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

A Lancaster man charged with criminal homicide kept a human head in his freezer and a dismembered body—which he referred to as a “cadaver doll”—in a bedroom. A union has threatened to sue Governor Tom Wolf to bar him from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for the Pennsylvania state prison guards it represents. A bank robber essentially got himself caught after posting about the heist on Facebook. Finally, a legal dispute centering around Phillie Phanatic has drawn to a close.

 

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A ruling that deemed Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 restrictions as unconstitutional has been thrown out by a federal appeals court. Former SEPTA employees have been charged with embezzling almost $1 million out of the agency. What city officials are calling Philadelphia’s new “mask mandate” has gone into effect as of today. And yet another (seriously) alligator has been spotted in Pennsylvania.

 

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Accused terrorist Mustafa Alowemer has received a deadline to plead guilty for planning to blow up a Pittsburgh church in the name of ISIS. Parents of children in Northampton Area schools are voicing concerns with regards to a nonprofit that recently donated books. Construction on the Rausch Creek Logistics Center will begin within the next month. And the biggest meteor shower of 2021 peaks tonight.

 

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A man has been charged in connection with a deadly shootout that occurred outside of a Target. The Philadelphia Water Department is currently fixing an error which left many of its customers way overbilled. Mike Lange is officially retiring from the Penguins’ play-by-play. Finally, a rare plant believed to be extinct is spotted in Pennsylvania.

 

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First responders, survivors, and the families of 9/11 victims have publicly stated that they want President Joe Biden to stay out of memorial services for the tragedy’s 20th anniversary unless he delivers on the promise he made to release information regarding Saudi Arabia’s alleged role. The state’s prison system will start housing unvaccinated inmates together. This week’s shaping up to be a hot one. And a new app wants to pay people to help alleviate Philly’s trash problem.

 

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Students, athletes, and medical professionals gave their testimonies before the state House Education Committee this week with regards to a bill that would ban transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s school sports. Although praised by patients, doctors are warning against using cannabis as a means to combat opioid addiction due to the lack of research backing its efficacy. Not one, but two former Penn State athletes brought home medals during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. And a man robbed a credit union using a glue gun, then proceeded to get his car stuck while on the run from the cops.

 

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Four teens have been charged in connection with the beating of a man outside of his house in Lancaster. Former Penn State president, Graham Spanier, has been released from prison after two months for the role he played during the Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. Spirit Airlines continues to delay and cancel flights at Arnold Palmer Regional and Pittsburgh International airports. Finally, a book gets turned to the library…50 years after it’s due.

 

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Two Montenegrin men were sentenced for their roles in trying to smuggle tons of cocaine through the Port of Philadelphia during “one of the largest drug busts in U.S. history.” A judge has preliminarily approved for Wawa to pay victims of a 2019 data breach mostly in gift cards (and, thankfully, some cash). Craig Wolfley will be in the Steelers radio booth this season while former offensive lineman, Max Starks, will analyze from the sidelines. Plus, this one farmhouse means some serious bees-ness.

 

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Over 100 passengers were left stranded at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport as well as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia International Airports after Spirit Airlines delayed and canceled multiple flights on Monday. The Pennsylvania Lottery hit big money, reporting a total $1.3 billion in profits for programs that’ll benefit the state’s senior citizens. Local firefighters are headed to Montana in order to help battle wildfires that are besieging the state. And, finally, a 20-year-old man who died in WWII was recently honored by his family.

 

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Police in Philadelphia arrested dozens of dangerous individuals during predawn raids, confiscating items such as guns and drugs. A Tesla dealership is coming to central Pennsylvania. Governor Tom Wolf has issued a plan for the state’s parks. Finally, people from 14 different states rally together to help build a church in Franklin County.

 

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