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

The state Department of Human Services announced it will be raising the income eligibility thresholds for SNAP benefits starting next month. Craft breweries have reported growth after suffering a slump during the pandemic. A new program is offering York County high school seniors the opportunity to work in building trades apprenticeships. Finally, the size of this record-breaking pumpkin will make you go, “Oh, my gourd!”

Beech trees throughout the state continue to suffer from an incurable leaf disease. Renewing passports may soon get a whole lot easier. Life on a Pennsylvania Dutch farm will be highlighted at a Berks County university this weekend. And this pizzeria is among the best in the U.S.

Students at a Delaware County school district are now “free to express their Satanism” thanks to a change to the district’s dress code. Airline workers at Philadelphia International Airport have landed themselves in big trouble for their roles in a $283,000 skimming scheme. You can learn all about Pennsylvania’s history for free this Saturday. And this hoagie is said to be the “Best on Earth.”

Police in Bethel Park are warning women to stay on high alert as there’s been a spike in purse thefts throughout the area. A new PennDOT study has found that crashes, fatalities, and minor injuries decreased at over 30 roundabouts throughout the state. Hunters in Pennsylvania can rejoice in the fact that ammo prices may be below what they were during the pandemic. Lastly, a music collective made a Sonic boom.

York City schools are considering using a weapon-sniffing dog in response to a spike in violence that has resulted in nine deaths. Residents of one township in Dauphin County will see their annual trash pick-up bills rise to nearly $600 next month. Someone in Carbon County is a million dollars richer. Plus, someone tried using Facebook Marketplace to sell a kangaroo.

UGI customers can expect their bills to go up even more thanks to a recent rate hike approval. Meanwhile, principals of schools in Indiana County are looking to shut down rumors concerning kitty litters. One Bed Bath & Beyond in Pennsylvania will be one of many nationwide that will shut its doors. Finally, one museum says 2022 is a year that you can really sink your teeth into.

A sheriff in Westmoreland County is warning folks of scammers who are posing as employees from his department. Starbucks employees in Pittsburgh have claimed that the company used intimidation tactics to dissuade them from unionizing. The Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia is celebrating Constitution Day weekend with some special events. Plus, if you’re looking to get into the fall mood, maybe drop by this town.

Credit cards have a new way of categorizing gun sales, and it has a number of Pennsylvania gun shop owners worried. Despite the recent rain, 36 counties are still under a drought watch. Residents come together to “put trees to sleep” before the colder weather comes. Lastly, a place in Pennsylvania has been ranked as one of the top five best for chocolate lovers, and you can probably guess which one it is.

Five doctors—one of whom is from Pennsylvania—have pleaded guilty for their roles in a pain pill prescription scheme. One state lawmaker has requested a performance audit of one city’s travel agency in order to assess how it makes use of public tax dollars. Veteran-owned businesses may get new opportunities thanks to a new bill. Finally, Pennsylvania-based theme parks got “Golden Tickets.”

Reports of child abuse throughout the state are on the rise to pre-pandemic levels. A Bucks County man has been charged with stealing over $117,000’s worth of metal from decommissioned power plants. The redesign of Pennsylvania’s driver’s license has a focus on security. And this NFL team’s tailgating party has been crowned one of the best around.