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

The state Supreme Court has ruled that a mandatory life sentence for second-degree murder is unconstitutional. Separately, a judge has said that DraftKings has no obligation to gambling addicts. You should know this before heading to Raystown Lake in the future. Plus, bars in Philadelphia officially have the option to stay open till 4 a.m. during the World Cup.

The state House has passed a bill that would finally raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. The home care industry is in “crisis” statewide, according to advocates. A cannabis company is laying off dozens of works. Finally, this shuttering hotel’s liquidation is putting things like hair dryers, mini fridges, and rooster paintings up for sale.

A bill that would give the state more oversight on data center’s water usage has advanced. The 2025-26 season saw an increase in white-tailed deer harvests. PennDOT wants to know how they did this winter. Also, the record for “Longest Line of Cheesesteaks” has been set.

A proposal wants to charge municipalities for Pennsylvania State Police coverage. A bridge in Philadelphia is closing (temporarily) this summer. PennDOT has confirmed the opening date for a $975 million thruway project. Finally, a stolen dog gets reunited with his family after over a decade.

People in Butler have had their SNAP benefits stolen, something that is, unfortunately, not a new problem. A state lawmaker wants to get rid of the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax. A pool company has shut down stores nationwide. And a scenic train fires up daily operations again, just in time for spring.

A Philadelphia-area prison is putting an emphasis on prisoner rehabilitation, not punishment. Pennsylvania and Jersey have launched an aggressive driving mitigation initiative that’ll last through next month. Spring starts today, and with it comes some seasonally appropriate weather (thank God). Plus, how accurate was Punxsutawney Phil this year?

There’s a Costco recall on meatloaf that’s impacting almost 30 states, Pennsylvania among them. The state’s maternity health desert is expanding. A massive manufacturing facility will not only make cancer-fighting drugs, but is estimated to bring in hundreds of jobs. Also, here’s a little more info on that meteor.

A “vehicle choice” bill cleared a legislative hurdle this week. PHL shut down two more checkpoints. A big box retailer will start selling discounted fertility services. And what the heck was that “boom” yesterday?

The DEP has confirmed that radiation found in landfill wastewater is no threat to humans. Philadelphia sued a major gunmaker. The state will hold a special Medicare enrollment period as a health system and insurer remain locked in a contract dispute. Plus, is there a cicada brood coming this year?

Deers, for the first time, have tested positive for chronic wasting disease at Gettysburg National Military Park. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has unveiled her roughly $7 billion budget plan. Officials are trying to figure out rounding at registers without pennies. Back to Gettysburg – another kind of battle emerges.