PENN BUSINESS JOURNALS

Jun 17 2026POLITICS

Skill Games in Pennsylvania: What’s Next for Local Businesses and State Revenue?

Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court has just dropped a ruling that could change the game for thousands of skill game machines—those digital games you see in corner stores, bars, and clubs. These machines, often called "skill games" because players compete against each other rather than the house, have beco

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Jun 08 2026POLITICS

Small Businesses vs. Credit Card Fees

Business owners in Maine have long complained about the high costs of swipe fees. A former entrepreneur who helped local shops sell gift cards has seen how these charges eat into profits. He sold his company but kept the lessons learned. Now he urges lawmakers to reject a new bill that would let cr

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Jun 05 2026POLITICS

Senator changes mind on long-standing Senate rule after winning election

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman showed up to his first Senate term with big plans for changing how the chamber works. In 2022, he campaigned on getting rid of the filibuster rule that lets a small group block most laws. This rule often stops big changes, even when many Americans want them. Back

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Jun 03 2026BUSINESS

Trade Shake‑Ups: New Tariff Rules Stir Business Fears

Business leaders quickly voiced worries after the U. S. administration unveiled plans to rebuild tariff barriers that the Supreme Court had largely dismissed in February. The proposal, announced late Tuesday, would introduce two new tariff levels—10% and 12. 5%—on goods from roughly sixty countries

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May 26 2026BUSINESS

New Tax Rules Make Giving to Charity Harder for Businesses

Businesses that donate money will find the rules tougher from January 2026. A new law, called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), adds limits that cut into how much a company can claim as a tax deduction for charitable gifts. The effect is simple: a donation that once lowered the tax bill dollar

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May 22 2026LIFESTYLE

Great small cities in Pennsylvania stand out in national rankings

Pennsylvania quietly boasts almost twenty towns and cities that made the latest “Best Places to Live” list in the United States. Instead of flashy skylines or tourist magnets, most of these spots offer everyday comforts that matter most: homes you can actually afford, schools with solid reputations,

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May 14 2026OPINION

Protecting Public Funds Without Punishing Those in Need

Pennsylvania takes fraud seriously, but not at the cost of making life harder for people who truly need help. The state runs one of the tightest Medicaid and benefit programs in the country—no surprise, since every dollar wasted on fraud could have fed a family or treated a patient. Instead of just

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May 14 2026TECHNOLOGY

The AI race heats up as businesses switch to a new leader

Businesses in the U. S. are now more likely to pay for Anthropic’s AI tool than OpenAI’s. In April 2026, Anthropic’s adoption hit 34. 4%, while OpenAI’s dropped to 32. 3%. The shift happened quickly—just a year ago, OpenAI led with 32%, and Anthropic barely registered. What changed? Anthropic’s codi

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May 10 2026TECHNOLOGY

Why CEOs Need to Start Thinking About AI That Works in the Real World

Business leaders have spent years focused on AI that helps with office work and data analysis. Now, a wave of new AI is emerging—one that moves, interacts, and performs tasks in warehouses, factories, and even dangerous places. Unlike the AI that answers customer service chats, this technology blend

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May 09 2026POLITICS

Pet Store Bans: A Problem, Not a Solution

Pennsylvania lawmakers are debating bills that would stop pet shops from selling dogs and cats sourced from professional breeders. The idea is that this move will shut down puppy mills, but the evidence shows otherwise. When states like New York and California enacted similar bans, they ended up har

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