PA Headlines | July 13 | Compromise is the key to new state budget passed over the weekend.

PA Headlines | July 13 | Compromise is the key to new state budget passed over the weekend.

We have a new state budget, after lawmakers worked over the weekend in Harrisburg. On Sunday, 12 days into July, the state House and Senate approved a $50.8 billion state budget. Governor Josh Shapiro signed a package of bills enacting the budget Sunday afternoon, and praised legislative leaders for their ability to compromise. Legislative Democrats say the budget deal maintains important public education spending. Republican leaders hailed the deal that modestly increases spending. Why Schuylkill and Berks counties likely can’t recoup lost warehouse tax revenue. With Immigration and Customs Enforcement pivoting from plans to convert some of its new warehouses to detention facilities, one lingering issue is that local governments have lost millions of dollars in annual revenue because the properties are tax-exempt. Some officials had been pushing for payments in lieu of taxes from the federal government. It now looks like that won’t happen. The debate over data centers is becoming a central issue in Pennsylvania's gubernatorial campaign. Republican Stacy Garrity was in Western Pennsylvania last week to discuss the issue -- AND to criticize Governor Josh Shapiro. A Democratic congressional candidate wants major reforms in the way Congress operates. Nominations are open for Pennsylvania's 2027 "trail of the year." Pennsylvanians can submit their favorite trail for consideration through the end of July. Northumberland County now owns land including a mammoth vein of anthracite coal known as the Whaleback. It's considered a geological gem, named for its length and size. It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked.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 10 | Central PA college students win a national manufacturing competition.

Students from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster won a national manufacturing competition, bringing home the grand prize of $100,000. Big Boy generated some big numbers for the Scranton area during its two-week stay at the Steamtown National Historic Site.  As part of America’s 250th birthday, there’s a renewed interest in the Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia has more versions of the Declaration of Independence on display than any other city. Six projects across Cumberland County are receiving more than $750,000 in grant funding. Many of the recipients are using the money to improve or host sporting events. Former Pennsylvania State Senator Shirley Kitchen, who died last weekend, is being remembered as a tireless advocate for her district in North Philadelphia. Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday to remember Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael Pahira Jr, who was struck and killed by a tractor trailer along I-81 in Schuylkill County on July 1st.  In Lancaster County, a 19-year-old man was killed when he lost control of his electric unicycle and was struck and killed by a tractor trailer on Route 322 Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service confirms a tornado touched down in Perry County, this past Sunday evening, July 5th. The York County Commissioners have issued a disaster declaration following severe storms over the July 4th weekend. The Penn State Extension now has a toll-free hotline that provides the latest ag news. Callers can hear updates on the latest crop production, weather outlook, and disease and pest management issues facing crop producers in the state.  Lawmakers in the state House have overwhelmingly approved a bill to provide opportunities for hunter-trapper education in Pennsylvania schools. The bill calls for the Pennsylvania Game Commission to develop the program for students in grades 6 through 12.  Saturday is the start of the 40th annual ChambersFest in Chambersburg, Franklin County. The event started as a way to commemorate the town's historic rebuilding in 1864. 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:  It's that time of the year, when hikers attempting thru-hikes on the Appalachian Trail, are passing through Pennsylvania. Luzerne County native Hunter Lacomis is one of them. He was inspired by his uncles to take the trek through 14 states along the East Coast.  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 9 | Treating fatal overdoses like homicides is complicated.

Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of “drug delivery resulting in death” charges. But treating fatal overdoses like homicides is complicated. Today we have a deep dive into that process with Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA. Here’s Part 1 [https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/06/pennsylvania-drug-death-prosecutions-mother-advocacy-overdose-state-justice-system/] and Part 2 [https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/07/pennsylvania-drug-death-prosecutions-mother-advocacy-overdose-tioga-justice-system/] of Ed Mahon’s series for Spotlight PA.  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 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]