Human-caused climate change increased damaging wind speeds for every hurricane in 2024.

That’s according to a new study by the Princeton-based Climate Central. From our friends at WHYY's Climate Desk, Susan Phillips explains how higher ocean temperatures led to the higher wind speeds.

You may have recently received a letter from your water company about new rules for lead and copper pipes.

That letter may ask you to identify your service line, but some consumers are confused about what that means.

From our partners at WPSU, Sydney Roach reports these letters are the result of new rules from the US Environmental Protection Agency.

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Universities across the country are paying students back after the shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Pennsylvania, that includes the University of Pennsylvania, Susquehanna University, Temple University and now Penn State. From our friends at WPSU in State College, Sydney Roach reports PSU students enrolled during the spring 2020 semester could be eligible for payment as part of a $17 million lawsuit settlement. 

A native Pennsylvania hardwood tree is facing extinction. 
Kat Bolus from WVIA reports beech trees are being attacked by two separate diseases - one moves very slowly while the other is rapidly deteriorating the tree’s population. 

 

 

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Central Pennsylvania has recently been getting some much needed rainfall following two months of record dryness. It came as a relief to firefighters in parts of the state that have battled wildfires. But it’s still not enough to pull the region out of the drought.

A Democratic state House member who has a medical background is warning that appointing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the U-S Department of  Health and Human Services would be harmful to Americans.

Cases of Walking Pneumonia have gone up across the country, including in Pennsylvania and especially among young children.  Doctors in the region have been seeing rising numbers this year too.

A Lancaster organization has removed signs instructing people to say "no" to panhandlers' asking for money.

A  $120 million deal to sell three Northeast Pennsylvania hospitals to a nonprofit group has fallen through -- after the proposed buyer could not secure financing.

Tyler Warren and the rest of Penn State’s senior class normally would be preparing to take in the sights and sounds in their last game at Beaver Stadium. This season’s Senior Day festivities won’t have that sense of finality. The No. 4 Nittany Lions are readying for a postseason run that could feature a first-round playoff game in Happy Valley.

Pennsylvania, like much of the Northeast, has experienced unusually dry weather as we mentioned earlier -- and that’s causing concerns about low drinking water levels and farm crop losses. So how is it affecting one of the season’s most popular agricultural products -- Christmas trees?

 

 

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Pennsylvanians are among those taking to the roads, with the Thanksgiving holiday travel period getting underway. Turnpike Commission CEO Craug Shuey says an estimated 3.4 million motorists will use the toll road between now and Sunday

With the arrival of Thanksgiving, state fire leaders are offering advice to make sure it's a safe holiday for al involved in the kitchen.

Hospitals across the region are dealing with a shortage of IV fluids in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. 

The Boeing Company is laying off more than 100 workers in Pennsylvania, as the company announces it's cutting its national workforce by 10-percent.

Lancaster City's New Year's Eve celebration returns this year with a new location. 

 

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The inauguration of a new president happens thanks to a careful certification process that traces all the way back to individual counties.

WITF’s Jordan Wilkie reports this week’s election certification, slightly delayed in 3 counties, is the first major administrative step to seating elected public officials. 

Pennsylvania’s farms could become more resilient to severe weather brought on by climate change thanks to millions in federal grant money.

StateImpact Pennsylvania's Rachel McDevitt reports backers of the money say helping farmers will create a ripple effect for rural economies.

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More wildfires have burned in Pennsylvania this fall than in the traditional spring fire season. 

StateImpact Pennsylvania’s Rachel McDevitt has more, on what’s causing the shift.

Drexel University is using its extensive collection of historic clothes to shape a cautionary tale about the environmental dangers of fashion.

Peter Crimmins, of our partners at WHYY, reports on The Ecology of Fashion… at the school’s Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.

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The Morning Agenda is supported by the City of Lancaster helping create a magical holiday season in the city by offering shopping from nearly 150 small businesses to find gifts for friends and family. More details at VisitLancasterCity.com.

Pennsylvania drivers can expect to spend less at the gas pump over this Thanksgiving holiday than they spent last year. 

Rachel McDevitt has more on recent trends in gas prices.

Treatment options for opioid use disorder in Pennsylvania jails and prisons are improving.

That's according to the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project.

But people who are incarcerated still face challenges in getting addiction treatment. 

Nicole Leonard reports the nonprofit, legal aid organization has launched a new storytelling series to focus on gaps in care.

A commission responsible for overseeing the state’s opioid settlement money says several Philadelphia projects and proposals do not fall under acceptable uses under lawsuit settlement terms.

Nicole Leonard has the details.

Pennsylvania’s Department of Education will have a new Secretary starting early December.

Tom Riese reports that Dr. Khalid Mumin gave his two weeks' notice Friday.

 

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In the midst of an automatic recount of the U.S. Senate race, Democrat Bob Casey has conceded to his Republican opponent Dave McCormick. 

Amid the recount, Democratic commissioners in Bucks County have come under fire for voting to count undated and misdated mail ballots -- a move later struck down by the state Supreme Court. 

A large-scale technology processing center in Luzerne County is on the way to breaking ground -- faster than ever before thanks to a new state program. 

The effort to build a nearly 50-mile loop of trails in Rothrock State Forest in Centre and Huntingdon Counties has received a boost from the state. 

Remains found 51 years ago have been identified as a missing 14-year-old girl from York. 

A Philadelphia jury has awarded $11 million to a man whose holstered Sig Sauer pistol went off by itself while he was going down the stairs. 

A Berks County-based supermarket chain is alleging the top frozen potato producers in the country have engaged in price gouging.

Cleveland's Nick Chubb ran for a 2-yard touchdown in heavy snow with 57 seconds left, as the Browns stunned division rival Pittsburgh 24-19.

Fighting cancer takes a lot out of patients and their families.  The charitable group "Sail Beyond Cancer" offers them a chance to relax and enjoy some quality time with pleasure cruises along a few of the East Coast’s most scenic waters. 

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Rain has arrived, but it’s unclear if it will relieve the drought, which is severe to extreme in some areas. 

The drought conditions across the region are fueling wildfires and driving concerns over drinking water supplies. While climate change didn't cause the current situation, but it can make the dry conditions more severe. 

Dairy farmers in Pennsylvania are being required to have their milk tested for avian influenza.

The state's two biggest industries, agriculture and tourism, are coming together with a new attraction to be built in Adams County. 

Pennsylvania's high court says Philadelphia can't impose stricter firearms regulations than are authorized under state law.

A longtime midstate public servant has died. Merle Ebert Jr, known to most as "Skip" Ebert, passed away Monday from complications of cancer. 

Pittsburgh rookie Paul Skenes has finished third in voting for the National League Cy Young award -- a day after being named the NL Rookie of the year.

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Counties are auditing election results to make sure vote totals reflect the will of the voters. It's a key part of the election process before vote totals are certified and officials are sworn into office. 

The state Department of Education has revised guidelines for training teachers on culturally-relevant topics. 

With the state legislative session winding down, Governor Josh Shapiro’s plan to make the state see green through cannabis taxes is stagnating. 

Images that depict the faces of girls with nude bodies have led to the departure of leaders from a private school in Lancaster County, prompted a student protest and triggered a criminal investigation. 

Amtrak has wrapped up a  $122 million track replacement project between Harrisburg and Lancaster. What was expected to be a two-year effort ended up being completed in eight months. 

The new police chief in a Snyder County community is pledging to rebuild trust and respect.

 

 

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