emily Neil from our friends at WHYY reports, if the agreement goes into effect, ICE will provide training to Bucks County sheriff’s office deputies to assist with and carry out arrests for immigration violations and more. It was exactly a week ago... last Monday... when we received the news that Pope Francis had died at the age of 88. The leader of the Harrisburg Catholic diocese attended Saturday’s funeral services for Pope Francis. WITF’s Rachel McDevitt reports the bishop is reflecting on the legacy of the late pontiff. Following Pope Francis’s death, a mural in Philadelphia commemorating his visit to the city of brotherly love nearly a decade ago has become a memorial site. Cory Sharber from our friends at WHYY has more. And the Philadelphia Eagles will visit the White House today. Bernie Sanders is coming to Central Pennsylvania this week as part of his "Fighting Oligarchy" tour. And Selinsgrove would become more walkable, pedestrian and bike-friendly, under a trail connectivity plan. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comments on autism by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are drawing fire from Pennsylvania representatives -- including two who are autistic themselves. A state lawmaker who has built a bipartisan coalition around food health and nutrition. Rep. Natalie Mihalek wants Pennsylvania to take on highly-processed foods and other health concerns. She's assembled a package of seven bills she’s calling Healthy PA. Presidents at several central Pennsylvania colleges and universities are among the 300 nationwide who have signed a statement condemning what they say are the Trump administration's unprecedented government overreach and political interference endangering American education and public research funding. By the end of June, creditors of a former Lancaster County-based drug and alcohol rehab center should be paid and its remaining Ephrata property should be sold. That’s what court-appointed receivers for Retreat Behavioral Health told a Lancaster County judge on Wednesday. Retreat closed abruptly last June following the suicides of its founder and chief administrative officers. The company was in debt for at least $30 million. The company that owned the railcar that caused the devastating East Palestine, Ohio train derailment in 2023 will NOT have to help pay for the $600 million dollar settlement Norfolk Southern agreed to with residents. An Ohio jury decided Wednesday that GATX isn't liable for the settlement, even though the failure of a bearing on its railcar carrying plastic pellets caused the pileup on Feb. 3, 2023.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air quality is getting worse for some Central Pennsylvania communities. WITF’s Rachel McDevitt has more on the latest State of the Air report. Pennsylvania state leaders are enacting a plan to reduce rates of maternal morbidity and mortality across the Commonwealth. It includes making it easier for women and children to access health care, nutrition and other social services. Meantime, in Philadelphia, healthcare outreach workers are trying to offer that help in an unusual place: laundromats. This past weekend marked the 250th anniversary of the first shots fired in the American Revolution--and a special exhibit opened at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. The two Democrats running for Lancaster mayor will debate this Saturday. And the U.S. Justice Department has withdrawn a lawsuit accusing Hazleton and its leaders of violating federal law by thwarting the election of Hispanic City Council candidates. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal deadline to get a REAL ID is now about two weeks away, but only 27% of Pennsylvanians have one. The parent company of Philadelphia’s Independence Blue Cross posted a NET LOSS for the first time in nearly a decade last year. That means the nonprofit spent more on healthcare costs than it collected in insurance premiums. The trade war between the U.S. and China is knocking on the door of the fast-fashion industry. Proponents of sustainable clothing hope tariffs will persuade people to buy second hand. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bishop of Harrisburg remembers Pope Francis as a shepherd and good news for Central PA's drought on this Earth Day Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the Morning Agenda from WITF. We hear from a security expert to evaluate the Governor’s Residence. We should also learn more Penn State closures in a month. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The governor’s security is being reviewed and the community wants SCI Rockview to stay open.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former governors react to the Governor’s residence arson and polio survivors remind people of unvaccinated consequences.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Harrisburg man has been arraigned on six felony charges for allegedly setting fire to the state governor’s residence. Some state lawmakers worry the timing of the arson – during Passover – is not coincidental. Pennsylvania officials worry that President Trump’s tariff policies are making global trade more expensive, threatening local businesses and jobs, and hurting affordability. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has confirmed that a patient who tested positive for measles visited Lancaster County's WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital. Students at Lebanon Valley College recently got the experience of recording and producing an album.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Shapiro administration is making the case for more funding to support rural hospitals. Officials in 16 states and the District of Columbia are suing the Trump administration to restore access to pandemic relief aid for schools Pennsylvania’s fire and emergency agencies are in a tough spot as costs go up and volunteer recruitment goes down. Plans for a $300 million recycling plant in northwestern Pennsylvania have been canceled, amid uncertainty over federal funding. The site of a recently demolished coal-fired power plant in western Pennsylvania is being redeveloped.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania defended the Trump Administration on a number of issues during a recent telephone town hall. County health officials are left waiting on federal money that may not come. State Police patrol troopers at every station across the Commonwealth are now equipped with body cameras. The Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum in Lancaster County has launched a year long centennial celebration. The Berks County Prison Board has agreed to detain people for up to 72 hours at the request of federal immigration officials. The board of Pennsylvania’s state-owned university system has named Chris Fiorentino as the system’s next permanent chancellor. A GOP lawmaker from Cumberland County is renewing her push to keep Pennsylvania students' attention off their smartphones and on their classes. Artist Pamela J. Black speaks about where she finds inspiration.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State Democrats joined gun-reform advocates in a plea to Republicans and to Governor Josh Shapiro. A Dauphin County magistrate judge accused of shooting and wounding her ex-boyfriend in the head as he slept has been convicted of attempted homicide and aggravated assault charges. International students at Penn State are among those whose visas are being revoked. A Philadelphia woman is using her own experience with vestibular disorder to help others. The National Transportation Safety Board confirms the explosion at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant in 2023 was the result of a natural gas leak. Senator John Fetterman revealed he has been using the popular weight loss drug, Mounjaro. Gov. Shapiro visited Lancaster to promote downtown businesses and the expansion of a state grant program aimed at revitalizing downtown areas and surrounding neighborhoods.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump's tariffs have generated economic shockwaves, but U.S. Senator Dave McCormick says worried Pennsylvania voters need to give things time. Democratic state senators are calling on their Republican colleagues to help preserve access to housing. Four additional counties in northeastern and northwestern Pennsylvania have been added to the spotted lanternfly quarantine in the Commonwealth. A Lancaster County jury has found Jere Bagenstose guilty of killing his estranged wife more than 40 years ago. Emails and other communications between Pennsylvania lawmakers and the lobbyists who try to influence them will remain hidden from the public. A feature film about Milton and Catherine Hershey is in the works, according to The Hershey Company.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was the guest speaker at a ‘Hands Off!’ rally in Northeast Pennsylvania on Saturday. After President Donald Trump announced his plan to place tariffs on most nations, Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation had mixed reactions. Saturday was the first day of Trout Season in Pennsylvania. The man who killed a Cumberland County police officer more than 30 years ago has been resentenced to life in prison without parole. Southern York County school officials canceled a Black chemist’s invitation to mentor fifth graders, raising new allegations of racism amid mounting tensions across the public school district. Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick is facing a DUI charge following a crash last week. A bill in the Pennsylvania legislature to accept millions of federal dollars for solar projects for low-income families has suddenly put the state’s solar industry on edge.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly 2,000 top scientists, engineers and medical researchers signed a letter saying that the Trump administration is decimating the nation’s scientific enterprise. Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas is calling for a pause in deportations of Bhutanese refugees until their safety can be guaranteed upon return to Bhutan. The EPA announced it will finalize water quality standards that aim to protect fish in a portion of the Delaware River. Over the past two years, nearly $18 million flowed to Pennsylvania’s top lawmakers from major players such as casino operators and charter school backers. What are they getting in exchange?Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Penn State’s faculty senate is alarmed about the possibility of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents taking action on the university’s campuses. A look at the impacts of the Trump administration's sudden cut of billions of dollars worth of grants to state and local health departments nationwide. The Philadelphia Eagles will wear their Kelly green jerseys more often next season. Three Elizabethtown Area School District parents are suing the district for allegedly violating state open meetings laws. A lawsuit filed by a Muslim prisoner has prompted the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to improve religious meal accommodations. A Dauphin County Commissioner has been stripped of his responsibilities overseeing county departments.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The owners of a recently demolished coal-fired power plant say the site will become a data center powered by the largest natural gas plant in the country. Youth advocates met in Pittsburgh to discuss the end of a decade-long legal battle for the environment. Pennsylvania health care experts say they’re worried what will happen to already struggling rural hospitals if there are cuts or changes to Medicare and Medicaid. Schuylkill County Commissioners unanimously approved a $3.2 million settlement in the federal sexual harassment and assault lawsuit involving a former Schuylkill County Commissioner. The family of a student-athlete who died in July filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Bucknell University. An environmental group has filed a lawsuit against the operators of the Brunner Island coal-and-natural-gas-fired power plant. The whereabouts of six Pennsylvania residents are unknown after being deported to Bhutan at the end of March. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pennsylvania Senate passed two Republican-backed crime bills. A federal judge says enforcing the requirement that Pennsylvania mail-in ballots include an accurate exterior envelope date violates the federal Constitution. The EPA is continuing to slash grant funding for projects in Pennsylvania. An iconic hard candy mounted to a plastic band is once again rolling off production lines at Bazooka Brands’ new Ring Pop factory in northeastern Pa. A water quality watchdog is threatening legal action against a York County scrap yard for alleged water pollution. For the first time in decades, Lancaster residents and visitors can expect to see park rangers roaming the city. Plans for a new affordable housing addition to the Misty Ridge community won unanimous approval from Cumberland Township supervisors. Gas prices across the Susquehanna Valley rose 10 cents this week to an average of $3.14 a gallon, according to AAA East Central’s most recent Gas Price ReportSupport WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Protesters in Pittsburgh demanded an audience with Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senators. A state lawmaker has convened a bipartisan caucus focused on housing. Peak cherry blossoms are expected to arrive during the first week of April. A Lancaster city man stabbed two men outside the Islamic Community Center on Sunday morning. State data shows kindergartners across Pennsylvania were vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella at a rate of 94% for last school year. Chambersburg Area School District has likely been paying cyber school tuition for students who live in another state. U.S. Representative Scott Perry will hold a tele-town hall meeting April 2. A Democrat's narrow victory in last week’s special election in Lancaster County is being called the most significant political upset in the county’s history.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public defenders in Pennsylvania are calling on the state to double the funding it provides for indigent defense. Governor Josh Shapiro announced a $5 million redevelopment grant to a Muslim community center in North Philadelphia. One state lawmaker has been using budget hearings to focus on an issue she says doesn't get enough attention - maternal health. A Lancaster city church is now collecting donations for a Black reparations fund, prompted by the 2020 murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minnesota. Local artist Amie Bantz reflects on how her multiracial heritage influences her paintings. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pa. Senate Education Committee is advancing a GOP-backed bill targeting transgender athletes. Pennsylvania meteorologists are expressing concern over recent federal cuts to the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A state program offering financial support to crime victims could get a big investment under the budget proposed by Governor Josh Shapiro. The Trump administration’s purge of online content related to diversity, equity and inclusion in the military went beyond removing feature articles of military firsts and images of soldiers. At least 59 Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health employees appear to be among the job cuts announced by the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello said the city is "strong, resilient and full of opportunities" during her annual State of the City address. A former Bucknell University student’s class-action lawsuit against the university is reportedly nearing a settlement. A Pennsylvania organization called PA Groundhogs is working with scientists to analyze changes in street drugs.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A special election in Lancaster County saw a Democrat clinch a narrow win in a historically Republican state legislative district. Democrats retained their one seat majority in the state House, thanks to a special election win in western Pa. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested more Bhutanese refugees living in Pennsylvania, bringing the count of those in custody to at least ten. The Trump administration is no longer funding legal services to unaccompanied minor immigrants. The Reading School Board was expected to approve the hiring of former state Education Secretary Dr. Khalid Mumin as the district’s new superintendent. Harrisburg City Council has approved Eden Village of Harrisburg’s plan to help the city’s homeless get permanent shelter. Volunteer firefighters in Shrewsbury are trying to save a historic bell that hung in the old firehouse for 145 years. Pennsylvania is challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s cancellation of a $13 million contract that helps local farmers supply food to people in need.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Josh Shapiro says the state will expand a pilot program that lets state workers use ChatGPT. Most gun owners rarely use their firearms for self-defense, according to a new report. Advocates are calling on lawmakers to better support wildlife corridor projects. The union representing employees of Mountain View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center said resident care is “suffering” under Allaire Health Services ownership. Officials in Union County are working with Geisinger to resolve several issues over the Danville-based health care provider’s proposed $32 million cancer center. A new missile maintenance facility is coming to Letterkenny Munitions Center. The Pa. Agriculture Discovery Center has announced plans to build its 25,000-square-foot facility just outside of Gettysburg.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Pennsylvania Congressman traveled well out of his district for a public forum in Philadelphia. Shell may be trying to sell a massive chemical plant called an ethane cracker in Beaver County. Pennsylvania is creating the Center for Plant Excellence to increase innovation and address issues in the horticulture sectors. The Shapiro administration expects some Pennsylvania municipalities to become so financially distressed they could require state assistance. The Eastern York school board adopted an anti-LGBTQ+ policy restricting pronoun use in an 8-to-1 vote. Three specialized courts have saved Cumberland County more than $7 million by diverting offenders away from prison. A data breach at the Pennsylvania State Education Association is affecting more than 500,000 people. Soaring costs for volunteer firefighting companies may end up shouldered by taxpayers.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A special election in southwestern Pennsylvania will decide the control of the state House. Democratic state lawmakers renewed their call to launch an Office of New Pennsylvanians. Pennsylvanians will be able to see how well their local area agency on aging is investigating elder abuse cases and assessing programs for older adults. Officials say it'll take decades to replace and revitalize trees at the Flight 93 memorial in Somerset County. A look at the newest project from WITF Music, "Write Now."Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State lawmakers are considering a consumer data privacy bill that would set rules for how companies collect, store and sell individualized information from people’s online activities. Congressman Glenn Thompson shared his thoughts on the anticipated move to dismantle the Department of Education. A Pennsylvania nonprofit that aids farmers is joining a lawsuit seeking the release of frozen federal grant money. The Trump administration is freezing roughly $175 million meant for the University of Pennsylvania over the school’s policy on transgender athletes. A man sentenced to death for killing a police officer in Cumberland County decades ago is back in court for resentencing. Dairy farmers are bracing for the economic fallout of President Donald Trump’s trade war with Mexico, Canada and China — the three leading buyers of U.S. dairy products. Pennsylvania college students have until April 15th to apply for grants of up to $5,000 annually through the state's new Grow PA Grant Program. Hundreds of federal workers in Pennsylvania have lost their jobs as a result of cost-cutting measures from the Trump Administration. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democratic leaders in Pennsylvania say they’re open to passing voter ID bills that don’t disenfranchise any voters. Attorney General Dave Sunday has nominated a new state Consumer Advocate. Governor Josh Shapiro is calling for universal screenings of new mothers for postpartum depression. Some state and county officials are concerned that recent state court decisions could jeopardize the secrecy of mail ballots. Dover Area school officials adopted new restrictions on which bathrooms and pronouns LGBTQ+ students can use. Lewisburg Borough Council authorized up to $5,000 in legal expenses to prepare an anti-discrimination ordinance. The future of water pollution regulation in Pennsylvania is a little murky after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this month.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leaders of the local Bhutanese refugee community say immigration officials arrested six legal permanent residents, but they don't know why. A Pennsylvania nonprofit has lost federal grant funds as part of the Trump administration’s large-scale government spending cuts. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is urging the Penn State's leadership to consider long-term community impacts to branch closures. A conservative political action committee asked school board candidates it endorsed to sign a pledge to uphold the PAC’s policies while serving on the boards. State Senate Republican leaders are lobbying the Trump administration to rescind Medicaid waivers that expand social services for low-income mothers and children, the homeless, and individuals set to leave incarceration. School districts crack down on vapes. Sunbury Revitalization Inc. has hired a downtown ambassador to promote the city.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana products may soon get more state oversight. Solar advocates in Pennsylvania are cheering Monday’s first-round vote in the state legislature to accept millions in federal money for the Solar for All program. Environmental groups are ramping up their opposition to a hydroelectric project near the Susquehanna River with a new legal challenge. Arts organizations react to the National Endowment for the Arts change in its funding guidelines. Five members of Harrisburg’s Bhutanese community were detained last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The 2025 State of Education report shows student mental health issues, inadequate funding and staffing shortages are top challenges facing Pennsylvania public schools. York city Mayor Michael Helfrich is out of the running for a third term and has endorsed former city council president Sandie Walker.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Shapiro's effort to hire laid off federal workers is having an effect. Those who plan to fly on a commercial airline or enter a federal building need to get a Real ID by May 7th. Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County is cancelling this year’s campground reservations, citing staff shortages amid recent federal job cuts and hiring freezes. A Pennsylvania lawmaker is reviving his effort to repeal the state’s ban on Sunday hunting. Painter Andy Smith talks about his work with watercolors. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some state lawmakers are again pushing for open primaries. The new head of the EPA announced plans to rollback 31 separate environmental protections. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and a crypto mining company have agreed to accelerate cleanup of the company’s unpermitted coal ash dump in northwestern Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Board of Education unanimously rejected an application from a Christian organization seeking to become an official accreditation agency for private schools in the commonwealth. A redesign of a dangerous street in Harrisburg has been put on an indefinite pause, even though the city already paid nearly $163,000 for the work. A New York company specializing in intercity bus routes said it will begin operating a Reading to Philadelphia route on March 18. Pennsylvania costs, uninsured population could rise if federal government cuts Medicaid funding.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rural county’s decision to spend opioid settlement funds on child welfare worker salaries has spurred debate. Legislators and healthcare providers held a town hall in Scranton to raise awareness of potential threats to Medicaid and Medicare during Donald Trump’s second term. Pittsburgh’s first bar to exclusively air women’s sports is opening this month. Gov. Josh Shapiro cautioned that Trump administration efforts to dismantle the Department of Education could “crush” Pennsylvania schools. A newly released, heavily redacted affidavit shows Pennsylvania Congressman Scott Perry's involvement in trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is eliminating more than $1 billion for programs that help food banks and schools buy from local farmers. A bite-sized nuclear future takes shape in Pittsburgh.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor Josh Shapiro is promoting a $5 million plan to address Pennsylvania’s nursing shortage. State Attorney General Dave Sunday is joining with 38 other Attorneys General and the U.S. Justice Department in a bid to end Google’s monopoly over internet search engines. At American Red Cross blood drives nationwide, donors who give this month can get free A1C testing. A new statewide program is aiming to help residents remove invasive trees and shrubs and replace them with native species for free. Harrisburg business leaders say the city’s next mayor must lead a sweeping, all-in effort to reinvent the city’s faltering downtown. A proposal in the state House would establish a program within the Pennsylvania health department to pay off medical debt balances that have been sent to collections. Officials at a Schuylkill County aluminum manufacturer are carefully monitoring the burgeoning trade war between the U.S. and Canada. Thousands of Ukrainians in Pennsylvania face an uncertain future after the Trump administration halted a humanitarian program to help people affected by the 2022 Russian invasion.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three victims of a Lancaster County plane crash were taken to a burn unit for treatment. Water utility Aqua Pennsylvania has filed a lawsuit against chemical manufacturer Arkema. State health officials told state legislators that new weight-loss drugs are driving up costs for Medicaid in Pennsylvania. Penn State's Beaver Stadium is becoming the West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Thirty-three images on the U.S. Army War College website were flagged for removal under a Trump administration order because they highlighted diversity, equity and inclusion. Pennsylvania congressman Scott Perry says that anyone who is “legitimately” on Medicaid will not lose their coverage under GOP budget cuts. It’s almost time again for cicada season. Pennsylvania updates its 22-year-old voter registration system.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advocates say recent policy changes at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association violate state and federal protections for trans students. Two western Pa. public school districts and several parents have sued the state in a bid to undo antidiscrimination protections for gay and transgender people. The union representing some of the 3,000 employees at Tobyhanna Army Depot says morale is low as the Trump Administration continues to cut costs. Federal offices in Central Pennsylvania are on the DOGE chopping block. Pennsylvania’s medical researchers have been spared the impact of major federal funding cuts. A check-in on how eggs prices are affecting people in Central Pa. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania is updating its 22-year-old voter registration system. Researchers and staff at the University of Pittsburgh are speaking out against proposed funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health. Visually impaired residents in northeastern Pa. have a resource designed to help them maintain independence. Dauphin County hired at least four former employees as consultants almost immediately after they left their full-time government roles, against state law. A cold-case investigation by York City Police yielded several felony charges against three suspects — including homicide and attempted homicide. The City of Reading is planning to use a new fleet management system and dashboard cameras on fifty vehicles. Tröegs Independent Brewing of Hershey, was voted by USA TODAY readers as the No. 1 brewery tour in the country.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania officials want laid-off federal workers to apply for jobs with the state. Pennsylvanians at a town hall in Centre County continue to raise concerns and questions about the Trump administration. The Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia has launched a new institute to focus on its community arts programs. Church World Service Lancaster has lost its federal contract to resettle refugees, following a Trump administration order. WellSpan has implemented enhanced security measures at all of its facilities following the tragic hostage situation and shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital. Messiah University is launching a fully residential, two-year certificate for students with intellectual disability. Money to clean up abandoned mines is critical for Clearfield County's future.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Protesters demonstrated outside the Pittsburgh office of Senator Dave McCormick, calling for more action to support Ukraine. A Pennsylvania state trooper is being charged with felony witness intimidation and misdemeanor counts of stalking and loitering. The deadline is just a few months away for Pennsylvanians to obtain a REAL ID card. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the shooting and hostage situation at UPMC Memorial Hospital. Senator John Fetterman was one of several Democratic votes that blocked legislation that would have barred transgender women and girls from participating in school athletic competitions. The U.S. Army plans to repatriate more remains from the Carlisle Indian School cemetery this year. Pasa Sustainable Agriculture is getting ready to furlough 60 of its 82 employees if money from its contracts with the federal government isn’t released by the end of this month. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump administration’s proposed tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico could impact U.S. housing markets. A series of public hearings about rural population loss in Pennsylvania recently kicked off in Altoona. Pennsylvania wants forest owners to help fight the spongy moth. State lawmakers questioned Department of Corrections officials about the safety of closing four facilities. An agreement between Temple University and WellSpan Health will establish York County's first academic medical school. A Senate bill to allow more Sundays to be open for hunting in Pennsylvania has been reintroduced to the legislature. A wave of high-end apartment complexes has emerged in recent years along central and southern Schuylkill County’s busiest thoroughfares. Gov. Josh Shapiro is urging state lawmakers to take a more critical look at how private equity firms operate in the healthcare industry.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The budget resolution passed by the U.S. House could lead to major Medicaid cuts. Pa. Attorney General Dave Sunday defended his decision to not take legal action against a White House funding freeze. Penn State says it will not pull back on research in the face of uncertainty about federal funding. Filmmakers Paul Hood and Wallace McKelvey discuss their cinematic love letter to Harrisburg, River City Stories. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The state Department of Labor and Industry has a large backlog of unemployment cases. Community leaders are demanding an explanation for the University of Pennsylvania’s decision to remove language and policies on DEI. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has begun stocking the state’s waterways ahead of the upcoming trout season. A Pennsylvania lawmaker is pushing his colleague to study the costs of climate change. A new commission created is at work to reverse the trend or rural depopulation. A town hall meeting on the Broad Street Market rebuilding effort. Three Democrats on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court are up for reelection this year. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gen Z is particularly struggling with mental health and gun-related suicides. People who have their food stamp benefits stolen can no longer get the lost funds reimbursed. Pet owners are worried about their furry friends getting bird flu. WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital went on lockdown Wednesday after getting "credible threats.” The Lebanon County District Attorney says her office is actively working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport criminals. The School District of Lancaster recommends rejection for a charter school that plans to use artificial intelligence, rather than teachers, to educate students. The York VA Clinic embarks on a $2.8 million expansion project. Experts from the University of Pennsylvania give an update on the risk of the bird flu outbreak to farms and human health.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Penn State will close some campuses as it continues to balance its budget. Donald Trump cast a long shadow over Pennsylvania's Department of Education budget hearing. Flu activity is on the rise. West York officer Andrew Duarte was wearing a bullet-resistant vest when he was killed in the line of duty. Lebanon County is expected to receive more than $3.6 million from a second wave of opioid settlement funds. Demand for affordable housing is overwhelming. What's standing in the way of Solar for All?Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania again has access to more than $2 billion of federal money that had been frozen by the Trump Administration. Election security funding cuts will hurt state and local elections officials if made permanent. Protesters in Scranton showed support for the Steamtown National Historic Site. Funeral services are set for Friday for West York Borough Police Patrolman Andrew Duarte. Since 2019, production companies of 33 stars have been given a total of $48 million in state tax breaks because they rehearsed at Rock Lititz. UGI Utilities says its gas rates will increase by 7%.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania’s Auditor General says lawmakers must take swift action to reform what he terms an outdated system for funding cyber charter schools. Philadelphia's District Attorney Larry Krasner is officially campaigning for re-election. Luzerne County police are looking for a suspect in an attempted firebomb attack on a state lawmaker's office. Pennsylvania municipalities say they’re struggling with a nationwide shortage of road salt. President Donald Trump’s string of executive orders targeting transgender individuals and the multiple lawsuits challenging them is creating uncertainty for the LGBTQ+ community.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is proposing major investments in child care in the next state budget. More than two hundred scientists, university faculty members, and health care workers gathered in Philadelphia to protest federal cuts to research. Centre County residents protest Elon Musk’s involvement in government. Two of Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman’s longest-serving staff members are leaving his team. President Trump has appointed Governor Shapiro to the Council of Governors. Four National Park Service employees at Gettysburg National Military Park and one at Eisenhower National Historic Site lost their jobs. A homeless shelter that serves people in Mifflin, Juniata and Huntingdon counties may be forced to close its doors in the coming months. The federal Solar For All program also needs the state legislature to take action.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.