The Morning Agenda

The Lebanon Farmers Market is struggling to keep its booths full. The owner is offering three months of free rent to new businesses that sign a minimum year-long lease by November 15th.Walmart has agreed to pay a $7.8 million fine for allegedly committing hundreds of child labor law violations at stores in Pennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro called the settlement the largest child labor enforcement action in state history. A public hearing was held this week for a permit allowing U.S. Steel to build a new steel processing mill at its Edgar Thomson plant in Braddock. It’s part of the new investment by U.S. Steel’s owners, Nippon Steel. More than 200 faculty and staff across Commonwealth University’s three campuses are on notice for potential layoffs by the end of the academic year, as the university looks to balance its budget. But union members say they plan to file an unfair labor complaint about uncertainty surrounding the notices.State officials have completed their annual safety inspection of stuffed toys ahead of the holiday season.And now it’s time for our weekly segment called The Bright Spot.  Every Friday, I’ll share a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle. Today’s bright spot is this: The squonk, a cryptid said to be found in northern Pennsylvania's hemlock forests, will be featured on an upcoming U.S. Postal Service stamp set of mythical creatures. It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked. Thanks to our community, we're still here for you and looking toward the future. Join the thousands of members who are building a stronger WITF. Go to  www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.  

A new study finds microplastics pollute the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including its largest tributary, the Susquehanna River. The tiny particles get into drinking water and are harmful to the health of both humans and creatures.State environmental leaders unveiled Pennsylvania's new climate action plan Tuesday. The plan establishes measurable goals through 2050 to prepare the state's public lands and recreation areas for climate impacts. It also aims to reduce the state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' greenhouse gas emissions.Knowing your neighbors can be especially helpful during a weather emergency. The city of Philadelphia has released a new toolkit meant to facilitate those connections.Now expanding on a story we first reported earlier this week: Democrats’ victories in Pennsylvania and other swing states have renewed interest in an alternative to the Electoral College known as the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The compact would ensure the candidate with the most votes across the country wins the presidency.Pennsylvania State Police report a near-total compliance on skill game removals from Pennsylvania businesses and social clubs.The organization P-A Humanities is honoring 180 community leaders called “window keepers.”It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked. Thanks to our community, we're still here for you and looking toward the future. Join the thousands of members who are building a stronger WITF. Go to  www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

A new mental health facility in Franklin County is filling a need for treatment services in rural areas. The center provides extended stays focused on behavioral health.Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia is leading efforts to expand treatment and care options for patients with sickle cell disease. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tapped Jefferson to oversee one of seven new regional coordinating hubs for sickle cell disease.The State Department of Environmental Protection is investing more than $19 million across the Commonwealth to help replace older diesel-powered equipment and improve air quality Elementary-age students in the Reading School District have 30 minutes of recess every day - a change implemented ahead of a statewide mandate. Beginning next fall, all Pennsylvania schools are required to provide at least half an hour of recess, ideally outside, for students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade.State law enforcement agencies say 196 drivers violated Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law, during an annual one-day enforcement effort. That's up from 188 violations last year.Today is Veterans Day, a day that honors those who served in the U-S Armed Forces. In conjunction with today's commemorations, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is expanding access to programs they say are critical to veterans.And on this Veterans Day, numerous ceremonies and events are taking place throughout the region to honor those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

Roughly eight percent of kids and teens have a potentially dangerous food allergy. A new law in Pennsylvania requires all child care providers to be trained to spot signs of severe allergic reaction and have rescue medications like Epi-pens on hand.Penn State is the target of a US Department of Justice lawsuit for its tuition policy on undocumented residents. The university is one of 27 institutions and states the DOJ has filed suit against.New data shows Pennsylvania is now second in the nation in the sale of organic agricultural products. Pennsylvania's measles outbreak has reached nearly 1,500 people. State health officials say case counts have reached 1,487 across a larger swath of Pennsylvania: 45 counties.Pennsylvania may require lawyers and others filing suit in the state to verify AI-generated citations. As the use of artificial intelligence skyrockets, a committee that advises the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is weighing whether lawyers and others using the tech should certify that they double-checked the authenticity of all the information in their legal documents.The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has settled an investigation of UGI's gas division, over concerns alleging shortcomings in pipeline construction quality assurance and oversight.Democrats’ midterm election victories in Pennsylvanian and other swing states is prompting renewed interest in the National Popular Vote compact. It’s an alternative to the Electoral College.It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked. Thanks to our community, we're still here for you and looking toward the future. Join the thousands of members who are building a stronger WITF. Go to  www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

Most votes are in and counted, but election officials are still working to finalize results. It typically takes at least three weeks to make Pennsylvania's results official.Republicans have controlled the Pennsylvania Senate for more than 30 years, but that changed following the Nov. 3 elections. Advocates for energy and environmental issues have ideas for what they want to see accomplished.As the sun starts to set earlier, Pennsylvania drivers are reminded to watch for wildlife on roads.The state announced $10 million in disaster relief grants are on the way to over 300 Pennsylvania fruit growers in 48 counties.The federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is now open for applications.If you already support WITF with an ongoing monthly contribution, thank you. If every member of WITF's Sustaining Circle increased their gift by as little as $12 a month, we could close the budget gap caused by cuts in federal funding and keep this programming going strong. Increase your monthly gift today at https://witf.org/increase or become a new sustaining member at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

Pennsylvania Democrats have achieved a trifecta, with unified control in the state House, Senate and Governor's Mansion for the first time since 1993. Democrats are previewing their legislative priorities before taking office in January.In the wake of Democrats winning majorities in the Pennsylvania House and Senate, Governor Josh Shapiro is vowing to quickly pass a raft of legislation.Republican Congressman Scott Perry conceded to his Democratic challenger Janelle Stelson Wednesday morning after she defeated him Tuesday night.A major upset in another of Pennsylvania's four Congressional races, Tuesday: Democrat Bob Harvie defeated incumbent Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick in Bucks County.Despite sweeping wins by Democrats on Tuesday, some Republican U.S. House members in central Pennsylvania managed to hang on to their seats. Among them is Congressman Dan Meuser whose district includes parts of Lebanon, Berks, Schuylkill, and Northumberland counties.A runner who died during the New York City Marathon on November 1st has been identified as a native of York County.Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday says he's joining a bipartisan coalition of 45 attorneys general urging Congress to pass the Senate version of the Kids Online Safety Act.Fall turkey season is officially underway in Pennsylvania. The state Game Commission says hunting is taking place in 20 of the 22 Wildlife Management Areas in the state.And now it’s time for our weekly segment called The Bright Spot. Every Friday, I’ll share a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle.  Today’s bright spot is a WITF Music Feature:               Kita P. is a Harrisburg singer, songwriter and guitarist whose career began with humble beginnings, as she sang in church. Then, as a young teenager, Kita saw her mother deployed to the middle east shortly after 9/11.That's what prompted her to write her first song and set her on a musical path. It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked. Thanks to our community, we're still here for you and looking toward the future. Join the thousands of members who are building a stronger WITF. Go to  www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

Yesterday on The Morning Agenda we brought you election results from across the region and the state. Today, we dive into "the why" behind those results, to bring you voters' voices, in their own words. WITF News reporters fanned out across polling stations Tuesday morning as Central Pennsylvanians cast their ballots and captured these thoughts.A new Pennsylvania law requires health insurance companies to cover the full cost of colon cancer screening starting at age 45 instead of 50. Cancer survivors and advocates say it’s a great first step - but ask if it’s enough for younger age groups which are seeing higher rates of this type of cancer.And now a deep dive into gambling:Pennsylvanians as young as eighteen can put money on sports through prediction markets, even though the state’s licensed sportsbooks require bettors to be twenty-one. As the state expands help for gambling problems, researchers are confronting gaps in what they know about younger adults. If you're already a member of WITF's Sustaining Circle, you know how convenient it is to support programs like this. By increasing your monthly gift, you can help WITF close the budget gap left by the loss of federal funding. Visit us online at witf.org/increase or become a new Sustaining Circle member at witf.org/givenow to help build a sustainable future for WITF and public media. Thank you.

We start with the first piece to fall into place for a democratic trifecta: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro defeated Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity Tuesday night to secure another four-year term. Democratic challenger Janelle Stelson defeated incumbent Congressman Scott Perry in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District. We have reaction from Stelson as well as Perry, the Republican who has represented the district since 2013.Now for a fuller picture of Pennsylvania's Congressional races: Democrats have swept all four competitive congressional seats in Pennsylvania.Those Congressional seats held by Republicans saw closer races than the last midterm election in 2022. Now refocusing on the state legislature: For the first time in 48 years, Democrats flipped the Pennsylvania state Senate, achieving their elusive “trifecta” of control of the executive and both chambers of the legislature.Fourty-five thousand poll workers helped 4.9 million Pennsylvanians vote by mail or on Election Day. Counties ran the elections smoothly across the Commonwealth.In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

Nearly 250 races are on ballots across Pennsylvania on this Election Day. Outcomes will determine party control of the governor’s office, General Assembly and, potentially, the U.S. House - putting the Keystone State in the national spotlight.Dauphin County’s district attorney has filed charges against a person for allegedly submitting falsified applications for mail in ballots.Republicans in Pennsylvania have been trying to find non-citizens on voter rolls, and one tool they are using is lists of people rejected from jury service. Using this data to look for ineligible voters is inaccurate.Dauphin County tourism generated more than 4.5 billion dollars in economic impact over the past fiscal year ending June 30th. That's according to the organization Visit Hershey and Harrisburg's newly-released annual report.A new study demonstrates the economic power of Pennsylvania's state parks. The study, by Penn State University, shows Pennsylvania's state parks generate just over 16 dollars for every one dollar invested.And we take a deep dive into astronomy – as we head into election night:Amateur astronomers and stargazers often venture into Pennsylvania's state parks to catch a better view of the night sky. But increasing light pollution and wildfire smoke are making it harder to stargaze. In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

Polls and politicians alike say that data center development has been scrambling the political map across Pennsylvania and beyond.The News Lab at Penn State surveyed candidates across state house and congressional representative races to determine their stance on the technology’s expansion and influence in Pennsylvania.The FBI reports that Americans lost nearly $21 billion to cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence scams last year, including $538 million in Pennsylvania.Election Day is November 3rd — that’s tomorrow! Here's what you need to know.Pennsylvania has 1,426 confirmed measles cases across 44 counties as of Friday.An election worker found an unidentified substance inside a mail-in ballot envelope in Chester County.If you already support WITF with an ongoing monthly contribution, thank you. If every member of WITF's Sustaining Circle increased their gift by as little as $12 a month, we could close the budget gap caused by cuts in federal funding and keep this programming going strong. Increase your monthly gift today at https://witf.org/increase or become a new sustaining member at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.