Policy
Education
City & State's 5 for 2025: As AI enters Pennsylvania classrooms, teachers and students face a learning curve
As the year comes to an end, we look back at some staff and reader favorites from our reporting over the past 12 months.
Healthcare
Proposed reproductive rights legislation would tackle decades-old state mandates
Lawmakers and advocates are debating which of the commonwealth’s web of abortion requirements are hindrances – or safeguards.
Analysis
City & State's 5 for 2025: Winging it: How government agencies are fighting bird flu
As the year comes to an end, we look back at some staff and reader favorites from our reporting over the past 12 months.
Education
Trump administration efforts to end DOE get failing grade from PA educators
Teachers say commonwealth classrooms will suffer if the Trump administration guts the federal Department of Education, which funds numerous key programs as well as student loans, while conservatives say the move will return resources to the states
Philadelphia
Philly City Council ends the year pushing back against Mayor Parker
Council moved forward with new bond language for Parker’s ambitious housing plan
Technology
As AI enters Pennsylvania classrooms, teachers and students face a learning curve
Pennsylvania schools are racing to determine the role artificial intelligence should play in education – and when.
Technology
PA businesses are all in on AI
With $90 billion in investments on the horizon, the commonwealth is positioning itself as a leader in artificial intelligence.
Business
Private acquisition of municipal water system is under a new spotlight as utility giants plan to merge
As the systems that handle the commonwealth’s water continue to age, the answer to how to maintain them increasingly seems to be found in the private sector.
Capitol Beat
5 things to know about Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 state budget
Big changes are coming for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, public education funding, tax credits and more.
Capitol Beat
Boxing legend Mike Tyson fights for cannabis legalization in Pennsylvania
The former heavyweight champion, now a cannabis entrepreneur, met with state officials to advocate for legal, recreational cannabis in the commonwealth.
Interviews & Profiles
Ask The Experts: Philadelphia’s imperiled research ecosystem
Amid federal defunding of scientific research and radical shifts in vaccine and health policy, City & State surveyed Philadelphia’s top vaccine experts to discuss what’s at stake.
Capitol Beat
PA senators introduce bipartisan proposal to regulate skill games
The duo says the bill will help address illegal gaming and nuisance businesses across the state.
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Transportation
Shapiro, feds, continue chirping over SEPTA
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called out the transit agency over safety concerns
Capitol Beat
PA Senate passes permitting transparency bill
The bill, which would require state agencies to create public permit tracking systems, received bipartisan support in the state Senate.
Education
State Senate studies ‘bell-to-bell’ cell phone ban in schools
Cell phone usage in schools is a hot-button issue in Harrisburg
Technology
At heated City Council hearing, Philly tech officials “failed” their first AI test
At a contentious hearing on artificial intelligence in government, lawmakers and community advocates expressed grave concerns about the city’s preparedness for the AI era
Capitol Beat
Bry Pardoe is Pennsylvania’s acting CIO following IT staff changes
The Office of Administration also confirmed that James Sipe is serving as the state’s acting executive deputy secretary for IT.
Education
Citing out-of-control expenses and expenditures, school districts and state Democrats push for new cyber charter funding formula
Both sides of the statewide debate agree an overhaul of the funding system is in order – but disagree on the way forward.
Capitol Beat
Gun control bills receive mixed response in tight PA House votes
Lawmakers passed a bill to expand background checks, but two other gun-related bills failed to advance.
Education
Commonwealth school districts are still working on improving buildings and environments
Schools across the state have long dealt with mold, asbestos and other environmental hazards inside their walls.
