The Morning Agenda

A growing body of research shows vaping is linked to fatal lung injuries, disease and acute respiratory illness, while nicotine harms brain development among teens. Lancaster County schools are trying to keep students from developing harmful addictions through vaping.

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and a new toll-free hotline is connecting unaffiliated sickle cell patients with care in Pennsylvania.

New rules an...

 Three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices elected as Democrats are defending their records on the bench amid criticisms from the Republican Party over their impartiality in rulings. The judges all face a statewide vote on Election Day, determining whether they’ll keep their seats.

The state has approved a request by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, to use state transit reserve money...

The state budget is more than 2 months late, and some community services -- such as domestic violence and rape crisis centers -- are now forced to make tough decisions. The Senate's return to Harrisburg this week offers no immediate relief.

Donald Trump’s pick to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is still waiting on his confirmation from the Senate. Senate Democrats are pushing to stall...

A York County man is being charged with assault but not with a hate crime after attacking an L-G-B-T-Q community member. Pennsylvania’s laws do not include protections against hate directed at people for their gender identity or sexual orientation, though Democratic lawmakers are trying to change that.

Environmental groups and the PA Department of Environmental Protection have reached a $2.6 million settlement with a pla...

Control of Pennsylvania’s highest court is at stake this November 4th, as voters decide whether to retain three Democratic Supreme Court justices. Supporters point to their impartial rulings and endorsement from the nonpartisan Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Public agencies in Pennsylvania spend millions on private lobbying to influence state government and secure state grants. Some government officials say their lobbyist...

As Pennsylvania sees a rapid rise in data centers — the question of how to meet their massive energy and cooling needs continues to rack the brains of legislators. Nuclear power remains their major focus; another answer could be right under their feet.

The effort for Democrats to regain a majority in Congress may begin in northeastern Pennsylvania. The Mayor of Scranton is looking to unseat an incumbent Republican; at th...

A Pennsylvania activist named Heather Honey is moving from spreading election conspiracies to taking a top elections policy role in the U-S Department of Homeland Security. Warnings are coming from elections experts about what this means for the federal government’s once strong role in supporting election security.

A Pittsburgh-based environmental group has issued a formal notice of intent to sue affiliates of Sunoco, B....

New limitations on COVID-19 vaccines came down from the federal Food and Drug Administration last week. Pennsylvania lawmakers are weighing a measure that would require insurers to continue covering the shots.

Tuesday and Wednesday, many ceremonies are marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. It was on September 2nd of 1945 that Japan formally surrendered. A Scranton family is observing the milestone by seeing ...

Voter registration trends suggest Republicans could turn Pennsylvania red for the first time in decades. Observers also see a rise in the power of voters who don't support either party.

Northeastern Pa. Congressman Rob Bresnahan has unveiled legislation to support food bands and farmers, as well as lay the groundwork for the next nationwide Farm Bill. This is in response to the USDA's decision to eliminate a $13 million dollar food...

Students are heading back to class - but school districts haven’t seen a cent from the state in two months. That drove the state's largest teachers' union to the state Capitol.

Pennsylvania’s state budget delay and uncertainty are starting to cause a strain for some of the state’s nonprofits as well.

A rash of hoax calls about active shooters on at least a dozen college campuses around the U.S. has spread fear amo...

Gov. Josh Shapiro says Republican lawmakers are stalling state budget talks to gain a political advantage ahead of next year’s governor’s race.

Pennsylvania Senator Doug Mastriano, a Franklin County Republican, says he’s still months away from a decision whether he’ll run again for governor. While Mastriano deliberates, the state’s Republican leaders are coalescing around State Treasurer Stacy Gar...

Hundreds of people from across the state traveled to Philipsburg Sunday to protest, at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center.

Farmers and environmentalists are criticizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture for cutting a program that funded climate change resistance projects.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has resumed their Elk Cam.

Pennsylvania's top election official is rejecting a call from the Trump administration to hand ov...

Schools across Pennsylvania have detected environmental hazards in their buildings — from mold to lead. That’s according to a new report.

Ten Pennsylvania colleges or universities have either merged or closed since 2016, according to Higher Ed Dive, which tracks college closures and mergers nationwide. Many Pennsylvania universities are continuing to cut costs through layoffs or mergers in order to meet financial c...

Pennsylvania's Attorney General is planning a new statewide program to promote treatment for persons with mental illness who commit minor crimes.

Defense spending, investment in artificial intelligence and fossil fuels will support Pennsylvania’s economic future, according to three Republican lawmakers who visited the Midstate this week.

President Donald Trump says he wants to get rid of voting by mail and voting machines. So...

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is pushing back on President Donald Trump’s most recent pledge to limit mail-in voting.

Governor Shapiro says Pennsylvania’s system for approving unemployment benefits has improved dramatically.

Also, Governor Shapiro says House and Senate leaders need to “find common ground” on the state budget, which is now more than 7 weeks late.

Pennsylvania health insurers are proposin...

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity has announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination for Governor in next year's election.

In-home care agencies say the leading state budget proposal doesn’t go far enough to fix Pennsylvania’s growing staffing crisis. Agencies argue Pennsylvania’s low rates are forcing caregivers out of the workforce, leaving more than 100,000 shifts unfilled each month.

West Nile V...

Next year’s midterm races in Pennsylvania will play a key role in the fight over the U.S. House majority next year. Republicans and Democrats are laying the groundwork to reach rural voters.

Governor Josh Shapiro is directing state resources to crisis care for lesbian, gay and transgender people as the federal government discontinues part of its national suicide prevention hotline.

U.S. Steel officials are sharing their findi...

Since 2021, hospitals have been required to publish prices for different services so that patients have a better idea of what care might cost. A new Pennsylvania report shows many local hospitals aren't fully complying with these rules.

The price of roasted coffee increased nearly 13% over the past year. Some local coffee retailers are beginning to feel the impact. 

The campgrounds at Raystown Lake are reopening on a...

Pennsylvania lawmakers want to ban certain firefighting foam that contains toxic PFAS. The so-called "forever chemicals" are found in hundreds of everyday products, and are linked to serious health problems including some cancers. 

Lawmakers continue to say they're making progress on reaching a state budget deal.

U.S. Representative Dan Meuser is promoting the One Big Beautiful Bill's impact on agriculture. He says the bill sl...