Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

How the Jehovah’s Witnesses sex abuse crisis in Pennsylvania unfolded
Long after a young woman stepped forward to say she was raped and beaten by a member of a Jehovah’s Witness congregation, law enforcement agents finally confronted Eric Eleam three years ago at his home in Butler County. They questioned him about...
Denker: Partisan politics are so 2024. Now we’re facing something much worse.
As we creep toward America’s 250th birthday, the national narrative has changed — and it’s time for all of us to catch up if we care about the future of our country.A year ago after Fourth of July weekend, partisan squabbles and intraparty debates...

Politics & Power: From threats to attacks, growing trend of politically motivated violence highlights dangerous climate
Is the political temperature in America running into the danger zone? Frankly, research and hard data on political violence aren’t readily available, but a growing trend of threats against public officials can’t be ignored. In 2024 alone, U.S....

Small business optimism dips slightly amid inventory concerns
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index showed a slight decline in June, dropping by 0.2 points to 98.6, which remains slightly above the long-term average of 98. The decrease was primarily due to an...

Pennsylvania's Norwood Financial to acquire neighboring bank
Norwood Financial in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, is growing its footprint in the eastern part of its home state, agreeing to buy PB Bankshares, in the latest example of how bank mergers and acquisitions are accelerating this year. Norwood, the $2.4...

Senator Doug Mastriano discusses Pennsylvania budget crisis and other issues
Douglas Vincent Mastriano, Pennsylvania State Senator from 33rd District | senatormastriano.comDouglas Vincent Mastriano, Pennsylvania State Senator from 33rd District | senatormastriano.com Senator Doug Mastriano, a prominent political figure,...

Top Wall Street Forecasters Revamp Fulton Financial Expectations Ahead Of Q2 Earnings
Fulton Financial Corporation FULT will release earnings results for the second quarter, after the closing bell on Tuesday, July 15. Analysts expect the Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based company to report quarterly earnings at 45 cents per share, down...

Fireflies or lightning bugs are glowing in fields across Pennsylvania
Favorable weather conditions, particularly moisture, have led to a thriving firefly population in Pennsylvania this year. The 13th annual PA Firefly Festival, held June 26-28, highlighted the importance of firefly conservation and habitat...

Penn State professors receive $2.9 million grant to research the effects of adolescent binge drinking
Two Penn State professors were awarded a $2.9 million grant to fund a five-year study on the long-term effects of alcohol exposure in adolescence. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism awarded the grant to Nikki Crowley, director...

Mid Penn Bank recognized for community service
Mid Penn Bank took top honors for its financial literacy community service project during the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers INSPIRE Awards ceremony. This ceremony honors community bankers who are inspired to make exceptional,...

Pennsylvania ranked 40th in average VA home loan amount in Q1
Kimberly M. Jackson VA Chief of Staff | https://department.va.gov Kimberly M. Jackson VA Chief of Staff | https://department.va.gov With $314,769 in home loans issued, Pennsylvania ranked 40th in average loan amount for VA home loans in the first...

Financial Assurance for Cleanup in Perpetuity
When a responsible party agrees to clean up a contaminated site under many programs, the government often demands that it provide financial assurance for the completion of the work. When hazardous substances will remain on the site, the site may...

New Pennsylvania law targets deepfake scams amid rising AI threats
Senate Bill 649, introduced by Senator Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), has been signed into law as Act 35 of 2025. The legislation aims to address the rise of deepfake scams by classifying digital impersonations as digital forgeries, which are now...

Pennsylvania’s Norwood Financial and PB Bankshares announce merger
Norwood Financial and PB Bankshares, both based in Pennsylvania, have sealed a merger deal valued at around $54.9m. The deal will see PB Bankshares integrate into Norwood Financial, strengthening the latter’s presence in Central and Southeastern...

An uptick in submissions: PA Tick Research lab says it's a "tickey summer"
EAST STROUDSBURG, MONROE CO. (WOLF) — The Pennsylvania Tick Research Lab says there's been an increase of submissions for tick testing. Director Nicole Chinnici says the Pennsylvania climate creates a “perfect storm” for these insects to breed and...

PCN Launches Interactive Map Showcasing Pennsylvania’s Role in United States’ 250th Anniversary Celebration
CAMP HILL— As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) is proud to unveil a powerful new tool that brings the Commonwealth’s rich history to life — an interactive map featuring free,...

Coca-Cola Driver Says Pennsylvania Teamsters Extorted Money for Political Use
by Christen Smith A Coca-Cola driver in Houston, Pennsylvania says leaders of his local Teamsters union threatened to fire him if he didn’t join the organization and pay dues. And now, he’s taking them to federal court. “I don’t support Teamsters...

Economic pressures are building across the region. How will Pittsburgh’s public and private leaders respond?
As national and global turbulence filters down — from presidential politics to trade wars and AI disruptions — Pittsburgh faces an economic inflection point. Big developers. Small businesses. Job hunters. Pittsburgh navigates a time of turmoil....

U.S. Court Strikes Down FTC’s “Click-to-Cancel” Rule Citing Procedural Gaps: A Blow to Consumer Protections
In a major setback to consumer rights enforcement, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s FTC’s Click-to-Cancel Rule just six days before it was scheduled to take effect on July 14, 2025. The...

Turns Out Americans Really Don’t Care About Climate Change After All
CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten said on Thursday that Americans are not too concerned about climate change or about being a victim of a natural disaster. Polling from Gallup found that 40% of Americans are “greatly worried about climate...