PA Headlines | July 21 | Shapiro Leads Effort to Elect Democrats Up and Down Ballot

PA Headlines | July 22 | PA Department of Health Rolls Out Measles Tracking Dashboard

In the wake of an ongoing measles outbreak in Pennsylvania, the state’s Department of Health has created a new online dashboard.  Postpartum hemorrhage, or excessive bleeding, is a common childbirth complication, but it can be deadly. Nurses at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new tool to help identify who is most at risk of this medical emergency.  The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education will soon begin covering part of eligible in-state students’ tuition. Beginning in the fall of 2027, the initiative will pay remaining costs for those getting both a federal Pell Grant and a PA State Grant.  When the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that a life term without parole for second-degree murder was unconstitutional, it set a July 24th deadline for legislators to revise the law. While lawmakers have voted on sentencing proposals in Harrisburg, no bill has found enough support to pass. 6 million dollars from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program will go to the 49th Legislative District in Lancaster County. Thaddeus Stevens Foundation is set to receive 4 million dollars. It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked.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 21 | Shapiro Leads Effort to Elect Democrats Up and Down Ballot

A state lawmaker from northeastern PA announced her breast cancer diagnosis in June. Rep. Bridget Kosieroski spoke recently to share her hopeful health outlook, the importance of regular screenings and how she’ll turn her experience into legislative action in Harrisburg. Governor Josh Shapiro and other Pennsylvania democrats launched the "Rise Up Pennsylvania" initiative over the weekend.  it is expected to be the largest coordinated campaign effort for a midterm election in Pennsylvania's history. Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding recently wrapped up Urban Agriculture Week with a  stop at Bay Street Garden in Lancaster. A grant of over 45,000 dollars is helping support innovative approaches to producing fresh food on the redeveloped urban site. State Senator James Malone, among those on hand to mark to celebrate Urban Ag Week, says gardening provides benefits beyond growing healthy food. Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point in June, bringing it to 4.1 percent. Federal grants for counterterrorism and election security in Pennsylvania could be on hold until new election demands are met  Penn State is raising tuition rates for all students at University Park and some students at commonwealth campuses in the 2027-28 school year. It's part of the university's 11.1 billion dollar budget. Students who attend classes at the main University Park campus will see increases of 2.5 percent for in-state undergraduate students, 2 percent for in-state graduate students, and 4 percent for all out-of-state students. 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 20th | A deep dive into the Juniata, post-dam removals.

Today we have a deep dive for you:  Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams are home to thousands of dams, more than any other state.  Pennsylvania also leads the nation in dam removals.  A branch of the Juniata River is changing, after two dams were removed last summer.  If you're already a member of WITF's Sustaining Circle, you know how convenient it is to support programs like the Morning Agenda. 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 17 | One area school district is a case study in cell phone restrictions.

The movement continues among state lawmakers to ban cell phones in schools. one central Pa. district says they have seen benefits from restrictive phone policies. Pennsylvania officials say the Trump administration could be holding up millions of dollars of Homeland Security grants until states comply with election demands.  Lawmakers are calling for tighter commercial driver's license laws in Pennsylvania. Their calls come in the wake of the July 1st crash that killed a state police trooper in Schuylkill County. A data center being built by Amazon in the greater Philadelphia area is sparking public outcry. The Public Utility Commission will hold public hearings on allegations related to operational and service-related issues within the Veolia water system.  The Trump administration replaced an exhibit on slavery at the site of President George Washington’s home in Philadelphia with a version that historians say whitewashes the nation’s history.  The Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority is partnering with Amtrak to provide passenger rail service from Reading to Philadelphia. The Harrisburg Fringe Festival began Thursday and stretches through the weekend. The fourth annual festival features more than 200 independent artists at nine venues across the city. 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: Two orphaned bear cubs are making central PA their new home. ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park in Hershey took the pair of 5-month-old American black bear cubs in, after they were rescued by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. 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 16 | Trump touts $10B and 4K jobs coming to Pa.

U.S. Senator Dave McCormick is announcing $10 billion of investments into defense industries across Pennsylvania. The projects, mostly focused around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, also include new factories in York and Lancaster.  President Donald Trump is pushing to increase federal spending across manufacturing, artificial intelligence and robotics, all in support of a stronger military. Trump spoke at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Wednesday to highlight investments in Pennsylvania’s industries.   Leaders in the defense industry say there is a critical need for investment to strengthen national security.  The $50.8 billion state budget now in effect includes more funds for public education and early-learning programs. While state lawmakers seemed to be moving fast this month to regulate data center construction, few rules made it into the budget deal which is now law. Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary has a new exhibition about the religious liberties of incarcerated people. When Pennsylvania lawmakers recessed last Sunday, they did so without addressing unconstitutional murder sentences. This leaves one thousand people serving life sentences, in limbo.  A Pennsylvania state report calls for new regulations on online casinos to tackle gambling addiction, which experts describe as a public health challenge.  And MY Work in Perry County connects students with disabilities to meaningful, paid work opportunities in their communities. Some students are working for Marysville Borough this summer. 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.