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Inflation squeezes household spending

By Orphe Divounguy | The Center Square contributor (The Center Square) – The Fed held rates where they were – 3.5% to 3.75% – and nobody was surprised. What actually mattered was the friction inside the room. Three FOMC members dissented, and not over some technical disagreement. They wanted the committee to stop pretending its next move is still a cut. They have a point. The "easing bias" language is a holdover from late last year, when the Fed was more worried about the labor market cracking than inflation flaring back up. In December, officials cut rates and talked about ...

Four charged in Lemoyne spa trafficking probe

From staff reports LEMOYNE — A yearlong investigation into suspected human trafficking at two Lemoyne spas has resulted in charges against four individuals, with authorities saying the operation has ties to trafficking networks in New York and California. The investigation, led by the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office, focused on New QQ Spa on State Street and Azalea Spa on South 10th Street. Officials allege the businesses were used to traffic women for sexual services or operate as houses of prostitution. Charged are Ying Zhang, 58, of Lemoyne; Liling Xu, 62, of ...

Ward to host unclaimed property event

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Sen. Judy Ward announced her office will host an event to help area residents search for unclaimed property later this month. A representative from Pennsylvania Treasury will be available from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, May 12, at Ward’s district office, 1904 N. Juniata St., Hollidaysburg, to assist residents in checking whether they are owed money or other assets. Unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten safe deposit boxes and other financial assets. Under state law, businesses must turn over unclaimed property to the ...

Pa. farmer wins transparency battle after township spent thousands fighting to keep records secret

by Ann Rejrat for Spotlight PA TULPEHOCKEN — A Berks County township has turned over drafts of a proposed agriculture law to a farmer after spending thousands of tax dollars in a legal fight to keep them secret — even after the township had abandoned its effort to enact the law. Farmer John Schueller said he felt vindicated by the result, but was disappointed it took about a year and cost so much. He and fellow Tulpehocken Township residents spent an estimated $5,000 of their own money to access documents an independent state agency decided they were entitled to. The case ...

Lawsuit targets media merger over competition concerns

From staff reports HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday has joined a multistate lawsuit challenging Nexstar Media Group’s acquisition of TEGNA, arguing the merger would reduce competition and raise costs for consumers. The lawsuit alleges the deal would create the nation’s largest broadcast station group and limit local television options in markets where both companies operate, including central and northeastern Pennsylvania. “Pennsylvanians have been declaring that enough is enough when it comes to rising TV service subscription costs,” Sunday said, adding the ...

U.S. House OKs Fetterman bill allowing SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken

By John Cole | The Center Square contributor (The Center Square) – A bill that would allow recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to buy hot rotisserie chicken is one step closer to becoming law. On Thursday, the state House voted 384-35 in support of an amendment to the Farm Bill, which would modify the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 law to allow the purchase of hot rotisserie chicken for SNAP beneficiaries. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., introduced bipartisan legislation labeled the “Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act,” in the Senate a week ago ...