Pennsylvania News & Current Events

Almost one in four children and youth in placement experienced a re-entry into care, according to the recent State of Child Welfare report by the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. (Africa Studio/AdobeStock)

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

PA Pandemic Toll on Children Shows Progress, Racial Disparity and Recommendations

The 13th annual Pennsylvania State of Child Welfare report is out. Children advocates said the 2021 pandemic numbers showed some progress and …

The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients in 2022 was 5.9%. There have been automatic COLA adjustments since 1975 based on the Consumer Price Index. (Larryhw/Adobe Stock)

Social Security Recipients Anticipate Boost in Monthly Benefits

About 70 million Americans could soon see what some are predicting as a sizable increase in Social Security benefits for 2023, which would mean …

About 75% of the nation's flowering plants and more than 30% of the nation's food crops rely upon animal pollinators to reproduce, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Lamar Gore/John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge)<br /><br />

Urban PA Community Gardens Grow Food, Solace, Opportunity

Pennsylvania has a strong commitment to urban agriculture and community gardening, and some groups in the state are working to get more colorful …

In May, Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., announced the Keystone State will receive $26.63 million for the revitalization of abandoned mine land. (Marek_mosinski/AdobeStock)

Benefits From Reclaiming Degraded, Abandoned Lands

A new report from the National Wildlife Federation found reclaiming degraded land could bring hundreds of millions of dollars to the U.S. economy…

According to a 2021 report, defendants in about half of all criminal cases in Pennsylvania had counsel provided by a public defender. (Adobe Stock)

New Bill Would Fund PA's Ailing Public Defender System

A new bill in Pennsylvania would provide money for public defenders, who say they're struggling to take on the cases of people charged with crimes …

The number of Pennsylvania residents who have already installed solar power at their homes or businesses is now close to 15,000. (Diyanadimitrova/Adobe Stock)

Clean-Energy Investments to Boost PA Economy

Renewable energy has the possibility to boost the economy and benefit workers and the environment in the Keystone State. That was the message at the …

The pilot program in the CHIPS Act is based on legislation known as the RECOMPETE Act, written by U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash. (Sherman Cahal/Adobe Stock)

An Asset for Distressed Rural Communities in PA

A little-known facet of the CHIPS and Science Act, passed in Congress this summer to boost the semiconductor industry, could benefit areas of rural …

According to the state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation named for its forests.

Healthy Lands Week: Statewide Initiative to Strengthen Volunteer Activities

Pennsylvanians are encouraged to visit and volunteer at one or more of the Keystone State's more than 6,000 local and state parks during Healthy Lands…

In 2020-21, nearly 90% of charter school funding from state, local and federal sources came from mandatory tuition payments from school districts, according to the Keystone Center for Charter Change. (V. Yakobchuk/Adobe Stock)

PA School-Board Groups Advocate for Charter-School Funding Changes

A Pennsylvania group made up of members of locally-elected, volunteer school boards across the state is urging the General Assembly to take action to …

Gov. Tom Wolf said of a tougher gift ban, "That new standard of accountability remains an important step to restore faith in government and has worked successfully for more than seven years." (Mandritoiu/Adobe Stock)">

Group Turns Up Heat on PA Lawmakers to Pass Gift Ban

Pennsylvania law allows an elected official to accept a gift - including cash - as long as it's disclosed in annual reports. But that raises some …

Admissions to secure juvenile detention facilities dropped 51% in Pennsylvania between 2016 and 2020, but the median length of stay has nearly doubled. (Photographee.eu/Adobe Stock)

Lack of PA Juvenile Detention Space Reaches Critical Stage

One goal of youth and family support services is to keep kids out of juvenile detention, but for those who are accused of serious crimes, …

Vaccine-preventable diseases, such as chicken pox, meningitis, measles and whooping cough are still seen across the commonwealth, according to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health. (InsideCreativeHouse/Adobe Stock)

Health Professionals Urge Back-to-School Checkups for PA Kids

As a new school year starts, experts are reminding Pennsylvania parents not to overlook some important health screenings for kids. The required …

Pennsylvania's 58,000 farm families continue to care for over 7.7 million acres of farmland. (asafaric/Adobe Stock)

Inflation Reduction Act Seen as 'Win' for PA Family Farms

President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law Tuesday, which conservation groups see as a major victory in the battle against …

In Pennsylvania, there are more than 71,500 Black-owned businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

PA Group Works to Encourage, Fund Black Entrepreneurs

August is National Black Business Month, and this year, for Black-owned companies in Pennsylvania that have managed to survive through the pandemic…

In Pennsylvania's Nov. 8 General Election, voters will decide races for governor, U.S. House and Senate, and several state offices. (Zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Public Hearing Set to Allow Independents to Vote in PA Primaries

Opening up Pennsylvania's primary elections to voters who aren't registered either as Democrats or Republicans is the topic of a State House of Repres…

This year's Pennsylvania education budget includes $850 million in recurring funding to allow school districts to invest in student learning while simultaneously allowing local communities to cut property taxes. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

New PA School Year: Underfunded Districts, Unresolved Lawsuit

CORRECTION: The $3.7 billion figure represents an increase in education investments during the eight-year Wolf Administration, not the Pennsylvania …

In Pennsylvania, one out of 12 high schoolers has attempted suicide. The report suggests students of color need more support, as one in eight Black students and more than one in seven Hispanic students tried to take their own life. (MonkeyBusiness/Adobe Stock)

Report: Pennsylvania Ranks 21st in Nation for Child Well-Being

Pennsylvania ranks in the middle among states for the well-being of its children. The latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation …

Abortions are still legal in Pennsylvania through the 23rd week of pregnancy. (TRAC1/Adobe Stock)

PA Groups' Call to Action for Reproductive Rights

In about a month, the Pennsylvania General Assembly revisits a controversial proposal with five separate amendments to the state Constitution…

Polls will be open Nov. 8 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The deadline to return a completed mail-in ballot is 8 p.m. on Election Day. (Darylann Elmi/Adobe Stock)

PA 'No-Excuse' Mail Voting Underway, Ahead of Midterms

CLARIFICATION: Information has been added to clarify the significance of the '170,000 voters' figure in a quotation. (9:40 a.m. MDT, Aug, 4, 2022) …

The U.S. Postal Service uses 217,000 delivery vehicles to deliver mail and parcels to more than 135 million addresses. (EGROY /Adobe Stock)

Public Pressure Prompts USPS to Boost EV Purchases

The U.S. Postal Service is buying nearly 85,000 new vehicles and estimates 40% will be electric. Scott Hochberg, attorney at the Center for …

Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program covers kids' dental and vision care as well as medical care. (Yurii Kibalnik/Adobe Stock)

PA Touts Success of Children’s Health Insurance Program

The Children's Health Insurance Program, covering low-income kids across the country, turns 25 in August, but Pennsylvania has had its own "CHIP" …

The Pennsylvania Department of Education's figures for 2020-21 show a statewide average expenditure for public schools at $19,667 per pupil. (Wavebreak3/Adobe Stock)

PSEA Reacts to Gubernatorial Candidate’s Plan to Cut Public-School Funding

Pennsylvania spends an average of almost $20,000 per student per year on education statewide, but one candidate for governor has said he thinks …

The economic gains made through 2021 were not shared equally across racial groups. Women of color continue to have trouble paying for such necessities as food and housing, and many say they'll have trouble repaying student loans. (Black Queen Design/Adobe Stock)

Report: Black Women Face Higher Student-Debt Burden in Pandemic

COVID-19 has touched just about every facet of life, and a new report from the Center for Responsible Lending says women repaying student loans have …

In a national survey, 82% of adults agree Parks and Recreation is an

">

Workers in PA State Parks, Recreation Centers Honored for Service

Pennsylvania has more than 6,000 local and state parks, and the people who manage them and run all the park activities are being honored this week…

About 800,000 veterans call Pennsylvania home, the fourth-largest veterans' population in the country. Nationwide, at least one in 10 people who are unhoused is a military veteran. (MISHELLA/Adobe Stock)

State Reaches Out to Veterans Experiencing Homelessness

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is reaching out to veterans who are experiencing homelessness, a number that's close to 1…

Sandbags can be used to reduce flood damage. Most home insurance policies in Pennsylvania do not include flood insurance. (Jan/Adobe Stock)

Bipartisan Climate Bill Would Aid PA Communities

The Atlantic hurricane season typically runs from June to November, and environmental groups are urging Congress to advance a bill to require the …

From 2006 to 2015, more than 17,000 Pennsylvanians filed flood claims with FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, for more than $550 million in damages. (Adobe Stock)

50 Years After Hurricane Agnes, PA Officials Urge Buying Flood Insurance

As hurricane season kicks into full gear, Pennsylvania officials are reflecting on the impacts of Hurricane Agnes 50 years ago, and urging property …

The America's Health Rankings report found an 11.5% increase in the number of Pennsylvanians over age 60 experiencing food insecurity. (Adobe Stock)

Report: PA Sees Drug Overdose Spike in Older Adults

Older people in Pennsylvania are dying from drug overdoses at much higher rates now compared to a decade ago, according to the latest America's …

Pennsylvania has the lowest minmimum wage among its neighboring states of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and West Virginia. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Minimum-Wage Increase in PA Would Benefit 1.4 Million Workers

Pennsylvania's budget deadline is looming on Thursday. Gov. Tom Wolf is calling for a minimum-wage increase that would get the state to $15 an hour …

The new AARP Pennsylvania poll finds 87% of voters age 50 years and older say they're

Poll: Pennsylvanians Over 50 will Play Major Role in November Election

There are fewer than five months to go until the November General Election, in which Pennsylvania voters will select a new governor and U.S. Senator…

A recent survey found that 66% of nurses nationwide experienced burnout and extreme stress because of their experience during COVID-19. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Urge PA Lawmakers to Pass Patient Safety Act

Since the beginning of the pandemic, several states have passed "safe staffing" laws aimed at balancing patient-nurse ratios in hospitals. In …

During the U.S. Senate primary, Pennsylvania saw $99 million spent with a large portion of that coming from Super PACs, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Dark Money in PA Senate Race Distracts from Issues that Matter

Pennsylvania's Senate race is garnering national attention, with Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz running to replace retiring …

Pennsylvania sent more than 79 million megawatt hours of electricity to other states in 2020, derived from natural gas, coal and nuclear sources. (Adobe Stock)

PA Climate Convergence Takes Over Harrisburg This Weekend

A three-day action and festival at Pennsylvania's Capitol this weekend aims to draw attention to the urgency of the climate crisis. Advocates…

Other priorities of the Pennsylvania Lead-Free Promise Project include securing an annual $20 million to establish a lead remediation fund for homeowners facing financial hardship. (Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Lead-Free Promise Project)

'It's Preventable': PA Campaign Urges Action on Lead Poisoning

Advocates have launched a new push focused on getting Pennsylvania lawmakers to pass legislation that protects children from lead-paint poisoning…

Pennsylvania ranks 45th in the nation for the share of K-12 school funding provided by the state. (Adobe Stock)

Report: PA Special Education Funding Leaves Students Behind

As the number of Pennsylvania students with disabilities rises, a new report says the share of state education funding has declined. Education …

Farmer Steve Groff, left, and Mark Myers of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service prepare to bury some cotton underwear on Groff's farm in York County. The underwear will be dug up in 60 days and the level of decomposition will be an indicator of the soil's health. (Kelly O'Neill/Chesapeake Bay Foundation)

Underwear Underground? Campaign Aims to Educate PA on Soil Health

A campaign this month is challenging Pennsylvanians to learn about the health of their soil and neighborhood microbes by planting underwear in their f…

On Tuesday, Pittsburgh was one of the first sites of marches and rallies planned this week in multiple cities as part of the American Federation of Teachers'

PA Teachers: "Sen. Toomey, Save Our Kids"

"Sen. Toomey, save our kids." That was the message from a group of teachers, students, parents and community leaders outside the Pittsburgh office of …

Depending on where their homes or businesses are in the state, Pennsylvania residents may be able to save money on electric bills by switching their electric supplier through PA Power Switch, the Public Utility Commission's electric shopping website. (Adobe Stock)

PA Residents to See Significant Increase in Energy Bills This Summer

Starting Wednesday, Pennsylvanians may start to see a sharp increase in energy costs just as summer approaches and inflation hits people hard…

In a 2020 survey conducted during the pandemic, 52% of military veterans and service members said their mental health had worsened since socially distancing. (Adobe Stock)

During Mental Health Awareness Month, 'Be There' for Military Vets

May marks both Mental Health Awareness Month and Military Appreciation Month. In Pennsylvania, officials want to ensure that veterans know mental-…

An Ohio River Valley Institute brief found retrofitting the nation's coal- and gas-fired power plants for carbon capture and sequestration would add approximately $100 billion per year to Americans' electric bills, an increase of 25%. (Adobe Stock)

PA Moving Ahead to Secure Regional Hydrogen Hub

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Pennsylvania is moving forward with plans for industrial-sector decarbonization, with a proposal to the federal government …

Philadelphia lawmakers present a check for $1 million to Tracy Wood, executive director of Black Doctors Consortium. (Screenshot via Facebook Live)

Philadelphia Lawmakers Secure $13.8M for Health Equity

The gaps in the U.S. health care system were exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with racial health inequities laid bare. On Monday, Philadelphia …

Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed Pennsylvania Opportunity Program is meant to help families still recovering economically from the pandemic or the increasing costs of living. (Commonwealth Media Services)

Wolf, Community Leaders Seek $2,000 Payments for Pennsylvanians

Gov. Tom Wolf, lawmakers and community leaders are calling on the General Assembly to pass legislation that would send checks of up to $2,000 to …

Pennsylvania's Act 77 established no-excuse voting by mail in 2019. Since the 2020 election, it has faced legal challenges from some Republicans, who say it violates the state constitution. It awaits a decision by the state Supreme Court and remains in place for now. (Adobe Stock)

Ahead of PA Primary, Officials Share Election Day Tips

Pennsylvania's primary is four days away, and state election officials want to remind people of the different ways they can vote. More than 8.7 …

The Pennsylvania Council for Children, Youth and Family Services says a $94.7 million one-time funding increase would break down to about $5,000 for each filled and vacant position in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Child and Family Providers Request $94M to Address Staff Shortage

Advocates for juvenile-justice and child-welfare providers in Pennsylvania want the General Assembly to approve one-time funding to boost staff recrui…

The letter from Business for America, signed by more than 60 small businesses in Pennsylvania, asks the state Legislature to focus on addressing rising costs due to inflation, labor shortages and supply-chain challenges. (Adobe Stock)

Businesses to Lawmakers: Prioritize COVID Recovery Over Ballot Challenges

More than 60 businesses across Pennsylvania signed a letter to legislative leaders, calling on them to focus on improving the economic climate and …

The state has $1.7 billion in unspent American Rescue Plan dollars. It must be used by 2024 or returned to the federal government. (Adobe Stock)

PA Officials Call for Boosting Property Tax Rent Rebate Program

Pennsylvania lawmakers and community leaders gathered in Montgomery County Wednesday, urging the General Assembly to use $204 million in unspent …

Participants in the Little Scandinavia program at SCI Chester will be chosen through a lottery system with the goal of creating a population that reflects the greater prison population. (Commonwealth Media Services)

PA's 'Little Scandinavia' Prison Unit to Focus on Rehabilitation

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has officially launched "Little Scandinavia," a unit in a state prison to focus on rehabilitation and reint…

Close to half of the students who responded to <a href=

the Pennsylvania Youth Survey in 2021 said during the pandemic, they "played more online games with others" than they usually do. (Adobe Stock)">

Parents, Advocates Voice Concerns about Social-Media Impact on Youth

It's no secret that the last two years of the pandemic have taken a toll on young people's mental health. During this Mental Health Awareness Month…

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2022 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2022 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 22 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

PNS Daily Newscast - October 7, 2022

2022Talks - October 7, 2022

The Yonder Report - October 6, 2022

Pennsylvania