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

Parents are still looking for answers (and reassurances) following an attack involving a Stanley cup that took place at a middle school last month. The state is thinking about banning non-competes for doctors and nurses. Overdose deaths have declined. Finally, Pennsylvania’s favorite book is a read the state can’t refuse.

A whistleblower has come out with some questions surrounding a specialized plane that was used to provide information about the chemicals released into the air last year following the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine. Pittsburgh’s controller is looking into some payments that were made to a former city employee. A new dashboard is tracking ticks and Lyme disease around the state...

An investment firm is under an FBI probe. The state’s Rural Revitalization Commission could cost taxpayers $130,000. Wally Gator is still missing. And someone was busted for trying to illegally import dead butterflies.

Juveniles went on a “poaching spree” in Cambria County. Peco customers are being “aggressively” targeted by scammers. A commencement presenter butchered students’ names. Lastly, if you ever wanted to own something from a prison (well, to each his own), now’s your chance.

The state is looking to criminalize the misuse of xylazine, a.k.a. “tranq.” The Boy Scouts have dropped the “Boys” and now they’re just “Scouting America.” Pennsylvania is posed to become the next state to ban handheld cellphones while driving. Finally, this Phillies fan cheered so hard, she lost her wedding band.

People in locations surrounding Philadelphia are worried about where the homeless pushed out of Kensington will go. One of the plans to address Pittsburgh’s deer problem involves sharpshooters. Broad Street Market has confirmed an opening date for its temporary tent. Lastly, this “selfie” is actually a “monumental event.”

The crackdown on the open-air drug market in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood is underway. Hikers found dog treats filled with fish hooks. A financial aid agency has been fined nearly $2 million for mishandling requests. And Rocky steps out of the ring for a bit of maintenance.

Officials have confirmed that there’s no evidence of the avian flu being in Pennsylvania. The state has some of the highest number of ATV and UTV accidents in the country. The battle with spotted lanternflies continues. And a droll state budget hearing took an out-of-this-world turn.

A middle school didn’t inform a mother of her child’s use of different pronouns, and now, that mother is suing. The at-large school board election of one district has drawn the attention of the DOJ. A beloved penguin has passed away. Also, is physical media making a comeback?

A COVID contact tracing firm used by Pennsylvania will have to pay millions in a cybersecurity settlement. A meat seller based in the state has recalled ground beef due to possible contamination. Year-round school could become a reality for Philadelphia students. Finally, Pennsylvania’s favorite Pop-Tart flavor.

The residents of one city are openly concerned about reportedly “raucous” gatherings involving ATVs and motorbikes which take place on weekends. In Philadelphia, it’s the Clash of the Officials. One utilities has decided to decrease its supply prices. And a rare groundhog was spotted in York County.

AT&T, Verizon, and other big wireless carriers have been fined for sharing customers’ personal data without their consent. Employers may be banned from scanning job applicants’ credit scores. PennDOT spent over $182K on graffiti removal last year. Lastly, a man got a whopper of a state tax bill.

A number of hospitals are grappling with shortages of some medications. Philadelphia homeowners are realizing that most of their insurance policies don’t cover exterior plumbing going from their house to water and sewer mains on the street. A beloved emotional support alligator went missing over the weekend. Finally, these teens are world robotics champions!

A movie theater screened its last films ever this weekend, “[a] sign of the times.” Speaking of which, Rite Aid is closing even more stores. Here are some things you can do for free this summer. And this 5K keeps runners hydrated with beer.

A judge that released a fentanyl dealer last year on non-monetary bond has been barred from overseeing arraignments. Voter turnout during the primary elections this week was rather abysmal. An airport has rolled out facial recognition technology to screen passengers (although this isn’t making the process faster, mind). Finally, this Pennsylvania’s go-to bagel order.

UnitedHealth paid a ransom after that cyberattack one of their companies suffered in February. A Pennsylvania health network announced plans to lay off about 1,000 of its workforce. One state lawmaker wants to make the area around medical marijuana use a little less gray. And this estate is mmm, mmm expensive.

The state government has vowed to get half of its electricity from solar power by next year. Kennywood’s been sued. The Game Commission is looking to get Pennsylvania’s spongy moth population under control. Lastly, get paid to eat ice cream.

The Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office claims they’re underfunded, but still manages to spend $9,000 on a mascot and even more on things like catering and merchandise. The city’s Office of Homeless Services was also found to have “knowingly” overspent millions. More “pharmacy deserts” are popping around the state. Plus, be sure to look up tonight.

Federal officials in Pittsburgh confirmed that, after working together with international authorities, they’ve managed to seize the domains of spoof websites that stole the information of over 1 million people. An update has been given on that lockdown that occurred at Pennbrook Middle School last week. Squatter’s Rights are given some new attention. Lastly, the most popular festivals in Pennsylva...

A middle school was placed on temporary lockdown after one of its students was hurt during a fight. Malls could house apartments in the future. Wawa is at long last coming to central Pennsylvania. Finally, walk like an Egyptologist in this new exhibit.

Coal miners have been given (hopefully) better protection from a poisonous dust under a finalized federal rule. A school in Bucks County will revise a view of its policies regarding social media posts by student-run clubs. An iconic roller coaster won’t be open this season. Lastly, it’s Jellyroll v. Jelly Roll.

A former hospital official has pled guilty to embezzling money from the institution’s charity fund. A Roku data breach has affected about 600,000 users. The 4-day school week is now legal in Pennsylvania. And here’s Pennsylvania’s favorite McDonald’s food.

A new Philadelphia prosecution unit will starting focusing in on repeat gun offenders as the battle against the city’s gun violence continues. Some Pennsylvanians can still get their hands on a piece of a $43.4 million pie. Coffee of any size is free at all Wawa’s today. Plus, he’s a “professional walker.”

Measles cases are on the rise. The state has issued a quarantine on dairy cows from outside the state. Major healthcare providers, including one based in Pennsylvania, are now covering an over-the-counter birth control pill. And if you look up, you could spot “one of the oldest known meteor showers.”

A bill would inform consumers of AI-generated content. Pennsylvania could become the next state to ban using handheld devices while driving. Stamp prices are going up again. Lastly, an ATM…for dogs?