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

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill on Monday that seeks to train teachers in the “science of reading.” One university “disenrolled” students for not getting the COVID-19 vaccine, and is also currently keeping unvaccinated employees off its campus until they do so as well. The bus driver shortage may get a little help from the feds. And a one-winged penguin is living his best l...

Philadelphia set a new, troubling record for homicides in 2021. Yesterday, state lawmakers heard testimony on the benefits of allowing drug users to test their personal stash for fentanyl. Another cold week is ahead of us. Lastly, this local airport topped a national list for weirdest items found by TSA officers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pennsylvania Senate committee to move forward with 2020, 2021 election audit hearings. Pennsylvania schools remaining in-person plagued by teacher, sub availability. Pennsylvania winemakers dabbling with chocolate flavors. York County police stop car with live deer in the back. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pennsylvania bill seeks to allow testing of self-driving cars with no one behind wheel. State Weights and Measures Division investigating reports of bad gasoline at local Sunoco. U-Haul finds more people moving out of Pennsylvania than in. 2022 Pennsylvania Farm Show reveals butter sculpture. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Philadelphia’s garbage industry continues to be plagued with problems, the latest coming in the form of trash collection delays due to staffing shortages. Meanwhile, treasure hunters looking for Civil War gold in Pennsylvania sue the Justice Department. Multiple Delaware River projects just got some juicy funding. And a former state auditor general has a cameo in a viral video. See acast.com/priva...

A Valley Forge energy company announced it will pay close to $200 million to further expand its natural gas pipeline network in Pennsylvania. Philadelphians, beware, for scams in the form of fake COVID-19 testing sites have popped up in the city. January is definitely here, as this week’s weather has some more snow—and even some freezing rain—on the menu. Finally, NASA confirms that New Year’s Day...

The state Department of Education will release the results of 2021 standardized tests…this year. Delaware County will use nearly $5 million in grant funding from the state to upgrade its 911 system. Applications are now open for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and Public Utility Commission’s new Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. Plus, Steve McQueen’s got nothing on these...

The Pennsylvania Turnpike’s price hike on tolls has officially gone into effect. Even though it’s ways away, experts are predicting that drivers could be shelling out as much as $4 a gallon at gas pumps by Memorial Day. The Penguins’ sale to Fenway Sports Group got hit with a lawsuit. And if you’re up early enough, you could catch a glimpse of some fireballs today. See acast.com/privacy for privac...

TSA officers at the Philadelphia International Airport found knives in a Darth Vader teddy bear, which is totally something the Sith would do. Meanwhile, a “cigarette bandit” is wanted by state police. Looks like rain will be falling right up till 2022. Lastly, this farm wants your Christmas tree to feed their goats. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pittsburgh’s City Council recently passed a bill that would prohibit cops from pulling drivers over for secondary violations. Philadelphia is gearing up to enforce its plastic bag ban in 2022. An invasive species of tree that’s very popular with landscapers won’t be used as much for beautification purposes starting next year. Finally, one Pennsylvania museum scored a starring role on an episode of...

The Mariner East pipeline is at long last on track to be completed in 2022. The Pittsburgh City Council voted to increase its budget for a program that provides free training on salary negotiation to women. If you plan on celebrating New Year’s Eve in Harrisburg, please note that the location of the strawberry drop will be somewhere different this year. And one bakery managed to make one Frankenst...

The Mummers Parade is still a go in Philadelphia for 2022. Speaking of which, “Cone Rangers” have banded together in Philly in order to rid the streets of illegally saved parking spots. If you’re lucky, you may spot foxes or other types of wild canines throughout the state. Finally, a young Wawa worker heroically saved a woman’s life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Giant Eagle has recalled packaged salads over a possible listeria contamination. Pennsylvania’s roads may take longer to clear this winter due to a shortage of snowplow drivers. Yuengling has become embroiled in a trademark dispute with Bud Light. And a 200-pound black bear wandering around Pittsburgh is at last apprehended. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The “No Surprises Act”—a federal law banning surprise medical bills—will take effect in Pennsylvania starting in January. Pittsburgh announced this week that it won’t be enforcing its vaccine mandate for cops and firefighters just quite yet. Things will be mostly sunny and chilly leading up to Christmas. Finally, these eagles in West Mifflin are ready for their close-up. See acast.com/privacy for...

The Philadelphia Parking Authority claims to have overpaid the school district $11.3 million nearly two years ago and is now looking to get that cash back. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ game against the New Jersey Devils tonight has been postponed. The Pennsylvania Lottery has announced two more winning numbers for its New Year’s Millionaire Raffle. Lastly, this one teenager’s heart is far from being t...

Schools throughout Pennsylvania and the U.S. hiked up security measures as a response to threats posted to TikTok. Police in Philadelphia have arrested three men who may be connected to the string of armed robberies that’ve been happening since September. More farms have been added to the state’s preservation program. Finally, one city in Pennsylvania has been named one of the best spots for Chris...

Philadelphia has extended its program that prevents evictions through 2022. The Port Authority’s new fare policy will take effect starting Jan. 1. The spread of ticks could be exacerbated by black bears. Finally, a 95-year-old man spends all year making wooden toys for children. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

According to the FBI, Pennsylvania led the whole U.S. in terms of losing money from cyberattacks in 2020. A bill that would require schools to publish textbooks and course information online has advanced through the state senate. Reports of lanternflies were noticeably down this year. And residents of one town called the police on what they thought was a gigantic snapping turtle. See acast.com/pri...

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has been reviewing historical markers and plaques around the state for potential editing or removal, most notably those pertaining to the Civil War. One school district intends to use a Google platform to more closely monitor students’ emails. Amtrak may be cutting its service. Plus, the nation’s cheapest cup of coffee is right here in Pennsylvania...

Philadelphia police have confirmed that a series of robberies have all been committed by the same group. The state House Health Committee heard testimonies from physicians concerning a bill that would allow for medical professionals to prescribe medicines in an “off-label” fashion to treat COVID-19. The deadline for Pennsylvania to accept opioid damages is drawing closer. Finally, you could be see...

Sure, gold would be nice, but members of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps are currently searching a state park for something way more important: cultural treasure. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The fate of handcrafted dioramas showcasing pivotal scenes of the nation’s history that took place in Pennsylvania may be at stake. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pennsylvania recently got its 34th “Bird Town,” but what exactly is a bird town to begin with? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Staff at a library in Philadelphia noticed something was running afoul, although it was only later that they discovered the culprit wasn’t a squirrel or a raccoon, but a skunk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After two excruciatingly long years, the Pennsylvania Farm Show is coming back in-person for 2022, with pierogis and butter sculptures (and cowboy churches?) and all. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.