Twenty years ago, families in the Dover School District, located in York County, filed a lawsuit and defeated an effort to teach creationism in their children’s schools. Now, in 2024, families in this same community are bracing for a similar fight after the school district approved a contract with the Independence Law Center, the legal arm of an … Read more
When their longtime police chief stepped down, Sweden Township supervisors disbanded the municipal department and joined a growing list of rural Pennsylvania municipalities that rely on State Police for law enforcement. In a 2-1 vote late last year, the supervisors voted to dissolve the local police force to free up tens of thousands of dollars … Read more
Due to hot weather in the forecast, Pittsburgh Public Schools is moving students and teachers to remote learning at 38 buildings Tuesday and Wednesday. Here is a list of schools that are moving to remote learning as the school district activates its extreme heat protocol. Continue reading on WTAE
A Central Pennsylvania school board last week voted against allowing high school students to perform “The Addams Family” musical next year, according to WITF. School directors debated for about 30 minutes before the majority concluded that the musical promotes bad values and is inappropriate for families, the news outlet reported. Directors of Northern Lebanon School … Read more
Nichols, N.Y. — In celebration of Giving Tuesday, the Tioga Downs Regional Community Foundation gave $1.1 million in grants to nonprofits in the northern tier of Pennsylvania and nearby New York counties. Donations covered organizations in Tioga and Bradford Counties in Pennsylvania, and Broome and Chemung Counties in New York. “It feels incredible to honor the … Read more
Attitudes on sex and gender identity have graduated; school policies on LGBTQ students, however, are elementary, at best. Most school systems in Pennsylvania lack official guidelines on the education of gay, lesbian, transgender and non-binary students, and the state’s reporting system is not being used, records show. Continue reading on Bucks County Courier Times
A business owner in central Pennsylvania is getting ready to pack up his truck and head south after Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc on Florida. Ronnie Beeck, who is the owner and operator at DJ’s Smoke Shack on the West Shore, just returned from responding to the floods in eastern Kentucky. Continue reading on KATU
A school district in Pennsylvania temporarily banned the Girls Who Code book series for young readers, according to an index of banned books compiled by the free expression non-profit, Pen America. The books are four of more than 1,500 unique book titles that have been banned by various schools across the country after conservative pushes to censor … Read more
YORK, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced Thursday that it’s offering bigger consumer rebates for electric vehicles. The DEP says the consumer rebates will focus on working-class households. “Bigger consumer rebates for electric vehicle purchases and support for projects will expand the fast charging network across the state,” said DEP Acting … Read more
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The new school year is right around the corner, and thousands of kids throughout the Commonwealth will be making their way back to class. One local nonprofit will also be going back to school, helping students who are regularly missing class. “Our staff are working to reengage those students in a very … Read more
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. — A second strike was authorized in a Central Pennsylvania school district this week. Greencastle-Antrim educators voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to authorize a strike if the negotiating team deems it necessary, as long as a 48-hour notice is given. Continue reading on FOX43
Duncannon resident and artist Connie Betz has found a new venue for her paintings, thanks to Perry County Council of the Arts’ Art on Tour program. The program provides opportunities for local artists to display their work across central Pennsylvania. Betz’s oil paintings are on display at the Babs Curran Senior Center in Duncannon. PCCA’s Art … Read more
After eight years, the Pennsylvania school-funding lawsuit is in the hands of the judge, creating a waiting game heading into the new school year. Oral arguments ended in July. Advocates argued the way Pennsylvania schools are funded violates the education clause and equal-protection provision of the state constitution. Continue reading on NorthcentralPa.com
The annual “Candles on the Water” event, held to remember the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, took place Sunday evening at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S. 2nd St., in Harrisburg. Continue Reading on Pennlive
Kyle Williams Jr. offered his best advice Sunday on how to tackle this first week of high school football practice in Pennsylvania. The Keystone State’s teams are cleared to head out Monday for heat acclimation practices. The period will run through week’s end before the pads come on and teams begin the final build to … Read more
Harrisburg, Pa. — Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and state officials from PennDOT have launched a new anti-litter campaign, “PA Fights Dirty: Every Litter Bit Matters.” Though cleaning up litter is important, the campaign is aiming at the root of the problem: people’s behavior. If nobody ever litters, nobody will ever need to clean up litter. “Every … Read more
LANCASTER, Pa. — A multipurpose housing and medical building is coming to Lancaster. Officials broke ground on the Queen Street Flats Project on Tuesday, on the site of what was formally a YMCA building between the 500 blocks of North Queen and North Prince streets. The project will feature three buildings in total. One will be a … Read more
HARRISBURG, Pa. — People in need of menstrual products can stop by the Harrisburg Hilton on Aug. 5 to pick up free sanitary materials. The Period Project Harrisburg will be at the hotel, located at One North 2nd Street, from 1 to 4 p.m. to hand out period packs. These bundles contain about a month’s worth … Read more
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Kids in the Midstate now have a new way to learn about the environment thanks to the Mueller Family Outdoor Courtyard, opened by the Lancaster Science Factory. The garden includes outdoor spaces to teach kids about solar power as well as recycling storm water in backyard gardens. “It kind of … Read more
LANCASTER, Pa. — More than 800 brand new pairs of socks and sneakers were donated to Lancaster Area children in need. The shoes were handed out at Carter and MacRae Elementary School on Prince Street in Lancaster on Tuesday morning. The donations are part of a yearly effort by members of the Willow Valley Community … Read more