The Morning Agenda

More than 120,000 Pennsylvanians have dropped health insurance coverage through the state's marketplace this year. Premium spikes and the loss of federal subsidies are playing a role. It’s well known that smoking can lead to lung cancer. New research now finds a connection between lung cancer and air pollution.   U.S. Steel’s new owner scored near the bottom in a new climate ranking for steel companies. Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry has released a preliminary report on unemployment and the workforce from January. Combined with the latest national jobs data, it’s generally good news. Five Pennsylvania counties - including Franklin - are billing the federal government when they detain and house immigrants in their jails. That's according to a first-of-its-kind review by our partners at Spotlight PA. The WellSpan Health Board of Directors is announcing the health system's president and CEO Roxanna Gapstur is retiring. In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania Democrats recently got a bill to raise the minimum wage through the state House, though it likely will face resistance in the GOP-controlled Senate. It’s the third time in four years that this chain of events is playing out on this issue. But a public relations firm is now getting involved, opposing the measure on behalf of industries that rely on low-wage workers and their allies.  The Governor's proposed budget includes nearly a million dollars in state funding for healthy meals for Medicaid recipients with chronic health conditions. The money would fund a new pilot program.  State officials are unveiling a maternal health strategic action plan called Healthy Moms, Vibrant Futures. It’s designed to reduce inequities in prenatal and postpartum care and parenting supports, particularly among expectant mothers who are Black and/or suffering from a substance use disorder.  Catholic dioceses around the U.S. are seeing significant increases in the number of new members. The National Catholic Register (NCR) newspaper recently reported many U.S. dioceses were expecting heavy increases in people joining the Catholic Church at Easter, including some with record highs. Three of the biggest spikes were in Pennsylvania dioceses - including Altoona-Johnstown (up 84%), Harrisburg (up 77%), and Philadelphia (up 60%).  Two Berks County firefighters were killed in a head-on crash Saturday night. It happened as they were traveling in a utility vehicle during a search for a missing woman.  Pennsylvania lawmakers could begin requiring employers to provide paid parental and medical leave. However, critical disagreements remain, on who should carry the cost.  Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday recently announced his office is ranked #1 in the nation for Medicaid fraud convictions.  Soccer fans can celebrate their sport at an upcoming street party in Lancaster. The city is announcing they're throwing a free World Cup Watch Party and Festival at Binns Park and Ewell Plaza on Friday, June 12th.  In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania firefighters say they’re feeling the pinch as private equity firms buy up truck manufacturers. At one time, fire departments had two dozen independent companies to choose from to acquire and service their apparatus – but options have dwindled as private equity firms consolidate factories and grow profits. A recent study finds that energy generated in Pennsylvania will be used for out-of-state data centers. Representatives from three environmental organizations detailed the report at the University of Scranton. A federal judge has ordered the University of Pennsylvania to comply with a subpoena seeking information on Jewish faculty as part of a federal antisemitism investigation. Philadelphia's Independence Seaport Museum has a new exhibit exploring how the U.S. recovered economically from its own Revolutionary War. China was the biggest partner at the time - but also the riskiest If you like to spend time in the great outdoors, there’s a new state program designed to connect you with volunteer opportunities in Penn’s Woods. The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is launching a new streamlined volunteer system with opportunities to give back, in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests.* Did you know that if every one of WITF’s sustaining circle members gives as little as $12 more a month, we'd close the gap caused by federal funding cuts? Increase your gift at https://witf.org/increase or become a new sustaining member at www.witf.org/givenow. And thanks!Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rural Perry County township nestled in the crook of the Susquehanna is joining a national debate over the construction of data centers. Watts Township supervisors moved Wednesday night’s meeting outside as more than 125 people showed up and filled the room past capacity. Last year in Chester County, just east of Lancaster County, 55 people died from accidental overdoses. That's the lowest number in a decade. Governor Josh Shapiro and first lady Lori Shapiro hosted an interfaith discussion at the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg Wednesday night. Interfaith leaders gathered in the renovated room burned in a fire-bombing passover attack exactly a year ago. Pennsylvania is completing its first two years of funding indigent defense - resulting in progress toward better services for criminal defendants who cannot otherwise afford their own counsel. But an annual budget of $7.5 million isn't fixing the dire state many public defender offices are facing across the state. And a deep dive: Several medical offices in the State College area are now charging “facility fees,” which are medical bills meant to help cover the cost of hospital facilities. These fees often aren’t communicated ahead of time… and can cost hundreds of dollars. In today's final story of a three-part series, Sydney Roach from our friends at WPSU explains what state legislators are doing about facility fees – and what YOU can do about them in the meantime. Facility Fees, Part 3: What PA lawmakers are doing about facility fees and how you can dispute them | WPSU And we wrap up today’s Morning Agenda – as we do every Friday – with the bright spot, a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle.  https://www.npr.org/2026/03/31/nx-s1-5766124/life-needs-to-be-more-like-this-some-bars-and-restaurants-are-going-phone-free Did you know that if every one of WITF’s sustaining circle members gives as little as $12 more a month, we'd close the gap caused by federal funding cuts? Increase your gift at https://witf.org/increase or become a new sustaining member at www.witf.org/givenow. And thanks!Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top Pennsylvania lawmakers say school districts may need to demonstrate improvements before additional state dollars are guaranteed. This year’s budget proposal includes a third installment of adequacy funds for historically underfunded schools. A bill in the state House of Representative would allow the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to establish separate playoff systems and championships for boundary and non-boundary schools. A federal judge has ordered the University of Pennsylvania to comply with a government subpoena seeking information on Jewish students and faculty. The Department of Homeland Security is pausing the purchase of new warehouses intended to house immigrants as it scrutinizes all contracts signed under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. That includes proposed warehouse conversion projects in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. And a deep dive: Several medical offices in the State College area are now charging “facility fees.” These fees often aren’t communicated ahead of time… and can cost hundreds of dollars. In this second story of a three-part series, Sydney Roach from our friends at WPSU has the arguments for and against facility fees. In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former U-S Attorney in Pittsburgh will lead a new White House task force to eliminate fraud. Pennsylvania home care workers, who provide daily caregiving to seniors and others, say an additional $800 million dollars is needed to raise reimbursement rates and pay for workers. They want to see some of that money in the next state budget. A York doctor accused of sexually abusing women under his care at a drug treatment clinic pleaded guilty Monday to a handful of the 92 charges he faced. Many businesses across the country and across Pennsylvania are seeking tariff refunds from the federal government. And a deep dive: Last June, our friends at WPSU reported on public outcry surrounding the increased use of “facility fees” at Geisinger outpatient clinics in the State College area. Since then, more than 20 people have reached out to our colleagues in WPSU's newsroom with their experiences and many remaining questions. And these questions and issues are happening well beyond State College and Geisinger in communities across Pennsylvania. Today we begin a three-part series, looking into WHAT a facility fee is, WHY hospitals charge them, and what’s being done at the state level to protect people against surprise bills from facility fees. Today, in part one, Sydney Roach from our friends at WPSU introduces what a facility fee is by sharing listeners' stories. In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The April 15th tax filing deadline is about two weeks away, and Governor Josh Shapiro is encouraging Pennsylvanians to take advantage of a new state tax credit. The Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit was created in the current state budget. The Pennsylvania Fast Track Permit program coordinates multi-agency permitting for large-scale economic development projects – and provides transparency as projects progress. But some northeastern Pennsylvania residents have questions about the state program, after learning a data center project was accepted into fast track but never appeared on the program’s website. A deep dive into Pennsylvania’s automatic voter registration program, started under Governor Josh Shapiro in 2023, shows it’s working to get more people to vote from all parties and parts of the state. WITF’s Jordan Wilkie talks with Votebeat reporter Carter Walker who analyzed the data.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well over a thousand people protesting Donald Trump’s presidency rallied on Harrisburg’s Capitol steps Saturday. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court late last week ruled that mandatory life sentences without parole are unconstitutional for people convicted of second-degree murder. Last summer, our partners at Spotlight PA broke the story about pharmacies disappearing across the Pennsylvania landscape. Spotlight’s Ed Mahon continues to track this trend and its data. His latest story is “Why Pennsylvania pharmacies keep closing and how lawmakers want to slow the trend – explained in 7 stats.” Ed Mahon joins WITF’s Karen Hendricks on today’s Morning Agenda for a deep dive into the data.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Western Pennsylvania, the Allegheny County board of health is looking at how it can reduce the impacts of fracking. It formed a subcommittee on fracking last year, and the committee presented their plans to the full board of health earlier this month. State environmental regulators recently held a hearing for an air permit for Shell’s plant in Beaver County. The State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has announced they'll cover the costs for Pennsylvanians to remove invasive trees and shrubs and replace them with native species for the second year in a row. And a deep dive: A silent fly arrived on our shores about 250 years ago, around the same time Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. How one of the country’s first invasive species spurred suspicions of biological warfare, threatened the new nation’s economy, and inspired citizen science. And continuing our weekly feature “The Bright Spot,” we share a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle. This week’s Bright Spot is both artistic and altruistic. https://www.npr.org/2026/03/25/nx-s1-5742397/pablo-picasso-painting-to-be-raffled-off-to-benefit-alzheimers-research  Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bi-partisan group of state lawmakers has announced the formation of the new Pennsylvania Anti-Human Trafficking Caucus. When school districts across the U-S violate civil rights laws, families can file a complaint with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. But given the Trump administration’s dismantling of the U-S Department of Education, many are turning to state agencies to carry out civil rights enforcement. Drexel University plans to launch a 3-year medical school as an alternative option to its 4-year program. Leaders hope the shorter pathway can help students save money and bring more doctors into the workforce faster. State officials are encouraging Pennsylvanians to get screened early for colorectal cancer. The call comes at a time when the number of cases is rising in younger adults... State House Democrats have unveiled their budget proposal and it’s identical to one introduced by Governor Josh Shapiro last month. One of their priorities is raising the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $15, which has passed in the House. New cases of avian influenza are confirmed at three Lancaster County farms this month, affecting more than one million birds. The new outbreaks bring this year's total number of Lancaster County bird flu cases to 8.6 million. The city of Reading has a new fire chief – and he’s the city’s first Black fire chief. Robert Leonard II brings more than 20 years of experience in fire and emergency medical services to the position. Pennsylvania's outdoor recreation industry is growing faster than the national average. Pennsylvania's outdoor economy grew by 1.5 billion dollars in 2024, reaching 20.4 billion dollars in total economic impact.  Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recently proposed settlement in a central Pennsylvania electric utility rate case aims to protect average residential customers from rising rates connected to new data centers. Consumer advocates hope it'll serve as a model to protect all residential customers in the commonwealth. One year ago, half of U.S. Department of Education staff were laid off, including many in the Office of Civil Rights. That’s left enforcement of the agency’s agreements with school districts in limbo. That includes Western Pennsylvania's Norwin School District. The settlement with Norwin stems from a 2021 incident in which two students came to the school dressed in Confederate flag attire. Pennsylvania hunters harvested more deer in the most recently concluded hunting seasons. Gettysburg Borough Council Monday night appointed Alison Lintal as Gettysburg's new mayor from a slate of 14 candidates who applied for the position. She replaces Chad-Alan Carr who abruptly resigned less than three months into the job before being arrested on charges of alleged child sex crimes dating back to 20-11. Pennsylvania's political candidates are using artificial intelligence tools more than ever. They're using A-I to generate parody images of their opponents, create campaign materials, and answer questionnaires. But tech and election experts are worried about what's to come - including the possibility of deepfakes.   And a deep dive: Let’s say you’ve run for office and won a seat on your local borough or township council. How do you get job training to be an elected official?Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First, we have a follow-up to last Friday’s podcast when we did a deep dive into the inner workings of the Central PA Spelling Bee: Vedika Burman correctly spelled the word "patriotism" on the 16th and final round, Saturday, to become the 2026 WITF Central PA Spelling Bee Grand Champion. Pennsylvania, along with New Jersey and Delaware, are suing the Trump Administration over a major environmental rollback. Governor Josh Shapiro recently called for stronger safeguards on artificial intelligence in schools. One man is dead and three others are wounded, following a shooting early Sunday morning in Steelton, Dauphin County. York County attorney and state House candidate George Margetas is facing charges related to a traffic crash, according to police Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry is announcing the recovery of nearly $130,000 in unpaid wages for 59 workers at the Dauphin County construction company S&R Enterprises. And a deep dive: March Madness is a time-honored ritual for millions of Americans who love to watch college basketball and bet on the hotly competitive tournament games. It also can be a perilous time for people suffering from gambling addiction.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local governments are seeing more challenges to their decisions not to release public records. And some people are turning to ChatGPT, Claude and other artificial intelligence systems for help in making their case. As artificial intelligence technology becomes more common, Pennsylvania state lawmakers say safeguards are needed to protect YOUNG tech users. The state Senate approved a bill this week to regulate A-I chatbots, especially when minors are using the technology. We have crossed over from winter into spring. No matter what the weather forecast holds the next several weeks, anglers and boaters are reminded of the need to wear life jackets while out on the water. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman crossed party lines to vote with Republicans late last week. State regulators are ordering York County's J&K Salvage to close - and they're seeking possible jail time against owner Joe Darrah.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early research shows that artificial intelligence could be used to improve learning, creativity and social interaction among kids and teens. But the technology could still be harmful to childhood development – that’s according to a new review study by experts at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. And we take a deep dive into the Central PA Spelling Bee, being held this Saturday, March 21. Joining WITF’s Karen Hendricks in conversation is Jen Eley with WITF’s Pennon Education which organizes the spelling bee. We learn more about the competition, what’s at stake, and the value of spelling in our society today. A town hall is being held this weekend by a group opposed to the Trump administration's plan to convert a Berks County warehouse into an immigration detention center. The group ICE Out Upper Bern is holding the event at the Shartlesville Fire Company, Sunday afternoon from 1 to 3. A Lancaster County woman is accused of stealing more than $700,000 from her employer - Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course - located in Dauphin County. Penn State is out to claim an elusive fifth straight NCAA Division I men’s wrestling title this weekend. And now it’s time for a new weekly segment called The Bright Spot. Every Friday, I’ll share a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle.   Today’s bright spot is this: There's a new professional baseball league for women — more than seven decades after women had a league of their own. Spring training for the WPBL began this week. And you can listen to the full 4-minute story from NPR as heard on WITF’s Morning Edition earlier this week –  https://www.npr.org/2026/03/18/nx-s1-5746038/new-professional-baseball-league-for-women-debuts-this-weekSupport WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Better access to mental health care for firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and state police officers was provided by state law last year. Now the current budget proposal seeks to expand workers compensation and death coverage to first responders called to duty during state disaster emergencies.  Dauphin County State Representative Justin Williams says crisis counseling and mental health treatment is essential for emergency personnel.  Pennsylvania's Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is celebrating its 40th anniversary.  Pope Leo the Fourteenth will accept Philadelphia's National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal this summer.  Two special elections were held in Pennsylvania Tuesday. In State House District 193, Republican Catherine Wallen was elected the new state Representative for parts of Adams and Cumberland counties. In the other special election, in state House District 79, Republican Andrea Verobish was elected the new state representative for Altoona and its suburbs.  Ethics experts are raising concerns after state Treasurer Stacy Garrity campaigned at a gala hosted by a firm from which she purchased millions in bonds in her official state role. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new center in Philadelphia will support people with Lynch Syndrome, an inherited genetic condition that puts them at high risk for colon, uterine and other cancers. Penn Medicine's King Center for Lynch Syndrome is one of few centers in the world dedicated to Lynch syndrome. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said last week he will continue a lawsuit against a music-industry giant. The move breaks with the Trump administration -- at a time when Democrats say Sunday hasn't challenged the White House enough.  There's a new wrinkle in Pennsylvania’s plan to use more than $700 million to expand high-speed internet access across the commonwealth.  Fifty-six thousand Pennsylvania households live in manufactured homes. And many are experiencing significant increases in their monthly rent payments for the lots on which those homes stand. That's why Governor Josh Shapiro visited a Berks County manufactured housing community last week to call for reform, to protect Pennsylvanians from rent spikes. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sustainable farming group in Pennsylvania is announcing the reinstatement of a $59 million contract that the federal government tried to claw back last year. Pennsylvania autism researchers and parents are founding members of the new Independent Autism Coordinating Committee. It’s meant to serve as an alternative voice to a federal committee overseen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. -- a proponent of debunked theories about vaccines causing autism. A recent poll finds that 42% of Pennsylvanians do not want a data center built in or near their community. Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered state flags to remain flying at half-staff in honor of a soldier killed late last week in a training incident. Last Thursday, a U.S. Army soldier died during training at Letterkenny Army Depot in Franklin County. And a deep dive:  One of Pennsylvania's neighboring states, Delaware, rolled out its retail marijuana market last August. The total volume falls far short of initial estimates.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're bracing for wild swings in the weather today with the possibility of tornadoes between 3 and 9 p.m. today. And we take a deep dive into Pennsylvania’s wildlife crossings and corridors: State lawmakers were briefed on the subject during a recent state budget hearing in Harrisburg. Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said DCNR will soon be bringing together several state agencies including PennDOT with the goal of making state roadways safer for both wildlife and drivers alike. Joining WITF’s Karen Hendricks in conversation today is Stephanie Wein of the nonprofit advocacy group PennEnvironment which has long studied wildlife crossings and corridors, along with habitat fragmentation. And one more related story to put on your radar: We are in a special window of time when thousands of snow geese touch down every year at a Lebanon County reservoir.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania parents and families who have lost loved ones to drug overdoses and addiction say there’s a need for grief support services specifically tailored to this kind of loss. They’re calling on county and state agencies to use settlement money won in national lawsuits against opioid manufacturing companies to fund grief programs. Penn State’s president was the target of pointed questions during a state House appropriations hearing Wednesday. It comes as the university moves forward with plans to close seven campuses including York and Mont Alto. A U.S. Secret Service police officer is charged with sending sexually explicit text messages, photos and videos to a Lancaster County girl, according to police. Cleanup continues following a massive fire at a York County salvage company, two weeks ago.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Cumberland County food manufacturing facility is expanding. Schreiber Foods, located in Shippensburg, announced Tuesday it's embarking on a nearly $133 million expansion at its yogurt and cream cheese plant. Nearly half of the state’s rural counties do not have hospitals with labor and delivery units, according to the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. This reflects a nationwide trend of hospitals closing specialized service lines such as obstetrics. Every year, PA One Book encourages reading by selecting a children's book to help create a shared reading experience statewide. We share this year’s selection. Police in Carlisle continue to investigate the distribution of white supremacist propaganda last weekend. The FBI found explosive residue in a Bucks County storage unit after two men were charged with bringing homemade bombs to a protest outside the home of New York City’s mayor. Pennsylvania is one of only eight states with a closed primary system. That means only voters registered as Democrats or Republicans can cast ballots in their respective parties' spring elections. Advocates hope to open those primaries up to Pennsylvania's unaffiliated voters - a group that numbers more than one million.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.