There are more than 80,000 cases of coronavirus worldwide and 60 here in the United States. However, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine says, "No one in Pennsylvania has testing positive for COVID-19." Levine says the state is continuing to make sure our health systems have the resources needed should coronavirus end up here.
There are no coronavirus cases at Penn State's University Park campus. Officials released that statement Wednesday night, just hours after rumors of a possible case sprang up on social media. Penn State has provided a website, accessible on the university's homepage, which gives updates on coronavirus information. There have been 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with no deaths, in the U.S. so far.
William Spence is retiring as PPL's chairman and CEO, effective June 1. He served as PPL's top executive since 2011. PPL's current chief operating officer, Vincent Sorgi, will take Spence's place as president and CEO. Sorgi began his career at PPL in 2006.
It appears Allentown School District Superintendent Thomas Parker is staying put. Parker applied for the superintendent of the Nashville school system but today's Morning Call reports he has not been chosen as one of the finalists for the job. Parker had said he wasn't looking for a new job, but said the Nashville job appealed to him because it's closer to his hometown in Mississippi.
A Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal is looking for the cause of a Tuesday night fire that badly damaged a Plainfield Township strip mall. Fire crews were called at about 6 o'clock Tuesday night to 501 Moorestown Road and found heavy fire and smoke coming from the end of the mall. The fire gutted Three Brothers Pizza & Restaurant and T’s Facials and Salon. Other businesses sustained smoke and water damage, but might reopen once utilities are restored.
A Coopersburg home is a total loss after a Wednesday fire. Crews were called to a home on North Second Street late Wednesday morning. They fought the fire both inside and outside the home for several hours. The homeowner was taken to the hospital for treatment. Initial indications are the fire isn't suspicious.
Bethlehem police have arrested one man and seized $10,000 worth of drugs after a raid Wednesday morning. Police raided a home in the 500-block of Montclair Avenue, finding drugs, a gun, cash and Joesyan Nieves, who was arrested. Detectives say there were significant quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, crystal meth and marijuana. They say the investigation all began from a community tip in 2017.
Hershey's Chocolate World is seeking its own liquor license. Officials say they'd like to be able to offer an assortment of beers as well as other foods and sweet treats. A spokesperson says they want each visit to be memorable and enjoyable for all ages.
Penn State coach James Franklin's new six-year contract with the school will pay him up to $38.2 million plus incentive bonuses. Penn State initially announced a new six-year deal for Franklin in December but did not disclose terms. Franklin will earn $5.4 million in base salary and supplemental pay in 2020. His total compensation increases to $5.5 million in 2021 and then by $250,000 in each remaining year of the contract. He will receive a $300,000 retention bonus on Dec. 31 and $500,000 on Dec. 31 of each remaining year of the contract.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is saying a multi-million-dollar investment in public colleges could mean two years of tuition-free college for all eligible resident undergraduate students. Murphy announced the "Garden State Guarantee", which he describes as a plan to put $50 million into public, four-year senior public colleges and universities through his proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget. If it comes to fruition, students who live in households with an annual income of %65,000 or less would be guaranteed tuition and fee-free prices for their first two years of study. In addition, eligible community college transfer students who already benefited from the Community College Opportunity Grant program could possibly end up having all their tuition and fees covered if they graduate in four years. The governor says the guarantee puts an affordable college degree within reach for more New Jerseyans.
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid will have a MRI today after spraining his shoulder last night in Cleveland. He was injured in a first quarter collision. The Sixers, who are also missing the injured Ben Simmons, lost the game 108-94.