Early this morning, between 2 and 3 am, the Senate approved cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting including NPR and PBS as well as member stations including WITF. The Senate vote was 51-to-48.

Pennsylvania's senators voted along party lines. With a yes vote, Republican David McCormick voted to rescind funding for public broadcasting as well as foreign aid. Democrat John Fetterman voted against the bill.

Earlier this week, Fetterman told the Philadelphia Inquirer the cuts undermine the very values of family and education Republicans claim to champion. Fetterman cited Fred Rogers, a Pittsburgh icon, who taught generations of American children about kindness and empathy through his PBS program "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood."

Here’s the next step for the legislation:

The Senate's approval of the cuts tees up a final vote in the House, which approved an earlier version last month. For the proposed rescissions to kick in, the bill would need to be signed into law by midnight Friday.

Here’s a closer look at the financial implications of the bill.

The legislation would claw back nearly $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting which represents the full amount it’s due to receive during the next two budget years. The corporation distributes more than 70% of that money to more than 1500 locally-operated public television and radio stations including WITF based in Harrisburg but serving a 19-county area of Central Pennsylvania.

Ron Hetrick, President and CEO of WITF's parent organization Pennon calls today's decision "disappointing," while encouraging those passionate about public media to contact their elected representatives today.

Hetrick adds that "In these moments of uncertainty, we remain unwavering in our mission to ensure our organization continues to serve as a trusted source of information and connection for our community."

Now turning to another breaking story we’re following this morning:

Vice President JD Vance touted the One Big Beautiful Bill Wednesday, making a stop in northeast Pennsylvania, at a Machine Shop in West Pittston. Vance praised President Donald Trump for retooling the economy in favor of American workers.

Meantime, Around 50 people protested the Trump administration's immigration policies, education and healthcare cuts during Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Luzerne County on Wednesday.

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Governor Josh Shapiro says he wants to be sure Pennsylvania plays a key role in developing artificial intelligence, as well as providing the energy needed to support it. Speaking at an energy and A-I summit in Pittsburgh this week, Shapiro said the state's skilled workforce and natural gas reserves helped attract a $20 billion dollar investment in new data centers recently pledged by Amazon. A number of large-scale data center projects were announced across the state including a $15 billion project planned for the Carlisle area, a $6 billion project in the Lancaster area and a $5 billion project planned for York County.

A nonprofit group that helps unemployed people stay in their homes is calling for state property reassessment laws to be updated. The lawsuit could affect property owners across the state.

Another attempt is being made to eliminate local property taxes in Pennsylvania: This latest effort, in the form of an amendment to the state Constitution, is co-sponsored by state Senator Doug Mastriano of Franklin County. It would prohibit school districts from collecting property taxes beginning July first, 2029 and require the General Assembly to come up with another funding method for public schools.

Some state lawmakers are taking another shot at legalizing adult cannabis use in Pennsylvania. Senators Daniel Laughlin and Sharif Street, as well as Representatives Emily Kinkead and Abby Major introduced bipartisan recreational cannabis bills just four days apart. Both bills incentivize minority, women and veteran-owned small businesses to open dispensaries across the state.

Pennsylvania is one of 49 states sharing in a 20 million dollar settlement with drug maker Gilead Sciences. It stems from a lawsuit which accused Gilead of illegally providing financial and other incentives to medical personnel in exchange for promoting and prescribing its HIV medications.

Danville-based Geisinger is eliminating nearly 100 Geisinger Health Plan positions as part of an "operational restructuring" amid financial challenges that include a $231 million operating loss last year.

Four independent voters in Pennsylvania are asking the state Supreme Court to rule that the closed primary system violates the state constitution. They filed a lawsuit arguing that keeping independents out of primaries effectively denies them the right to vote in many districts where primaries determine the outcome.

The 260th York State Fair kicks off Friday. and runs through the following weekend until Sunday, July 27th.

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June 30 was the deadline for a new state budget, so at this point, lawmakers are more than two weeks late - with little movement until late Monday night. That’s when The Pennsylvania state House passed a budget bill - one that’s smaller than Governor Josh Shapiro originally requested. But Republicans say more cuts are needed.

Governor Shapiro is suing the Trump Administration over education funding. This newest lawsuit concerns $230 million in withheld education funds.

The investigation continues into last Friday's disruption of 911 service in Pennsylvania.

In Cumberland County Court, a homicide trial is underway this week for 27-year old Timothy Lloyd Sampson. The West Pennsboro Township man is accused of causing the death of his 13-month of son on New Year's Day of 2023.

The Manheim Township board of commissioners is officially appointing an interim police chief, in the wake of the board's firing of Duane M. Fisher. Township commissioners appointed Lt. Brian Freysz to serve as interim chief.

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