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

State Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from charity, according to attorney general Josh Shapiro. Meanwhile, the state begins an audit of the Pennsylvania Lottery to stop high-frequency winners. And a 17-year-old football star dies of cancer. In good news: we’ve got a concert announcement that definitely rocks. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informat...

A Philadelphia politician will be charged with multiple crimes this morning. Meanwhile, Mariner East Pipeline employees are accused of bribing state constables. The Liquor Control Board has released its list of the top-selling liquors from last year -- and topping it all? Fireball. Finally, it’s a big congratulations to a Penn State linebacker who won a prestigious conference award. See acast.com/...

A mother is accused of killing her two children in Berks County. Meanwhile, Three Pennsylvania minor league baseball teams may cease to exist if Major League Baseball continues its restructuring plans. Near Pittsburgh, the state orders a hemp facility to close because it’s too, well, stinky. And Philadelphia native Questlove is gearing up to make his directorial debut.  See acast.com/privacy for p...

Teens shown beating and torturing a deer in viral video, sparking an investigation. Sexual extortion is now a felony in Pennsylvania. Purple paint law passes in Pennsylvania, hunters can no longer trespass on land with that marker. Personal finance classes will soon count towards graduation requirements in Pennsylvania high schools. Potbellied pig that was the subject of a police chase may soon ha...

Thanksgiving history owes a lot to Pennsylvania, here’s why. Move over Macy’s, Philadelphia is home to the oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade. The most popular Thanksgiving side dish in Pennsylvania is potato filling. Black Friday deals: Here are the best stores to shop at the day after Thanksgiving See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pennsylvania upends its child sexual abuse laws to help victims. Meanwhile, there’s controversy around new voting machines being used in several counties. A former pro baseball player pleads guilty to animal cruelty, on the same day Trump signs legislation to make it a felony. Workers at a medical center receive a text telling them they’re not getting paid. In seasonal news, the Pittsburgh Penguin...

A Pennsylvania man allegedly lied about being a Navy Seal to steal $300,000 in government benefits. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission rules that school district can continue calling its sports teams “Redskins” -- provided they make it clear that racism isn’t ok. Historic black college Cheyney University is keeping its full accreditation after years of financial struggles and d...

Pennsylvania is investing $3 million in research on the potential health effects of fracking. Meanwhile, new Pa. voting machines pass their audit and will help prevent hacking in 2020. In news the Grinch would enjoy, Christmas trees are going to be a little bit more expensive this year. And, on a more cheerful note, Mister Rogers’ widow approves of the new movie about his life. See acast.com/priva...

The smoking age in Pennsylvania may be about to go up from 18 to 21. Governor Wolf has vetoed a bill that would have outlawed abortions based on a Down syndrome diagnosis. A Central Pennsylvania radio station has received a criminal complaint about unpaid contributions to the state’s unemployment fund. And a Pennsylvania teacher was named one of the nation’s best, earning a 25 thousand dollar priz...

This year’s Grammy Award nominations have been announced, including several artists from Pennsylvania. An armed group took a hostage in a residential community clubhouse in the Poconos, claiming they planned to take back the land for Native Americans. A Pennsylvania city was ranked as one of the most sinful in the nation. And attempts to request organs from deceased in the Amish community is causi...

One of Pennsylvania’s most popular tourist attractions is planning a major, 200 million dollar expansion. A state senator has announced his resignation from the Democratic Party to become an independent who will caucus with Republicans. A Pittsburgh meteorologist has been fired following charges of driving under the influence. And police at Penn State have confirmed that the university’s quarterba...

A teacher in a Pennsylvania school district is on paid leave after separating two students involved in a fight, due to actions the school district says may have been inappropriate. A proposal to raise the state’s minimum wage has passed in a committee in the Pennsylvania Senate, and may go to a vote before the end of the week. Legislation legalizing hunting on three Sundays a year has gone to the...

A masked gunman in Harrisburg forced two women to remove their clothing before robbing them. A firefighter is recovering after falling from a roof while battling a fire that damaged five Harrisburg homes. 13 Pennsylvania corrections officers are being suspended following an assault that led to the death of an inmate. And General Electric is shutting down a factory in Georgia, with the work consoli...

Police are searching for an inmate who escaped from the Adams County Prison. A teacher at a Harrisburg school has been suspended after telling students he wished he could shoot one student per year. A family’s dog in Lower Paxton Township is recovering after being attacked by a black bear in their backyard. And a new study shows that Pennsylvania has around 500 million pieces of litter strewn acro...

The temperatures in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia set records for all-time lows. A Pennsylvania lawmaker was arrested for DUI charges in Cumberland County. A Pennsylvania man is in custody after firing up to 50 shots at police officers in an armed standoff. And a beloved drive-in movie theater faces an uncertain future as the owners of the property are looking to sell. See acast.com/privacy for...

The FBI has opened a corruption investigation into how Governor Wolf’s administration came to issue permits for construction of a multi-billion dollar pipeline project. A Pennsylvania factory has announced layoffs for 148 workers. Thieves have been caught in the act of stealing hemp from Pennsylvania farms, mistaking the crop for marijuana. And everyone’s favorite mascot, Gritty, is coming to the...

A Pennsylvania county’s jail superintendent has resigned following investigations into alleged racist and abusive behavior. Philadelphia’s soda tax has had a drastic impact on the amount of soda sold in the city. The Pennsylvania Turnpike will be spending nearly one million dollars to buy a pool. And a Pennsylvania family’s home was decorated by the Hallmark Channel for Christmas. See acast.com/pr...

Today is Veteran’s Day, and many businesses, government buildings and public services closed throughout the state. Hundreds of dams across Pennsylvania are in desperate need of maintenance, leaving them in a highly dangerous condition. A severe shortage of bus drivers is putting a strain on school districts across the nation, and including the Philadelphia area’s school districts. And the Pennsylv...

A Pennsylvania teacher’s homework assignment involving President Trump led to angry parents and apologies from school officials. A bill sponsored by Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey will make animal cruelty a federal crime. Former employees of a Snyder County factory have been stuck with thousands of dollars of medical bills after the defunct business failed to continue their insurance benefits thr...

The Republican Party of Pennsylvania has reached a settlement with York County officials regarding claims of voting irregularities. The city of Scranton has elected its first female mayor in its history. A retired Air Force brigadier general has been arrested on charges of possession of child pornography. And a team of Pennsylvania doctors are the first ever in the US to attempt to use gene editin...

An absentee ballot from the moon and PA is one of the happiest places to live. All that and more on Today in PA! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s Election Day in Pennsylvania, and a controversial measure is on the ballot – but even if the measure is approved by voters, that doesn’t mean it will take effect. One candidate for public office recently had a brain tumor that was discovered thanks to his dog. A Pennsylvania casino has launched the state’s first online poker games. And a rare albino deer was spotted near Pittsburgh. I’m Sean...

The first snowflakes of winter may be falling in Pennsylvania later this week. A fire in the Poconos has destroyed a historic resort. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, water gushed from the top of a skyscraper onto the street below. And plans are in place to take The Pennsylvania Turnpike cashless by 2021. I’m Sean Adams, in for Julia Hatmaker, and this is Today in PA. See acast.com/privacy for privacy...

A man confesses to killing his family in the second quadruple homicide this year in a West Philadelphia neighborhood. In Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives spends $1.1 million to defend its opening prayer policy. Meanwhile, scientists have mapped out the genome of a spotted lanternfly. In weird and wonderful news, an artist has turned the sinkhole bus in Pittsburgh into a Christ...

Happy Halloween! A state constitutional amendment is on the ballot for Nov. 5 -- but votes won’t be counted right away (or maybe ever). Hunters may be able to hunt on select Sundays in Pennsylvania if the State Senate approves a new bill. Work zone speed cameras are coming to roads statewide. And, we’ll end it all with a heartwarming story about a young boy battling cancer who got to meet his hero...