The Morning Agenda

Researchers have been polling Pennsylvanians for 14 years on their feelings about public health issues facing the commonwealth. This year’s survey from Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion and the Muhlenberg College Public Health program documented a record number of respondents dissatisfied with the overall quality of healthcare in the state. In just a few weeks, Philadelphia will host World Cup soccer games and soon after, the city is throwing a big celebration for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The National Liberty Museum, in Philadelphia, now has an exhibit that shows how sports and democracy go hand in hand. A 14-year-old youth faces arson charges following a rowhome fire in Hanover earlier this week. A rainbow-striped pride flag flying at the Lancaster city rowhome was set on fire Tuesday night and partially burned. Adams County-based Knouse Foods announces it is shutting down its Chambersburg, Franklin County plant by the end of the year. And now it’s time for our weekly segment called The Bright Spot. Every Friday, we share a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle.  Today’s bright spot is for all the train lovers and history buffs: The world's largest operating steam locomotive will be making several stops in Pennsylvania as part of the nation's 250th birthday celebration. One of those stops is considered a shrine of U-S railroad history, right here in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are advancing legislation to end the death penalty. Advocates say the movement comes as public support for the death penalty has declined, with one poll showing it’s dropped from 42 percent to 29 percent during the past decade. The two bills’ prime sponsors offer different rationales for opposing capital punishment. A federal judge is siding with Pennsylvania over an out-of-state advocacy group in a lawsuit about voter data. Pennsylvania's high court ruled Tuesday that spreadsheets of raw data from ballots are public records. A man who managed voter registration drives in Pennsylvania ahead of the 2024 presidential election is facing a month in jail after pleading guilty to three misdemeanor counts. The Harrisburg School Board has approved several contracts for the demolition of the former William Penn High School.  And a once-familiar sight in the Susquehanna River during the summer season is set to make a return. The red and white striped, paddle-wheeled riverboat known as the Pride of the Susquehanna is preparing to launch after a 2-year hiatus. 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. And thank you.

Democrats are trying to find a candidate who can beat incumbent Republican Scott Perry in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional race The primary race is between centrist Janelle Stelson and progressive Justin Douglas. Some Pennsylvania lawmakers say, as immigrant students’ rights have come under attack, they want to take steps to ensure public schools remain safe and welcoming. New state legislation would require schools to adopt policies that protect students’ privacy and limit ICE enforcement on school grounds. Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians rely on direct care workers to get a little assistance at home. Most work for agencies, but 6% are employed directly by a Medicaid enrollee. That category of caretaker now qualifies for a raise after lawmakers added $21 million to the current state budget to fund the increase in pay. Delaware County is eyeing a regional youth detention center five years after abuse allegations shuttered a facility in the county. Berks and Dauphin counties are in those partnership talks. Future security-related upgrades to address emergencies at the state-owned governor's mansion, as well as at private property owned by Pennsylvania's sitting governor, would be subject to new oversight and public accountability, under a measure being pushed in the legislature. After nearly 100 animals were rescued from a Lancaster County home last week, some of the puppies are now being adopted. The Hershey Bears head into the Atlantic Division Semifinals Thursday night facing a Pennsylvania rival, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 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. And thank you.

The Shapiro administration is proposing that Pennsylvania pass new funding to provide meals for Medicaid recipients with diabetes and other diseases. Providing nutritious meals that are tailored to a person’s specific medical needs can improve health care outcomes, research shows. But the meals aren’t typically covered by health insurance. As more Americans live with obesity and diabetes, ultra processed food, like chips, candy, and cereal, have come under a lot of scrutiny lately. Two Pennsylvania food policy researchers argue that governments should regulate those products like tobacco. This comes as some other scientists, and policy makers, say some ultra processed foods can be as addictive and harmful as cigarettes. 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. And thank you.

The American Lung Association is out with their 2026 State of the Air Report, and more than half of Pennsylvania's counties have some form of air pollution. 37 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties received less-than-perfect grades for either ozone or particle pollution - and that includes 9 counties in our listening area - Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Northumberland and York. Gov. Josh Shapiro announced two Western Pennsylvania coal plants will push back their retirement date by at least four more years. Pennsylvania received $193 million this year from the Rural Health Transformation Program. But the state’s rural health leaders worry that the money isn’t enough. They say that health systems already face financial gaps with more to come from expected changes to Medicaid. Federal funding for public media has been rescinded. But your monthly gift to WITF can help fill the gap as we navigate this new reality. Become a monthly sustaining member today at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is preparing to activate a solar microgrid to provide power for a data center at its regional office and State Police barracks in New Stanton. A transit system in Northeast Pennsylvania is investing in a multi-million-dollar expansion project. It’s known as the Pocono Pony. If you have tickets for FIFA World Cup matches this summer, you might be wondering how to travel to the games or where to park. Pennsylvania's spring turkey hunting season will soon open. The latest edition comes on the heels of the best harvest in the last five years. The 25th annual “Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous” is underway in the Pennsylvania Wilds region. It's an event that attracts artists from across the United States and globally.   Pennsylvania State Police are debuting a new state-of-the-art mobile communications unit - to bolster their capabilities this week, with hundreds of thousands of fans expected in Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL draft. Friday (today) is Arbor Day - and the York County Master Gardeners are holding a ceremonial tree planting at John Rudy Park. Events this weekend include the Wetlands Festival at Harrisburg's Wildwood Park, Saturday from 10 to 4. And this weekend is Fountain Fest in Chambersburg. 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: This week, amid all the memories of Prince as we mark 10 year since his death – there was one story that stood out. The story of Prince’s neighbor Yvette who grew up with Prince as her babysitter. But he wasn’t known as Prince then – instead his nickname was Skipper. Her memories and story is archived through StoryCorps and the Library of Congress.   Federal funding for public media has been rescinded. But your monthly gift to WITF can help fill the gap as we navigate this new reality. Become a monthly sustaining member today at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

Advocates for the state’s 47 rape crisis centers say the state must double its funding for their services next year, or some survivors may go without support. State officials are highlighting a grant program to recruit and retain childcare workers across the Commonwealth. The Department of Human Services announces Dauphin County's Follow Me Christian Child Care Center is the recipient of the largest Child Care Recruitment and Retention Program bonus award.   The State Attorney General's office is warning of a new twist on cash scams circulating in the Commonwealth. Millions of Americans are losing billions of dollars every year to cryptocurrency scammers, with schemes tied to ATM-like kiosks growing at the fastest rate. In response, state lawmakers are considering legislation that would require the machines to display more anti-fraud warnings. Attorney General Dave Sunday is filing charges against three members of a Maryland motorcycle club in connection with five Harley Davidson motorcycles stolen from five different Pennsylvania dealerships. The Mifflin County Coroner's Office says the driver of a tractor trailer that crashed into the Laurel Creek Reservoir last Friday... suffered a medical emergency prior to the fatal crash. Reading Hospital is receiving national recognition. The hospital is included in Forbes' list of Top Hospitals - and within Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals. 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. And thank you.

In six of the last ten years, Pennsylvania lawmakers have missed their June 30 deadline to deliver a state budget. New legislation is aimed at ensuring state funding can still get out, even when lawmakers blow their deadline. Pennsylvania’s decades-old ban on using Medicaid to cover an abortion is on the edge of unraveling. A statewide court ruled Monday that the ban is unconstitutional. Free testing, treatment and counseling for sexually-transmitted infections is available at all 59 state health centers in Pennsylvania – which is why, state officials say, the overall number of sexually-transmitted infections are declining.  Pennsylvania may soon adopt the scarlet tanager as its official state migratory bird. The colorful songbird makes its way from South America to Pennsylvania each spring to breed in the state’s forests. On this Earth Day, more than a third of Pennsylvania is either abnormally dry or in drought status. About 37% of the state is classified as abnormally dry or in moderate to severe drought, according to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Two environmental organizations have filed legal petitions to stop the Department of Homeland Security from opening ICE detention centers in Berks and Schuylkill counties. The Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Green Amendments for the Generations are citing community and health concerns. Now an update on a story we first reported last week. The death of a 19-year-old inmate at the York County Prison is now ruled a homicide according to Pennsylvania State Police. Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is one of 32 Pennsylvania institutions receiving national recognition as an opportunity college, by the Carnegie Foundation. 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. And thank you.

Pennsylvania is introducing new privacy protections for people with disabilities, including those with autism. Governor Josh Shapiro announced the changes last week in a series of executive orders. The Pennsylvania auditor general says the state’s so-called motor-voter system is working as intended, despite one error caught during a review. A Florida energy company is planning to build a high-voltage power line in southwest Pennsylvania to feed data centers in Northern Virginia. The company is seeking the right of eminent domain. A house fire claimed the lives of a mother and six children Sunday in Clinton County, near Lock Haven. Following the discovery of a woman's body inside a foreclosed Lebanon County home last week, the woman's husband is facing charges. The executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission announced Friday that he'll step down in June. A 20-year old Cumberland County man is facing charges of ethnic intimidation and harassment after Pennsylvania State Police say he and a juvenile posted anti-Semitic signs on several properties. 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. And thank you.

Two Bhutanese refugees living in central Pennsylvania are detained and facing deportation. It’s the latest in a series of cases where the Trump administration is deporting the refugees back to a country that simply kicks them out again. Getting mail-in ballots ready for counting is a time-consuming process that has slowed results on every election night since 2020, when Pennsylvanians first got the option to cast absentee ballots without an excuse. State lawmakers are considering a measure that would let county election workers begin that work as far as a week out from Election Day. The State Insurance Department has announced a decrease in employers' costs for workers' compensation insurance could be coming in the near future. A change in costs could help employers save money. The Philadelphia 76ers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are all in the midst of playoff games - and that's why Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning area sports fans to be on guard for scams. State officials are awarding nearly half a million dollars in grant funding to support urban agriculture projects across Pennsylvanian's cities - including Harrisburg, Lancaster and Reading. 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. And thank you.

With a new state law now in effect, vape vendors in Pennsylvania may only purchase products from certified manufacturers.  Geisinger and Risant Health are asking the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to lower the amount of money they have to keep in reserves. That could give the health system access to another 100 million dollars. The state’s largest healthcare workers’ union wants to know what Geisinger will do with that money. Brown and rainbow trout were recently stocked in a section of the Conowingo Creek in Lancaster County to highlight stream restoration efforts. The project was supported by two state grant programs that reduce pollution, restore waterways and support healthier aquatic ecosystems. The Republican-led Senate on Wednesday rejected the latest Democratic attempt to halt President Donald Trump’s war in Iran. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote against it.  Two Philadelphia-area men pleaded not guilty to charges they brought homemade bombs to an anti-Muslim protest outside New York City’s mayor's home, in a failed attempt at a terror attack inspired by the Islamic State group.  Lawmakers in the state House passed a package of gas safety bills in the wake of a deadly Berks County chocolate factory blast in 2023. 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:  Earlier this week, Birdnote told the story of environmental advocate Rosalie Barrow Edge – who spearheaded the campaign to acquire and preserve Hawk Mountain and its birds of prey. It was the world’s first refuge for raptors – right here in Pennsylvania, in Berks County. 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 or become a new Sustaining Circle member at www.witf.org/givenow to help build a sustainable future for WITF and public media. Thank you.

The Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s historic 28th Infantry Division has created a new unit to counter modern threats. The change is part of a broader initiative across the U-S Army in response to lessons learned in Ukraine, where drones and other electronic warfare made traditional tactics obsolete. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, slated for closure in May, will instead continue operations under a new nonprofit owner. The Pennsylvania state House has approved two bills to regulate data center development. The State Department of Labor and Industry has announced nearly 3 million dollars in Industry Partnership grants aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania's workforce and economy. Some of that investment is headed to our region. State officials announced the digital marketing agency Web FX is making a nearly $11 million investment to expand its operations in Harrisburg. The commonwealth is contributing $900,000 to the project which is expected to create 100 new tech jobs over the next three years, in addition to retaining around 400 existing positions. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a death at the York County Prison. Maternal health advocates are applauding Governor Shapiro's five-year plan to improve maternal health, but they are concerned about how the plan will be funded. 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 or become a new sustaining member atwww.witf.org/givenow. And thanks!

One way Pennsylvania is marking America's 250th anniversary is through a geocaching trail which includes 25 state parks. The GPS-driven scavenger hunt has sites in several state parks located in the midstate. York County Commissioner Julie Wheeler hailed the announcement as a great way to tie recreation together with local history. More news from Pennsylvania’s state park system: Pennsylvania is adding its 125th state park this month — and this one is entirely underground. And in Blair County, Hollidaysburg Borough Council members are compromising on their vision for a Slinky museum. The iconic spring toy will soon share exhibit space with another part of the borough’s history. Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldiers are forming a new reconnaissance unit designed to counter modern battlefield threats, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Even though the weather turned unseasonably warm this week, many Pennsylvanians continue facing financial challenges paying for this past winter's heating bills. That's why Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh has extended the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program - or LIHEAP - season through May 8th. Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is launching a new program designed for small business owners - and to help craftspeople become entrepreneurs. 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. And thank you.

Governor Josh Shapiro is rallying Democrats ahead of this year’s midterm elections. Shapiro spoke to a nearly packed room of almost 400 people at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center. Several high-profile Democrats also spoke at the weekend event. Conor Lamb, a former U.S. Representative who also ran against Senator John Fetterman, says Democrats have a large window of opportunity this year. For decades, social scientists studying bias and prejudice have relied on Project Implicit, a nonprofit research collaborative and website where people can take tests to measure their own unconscious biases. Millions of people have taken tests on the site over the years. The data collected on the site has also led to many research studies. Now, the funding for the site is under threat. Pennsylvania's two major party gubernatorial candidates - Governor Josh Shapiro and state Treasurer Stacy Garrity - are traveling the country to meet with donors and fundraise. During the first three months of the year, Shapiro out-raised Garrity 10 to one. HACC announces it's eliminating 87 filled positions and 41 vacant positions. Steelton mayor Ciera Dent announced Sunday the Dauphin County borough is launching a new program to curb gun violence, following recent shootings. 14 horses died Sunday in a barn fire at Hanover Shoe Farms. Firefighters from Franklin, Adams and Cumberland counties continue to battle a Franklin County forest fire. And now a deep dive: Several states — including Pennsylvania — are in federal court over the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s latest executive order to rework elections. Trump explained the order by repeating his often-discredited claim that non-citizens are voting en masse and in favor of his political opponents. WITF’s Jordan Wilkie speaks with Carter Walker, reporter for Votebeat, about his story of how non-citizens were registering to vote in Pennsylvania, and how current Secretary of State Al Schmidt led the charge to fix the problem. 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. And thank you.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is appealing orders that have basically stalled two detention centers planned in Pennsylvania. Part of the issue is the sites’ water and sewage capacity wouldn’t support the number of people who’d be there, should the facilities come to fruition. The continued detention of an asylum-seeker arrested in Central Pennsylvania highlights many of the Trump administration’s changes to immigration policy. The State Attorney General's Office is warning Pennsylvanians about the prevalence of fraudulent investment schemes on Meta social media platforms. And the deadline to file your taxes – April 15th – is coming up this week. It ties into April’s focus as Financial Literacy Month in Pennsylvania. The State Department of Banking and Securities is celebrating by offering financial education programs throughout the month. 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 or become a new Sustaining Circle member at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you!

The National Weather Service issued an elevated risk of wildfire spread Thursday. Forecasters say the combination of marginally dry and breezy conditions is creating an elevated risk of wildfire spread across most of central Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania's wildfire season runs from March through May. Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity recently donated nearly $38,000 in unclaimed property to five nonprofit agencies. One of the nonprofits receiving those donations is the Caring Cupboard based in Palmyra, Lebanon County. Officials with an animal rehab center in northeastern Pennsylvania are looking to re-house hundreds of pigeons that were rescued from a Wilkes-Barre home earlier this week. Pennsylvania State Police investigated more than 530 crashes over the Easter holiday weekend. Six of those crashes involved fatalities. Former Gettysburg mayor Chad-Alan Carr is facing additional charges after three more people came forward with allegations including sexual assault. Additionally, a warrant was issued for his arrest, after it was determined he had left Gettysburg and was in Texas. Konnor Griffin has signed a nine-year, $140 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The deal with the 19-year-old shortstop is the largest in club history.               And now it’s time for a new 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: Nearly 50 years later, Cincinnati may get a real radio station named WKRP. As heard on WITF’s Morning Edition earlier this week, the call letters WKRP were recently put up for auction. 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 or become a new sustaining member atwww.witf.org/givenow. And thanks!

Five weeks before Pennsylvania’s primary, a self-declared grassroots candidate is trying to upset the Democratic Party’s endorsed choice for Congress. The winner will face Republican Scott Perry in a contest projected to be competitive for a U.S. House seat. The voter registration deadline for the upcoming primary is less than a month away. Dozens of new data centers are planned across Pennsylvania. State lawmakers have introduced a flurry of legislation to address their rapid growth. This year, all of Pennsylvania's state Representatives and half of Pennsylvania's state Senators will be on the ballot. These races often receive less media attention than the races at the top-of-the-ballot, for the U.S. House or governor. Harrisburg Area Community College is appointing a new president. The board of trustees selected Daniel Lufkin, who brings 20 years of experience in higher education, most recently as president of a college in Texas. A documentary film project is underway in Berks County, telling the story of Latinos who settled in Reading decades ago. 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 or become a new sustaining member atwww.witf.org/givenow. And thanks!

More than 120,000 Pennsylvanians have dropped health insurance coverage through the state's marketplace this year. Premium spikes and the loss of federal subsidies are playing a role. It’s well known that smoking can lead to lung cancer. New research now finds a connection between lung cancer and air pollution.   U.S. Steel’s new owner scored near the bottom in a new climate ranking for steel companies. Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry has released a preliminary report on unemployment and the workforce from January. Combined with the latest national jobs data, it’s generally good news. Five Pennsylvania counties - including Franklin - are billing the federal government when they detain and house immigrants in their jails. That's according to a first-of-its-kind review by our partners at Spotlight PA. The WellSpan Health Board of Directors is announcing the health system's president and CEO Roxanna Gapstur is retiring. 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. And thank you.

Pennsylvania Democrats recently got a bill to raise the minimum wage through the state House, though it likely will face resistance in the GOP-controlled Senate. It’s the third time in four years that this chain of events is playing out on this issue. But a public relations firm is now getting involved, opposing the measure on behalf of industries that rely on low-wage workers and their allies.  The Governor's proposed budget includes nearly a million dollars in state funding for healthy meals for Medicaid recipients with chronic health conditions. The money would fund a new pilot program.  State officials are unveiling a maternal health strategic action plan called Healthy Moms, Vibrant Futures. It’s designed to reduce inequities in prenatal and postpartum care and parenting supports, particularly among expectant mothers who are Black and/or suffering from a substance use disorder.  Catholic dioceses around the U.S. are seeing significant increases in the number of new members. The National Catholic Register (NCR) newspaper recently reported many U.S. dioceses were expecting heavy increases in people joining the Catholic Church at Easter, including some with record highs. Three of the biggest spikes were in Pennsylvania dioceses - including Altoona-Johnstown (up 84%), Harrisburg (up 77%), and Philadelphia (up 60%).  Two Berks County firefighters were killed in a head-on crash Saturday night. It happened as they were traveling in a utility vehicle during a search for a missing woman.  Pennsylvania lawmakers could begin requiring employers to provide paid parental and medical leave. However, critical disagreements remain, on who should carry the cost.  Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday recently announced his office is ranked #1 in the nation for Medicaid fraud convictions.  Soccer fans can celebrate their sport at an upcoming street party in Lancaster. The city is announcing they're throwing a free World Cup Watch Party and Festival at Binns Park and Ewell Plaza on Friday, June 12th.  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. And thank you.

Pennsylvania firefighters say they’re feeling the pinch as private equity firms buy up truck manufacturers. At one time, fire departments had two dozen independent companies to choose from to acquire and service their apparatus – but options have dwindled as private equity firms consolidate factories and grow profits. A recent study finds that energy generated in Pennsylvania will be used for out-of-state data centers. Representatives from three environmental organizations detailed the report at the University of Scranton. A federal judge has ordered the University of Pennsylvania to comply with a subpoena seeking information on Jewish faculty as part of a federal antisemitism investigation. Philadelphia's Independence Seaport Museum has a new exhibit exploring how the U.S. recovered economically from its own Revolutionary War. China was the biggest partner at the time - but also the riskiest If you like to spend time in the great outdoors, there’s a new state program designed to connect you with volunteer opportunities in Penn’s Woods. The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is launching a new streamlined volunteer system with opportunities to give back, in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests.* 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 or become a new sustaining member atwww.witf.org/givenow. And thanks!

A rural Perry County township nestled in the crook of the Susquehanna is joining a national debate over the construction of data centers. Watts Township supervisors moved Wednesday night’s meeting outside as more than 125 people showed up and filled the room past capacity. Last year in Chester County, just east of Lancaster County, 55 people died from accidental overdoses. That's the lowest number in a decade. Governor Josh Shapiro and first lady Lori Shapiro hosted an interfaith discussion at the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg Wednesday night. Interfaith leaders gathered in the renovated room burned in a fire-bombing passover attack exactly a year ago. Pennsylvania is completing its first two years of funding indigent defense - resulting in progress toward better services for criminal defendants who cannot otherwise afford their own counsel. But an annual budget of $7.5 million isn't fixing the dire state many public defender offices are facing across the state. And a deep dive: Several medical offices in the State College area are now charging “facility fees,” which are medical bills meant to help cover the cost of hospital facilities. These fees often aren’t communicated ahead of time… and can cost hundreds of dollars. In today's final story of a three-part series, Sydney Roach from our friends at WPSU explains what state legislators are doing about facility fees – and what YOU can do about them in the meantime. Facility Fees, Part 3: What PA lawmakers are doing about facility fees and how you can dispute them | WPSU And we wrap up today’s Morning Agenda – as we do every Friday – with the bright spot, a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle.  https://www.npr.org/2026/03/31/nx-s1-5766124/life-needs-to-be-more-like-this-some-bars-and-restaurants-are-going-phone-free 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 or become a new sustaining member atwww.witf.org/givenow. And thanks!

Top Pennsylvania lawmakers say school districts may need to demonstrate improvements before additional state dollars are guaranteed. This year’s budget proposal includes a third installment of adequacy funds for historically underfunded schools. A bill in the state House of Representative would allow the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to establish separate playoff systems and championships for boundary and non-boundary schools. A federal judge has ordered the University of Pennsylvania to comply with a government subpoena seeking information on Jewish students and faculty. The Department of Homeland Security is pausing the purchase of new warehouses intended to house immigrants as it scrutinizes all contracts signed under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. That includes proposed warehouse conversion projects in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. And a deep dive: Several medical offices in the State College area are now charging “facility fees.” These fees often aren’t communicated ahead of time… and can cost hundreds of dollars. In this second story of a three-part series, Sydney Roach from our friends at WPSU has the arguments for and against facility fees. 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. And thank you.

A former U-S Attorney in Pittsburgh will lead a new White House task force to eliminate fraud. Pennsylvania home care workers, who provide daily caregiving to seniors and others, say an additional $800 million dollars is needed to raise reimbursement rates and pay for workers. They want to see some of that money in the next state budget. A York doctor accused of sexually abusing women under his care at a drug treatment clinic pleaded guilty Monday to a handful of the 92 charges he faced. Many businesses across the country and across Pennsylvania are seeking tariff refunds from the federal government. And a deep dive: Last June, our friends at WPSU reported on public outcry surrounding the increased use of “facility fees” at Geisinger outpatient clinics in the State College area. Since then, more than 20 people have reached out to our colleagues in WPSU's newsroom with their experiences and many remaining questions. And these questions and issues are happening well beyond State College and Geisinger in communities across Pennsylvania. Today we begin a three-part series, looking into WHAT a facility fee is, WHY hospitals charge them, and what’s being done at the state level to protect people against surprise bills from facility fees. Today, in part one, Sydney Roach from our friends at WPSU introduces what a facility fee is by sharing listeners' stories. 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. And thank you.

The April 15th tax filing deadline is about two weeks away, and Governor Josh Shapiro is encouraging Pennsylvanians to take advantage of a new state tax credit. The Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit was created in the current state budget. The Pennsylvania Fast Track Permit program coordinates multi-agency permitting for large-scale economic development projects – and provides transparency as projects progress. But some northeastern Pennsylvania residents have questions about the state program, after learning a data center project was accepted into fast track but never appeared on the program’s website. A deep dive into Pennsylvania’s automatic voter registration program, started under Governor Josh Shapiro in 2023, shows it’s working to get more people to vote from all parties and parts of the state. WITF’s Jordan Wilkie talks with Votebeat reporter Carter Walker who analyzed the data.

Well over a thousand people protesting Donald Trump’s presidency rallied on Harrisburg’s Capitol steps Saturday. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court late last week ruled that mandatory life sentences without parole are unconstitutional for people convicted of second-degree murder. Last summer, our partners at Spotlight PA broke the story about pharmacies disappearing across the Pennsylvania landscape. Spotlight’s Ed Mahon continues to track this trend and its data. His latest story is “Why Pennsylvania pharmacies keep closing and how lawmakers want to slow the trend – explained in 7 stats.” Ed Mahon joins WITF’s Karen Hendricks on today’s Morning Agenda for a deep dive into the data.

In Western Pennsylvania, the Allegheny County board of health is looking at how it can reduce the impacts of fracking. It formed a subcommittee on fracking last year, and the committee presented their plans to the full board of health earlier this month. State environmental regulators recently held a hearing for an air permit for Shell’s plant in Beaver County. The State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has announced they'll cover the costs for Pennsylvanians to remove invasive trees and shrubs and replace them with native species for the second year in a row. And a deep dive: A silent fly arrived on our shores about 250 years ago, around the same time Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. How one of the country’s first invasive species spurred suspicions of biological warfare, threatened the new nation’s economy, and inspired citizen science. And continuing our weekly feature “The Bright Spot,” we share a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle. This week’s Bright Spot is both artistic and altruistic. https://www.npr.org/2026/03/25/nx-s1-5742397/pablo-picasso-painting-to-be-raffled-off-to-benefit-alzheimers-research  

A bi-partisan group of state lawmakers has announced the formation of the new Pennsylvania Anti-Human Trafficking Caucus. When school districts across the U-S violate civil rights laws, families can file a complaint with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. But given the Trump administration’s dismantling of the U-S Department of Education, many are turning to state agencies to carry out civil rights enforcement. Drexel University plans to launch a 3-year medical school as an alternative option to its 4-year program. Leaders hope the shorter pathway can help students save money and bring more doctors into the workforce faster. State officials are encouraging Pennsylvanians to get screened early for colorectal cancer. The call comes at a time when the number of cases is rising in younger adults... State House Democrats have unveiled their budget proposal and it’s identical to one introduced by Governor Josh Shapiro last month. One of their priorities is raising the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $15, which has passed in the House. New cases of avian influenza are confirmed at three Lancaster County farms this month, affecting more than one million birds. The new outbreaks bring this year's total number of Lancaster County bird flu cases to 8.6 million. The city of Reading has a new fire chief – and he’s the city’s first Black fire chief. Robert Leonard II brings more than 20 years of experience in fire and emergency medical services to the position. Pennsylvania's outdoor recreation industry is growing faster than the national average. Pennsylvania's outdoor economy grew by 1.5 billion dollars in 2024, reaching 20.4 billion dollars in total economic impact.  

A recently proposed settlement in a central Pennsylvania electric utility rate case aims to protect average residential customers from rising rates connected to new data centers. Consumer advocates hope it'll serve as a model to protect all residential customers in the commonwealth. One year ago, half of U.S. Department of Education staff were laid off, including many in the Office of Civil Rights. That’s left enforcement of the agency’s agreements with school districts in limbo. That includes Western Pennsylvania's Norwin School District. The settlement with Norwin stems from a 2021 incident in which two students came to the school dressed in Confederate flag attire. Pennsylvania hunters harvested more deer in the most recently concluded hunting seasons. Gettysburg Borough Council Monday night appointed Alison Lintal as Gettysburg's new mayor from a slate of 14 candidates who applied for the position. She replaces Chad-Alan Carr who abruptly resigned less than three months into the job before being arrested on charges of alleged child sex crimes dating back to 20-11. Pennsylvania's political candidates are using artificial intelligence tools more than ever. They're using A-I to generate parody images of their opponents, create campaign materials, and answer questionnaires. But tech and election experts are worried about what's to come - including the possibility of deepfakes.   And a deep dive: Let’s say you’ve run for office and won a seat on your local borough or township council. How do you get job training to be an elected official?

First, we have a follow-up to last Friday’s podcast when we did a deep dive into the inner workings of the Central PA Spelling Bee: Vedika Burman correctly spelled the word "patriotism" on the 16th and final round, Saturday, to become the 2026 WITF Central PA Spelling Bee Grand Champion. Pennsylvania, along with New Jersey and Delaware, are suing the Trump Administration over a major environmental rollback. Governor Josh Shapiro recently called for stronger safeguards on artificial intelligence in schools. One man is dead and three others are wounded, following a shooting early Sunday morning in Steelton, Dauphin County. York County attorney and state House candidate George Margetas is facing charges related to a traffic crash, according to police Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry is announcing the recovery of nearly $130,000 in unpaid wages for 59 workers at the Dauphin County construction company S&R Enterprises. And a deep dive: March Madness is a time-honored ritual for millions of Americans who love to watch college basketball and bet on the hotly competitive tournament games. It also can be a perilous time for people suffering from gambling addiction.

Local governments are seeing more challenges to their decisions not to release public records. And some people are turning to ChatGPT, Claude and other artificial intelligence systems for help in making their case. As artificial intelligence technology becomes more common, Pennsylvania state lawmakers say safeguards are needed to protect YOUNG tech users. The state Senate approved a bill this week to regulate A-I chatbots, especially when minors are using the technology. We have crossed over from winter into spring. No matter what the weather forecast holds the next several weeks, anglers and boaters are reminded of the need to wear life jackets while out on the water. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman crossed party lines to vote with Republicans late last week. State regulators are ordering York County's J&K Salvage to close - and they're seeking possible jail time against owner Joe Darrah.

Early research shows that artificial intelligence could be used to improve learning, creativity and social interaction among kids and teens. But the technology could still be harmful to childhood development – that’s according to a new review study by experts at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. And we take a deep dive into the Central PA Spelling Bee, being held this Saturday, March 21. Joining WITF’s Karen Hendricks in conversation is Jen Eley with WITF’s Pennon Education which organizes the spelling bee. We learn more about the competition, what’s at stake, and the value of spelling in our society today. A town hall is being held this weekend by a group opposed to the Trump administration's plan to convert a Berks County warehouse into an immigration detention center. The group ICE Out Upper Bern is holding the event at the Shartlesville Fire Company, Sunday afternoon from 1 to 3. A Lancaster County woman is accused of stealing more than $700,000 from her employer - Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course - located in Dauphin County. Penn State is out to claim an elusive fifth straight NCAA Division I men’s wrestling title this weekend. And now it’s time for a new 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: There's a new professional baseball league for women — more than seven decades after women had a league of their own. Spring training for the WPBL began this week. And you can listen to the full 4-minute story from NPR as heard on WITF’s Morning Edition earlier this week –  https://www.npr.org/2026/03/18/nx-s1-5746038/new-professional-baseball-league-for-women-debuts-this-week

Better access to mental health care for firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and state police officers was provided by state law last year. Now the current budget proposal seeks to expand workers compensation and death coverage to first responders called to duty during state disaster emergencies.  Dauphin County State Representative Justin Williams says crisis counseling and mental health treatment is essential for emergency personnel.  Pennsylvania's Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is celebrating its 40th anniversary.  Pope Leo the Fourteenth will accept Philadelphia's National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal this summer.  Two special elections were held in Pennsylvania Tuesday. In State House District 193, Republican Catherine Wallen was elected the new state Representative for parts of Adams and Cumberland counties. In the other special election, in state House District 79, Republican Andrea Verobish was elected the new state representative for Altoona and its suburbs.  Ethics experts are raising concerns after state Treasurer Stacy Garrity campaigned at a gala hosted by a firm from which she purchased millions in bonds in her official state role. 

A new center in Philadelphia will support people with Lynch Syndrome, an inherited genetic condition that puts them at high risk for colon, uterine and other cancers. Penn Medicine's King Center for Lynch Syndrome is one of few centers in the world dedicated to Lynch syndrome. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said last week he will continue a lawsuit against a music-industry giant. The move breaks with the Trump administration -- at a time when Democrats say Sunday hasn't challenged the White House enough.  There's a new wrinkle in Pennsylvania’s plan to use more than $700 million to expand high-speed internet access across the commonwealth.  Fifty-six thousand Pennsylvania households live in manufactured homes. And many are experiencing significant increases in their monthly rent payments for the lots on which those homes stand. That's why Governor Josh Shapiro visited a Berks County manufactured housing community last week to call for reform, to protect Pennsylvanians from rent spikes. 

A sustainable farming group in Pennsylvania is announcing the reinstatement of a $59 million contract that the federal government tried to claw back last year. Pennsylvania autism researchers and parents are founding members of the new Independent Autism Coordinating Committee. It’s meant to serve as an alternative voice to a federal committee overseen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. -- a proponent of debunked theories about vaccines causing autism. A recent poll finds that 42% of Pennsylvanians do not want a data center built in or near their community. Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered state flags to remain flying at half-staff in honor of a soldier killed late last week in a training incident. Last Thursday, a U.S. Army soldier died during training at Letterkenny Army Depot in Franklin County. And a deep dive:  One of Pennsylvania's neighboring states, Delaware, rolled out its retail marijuana market last August. The total volume falls far short of initial estimates.

We're bracing for wild swings in the weather today with the possibility of tornadoes between 3 and 9 p.m. today. And we take a deep dive into Pennsylvania’s wildlife crossings and corridors: State lawmakers were briefed on the subject during a recent state budget hearing in Harrisburg. Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said DCNR will soon be bringing together several state agencies including PennDOT with the goal of making state roadways safer for both wildlife and drivers alike. Joining WITF’s Karen Hendricks in conversation today is Stephanie Wein of the nonprofit advocacy group PennEnvironment which has long studied wildlife crossings and corridors, along with habitat fragmentation. And one more related story to put on your radar: We are in a special window of time when thousands of snow geese touch down every year at a Lebanon County reservoir.

Pennsylvania parents and families who have lost loved ones to drug overdoses and addiction say there’s a need for grief support services specifically tailored to this kind of loss. They’re calling on county and state agencies to use settlement money won in national lawsuits against opioid manufacturing companies to fund grief programs. Penn State’s president was the target of pointed questions during a state House appropriations hearing Wednesday. It comes as the university moves forward with plans to close seven campuses including York and Mont Alto. A U.S. Secret Service police officer is charged with sending sexually explicit text messages, photos and videos to a Lancaster County girl, according to police. Cleanup continues following a massive fire at a York County salvage company, two weeks ago.

A Cumberland County food manufacturing facility is expanding. Schreiber Foods, located in Shippensburg, announced Tuesday it's embarking on a nearly $133 million expansion at its yogurt and cream cheese plant. Nearly half of the state’s rural counties do not have hospitals with labor and delivery units, according to the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. This reflects a nationwide trend of hospitals closing specialized service lines such as obstetrics. Every year, PA One Book encourages reading by selecting a children's book to help create a shared reading experience statewide. We share this year’s selection. Police in Carlisle continue to investigate the distribution of white supremacist propaganda last weekend. The FBI found explosive residue in a Bucks County storage unit after two men were charged with bringing homemade bombs to a protest outside the home of New York City’s mayor. Pennsylvania is one of only eight states with a closed primary system. That means only voters registered as Democrats or Republicans can cast ballots in their respective parties' spring elections. Advocates hope to open those primaries up to Pennsylvania's unaffiliated voters - a group that numbers more than one million.

Pennsylvania officials say some companies are being hurt by a Trump Administration policy that requires them to reapply for a program that has long helped minority-owned businesses. PennDOT secretary Mike Carroll told state legislators Monday that the move caused chaos. An oil and gas company let more than a million gallons of drilling fluid escape underground into an abandoned mine during pipeline construction in western Pennsylvania. Two Pennsylvania men who brought explosives to a far-right protest outside New York City's mayoral mansion say they were inspired by the Islamic State extremist group, according to a court complaint. Governor Josh Shapiro is announcing Pennsylvania was third in the nation for job growth in 2025, according to new analysis by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And now a deep dive: Pennsylvania’s Department of Corrections recently closed two prisons in Centre and Clearfield counties: the State Correctional Institution at Rockview, and the Quehanna Boot Camp. The state says the facilities needed significant maintenance, and that the closures will save more than $100 million in future years. Earlier this month, DOC officials invited our sister station WPSU to tour Rockview prison, now that all inmates and most staff are gone.

Lancaster and York County law enforcement agencies who partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement say they are not interested in a targeted operation in Central PA. Newly released records showing ICE sought a local surge. Budget hearings continue in Harrisburg. The Governor’s budget proposal includes spending $6.6 million more of the state’s EMS operating fund to help support emergency medical services across the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania is expecting to host more than 200 million visitors this year as the Commonwealth celebrates America 250 and hosts a number of major sporting events. With that in mind, state officials have kicked off Pick Up PA. The Philadelphia Flower Show wrapped up on Sunday. During the final days, gardeners learned about ways to be more sustainable. A Pennsylvania State Police trooper was shot and killed Sunday night in Chester County after responding to the report of an erratic driver. Governor Shapiro wants to incentivize data center developers to follower stricter environmental and transparency standards, by offering them an expedited permitting process. In Harrisburg, tensions continue between Mayor Wanda Williams and city council. The mayor released a statement Sunday, in response to council's motion Friday to hold her in contempt of court. And the nonprofit Main Street Gettysburg is holding a groundbreaking ceremony for its Gettysburg Welcome Center this afternoon (Tuesday at 1).

Pennsylvania’s education secretary says her office is preparing to help schools adopt a complete cell phone ban for students. State lawmakers are also beginning to negotiate new education spending for Pennsylvania’s historically underfunded public schools. And now a deep dive: When a Pittsburgh teen had her cancer treatment denied by insurance, her mother’s pleas for help online led her to an unexpected ally.

Handling of the economy has long been considered a strong suit for the Republican Party. A new poll suggests the economy might now be one of the party’s weaknesses heading into this year’s midterms. In Northeastern Pa., the case of a Luzerne County teen whose body was found behind a Wilkes-Barre garage last month is raising questions about steps taken to inform the public she was missing. Penn State Police are piloting the use of license-plate readers that collect data for law enforcement. Senator John Fetterman is the only Democrat who voted against a Senate resolution Wednesday to rein in President Donald Trump's actions in the war with Israel, against Iran. Representative Scott Perry is among five Republicans who joined Democrats in a House Oversight Committee vote Wednesday to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi. A massive $15 billion data center project planned for Cumberland County received a green light from Middlesex Township supervisors Wednesday night. York County's Board of Elections is suing the Dover Area School District over its refusal to allow its buildings to be used as polling places. State lawmakers are beginning to negotiate new education spending for historically underfunded public schools in Pennsylvania. And a cultural deep dive: The Philadelphia Museum of Art celebrated its 150th birthday last week.

The city of Philadelphia is officially a finalist in the race for hosting the 2028 Democratic National Convention. Pennsylvania prison officials said the savings from closing two facilities will NOT offset higher costs for the state's nearly 40,000 incarcerated people. And Governor Josh Shapiro announces the state is taking new steps to fight predatory AI practices. Education advocates say a 30-million-dollar student teacher stipend program is easing the state's teacher shortage. However, the wildly popular stipend program is outpacing supply. The Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel is in foreclosure, after defaulting on its mortgage payments. Hanover's bald eagle nest has its first egg of the season.

Pennsylvania Democrats say voters should know what President Donald Trump asked state Treasurer Stacy Garrity before he endorsed her candidacy for governor. According to Garrity, it took just one question. As appropriations hearings continue at the State Capitol, Shapiro Administration officials are calling attention to the need for updates to Pennsylvania's Older Adults Protective Services Act. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, but the country is about to lose that designation as cases and outbreaks rapidly grow. Nationally, there have been more than 11-hundred cases of measles infections - with 12 cases here in Pennsylvania. As rural Pennsylvania communities face declining health care access, Juniata College in Huntingdon County is working to form a “Rural Health Collaborative.” Penn State plans to sell the State College Regional Airport to the Centre County Airport Authority, pending federal approval. State officials with the Department of Human Services are working with family courts and youth agencies to find housing options for youth displaced, after a Dauphin County youth facility had its license revoked. Ten-thousand gallons of oil spilled as a result of a massive February 25th scrapyard fire in Spring Garden Township, York County. In Reading, city officials are considering changes to its historic preservation laws.

The Historic Harrisburg Association has released its 2026 Preservation Priority List. And the Broad Street Market tops the list for a second consecutive year. Historic Harrisburg Association Highlights 2026 Preservation Priority List | The Spark One way Philadelphia is preparing for the nation’s 250th birthday is by training more people to portray famous figures on the streets of the Old City neighborhood. While Pennsylvania and the nation prep for America's 250th birthday, Berks County is preparing for its own milestone celebration, Berks 275. The nonprofit Susquehanna National Heritage Area is being awarded a $15,000 grant from America250PA's Lecture250 program. And we take a deep dive into how the indigenous Lenape people almost became the 14th state of the union. 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. And thank you.

It took answering just one question for Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity to secure President Donald Trump’s coveted endorsement in this year’s governor's race. That’s according to an audio recording obtained by WITF of Garrity recounting the story at a Republican fundraiser. Our recent snowstorm is having a ripple effect on the area blood supply, among regional American Red Cross banks and centers. The organization declared a severe national emergency last month. Demand at health centers is currently outpacing supply. Health advocates and doctors are raising awareness about a program for seniors that helps people on Medicare pay for their prescription costs in monthly installments, instead of all at once. Research shows the program has seen scant enrollment since debuting last year. The Pennsylvania State Police is now accepting applications for its 20-26 Law and Leadership Academy. The program is free and open to anyone interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. 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. And thank you.

State officials are looking to curb Pennsylvania's ongoing outbreak of bird flu — the worst it’s seen in decades. The State Game Commission has joined efforts to help the Commonwealth address the most recent avian flu outbreak. During his annual State of the Union address Tuesday night President Donald Trump said he worked out a deal with energy-hungry data centers to build their own power plants. The facilities are expanding to accommodate the growth in artificial intelligence.  Rising electricity costs are due in part to the increase in data centers. About 100 people protested last weekend outside the municipal building in the small Berks County township where ICE want to convert a warehouse into an immigration detention center. More than 100 of Pennsylvania’s rural volunteer fire companies are receiving more than $900,000 dollars in state grants to strengthen the state’s wildfire protection. More than two dozen PennDOT snowplows are heading to New England to help the region dig out of last weekend's blizzard. This weekend in York County, dozens of brave souls will take the Polar Plunge for a good cause. The Capital Area Polar Plunge is being held at Gifford Pinchot State Park in Lewisberry to benefit the Special Olympics in Pennsylvania. And a deep dive for anyone suffering from Olympic withdraw: There's a Pennsylvania connection to the U.S. Men's Hockey Team that you might not know about. Wilkes-Barre Native Teddy Richards was the equipment manager for the gold medal-winning team. And Richards started his career as a stick boy for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. WITF, along with hundreds of Public Media organizations across the country, is facing a significant annual budget gap with the loss of federal funding. That means that WITF is now dependent on individual member support more than ever. But only 10% of our audience donates to WITF. If you're part of the 90% who hasn't, we're asking you to do that now. Visitwww.witf.org/givenow. Thank you.

A new study quantifies how many people die in the Pittsburgh region as a result of air pollution. The study finds air pollution was responsible for between 11 and 12 and a half percent of all deaths in southwestern Pennsylvania in 2019. Meantime, Philadelphia has rolled out a new website dedicated to air quality. Scores of monitors across the city are keeping tabs on pollution in many neighborhoods.  The State Treasurer’s Office hit a record-breaking return of unclaimed property in 2025. 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 or become a new sustaining member atwww.witf.org/givenow. And thanks!

The Trump administration is announcing it will rollback a Biden-era rule on power plant emissions of mercury, a neurotoxin that impairs cognitive development in young children. The rule mainly affects pollution from plants that burn coal.   Unionized Penn Graduate students have reached a tentative agreement with the university, narrowly averting a strike. The agreement comes after more than a year of negotiations.   Pennsylvania Hospital is considered the nation’s oldest hospital, opening in Philadelphia in 1751. Now, the hospital’s original site at the Pine Building will become a museum and mark the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations.  An Amtrak employee was killed Monday morning after being struck by a train in Lancaster County.  Pennsylvania's rape crisis centers say Governor Josh Shapiro's budget - which maintains their funding at flat levels - will worsen staffing and service challenges.  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 or become a new Sustaining Circle member at www.witf.org/givenow to help build a sustainable future for WITF and public media. Thank you.   

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is reporting a significant increase in revenue from all forms of gaming during January 2026. Central Pa.-area casinos helped contribute to the gains. Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson recently announced plans to build a new cell therapy manufacturing plant in the greater Philadelphia region. The state will contribute more than $41 million towards the project in tax credits and grants. More than a dozen Harrisburg residents are displaced after fire swept through six rowhomes early Sunday morning. A York County woman is dead after driving the wrong way on Route 283 in Lancaster County Saturday night. State and local officials say they're worried about the impact an ICE detention center could have upon Schuylkill and Berks counties' rural infrastructure, such as its water and sewer systems, as well as EMS departments. And a deep dive: Electric bills in Pennsylvania and elsewhere have been rising faster than the rate of inflation. In his recent budget address, Governor Josh Shapiro blamed the sudden increase on an organization called P-J-M. What is it, and how does it affect your bills? 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 or become a new sustaining member atwww.witf.org/givenow. And thanks!

Lancaster County’s sheriff is facing public pressure to end his office’s cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In a city widely known as America’s refugee capital, residents want ICE out.  State agriculture officials are trying to stem a spike in avian flu cases among Pennsylvania poultry flocks. State agriculture secretary Rusell Redding said the devastation is unprecedented. Crowds were buzzing at the President's House on Philadelphia's Independence Mall late last week, as National Park Service employees reinstalled an exhibit on slavery. The Pine Creek Rail Trail is named Pennsylvania’s 2026 Trail of the Year. The 62-mile trail through Lycoming and Tioga counties stretches from Jersey Shore to Wellsboro. Sunday marked one year since a shooting at York's UPMC Memorial Hospital that killed West York Police Officer Andrew Duarte. Following news of the Trump administration's planned ICE processing facility in Berks County, a meeting is in the works connecting local elected officials with Department of Homeland Security officials. Much of Pennsylvania is experiencing extremely dry or drought conditions, despite recent rain and snow. 83% of the state is classified as abnormally dry or within moderate to severe drought conditions. 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. And thank you.