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PA to plant 10 million trees to boost Chesapeake Bay water quality
Public News Service - April 3, 2025
The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership is helping to get Pennsylvania on track for its Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction goals this year. So far, the partners have tracked more than eight point two million trees planted.
Marley McKind, Keystone 10 Million Trees partnership manager with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, says the groups plans to distribute 90,000 trees this spring to reach the goal of 10 million new trees in the state by the end of this year. ...(Read More)
Report Card: PA gets 'C-minus' for its infrastructure
Public News Service - April 2, 2025
Pennsylvania gets a grade of "C-minus" in a new Report Card about the condition of America's infrastructure.
The American Society of Civil Engineers said the nation has a long way to go to upgrade outdated structures and systems. It gives the U.S. ...(Read More)
Pennsylvania faces in-home care crisis amid severe workforce shortages
Public News Service - April 1, 2025
A lack of access to in-home care in Pennsylvania has reached a crisis point, according to professionals in the field, leaving thousands of residents without essential services.
More than 400,000 Pennsylvanians rely on in-home care for daily support.
Mia Haney, CEO of the Pennsylvania Homecare Association, said Gov. ...(Read More)
Bipartisan bill could improve land access for new PA farmers
Public News Service - March 31, 2025
Despite a federal funding freeze, a newly proposed bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate could enhance loan programs for farmers.
Backers say in Pennsylvania, it would address a key barrier to farmland ownership and access to capital. ...(Read More)
PA groups urge Congress to preserve clean energy tax incentives
Public News Service - March 28, 2025
Groups in Pennsylvania are asking Congress to preserve federal clean-energy tax incentives.
Concerned about the possible repeal of 30% energy tax credits that have supported projects across the state, they gathered at a local charter school to tout its solar-panel installation as an example.
Andrew Reagan, president of the group Clean Energy for America, said there is bipartisan support for the tax credit. ...(Read More)
PA school support staffers push for $20 'living wage'
Public News Service - March 26, 2025
Amid a severe teacher and staff shortage, school support workers and their union allies rallied Tuesday in Harrisburg for a better living wage.
The group said House Bill 777 would raise wages for more than 41,000 school staff members. More than 100 people gathered on the Capitol steps and met with lawmakers to gauge their support for the bill.
...(Read More)
Report: IRA repeal could raise Pennsylvania energy costs, threaten jobs
Public News Service - March 25, 2025
Pennsylvania is among the five states projected to be hit hardest if the Inflation Reduction Act is repealed.
A report from the think tank Energy Innovation showed the law has brought more than $1.33 billion dollars in clean energy and transportation investments, creating nearly 4,700 jobs.
Megan Zeigler, CEO of the Southwest Pennsylvania Municipal Project Hub, said the Inflation Reduction Act helps modernize infrastructure and supports local governments and schools in upgrading outdated facilities. ...(Read More)
PA works to counter Trump clean energy rollbacks
Public News Service - March 24, 2025
The Trump administration's rollback of clean energy progress and climate science is eliciting a strong response from Pennsylvania.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has already sued the Trump administration, leading to the release of $2 billion in federal aid. ...(Read More)
Audit: Allegheny County public defenders overwhelmed with caseloads
Public News Service - March 20, 2025
An audit by Allegheny County reveals most public defenders face excessive caseloads and a lack of resources, putting clients at a disadvantage.
It showed 36 of 42 trial attorneys carry caseloads above the national average.
Robert Perkins, attorney for the Allegheny Lawyers Initiative for Justice, said the state has a history of underfunding public defenders, allowing only $100,000 per county annually. ...(Read More)
Report: Reconnecting habitats protecting Pennsylvania’s native species
Public News Service - March 19, 2025
A new report highlighted efforts to restore Pennsylvania's wildlife habitats and called for stronger conservation to protect native species.
With Pennsylvania ranking among the top five states for animal-vehicle collisions, more than more than 1 million animals are killed on roads annually.
Stephanie Wein, clean water and conservation advocate at the PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center, said the report provided recommendations to enhance wildlife corridor projects and protect the state's diverse species, from bobcats and black bears to migrating songbirds. ...(Read More)
PA teachers union opposes Trump plan to dismantle U.S. Department of Education
Public News Service - March 18, 2025
The Trump administration's effort to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education is facing strong opposition from the Pennsylvania State Education Association, which called it unacceptable.
The mass firing of 1,300 employees is seen as part of a broader plan to dismantle the department.
...(Read More)
SNAP, Medicaid cuts would strain PA emergency food system
Public News Service - March 17, 2025
By Anna Gustafson for the Pennsylvania Independent.
Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Keystone State News Connection reporting for the Pennsylvania Independent-Public News Service Collaboration
John Kelly has seen it before: the massive influx of people turning to his food pantry in central Scranton for support. The hunger. The families struggling to put food on the table. ...(Read More)
PA faith leader part of TX protest of oil, gas subsidies
Public News Service - March 14, 2025
A Buddhist minister from Pennsylvania joined 40 religious leaders in Texas this week to demand an end to fossil-fuel subsidies and expansion of oil and gas production. Their protest at CERAWeek in Houston came ahead of the Environmental Protection Agency's plan to roll back key environmental regulations.
The minister, Adam Lobel of One Earth Sangha, said he stands in solidarity with the leaders and communities in Texas, since he's fought oil, gas and petrochemical expansion in Pennsylvania for more than a decade.
...(Read More)
Free tax prep available across Pennsylvania
Public News Service - March 13, 2025
Pennsylvania residents who need assistance filing their income tax returns can use the free services of the AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program.
You do not have to be an AARP member or a senior citizen to get help.
Kathleen Hoffer, program coordinator for AARP Pennsylvania, said the full-service tax program assists Pennsylvanians with federal, state and local returns. ...(Read More)
$50 million 'whole home repair' funding may address PA housing crisis
Public News Service - March 12, 2025
Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget includes a $50 million investment for repairs to older homes. A grassroots group supports the idea but said the dollar amount falls short of the need.
...(Read More)