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These 14 Pa. towns have lost the most residents since 2020. See if your city made our list
As many Pennsylvania counties face a long-term decline in population, some cities and towns across the commonwealth have already started seeing their residents decrease since 2020. Population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that nearly 66% of Pennsylvania’s more than 2,500 municipalities saw their communities drop in size between 2020 and 2023, but the difference in most towns ranged from a loss of between one to about 50 people. ...
Polis orders flags to be lowered for volunteer firefighter killed at Trump rally
Gov. Jared Polis ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the Pennsylvania volunteer firefighter who was killed during an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.
How to stay safe at political, sports events
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – This weekend’s violence in Pennsylvania and Miami has some people questioning how they would react during these types of incidents. “Some people chose to do wrong,” said Connie Vaughan with Quality Consulting and Security Services Inc. There are steps you can take to be prepared before and during your outing to […]
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission visits local church during statewide tour
A civil rights agency hosted a town hall meeting in an effort to strengthen communities. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission visited the Second Baptist Church as part of its statewide tour, called PHRC on the Road: Building a Beloved Community. The tour allowed the institution to listen to concerns regarding...
Pennsylvania officials release new recommendations for protecting wildlife
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A new report is being highlighted by Pennsylvania officials for its recommendations to use wildlife corridors to protect wildlife, limit vehicle collisions and reconnect habitats. The Theodore Roosevelt Conversation Partnership and PennEnviroment highlighted the new legislative budget and finance committee report calls for some changes. These suggested changes include better utilizing forested […]
Pennsylvania Turnpike officials warn about text message scam targeting financial information
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Pennsylvania Turnpike officials are warning about a "smishing scam" that is attempting to get people's personal financial information. Scam text messages that say they're from the "Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Services" are being sent to random individuals, according to a news release from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. The messages contain urgent requests and say the account will incur additional charges if overdue payments are not made right away, the commission said. People who receive an unexpected text like this should not click the link.Earlier this year, a similar phishing scam targeted EZ-Pass users in Pennsylvania and other states. The Philadelphia Parking Authority recently warned residents about a similar "smishing scam" – a scam using SMS or text message.For E-ZPass customers, there are multiple approved safe methods to check your account — the official PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app from the Apple App Store or Google Play store.Customers who get a fraudulent message can report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
Communities in Schools of PA receiving $191,000 in Scaling for Success grant
(WHTM) — The non-profit organization, the Communities in Schools of Pennsylvania (CISPA), has been awarded a substantial amount of money in Scaling for Success funding for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. The non-profit received $191,000 in grant funding which will allow it to help four new schools in Pennsylvania, including Cedar Crest Middle School, Paradise Elementary School, and Upper Dauphin Middle School. […]
Legal Marijuana, Big Tax Cuts and Minimum Wage: This Year’s Budget Losers
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — As they wrapped up votes on Pennsylvania’s new $47.6 billion budget last week, lawmakers agreed the plan wouldn’t make anyone completely happy. The deal increases spending on public education for this fiscal year, but doesn’t guarantee future bumps. It sends more money to transit systems, but not enough to alleviate their concerns. Other major goals for both parties fell by the wayside: Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro didn’t get recreational marijuana or...
Gun violence prevention group says PA gun laws rank "middle of the pack"
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The FBI told CBS News the AR-style rifle used by the shooter in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump was legally purchased by and registered to the shooter's father. Gun legislation is both complex and controversial and the laws change from state to state. Assault rifles, like the one used to shoot Trump, are banned in nine states, including New Jersey and Delaware."This is just a fact here in Pennsylvania, and in many states, those rifles are legal to buy," Josh Fleitman, the campaign director with CeaseFire PA, said. "They were federally banned for 10...
Big Lots With NJ & PA Locations Closing Stores & May Go Bankrupt
Bad news for another major retail chain. It may be going under. The New York Post is reporting that Big Lots is in financial trouble. News like this is becoming all too common these days with other chains like Walgreens and Red Lobster struggling as well. If you're not familiar...
Central Pa. animal advocate works tirelessly to promote spaying and neutering with license plates
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Local animal rights advocate, Essie Petrovich, president of the Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP), has been working tirelessly to promote spaying and neutering for cats and dogs in the community. To continue raising awareness, Petrovich has created a license plate that Pennsylvanians can buy that’ll spread...
PSP: Elderly woman scammed out of over $11K after threats of arrest
CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — After a 73-year-old was scammed out of $11,500, Pennsylvania State Police are warning the community of federal, state and local scams. On June 13, PSP received a report that the 73-year-old victim had lost over $11,000 after receiving an email from a scammer. The email had SSA letterhead and stated […]
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