State & Regional News

The House passed a bill Wednesday night to end the nation's longest government shutdown, sending the measure to President Donald Trump for his signature after a historic 43-day funding lapse that saw federal workers go without multiple paychecks, travelers stranded at airports and people lining up at food banks to get a meal for their families.

The U.S. Mint has ended production of the penny, a change made to save money and in recognition of the growing irrelevance of the 1-cent coin. The last pennies were struck Wednesday at the mint in Philadelphia, where the country’s smallest denomination coins have been produced since 1793.

Billions of dollars for Pennsylvania’s public schools and social services will soon start flowing after months of delay, as lawmakers on Wednesday approved a $50 billion spending plan to break the state’s budget impasse.

Space weather forecasters have issued an alert for incoming severe solar storms. Such storms could bring northern lights to many U.S. states and temporarily disrupt communications.

The historic 40-day federal shutdown could be coming to an end after eight members of the Democratic caucus broke ranks on a procedural vote Sunday.

Gov. Josh Shapiro says Pennsylvania's utility companies have stepped up to shelter low-income households this winter. The customers are usually covered by LIHEAP, but the federal assistance program has experienced delays due to the federal government shutdown.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Lehigh/Bucks, introduced the bill in 2023 after a student brought a knife to Schnecksville Elementary School. Parents didn't learn of the incident until a week later.

The speaker series, which runs on select Thursdays through March, focuses on engaging residents about the local environment, as well as conservation efforts.

As the federal government shutdown drags on into its second month, hundreds of flights Friday are being canceled at 40 airports across the country. Regional airports, such as LVIA, could be affected, too.

The hourlong program by PBS39 comes in the wake of the closure of a homeless encampment along Jordan Creek in Allentown and the scheduled shutdown of a separate one along the Lehigh River in Bethlehem.

The change involves Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities.

Sanctions need to make Vladimir Putin, 'pay a price he cannot afford,' Sen. Pat Toomey said.

COVID-19 has caused health care to adapt to changing conditions.

Says U.S. Sen. Bob Casey: 'Both parties are united in pushing back against Mr. Putin.'

Inflation that leads to a jump in interest rates could be lurking, as well.

Russia is responsible for about 40 percent of Europe's natural gas supply.

The invasion was a surprise, says a local expert, because, "it goes against Putin's playbook of incrementally destabilizing and playing within acceptable norms."

Trout season opens across Pennsylvania on Saturday, April 2.

They say Vladimir Putin's decision threatens safety and security around the world.

Though the games are over, many people are still flocking to ice rinks and ski slopes.

The number of job vacancies across the state has been shrinking since May 2021.

Pennsylvania's election calendar is on hold amid the deliberations.