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.

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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.

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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/

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