A central Pennsylvania bio-lab is planning its largest expansion yet. Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories will build a new three-hundred-thousand-square-foot facility at its New Holland campus in Lancaster County. 

Pennsylvania communities lost millions in expected federal funding this year after Congress passed a short-term spending bill that wiped out Community Project Funding grants for fiscal year 2025. The Lehigh Valley lost money planned for infrastructure and public safety initiatives, including an opioid task force. 

A former speaker of the state House of Representatives will not seek reelection for his Lancaster County district in 20-26. Representative Bryan Cutler’s exit comes after a turbulent few years. 

This holiday season, the Philadelphia Ballet, like many ballet companies across the country, is performing “The Nutcracker." One of the company’s principal dancers, Nicholas Patterson, made his solo debut earlier in December. It's a remarkable turnaround for a dancer who could barely walk a year ago, due to stage four cancer. 

And this programming note: The Morning Agenda will be taking a holiday break for a week, from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day, returning with a new episode on Friday, January 2nd. 

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Aerial photographs, weather observation and even food delivery are a few of the uses for drones. What about getting emergency medical equipment to rural areas where it’s needed, quickly? There’s now a public-private partnership aiming to use drones to do just that in central Pennsylvania.

The U-S Department of Justice says it won’t require names of minors who received gender-affirming care at hospitals operated by UPMC. Patients' identities are embedded into their medical files.

The holiday travel season is expected to set records. AAA estimates more than 122 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between December 20th and January 1st.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is now serving in a leadership role among Eastern U-S attorneys general.

More than 14-million dollars in grant funding is being awarded to community projects across Pennsylvania, by the state's Department of Community and Economic Development. The projects support communities in four areas: flood mitigation, recreational trails, improvements to sewage facilities and watersheds. More than 4.4 million dollars is being awarded to about 30 community projects in Dauphin County.

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The US Environmental Protection Agency heard testimony in Pittsburgh last week regarding proposed changes to the Clean Water Act. The Trump administration has proposed limiting which waterways can receive federal protection.

Pennsylvania is joining a lawsuit against Uber, accusing the rideshare app of deceptive and unfair practices related to its subscription service.

A former Lancaster County police officer was sentenced to up to 57 years in prison for raping and sexually assaulting three girls in the 1990s. Andrew Scott Selby received the sentencing from a Chester County judge after Lancaster County judges recused themselves to avoid a potential conflict since Selby is a former officer.

Hundreds of rapes in the State College area went unreported in public police data for nearly a decade.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is co-leading a bipartisan coalition of 35 Attorneys General who want Meta to stop promoting misleading weight-loss advertising.

Cumberland County officials have revealed and installed its America 250 bell, part of the statewide "Bells Across PA" initiative.

A 14-year-old Schuylkill County girl will sing the national anthem to kick off the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

And a deeper dive:

The Trump Administration plans to weaken the Endangered Species Act, and that could impact the fate of an ancient creature that lives in Pennsylvania-the eastern hellbender salamander.

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The Trump administration is pushing new nuclear energy projects to power the ongoing race to advance artificial intelligence. Dauphin County’s Three Mile Island is at the center of that goal.

The Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police is leaving Harrisburg for the national stage.

Avian Influenza may be making a comeback among poultry flocks in Pennsylvania. About 400 snow geese likely died of the virus in Northampton County.   

In Washington, four centrist Republicans have broken with their party's leadership over health care. Three of the four are from Pennsylvania. They signed onto a Democratic-led petition, forcing a House vote on extending for three years an enhanced pandemic-era subsidy that lowers health insurance costs for millions of Americans.

Dauphin County Commissioners approved a 2026 budget plan Wednesday. It includes a 9.75% property tax increase - the second major tax raise in two years.

Pennsylvania is one of 35 states reaching a settlement with automakers Kia and Hyundai over faulty anti-theft systems.

The Pennsylvania company that makes the marshmallow treats known as Peeps announces it's planning a Peeps Chick Drop on New Year's Eve.

If you already support WITF with an ongoing monthly contribution, thank you. If every member of WITF's Sustaining Circle increased their gift by as little as $12 a month, we could close the budget gap caused by cuts in federal funding and keep programming like the Morning Agenda. Increase your monthly gift today at witf.org/increase or

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The White House is touting the strength of the nation’s economy; despite data showing Americans remain concerned about inflation and job security. Vice President JD Vance is the latest Trump administration official to tout a rosy economic outlook, during a rally in Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg lawmakers are expected to send a bill to Governor Josh Shapiro’s desk that changes the way workers access unemployment benefits.       

As Philadelphia prepares for the nation’s 250th birthday next year, a dozen artists are painting bell-shaped sculptures that represent Philly neighborhoods.

Caregivers in Pennsylvania are celebrating a rare pay boost, but long-term funding issues linger.

Dickinson College is the latest area college to announce a more affordable option for middle-class families.

Littlestown, Adams County native Aubrey Nicole placed fourth in NBC's "The Voice."

WITF, along with hundreds of Public Media organizations across the country, is facing a significant annual budget gap with the loss of federal funding. That means that WITF is now dependent on individual member support more than ever. Visit www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

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Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday says he’ll defend the state’s artificial intelligence laws in court — even if that means challenging Donald Trump’s administration. Sunday’s threat is a rare push back against Trump from the first-term Republican.

Across Pennsylvania, our roadways, parking lots and driveways are already seeing tons of salt being spread to alleviate icy, snowy conditions. But there are environmental impacts.

A brick wall collapsed Monday at Harrisburg's Broad Street Market. The wall was part of the brick market house damaged by a July 2023 fire.

A dozen Starbucks employees were arrested while they were striking outside the company's largest distribution center located in York County, Monday.

York County Commissioners are expected to vote Wednesday morning on a revised budget plan.

If you're already a member of WITF's Sustaining Circle, you know how convenient it is to support programs like the Morning Agenda. 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

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The recently passed Pennsylvania state budget includes more money for tuberculosis prevention efforts in the Commonwealth. Federal data show cases of TB steadily rising nationally after nearly three decades of decline.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is establishing a rural residency program in an effort to bolster the rural doctor workforce. Here’s how it works: Residents start at UPMC Williamsport before transferring to either UPMC Wellsboro or UPMC Cole in Coudersport. Both locations are in Pennsylvania’s northern tier known as the Pennsylvania Wilds region.

In Cumberland County, an 80-year-old woman was found dead after a house fire early Sunday morning, according to the Cumberland County Coroner's Office.

State officials discovered a month's worth of mail wasn't sent by a government-contracted mail house over the past month. The backlog of mail totals 3.4 million letters, including notices of SNAP eligibility and health benefit information, as well as driver’s license and vehicle registration renewal invitations from PennDOT.

Pennsylvania lawmakers could end the year with the lowest number of new laws in at least a decade. That's due to split government, heightened partisanship, and the concentration of power in the hands of legislative leaders, according to reporting by our partners at Spotlight PA.

Sunday marked the beginning of Hanukkah. The city of Lancaster and the Jewish Community Alliance of Lancaster hosted a menorah lighting in Penn Square.

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New recommendations from a CDC advisory committee to give the first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine to infants no earlier than 2 months old is upending standard medical practices. Pediatricians here in Pennsylvania say this could undo decades of progress in preventing the disease in young kids.

Many healthcare providers are now using generative AI tools to take notes during visits. Health systems say it is saving doctors a lot of time and allowing them to focus more on their patients.

A former Lebanon doctor was sentenced to a minimum of 8 months in prison for sexually assaulting pediatric patients between 1999 and 2001.

Ryan Crosswell, a former federal prosecutor, is running for one of Pennsylvania's seats in Congress.

A judge in Philadelphia’s federal appeals court is facing an ethics complaint after attending the president’s rally in the Poconos last week.

A Lancaster County teacher is named the 2026 National Language Teacher of the Year.

If you're already a member of WITF's Sustaining Circle, you know how convenient it is to support programs like The Morning Agenda. 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 member at www.witf.org/givenow.

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The Trump administration has announced plans to roll back fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks – citing affordability. It’s the latest move toward dismantling former President Biden’s climate initiatives. Public health advocates say the rules have helped clean up Philly’s air quality.

Federal authorities arrested an Uzbek terror suspect with a Pennsylvania-issued driver’s license several weeks ago. State senators convened in Harrisburg this week to investigate how he obtained it.

Faculty members at Penn State hoping to unionize across the university say they’ve filed the paperwork needed for a vote that could happen next year.

“Revolutionary Things: Objects from the Collection,” is a new exhibit opening today (Friday) at the State Museum of Pennsylvania. The exhibit – in celebration of America250 - aims to illustrate the commonwealth’s unique place in the story of America’s Independence.

And if you’re still searching for that perfect Christmas tree, there should still be plenty to choose from in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania's Attorney General has reached a $1.5 million settlement with discount retailer Dollar General after an investigation uncovered multiple instances of price gouging. According to AG Dave Sunday, between 2019 and 2023, his office found that in more than 40 percent of products, the price at the cash register was more than the price listed on the item.

An eviction diversion program in Reading is winding down. The program offered tenants hands-on legal help and rental money.

In Lebanon County, more than 60-thousand wreaths will be placed on veterans' graves at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery this weekend. A ceremony and wreath laying begins this Saturday (Dec 13) at noon.

As we approach the end of the year, we want to say thank you for your listenership and support. If every member of WITF's Sustaining Circle increased their gift by as little as $12 a month, we could close the budget gap caused by cuts in federal funding and keep programming like the Morning Agenda going strong. Increase your monthly gift today at witf.org/increase or becoming a new sustaining member at www.witf.org/givenow. Thank you!

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Gov. Josh Shapiro called on all political leaders to condemn all political violence, during a discussion on political violence Tuesday night in Washington, D.C. The event took place at the National cathedral and was moderated by Savannah Guthrie, co- anchor of NBC's Today Show.

State lawmakers' meantime are digging into Gov. Josh Shapiro's use of the state plane, and the one million dollars in security upgrades at his private residence following the attempt on his life this year. A panel of Republicans is subpoenaing records from the flight charter company, state police and Shapiro's hometown.

President Trump traveled to the Poconos Tuesday night, giving a speech at a Mount Pocono casino and resort. Our colleagues at WVIA have us covered with reporting from protesters lining the President's route, coverage of the President's speech, and reaction from attendees.

As Pennsylvania officials continue spending millions of dollars in settlement money to fight the opioid epidemic, opportunities for the public to follow the funds and publicly weigh in increased over the past year. But significant limits exist on both transparency and public participation - to the frustration of some families and others directly affected by the crisis. 

Voting is now open for Pennsylvania's 2026 River of the Year. Lancaster County's Conestoga River is one of three waterways up for the recognition.

WITF, along with hundreds of Public Media organizations across the country, is facing a significant annual budget gap with the loss of federal funding. That means WITF is now dependent on individual member support more than ever. But only 10% of our audience donates to WITF. If you're part of the 90% who hasn't, we're asking you to do that now. Visit www.witf.org/givenow and thank you.

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