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

Pray for the state of Pennsylvania after Sunday, as Keystone State residents have just been declared as the biggest Super Bowl partiers in the country.

A hotel in Philadelphia must pay $24 million for doing nothing to stop the sex trafficking of eight underaged victims. A woman who got so drunk she fell off a stool is now suing the bar where the fall occurred over her injuries. Some scientists are saying the reintroduction of cougars to Pennsylvania may help control its deer population. And a cat named Cupid is up for adoption after recovering fr...

A new policy is complicating an annual historical reenactment. A military plane had to make an emergency landing at Harrisburg International Airport yesterday. Carnegie Mellon students have developed a self-driving Zamboni. Plus, Punxsutawney Phil says we have six more weeks of winter to go, but plenty of other groundhogs say spring is on its way.

The Mercer Area School District canceled classes yesterday after threats related to a student-created “hit list” surfaced. A suspected burglar was arrested in Indiana County because he was, quite frankly, not great at covering his literal tracks. Bethlehem has inched closer to getting its very own World Heritage Site. Also, this is the Pennsylvanian spot that gets the most close-ups.

An AI tool used by child protective services is currently being looked into by the Justice Department. One school district is cracking down on vaping. PPL customers won’t have to pay late fees following the company’s recent billing mishap. Lastly, the award for best gas station food goes to — Wawa.

About 53,000 pounds of sausage has been recalled nationwide. One region’s need for blood donations is no longer critical. Pittsburgh has created a brand new Office of Film and event Management. Finally, this diner is offering hungry patrons the opportunity to heat a 105-pound burger.

A judge has rejected a motion to detain an activist over the social media posts she made about the death of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire. Pennsylvania was found to have the second highest milk prices in the U.S. Rutter’s is expanding. And if you’ve ever wanted to lease a historic home, now’s your chance.

A bipartisan bill would change the way the state charges kids as adults. Pennsylvania’s gambling revenue broke a record — again — in 2022. The upcoming Philadelphia Flower Show will feature the largest garden displays its ever shown. Finally, a Robot Man is looking to spread a little joy.

Pennsylvanians could have digital driver’s licenses by next year. A number of PPL customers reported seeing surprise increases on their utility bill this month. The state Game Commission’s Black Bear Cam is officially live. Finally, almost 20 percent of Eagles fans would trade a wedding ring for a Super Bowl one.

The York City Council is revisiting the possibility of installing technology that’s designed to detect gunshots. Allegheny County has released its five-year public health plan. The Schuylkill River Greenway Association has received a $300,000 grant. And a couple has one goal: visit every country in the world.

Three Pennsylvanians are among those facing domestic terrorism charges after a shootout took place in Georgia. The U.S. saw its number of adoptions drop during the COVID-19 outbreak, with Pennsylvania seeing about a 25 percent dip. A Northampton County coffee shop exclusively employs those with special needs. Lastly, here’s where Pennsylvanians’ wanderlust is taking them.

A man faked a heart attack in a BJ’s so another could steal two TVs worth nearly $2,350. Harrisburg officials confirmed they can’t legally prevent homeless people from returning to an encampment underneath a bridge after it’s been cleaned. Two Regal Cinemas in Pennsylvania will soon shutter their doors. And Punxsutawney Phil’s going to be a Hall-of-Famer.

A school district in Blair County has voted to allow its police to have access to semiautomatic patrol rifles. Governor Shapiro has signed an executive order that places the executive branch’s hiring process’s focus on experience and skills rather than a four-year degree. The Free Library of Philadelphia has brought back a platform for free entertainment. Lastly, this is the state’s favorite color...

Two truck drivers managed to steal thousands of dollars’ worth of fuel from a gas station in Bucks County. The number of potholes throughout the state is going up thanks to this fluctuating weather we’re having. Photographers: feel free to turn your “Lens on Litter.” Finally, Pennsylvanians Google the definition of this word the more than any other.

Harrisburg International Airport stopped 10 firearms at security checkpoints last year, a record number for the location. BNY Mellon — which employees thousands of people around the Pittsburgh area — announced its plans to lay off about 1,500 of its employees. This week’s weather is looking a bit glum. Plus, this city is perfect for bagel lovers.

A hunter in Berks County accidentally killed a family’s dog after mistaking it for a coyote. The FBI is using ads to target Philadelphia-area Facebook users that may have been cyberstalked or harassed by Chinese government actors. Philadelphia is still the country’s third overall “Bed Bug City.” And this couple finally tied the knot — in their eighties.

A school district has passed a policy that bans teachers’ “advocacy activities” and displaying anything that expresses a “partisan, political, or social police issue” in classrooms. Harrisburg is clearing a homeless encampment because of a “public health emergency” involving rats and trash. Prices on over 3,500 items sold at PLCB stores are going up this weekend. Plus, this professor made one “she...

Flights in Pennsylvania as well as other parts of the country are ”gradually” getting back on track after the FAA experienced a system outage. A new study has found how residents in some areas have moderate to high levels of “forever chemicals” in their bloodstreams. One police department is training its officers on de-escalation with VR. Also, was there a Bigfoot sighting in Pennsylvania last yea...

A state Senate committee has approved a bill that would roll back the automatic gas tax increase that just went into effect. Nurse practitioners could work independently under a bipartisan proposal. If you’re in Harrisburg, you may be wondering what those giant pipes along Front Street are. And a comet not seen in 50,000 years will make an appearance tomorrow.

Homicides in Pittsburgh rose by nearly 40 percent last year. Robbers have been targeting seniors in the eastern part of the state and even parts of Jersey. Cumberland County is getting its very first casino. Finally, the Steelers gave a boy something special after his Christmas presents got stolen.

People are still moving out of Pennsylvania at a faster rate than moving in. One state lawmaker thinks that the idea of a countywide, paid school board should be given a shot. A life science company is set to give one township over 60 jobs. Lastly, Pennsylvania is among one of the top states for trivia lovers.

An ex-PennDOT employee has been arrested for charging people for help with their licensing tests. More and more Philadelphians are turning to private mailbox services as porch piracy rises. An annual eagle-watching event is happening this weekend. Finally, is there a Mummer in the house?

A teacher has been placed on administrative leave after a man known as the Luzerne County Predator Catcher uploaded a video to YouTube. As of this weekend, turnpike tolls will be going up for the 15th year in a row. The Farm Show’s food court will open a day early this year. And a Burger Brawl has begun.

Pennsylvania enacted nearly 170 new laws in 2022, the most seen in the past six years. An organization is looking for volunteers to monitor school board meetings across the state for “harmful” actions. Someone ended 2022 on a very good note after purchasing a $2 million lotto ticket. Plus, nowhere in Pennsylvania was deemed a good spot for keeping New Year’s resolutions.

Listen, it’s hard not to spoil your dog — they throw you those big goo-goo eyes and, boom, there goes your money on more treats and a new toy. But there’s one dog breed out there that Pennsylvanians spoil the most above all others.