The Morning Agenda

PA Headlines | May 27 | Jobs figures reach record highs in several Pa. Industries, as unemployment holds steady.

Pennsylvania's unemployment rate held steady during the month of April. The jobs numbers show record highs in some industries. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering adding a new ingredient to sunscreen products for the first time since 1999. Dermatologists are hopeful the new ingredient could expand options for sun protection.  A new report released by the state Insurance Department could offer lawmakers a path forward to help struggling pharmacies.  Twenty-six Pennsylvania high schools are receiving state grants to strengthen the pipeline of special education teachers.  Pennsylvania will have a new state librarian later this week, beginning May 30th.  And a deeper dive: Grocery stores typically have shopping carts that can fit a toddler, or even shopping carts that look like race cars where small kids can ride along. There are also motorized scooters for people with mobility issues. But there's also another type of shopping cart, one that advocates for people with disabilities say should be more widely available.

PA Headlines | May 26 | Gearing up for hurricane season.

Hurricane season begins next week, on June 1st. National Weather Service forecasters predict the Mid-Atlantic region will see ‘lower than average’ tropical storm activity this year.  Despite rainy conditions over the holiday weekend – and much of the past week – much of Pennsylvania continues to be under drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.    Last week, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would give Pennsylvania nearly $40 million to address PFAS contamination in drinking water, the agency also said it would roll back PFAS regulations.   A recent study by the National Council on Aging and the Urban Institute finds many seniors are overlooking benefits that they might be eligible for.   A Lancaster County charity that distributes tens of thousands of meals to food banks is facing more than $14 million of debt - yet is continuing with plans to expand nationally. Pennsylvania's zoning and permitting processes are named as barriers to homebuilding in the state, according to a recent survey.

PA Headlines | May 25 | Meet “Cloth of the Nation” hosts Dale and Jan Hanby.

On this Memorial Day, we have a special episode for you – a conversation with Dale and Jan Hanby, hosts of WITF’s newest podcast “Cloth of the Nation.” [https://www.witf.org/programs/cloth-of-the-nation/]

PA Headlines | May 22 | Proposed Legislation May Change the Way Marijuana is Regulated in Pa.

Tuesday’s primary saw incumbents and moderate candidates prevail despite high levels of political polarization and dissatisfaction with the Democratic and Republican parties. State lawmakers are considering shifting oversight of Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program to a new entity. Some say it could be a key step toward legalizing recreational cannabis. PennDOT has announced bridge repairs on coming to a span in Adams County beginning June 1st.  With motorcycle riding season in full swing, PennDOT is reminding cyclists, as well as the entire motoring public, the importance of sharing the road and cutting down on the risk of accidents.  A winning Powerball ticket worth 150-thousand dollars was sold in York County for the Wednesday, May 20th drawing. Bravo Supermarket on West Market Street in West York Boro sold the ticket.  And then our Friday feature, The Bright Spot with Karen Hendricks

PA Headlines | May 21st | Pa Lags in Renewable Energy

Pennsylvania lags behind most of the country in increasing renewable energy. State Senator Doug Mastriano has been nominated to serve as the next US ambassador to Slovakia. The U.S. Senate has confirmed Brian Miller as the United States Attorney for the Moddle District of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has temporarily suspended Cumberland County attorney Richard Lee King. The City of Reading has officially broken ground on a major solar energy project on the public works campus.