Today in PA | A PennLive daily news briefing with Claudia Dimuro

The state is looking to crackdown on pesky toll evaders. Meanwhile, SEPTA’s hoping to boost reliability with some new coach cars. Keep your eye out for a check from the state Treasury. Finally, Uber Eats has some delivery robots making the rounds, and some people’s first reactions to them is to kick them.

PECO employees might strike, just days after the company proposed two rate hike requests with the PUC. Meanwhile, a county council is mulling over term limits. April showers are on the forecast. And the “hype squad” has some familiar faces on it.

Pennsylvania taxpayers spent almost $10 million over a three-year period covering state lawmakers’ legal bills. PECO bills could rise by $20 each month starting next year. Uber is heating up its fight against Philadelphia’s push to implement a fee on the rideshare. And some roads will be closed as frogs and salamander look for love.

Be wary of yet more scams concerning unpaid tolls and fines. That cursive mandate takes effect soon. Trout season is nigh. Also, somehow appropriately, the Egg Moon will rise on April Fool’s Day.

Readers in Pennsylvania were shocked and appalled that a romance author referred to a Wawa hoagie as a “Wawa sub” in her book. And you know what? She stands by that decision.

The state Supreme Court has ruled that a mandatory life sentence for second-degree murder is unconstitutional. Separately, a judge has said that DraftKings has no obligation to gambling addicts. You should know this before heading to Raystown Lake in the future. Plus, bars in Philadelphia officially have the option to stay open till 4 a.m. during the World Cup.

The state House has passed a bill that would finally raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. The home care industry is in “crisis” statewide, according to advocates. A cannabis company is laying off dozens of works. Finally, this shuttering hotel’s liquidation is putting things like hair dryers, mini fridges, and rooster paintings up for sale.

A bill that would give the state more oversight on data center’s water usage has advanced. The 2025-26 season saw an increase in white-tailed deer harvests. PennDOT wants to know how they did this winter. Also, the record for “Longest Line of Cheesesteaks” has been set.

A proposal wants to charge municipalities for Pennsylvania State Police coverage. A bridge in Philadelphia is closing (temporarily) this summer. PennDOT has confirmed the opening date for a $975 million thruway project. Finally, a stolen dog gets reunited with his family after over a decade.

People in Butler have had their SNAP benefits stolen, something that is, unfortunately, not a new problem. A state lawmaker wants to get rid of the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax. A pool company has shut down stores nationwide. And a scenic train fires up daily operations again, just in time for spring.

A Philadelphia-area prison is putting an emphasis on prisoner rehabilitation, not punishment. Pennsylvania and Jersey have launched an aggressive driving mitigation initiative that’ll last through next month. Spring starts today, and with it comes some seasonally appropriate weather (thank God). Plus, how accurate was Punxsutawney Phil this year?

There’s a Costco recall on meatloaf that’s impacting almost 30 states, Pennsylvania among them. The state’s maternity health desert is expanding. A massive manufacturing facility will not only make cancer-fighting drugs, but is estimated to bring in hundreds of jobs. Also, here’s a little more info on that meteor.

A “vehicle choice” bill cleared a legislative hurdle this week. PHL shut down two more checkpoints. A big box retailer will start selling discounted fertility services. And what the heck was that “boom” yesterday?

The DEP has confirmed that radiation found in landfill wastewater is no threat to humans. Philadelphia sued a major gunmaker. The state will hold a special Medicare enrollment period as a health system and insurer remain locked in a contract dispute. Plus, is there a cicada brood coming this year?

Deers, for the first time, have tested positive for chronic wasting disease at Gettysburg National Military Park. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has unveiled her roughly $7 billion budget plan. Officials are trying to figure out rounding at registers without pennies. Back to Gettysburg – another kind of battle emerges.

A community college has reported they were hit by a cyberattack. A federally-backed plan could mean a nuclear revival in Pennsylvania. PHL has shut down one of its checkpoints. Also, this stadium’s ties to a bloody skirmish could very well mean it’s haunted.

A suspension on the state’s gas tax may be on the horizon amidst rising fuel costs. In other proposed tax news, a 52 percent tax on skill games has been brought forward. Things’ll get chilly again after this delightful taste of spring. Plus, a bunch of dip was randomly sent to multiple restaurants.

Drexel is going to offer students an accelerated pathway to becoming a doctor. The parent company of hundreds of radio stations — 21 of which are in Pennsylvania — has filed for bankruptcy. PPL has detailed is reliability investments for this year. Also, let’s hope it’s “Big money!” for this guy.

Flyers at Penn State stating “DEAD ICE AGENTS CAN’T KILL” with graphic imagery are still, according to an advocacy group, protected under free speech. The state has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to volunteer fire companies ahead of peak spring wildfire season. Someone’s $2.5 million richer. Plus, the USS Philadelphia wasn’t built in Philadelphia, so how’d it get the name?

A company spilled over a million gallons of drilling fluid into an abandoned coal mine. For the second time this year, a train carrying wine has derailed. Arnold Palmer Airport is looking for a second commercial carrier as Spirit Airlines cuts back service. And this guy almost missed the opportunity of a lifetime by overlooking an email. 

A recall on a popular Trader Joe’s food has been expanded. There’s a growing trend in hospitals statewide to start their own private police forces. The Pennsylvania Army National Guard will undergo a transition as part of a broader national initiative. Plus, this woman is participating in her 54th Philadelphia Flower Show. 

Measles cases in Pennsylvania are already on track to exceed last year’s number. GoFundMe has been accused of misconduct by Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday along with over 20 others. One of the state’s largest newspapers is officially closing down. And a robotics company is giving NASA a hand (or wheel, rather). 

Aetna was fined by state insurance regulators for violations regarding mental health services. Kids are now guaranteed bathroom breaks in the School District of Philadelphia. According to its mayor, a mall’s redevelopment is “very active” at the moment. Finally, an update on those mini horses. 

A new law that battles boat blight has gone into effect, and it has some “real teeth behind it.” Officials have banned certain cars from major highways due to today’s winter storm. Pittsburgh has seen the lowest lead levels in its water supply ever. Plus, a Peep at a new Rita’s flavor. 

There’s a “Do Not Eat” advisory for the fish in creeks located in Franklin, Cumberland and Columbia counties. Some local lawmakers are looking to make a push for THC drinks in beer stores. The snow geese are coming. Finally, Philly CBP officers seized a shipment containing 4,000-year-old weapons.