Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health added 2795 new cases of coronavirus to the state's total, which is now at 1,272,350. 22 new deaths attributed to COVID-19 were also reported. That leaves the state's overall number at 28,098. Right now, 1498 people are hospitalized in Pennsylvania with COVID-19, 410 of whom are in the intensive care unit.
Ferzana Ramin lives in Bethlehem but has six family members in Afghanistan who want to get out. Ramin says those family members are running out of time. "I'm definitely afraid of them being left behind there and then potentially getting killed," Ramin says. She says her family members have tried four times to get to the airport and leave the country and have been turned away all four times. She says at last check they're at the Kabul airport now hoping to catch a flight out of the country.
Construction of a new Da Vinci Science Center has cleared a hurdle after an Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority committee voted in favor of the center's request for $5.8 million in financing for the $65 million project. Da Vinci CEO Lin Erickson says construction at Eighth and Hamilton streets in Allentown could begin in March and the new center could open up in 2024.
A 50-year-old man is dead after a crash Tuesday afternoon in Forks Township. The accident happened in the 1700 block of Delaware Drive shortly after 3 o'clock. Police said the crash was between an electric bicycle and a small SUV. The bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
Pennsylvania State Senate Republicans are moving forward with hearings for a forensic investigation of the 2020 election. Senate President Jake Corman says the audit is intended to go much further than previous reviews mandated by state law, which have focused on whether the reported counts are accurate. He also indicated that they will use subpoena powers to request documents. Senate Democrats are opposed to the audit, as are some Republicans like St. Sen. Gene Yaw, who says the 2020 election is over.
The Jonas Brothers are among the latest touring groups to require their fans show proof of vaccination when they attend one of the group's shows. The group is scheduled to perform at Hersheypark Stadium September 24th. If proof of vaccination is not available, the group will accept a negative test result for COVID-19. Recently, Dead and Company announced the same requirement for fans attending its show at Hersheypark August 28th.
New Jersey is making sure schools and small businesses have the necessary tools to meet health and safety standards. Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation that will provide grants to schools and small businesses to assess, repair, upgrade, and replace their hvac systems, along with plumbing fixtures and other appliances. The program is backed by $180 million of the American Rescue Plan and the funds will be administered through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Gov. Murphy says the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for this initiative.
Officials across New Jersey are applauding Gov. Phil Murphy for strengthening anti-hazing laws. The governor signed legislation yesterday, upgrading hazing from a disorderly persons offense to a fourth degree crime and a person charged with aggravated hazing would face third-degree charges.
New Jersey is pushing businesses and building landlords to embrace clean energy in the wake of climate change. To do this, Gov. Phil Murphy is establishing the Garden State Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program, or C-PACE Program. The goal is to provide funding for clean and renewable energy infrastructure at facilities across the state. New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan says the measure will reduce the financial burden of going green, while allowing property owners to put money into other important projects.