Governor Josh Shapiro explains why he's not attending an upcoming White House gathering of governors.

Governor Shapiro is also pushing back after President Trump said he wants the federal government to take control of elections nationwide. Shapiro says Pennsylvania is ready to handle the midterms the way it always has -- at the local level.

Republicans in the U.S. House are pushing major election reforms as we approach the midterms. Pennsylvania Republicans passed a restrictive voting bill in the U.S. House, with Reps. Lloyd Smucker and Scott Perry supporting the bill, which now heads to the Senate. WITF’s Jordan Wilkie talks with Votebeat editor Nathaniel Rakich, who is following this story.

If you're already a member of WITF's Sustaining Circle, you know how convenient it is to support programs like this. By increasing your monthly gift, you can help WITF close the budget gap left by the loss of federal funding. Visit us online at witf.org/increase or become a new Sustaining Circle member at www.witf.org/givenow to help build a sustainable future for WITF and public media. Thank you.

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Governor Josh Shapiro and other Democratic governors say they're boycotting an annual bipartisan White House event next week.

Hundreds of protesters called for the restoration of a slavery exhibit at the President’s House in Philadelphia as the city battles the Trump administration in federal court.

Elected officials gathered to condemn immigration enforcement agents’ operations in the Greater Philadelphia region Wednesday – a day after federal ICE agents detained a man and reportedly broke down the door of a Montgomery County home.

The State Department of Health is encouraging students in grades one through six to submit a poster or short video for their Student Lyme Disease Prevention Art Competition.

We are headed into Valentine’s Day weekend – and maybe you’re looking for something fun to do. The Pennsylvania Tourism Office has launched an automated telephone hotline to recommend things to do in the Keystone State during the winter. The voices on the hotline even speak in Pennsylvania’s regional accents.

And we take a deep dive with WITF Music: Meet Harrisburg singer/songwriter Olivia Elizabeth Basar.

Harrisburg singer songwriter Olivia Elizabeth Basar | WITF Music

In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

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Mammograms are typically used to scan for breast cancer, but researchers are now looking at using the imaging tests to identify early signs of cardiovascular disease in women.

Gov. Josh Shapiro traveled to northeastern PA to thank first responders for their work last week during a fire at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Dickson City. The governor also highlighted investments, including a more than $30 million grant fund to support the state’s fire departments.

Former Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey has a new position, one month after stepping down as the city’s chief executive.

The State Game Commission is adding some game for hunters as we enter the final weeks of pheasant season.

Governor Shapiro and his neighbors are filing lawsuits against each other, over a property dispute at the governor's private residence in Montgomery County.

The Hempfield School District is cutting ties with the Independence Law Center, a religious rights law firm.

Six former players on the women’s basketball team at the University of Pittsburgh are suing their coach and the school over what they call toxic coaching methods.

Did you know that if every one of WITF’s sustaining circle members gives as little as $12 more a month, we'd close the gap caused by federal funding cuts? Increase your gift at https://witf.org/increase or become a new sustaining member at www.witf.org/givenow.

And thank you!

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Temperatures are moderating for a few days. But many of Pennsylvania’s rivers remain ice-covered. And the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is reminding people to stay off icy rivers, streams and creeks. That’s because water still flows under the ice and can sweep victims away.

Many PennDot Driver License Centers across the Commonwealth are now renovated and upgraded.

This year, Pennsylvanians whose disabilities started before the age of 46 can apply for a program known as PA ABLE, which stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience.

U.S. Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania is announcing the allocation of over $270 million in federal funding for various infrastructure, education, healthcare, and community restoration projects. The Lancaster Airport Authority is receiving the largest amount, $5 million to expand its main terminal.

The School District of Lancaster apparently overspent $10 million during the 2024-to-25 school year. Administrators say they suspect an accounting error resulting from faulty software, that didn't correctly calculate salaries and benefits.

Former Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey has a new job, one month after stepping down. Gainey is the newest commissioner on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which oversees casino and online gambling in the state.

If you're already a member of WITF's Sustaining Circle, you know how convenient it is to support programs like this. By increasing your monthly gift, you can help WITF close the budget gap left by the loss of federal funding. Visit us online at witf.org/increase or become a new Sustaining Circle member at www.witf.org/givenow to help build a sustainable future for WITF and public media. Thank you.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity says she would cooperate with President Donald Trump’s administration in running Pennsylvania’s elections. Garrity’s comments come after Trump called for Republicans to “nationalize” elections.

The state Republican Party is throwing its weight behind western Pennsylvania attorney Jason Richey in his bid for lieutenant governor. The party formally endorsed Richey to run alongside gubernatorial hopeful Stacy Garrity this year.

Penn State has released a budget snapshot of how much it will allocate to its colleges and campuses in the 2027-28 fiscal year. The university doesn’t list funding for the seven campuses it is in the process of shutting down

Centre County prosecutors say they’ll withdraw the felony count of aggravated assault against Penn State star hockey player Gavin McKenna.

U-S Senator John Fetterman is calling on the federal government to halt the development of two new ICE detention centers in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is reminding the public that it's never safe to walk on ice coating the surface of rivers such as the Susquehanna River. While lakes and ponds can become frozen with a thick layer of ice and produce recreational opportunities such as ice fishing and skating, officials say moving bodies of water such as rivers and streams are never safe to walk on. 

A Lancaster County native, who was the first government worker to be diagnosed with Havana Syndrome, has died.

In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

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During last week's budget address, Governor Josh Shapiro pushed for more housing construction, in part to make homes more affordable.

In his budget address, Governor Shapiro also said the state’s electric utilities are making too much profit at the expense of ratepayers. The governor laid out a plan to tackle rising electricity rates.

Officials in Chester County pledge to do better as they continue to navigate fallout from an poll book error last Election Day.

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry reports a surge in labor law complaints in 2025.

Pennsylvania agriculture secretary Russell Redding recently announced the state is awarding $2.2 million in grant funding to support 17 research projects.

Did you know that if every sustaining circle member gives as little as $12 more a month, we'd close the gap caused by federal funding cuts? Increase your gift at https://witf.org/increase or become a new sustaining member at www.witf.org/givenow.

And thanks!

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

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Governor Josh Shapiro touted the benefits of AI data centers during Tuesday's budget address, responding to widespread opposition with a series of regulatory proposals.

Also in his budget address this week, Governor Shapiro urged lawmakers to pass a school cellphone ban. State senators appeared to heed the call, passing their version of the bill late Tuesday.

Immigrant rights advocates say ICE has been targeting Philadelphia’s Criminal Justice Center, arresting immigrants in areas around the building. At a rally earlier this week, they called on Sheriff Rochelle Bilal to do more to protect immigrant residents at the courthouse.

In the past, if a Pennsylvanian died without a will or heirs, the Commonwealth would get their estate.  Under a change in law that took effect in January, those assets will now go to community foundations.

Emergency crews battled a blaze and evacuated patients from a hospital Wednesday night in Northeastern Pennsylvania. All patients, staff and visitors were safely evacuated from Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City, according to a hospital spokesperson.

A Lancaster County prison inmate died Sunday, two days after he had been found unresponsive in his cell, according to prison officials. 61-year old Erik Guenther of Lebanon was found by prison staff unresponsive in his cell early Friday morning.

Lancaster City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Easton McDonald as the city's new police chief Tuesday night.

Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna is being charged with felony assault following an incident on Jan. 31.

Retired Justice Sandra Schultz Newman has died. Newman was the first woman elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

And a deep dive... and tribute to a local music legend:

Al Shade of Gratz, Dauphin County, recently passed away at the age of 98. In honor of Al’s legacy, we’ll listen back to a 2017 WITF Music session with WITF's Joe Ulrich, in which Al performed a few songs and talked about his life and work.

Central PA country music legend Al Shade dies at 98 | WITF Music

If you're already a member of WITF's Sustaining Circle, you know how convenient it is to support programs like this. By increasing your monthly gift, you can help WITF close the budget gap left by the loss of federal funding. Visit us online at witf.org/increase or become a new Sustaining Circle member at www.witf.org/givenow to help build a sustainable future for WITF and public media. Thank you.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday unveiled a 53-billion-dollar state budget for the fiscal year that begins July first, the final budget proposal of Shapiro's term. Under the governor's plan, the spending gap would be made up by tapping into the state's rainy-day fund. Increasing public school funding is the big ticket item in the governor’s budget. But it’s not the only school policy he has in mind. Republicans in the state Senate say that Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal would threaten Pennsylvania’s financial future if enacted.

Republican Congressman Lloyd Smucker of Lancaster and York counties is suing Lancaster’s main newspaper.

A Dauphin County judge dismissed Harrisburg mayor Wanda Williams' lawsuit over this year's budget, ruling that City Council was acting within its power when it defunded four positions within the mayor's administration.

Pennsylvania State Police announce they're upgrading their vehicles with some of the latest technology. Those improvements include distinctive V-shaped light bars that provide full 360-degree illumination during traffic stops - and turn into arrow boards for traffic control - or floodlights for dark, hazardous conditions.

Pennsylvania is expanding and improving its all-terrain vehicle trails and facilities across the state. The state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announces it's awarding $1.4 million in grants for ATV projects in five counties in western PA and the Pennsylvania Wilds region.

One of our region's high school athletic conferences has a new name. The York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association - the YAIAA - voted to change its name to the South Central Athletic Conference, or SCAC.

In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Slavery exhibits removed from the President’s House site on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall are still intact and in storage at the Constitution Center. A federal judge confirmed that fact during a site visit Monday.  

Almost three quarters of Americans rarely get together with others, even people they care about. That's according to the inaugural Social Connection in America report, issued by the Barnes Family Foundation, based in Bethlehem.

https://omny.fm/shows/the-spark/scanning-prices-measuring-belonging-a-look-at-pa-consumers-and-communities

As climate change forces wildlife to relocate, The Nature Conservancy is working to help species adapt. The organization just acquired 280 acres in Cambria County to serve as a critical rest stop for increasingly rare, migrating grassland birds.

The Trump Administration has purchased a 520,000-square-foot Berks County warehouse for more than $87 million. The deed shows it was sold to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, as the administration continues to convert facilities across the country into immigration detention centers.

More than 300,000 Haitians nationwide were expected to lose federal immigration protections yesterday (Feb. 3) - but a federal judge issued a 6-month extension. Those protections allow them to work in the U.S. and shield them from deportation.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has confirmed five cases of measles in Lancaster County. Officials say all five cases involve people who were not vaccinated.

And a deep dive:

Independent and third-party voters are the fastest-growing voting bloc in Pennsylvania. Yet these voters are currently barred from participating in the commonwealth’s primaries.

Did you know that if every one of WITF’s sustaining circle members gives as little as $12 more a month, we'd close the gap caused by federal funding cuts? Increase your gift at https://witf.org/increase or become a new sustaining circle member at www.witf.org/givenow. And thanks!

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

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Harrisburg is joining cities across the nation that are responding to recent events of violence and conflict. A Peace Pilgrimage is planned through the city this Wednesday, February 4th. We have a deep dive conversation with one of the organizers, Pastor Matthew Best of Harrisburg's Christ Lutheran Church. He explains how the public can participate, how he defines “peace,” and why event organizers deliberately did not include the state Capitol as a location.

Governor Josh Shapiro is expected to address housing costs, energy demand, and unfinished business from prior years, when he delivers his budget address Tuesday.

Lancaster County's Conestoga River is named Pennsylvania's River of the Year.

And tens of thousands of people gathered for Punxsutawney Phil's annual appearance Tuesday morning, dubbed Groundhog Day.

In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.