As Congress missed the deadline to pass a federal budget, more than 100,000 government workers in the commonwealth are now affected by the federal government shutdown.

Today marks three entire months without a state budget. Pennsylvania’s counties, school districts and social service agencies are warning of mounting layoffs, borrowing costs and damage to the safety net, as the politically divided state government enters its fourth month of a budget stalemate.

October 1st was also a milestone for WITF. For the first time in more than 50 years, public media is now operating without federal funding. For WITF, this moment is about our responsibility to YOU the public, across a 19-county area of central Pennsylvania.

Planned Parenthood agencies nationwide can no longer bill Medicaid for providing basic medical care due to Congressional Republicans’ tax and spending law. Central Pennsylvania’s clinics say they will keep their doors open even as the cuts are reducing access to care around the country.

In a 4-3 decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that voters who cast their ballot by mail must be notified if a ballot is rejected due to an incorrect date missing signature or similar issue.

A federal judge has ruled that Pennsylvania will be shielded -- at least for now-- from losing millions of dollars in food-stamp benefits.

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.  

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Plans for a new data center in Springdale in Allegheny County have been put on hold by the borough planning commission.

And a deeper dive into the planning of a new museum focused on Black history in Gettysburg. Meet Andrew Dalton, President and CEO of the nonprofit Gettysburg History, which also operates the Adams County Historical Society and Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum.

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.

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

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What impacts are immigrants having on the Greater Philadelphia region? The latest on a new report from a Philadelphia nonprofit.

Back in September of 2009, pollution killed off the fish, mussels, and other aquatic species in Dunkard Creek, a tributary of the Monongahela River in Western Pa. Now, sixteen years later, biologists are still working to bring life back to the stream.

Federal funding for public media has been rescinded. Your monthly gift to WITF can help fill the gap as we navigate this new reality. Become a monthly sustaining member today at www.witf.org/givenow.

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

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Democrats say Pennsylvania’s richest man is trying to buy the outcome of the state’s Supreme Court retention race this year.

A judge has added Pennsylvania to a lawsuit over the Trump administration’s demand for personal information about food-stamp recipients.

A new passenger bridge planned for Lancaster's Amtrak station is part of a five-year plan for improving Pennsylvania's railroads. The state Department of Transportation is updating the plan to identify needs for both freight and passenger rail projects across the state.

WellSpan Health is hosting a week-long blood drive to honor the three Northern York County Regional Police officers killed in a September 17th shooting - as well as two officers who were injured.

Pennsylvania health policy experts and disability advocates are worried about fallout from the Trump administration’s 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act. It includes major changes and cuts to programs which help vulnerable populations.

Public media's federal funding has been revoked. Your support is now more vital than ever. Help power the independent journalism and trusted programming you find on WITF by making a gift of support now at www.witf.org/givenow.

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

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Governor Josh Shapiro is pushing to reform how the regional electrical grid is managed so costs for consumers will go down.

The state Treasurer’s office of Stacy Garrity is launching a $500 million loan plan for counties and pre-K programs impacted by the months-late state budget.

And as the Republican gubernatorial candidate, Stacy Garrity blasted Governor Josh Shapiro in a campaign stop in Western PA earlier this week.

Pennsylvania's unemployment rate held steady in August. The state's unemployment rate remained at 4% in August, marking the 28th straight month at or below the national average for unemployment.

Federal funding for public media has been rescinded. Your monthly gift to WITF can help fill the gap as we navigate this new reality. Become a monthly sustaining member today at www.witf.org/givenow.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania's Attorney General is advising residents to watch out for a scam involving threats of arrest by a local sheriff.

Rain in this week's forecast may help ease dry conditions across central Pennsylvania. Over the past two weeks, all of Dauphin County began showing up on the U.S. Drought Monitor's map.

Six months after a flood poured more than 5,000 gallons of water into the Lancaster Public Library, parts of the building’s first floor remain closed. The two organizations responsible for fixing the damage appear to be blaming the other for the holdup in repairs.

The first NFL regular-season game in Ireland is set for Sunday. The Pittsburgh Steelers face the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park in Dublin.

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.

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

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House Democrats are renewing their efforts to reform gun ownership laws in Pennsylvania amid several recent high-profile gun deaths — including conservative activist Charlie Kirk and three Northern York County Regional police officers killed by a gunman.

Last Friday, as the Trump administration demanded Pennsylvania share personal data about food-stamp recipients, a federal court ruled other states don’t have to do so.

The 2026 governor’s race is heating up, as Republicans look to deny incumbent Josh Shapiro another term as Pennsylvania’s chief executive. State Treasurer Stacy Garrity now has the formal backing of the state Republican Party as expected.

State Police are investigating the discovery of white supremacist pamphlets distributed in parts of Franklin County.

The funeral service for three York County detectives killed in the line of duty last week will be held Thursday.

President Trump says he's using his so-called "golden share" power to intervene and reverse a decision at U.S. Steel.

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.

Thank you!

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Companies looking to build new power plants or factories may be able to start construction before getting required air pollution permits. The proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency is drawing criticism from Pennsylvania environmental groups.

It’s been more than one year since the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby brought heavy rains to Pennsylvania, along with flooding and even a tornado. The most serious flooding happened in the northern part of the state. People in Potter and Tioga counties say they’re worried about how the state will respond to future weather emergencies.

 

Public media's federal funding has been revoked. Your support is now more vital than ever. Help power the independent journalism and trusted programming you find on WITF by making a gift of support 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.

State lawmakers are looking for ways to combat depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress — especially among veterans and first responders. House members are considering psychedelics as a potential treatment.

Dozens of activists rallied outside the Bucks County courthouse in suburban Philadelphia last week, as a hearing on the county sheriff’s agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement went on inside.

The Northern York County Regional Police Department - which lost three officers and saw a fourth critically wounded in a shootout with a suspect last week - is also now operating out of a new state-of-the-art facility.

Pennsylvania's 124 state parks saw a surge in visitation this summer, and state officials are crediting a marketing campaign for the upswing.

Today is the first day of fall. But throughout the past few weeks, in the final September days of summer, there's a narrow window of time when a native Pennsylvania fruit ripens and drops its fruit. Pawpaws are the largest edible fruit in North America.

Listen to the full LNP Lancaster Online Podcast here.

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. Thank you!

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Authorities in York County have provided an update on Wednesday's shootout which resulted in the deaths of three law enforcement officers and injuries to 2 others. 

The Trump administration has given a “final warning” to Pennsylvania officials: Either share personal data on food-stamp recipients or immediately lose millions of dollars for food assistance. And that deadline is today. 

Three Pennsylvania cities are among the worst places in the nation for people living with asthma. Philadelphia, Allentown and Harrisburg all made it into The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s 2025 U.S. Asthma Capitals report. 

Pennsylvania officials have confirmed the state is part of a new regional public health collaboration designed to replace federal oversight of certain health services. 

Lancaster city police Chief Richard Mendez is announcing he'll retire in December after a 25-year career with the department. 

Emergency training exercises are being held at Harrisburg International Airport this weekend. 

The share of salmonella patients in Pennsylvania who reported consuming raw milk is already higher this year, than in any of the previous five years. 

Lancaster city officials are keeping close tabs on the status of a federal program known as HOME. That's because the city has used $7 million in HOME funding to create more than 200 affordable housing units since 2018. 

And Cumberland County is marking a major milestone when it comes to farmland preservation. 

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. Thank you! 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.