Blue crab populations in the Chesapeake Bay are rebounding from a near-record low.  Environmental protection efforts in Pennsylvania are helping keep the water clean downstream.

Western PA Congresspersons Summer Lee and Chris Deluzio say mine operators must do more to help communities dig out of problems left behind when mines close.

A federal judge is denying bail for a York County man, citing a history of online threats and alleged illegal gun possession. The criminal case gives insight into how the federal government monitors and prosecutes people connected to certain neo-Nazi groups.

The developer of an ICE warehouse in Berks County is paying more than $82,000 dollars to resolve deficiencies.

Five fatal crashes happened over the Memorial Day holiday weekend - and two involved intoxicated driving. Pennsylvania State Police report there were a total of 843 crashes over the four-day weekend.

And now it’s time for our weekly segment called The Bright Spot. Every Friday, I’ll share a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle.  

Today’s bright spot is an update on our WITF Central PA Spelling Bee Champion. 

Among the 247 spelling bee champions from across the country, competing this week at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, our WITF Central PA Spelling Bee Champion 11-year-old Vedika Burman of Central Dauphin Middle School, has finished in 79th place.

(Click here for Vedika’s recent interview on The Morning Agenda.)

The campaign to plant ten million trees across the state of Pennsylvania reached its goal Tuesday, with the ten millionth tree planted near Hershey. But environmental advocates say the benefits of the milestone will continue for years to come.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has signed a disaster declaration for Pennsylvania farmers. Its goal is to help those who lost crops during freezing weather in April.

And now back to the subject of trees for a deeper dive. 

The Trump administration is planning a drastic reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service, moving its headquarters and research facilities to western states. Here in Pennsylvania, four research stations are on the chopping block. 

Pennsylvania's unemployment rate held steady during the month of April. The jobs numbers show record highs in some industries.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering adding a new ingredient to sunscreen products for the first time since 1999. Dermatologists are hopeful the new ingredient could expand options for sun protection. 

A new report released by the state Insurance Department could offer lawmakers a path forward to help struggling pharmacies. 

Twenty-six Pennsylvania high schools are receiving state grants to strengthen the pipeline of special education teachers. 

Pennsylvania will have a new state librarian later this week, beginning May 30th. 

And a deeper dive: Grocery stores typically have shopping carts that can fit a toddler, or even shopping carts that look like race cars where small kids can ride along. There are also motorized scooters for people with mobility issues. But there's also another type of shopping cart, one that advocates for people with disabilities say should be more widely available. 

Hurricane season begins next week, on June 1st. National Weather Service forecasters predict the Mid-Atlantic region will see ‘lower than average’ tropical storm activity this year. 

Despite rainy conditions over the holiday weekend – and much of the past week – much of Pennsylvania continues to be under drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.   

Last week, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would give Pennsylvania nearly $40 million to address PFAS contamination in drinking water, the agency also said it would roll back PFAS regulations.  

A recent study by the National Council on Aging and the Urban Institute finds many seniors are overlooking benefits that they might be eligible for.  

A Lancaster County charity that distributes tens of thousands of meals to food banks is facing more than $14 million of debt - yet is continuing with plans to expand nationally.

Pennsylvania's zoning and permitting processes are named as barriers to homebuilding in the state, according to a recent survey.

On this Memorial Day, we have a special episode for you – a conversation with Dale and Jan Hanby, hosts of WITF’s newest podcast “Cloth of the Nation.”

Tuesday’s primary saw incumbents and moderate candidates prevail despite high levels of political polarization and dissatisfaction with the Democratic and Republican parties.

State lawmakers are considering shifting oversight of Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program to a new entity. Some say it could be a key step toward legalizing recreational cannabis.

PennDOT has announced bridge repairs on coming to a span in Adams County beginning June 1st. 

With motorcycle riding season in full swing, PennDOT is reminding cyclists, as well as the entire motoring public, the importance of sharing the road and cutting down on the risk of accidents. 

A winning Powerball ticket worth 150-thousand dollars was sold in York County for the Wednesday, May 20th drawing. Bravo Supermarket on West Market Street in West York Boro sold the ticket. 

And then our Friday feature, The Bright Spot with Karen Hendricks

Pennsylvania lags behind most of the country in increasing renewable energy.

State Senator Doug Mastriano has been nominated to serve as the next US ambassador to Slovakia.

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Brian Miller as the United States Attorney for the Moddle District of Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has temporarily suspended Cumberland County attorney Richard Lee King.

The City of Reading has officially broken ground on a major solar energy project on the public works campus.

In the wake of the arrest of a Lebanon County man in connection with threats made against state lawmakers, some legislators say PA state needs to a better job on informing them of such dangers. 

State Senator Doug Mastriano has been nominated by Donald Trump to be the next U.S. ambassador to Slovakia. 

It’s known as the State of Preschool Yearbook. It’s an annual report dating back to 2002, designed to track enrollment in and funding for and quality standards related to state-funded preschool programs. Lead author of the report Allison Friedman-Kross recently joined WITF’s The Spark along with Director Steve Barnett to talk about this year’s report.

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Brian Miller as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. This is the third time he's been confirmed. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is marking a ten-year partnership with local farms and area food banks, in an effort to deal with food insecurity in the state. 

And this quick programming note: My colleague Jordan Wilkie will be releasing a bonus episode of The Morning Agenda with election news this morning as well. So, keep an eye out for that in your podcast feed.

Penn State faculty members have voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining a union.  

It’s primary election day in Pennsylvania. The most closely watched race in our area is for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 10th District. Voters will choose between former TV news anchor Janelle Stelson and Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas

In the race for Governor, incumbent Democrat Josh Shapiro is running unopposed, as is Republican Stace Garrity, who currently serves as state Treasurer.

The artificial intelligence boom is leading to fights in some states over growing utility profits

PENNDOT has work planned along route 34 in Perry County this week.

The city of York is launching a new Pothole Patrol. The first phase goes into effect  this week, focusing on the West End of the city.