Crime and Justice
Governor’s plan to overhaul ethics commission wins praise — and some questions
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“This would be such a vast improvement over the disaster that is JCOPE.”
Citizen commission hands down seven ideas to change PA state police practices
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Gov. Tom Wolf created the panel, known as the State Law Enforcement Citizen Advisory Commission, in July in the wake of racial justice and police accountability protests.
Government
Will PA lawmakers live up to their redistricting transparency promises? Doubt is creeping in
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Last week, a month after lawmakers introduced the tool, not a single constituent map was shown on the website.
Government
Democratic lawmakers call for sweeping housing reform in New York
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The bill would limit rent increases to 3% annually, or 1.5 times the annual percentage change in the consumer price index for rent in that area.
Crime and Justice
A massive probe of PA’s largest pension fund is nearly done, but taxpayers may never know the results
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The PSERS board is debating how much to share with the public, how soon to share it — and how to cope with a pushback from employees.
News
If PA Senator Mastrino wants to be governor, he may have to moderate
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“I think the Pa. GOP has shifted a bit from [wanting] the most conservative candidate possible to, ‘Who is the most electable?’
Government
Want to see who’s funding local candidates in PA? It’s harder than you’d think.
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Hundreds of local races across Pennsylvania are on today’s ballot, but determining who is bankrolling the candidates can be onerous.
Education
Vaccine Mandate for Schools Not Needed, Hochul Says, But Still on the Table
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“I want to empower parents and schools to do the right things first but if we’re not seeing adequate compliance…I will have no choice.”
News
New Yorkers Will Decide Five Statewide Ballot Propositions
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“We definitely recommend for this election that voters do their homework…know what these proposals are.”
News
Are You Mailing Your Ballot? Here’s What PA Voters Need To Know About Postage
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“The ballot is extremely long in several of our counties and they’re like up to three pages, which means that the cost of returning those ballots is more than just a single stamp.”
Education
A Basic Guide To Vetting Candidates In PA’s 2021 School Board Elections
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These races are more contentious than ever, but getting information can be difficult.
App NEWS
Not Last Year’s Toilet Paper Shortage, But Supply Chain Troubles Hit Grocery Stores
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A combined shortage of labor, material, and transportation has made it difficult for stores like Tops and Wegmans to keep many items in stock.
Government
PA Senate Hearing On Voting Bill Cut Short After Snub By Governor’s Aide
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The Senate proposal would end the ability of voters to place themselves on a permanent list to receive mail-in ballots.
Crime and Justice
New York’s Already Low Prison Vaccinations Plateau Through The Summer
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“Prisons are a hotbed of infectious disease transmission they have been for since they’ve been designed and utilized.”
News
New York’s Top Democrat Endorses Hochul For Governor
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“We have a governor who has proven she can do the job and do it with distinction. We have a governor, who by any measure has earned our support.”
App NEWS
Dinosaur Jr. Bassist Lou Barlow Launches Intimate Tour In Ithaca
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Next week, Barlow will kick off a solo tour with three dates in Rochester, Ithaca and Buffalo.
Environment
By 2035, Only Electric Cars Will Be Sold In New York State
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“Gasoline and diesel fuel vehicles are responsible for smog, toxic particulate matter that drives adverse health outcomes.”
Government
Governor Pleads With Healthcare Workers To Get Vaccinated Before New York’s Deadline
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“It does not have to happen, my friends, it does not have to happen. What is looming for Monday is completely avoidable and there are no excuses.”
Government
Lt. Governor On New York Health Commissioner: “Stay Tuned”
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There have been calls for Howard Zucker’s removal over decisions he made during the COVID-19 pandemic, like decisions related to nursing homes.
News
Giuliani Plans to Ramp Up Gubernatorial Campaign After November Elections
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Lee Zeldin is currently the favorite for the nomination among leaders from the Republican party; county chairs designated him as the presumptive nominee.
Government
False Claims Of Voter Fraud, COVID And Heavy Workloads Contribute To PA’s Poll Worker Shortage
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“We were also trying to run safe polling places and also deal with the additional attention that came from a very contentious presidential election.”
Government
Election Reforms Have ‘Put a Burden’ On Local Boards Of Elections, New York Officials Say
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“I would be remiss not to note that over the last couple of years, there has been a great change, but they’ve really put a burden on our boards.”
App NEWS
Elections, Emergency Powers, And Mapmaking Among The Items On PA Lawmakers’ To-Do List
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“When we can get together and talk about where there’s common ground, we’re much more productive.”
Environment
New York Assembly Considers Limiting A Pesticide Linked To Bee Deaths
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The compounds, known as Neonicotinoids, or “neonics,” have been widely used during the past 15 years in a pre-treatment for corn, soy and wheat seeds.
Government
Hochul Acts to Promote New York’s Abortion Rights
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“I guarantee I did not know I was pregnant with my first child at six weeks. I actually went on a whitewater rafting trip.”
Crime and Justice
50 Years Later: The Legacy Of The Attica uprising
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“And unfortunately, the vast majority of the changes have been for the worse, not for the better.”
App NEWS
Gillibrand Conducts Hearings This Week On Dairy Pricing
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“98% of all farms in New York are family owned. I think in order to keep that number so high…the milk prices definitely need to go up.”
Government
The PA Senate’s Latest Election Probe Got Off To A Contentious Start. Subpoenas Could Come Soon
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“The goal [of this hearing] is simply to stoke distrust and division. The most exasperating part of it all is that everyone on this panel knows that.”
News
20 Years Later, Mohawk Ironworkers Reflect On Unique Connection To 9/11
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20 years later, Mohawk ironworkers reflect on unique connection to 9/11
Education
PA’s GOP-Controlled Legislature Challenges Governor’s School Mask Mandate
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“Nobody wanted to have unilateral government, whether that be from the executive or from the legislature. What people voted for…was cooperative government.”
News
Former NY-19 Candidate Van De Water Dies At Age 41
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Van De Water, a Republican, unsuccessfully challenged Democratic Congressman Antonio Delgado of New York’s 19th District in 2020.
Arts & Culture
As 2021 New York State Fair Closes Expect Discussion On Its Length
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“I think we’re having a good fair, it could be a little busier, but we’re having a good time, and we’re going to be okay.”
App NEWS
Climate Change’s ‘Fingerprint’ Seen In Ida Flooding
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“(W)hen hurricanes occur the rainfall associated with them is more intense because of human-induced climate change and Ida will not be an exception.”
Government
‘Do No Harm:’ House Lawmakers Get An Earful On How To Redraw PA’s Congressional Maps
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“Open up this process further than you already have. Make it easy for the public to follow and participate.”
News
Census Data Drop Puts PA Lawmakers Closer To Drawing New Political Boundaries
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“We’re hopeful that we can get through this process, but the census information coming at such a late time has really put us behind schedule.”
Economy
Advocates, Opponents Skeptical Of Governor’s Marijuana Plan
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“What we’ve seen in other states like Colorado — less taxes and lower barrier to entry — means more revenue. More revenue means more money for community reinvestment.”
Episodes
‘Commercial free, subscription free, fee free’ programs on ALEXA and GOOGLE smart speakers
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VESTAL, NY (WSKG) – Online radio offers listeners limitless choices, but it can be a difficult path to navigate. So much of it depends on the maker of your smart phone and your smart speaker. Another variable is your online subscriptions. And there can be huge differences between apps meant to perform the same functions. So, WSKG Radio has created a convenient starting point for folks seeking their favorite public radio programs. By the way, these programs are free of subscriptions, fees and commercials. All our digital content can be found at YourPublicRadio.ORG. Go there and with a click or two, you can access podcasts created by the WSKG newsroom. Among the podcasts are current newscasts, in-depth stories, and arts interviews. WSKG’s music programs are also podcasts. At YourPublicRadio.ORG, you’ll find the latest episodes of Free Range Folk, The Hour of Now, By Special Invitation and Soundscape. Our newest digital features are music streams from the WSKG Music Library. While we plan to expand the list, currently you can find Holiday A2Z, Nocturne A2Z, Bach-analia A2Z, Pops A2Z, Concerts A2Z, Beethoven A2Z, Choral A2Z and New World A2Z. Plus, there are our WSKG radio and WSKG Classical streams. Our latest additions are Your Classical A2Z ands New Standards from WNYC.
App NEWS
Three Candidates Confirm Participation In NY 22 Congressional Debate
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Republican and former Congresswoman Claudia Tenney agreed Monday to the forum. Democratic Incumbent Anthony Brindisi and Libertarian Challenger Keith Price earlier confirmed their participation.
App NEWS
NY22 GOP Debate Cancelled; Candidate Refuses Invitation
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“Claudia Tenney indicated at this time she is not accepting any invitation to debate her primary opponent.”
COVID-19 Adds Another Uncertainty To New York’s Spring Growing Season
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Farmer Dennis Brawdy said this year is stranger than most because major customers are closed.
Education
Pandemic Puts New York’s College Towns At Risk Of Losing Population, Funding
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Binghamton University student Dino Nicolari decided to stay at his off-campus apartment. “I really have trouble working at home.”
Economy
Amid Coronavirus Outbreak, PA House Republicans Move To Open More Businesses
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“Now is not the time to ease up on strong mitigation tactics that can help flatten the curve and ease the burden likely to be placed on our healthcare system.”
Economy
PA’s Business Owners, Self-Employed Fight To Weather The Coronavirus Shutdown
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“You want to act like everything is normal, you want to look your brightest…even though that might be a facade.”
App NEWS
Child Welfare Services Worry About Kids Who Went Off The Grid During Coronavirus Pandemic
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“We will see a rise in the cases of child abuse and neglect when this is over.”
App NEWS
Why Is Pennsylvania Leading The Nation In Unemployment Claims?
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The Commonwealth’s unemployment compensation program saw more than 378,900 claims filed during the week ending March 21 — 6 percent of the workforce.
App NEWS
Wolf Administration Won’t Release List Of Businesses That Want ‘Life-Sustaining Waivers
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The Pennsylvania Governor says the state Department of Community and Economic Development will not respond to open records requests for the foreseeable future,
Episodes
Meet The Players From Serling’s ‘O’Toole’ Baseball Program
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“If you place yourself in the time in which the play was written, then I believe you can start to enjoy the play in its fullest.”
Episodes
How A Public Radio Reporter From Ohio Revived A Long Lost Rod Serling Comedy
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“It’s been my dream for three decades to find and revive Serling’s story involving the Cincinnati Reds.”
Episodes
Anne Serling Talks About Her Father’s ‘O’Toole From Moscow’ Comedy
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Rod Serling returns to radio, Saturday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m., with a repeat on Sunday, April 19 at 3:00 p.m on WSKG Radio. CINCINNATI, OH (WVXU) Anne Serling is confident that her famous father would be pleased that Cincinnati Public Radio is reviving O’ Toole From Moscow, his 1955 Cincinnati Reds comedy premiering 8 p.m. tonight on WVXU-FM and at wvxu.org. “I have a thought about my dad, imagining him listening, nodding and just beaming. I am so grateful,” said Serling, daughter of Rod Serling, creator of TV’s The Twilight Zone. Rod Serling, who started his career in Cincinnati (1950-54), wrote O’Toole for NBC’s Matinee Theater.
‘Absolutely Ridiculous’ To Militarize U.S.-Canada Border Over COVID-19
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America’s longest undefended border totals around 4,400 miles and hasn’t been militarized since after the American Civil War.
App NEWS
Spring Is Here, But Is Nature In Sync?
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“Trees, as a group, are more responsive to these temperature shifts than wildflowers,”
Food and Farms
PA Officials To Farmers: “We Need Local Agriculture Now More Than Ever.”
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“Agriculture’s role is unquestionable: access to food is a right; we need local agriculture now more than ever.”
Education
PA Schools Wary Of Online Instruction During Coronavirus Closures
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“All of a sudden, somewhat of a train wreck happened.”
Episodes
‘I Was All Set For Bernie’ : Trump Hones Attacks On Biden In Scranton Town Hall
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The president took questions from Fox anchors and northeast Pennsylvania residents on issues ranging from the national deficit to coronavirus.
Mama Stamberg Takes Her Cranberry Relish Recipe To Ocean Spray’s CEO
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For decades, Susan Stamberg has managed to sneak her family’s controversial, Pepto Bismol-pink, cranberry relish recipe onto the air and 2019 will be no exception.
Government
Vape Shop Owner Responds To Flavored E-Cigarette Ban
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“I had this lady that comes in that’s probably 72, 73 years old. She’s tried everything on the market multiple times. She says that she hasn’t had a single day without a cigarette until she found vaping.”
App NEWS
Drive Is On To Expand Cashless Tolling Along The New York Thruway
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The executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority says drivers should expect to see more cashless tolls throughout the state.
Energy
Maid Of The Mist Launching New Electric Boats
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“It seems natural for us to do that, with the hydroelectric power generation that goes on here.”
App NEWS
Catholic Diocese Agrees To Changes In Handling Sex Abuse Cases
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The Diocese will expand the use of its ethics hotline, beyond reports of financial fraud or irregularity, to include all reports of any ethical improprieties, sexual abuse or harassment or financial fraud.
App NEWS
Equity Advocates Criticize Governor’s Plan To Boost Teacher Salaries In PA
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Wolf’s proposal is about more than paying teachers a living wage. At current salaries, some districts say they struggle to attract and retain qualified educators.
Government
‘One Day Act’ Could Benefit Immigrants In New York state
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The change means these convictions will no longer trigger automatic deportation proceedings.
News
Senecas Lose Arbitration Ruling On Casino Revenue Payments
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John Kane, a Mohawk radio host and activist living on Seneca territory, says the ruling forces the Senecas to pay the state slot money, despite the nation never having really received its gaming exclusivity perk.
News
Rural Democrats Discuss Strategy, Unity At Annual Convention
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“Small county, small numbers, but important numbers and we have to be very vigilant that we don’t take any of this for granted.”
Crime and Justice
New York Law Lets Most Police Agencies Decide Whether To Release Mugshots
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“The objective here is to protect individuals, who are not convicted of a crime in many instances, from having their mugshots be publicly listed into perpetuity.”
App NEWS
Bill Would Mandate Testing In Radon-Dense Pennsylvania
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A new bill in the state Capitol would require every school district in Pennsylvania to test for radon and inform parents of the results.
Energy
Trump Orders May Limit New York’s Power To Block Pipelines
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Demand for natural gas is growing across the Northeast. Meanwhile, natural gas production is booming in Pennsylvania. Connecting the two requires building pipelines across New York State.
Education
State Teachers Union Rallies Against Standardized Tests
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“These state tests go against everything we know to be best practice in assessment. In fact, they’re causing harm.”
Government
PA Lawmaker Cited By Report Defends Role As ‘Copycat’ Legislator
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Over a nine-year period, RepresentativeM Tom Murt reportedly co-sponsored 71 bills and was the lead sponsor on one bill that contained language that appears to be lifted from legislation pushed by interest groups in other states.
App NEWS
PA’s Real Estate Agents Join The Push For Education Funding
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The fight to boost education funding brings lots of people together — teachers, superintendents, politicians. But advocates want to add another constituency to the mix: real estate agents.
Featured in Category
Prison Closure Proposals Concern North Country Officials
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“I know from my experience we still have facilities that are double-bunked all over the state and that creates an unsafe situation.”
App NEWS
PA Educators Say Children Aren’t Getting Needed Mental Health Care
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Panelists repeated many of the same problems: Long wait times for services. A shortage of psychiatrists and therapists. Massive case loads for social workers. And children who need mental health services, but who are not getting them.
App NEWS
New Study Pushes PA To Embrace Trauma-Informed Education
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Research suggests that about half of the county’s children experience at least one traumatic event before the age of 17.
New York Woman Wants To Create This: *Insert Afro Emoji Here*
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Writer Rhianna Jones is petitioning the Unicode Consortium for an emoji of a person with an Afro.
Energy
PA Governor Pushes For Severance Tax By Highlighting Philly School Conditions
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The location was strategic, giving Wolf a chance to highlight the kind of infrastructure projects he’d like to complete with the $4.5 billion his administration says the tax would produce.
App NEWS
School Safety: How Security Concerns Are Changing School Construction
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In this time of mass shootings, schools are feeling the pressure to make changes to how schools are constructed in an effort to keep intruders out.
App NEWS
Carl Reiner’s Personal Collection Of TV Scripts To Be Preserved At National Comedy Center
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“This is a treasure trove of original material, direct from the pen of one of comedy’s most important and resounding voices,”
Government
PA Governor Signs 6th Opioid Crisis Disaster Declaration
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The emergency designation, typically used for natural disasters like floods and earthquakes,t loosens some rules to make it easier for state agencies to help people in times of crisis.
Addiction
PA Lawmakers Seek To Use Vacant State-Owned Buildings For Addiction Recovery
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The plan raises a question lawmakers and state agencies aren’t yet able to answer: How many buildings does the state have sitting around vacant?
Featured in Category
Crews Investigate Possible Leak In Pipeline That Feeds PA’s Northern Tier, New York State
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The line transports petroleum products from Sunoco’s Montello terminal near Reading to north-central Pennsylvania and New York state.
Elections
PA Rejected Twice As Many Absentee Ballots In 2018
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Pennsylvania elections officials rejected more than twice as many absentee ballots during last year’s midterm elections than they did in 2010.
News
‘Hyperloop’ Cargo From Philly To Pittsburgh? It May Not Be Far-Fetched
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Envision commercial goods packed in giant capsules and moving in vacuum-sealed steel tubes hurtling from one end of the state to the other in under a half hour.
child care
US Sen. Casey Of PA Urges ‘Transformative’ Investment In Child Care Subsidies
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People earning 150% of their state’s median income would be asked to spend no more than 7% of their personal income on child care.
binghamton
Direct Care Workers Rally For Increased State Funding
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A group called, #bFair2DirectCare says that Governor Andrew Cuomo had promised to phase in extra state funding for the workers over five years, including $75 million in the upcoming budget, but that it wasn’t in the proposed spending plan.
binghamton
New Smoke Detector Law Takes Effect April 1
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A lot of people may have been busy changing out batteries in their smoke detectors, but New York state is moving away from selling those kinds of devices.
binghamton
Trebek Diagnosis Brings Attention To Pancreatic Cancer
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With news that Alex Trebek has stage four pancreatic cancer, many are left wondering how the longtime “Jeopardy!” host will be treated.
New York’s Kirsten Gillibrand: ‘I Truly Believe I Can Bring This Country Together’
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Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand talks about why she’s running for president and how her more conservative past will play in the crowded field of progressive Democratic candidates.
Featured in Category
Struggling PA Hospitals Test New Funding Model
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Five rural Pennsylvania hospitals are testing a pilot program that aims to keep them financially viable and help them better target resources to patients.
Addiction
Among PA Voters, Support For Legal Marijuana Defies Party Politics
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John Witzgall and Bob Bolus have a lot in common. Beyond retirement age and living in the Scranton area, they both voted for Donald Trump in 2016. Witzgall, 69, is a school bus driver. Bolus, 76, owns a trucking company. But when it comes to legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania, they are miles apart.
Environment
PA’s Health Dept. Hires Scientists To Study PFAS Chemicals In Drinking Water
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The state Department of Health wants to hire 10 scientists to learn more about the health risks of the PFAS group of chemicals that have been linked to cancer and other illnesses.
Government
New York Law Adds Protections For Gender Identity And Expression
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A much talked about new state law went into effect Monday. GENDA (Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act), adds gender identity and expression as a protected class in New York State’s human rights and hate crimes laws.
What One New York Orchestra’s Doing To Increase Diversity
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African-Americans currently make up less than two percent of larger orchestra members in the United States. This lack of representation is a struggle for many groups, including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Fierce Wind Storm Knocks Out Power To Thousands
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Sunday’s fierce wind storm knocked out power to thousands of customers across Western New York. Utility crews are assessing the damage from the severe windstorm. More 44,000 customers remain without power as of Monday afternoon.
Statewide Rallies Call For More Mental Health Housing Funds
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Statewide rallies are being held weekly demanding the Governor increased state funding for mental health housing. The ‘Bring It Home Coalition’ is staging rallies each Thursday in Long Island, New York City, Syracuse and here in Buffalo, targeting state lawmakers.
courts
The End Of Civil Asset Forfeiture? US Supreme Court Ruling Has Advocates Hopeful
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The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday placed limits on the ability of local law enforcement to seize homes, cars and cash from people suspected of being involved in crime.
Education
Boon Or ‘Black Hole’? PA Private School Scholarship Program Considered For Major Expansion
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A tax-break program that routes millions to Pennsylvania private schools could grow much larger if a new bill becomes law. The proposal has powerful support in the State Senate, but Governor Tom Wolf’s spokesman calls it an “unfunded mandate.”
Education
PA Public Universities ‘Treading Water’ With Declining Enrollment
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During a candid budget hearing Thursday, lawmakers heard a bleak tale of Pennsylvania’s system of higher education. In particular, Cheyney University risks losing its accreditation next year amid declining enrollment and growing debt.
Music
The New York Metropolitan Opera Unveils 2019-20 Season.
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Performances of the New York Metropolitan Opera are heard Saturday afternoons, during its season, on WSKG Classical.
Health
Online Training Aims To Help Educators Support Students’ Mental Health
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A new online training program in the state is now available to help educators better prepare in supporting student mental health. The Mental Health Association in New York State provides the service for educators.
PA’s Auditor General Pushes To Reduce Gun Deaths, Focuses On Mental Health Resources
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Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale and Democratic state Rep. Mike Schlossberg of Lehigh County are calling for increased resources for mental health services. The two fielded questions at a Facebook town hall Tuesday.
courts
Doctors: Malpractice Rule Change Would Drive Up Patient Costs
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Some doctors want to stop the state Supreme Court from changing a rule tied to medical malpractice lawsuits. They say the plan would drive up costs for medical practices and patients alike.
ambulance
Proposals Call For More Resources For Emergency Responders In PA
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Two legislative efforts at the state Capitol aim to add resources for paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), including those dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.
economy
Will Tench Be The Next Great Lakes Invasive-Species Problem?
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Canadian researchers are studying how to help prevent the spread of this fish
cyber charter schools
The Death Of PA’s Cyber Charter Schools?
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A proposal with potentially dire consequences for Pennsylvania’s cyber charter schools re-emerged in Harrisburg this session. And one of the politicians pushing it now has a key education post in the state capital.
Government
PA Citizens ‘Slay The Gerrymander’ In Congressional Mapping Competition
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As Pennsylvania looks again to redraw its congressional map after the 2020 census, Draw the Lines PA hopes people across the state will become educated about the redistricting process in order to “slay the gerrymander.”
Education
PA Weighs Plan To Tax Violent Video Games To Fund School Security
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A state lawmaker proposes taxing violent video games as a way to pay for increased security at schools throughout the state.
Education
Teens Without Vaccinations Expelled From New York High School
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Two teenagers, who are not vaccinated because of religious beliefs, were kicked out of school. Now their mother is suing the school district.
binghamton
Even In Less-Than-Ideal Conditions, Study Finds Flu Vaccine Saves Lives
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Last year’s flu vaccine was less effective than public health officials had hoped, but research published this month indicated it still saved thousands of lives.
airline
Ten years later: The Lone Person Killed On The Ground When Flight 3407 Crashed
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Ten years ago Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed in Clarence Center killing 50-people. The Continental Connection flight was heading to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport when the pilots failed to recover a stall from the Bombardier Dash-8-aircraft plunging into the home on Long Street. Homeowner, Karen Wielinski lost her husband Doug in the fcrash.
Food and Farms
With Backlog Affecting New York Brewers, Schumer Urges Action
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A backlog on the federal level is hurting local brewers. Sen. Chuck Schumer brought that message to Rochester’s Genesee Brewery on Monday. Schumer said brewers are heavily regulated and must file applications with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in order to release new flavors, update labels or change the size of a bottle.
Featured in Category
Advocates Flag Concerns Over PA’s New Mental Health Law
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A Pennsylvania law that takes effect in April has some mental health advocates concerned, even as others tout it as a way to help people with serious mental illnesses.
Government
Schumer Wants Tougher Action Against Online Blackmailers
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Senator Chuck Schumer is calling on lawmakers to make online predator blackmailing a federal crime. That’s when someone steals your personal information online and threatens you with it.
Food and Farms
Neediest Pennsylvanians On SNAP Scrambling In Wake Of Shutdown
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Government reopened a week after the double payment. And now, nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians on food stamps have to wait until March before the next round of benefits.
binghamton
Upstate Members of Congress React to Trump’s State of the Union
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Reps. John Katko (R-Camillus) and Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica) may metaphorically sit on different sides of the aisle, but Tuesday night they sat side by side.
Crime and Justice
PA Police Now Limited In Flagging Undocumented Immigrants To ICE
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Last year, ProPublica and The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Pennsylvania State Police had no guidelines preventing troopers from engaging in behavior that raised questions of racial profiling and unlawful arrests. That behavior is now forbidden in Pennsylvania,
Featured in Category
PA Budget Would Add $400-Million To Human Services
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Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s $34.1 billion proposal includes a $400 million increase to the Department of Human Services. That takes the total ask to $12.9 billion for the agency, which administers an array of programs such as medical assistance, food assistance and mental health and substance abuse services.
Education
PA Governor Calls For Salary Boost For Many Rural Teachers
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In terms of education dollars, the first budget of Gov. Tom Wolf’s second term isn’t as ambitious as the one he proposed four years ago.
Featured in Category
Trial Lawyers And Doctors Clash Over Planned Medical Malpractice Rule Change
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A proposed rule change is sparking debate around medical malpractice lawsuits, pitting doctors and health systems against personal injury trial lawyers and the state Supreme Court.
Crime and Justice
PA Prisoners With Mental Illnesses Face Long Waits For Treatment In State Hospitals
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Three years since the state Department of Human Services first settled a lawsuit with the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Pennsylvania says the situation is improving, but the state still hasn’t met the terms of the settlement.
Government
PA Senator Sues Woman Who Accuses Him Of Sexual Assault
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Pennsylvania state Sen. Daylin Leach is suing a woman who claims the Montgomery County Democrat coerced her to perform oral sex on him when she was 17.
binghamton
Fun And Games At New York’s Libraries
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Ping-pong, video games, a music studio. Libraries have been changing for several years, offering electronic books and other technology. However, they’re also changing to become more accessible, offering young people a safe place to explore and nurture skills needed for today’s economy.
Education
PA School Districts Stressed Over Pension Costs, Special-Ed And Charters
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Many school districts across Pennsylvania say that budget stress is causing them to raise property taxes and cut school programs, according to an annual survey released by the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials and the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators.
Education
New Education Leaders In PA Legislature Seek To Reduce Role Of State Tests
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State Rep. Curt Sonney hails from just outside Erie representing an ‘L’-shaped district jammed into the state’s northwestern corner. State Sen. Ryan Aument comes from the state’s heartland, and represents a chunk of fast-growing Lancaster County.
News
Gillibrand Makes First Campaign Stop In Her Hometown
|
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced her intention to run for president Tuesday during an appearance “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Hours later, the Democrat returned to her native Capital Region for her first campaign event.
Government
PA Lawmaker Targets Companies That Profit From Medicaid claims
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For every prescription filled, a company such as Express Scripts, CVS Caremark or OptumRx processes the payment between the pharmacy and the insurer–taking a cut for each transaction.
Education
PA School District Punts On Policy To Allow Teachers To Carry Guns
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The Tamaqua School Board voted Tuesday night to temporarily suspend implementation of a policy that would allow some school staff in the Schuylkill County district to carry firearms in classrooms anonymously.
Crime and Justice
Proposal That Arms Teachers In PA Town Faces Postponement Vote
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Following lawsuits from both parents and teachers, the Tamaqua School Board will vote Tuesday night on whether to temporarily suspend a policy that allows some school staff to carry firearms in classrooms anonymously.
Last WWII Nazi Living In US, Deported From New York Last Year, Is Dead at 95
|
A Nazi war criminal, living safely in New York until his deportation to Germany last year, has died. He had been the last known World War II Nazi living in the U.S.
courts
PA Court Rejects Appeal From Family Who Says Son Was Raped In School
|
A case that could set statewide precedent in holding school districts liable for ongoing student-on-student bullying has hit a barrier.
Hospitals Must Now Post Their Prices, But Shopping Around Could Be Confusing
|
Imagine falling on the sidewalk. You think you might have broken a rib, and you want to know what a chest X-ray costs at an emergency department near where you live.
Government
Panel Rules Seneca Nation Owes Casino Payments To State
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Millions of dollars in past due casino revenue payments may be on the way to Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Salamanca after an arbitration panel ruled against the Seneca Nation of Indians’ attempt to stop the payments.
New Way For Physicians To Manage A Patient’s Mental Health
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There is a new program available to primary care physicians in assisting patients with their mental health care needs. It’s mean to help patients manage their behavioral health, substance abuse and mental illnesses.
Education
Principal Turnover Highest In PA Cities, Study Says
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When a principal leaves a school, research suggests that students tend to suffer. And a new study of K-12 schools in Pennsylvania shows that principals are more mobile in big, urban districts.
Government
PA Updates Plan To Fight Opioid Addiction
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Pennsylvania officials renewed their plans to respond to the opioid crisis that claimed 5,456 lives in the commonwealth in 2017. While some plans discussed at a Monday press conference are continuations of ongoing programs, officials did mention a few new or recent efforts.
Government
New York’s Lt. Governor Promoting Progressive Agenda For 2019
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The Cuomo Administration is touting one of the most progressive agenda’s in New York State history, 2019 Justice Agenda. Governor Andrew Cuomo and Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul were sworn-in for a third term Tuesday night in New York City.
Government
Experts Caution Against Planned Federal Rule Change For Employer Health Care
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The public comments period ended Friday for a proposed federal rule that would allow more employers to use health reimbursement arrangements–untaxed funds that employers could set aside for employees to use on health care expenses. Most employers are currently prohibited from using the arrangements, which are also known as HRAs.
Government
‘Holiday Gift’ From New York’s Health Department To Caregivers
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The New York state health department unveiled what it called a “holiday gift for caregivers” Wednesday in New York City. It’s a book that the department says will make life easier for people who take care of others who can’t support themselves, although state health commissioner Howard Zucker said the gift is more than just a book.
Education
Report Questions Accuracy Of PA School District Data On Homeless Students
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Across the country, public schools are required to identify and support students experiencing homelessness. But a new report finds that many schools in Pennsylvania may be undercounting.
binghamton
Central New York Big Winner As Regional Economic Development Funds Are Awarded
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Awards were announced Tuesday in Albany for the eighth round of Regional Economic Development Council funding.
Education
PA Shifts How It Measures Schools, But Will Parents Buy In?
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We live in an age of ratings. Yelp, TripAdvisor, Rotten Tomatoes — each provide numerical guideposts, giving consumers a seemingly rational way to sift through the bewildering array of options now at their fingertips. Education is not immune to this trend.
ithaca
WSKG Opens Studio, Office In Downtown Ithaca
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WSKG public media (NPR and PBS) officially opened an office and radio studio in Ithaca today with the help of city and local leaders. The office has been open since May, but it took several months to get everything in place including a radio studio and signage.
Addiction
As PA Gives Out Free Opioid Overdose Drug, Many Sites Run Out
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By time Jeanne Nearhoof, of Lycoming County, and her mother went to a naloxone distribution site Thursday, there wasn’t any left.
Education
PA’s New List Of Struggling Schools Looks Beyond Usual Suspects
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Pennsylvania released a list of 289 struggling schools Thursday that will have to develop “improvement plans” with the direction of state advisors.
Crime and Justice
Algorithm To Reform Criminal Sentencing In PA Faces Deluge Of Criticism
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Nearly a decade after being tasked with the assignment, a state commission is still grappling with a mandate to create a risk assessment algorithm for Pennsylvania judges to use during criminal sentencing procedures.
PA Offers Paramedics A Type Of Naloxone Rejected By Health Officials
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Department of Health policy prohibits their paramedics from using the type of naloxone the state is offering them.
courts
Battle Over School Tax Hike In Wealthy PA District Could Have Statewide Implications
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In a case with potential statewide ramifications, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has decided a legal fight over school taxes in Lower Merion Township will be heard on its merits. The case stems from the district’s 2016 decision to boost taxes despite having cash reserves.
Health
Breast Cancer Testing Guidelines Dated, Studies Say
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A growing body of evidence, including a study published last week in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, is calling into question the current guidelines on who meets the criteria for genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility.
Featured in Category
A New Coal Mine’s Opening In Pennsylvania. Is Trump To Thank?
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“We’re not dead yet, we’ve still got a pulse in Mahanoy City. Thank God Trump lifted all the regulations on coal…coal is gonna be king.”
Environment
Health Fears Have Hunters Shifting To Copper Bullets
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Frank Femia runs Klubfunstore Guns and Ammo in Henrietta, where the popular ammunition this season is copper bullets. “It’s been hard finding them because everyone’s been sold out of them and it’s been hard to keep in stock,” Femia said.
Health
Shingles Vaccine Shortage Expected To Continue Through 2019
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People hoping to get vaccinated against shingles are looking at long wait times. There’s a nationwide shortage of the new shingles vaccine, called Shingrix, which is made by Glaxosmithkline.
Government
Burden On PA Taxpayers Is About The National Average
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Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office released a new report this week comparing state and local tax effort to the rest of the country. The overall burden felt by Pennsylvania residents sits at about the national average.
Crime and Justice
State Court Tentatively Sets Date For Landmark PA School Funding Case
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The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has tentatively scheduled a hearing in a landmark education funding lawsuit for the summer of 2020, according to trial schedule released Thursday.
binghamton
Caregivers Of Young Children Urged To Avoid Digital Toys
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Flashy digital toys provide intense stimulation for young children, but they cannot match the developmental benefits offered by traditional toys like boxes and blocks, according to a report released this week by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Education
PA Pressing Schools To Ensure Special-Ed Students Aren’t On Their Own
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After a pair of state investigations, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education will send new guidelines to school districts across the state on how to identify and serve students who require surrogate parents to advocate for their special-education rights.
Crime and Justice
Developer Sentenced To 28 Months In Buffalo Billion Bid-Rigging Case
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A Buffalo developer has been sentenced to 28 months in prison and ordered to pay a $500,000 fine in a bid-rigging scheme connected to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s “Buffalo Billion” economic redevelopment program.
NYC Has Just 5 Statues Of Historic Women. That’s About To Change
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“We set out to correct a glaring inequity in our public spaces,” said Chirlane McCray, the first lady of New York City. A number of cities are taking steps to honor women with statues and public art.
Health
Report: Slight Decrease In Uninsured Children In Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania’s population of uninsured children decreased slightly amid a nationwide increase in uninsured children. For the first time in at least 8 years, the number of uninsured children rose in the U.S., according to a study from Georgetown University Center for Children and Families.
Government
NYS Ride-Sharing Sessions Examine Services Provided Disabled Commuters
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Public listening sessions are being held over the next few weeks to study accessible ride sharing services for customers with disabilities. The New York State Transportation Company Accessibility Task Force was created as part of the legislation that made ride-sharing legal in Upstate New York.
binghamton
Tenney Concedes 22nd District race, Brindisi Joins Conservative Democrat Coalition
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The race for New York’s 22nd Congressional District seat came to an end Wendesday, when Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-New Hartford) formally conceded to Democrat Anthony Brindisi.
crime
Kathleen Kane Expected To Report Today To A PA Prison
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NORRISTOWN, PA (WHYY) – A judge has rejected former state Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s eleventh-hour bid to stay out of jail, clearing the path for Kane to start serving her time as an inmate under county supervision.
Government
New York Senator Urges Congress To Fund Battle Against Polio-Like Disease
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U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is calling for $1 billion in emergency funding to help battle a polio-like disease that’s affecting a growing number of people — particularly children.
Randy Rainbow Has Built A Viral-Video Empire From His New York Apartment
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Singer-songwriter-satirist Randy Rainbow — yes, that’s his real name — has built a fervent fan base by churning out parody videos on politics and current events.
News
Challenger Concedes NY-27 Race To Indicted Incumbent Chris Collins
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ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) – Nearly three weeks after Election Day, Democrat Nate McMurray reluctantly conceded his race against Rep. Chris Collins in New York’s 27th Congressional District. However, the concession included an angry series of blasts at the incumbent and a vow to “fight like hell” to re-involve the public in politics.
Food and Farms
New York Breweries Make Beer To Support CA Wildfire Victims
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Today is Giving Tuesday, and breweries across the region are joining a nationwide effort to raise money for victims of the Camp Fire in northern California. Hundreds of breweries are making the exact same beer recipe and donating the proceeds.
Featured in Category
Where Do All The Unused Campaign Contributions In PA Go?
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Every year, politicians raise hundreds of millions of dollars to finance their campaigns. But insiders know that the money is used for far more than competing in elections.
Crime and Justice
New Lawsuit Against PA’s Catholic Dioceses Demands More Disclosures
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KEYSTONE CROSSROADS – Two people who have accused priests of molestation in Philadelphia have filed a lawsuit against the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference and all of the state’s dioceses demanding that additional church secrets be exposed.
Health
Some Finger Lakes Households On Verge Of Erasing Medical Debt
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ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) – Over $2 million of medical debt across New York state is about to be erased. It’s due to the efforts of two friends, 70-year-old Caroline Kenyon and 80-year-old Judy Jones, both of Ithaca, who raised $12,500 that they’ve donated to an organization called RIP Medical Debt.
Crime and Justice
PA Court Mulls Case That Would Make School Districts Liable For Ongoing Harassment
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KEYSTONE CROSSROADS – The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case that could set state precedent, holding school districts liable for ongoing student-on-student harassment.
Featured in Category
In Schuylkill County, Debate Flares Over Arming Teachers
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KEYSTONE CROSSROADS — Nearly three hours into a special meeting about a policy that would ask some staff at the Tamaqua Area School District to carry guns, parent Liz Pinkey read aloud a letter from educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Health
People With Serious Mental Illnesses In PA Face Long Wait For Treatment
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TRANSFORMING HEALTH — Twenty-four-year-old Samantha Valley is a familiar face to staff at Dauphin County’s Case Management Unit, where she meets regularly with her caseworker.
News
Money Flooded PA Congressional Races, But Didn’t Necessarily Make The Difference
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KEYSTONE CROSSROADS – Candidates for Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate and congressional seats and their supporters spent $100.7 million in this year’s midterm election, according to the latest filings.
News
Democrats Make Gains In Harrisburg, But GOP Still Controls General Assembly
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KEYSTONE CROSSROADS – The wake of the blue wave that swept Democrats into control of the U.S. House of Representatives trickled down to Pennsylvania state legislative races, but wasn’t powerful enough to upend GOP control of the General Assembly.
NY-27: Indicted Incumbent Wins, Challenger Wants Recount
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Republican Congressman Chris Collins narrowly won re-election against Democratic opponent Nate McMurray in NY-27. But McMurray, who initially conceded, is now wants a recount.
binghamton
Cornell Finds Laboratory Head Falsified Data
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Cornell University has found that a prominent professor and researcher violated federal regulations and was “reckless” in his research conduct.
Featured in Category
WATCH: New York 22nd Congressional District Debate
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VESTAL, NY (WSKG) – Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) debated Democratic candidate Anthony Brindisi in New York’s 22nd Congressional District. This race is a “Toss Up” according to RealClear Politics.
environment
The Love and Lore of Lake Erie’s Wetlands
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By the time dawn’s first vermilion fingers tickle the east’s black sky, hunters in a dozen-plus marshes have slogged, sometimes chest-deep, through marshes to arrive at blinds – often constructed, sometimes mostly natural – to await the arrival of ducks, large and small, drab and bright, slow and fast.
Crime and Justice
Buffalo Bishop ‘Stunned And Dismayed’ With Whistleblower’s Comments
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BUFFALO, NY (WBFO) – Bishop Richard Malone is responding to the news conference held by whistleblower Siobhan O’Connor, who released diocesan documents to authorities and the media about the handling of sexual abuse victims.
Elections
F&M Poll: Likely PA Voters Favor Wolf, Casey Days Before Midterms
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LANCASTER, PA (WHYY) — Gov. Tom Wolf has increased his lead over Republican challenger Scott Wagner in the latest Franklin and Marshall College Poll.
Education
A Move To Combat ‘Folk Teaching,’ Conference Connecting Teachers With Researchers Comes To PA
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KEYSTONE CROSSROADS – On Saturday morning in North Philadelphia, a confident British man named Dylan Wiliam stood before about 100 teachers and told them that pretty much every education reform idea they’ve heard is bogus.
Elections
Casey, Barletta Rooted In Same Part Of PA, But See Vastly Different Worlds
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Hailing from neighboring counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the two major candidates are rooted in the same challenges, but are coming up with very different solutions.
binghamton
Buffalo Diocese Whistleblower Speaks Nationally For First Time
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BUFFALO, NY (WBFO) – Despite repeated calls that he resign, Buffalo Bishop Richard Malone appears ready to ride out the building crisis regarding the sexual abuse of minors at the hands of clergy members. However, pressure will surely mount following Sunday night’s explosive “60 Minutes” story.
Elections
Even If A Blue Wave Hits, GOP Favored To Keep Control At The PA Capitol
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Over the last few months, Democrats seem to be more motivated to vote in the upcoming midterms than Republicans, and have donated more money. While the enthusiasm and money gaps have narrowed in recent weeks, forecasters still expect a blue wave to sweep Democrats into control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Education
Science Scores Soar, But All Other PA Test Scores Flat In 2018
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KEYSTONE CROSSROADS – Student performance on Pennsylvania’s suite of standardized tests didn’t change much in 2018, with the exception of science scores, which shot up 12 percentage points.
Government
PA Governor Rejects Trump ACA option
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TRANSFORMING HEALTH – Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and the state’s insurance commission have opted not to follow Trump administration guidance allowing insurers to sell individual health policies that would not be regulated through the Affordable Care Act.
Government
Gillibrand Announces Effort To Expand Federal Funding For Health Care
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Senator Gillibrand, D-N.Y., contrasted her bill with what she said are efforts by the administration of President Donald Trump to reduce government health insurance coverage.
Health
2019 ACA Rates To Decrease For First Time In Pennsylvania
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TRANSFORMING HEALTH – Pennsylvanians on Affordable Care Act insurance will see an overall rate cut of 2.3 percent for 2019.
Elections
Gubernatorial Candidates Agree: PA’s Criminal Justice System Needs Change
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Governor Wolf, a Democrat, considers the “clean slate” law – expected to help hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians – one of his signature criminal justice initiatives, as does his opponent, former Republican state Sen. Scott Wagner, who co-sponsored the bill.
Addiction
Suicide Deaths Missing From Opioid Overdose Data, Experts Say
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ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) – Today, Chacku Mathai is the CEO of the Mental Health Association of Rochester. But at 15, he wanted to die.
Crime and Justice
New York State Police Warn Against Phone Scam
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ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) – If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the New York State Police and seeking personal information, don’t share anything — it’s a scam.
Energy
PA Awards Water Quality-Related Grants Funded By $12.6M Penalty Against Sunoco
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STATE IMPACT PENNSYLVANIA — Remember the $12.6 million penalty on Sunoco for dozens of permit violations during construction of the Mariner East 2 pipeline? The Department of Environmental Protection said at the time it would turn that penalty into grants for projects related to water quality, watershed restoration and stormwater management. The DEP just put out a list of where that money is going.
Groundbreaking Treatment For Behavioral And Medical Challenges Available Statewide
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Baker Victory Services in Lackawanna is using ‘groundbreaking’ treatment for children with duel diagnosed behavioral and medical challenges. WBFO’s senior reporter Eileen Buckley tells us this is a ‘first of its kind’ program in New York State.
Education
After Decade Of Debate, PA Passes New Graduation Requirements
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KEYSTONE CROSSROADS – After much delay and consternation, Pennsylvania will change its high school graduation requirements. But the change won’t be as drastic as initially mapped out when state leaders first committed to revisions nearly a decade ago.
Elections
PA’s Barletta, Casey Clash Over Preexisting Conditions, ACA Repeal
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GOP Senate Candidate Lou Barletta, as he regularly does, spoke to one of the two aspects of the ACA that have made it a complex issue for Republicans and Democrats alike.
Featured in Category
Environmentalists Win Battle For ‘Exceptional’ Streams In The Poconos
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A group of resort owners had challenged DEP’s new classification of headwater streams in Monroe County.
Health
In Tamaqua, A Coffee House Aims To Help People Recovering From Addiction
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The business is the brainchild of Lisa Scheller, who has had her own battle with heroin, and knows first-hand the importance of having a community for people in recovery.
Government
Parents Of A Special Needs Kids Push PA For More Licensed Therapists
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As the state moves toward new regulations for helping special needs children, advocates say the standard is too low in Pennsylvania.
binghamton
February 2020 Date Set For Congressman Chris Collins Trial
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BUFFALO, NY (WBFO) – A trial date of Feb. 3, 2020 has beens set for the federal insider trading case involving Rep. Chris Collins.
Health
PA Governor Adds Funds For Families Hit By Opioid Crisis
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TRANSFORMING HEALTH – The state plans to spend more to help families impacted by the opioid epidemic raise children.
Elections
Former US Attorney General Stumps For PA Democrats
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KEYSTONE CROSSROADS — Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder was in Philadelphia on Thursday to endorse a group of suburban Democrats running for the Pennsylvania Senate.
Education
Wolf, Wagner Field Education Questions From Students
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KEYSTONE CROSSROADS – No, it wasn’t a debate. But the two men vying to win Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial election did appear in Philadelphia Wednesday to answer the same set of five questions, one after the other. Their interrogators were elementary-aged children, and the questions revolved mostly around education.
Education
Skyrocketing Special Ed Costs Falling Heavily On PA School Districts, Taxpayers
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STATE IMPACT PENNSYLVANIA – Special education costs are rising much faster in Pennsylvania than state aid — causing local taxpayers to foot most of the bill, while also stretching school budgets thin and increasing inequities between rich and poor districts, according to a new report by a duo of advocacy groups.
