Police are investigating a Wednesday morning shooting in Bethlehem. It happened in the area of East Broad and Center streets. There are no reports yet on whether anybody was hit by the gunfire.
Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 177 new cases of COVID-19 in the commonwealth, pushing the state's overall total to 1,210,646 since the pandemic began. 34 new COVID-related deaths were also reported Tuesday, leaving the state's overall number at 27,604.
Gov. Tom Wolf says the for the first time in months, no counties in the state are experiencing a substantial spread of COVID-19. The governor says that everyone needs to remain resilient in the fight against the virus by getting vaccinated and making their communities safer.
The state House is expected to take a vote today on legislation that would ban COVID-19 vaccine requirements in state colleges and government facilities. Recently, Republican lawmakers added a provision to the bill, so that it would also ban vaccine requirements in private universities and curb some of the state health secretary's emergency powers. Gov. Tom Wolf has vowed a veto if it reaches his desk.
New Jersey health officials say they're sending teams to counties around the Garden State that have low vaccination rates. They hope to administer shots to the unvaccinated residents as the state prepares to battle the Delta variant of the virus that's spreading across the nation. The teams are also targeting Latino communities in the various counties because of the low vaccination rates among Hispanics.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is urging responsibility after a Long Branch beach party this weekend that drew 1000 people are resulted in four arrests. An invitation over social media attracted the large crowd. Police in Long Branch called for help from Monmouth County Sheriff's deputies and nearby towns. Murphy says he understands how people want to blow off steam because of the pandemic, but he says it must be done responsibly.
Despite Gov. Tom Wolf's veto threat, the state House is advancing the election reform bill. The legislation would add restrictions to mail-in voting, allow for early in-person voting starting in 2025, cut off voter registration earlier and require voters to show ID at the polls. Wolf says he wants election reform too, but will veto this bill if it reaches his desk because he disapproves of the changes to voter ID requirements, something he calls a barrier to voting.
A bill that would allow local police departments to use radar to enforce speed limits has been approved by the state Senate. The bill, sponsored by Poconos St. Sen. Mario Scavello, was passed in the Senate Tuesday by a vote of 49-1. The bill now heads to the state House and if passed there and signed by Gov. Tom Wolf, local police departments would have to train their officers on how to use radar guns as well as following the rules for regular testing and calibration.
For the second straight year there will be no property tax increase in the Parkland School District. The 2021-22 spending plan totals $201 million, with the district tapping $4.5 million from its reserve fund to fill in a budget gap. The board approved the budget unanimously.
Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Scott Perry reacts to ongoing negotiations regarding a bipartisan infrastructure package. "We're going to be printing this money. We're going to be taxing this money and we're going to be spending it on things like child care and other assisted care, which is all important stuff, but it's not infrastructure," Perry says. President Biden is expected to meet with members of Congress this week as they continue discussions on creating an infrastructure deal.
Two large propane tanks exploded before fire tore through a Schuylkill County home Tuesday morning. The fire began shortly before 7 o'clock Tuesday morning in the 600 block of East Broad Street, in Tamaqua. It appears nobody was in the home at the time.
A report from a national transportation research nonprofit is suggesting that Pennsylvania has some of the most-deteriorated highways and bridges in the country. TRIP's report ranked the state 11th-worst in the nation for the condition of its interstate system and the 12th worst in the nation for the condition and structural integrity of its interstate bridges.
Nursing home workers at a dozen facilities are planning to strike. Members of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, a union of nurses and healthcare workers, say nursing homes are facing a staffing crisis so they want the state to use federal COVID-19 relief funds to address the issue. They say staffing shortages have always been a problem for nursing homes, but the pandemic made it even worse. The workers plan to hold a ten-day strike to force action.
A federal judge has thrown out a motion from the legal team of Robert Bowers in the Tree of Life mass shooting in Pittsburgh. Bowers' attorneys pushed to get federal prosecutors to provide evidence the government had monitored his activities months before the shooting happened. They argue that information would go towards mitigating circumstances should Bowers be found guilty. Prosecutors say Bowers had researched the synagogue before he targeted it and expressed animosity towards Jewish people. Bowers is accused of killing 11 people and injuring seven others in the assault at the synagogue in 2018.
NASCAR fans are ready to enjoy this weekend at Pocono Raceway. The raceway has confirmed all camping is sold out for the doubleheader event, which makes up about 3280 RV and tent sites. It's the first time camping spots have been completely sold out. RV registration will start at 9am tomorrow morning instead of noon.
Wawa is launching a new line of beer this summer. Wawa is teaming up with 2SP Brewing Company for "Sunfest Strawberry Lemonade Shandy", which is a mix of beer, strawberry and Wawa's lemonade. Select stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware will also be selling the beer.
New Jersey is seeking to bolster its competitive video gaming industry, known as e-sports. The state is putting $200,000 into a facility in Atlantic City, hoping it will put the city and state at the top of the sector. Tuesday, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority signed an agreement with Stockton University to set up an e-sports Innovation Center at the university's Atlantic City campus.
After Phillies manager Joe Girardi asked umpires for a third time to inspect Washington pitcher Max Scherzer for foreign substances, Scherzer stared Girardi down. Girardi had words with Scherzer and then was kicked out of the game. After the 3-2 Phillies loss, Girardi explained why he had the umpires give Washington's ace the once-over. "I had never seen him wipe his head like he was doing tonight. Ever. It was suspicious for me. He did it about four or five times. It was suspicious. I didn't mean to offend anyone. I just gotta do what's right for our club," Girardi said. The Phillies host the Nationals again this afternoon.