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

Capital Region Water allowed for 584 million gallons of untreated sewage to enter the Susquehanna River in 2020. Rutter’s has increased its starting wage. A hunter from Washington County landed national recognition for bagging turkeys in 49 states. Plus, a man’s friends come out to show their support after his house burned down in a fire that broke out on his birthday. See acast.com/privacy for pr...

A man who kidnapped and murdered his girlfriend’s infant son in 2013 has been deemed incompetent to stand trial for an indefinite amount of time. The debate over whether college students should be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in order to return to campus rages on, especially after yet another Pennsylvania school announced the implementation of such a rule. The state Game Commission has...

A Bucks County man who shot his dog then barbecued it is facing various charges and remains held on a $1 million bail. In Philadelphia, a man stole 14 different properties by forging signatures and documents. You can look up where you’re most likely to catch a glimpse of a Brood X cicada in the state. Plus, a police officer and an assistant fire chief are honored for saving two boys from a blaze i...

A man in Williamsport who caused 51 overdoses within a 48-hour period due to the drugs he supplied has been served a 25-year sentence. Meanwhile, a 19-year-old hit a 9-year-old boy in the head before stealing his dirt bike, leading police on a chase in Allentown. The Bureau of Forestry has begun spraying against gypsy moths in woodlands across the state. And the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commissi...

A former tax collector has admitted to stealing over $1 million. A data breach in a COVID-19 contact tracing company has potentially left the personal information of at least 72,000 Pennsylvanians compromised. Penn National Gaming is hiring employees for its upcoming casino. Plus, a first-round pick for the Steelers held a draft day pizza party at the homeless shelter he once lived in as a kid. Se...

The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to the state and the Pennsylvania Department of Health for approval to separate vaccinated and non-vaccinated fans at the PPG Paints Arena. A common way of getting rid of spotted lanternflies may be harming other species in the process. Possible power outages may occur today due to high winds. And a locally brewed IPA will help to raise money for the Pennsylvani...

An attorney in Luzerne County left his role as the president of the state’s Bar Association after being charged with soliciting prostitution. The State System of Higher Education’s governing board voted in favor of merging Pennsylvania’s six state universities into two. A barn that was used as a field hospital during the Civil War was burned down in a recent Gettysburg fire. And the Pennsylvania L...

A former bookkeeper for the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation has been accused of embezzling over $2.6 million to fund her gambling habits and vacations. SEPTA has announced that it intends to move forward with modernizing its trolley system. PETA is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who helps Carlisle police catch whoever was responsible for leaving a pit bull tied to a bridge in LeTort Park...

The U.S. Census Bureau has confirmed that Pennsylvania will lose a seat in the House of Representatives. Police in Harrisburg managed to prevent a suicide attempt. A six-month pilot program to test out delivery robots may launch in a Pittsburgh neighborhood as soon as June. And the prototype of the first U.S. dollar coins that was minted in Philadelphia got auctioned off for the price of $840,000....

Police departments in Philadelphia are experiencing a spike in cop retirements as well as a drop in new recruits. The University of Pittsburgh is looking to dismiss student refund claims brought about by the campus’ closure during the coronavirus pandemic last spring. Jubilee Day in Mechanicsburg is canceled again this year due to concerns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, an album rec...

The state House has passed a bill that would allow for numerous retail stores to stay open for business during a declared state of emergency. A state trooper was charged with tampering with a traffic ticket. A local newspaper has sued Google and Facebook in a federal antitrust lawsuit. And Batman himself—Michael Keaton—is looking to bring jobs to Pittsburgh. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and o...

A Philadelphia man has plead guilty to smuggling over $200,000 worth of firearms to Turkey and the Republic of Georgia. 16 state legislators have formed a bipartisan group to break free of ineffectiveness brought on by party lines. Lehigh University has joined the ranks of colleges requiring COVID-19 vaccinations. Plus, Philadelphia is undergoing the invasion of the fig buttercup. See acast.com/pr...

PennDOT found that traffic deaths had increased in 2020 despite a drop in drivers brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. A Freeze Watch has been issued in the southwestern part of the state. Micah Parsons—who is Harrisburg born and bred—finds himself on the cusp of becoming a first-round draft pick for the NFL. And a very rare cloud formation descended upon the Lehigh Valley. See acast.com/pri...

Pittsburgh is experiencing a spike in homicides and violent crimes. A man who burns flags as part of his activism has posted two more civil rights settlements that amount to $20,000. The Pennsylvania Farm Show will be hosting a Spring Food Fest in May. Plus, a woman thanks a WellSpan volunteer who helped her overcome her fear with a gift. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are looking to push a bill that would ban the use of cellphones by drivers, potentially making violations a “primary offense.” The Department of Labor and Industry might bring back work search requirements in order for people to claim unemployment benefits. Students across the state will have to take PSSAs this year. And a new study has found out which athletes born and bred...

State universities in Pennsylvania have frozen their tuition for the third year in a row. Over 20 million users of a parking app were victims of a massive data breach, including Pittsburgh Parking Authority customers. A motorcycle run will be held in order to support a local York County police sergeant in his fight with cancer. Plus, birdwatchers are having their feathers ruffled (in a good way) b...

Roughly 150 children found at the U.S.-Mexico border are being housed in the northwestern part of Pennsylvania. The Wolf administration has granted $10.8 million towards STEM education programs in schools. The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts has advised the public to be wary of a phone scam. And bidding on an extremely rare baseball card has hit $110,000. See acast.com/privacy for pri...

A 2014 lawsuit which alleged that the Pennsylvania State Police discriminated against women through the use of physical tests during its hiring process has reached a $2.2 million agreement. A man living in Allentown who purchased ricin after being inspired by “Breaking Bad” pleaded guilty in federal court. Rattlesnakes have begun to emerge from their dens. Plus, an 18-year-old man from Lewisburg m...

The state has received a C-minus grade from the White House with regards to its infrastructure. All Pennsylvania residents who are 16 years and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as of today. A state lawmaker believes allowing for bars and restaurants to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. would help them regain the revenue they’ve lost during the pandemic. And a Phillies fan went viral on...

The Wolf administration is being pressured to release more information regarding wasted COVID-19 vaccine doses. The state Supreme Court ruled Thursday that voters must provide the address of where they are registered to vote when signing a candidate’s nominating petition. Italian-American groups are suing Philly over the cancellation of Columbus Day, citing discrimination. And that gigantic snake...

A cheerleader in Schuylkill County who was suspended for a Snapchat message she posted outside of school is bringing her case to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry seeks to launch a quicker and easier unemployment system this June. There are now 8 more counties in the state’s spotted lanternfly quarantine zone, bringing the total to 34. Finally, Penn State Ch...

The lawyer of a Pennsylvania man charged in the January 6 Capitol riot states that he was “viciously and savagely beaten” by a corrections officer while in prison. A woman who spat and coughed on food in a supermarket at the start of the coronavirus pandemic has been charged with trespassing at a Luzerne County church. The Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition will hold a commemoration today for Holocaust...

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives pushed through a law that would end changing clocks and keep Daylight Saving Time permanent. In further law news, the state’s Move Over Law is scheduled to change in three weeks’ time. A man was caught altering lottery tickets with nothing but a stick of glue and scissors. Plus, those traveling on the Susquehanna River—beware the frankenfish! See acast.com...

A group of all-female state lawmakers are looking to keep transgender athletes from partaking in all-girls school sports teams. A man was taken into custody in Pittsburgh after a domestic call turned into a SWAT standoff. Two kayakers and a dog were rescued from the Susquehanna River. And a new study theorizes that a hidden, alien planet may be lying inside Earth. See acast.com/privacy for privacy...

Pennsylvania lawmakers have started to take measures in order to prevent the potential requirement of a “COVID-19 vaccine passport” in the state. Additionally, Pennsylvania has lifted its telework mandate. The Pierogi, Kielbasa, and Tomato festivals are all a go for this year. Plus, in their quest to find genetic clues which lay in the coloring of wild trout, Penn State researchers are asking for...