The months-long state funding crisis in Pennsylvania could be coming to an end. The State Senate Appropriations Committee approved a $50 billion budget Tuesday night, sending the proposal to the chamber for a full vote. Lawmakers say it likely includes a winding down of the state's involvement in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a key demand from Republicans who argue it’s hurting the state’s energy industry. The budget deadlock has lasted 134 days, with no state money flowing to school districts, county governments and nonprofits during that period.
Wilson police are investigating two armed robberies that happened this month in the borough. The first robbery happened around 3 p.m. Nov. 4 at Papa John’s at 752 S. 25th St. A man with a knife walked in, demanded money, stole cash from the register and ran off. That suspect was was wearing a black button-down sweatshirt, jeans and a hat. The second robbery happened about 1 o'clock Monday morning at the Penn Jersey gas station at 2134 Northampton St. In that holdup, two men entered the store with guns and began opening registers. The two men, who were both wearing hooded sweatshirts and masks, took cash, cigarettes and vapes before leaving on foot.
Thanks to a solar storm, the Northern Lights put on a spectacular show visible here in the Lehigh Valley Tuesday night. Accu-Weather's Joe Lundberg says there could there be a repeat performance tonight. "But it could be a much weaker and it could be much farther to the north this time," Lundberg says. An even stronger solar storm is likely to hit Earth on Wednesday, but may peak during the daytime hours, when the aurora is obviously harder to see.
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman is sharing details on his health issues and bouts with depression in his new memoir, "Unfettered." The book hit stores yesterday. "At first glance I look like a skinhead. I stand out everywhere and I know my life would be very different if I were a mere 6'2". My ears stick out like flaps on jet wing. My bald head could be used as a practice putting green. I can be ornery and as Gisele will tell you, nobody will mistake me for a good time," Fetterman writes in the book, in which Fetterman writes about the stroke he suffered days before winning the U.S. Senate Democratic primary in 2022 and writes that in hindsight he should have quit the race at that point. The senator also admits in the book he still thinks about suicide, but he is pulled away from those thoughts by considering the impact that would have on his family.
Health officials are confirming a person with the measles traveled through the Philadelphia International Airport. The Philadelphia Health Department is warning those who were at the airport in Terminals A and B on Sunday between 8:50 a.m. and 4 p.m. Anyone who is unvaccinated that was in that area on that date should monitor for symptoms and consult their healthcare provider if any develop. Health officials say many other travel destinations are experiencing measles outbreaks right now, increasing the potential for travel-related cases.
A proposal that would keep New Jersey on permanent daylight saving time is moving forward in Trenton. Lawmakers have taken the first step toward passing legislation that would end the twice-yearly ritual of setting clocks forward and back, clearing a bill out of the state transportation committee. But implementing the change is another matter. NJ-dot-com reports that although states can opt out of daylight saving time as Arizona and Hawaii already do, it would take an act of Congress to allow states to make daylight saving time permanent. So far, 19 other states have similar daylight saving time laws or resolutions on the books.
Brigantine is the latest Jersey Shore community to declare a state of emergency over the severe beach erosion it has suffered this year. Hurricane Erin caused moderate sloped erosion with heavy wave run-up and dune fence damage to several Jersey Shore communities, including Brigantine. Most recently, last month's nor'easter brought strong winds and coastal flooding that further eroded the beaches along the Jersey Shore.