HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Residents of north-central and northwestern Pennsylvania are projected to be the first in the state to be released from Gov. Tom Wolf’s stay-at-home order, and many retail stores in those areas should be able to reopen by May 8. That’s according to a statewide reopening plan released Wednesday. Wolf wants to … Read more
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) is implementing new federal unemployment compensation benefits provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The COVID-19 relief package temporarily provides an additional $600 per week, makes self-employed, independent contractors and gig workers eligible for benefits and extends unemployment compensation (UC) benefits for an additional … Read more
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — Pennsylvania’s health secretary issued new standards Sunday for cleaning large buildings that remain open during the COVID-19 shutdown. Dr. Rachel Levine’s order, which applies to buildings that are at least 50,000 square feet, requires building owners to maintain usual cleaning and follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to … Read more
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ)–Wednesday, The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) reported that two male inmates, both at SCI Phoenix (in Southeastern PA) have tested positive for Covid-19. WTAJ was told that both males were not new inmates. Officials are still working to determine how the virus spread to the prison. They report that one of the … Read more
A Pennsylvania lawmaker thinks carbon capture and storage could be the key to curbing emissions while sustaining the state’s politically important fossil fuel industry. “If we’re going to be serious about addressing the existential threat that climate change presents, we can’t just talk about good ideas,” said state Sen. Sharif Street, a Democrat from Philadelphia. … Read more
DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Hershey School of Medicine graduate is helping to lead the charge in the nation’s effort to fight the coronavirus. Ambassador Dr. Deborah Birx, from central Pennsylvania, was appointed to the Office of the Vice President as the Coronavirus Response Coordinator. Her career as an infectious disease physician started in Hershey. “We … Read more
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced that all facilities at state parks and forests in Pennsylvania will be closed for 14 days effective March 17 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The public will still be able to access trails, lakes, forests, roads, and parking … Read more
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The state Department of Agriculture has added 12 counties to the Pennsylvania Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone ahead of this year’s spring hatch, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced Tuesday. Cumberland, Perry, Juniata, Mifflin and York counties are now among the 26 counties statewide that are under quarantine for the invasive insect, Redding said … Read more
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police, and Ferguson Township Police celebrated “Love the Bus,” a program highlighting the importance of school bus drivers in education, at local elementary schools during February. During the event, children gave valentines to their bus drivers to show their appreciation for their important service. “The 40,000 licensed … Read more
(Harrisburg) — Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is an Ebola treatment center. That gives it special capabilities which can be applied to an outbreak of the new coronavirus, according to Dr. Catherine Paules, an infectious disease specialist for Penn State Health. “We’ve had plans in place for a long time. We are … Read more
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A seven-term state lawmaker from central Pennsylvania said Monday that he will seek the Democratic nomination to run for the open state auditor general’s office this year. Scott Conklin enters a crowded field ahead of Pennsylvania’s Feb. 18 deadline to submit nomination petitions to the state elections bureau to get on the … Read more
Gov. Tom Wolf’s GreenGov Council is inviting businesses and consumers to learn about the state government’s efforts to boost green and sustainable practices at a 1 p.m. meeting Jan. 31, 2020 in the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency at 310 Elmerton Ave. in Harrisburg. Continue Reading on Central Penn Business Journal
The U.S. Department of Justice will be channeling nearly $2.7 million in grants into central Pennsylvania to combat the opioid crisis. Nearly $1.2 million of that money will go to programs in York County. The Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office will receive another $900,000 and $600,000 is earmarked for Wyoming County. “The opioid crisis – … Read more
Governor Tom Wolf, representatives from the departments of Aging, Human Services, Labor & Industry, Military and Veterans’ Affairs, and the Pennsylvania National Guard gathered at the Keystone Building in Harrisburg on Wednesday to support the 30th annual Holiday Wish program, which will send at least 900 gifts to children and seniors throughout Pennsylvania. The families … Read more
Source: PennLive $100,000 Club: More than 9,000 state workers earn six figures More than 9,000 people in Pennsylvania state government earned $100,000 or more in 2018, according to PennLive. There are now 9,071 state workers in the $100,000 club, an increase of 781 from last year. It’s the highest number since PennLive and The Patriot-News … Read more
Source: PennLive Gov. Tom Wolf’s change of heart on recreational marijuana could open the door to a rapidly growing new industry — and a potential revenue windfall worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Medical marijuana companies are currently subject to a 5 percent gross receipts tax, in addition to licensing fees and income taxes. Through … Read more