Policy
Prenatal Attraction: The race to bring OB-GYNs to rural PA before maternity care deserts expand farther
Legislators and health officials are mulling a range of potential short- and long-term solutions – including more federal funding, bolstering the health workforce pipeline, and immigration reforms that would expand recruitment of foreign physicians.
Politics
PA lawmakers must do more to protect residents from data centers
Ballooning energy bills, negative environmental impact and more fallout are on the horizon if legislators don’t take action now.
Politics
2026 offers the ideal opportunity for bipartisan civics legislation
The significance of America’s semiquincentennial should be all the catalyst needed to get lawmakers to strengthen education requirements for this key subject.
Politics
Pennsylvania’s abused children need more support – and legislation to protect them
The Epstein Files scandal has spotlighted child sexual abuse – but far from the headlines, the victims of abuse in Pennsylvania and those who help them are in need of much more funding than what the state provides.
Healthcare
The state’s ‘maternity deserts’ are reaching a crisis point as rural hospitals continue to close childbirth services
Health officials blame the closures on a national OB-GYN shortage, along with rural population decline, high liability costs, a drop in immigration and the particular challenges of recruiting rural obstetricians
Gaming
Casinos are struggling – but skill games aren’t the reason
An op-ed by Villanova University professor Peter Zaleski makes the case that online gambling and the COVID-19 pandemic have had a greater impact on casino jobs than skill games.
Politics
New legislation can ensure a safe cannabis framework for Pennsylvania
An op-ed explains how a state Senate bill will protect consumers, support law-abiding businesses, restore public trust, and build a strong regulatory system to protect Pennsylvanians.
Politics
For the greater good, federal funding must be restored to permanent supportive housing efforts
Changes to federal homeless assistance funding are jeopardizing access to permanent housing for housing-insecure individuals and families in Pennsylvania and across the country.
Politics
Any changes to state gaming tax structure must factor in casino jobs
An op-ed by a former deputy secretary at the Department of Community and Economic Development details the importance of both stabilizing industry employment and taxing skill games.
Education
New documentary focuses on plight of early childhood educators in PA
“The Hands That Shape Tomorrow,” directed by Emmy-winner Kyra Knox, shows the positive impact of a guaranteed income initiative program on teachers – and the fallout when it ends.
Politics
Before rehabbing Philly school buildings, we must rework the Separations Act
Without updating the century-old legislation dictating how work is done, the much-needed construction projects will be unnecessarily hindered and expensive.
Politics
It’s elementary: Restrict use of mobile devices at school
Limiting students’ access to cell phones and similar tech is crucial to their development.
News & Politics
In Harrisburg, RFK Jr. kicked off his “Take Back Your Health” Tour
While the federal health czar touted new dietary guidelines and pared-back vaccine recommendations, state Democrats shot back with measures to bolster vaccine access
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Politics
Your energy bill keeps rising – here’s what we can do about it
The majority chair of the state House Energy Committee lays out the commonwealth’s looming energy affordability crisis – and why she’s supporting new legislation to address the situation.
Politics
Preventing another Bristol is essential – and achievable
There is a legislative way to avoid tragedies like the one that occurred at a Bucks County nursing home – but it will require bipartisan support.
Policy
City & State's 5 for 2025: For PA immigrants, uncertainty, fear and resilience are the order of the day
As the year comes to an end, we look back at some staff and reader favorites from our reporting over the past 12 months.
Healthcare
Proposed reproductive rights legislation would tackle decades-old state mandates
Lawmakers and advocates are debating which of the commonwealth’s web of abortion requirements are hindrances – or safeguards.
Education
Trump administration efforts to end DOE get failing grade from PA educators
Teachers say commonwealth classrooms will suffer if the Trump administration guts the federal Department of Education, which funds numerous key programs as well as student loans, while conservatives say the move will return resources to the states
Politics
Why expanding eligibility for compassionate release is just and necessary
For elderly, sick people behind bars, new legislation could be life-changing.
Politics
How MontCo plus AI can equal better public services
Montgomery County is trying to set the pace for how to deploy artificial intelligence to best serve both local government and constituents.
Capitol Beat
GOP demands probe into how suspected terrorist got a Pennsylvania commercial license
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said a recently arrested Uzbek national had a commercial driver’s license from Pennsylvania.
