Capitol Beat
Policy
Shapiro puts ‘tranq’ on the controlled substances list
The governor also reaffirmed his opposition to safe injection sites.
Policy
Policy
Marriage equality measure gets a bipartisan backing with new bill; Dems give a renewed push for the Fairness Act
The LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus wants to codify marriage equality and anti-discrimination language into state law.
Agriculture
Policy
The ‘swatting’ threats against Pennsylvania schools, explained
The Pennsylvania State Police are investigating false reports of violence that were called into 911 centers on March 29.
News & Politics
Policy
Is your TikTok account hiding enemies of the state? How do you know?
Some lawmakers are trying to ban the app from government-owned devices, a move experts say will strengthen cybersecurity.
Agriculture
Policy
‘We need to redouble our efforts’: Josh Shapiro renews his fight against the bird flu
The governor and Sen. Scott Martin met with farmers to discuss the latest measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
Health Care
Policy
Nurses needed now: Solutions to a long-running staffing crisis have been hard to come by.
Hospitals and nursing homes hope turnover in Harrisburg means change for the struggling industry.
Education
Policy
Pennsylvania joins several other states in pushing for universal free breakfasts for kids
Lawmakers nationwide are passing bills that would make free school meals permanent following the end of a federal pandemic-era program.
News & Politics
Policy
East Palestine was ‘H.G. Wells War of the Worlds stuff’
The February train crash along the Pennsylvania-Ohio border has people worried about their health and the future of their communities.
Budget
Policy
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first budget by the numbers
The governor delivered his first budget address to the state Legislature Tuesday, proposing a $44.4 billion spending plan.
Budget
Policy
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s final budget by the numbers
Kenney delivered his final budget address Thursday, offering a $6.1 billion proposal.
Nonprofits
Policy
How a group of nonprofits offers a nontraditional approach to stemming violence in Philadelphia.
Advocates in the arts and culture sector are calling attention to their programs as a solution to curbing the chaos.
News & Politics
Policy
PA House approves measures to provide legal relief for sex abuse victims
The vote brought a contentious week in the state House to a close, but leaves more uncertainty for abuse survivors.
Criminal Justice
Policy
Josh Shapiro calls on General Assembly to abolish the death penalty
The governor said he would grant a reprieve to any capital punishment warrant that comes across his desk.
News & Politics
Policy
Bill to end medical co-pays for incarcerated Pennsylvanians to be reintroduced
State Rep. Amen Brown sponsored the same bill in last year’s legislative session, which ultimately failed.
Environment
Policy
Into the wasteland: Meet the defenders of Allegheny County’s waterways
Meet the activists trying to foil a new landfill.
Campaigns & Elections
Policy
Bipartisan state panel issues new report aiming to clarify mail-in ballot rules
Report recommendations include making secrecy envelopes optional and giving counties the authority to regulate drop boxes.
U.S. Congress
Policy
Mayors fret over the possibility of ARPA fund clawbacks
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti said the city is using ARPA money to help certain businesses raise workers’ pay.
Labor
Policy
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate drops to 3.9% in December
The state unemployment rate is at its lowest level ever recorded, dating back to 1976.
Philadelphia
Policy
SEPTA signs agreement to make it easier for minority-owned businesses to work with the transit system
Philly and Chicago have signed an agreement that would allow small and minority-owned businesses to work for both agencies under one certification.
News & Politics
Policy