Saint Marys
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.
Nebraska's winter shutoff rule started Nov. 1, while Pennsylvania and Indiana begin Dec. 1 with different end dates and different rules on who is covered.
The Jefferson Health insurance fight got a new development this week — and a new deadline that matters more than the one everyone is watching. Pennsylvania’s insurance department announced it will invoke Act 94, a 1975 consumer protection law, if Independence Blue Cross and Highmark don’t reach new contracts with Jefferson Health by December 31. The law gives the state power to freeze a termination for up to six months and force the parties into a formal process. It has only been used twice in its entire history. — Pennsylvania Insurance Department (Philadelphia Inquirer, November 6, 2026)
On the morning of Oct. 26, 2026 at Lenape Middle School in the Central Bucks School District, Pennsylvania Governor, Josh Shapiro, stood at a podium bearing a sign that read “Getting Distractions out of the Classroom” and signed Senate Bill 1014 into law, banning cell phones in every school across the state. In doing so, PA joins 26 other states that have adopted similar restrictions in an effort to improve the well-being of students.
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...
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.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced on Tuesday that over 99% of businesses across the Commonwealth have complied with the removal of skill games since Oct. 14. Since the deadline to remove skill games, PSP said it has removed machines from 12,134 locations, at a 99.4%...
In the next legislative session, Democrats in Pennsylvania will not necessarily have to compromise with Republicans to pass laws. Voters handed both chambers in the General Assembly and the governor’s office to Democratic candidates. The results were part of a nationwide “blue wave” that ousted GOP lawmakers on the...
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...
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.
HUNTINGDON COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — A special honor has been presented to one Huntingdon County farmer for his decades of military experience, as well as a family farming operation that has drawn national recognition. They wear a uniform to protect the land and then come home to work the...
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity and Rep. Eric Nelson (R-57) announced that $76,960.42 in unclaimed property was returned following Nelson’s Veterans Picnic at Youngwood Area Park and Pool in Westmoreland County. The Youngwood Sportsman Association received $75,549.49. Picnic attendees received the remaining $1,410.93. Treasury holds more than $5 billion in...
State environmental officials say an earthquake struck Allegheny Township last month, but it was so small it’s likely no one but seismologists noticed. On Oct. 4, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was alerted to a seismic event near EQT’s Porter well pad in Allegheny Township off Willowbrook Road.
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.
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,
NATIONAL REPORT — Tobacco legislation and regulation is constantly under review at the local, state and federal levels. In this monthly roundup, Convenience Store News highlights the latest proposals and approved changes happening across the United States. COLORADO. Fort Collins — The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment...
Chestnut Hill Elementary School in Erie County has been named a Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon School. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced Friday that the Millcreek Township School District school was one of 12 schools in 10 counties selected. PDE says the program recognizes schools for academic improvement, academic achievement, school culture and well-being and special education supports.
Thin Pa. Dem. Majorities Could Make Shapiro's Job Harder
