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

The state Supreme Court ruled that secretly recorded audio of a nanny accused of abuse may be submitted as evidence. Federal court has ruled that Chesapeake Energy Corp. must pay Pennsylvania $1.9 million after damaging waterways and wetlands. An ATM exploded in Philadelphia. And one stray dog kept stealing the same stuffed unicorn, so an animal-control officer decided to buy it for him. 

 

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The former director of emergency management at the University of Pittsburgh stole more than 13,600 face masks and then sold them on eBay at “significant price mark ups.” A Commonwealth Court decided not to overturn a law which keeps the General Assistance Program’s cash benefits from getting to the state’s poorest individuals. The Pennsylvania Lottery has updated its longest-running jackpot. Finally, the new Cadbury Bunny is, actually, a frog. 

 

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Teresa Miller, the Secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services, has announced her resignation. The Pennsylvania House passed a bill that would help to provide more flexibility for schools in finding substitute teachers. Officials have warned residents to be wary of ticks as the weather warms up. Plus, a landing craft designed by a company in Pittsburgh is being tested by NASA in preparation for its 2023 trip to the moon.

 

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The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that there’s no need for those who have been fully vaccinated to wear masks indoors in certain situations. Governor Tom Wolf unveiled the largest commitment to solar energy ever seen in the country. A scammer called a McDonald’s in Centre County pretending to be the fast-food chain’s CEO. And a mysterious fireball zoomed over Pittsburgh early Sunday morning.

 

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Four children managed to escape from a fire that broke out in their apartment that their mother is accused of starting. Governor Tom Wolf has once again extended the expiration date for license to carry firearms permits. Hersheypark is readying itself to open up for “Springtime in the Park” in April. Plus, a 50-ton marble tablet engraved with the First Amendment will now call Philly its home.

 

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The deadline for Pennsylvania residents to file their personal income taxes has been pushed back to May 17. As her confirmation nears, former Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine, continues to be pressured to answer questions regarding missing COVID-19 data from Pennsylvania nursing homes. A YouTuber from Lower Paxton Township gets into hot water for damaging streams while making videos. And the ever-present problem of those invasive spotted lanternflies gets a possible solution: chickens and praying mantises. 

 

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A new report recently revealed that state lawmakers cashed in on thousands of dollars in additional taxpayer money known as “per diems” despite the coronavirus pandemic raging on. Meanwhile, over 30 years of searching for an escapee from the former Allenwood Federal Prison Camp has ended. A special election will take place in May to fill a vacant state House seat. And Penn State purchases a historic painting.

 

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Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has announced his support of a bill that seeks to help DACA recipients gain legal citizenship. Meanwhile, “ghost guns” have been banned by one of the state’s largest gun show promoters. One lawmaker has suggested bringing back license plate registration stickers to help fund PennDOT projects. Plus, one woman in Bucks County has established a forever retirement home for senior pooches.

 

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Governor Tom Wolf announced that COVID-19 restrictions on restaurants and other establishments will be lessened on Easter. In Bucks County, a woman created a series of “deepfake” photos and videos to get members of her daughter’s cheerleading squad booted from the team. The National Park Service will expand its protection over Brandywine and Gettysburg battlefields. And that strange pink blob that appeared over the Jersey Shore was not the work of aliens.

 

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A woman tries to outrun three state troopers in her father’s Camaro during a high-speed car chase. Meanwhile, a Beaver County mystery involving a severed head will be featured in two Netflix shows. The $3.3 million Pennsylvania Lottery Powerball prize will be divided among 22 winning tickets. Plus, the town that inspired the classic song, “Winter Wonderland,” gets a historical marker.

 

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