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

A 29-year-old man was charged with the murder of a Lancaster County mother of six whom he fatally shot during a road-rage incident. The remains of a “Beth Doe” found near the Lehigh River in 1976 were at last identified, as was her murderer. The governor’s offices in the state Capitol got the green light to undergo a $1.5 million renovation. And three craft breweries in the state have been ranked...

One Pennsylvania lawmaker is seeking to give schools an incentive to have in-person instruction by tying it back to state funding. In Bradford County, a woman admitted that she and her husband scammed nearly $1.9 million out of older women in a social media scheme. A company in Allegheny County agreed to clean up the toxic waste it dumped into some of Pittsburgh’s drinking water. Finally, Hawk Mou...

A former Air Force general attributed his possession of child pornography to post-traumatic stress. Three people in Pittsburgh were charged in an unemployment scam, filing claims that amounted to nearly $900,000 in benefits. Rising costs of lumber have caused the prices of new houses to rise as well. Plus, a lock of George Washington’s hair that was trimmed by a barber in Philadelphia is now up fo...

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced Monday the tolls on bridges connecting New Jersey to Pennsylvania will go up in April. A restaurant owner in Allegheny County is asking a state appellate court to allow for her to disregard COVID-19 mandates such as face masks requirements in order for her establishment to survive. A fisherman saved a man he found floating in the Susquehann...

The United Steelworkers Union will strike this week at Allegheny Technologies. Pennie insurance marketplace will stay open until Aug. 15. State parks’, forests’ in-person outdoor programs to resume in April. Pitt professor’s tech helps NASA’s Perseverance rover.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The state Supreme Court ruled that secretly recorded audio of a nanny accused of abuse may be submitted as evidence. Federal court has ruled that Chesapeake Energy Corp. must pay Pennsylvania $1.9 million after damaging waterways and wetlands. An ATM exploded in Philadelphia. And one stray dog kept stealing the same stuffed unicorn, so an animal-control officer decided to buy it for him.  See acas...

The former director of emergency management at the University of Pittsburgh stole more than 13,600 face masks and then sold them on eBay at “significant price mark ups.” A Commonwealth Court decided not to overturn a law which keeps the General Assistance Program’s cash benefits from getting to the state’s poorest individuals. The Pennsylvania Lottery has updated its longest-running jackpot. Final...

Teresa Miller, the Secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services, has announced her resignation. The Pennsylvania House passed a bill that would help to provide more flexibility for schools in finding substitute teachers. Officials have warned residents to be wary of ticks as the weather warms up. Plus, a landing craft designed by a company in Pittsburgh is being tested by NASA in prepa...

The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that there’s no need for those who have been fully vaccinated to wear masks indoors in certain situations. Governor Tom Wolf unveiled the largest commitment to solar energy ever seen in the country. A scammer called a McDonald’s in Centre County pretending to be the fast-food chain’s CEO. And a mysterious fireball zoomed over Pittsburgh early Sunday...

Four children managed to escape from a fire that broke out in their apartment that their mother is accused of starting. Governor Tom Wolf has once again extended the expiration date for license to carry firearms permits. Hersheypark is readying itself to open up for “Springtime in the Park” in April. Plus, a 50-ton marble tablet engraved with the First Amendment will now call Philly its home. See...

The deadline for Pennsylvania residents to file their personal income taxes has been pushed back to May 17. As her confirmation nears, former Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, continues to be pressured to answer questions regarding missing COVID-19 data from Pennsylvania nursing homes. A YouTuber from Lower Paxton Township gets into hot water for damaging streams while making vi...

A new report recently revealed that state lawmakers cashed in on thousands of dollars in additional taxpayer money known as “per diems” despite the coronavirus pandemic raging on. Meanwhile, over 30 years of searching for an escapee from the former Allenwood Federal Prison Camp has ended. A special election will take place in May to fill a vacant state House seat. And Penn State purchases a histor...

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has announced his support of a bill that seeks to help DACA recipients gain legal citizenship. Meanwhile, “ghost guns” have been banned by one of the state’s largest gun show promoters. One lawmaker has suggested bringing back license plate registration stickers to help fund PennDOT projects. Plus, one woman in Bucks County has established a forever retirement home for...

Governor Tom Wolf announced that COVID-19 restrictions on restaurants and other establishments will be lessened on Easter. In Bucks County, a woman created a series of “deepfake” photos and videos to get members of her daughter’s cheerleading squad booted from the team. The National Park Service will expand its protection over Brandywine and Gettysburg battlefields. And that strange pink blob that...

A woman tries to outrun three state troopers in her father’s Camaro during a high-speed car chase. Meanwhile, a Beaver County mystery involving a severed head will be featured in two Netflix shows. The $3.3 million Pennsylvania Lottery Powerball prize will be divided among 22 winning tickets. Plus, the town that inspired the classic song, “Winter Wonderland,” gets a historical marker. See acast.co...

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission voted to resume service terminations on utilities for people who don’t pay by the end of the month. Meanwhile, people may submit SNAP applications over the phone. Seniors in the south-central part of the state have the opportunity to get free rides to get their COVID-19 vaccines. And explosives from World War II are discovered in the backyard of a Jersey...

One state lawmaker is looking to stop PennDOT’s plan to toll nine bridges. A teen who was tackled and punched by an off-duty officer won’t see any damages from the City of Pittsburgh. Luckily, Governor Tom Wolf seemed to indicate that St. Patrick’s Day for bars and restaurants is a go. Plus, one miniature donkey from York County is in the final running to be in next Cadbury bunny commercial.  See...

Although the search for a missing York County woman has ended, police continue to investigate any leads they may receive. State lawmakers are looking to get rid of the practice of daylight saving time in Pennsylvania. The Keystone State is listed as being among the top states who have the highest tax rates. Also, be sure to look up Thursday and Friday mornings for a glimpse of the International Sp...

Approximately $13 billion is headed Pennsylvania’s way from the COVID-19 relief bill. A man in Greensburg reportedly got kicked out of a bar, stole a car, and crashed into a pile of rocks as police pursued him. Conservation groups filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for its failure to protect the “snot otter.” And you can now officially stay at Buffalo Bill’s house from “Sil...

One Enola man is looking to up the reward to help find the culprit who drowned 12 puppies found in the Susquehanna River. Firefighters help prevent a bride’s wedding from going up in smoke in every sense of the phrase. A nun donates to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to help permanently protect 100 acres of woodland. Plus, elks help boost tourism. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out...

The Wolf administration revealed it will extend the Regional Congregate Care Assistance Teams (RCATs) program through May 31. In the world of professional hockey, the Penguins admit to unprofessionally doctoring a photo of fans to correct how they wore their masks. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is listed as the most expensive toll roads on the planet. Finally, the Harrisburg Ice & Fire Festival starts...

Teachers and school staff throughout the state will be able to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine starting mid-March. Meanwhile, Governor Tom Wolf has officially signed a bill that allows for the National Guard to assist with the vaccine’s distribution process. A woman living in senior housing was arrested and charged for delivering crack cocaine. And one man’s $35 yard sale bowl is another’s six-f...

Governor Tom Wolf announced Tuesday that teachers in Pennsylvania will be eligible for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as soon as it’s available. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is stocking trout ahead of opening day on April 3. One couple in Hershey is looking to support an organization that aids retired military and police dogs. Plus, there are a few early signs of spring popping up that y...

A 16-year-old boy in Harrisburg was charged with shooting at a man with the man’s own firearm. Gas prices are hitting a high this month with some parts of the state shelling out as much as $3 per gallon. The recent ease in COVID-19 restrictions has allowed for the return of sports fans to a few Pennsylvanian stadiums. And Swatara Township Police get a young—and furry—recruit. See acast.com/privacy...

A proposed Pennsylvania House bill would allow for employees to refuse getting the COVID-19 vaccine—as well as any invasive medical tests—required by an employer. The Department of Health’s last round of COVID-19 testing clinics will be open this week. An inept bank robber also bungles his appeal. And a kangaroo remains in witness protection. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informati...