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

One city in Pennsylvania has been listed among the top five nationwide with the highest increase in murder rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Get your Nintendo Switches (and your cash) ready as a newly introduced bill is looking to legalize esports betting. September in Pittsburgh is shaping up to be greener than usual as the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade is scheduled to take place that...

One of three counties being audited during Sen. Doug Mastriano’s “forensic investigation” into the 2020 presidential election won’t allow any third-party access into its voting machines. As of yesterday, police departments across the state must now track complaints and misconduct allegations via a new database. K-12 schools will still have the option to give out free meals next year. Finally, Harr...

The Wolf administration is keeping mum on a state error that led to thousands of unemployed Pennsylvania residents getting overcharged in interest for more than a decade. In other parts of the government, some officials are considering taxing packages delivered in-state by companies such as Amazon in order to fund the repair and maintenance of roadways. One species of tree that’s popular in the la...

The Pennsylvania Department of Health admitted to accidentally duplicating the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses that were administered. Health officials in the state and beyond are noticing a spike in the number of summer colds and viruses. The weather for this week looks like it’s going to be pretty gloomy, with thunderstorms and heat lasting for the majority of it. But hopefully that doesn’t sto...

President Joe Biden is making a stop in Philadelphia on Tuesday in order to speak on voting rights. Meanwhile, the state has awarded roughly $15 million in funding to upgrade traffic signals. A man celebrating the Fourth of July in Mt. Pocono thought it would be a great idea to shoot a firework from his groin and was, shockingly, sadly mistaken. And an alligator got all dolled up to serve as a rin...

A new report has revealed that the serious injury rate of Amazon warehouses in Pennsylvania is nearly double those of others in the state. In Harrisburg, officials announced that a serial arsonist has been formally charged by authorities. The northbound lanes (as well as one southbound one) on the Neville Island Bridge on I-79 will be closed this weekend. Plus, this new Lehigh Valley book club not...

A new law will soon require for rehabs to alert the emergency contacts of patients who leave the facility against medical advice. In York County, a food processor has been threatened with a lawsuit brought about by two environmental organizations. Those looking to get their hunter or furtaker license now have the option of completing a new online course to meet the prerequisite. And if you’re look...

The former head of a child welfare agency in the northern part of the state has been accused of directing employees to falsely close files concerning child abuse and neglect. The Pennsylvania Turnpike has announced that it will hike toll prices for the 14th consecutive year in a row. The state Game Commission has expressed concern over songbird deaths stemming from an as-of-yet unknown cause. Plus...

Whew...The heat index is heating up Pa. The Pennsylvania Agriculture Department is giving out $1.4 million in grants to fight COVID-19’s impact on the food system. Pa. SPCA saves 17 dogs from a breeder. A Pa. woman is reunited with her long-lost dog. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

1 million Pa. residents have missed their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. A mysterious bird disease is in several Pa. counties. Farm-related spaces have received new protections signed by Gov. Tom Wolf. Also, it’s splooting season for animals! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Masks will be optional for Pa. government employees when they return to work. Gov. Tom Wolf has vetoed banning “vaccine passports.” The 2017 fireworks law will not get repealed in Pa. “Big Brother” season 23 will include two houseguests from Pa.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The state budget will allow college athletes to profit off of themselves. Gov. Wolf has vetoed the election overhaul bill. Medical marijuana patients will continue to get a three-month's supply. An online farmers market in central Pa. has launched. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pa. cities — like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh plan to ban plastic bags. There are no Pa. counties that have a high COVID-19 spread for the second consecutive week. The state is 7th-best in giving out first doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Gov. Wolf says the new budget will move Pennsylvania forward. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Get ready to keep riding the heat wave. This week is starting out hot, and today promises to be a real sizzler. In other news, former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge has been discharged from the hospital after suffering a stroke. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s seniors are facing a higher risk of dying in falls due to the pandemic. And a Pa. pediatrician is debunking coronavirus misinformation on the so...

Pennsylvania’s face mask requirement for people who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19 ends today. Name, image, and likeness rights for Pennsylvania college athletes are on the horizon. The FBI sought a warrant after it feared Pennsylvania would seize hidden gold stolen during Civil War. And huge insects with large translucent wings and threatening “pinchers” are terrorizing unsuspecting residents...

The Philadelphia region and parts of South Jersey continue to be plagued by delays in trash pickups. In a news story that wasn’t published by The Onion, police in Lackawanna County broke up an exorcism at a Home Depot. The Steelers will remain home for training camp yet again. And officials were forced to shut the lights off on a bridge due to all the frisky mayflies. See acast.com/privacy for pri...

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Schuylkill County teenager who was suspended over a profanity-laced Snapchat. York County has begun an investigation into a primary election riddled with foul-ups. Authorities are warning the public to remain wary of a phone scam demanding jury duty fees. And one inn in Lower Nazareth Township may provide a glimpse into American history, right before...

A drug ring operation responsible for pushing thousands of dollars’ worth of drugs throughout the region was busted by state and local authorities. A new report has revealed that Rep. Chris Sainato of Lawrence County billed Pennsylvania taxpayers more than $1.8 million in expenses for items such as transportation and meals. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service has listed 269 bird species in its “Bir...

A recent poll has found that the majority of Pennsylvania residents approve of the motion to require photo IDs when voting. The teenager whose body was found in the parking lot of the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg was set up by a “friend” to be robbed. Over 800,000 doses of the J&J vaccine could go to waste in Pennsylvania as well as New Jersey and Delaware. Oh, and, by the way, if you’r...

A federal judge refused to dismiss a discrimination lawsuit against Disney which involves the barring of an autistic boy from entering their Lehigh Valley Mall flagship for not wearing a mask. The York County Mosquito Surveillance Program has discovered mosquitos in the area that have tested positive for West Nile. College football fans are rejoicing at the return of Big Ten Football Media Days ne...

The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Catholic foster care agency after the city of Philadelphia limited its relationship with the organization due to its refusal to certify same-sex couples as foster parents. Much like the rest of the country, Pennsylvania businesses are suffering from staffing shortages. Thunderstorms may be on the docket for this weekend’s weather in the central part of the...

As the COVID-19 pandemic comes to a close, Pennsylvania turns again to face its continuing opioid crisis as new data reflects some of the highest overdose death rates in the country. Parents have filed a lawsuit against a Lehigh Valley school district over lessons focusing on Black Lives Matter. Two new Londonderry Township warehouses—which will cover roughly 1.8 million square feet—are expected t...

The Pennsylvania state government had itself a busy Tuesday with committees pushing forward two bills: one that seeks to change state voting laws and another that would ban employers from requiring workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19. One state park was forced to close its pool for the summer as it finds itself experiencing a lifeguard shortage. Plus, a furloughed steelworker from Indiana C...

A York County judge recently denied the request to drop a few charges against a woman who kept her grandmother’s corpse in a freezer for 15 years. Police in Ocean City confirmed they are reviewing footage of the recent arrest of four Harrisburg men after videos of the incident went viral. State police have opened an investigation into the rise in statewide cooking oil thefts. And one study has dee...

The COVID-19 disaster may be coming to end in Pa, but what does it really mean? Gov. Wolf will veto any bill from Republicans meant to suppress voters' access. Fireworks may be annoying, but here to stay. Though, murder hornets shouldn’t be a concern for Pa. residents. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.