Mapleton
Rep. Dane Watro (R-Luzerne/Schuylkill) announced Gov. Josh Shapiro, fellow colleagues, educators, family, and current and former staff joined him on Monday for a ceremonial bill signing of Act 2 of 2026, which required cursive handwriting to be taught in Pennsylvania schools. The measure, which was enacted into law in February,...
Last week, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) reported the death of an infant associated with the ongoing measles outbreak in southwestern Wisconsin. This is the first death of this kind reported in Wisconsin since 1990, and the third reported across the U.S. last week. “It is with a...
Annville, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has updated regulations for several state benefit programs in what it calls the most extensive changes to Pennsylvania veterans’ benefits in 35 years. The changes broaden and clarify eligibility requirements, change income limits and add cost-of-living expense allowances in need-based programs, the department said Nov. 2, during National Veterans and Military Families Month. Programs affected include the Disabled Veterans’ Real Estate Tax Exemption, the Amputee & Paralyzed Veterans’ Pension, the Blind Veterans’ Pension, Veterans’ Temporary Assistance and the Educational Gratuity program. “What this means is that Pennsylvania’s nearly 650,000 veterans will have greater access to benefits they have earned in service to this nation,” said Maj. Gen. John Pippy, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the department. “We look forward to our continued work with the General Assembly on constitutional and statutory amendments to further broaden eligibility for the benefits programs.” The department suggests veterans contact their county director of veterans affairs or any certified veteran service officer to learn how the changes may affect their benefits. There is no charge for a benefits review or for help applying. Updated application documents and more information are available from the
Measles cases in the U.S. just hit a 35-year high. In the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish country, some health officials are taking a quiet approach to fighting the outbreak. This episode was produced by Alejandra Marquez Janse and Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Tiffany Vera Castro and Ted Mebane. Our director is Jonas Adams.
Veterans in Pennsylvania and Maryland may qualify for expanded financial assistance and property tax relief following changes to state benefits programs in 2026. Pennsylvania has revised eligibility rules and financial guidelines for five state veterans benefit programs, marking what the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs describes as its most extensive benefits update in 35 years.
With the election a little less than a week ago, the final state house and state senate numbers are becoming clearer. Democrats held the state house and flipped control in the senate, giving them power in all three branches of Pennsylvania government for the first time in 30 years. Democrats...
Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Scranton drivers should know why salted highways can still become dangerously icy.
“He’s seen a lot of bills come up and I think that he’ll do what he thinks is best," said state Sen. Devlin Robinson, a Republican. “I think he’s a pragmatic person and he’ll be pragmatic in whatever office he possesses.” The post After 30 years in the minority, Jay Costa steps into Senate spotlight appeared first on Pittsburgh's Public Source . PublicSource is a nonprofit news organization serving the Pittsburgh region. Visit www.publicsource.org to read more.
It’s an advantage Pennsylvania progressives haven’t seen in more than three decades. Come Jan. 5, when the newly elected officials are sworn in, Democrats will have control of the state Senate, an expanded majority in the state House and Gov. Josh Shapiro will be entering his second term.
PHILADELPHIA (Diya TV) — The Indian Overseas Congress USA has announced a Pennsylvania state chapter, expanding its organizational structure as it builds a network of local and regional groups across the country. The announcement follows months of activity by IOC members in Pennsylvania. In May, the chapter elected Sabu...
Pennsylvania’s statewide phone ban is claimed to help reduce student distraction and help students improve their grades. Many adults believe phones interfere with learning, but phones don’t solve the full issue. Lawmakers are focusing on the wrong problem or purposefully blaming phones as an easy way out so it looks like they’re doing something. All they are doing is putting band-aids on bullet holes. It might cover the issues, but it doesn’t repair the damage left underneath.
Thin Pa. Dem. Majorities Could Make Shapiro's Job Harder
The squonk, a cryptid said to be found in northern Pennsylvania's hemlock forests, will be featured on an upcoming U.S. Postal Service stamp set of mythical creatures. On Monday, USPS announced 15 new stamp sets for 2027, including Black Heritage, Year of the Goat and Cure Childhood Cancers. Proceeds will fund childhood cancer research at the National Institutes of Health, according to a USPS release.
Gail Edwards, elementary secretary at Shanksville-Stonycreek Elementary School, is one of two school employees recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education with the 2027 Pennsylvania Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award for exceptional contributions to school and community. BillieJo Pecht, alternative education paraprofessional at Penns Valley Jr./Sr. High School in the Penns Valley Area School District, is the second honoree for 2027. Edwards said she didn’t know she was nominated. "It was a surprise," Edwards said. "Over the summer I got an email that said I was selected to move on in the process." Edwards was interviewed by PDE staff, and the school submitted five staff letters of support along with three letters from parents. Edwards said the letters from students’ families were especially meaningful. What is the RISE Award? The RISE Award was established by Congress in 2019 and is administered by the U.S. Department of Education. It honors a school employee who provides exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through high school. The RISE award is the equivalent of the PA Teacher of the Year award for nonteaching school employees. More: Looking for a place to get a delicious meal this Thanksgiving? To be eligible for the award,
Pennsylvania counties can now allow probation officers to wear body cameras under a new law introduced by Representative Ryan Bizzaro and signed by Governor Josh Shapiro. Act 81 of 2026 changes Pennsylvania's Wiretap Act so county probation officers can be equipped with body cameras. Representative Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, pushed the...
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Draft 2050 Freight Movement Plan (FMP), a strategic plan for moving goods throughout Pennsylvania, has opened for public comment and review. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) said the plan provides information on Pennsylvania’s freight infrastructure and PennDOT’s efforts to improve the safe and efficient movement of freight statewide. The […]
MAHONING & SHENANGO VALLEY - Wednesday is Veteran’s Day, which means several federal, state and local offices and services will be closed for the day. Here’s everything you need to know. All U.S. Post Offices close on Veterans Day, so the USPS will not deliver mail anywhere in...
Pennsylvania has issued a “do not eat” advisory for all fish in the Wissahickon Creek basin after testing found PFOS, known as a “forever chemical”, in fish tissue, writes Mike D’Onofrio for Axios Philadelphia. The warning points to a bigger problem for local waterways. PFAS...
The settlement amount includes $7.68 million in administrative penalties and $142,785 in fines Walmart paid during the initial stages of an investigation by the state Department of Labor and Industry. It is the largest such settlement in the commonwealth’s history, the statement said.
