State lawmakers cannot afford to wait any longer to legalize adult-use marijuana in the commonwealth according to Gov. Tom Wolf. "While this is going to take time, the sooner we begin the process, the sooner our efforts will result in good economic results and revenue for the commonwealth," Wolf said. The governor believes legalizing and taxing marijuana use could eventually yield roughly $300 million in tax revenue for the state and also prevent marijuana users from getting a criminal record which prevents them from getting a job to support a family.
President Trump returned to Pennsylvania Tuesday night with a rally at the airport in Johnstown. He told supporters Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has lied to the people of Pennsylvania. "They dismantled your steel industry and decimated entire towns in your area. We brought back steel and we put tariffs on steel and we stopped dumping steel and aluminum," the President told supporters. The President called Biden's trade policies a disaster for Pennsylvanians.
Vice President Mike Pence will be less than an hour outside the Lehigh Valley this weekend for a campaign rally. Pence will be speaking at the Reading Regional Airport Saturday. His remarks are scheduled to begin at 12:30 Saturday afternoon. Officials say those in attendance will be given temperature checks, face masks and hand sanitizer.
Pennsylvania's Department of Health has added another 1342 COVID-19 cases across the state. That brings the total of cases here to 174,646 since the pandemic began. The death toll from coronavirus-related complications increased by 16 Tuesday. That number is now 8384.
The wife of Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor says state police have identified and spoken with a woman who used a racial slur in confronting her at a western Pennsylvania grocery store. Gisele Fetterman says the woman appeared to recognize her and began harassing her late Sunday afternoon. "She walked past me and stopped and took a step back and I thought she recognized me and it just started from there," Mrs. Fetterman says. A state police spokesman says he is unsure of the status of any investigation into the incident.
The Philadelphia Housing Authority has reached a deal with the protest camp on the Ben Franklin Parkway. Protesters will leave the camp voluntarily by the end of the week. In return, city officials and the Housing Authority will transfer at least 50 properties for those residents. As time goes on, the city will continue to transfer properties to provide additional housing.
New Jersey is keeping hope when it comes to increasing indoor dining capacity. Gov. Phil Murphy says people should take Tuesday's start of indoor winter sports as a good sign. He hopes the state can increase indoor dining capacity soon, but not until health officials figure out what is connected to the recent rise in coronavirus cases. Officials say there's no evidence that connects re-openings to an increased transmission rate.
New Jersey is looking to boost small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Phil Murphy says $112 million will go towards the state's economic recovery, with at least $70 million going to restaurants and small businesses. Another $10 million will allow small companies to buy PPE while $15 million will help support renters. Gov. Murphy says the extra cash will help keep the economy moving and families working.
New Jersey is heading into its third day of the state's annual bear hunt. Fish and Wildlife officials say as of Monday, 62 bears had been killed. The most bears have been taken in Sussex County. Hunters can only use a bow through today and then the final three days of the hunt will feature muzzleloaders.
The Philadelphia Eagles will welcome up to 7500 fans to Lincoln Financial Field this weekend. The news comes after Philadelphia officials decided to join the remainder of the state in allowing limited crowds at indoor and outdoor venues. All fans over the age of two will be required to wear a mask inside the stadium.