State & Regional News

Maria Montero, a member of former Gov. Tom Corbett's administration, declared her candidacy for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District with the FEC this week. She'll aim to unseat Democratic incumbent Susan Wild in the 2024 congressional race.

Pennsylvania’s Democratic-controlled House passed a new, $45.5 billion state spending plan after a days-long stalemate over education funding. The chamber approved the main bill, 117-86, Wednesday night.

Sen. Bob Casey's reelection campaign announced he raised $4 million in the last quarter. The Scranton native will need the money if the 2024 race is anywhere near as expensive as the $167.2 million U.S. Senate campaign in 2022 ultimately won by John Fetterman.

State environmental officials, along with conservationists across the U.S., are partnering this summer for a firefly observation program called the Firefly Watch Community Science Project.

Talks between Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Republican-controlled state Senate, and the narrowly Democratic-controlled state House fell apart last week thanks to a deadlock over whether to include private school vouchers in the spending plan.

Police say a gunman in a bulletproof vest has opened fire on the streets of Philadelphia, killing five people and wounding two boys before he surrendered to responding officers. The shootings took place over several city blocks, and dozens of spent shell casings were found.

O'Hanlon retired at Lafayette in 2022 after 27 seasons. His hiring at Cardinal O'Hara in Delaware County brings him back to the Philadelphia Catholic League, where he played high school ball in the 1960s.

Megan Ryan, the VP for enrollment at Muhlenberg College, said the college will not change its diversity goals following the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.

Earlier this month, the state Senate approved Sen. Lisa Boscola's bill, which would increase the fine and direct any fees collected towards bald and golden eagle conservation efforts across the commonwealth.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for several counties in eastern Pennsylvania, including Lehigh and Northampton. The watch will remain in effect until 11 p.m. Sunday.

Officials urge hunters to get vaccinated.

Voter ID and earlier deadlines to register and apply for a mail-in ballot are being considered.

Concerns also were raised about election officials nationwide leaving jobs amid threats.

Some Republican state lawmakers are pushing to overhaul how appointments to an air quality advisory board are made in response to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's attempt to join a regional cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas emissions.

U.S. Rep Scott Perry (R-Cumberland/Dauphin/York), who is under Congressional scrutiny for his role in a plot to subvert 2020 election results in some states, is set to lead the House Freedom Caucus starting in January.

Clearfield County’s path to establish the largest immigrant detention center in the commonwealth is unencumbered pending the dismissal of a lawsuit against the county for violating the state's open meeting laws.

Children’s enrollment in Medicaid increased by 14% statewide during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report released in November 2021. All 67 counties saw increases in children’s enrollment, according to the report, from Harrisburg-based advocacy group Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.

More than half of the $18B coming to the state will go toward fixing roads and bridges.

Survivors of and advocates against human trafficking gathered in the Bethlehem Rose Garden on Nov. 9, 2021 for a candlelight vigil to raise awareness.

School districts will establish their own policies in January.

Fracking has been a dividing line between the 4 Democrats in the race.

The plaintiffs argue disparities in school funding violate the state constitution.