PA Headlines | July 8 | Big Boy steams through Central PA.

PA Headlines | July 8 | Big Boy steams through Central PA.

Big Boy, the largest steam-powered train in the world, is traveling east across the country to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Thousands stood along the tracks in Lebanon Tuesday to see the historic locomotive.  Revelations that the tractor-trailer driver accused of striking and killing a state trooper on Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County was in the country illegally have put renewed focus on the requirements to obtain Commercial Driver's Licenses.  A federal judge says Philadelphia cannot ban ICE agents from using face coverings.  State senators advanced bills last week that could pause data center development. The cleanup continues in the wake of last weekend’s severe thunderstorms which brought down trees and power lines, and knocked out electricity for a large part of the midstate. The storm may have also be responsible for two fatalities. The Perry County Coroner has released the identities of the one adult and three children who perished in a weekend house fire.  A former strength and conditioning coach at Bucknell University is charged in the death of a football player who collapsed during training.  This is the first full week of the new fiscal year in Pennsylvania.  And we still do not have a state budget. So far, there's no indication of when or if the House and Senate will return to session, though negotiations on a new spending plan continue between legislative leaders and the Governor's office. Meantime, legislation that aims to save taxpayers money by limiting excessive profits for utility monopolies is making its way through Harrisburg.  The Penn State Extension is hosting an open house workshop Wednesday, at the Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Manheim. It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked. Thanks to our community, we're still here for you and looking toward the future. Join the thousands of members who are building a stronger WITF. Go to  www.witf.org/givenow. [https://www.witf.org/givenow] And thank you.

PA Headlines | July 7 | Holiday storm cleanup, power restoration continues.

More than 20-thousand customers in Central Pennsylvania are still without power this morning following powerful thunderstorms over the holiday weekend. Most are in Lancaster, Cumberland and Dauphin counties. Today we also have a deep dive: You may have noticed that your electricity bill is rising – maybe even more so, given the costs of staying cool during our recent heat wave. Pennsylvania utility regulators alerted consumers in June that the price of electric generation is increasing, just as it’s getting hotter outside, and people are using more electricity for air conditioning. Solar advocates say there’s one affordable option that could help: solar panels that you can plug into an outlet.  In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. [https://www.witf.org/givenow]

PA Headlines | July 6 | One policy that nine out of 10 Pa. voters agree on.

A cell phone ban in schools could be the most popular policy Pennsylvania legislators pass in years. Several state agencies are coming together to work on reducing the number of collisions between wildlife and vehicles in Pennsylvania.  Twenty percent of Pennsylvanians live in a rural county, but only 10 percent of doctors practice in these locations. One team of stakeholders thinks they have a solution to address the shortage and might extend the reach of existing physicians. Their vision is for Primary Care Medics to – someday – make house calls. And a deeper dive: Camp Cranium is a summer camp for children with traumatic brain injuries.  The week-long camp provides community, support and fun for the campers, encouraging independence and building their confidence every June.  If you already support WITF with an ongoing monthly contribution, thank you. If every member of WITF's Sustaining Circle increased their gift by as little as $12 a month, we could close the budget gap caused by cuts in federal funding and keep this programming going strong. Increase your gift at https://witf.org/increase [https://witf.org/increase] or become a new sustaining member at www.witf.org/givenow. [https://www.witf.org/givenow] And thanks!

PA Headlines | July 3 | Where to celebrate Independence Day across Central Pa.

Heated debate in Harrisburg Wednesday shows the two parties are far apart on a state tax credit that benefits private schools. And that's just one reason the state budget is overdue. A Pennsylvania State Police trooper was killed Tuesday after being hit by a tractor trailer as he inspected a stopped tractor trailer along I-81 in Schuylkill County. In Dauphin County... Lower Paxton Township Police are beginning an enforcement effort they're calling Operation Colonial Crush.  Environmental advocates continue to fight against a proposed hydroelectric project in Cuffs Run, York County.  As we head into the July 4th weekend, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is raising awareness of boater safety and the dangers associated with Boating Under the Influence, or BUI.  As America celebrates its 250th birthday, a Central Pennsylvania amusement park is marking its 100th anniversary. And now it’s time for our weekly segment called The Bright Spot. Every Friday, I’ll share a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle.      Today’s bright spot is this:   Amid all the stories about America’s 250th, here’s one that could help you party like it’s 1776. [https://www.npr.org/2026/06/19/nx-s1-5843321/george-washingtons-original-beer-nypl] The New York Public Library asked a local brewery to make a beer concocted from a 250-year old recipe in their collection - George Washington’s original recipe. If you're already a member of WITF's Sustaining Circle, you know how convenient it is to support programs like this. By increasing your monthly gift, you can help WITF close the budget gap left by the loss of federal funding. Visit us online at witf.org/increase [https://witf.org/increase]or become a new Sustaining Circle member at witf.org/givenow [https://www.witf.org/givenow] to help build a sustainable future for WITF and public media. Thank you.

PA Headlines | July 2 | Celebrating “Revolutionary Things” at the State Museum in Harrisburg.

Just in time for the nation's 250th birthday, visitors to The State Museum of Pennsylvania can now see more than 140 artifacts highlighting Pennsylvania’s role in the American Revolution. The state Senate left Harrisburg with an unfinished budget, which should have been in place by midnight Tuesday. Democrats were quick to say they want to stay in town to hammer out a deal.  Environmental groups say recent investments announced by Nippon Steel for its U.S. Steel plants in the Pittsburgh area won’t do much to improve the region’s air quality because the company’s plants will still rely on coal.  We are currently under an extreme heat warning issued by the National Weather Service. It stretches through Friday evening.  The Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking people to report sightings of all wild turkeys they see this summer, now through August 31st. The commission says the reports allow the agency to estimate how good the wild turkey "hatch" was.  If you already support WITF with an ongoing monthly contribution, thank you. If every member of WITF's Sustaining Circle increased their gift by as little as $12 a month, we could close the budget gap caused by cuts in federal funding and keep this programming going strong. Increase your monthly gift today at https://witf.org/increase [https://witf.org/increase] or become a new sustaining member at www.witf.org/givenow. [https://www.witf.org/givenow] And thanks!