PA Headlines | June 24 | Trump's visit to the Lehigh Valley was mostly a rally.

PA Headlines | June 24 | Trump's visit to the Lehigh Valley was mostly a rally.

President Donald Trump visited a Mack Trucks facility in the Lehigh Valley Tuesday. The visit was designed to shift attention to the U.S. economy in our battleground state. Pennsylvania lawmakers and officials have debated for years about how to regulate so-called "skill games" in businesses across the state. But state Senate Democratic leader Jay Costa says he believes lawmakers can reach agreement by a court-ordered October deadline. An advocacy group that targeted some Republican incumbents this spring says it will help elect GOP hopeful Stacy Garrity as governor. But the group remains controversial.  Some Pennsylvania police departments continue coverage for families of fallen officers killed on duty. But not all do … and even where that benefit is provided, it’s subject to change - depending on union contract negotiations. A proposal in the state House would make survivor benefits permanent in all municipalities. For the first time since 2018, Pennsylvanians may see a gubernatorial debate. Spokespeople for incumbent Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican challenger Stacy Garrity tell our partners at Spotlight PA that the candidates are both willing to participate in at least one debate leading up to November’s general election. Former York City Councilwoman Toni Smith has died at the age of 92. Smith served on York City Council for 16 years and earned a reputation as a passionate advocate for her constituents. 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 | June 23 | Berks and Schuylkill’s ICE detention center plans are reportedly scrapped.

The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly looking to sell the two vacant warehouses it purchased in Schuylkill and Berks counties, with the intention of converting them into ICE detention centers. The Shapiro Administration is touting their Agricultural Innovation Grant Program as a first-of-its-kind program in the nation. State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding late last week toured Penn State's Fruit Research and Extension Center located in Biglerville, Adams County - one of the grant recipients. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is accepting public comment on a proposed water pollution permit for a coal mine planned for western Pennsylvania.  Six people, including three juveniles, are charged with kidnapping... in connection with the disappearance of a Lebanon County man. Six years after it was created, Pennsylvania's Election Law Advisory Board is facing an uncertain future. Big Boy 4014, the world's largest operating steam train, is traveling through Central Pennsylvania on a 7,000-mile tour that started in California. People will be able to see Big Boy at Lebanon Station the afternoon of July 7th between 12:35 and 1:20. Two competitors at the Hersheypark hot-dog-eating contest on Friday qualified for Nathan's Famous international competition. Did you know that if every sustaining circle member gives as little as $12 more a month, we'd close the gap caused by federal funding cuts? Increase your gift at https://witf.org/increase [https://witf.org/increase] or become a new monthly sustaining member today at www.witf.org/givenow. [https://www.witf.org/givenow]

PA Headlines | June 22 | The A.T. Museum is among local orgs receiving state preservation grants.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has announced over $2.2 million in Keystone Historic Preservation grants.   Community gardeners and farmers in Philadelphia are now able to borrow pieces of equipment and power tools from the city in an innovative new program kicking off this summer.  A Western Pennsylvania woman whose husband has been detained by immigration officials shared her story last week with Butler County Commissioners. She's speaking out to bring attention to the issue of immigration enforcement.   The Pennsylvania Film Office is awarding 117 million dollars through the state's Film Production Tax Credit Program to a record 59 film projects across the state, including an independent production filmed in Gettysburg and Adams County. And we are proud to announce a piece of our own news this morning: WITF's parent organization Pennon is appointing a new president and CEO. Maximilian Duke brings more than 25 years of public media leadership to the role.  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] And thank you.

PA Headlines | June 12 | Why school nurses are asking lawmakers for a new nurse-to-student ratio in Pa. schools

State lawmakers are considering a proposal that would update the commonwealth’s public school code on nurse-to-student ratios and the funding formula for medical needs. The legislation would increase reimbursement rates and the required number of nurses per student. Here in Pennsylvania, it used to be, if you had a seizure, you had to wait 6 months to drive again. It’s now three months and many patients and advocates alike are celebrating the reduction, which lawmakers approved this year and went into effect in March. State funding for arts groups has been flat for a decade at $9.6 million dollars in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, the money has increasingly gone toward entrepreneurship and economic investment. Now, key programs are poised to sunset when the fiscal year ends on June 30th. Over the past year, the Penn State Board of Trustees and its committees held nearly 20 private conferences in which top university officials briefed members on key projects, plans, and initiatives... as a review of university records by our partners at Spotlight PA discovered. The practice potentially runs afoul of Pennsylvania’s open meetings law, according to legal and First Amendment experts. On this holiday weekend, Juneteenth celebrations are planned across the region - including Harrisburg. Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th every year to commemorate the end of slavery in the U-S. And the city of Reading is gearing up for its World Cup watch parties. Mayor Eddie Moran says the Berks County community is being transformed into a destination for soccer fans from around the region. Reading is one of three official “Fan Zone” sites across Pennsylvania, in addition to Pittsburgh and Scranton. 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.  Sports often offers bright spots in our lives – and right now, in the midst of the World Cup, there are many stories serving as bright spots. Today’s bright spot is a story about loyal, rowdy soccer fans from Scotland [https://www.npr.org/2026/06/17/nx-s1-5856528/scotland-fans-rent-school-buses-to-head-to-teams-first-world-cup-game] who discovered a unique form of transportation here in the U.S. 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 | June 18 | Why food insecurity rises over the summer.

Summer vacation is starting for school students, but it isn’t all pool days and sunshine. Children and families tend to struggle with food insecurity more during the summer months. A bill to enhance nuclear power plant inspections has passed the State House.  The measure appears to have bipartisan support. We’ve already experienced temperatures above 90 degrees this June – and the official start of summer is just days away. As we prepare for the continuing heat, many of us are also looking for ways to reduce our energy bills. Dan McCunney, senior communications manager at NRG Energy, says wisely setting your thermostat and changing or cleaning your system’s air filter can make a significant difference. Summer Energy-Saving Tips from NRG | The Spark [https://www.witf.org/2026/06/10/summer-energy-saving-tips-from-nrg/] Pennsylvania's highest court has ruled that skill games are considered slot machines under state law. This means they must comply with crime and gambling statutes.  A Dauphin County golf course is being sold to a data center developer. Final settlement took place Monday for the sale of Dauphin Highlands Golf Course – from the Dauphin County General Authority to Texas-based Provident Realty. More than a dozen minor victims and their parents are suing Lancaster County Day School, AI companies, and two students who created 350 deepfake nude images of their classmates. The State Department of Labor and Industry is reminding employers, parents and young workers about their rights and responsibilities as the summer jobs season gets into full swing.  The National Weather Service confirms a tornado touched down in southern Lancaster County on Sunday night. Thursday (today) a central PA tradition returns for its 95th annual celebration. It’s Jubilee Day in Mechanicsburg, billed as the largest, longest-running one-day street fair on the East Coast. Did you know that if every one of WITF’s sustaining circle members gives as little as $12 more a month, we'd close the gap caused by federal funding cuts? 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!