Questions about data centers are growing as dozens of the facilities are proposed across Pennsylvania. These huge facilities could impact local water supplies in the region where they're built.

If you’re watching the winter Olympics and getting an urge to dust off your skates or hiking boots for your own snowy adventure, you may want to take some precautions. Learn how to safely enjoy the great outdoors in the coldest months of the year.

We're learning more about Monday's shooting death of a 15-year-old Franklin County boy. Police say the shooting happened over an attempted robbery of marijuana.

An inmate at the Camp Hill prison died after being found unresponsive inside his cell Monday.

There's a new development in the controversy focused on Governor Shapiro's use of taxpayer dollars to fund security upgrades at his personal residence in suburban Philadelphia.

The Trump administration will appeal a federal judge’s order to restore a Philadelphia exhibit on slavery.

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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About 1 in 5 Pennsylvanians dropped their Affordable Care Act health insurance due to the expiration of federal subsidies that covered monthly premium costs. Enrollees who purchase their insurance of the state's ACA Marketplace Pennie, have had to make difficult decisions.

A federal judge is ordering an exhibit on slavery to be restored on Philadelphia's Independence Mall. The exhibit about nine people enslaved by George Washington is to be restored at his former home after President Donald Trump's administration took it down last month.

Two teens are being charged in connection with the deadly shooting of a 15-year-old boy in Franklin County early Monday morning. 

Three Central PA counties are among the 10 Pennsylvania counties with the highest percentages for underage drinking offenses file from 2020-2024.

AND A DEEP DIVE:

Pittsburgh International Airport is discharging high levels of so-called 'forever chemicals' into nearby streams, according to recently released data. The chemicals are concentrated around a firefighting training facility.

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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Governor Josh Shapiro has unveiled his Housing Action Plan, a proposal aimed at lowering costs and building more homes across Pennsylvania. 

ICE and Border Patrol agents raided a Montgomery County home last week, detaining Jose Manuel Cordova Lopez. His family is now calling for an independent investigation into what they say was a disproportionate and traumatic show of force. 

A group of Blair County volunteers is asking for help to restore a nearby abandoned town. An area historian is leading the charge and wants to turn the now-wooded area into a historical attraction. 

The outlook for Pennsylvania's rural hospitals is grim, in the face of decreasing federal dollars and budgetary challenges.

An outbreak of avian influenza - or bird flu - is affecting 2.4 million birds in seven commercial poultry flocks in Lancaster County. 

Nearly 2,000 acres of Pennsylvania farmland is being preserved, in the state's latest round of ag preservation efforts. 

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 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.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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

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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!

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.