UP TO DATE

Republicans and Democrats chose candidates for a special election to replace former Lackawanna County Commissioner Matt McGloin. And, King's College remembers Ryan Fitzgerald, an alumni whose remains were recently identified among victims of the World Trade Center attacks.

It was back to court Wednesday for the arguments about replacing former Lackawanna County commissioner Matt McGloin. This time, the sides argued about whether voters should get to pick the replacement in a special election Nov. 4.

The college based in Lackawanna County will now have a presence statewide. The school plans to open three new satellite centers. The centers will focus on skilled trades.

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month and a new toll-free hotline is connecting unaffiliated sickle cell patients with care in Pennsylvania. The Children’s Sickle Cell Foundation and Sinergie, a sickle cell nonprofit, launched the hotline.

Lackawanna County is still without a third commissioner after the state supreme court blocked Brenda Sacco's appointment. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania is still without a state budget as legislators return to Harrisburg.

After six months, Lackawanna County common pleas court judges chose Brenda Sacco on Thursday to replace ex-Commissioner Matt McGloin, but the state supreme court blocked her swearing-in on Friday. And the Luzerne County Fair is open this weekend - get the details with Haley's Happy Hour.

Officials want to stress courtesy and safety as e-bikes and e-scooters multiply across NEPA. And there's another twist in the six-month saga to replace a former Lackawanna County Commissioner.

The Lackawanna County Democratic Party has asked the county court to block a Nov. 4 special election to replace former Commissioner Matt McGloin. It’s the latest twist in a six-month quest to replace McGloin. And, legislators debate data centers.

Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti will run for Congress next year, joining one of the nation's hottest expected contests, and won't drop out of this year's campaign for mayor.

September 1, 2025 - There’s confusion over potential changes coming this fall for vaccines. Columbia County Residents look to Penn State Extension for answers on PFAS in their community. Lisa Mazzarella sits down with the founder of Indraloka Animal Sanctuary. And, good news for Pennsylvania hunters about Sunday hunting.

The shooting at a Minnesota Catholic school has dominated headlines and renewed parents’ fears as Pennsylvania students head back to school. Mental health experts from the region offer insight on how to talk to children about gun violence.

A sailor from Scranton died shortly after the D-Day invasion more than 80 years ago. His remains had not been identified until this year, but now he will be laid to rest back home.

Columbia County residents can learn more about forever chemicals this week, and next week, state democrats are holding another hearing on data centers.

Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro says Republican lawmakers are stalling state budget talks to gain an advantage ahead of next year's governor's race. Meanwhile, State Sen. Doug Mastriano is still deciding whether he'll jump into the race for governor.

Dreams came true in South Williamsport on Saturday. Under blue skies and with an international audience, a team of baseball players from Luzerne County showed what can be possible in the 2025 Little League Challenger Division Exhibition Game.

The Pittston Tomato Festival, an annual celebration of the fruit often confused for a vegetable, is on this weekend. And Miss Pennsylvania stopped by Luzerne County Community College ahead of the Miss America competition.

Farmers and environmentalists criticized the USDA in Scranton for cutting a program that funded climate change resistance projects. Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick stopped in Scranton and Tobyhanna to tour local defense operations.

Pennsylvania health insurers are proposing higher premiums for coverage in 2026. That means people who buy plans through Pennie – the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace — could end up paying more each month to stay insured.

Republican State Treasurer Stacy Garrity is running for governor, hoping to challenge Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro in 2026. Garrity announced her long-rumored candidacy in a video posted on social media Monday morning.

Gov. Josh Shapiro was in Nanticoke on Friday to talk about job training and other topics - he addressed questions about the proposal to sell three local hospitals to a private foundation. And, a Bradford County animal sanctuary welcomes shelter dogs to new, tiny homes.

Aug. 15, 2025: News Voices with Roger DuPuis and Lydia McFarlane, Social Security rally in Luzerne County and a Community Connection from Pittston.

State lawmakers say they're making progress on Pennsylvania's budget, but we'll hear how their actions say otherwise. And travel to Williamsport with the WVIA News Team's coverage of the Little League World Series.

August 13, 2025 - The state budget impasse continues as Senate Republicans attempt to pass a temporary spending plan. Investigators are piecing together the cause of a deadly explosion at a U.S. Steel plant in Western Pa. And, scenes from the Little League World Series Grand Slam Parade.

August 12, 2025 - The WVIA News team will report live from the Little League World Series’ Grand Slam Parade this afternoon. Democrats in the state house look to meet the deadline set by SEPTA amidst stalled budget negotiations. And, a look at legislation that would ban PFAS in firefighting foam currently in the state legislature.

West Nile virus cases are on the rise in Pennsylvania and there’s a lot of controversy over the potential sale over Wilkes-Barre General and two Scranton hospitals.