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

The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Catholic foster care agency after the city of Philadelphia limited its relationship with the organization due to its refusal to certify same-sex couples as foster parents. Much like the rest of the country, Pennsylvania businesses are suffering from staffing shortages. Thunderstorms may be on the docket for this weekend’s weather in the central part of the state. Plus, one professor is helping technology such as Alexa and Siri to better understand those who don’t speak English.

 

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As the COVID-19 pandemic comes to a close, Pennsylvania turns again to face its continuing opioid crisis as new data reflects some of the highest overdose death rates in the country. Parents have filed a lawsuit against a Lehigh Valley school district over lessons focusing on Black Lives Matter. Two new Londonderry Township warehouses—which will cover roughly 1.8 million square feet—are expected to creates hundreds of jobs and bring in millions of dollars in tax revenue. And this flower may look pretty, but touching it could have poisonous consequences.

 

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The Pennsylvania state government had itself a busy Tuesday with committees pushing forward two bills: one that seeks to change state voting laws and another that would ban employers from requiring workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19. One state park was forced to close its pool for the summer as it finds itself experiencing a lifeguard shortage. Plus, a furloughed steelworker from Indiana County was shocked to find that he had won $3 million the day after winning $1,000.

 

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A York County judge recently denied the request to drop a few charges against a woman who kept her grandmother’s corpse in a freezer for 15 years. Police in Ocean City confirmed they are reviewing footage of the recent arrest of four Harrisburg men after videos of the incident went viral. State police have opened an investigation into the rise in statewide cooking oil thefts. And one study has deemed Pennsylvania as one of the “most fun” states in all of the U.S.

 

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The COVID-19 disaster may be coming to end in Pa, but what does it really mean? Gov. Wolf will veto any bill from Republicans meant to suppress voters' access. Fireworks may be annoying, but here to stay. Though, murder hornets shouldn’t be a concern for Pa. residents.

 

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Pa. Republican majorities voted in favor of putting a stop to Gov. Tom Wolf’s pandemic disaster emergency declaration. The House of Representatives may vote on the Voting Rights Protection Act as early as next week. Pa. plans to address its health disparities in marginalized and rural communities with a $36 million award from the CDC. While the Department of Labor & Industry’s rollout of the new unemployment system was rocky, officials say the state’s jobless claims have tripled, calling the launch a success.

 

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Pa. experts weigh in on COVID-19 herd immunity. Over 13 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given in the state. Pa. Jobless advocates are frustrated with new unemployment system errors. McDonald’s plans to hire thousands of new employees across Pa.

 

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The statewide positive test has fallen below 3%. Though, one Pa. county still has a high transmission rate of COVID-19. 

Pennsylvania farmers markets have teamed up with Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration to bring awareness to the state’s food assistance programs. 

Governor Tom Wolf and Democratic lawmakers also joined forces to make a pitch for $1 billion-plus investment in Pa. schools. 

And a Pennsylvanian man defrauded hundreds while impersonating members of the Trump family online.

 

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A Christian college located near Philadelphia closed its social work program partly due to the fact that it found the guidelines of the accrediting agency to conflict with its theological beliefs. Meanwhile, veterinarians and volunteers find themselves tasked with caring for over 400 animals that were all rescued from the same property. The restoration of the Chesapeake Bay watershed just got some serious funding. Plus, a 99-year-old woman in Fountain Hill may have lost her eyesight, but that hasn’t stopped her from partaking in her favorite hobby: crocheting.

 

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A man in Philadelphia was fatally attacked as he was helping one of his fellow employees who had gotten into a car crash. Police in Northwest Philadelphia have been ordered to end stopping individuals for “quality-of-life” violations starting August. The USFL has announced its plans to return with new teams in spring 2022, sparking rumors of a second pro-football franchise for Philadelphia. And if you’re allergic to seafood, please refrain from eating those Brood X cicadas.

 

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