Today in PA | A PennLive daily news briefing with Claudia Dimuro

One city in Pennsylvania has been listed among the top five nationwide with the highest increase in murder rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Get your Nintendo Switches (and your cash) ready as a newly introduced bill is looking to legalize esports betting. September in Pittsburgh is shaping up to be greener than usual as the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade is scheduled to take place that month. And one stowaway kitten has quite the ride in Bloomsburg.

 

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One of three counties being audited during Sen. Doug Mastriano’s “forensic investigation” into the 2020 presidential election won’t allow any third-party access into its voting machines. As of yesterday, police departments across the state must now track complaints and misconduct allegations via a new database. K-12 schools will still have the option to give out free meals next year. Finally, Harrisburg gets ranked as one of the best Pennsylvanian cities to live in, beating out some shocking locations in the process.

 

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The Wolf administration is keeping mum on a state error that led to thousands of unemployed Pennsylvania residents getting overcharged in interest for more than a decade. In other parts of the government, some officials are considering taxing packages delivered in-state by companies such as Amazon in order to fund the repair and maintenance of roadways. One species of tree that’s popular in the landscaping community may soon get listed as a noxious weed. And a deaf dog in Indiana County at last finds a forever home with a woman who teaches deaf education.

 

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The Pennsylvania Department of Health admitted to accidentally duplicating the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses that were administered. Health officials in the state and beyond are noticing a spike in the number of summer colds and viruses. The weather for this week looks like it’s going to be pretty gloomy, with thunderstorms and heat lasting for the majority of it. But hopefully that doesn’t stop you from spotting the ISS flying over the state, though.

 

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President Joe Biden is making a stop in Philadelphia on Tuesday in order to speak on voting rights. Meanwhile, the state has awarded roughly $15 million in funding to upgrade traffic signals. A man celebrating the Fourth of July in Mt. Pocono thought it would be a great idea to shoot a firework from his groin and was, shockingly, sadly mistaken. And an alligator got all dolled up to serve as a ringer bearer at a wedding.

 

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A new report has revealed that the serious injury rate of Amazon warehouses in Pennsylvania is nearly double those of others in the state. In Harrisburg, officials announced that a serial arsonist has been formally charged by authorities. The northbound lanes (as well as one southbound one) on the Neville Island Bridge on I-79 will be closed this weekend. Plus, this new Lehigh Valley book club not only provides books to low-income kids, but honors a beloved grandmother.

 

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A new law will soon require for rehabs to alert the emergency contacts of patients who leave the facility against medical advice. In York County, a food processor has been threatened with a lawsuit brought about by two environmental organizations. Those looking to get their hunter or furtaker license now have the option of completing a new online course to meet the prerequisite. And if you’re looking to take things slow, you could always watch the Philadelphia’s Zoo brand-new Sloth Cam.

 

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The former head of a child welfare agency in the northern part of the state has been accused of directing employees to falsely close files concerning child abuse and neglect. The Pennsylvania Turnpike has announced that it will hike toll prices for the 14th consecutive year in a row. The state Game Commission has expressed concern over songbird deaths stemming from an as-of-yet unknown cause. Plus, Heinz is looking to right an age-old hotdog wrong.

 

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Whew...The heat index is heating up Pa. The Pennsylvania Agriculture Department is giving out $1.4 million in grants to fight COVID-19’s impact on the food system. Pa. SPCA saves 17 dogs from a breeder. A Pa. woman is reunited with her long-lost dog.

 

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1 million Pa. residents have missed their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. A mysterious bird disease is in several Pa. counties. Farm-related spaces have received new protections signed by Gov. Tom Wolf. Also, it’s splooting season for animals!

 

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