Pennsylvania News & Current Events

In the Keystone State, the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Federation of Teachers represents more than 36,000 members in 93 local affiliates throughout the Commonwealth. (BalanceFormCreative)

Friday, July 26, 2024

Harris touts student loan forgiveness, 'Fighting for Future'

Student loan forgiveness took center stage on Thursday at the American Federation of Teachers conference. The Biden administration has canceled more …

Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 27 states and remained unchanged in 23 states and the District of Columbia during the past year. (Rawpixel.com/AdobeStock)

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Report: PA unemployment still at 3.4%, record high jobs in June

The Keystone State continues offering a favorable landscape for Pennsylvanians seeking employment opportunities. Claire Kovach, senior research …

In the Keystone State, Oct. 21 is the last day to register to vote before the Nov. 5 election. (vesperstock/Adobe Stock)

A call to reduce political rhetoric; embrace prayer, peace, unity

In a weekend turn of events that some saw as shocking, President Joe Biden told the nation he's dropping out of the presidential race rather than …

(In)Accessible: 'When vanlife meets abortion access '

In Pennsylvania, a unique mobile van brings reproductive resources to communities across Western Pennsylvania. A new podcast, called "(In)Accessible,…

At its June 1 commencement, 83 students received diplomas as part of the second graduating class of the Erie County Community College class of 2024. Commencement speaker First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy DeFoor underscored the importance of continued community support for the school. (Peopleimages/Adobe Stock)

Erie's local college foundation helps students with unexpected expenses

As some colleges in Pennsylvania and nationwide close their doors, one school in Erie has taken a big step toward making higher education more …

The USDA claims its electronic tag requirements will prevent disease outbreaks and protect beef export markets. (Jackie Nix/Adobe Stock)

Smaller ranchers voice concerns about USDA electronic tag mandates

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will soon require electronic eartags for cattle and bison that cross state lines. The USDA says its rule will …

Overheating can cause heat-related illnesses when the body struggles to cool down. Some of these illnesses, such as heatstroke, are life-threatening emergencies. (Microgen/Adobe Stock)

Beat the heat: Crucial summer safety tips for staying cool and safe in PA

As summer heats up in Pennsylvania, staying safe, cool and healthy while enjoying the outdoors is vital. The National Weather Service predicts highs …

Advocates of EVs warn charging stations should be installed by qualified technicians so as not to damage the car's battery pack. (Adobe Stock)

PA advocates say tide is turning for transition to electric vehicles

Clean air advocates are touting the benefits of electric vehicles in the wake of what they call "disinformation" from the U.S. petroleum industry…

Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., has held his seat since 2007. (Courtesy of Bob Casey for Senate campaign)

PA reaps major gains from Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Pennsylvania's landscape is being transformed through billions of dollars in federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastru…

Gov. Josh Shapiro's 2024-25 budget proposal includes $35 million to fund county mental-health programs, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and crisis walk-in centers. (Derrick/Adobe)

Report: PA excels in 988 response, falls short for workforce, capacity, funding

A mental health report in Pennsylvania showed a strong response rate of 89% for 988 crisis line calls. However, it showed there is room for …

According to the Stand Up America survey, abortion is the most important issue for Democrats and Independents, and there is a 30-point margin, 65%-35%, of voters believing abortion should be legal rather than illegal. (Drazen/Adobe)

New poll reveals Supreme Court appointments top concern for voters

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court awarded former President Donald Trump a significant win by giving him immunity from criminal prosecution for what …

More than 90% of the pollution reduction needed to clean streams in Pennsylvania's portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed must come from agriculture, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. (World Travel Photos/Adobe Stock)

Calls for more funding in state budget for clean water initiatives

Pennsylvania's budget is overdue, having missed its Sunday deadline and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation is asking state lawmakers and the governor to …

In 2022, fatal drug overdoses in Philadelphia hit a peak of 1,413, with people of color hit hardest. More than 80% of the overdose fatalities in 2022 involved opioids, almost always fentanyl. (Adobe Stock)

New Medicaid policy boosts 'street medicine' in PA

Philadelphia is addressing its opioid crisis by deploying mobile medical units to provide Medicaid-funded "street medicine" to the unhoused population…

American manufacturing has led to a significant increase in solar deployment in 2023. A record 32.4 gigawatts of solar capacity were installed nationwide, up 50% from 2022. (freshidea/Adobe Stock)<br />

New plan to increase tariffs on Chinese imports garners public support

Today is the last day for Pennsylvanians to submit feedback to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative about a Biden administration proposal to …

Danyelle Blackwell, Councilwoman, Upper Darby Township, District 4 PA goes for a test drive in an EV during EOPA's United for Health and Energy Security Tour, (Lauren Urbiztondo)

Electric vehicle tour touts clean energy, job creation, cost savings

Pittsburgh is one stop on a nationwide summer tour to raise awareness about electric vehicles and clean energy. The group Elected Officials to …

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation faced unprecedented levels of damage caused by floods and landslides in 2018, leading to costs exceeding $125.7 million for repairing and replacing infrastructure across the state. (Alliance/Adobe Stock)

Pennsylvania braces for extreme weather exacerbated by climate change

Despite the official start of the summer season on Thursday, climate change is exacerbated by extreme weather events in the Keystone State. The …

Gov. Josh Shapiro's fiscal 2024-25 budget includes $1.5 billion over five years to repair schools and make them healthy and safe. (wavebreak3)

Education bill awaiting PA Senate vote would boost billions in funding

A bill to increase Pennsylvania public school funding by billions of dollars passed the State House and is heading to the Senate for a vote. House …

States are already using an initial $1.4 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to protect homes and infrastructure from landslides and clean up streams polluted with acid mine drainage, all of which is creating new employment. (Oleksii Zelivianskyi)

PA secures $244 million for abandoned mine cleanup

Pennsylvania will receive $244 million to clean up the pollution left over from decades of coal mining. The money is part of $725 million in …

Pennsylvania's economic well-being ranks 23rd and shows improvements in children in poverty, with only 394,000, compared to more than 583,000 nationwide, according to the new Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (WavebreakmediaMicro/AdobeStock)

Report: PA ranks 23rd among states in child well-being

Pennsylvania ranks in the middle among states for the well-being of its children, at 23rd overall in the new Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E…

Upon release from prison, Section 1115 waivers would offer individuals reentry services, case management, medication-assisted treatment and a minimum 30-day medication supply. (AliFuat/Adobe Stock)

PA aims to simplify health coverage for kids with Medicaid waiver

A proposed waiver would eliminate Medicaid issues by ensuring uninterrupted coverage for qualified children until they turn 6. If approved by the …

Eligible Pennsylvania children live in families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level. Children with access include those enrolled in high-quality providers using public funds to support their pre-K education. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

PA pre-K advocates back governor's funding boost to expand access

Recent data on pre-K education in Pennsylvania revealed much work remains to improve investments in pre-K education in the state. In Pennsylvania…

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates its new clean car standards will reduce air pollution enough to provide $13 billion in annual health benefits. (Rh2010/Adode Stock)

PA leaders unite to champion federal clean car standards

The Environmental Protection Agency's new clean car standards are getting praise from groups in Pennsylvania. The EPA estimated by 2032, more than …

A $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D will be implemented Jan. 1, 2025. (Sherry Young/Adobe Stock)

$35 monthly insulin cap under IRA aids retired nurse's budget

The Inflation Reduction Act has brought tangible improvements to Pennsylvanians' lives. Health care premiums are declining, monthly insulin costs …

The median length of stay in juvenile detention has increased in Pennsylvania. The average and median lengths of stay have increased, from 17 and 11 days in 2018 to 27 and 14 days in 2022. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

Report: PA in 'crisis' with shortage of juvenile detention beds

A new report is sounding the alarm on Pennsylvania's juvenile-detention capacity challenges, citing understaffing and long wait times for the young …

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says unionized workers in the United States enjoyed a 6.3% increase in nominal wages in the 12 months ending in March, compared with 4.1% for nonunion workers. (Dragana Gordic/Adobe Stock)

PA economy booms as April unemployment stays at record low 3.4%

For Pennsylvanians on the hunt for employment opportunities, the Keystone State offers a favorable landscape. The state's jobless rate stayed at a …

As of 2020, around 3.4 million individuals, which equated to approximately 26% of the total population of Pennsylvania at the time of 13.0 million residents, were living in the 48 counties considered rural areas within the state. (Synthex🇺🇦/AdobeStock)

Poll: Rural Pennsylvania voters overwhelmingly oppose bans on abortion

Pennsylvanian's general election takes place in November and a new poll from the Rural Democracy Initiative showed likely voters from rural areas of t…

A new AARP Pennsylvania poll revealed incumbent Sen. Bob Casey, Jr., D-Penn., leads GOP challenger Dave McCormick, 48% to 44%, in a very competitive race. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

Poll: Pennsylvanians 50+ to play major role in Nov. elections

A new poll for AARP Pennsylvania revealed candidates must focus on issues critical to voters age 50 and older ahead of the November elections…

The Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan lays out a strategy for the state to achieve its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. It requires cutting emissions 26% by 2025, and 80% by 2050. (Chris/Adobe Stock)

Scientists engage moms to help fight climate change on behalf of kids

Moms from a nonpartisan climate science group are gearing up for summer, getting the word out to Pennsylvania families on how more frequent and …

Junior and senior Educators Rising members with Dr. Khalid Mumin, PA Secretary of Education, and Dr. Keith Miles, School District of Lancaster Superintendent. (School District of Lancaster)<br />

Education association tackles teacher shortage with 'Educators Rising' program

The shortage of educators and school staffers has reached a crisis level in some Pennsylvania public schools, prompting a new "Educators Rising" …

Gov. Josh Shapiro ensured $100 million for mental-health services for students and $20 million for mental health support at the county level, in Pennsylvania's 2023-24 budget. (JenkoAtaman/Adobe Stock)

Expert: Practical tools, neuroscience help parents build mentally strong kids

As Children's Mental Health Awareness Week kicks off in Pennsylvania, an expert said parents can help their children have a healthy brain to thrive…

At Bryn Mawr College, President Kim Cassidy asked the organizers of the pro-Palestinian encampment on Merion Green to leave the site by the end of the day. (Halfpoint/Adobe)

Students at Bryn Mawr College in PA protest war in Gaza

Pennsylvania is among the states where massive protests and tent encampments opposing the war in Gaza are growing. Elez Beresin-Scher, a sociology …

According to the American Lung Association, nearly four in 10 people in America live in places with unhealthy levels of air pollution. (Pcess609/AdobeStock)

PA groups monitoring soot pollution pleased by new EPA standards

The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized stronger air quality standards for soot pollution and one regional organization said it is a step in…

It's estimated that invasive pests destroy up to 40% of food crops and cause $220 billion in trade losses worldwide. (Lee/Adobe Stock)

USDA: Spring in PA is time to be on lookout for invasive pests

April has been "Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month," but the pests don't know that. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it's the …

A GeoHealth study reveals census tracts with high Hispanic and Latino populations accounted for 40% of 73,000 childhood asthma cases. (Hihitetlin/Adobe Stock)

Study: PA ranks high for health impacts of oil and gas flaring emissions

A new study raised red flags about respiratory health in Pennsylvania, particularly for those living near oil and gas activity. The study by …

In Pennsylvania, more than 400,000 people are living with Alzheimer's disease. (C. Nathaniel Brown)

Documentary on dementia in African American communities in PA

Alzheimer's disease is the eighth-leading cause of death in Pennsylvania. A documentary on the topic debuts Saturday in Pittsburgh. "Remember Me: …

Frequent staff turnover has resulted in delays for families to start or even end child welfare-related services because of delays in response time, from either the lead caseworker or supervisors. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

STEM model may offer hope for PA child welfare workforce crisis

The child welfare system in Pennsylvania faces a staffing crisis affecting children and families throughout the system. The Child Welfare Resource …

In March, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, introduced House Bill 2063, which would reform the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs. (Jasmina/AdobeStock)

Report: PA track record on private-school vouchers finds still no accountability

A new report analyzes Pennsylvania's existing voucher programs, that divert public funds to private schools. This comes on the heels of Gov…

A 412Justice report reveals many nearby communities experience higher rates of childhood asthma and more emergency room visits during bad air days, which are happening more frequently. Residents also have experienced higher risk of cancer. (Breathe Project)

Environmental groups rally at U.S. Steel for 'voice at the table'

People working for environmental justice are rallying today at the downtown Pittsburgh headquarters of U.S. Steel, voicing their concerns to company …

In Pennsylvania, infants and toddlers qualify for Early Intervention services if they exhibit a 25% or greater developmental delay in one or more key areas of development. (santypan/Adobe Stock)

PA Early Intervention programs vital for child development

A new study highlights the importance of Pennsylvania's Early Intervention program and its services for infants and toddlers at risk of developmental …

More than 20,000 people have applied to help people file their tax returns since the pandemic began. (igorkol_ter/Adobe Stock)<br />

Last-minute free tax prep provided for procrastinators in Pennsylvania

In less than a week, Pennsylvania residents who need assistance in filing their income-tax returns can use the free services of the AARP Foundation's …

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has set a goal to boost the retention rates for educators of color from 80% to 90% by August 2025. (Adobe Stock)

PA high school focuses on attracting new teachers to the field

The shortage of educators and school staffers has reached a crisis level in some Pennsylvania public schools. The state will need to fill thousands …

Vital habitats for plants and animals classified as being of special concern would be obliterated if the York Energy Storage project is approved. Cuffs Run, home to naturally reproducing brook trout, would be devastated. (Chesapeake Bay Foundation/B.J. Small)

CBF takes legal action to stop hydroelectric facility for Cuffs Run

A proposed pumped-storage hydroelectric facility for Cuffs Run near the Susquehanna River in York County has been challenged by the Chesapeake Bay Fou…

Making a big push to reduce pollution by 2030 is expected to create jobs spread across many industries, from building wind turbines and electric cars to cleaning up abandoned oil wells and developing new technologies. (Rh2010/Adobe Stock)

Advocates back tougher EPA emissions rules for cars, trucks

The Environmental Protection Agency has set new air pollution standards under the federal Clean Air Act for cars and light/medium vehicle models from …

A Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership survey found 92% of Pennsylvania sportsmen and women support designating streams for protections when they meet the right criteria. (Adobe Stock)

A push to update PA stream designations for wild trout protection

Pennsylvania's wild trout streams are getting some much-needed attention and outdoor enthusiasts across the state can voice their views on safeguardin…

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is seeking $112 million in new funding to produce more graduates in six high-growth jobs, including social services. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

'Empowering Social Workers,' in March and beyond

Social workers are in the spotlight in March for National Professional Social Work Month. They play a crucial role in addressing society's most …

According to the USPS, for the 2022 midterm election cycle more than 98% of ballots were delivered from voters to election officials, in an average of three days. (cat027/Adobe Stock)

PA postal workers voice concerns about understaffing, delivery delays

Postal union workers from Pennsylvania will head to the nation's capital in early May for a national rally to raise awareness about the challenges fac…

Pennsylvania voters with disabilities now have the opportunity to mark their absentee or mail-in ballot electronically. (Darylann Elmi/Adobe Stock)

Getting word out to PA voters about mail-in, absentee ballots

With Pennsylvania's primary election less than 60 days away, a nonpartisan group is stepping up the pace to educate people on voting by mail and by …

Fuel switching to hydrogen for high-temperature processes is a significant decarbonization lever and is applied to 60% of emissions after efficiency by 2050, according to a report from Strategen Consulting. (Antony Weerut/Adobe Stock)

Report: A roadmap for industrial decarbonization in PA

Pennsylvania is a major source of greenhouse gas pollution in the U.S. A new study has identified a path for its industries to reduce their …

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