>>Groups Demonstrate in Harrisburg on How to Spend Budget Surplus
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Many groups have converged on the state capitol to let lawmakers know how to spend a nearly $15 million state surplus. The money comes from a federal COVID funds and increased tax revenues. Stakeholders' groups would like to see the money invested in initiatives such as education, a minimum wage boost and addressing poverty. The state budget deadline is June 30th, but officials reportedly have about a year and half to spend the remaining COVID funds.
>>Changes Might be Coming for Renewing Disability Placards
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The state House has passed legislation that would let disability placards be renewed by mail. Once the online renewal would be complete, a printable temporary placard would be available until a permanent one is sent by PennDOT. HB 2337 now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
>>Man, Who Was High on Meth Spits in Troopers Eyes During EMS Treatment
(East Hanover, PA) -- A man is being held in the Dauphin County prison for allegedly spitting in the eyes and face of a state trooper while being treated by an emergency responder. Police say the man was high on methamphetamines when he became violent at the scene on Austin Drive in East Hanover Township Wednesday. Joshua Travis Fosgate was taken into custody and faces charges of felony aggravated assault on an officer, among other counts.
>>Lawmakers Working on Slashing State's Corporate Net Income Tax Rate
(Harrisburg, PA ) -- The Pennsylvania Senate is advancing two competing plans to slash the state's corporate net income tax rate. The bills passed Wednesday in twin votes in the Republican-controlled chamber. In April, the state house had passed a separate plan. Governor Wolf says he's optimistic that an agreement can be reached with the various versions of the proposals. Pennsylvania's 9.99% tax rate is considered one of the highest in the country.
>>Dauphin County Has One of Best Unemployment Rates in the State
(Carlisle, PA) -- Dauphin County has one of the best unemployment rates in the state. A news service called Stacker used statistics from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics to show, as of April, there were just over 5,600 people without jobs in the county. That makes for an unemployment rate of 3.83%. Forest County has the highest with a 6.11% rate.
>>House Bill 2268 Would Strengthen Junior Firefighter's Options
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The state House has unanimously approved a bill by Rep. Torren Ecker of Cumberland to prepare junior firefighters for becoming full firefighters. Ecker, a former junior firefighter himself, says the bill would mean that when a junior firefighter turns 18, he or she would immediately be able to serve their community as a full-fledged firefighter. He says the measure would also provide for improved training for volunteer companies.
>>Would-Be Elderly Scammer Held in Lancaster County
(Reading, PA) -- A Reading man has been arrested after he attempted to scam a woman out of $15,000. Engerbert Perez reportedly called an 82-year-old woman from Warwick Township on Tuesday, with a story that he was an attorney and that the woman's grandson needed cash bail. He told her that her grandson injured another party in a crash. It was after a second cash demand the woman sensed that she had been duped. Officers from the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department investigated and recovered her money. Perez is being held in Lancaster County Prison.
>>Lancaster County Men Among Six Arrested on Guns Charges in New York
(Lancaster, PA) -- Police have arrested six men on illegal weapons charges in Broome County, New York for bringing weapons into the state from Pennsylvania. Four of the men are from Lancaster County. During a traffic stop earlier this week, NY state troopers found the men in possession of several illegal guns and magazines. Robert Applegate the Second, Robert Applegate the Third, and Glen Applegate of Kinzers and Lancaster, and Trevor Sweigart of Lilith, all were charged with the weapons offenses. They are being held in Broome County without bail.
>>Manheim Man Held on Child Pornography Charges
(Manheim, PA) -- A Manheim man has been arrested and charged with sexual abuse of children and child pornography. Jovany Rojas Cortes was taken into custody late last week after police served a search warrant on Cortes' home. Police say he used a popular messaging app called "Kik" to download the child porn, which included 61 videos and over 93 photos that were found on his phone.
>>Lancaster's LGBTQ+ Community Welcomes New Incubator Space
(Lancaster, PA) -- There's a new gathering place for people in the LGBTQ+ community in Lancaster. The executive director of The Loop says it's a place for sharing office work, promoting community activities and planning the future. A news release from Lancaster LGBTQ+ says the space also houses other non-profits such as Union Community Care and the NAACP.
>>Mass Shooting Suspects Extradited
(Philadelphia, PA) -- Two suspects in a Philadelphia mass shooting have been extradited. Qaadir Dukes-Hill and Nahjee Whittington, ages 18 and 16, were arrested by the U.S. Marshals in Richmond, Virginia last week. The June 4th shooting on South Street killed three people and injured nearly a dozen. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports Dukes-Hill and Whittington were being processed Wednesday evening and that an arraignment was not immediately scheduled.
>>Another Monkeypox Case
(Philadelphia, PA) -- Officials are identifying a second probable case of monkeypox in Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania. The Philly Health Department got the result on Tuesday. Officials say there is not a known connection to the first case in the city and state, which was announced earlier this month.
>>Casino Workers Vote For Strike
(Atlantic City, NJ) -- Atlantic City casino workers are voting to authorize a strike. The vast majority of United Here Local 54 workers supported the move on Wednesday, citing the need for higher wages. A.C. casinos are being put on notice that they have until the Fourth of July weekend to reach a deal, or the workers will walk.