Pennsylvania is now seventh-most among the 50 states in the number of cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. It follows California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois and Georgia. The Keystone State also has the fourth-most cases over the last week, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, following California, Michigan and New York.
It was a busy overnight for firefighters in Northampton County. The first of two fires broke out around 1 this morning at a twin home in the 1400 block of Main Street in Chapman. It appears the fire started in the kitchen. Everybody inside was able to escape. About two hours later a second fire destroyed a mobile home in Moore Township. Crews were called to the Hickory Hills community off of Route 512 around 3 this morning. Initial reports indicated the fire started on the porch and spread to the home. No injuries were reported.
A state fire marshal is investigating what caused a massive fire at a Buddhist complex in Hereford Township Saturday. Flames tore through a large part of the facility including a library, classrooms and dorms. Fire officials say many people had to be evacuated. No one from the complex was hurt but a firefighter was injured. About a dozen crews responded to the facility, which sits up on a hill in a remote area. There is still no word what caused the fire.
The United States Geological Survey confirms there was another small earthquake in Berks County. The 2.1 magnitude quake in Sinking Spring was detected just after 10:45 p.m. Friday. This is the third small quake in Berks County in less than a week. A 1.7 quake shook the Sinking Spring area on November 7 and a 1.5 magnitude quake was also recorded Friday in Penn Township, northwest of Reading.
The House has yet to vote on the President Biden's "Build Back Better" social spending bill. Democratic Pennsylvania Congressman and House Appropriations Committee member, Matt Cartwright, is in support of the "Build Back Better" act and explains why. "There are 15 Nobel Prize winning economists in the United States who analyzed the 'Build Back Better' act and say it will ease inflationary pressure," Cartwright says. Critics worry that the President's economic agenda will only worsen rising inflation and the national deficit.
Low-income families eligible for the monthly child tax credit payments only have until the end of the day to register for them. Federal officials say many families who are eligible for the monthly advance child tax credit haven't signed up yet. The benefits could mean a payment of at least $1500 per child and up to $1800 per child. The credit is $3600 annually for children under age six and $3000 for children ages six to 17. Half of that money was available this year through monthly payments that started in July. The rest will come at tax time next year.
The Eagles are now 4-6 after perhaps their most complete game of the season. After beating Denver 30-13, head coach Nick Sirianni says the game was won in the trenches. "The tougher team, the more physical team wins in football. And so it's good to be on that side of it and to see our physicality take over," Sirianni said. The Eagles host the Saints this Sunday afternoon.