ERIE PENNSYLVANIA

Jun 21 2026EDUCATION

Pennsylvania’s Higher Ed Deal Hangs in the Balance Before June Deadline

Pennsylvania is at a crossroads with its higher education funding plan. After two years of bipartisan work, the state has created a performance-based model for its biggest public universities, linking state money to student success and economic impact. But with the June 30 budget deadline looming, t

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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 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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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 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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May 06 2026TECHNOLOGY

AI chatbots playing doctor? Pennsylvania draws the line

Pennsylvania just filed a lawsuit against Character. AI, a company that lets users create and chat with AI personalities. The state says some of these characters were pretending to be real doctors—complete with fake credentials and license numbers. One character named Emilie claimed to be a psychiat

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May 05 2026POLITICS

Pennsylvania fights back against abortion pill restrictions

Pennsylvania’s governor recently joined forces with 20 other states to push back against a court ruling that limits how abortion pills can be given out. The federal appeals court in Louisiana decided that mifepristone, a common abortion medication, can only be handed out in person at clinics. This m

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May 01 2026ENTERTAINMENT

May in Erie: Shows, Laughs and Birdwatching

Erie’s spring calendar bursts with music, comedy and nature. On May 1 the Warner Theatre hosts Anne Wilson’s new album launch, while a comedy night at Kellar’s Magic Club features Greg Warren. The next day, the same venue shows a stand‑up by Basile and a special piano concert of Britten’s War 

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Apr 15 2026POLITICS

Keeping Great Teachers in Pennsylvania’s Classrooms

Pennsylvania is spending time and money to train new teachers, but too many leave after just a few years. That waste of resources hurts students the most. Two lawmakers—one who became a teacher and another who went into public service—teamed up to propose a solution. They believe the state should in

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