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State police report increase in firearm purchase denials

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania State Police reported an increase in firearm purchase denials during the second quarter of 2026, despite a relatively unchanged number of background checks compared with the same period last year. According to the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS), 239,047 background checks were conducted during the second quarter of 2026, up slightly from 238,003 during the same period in 2025. State police said 3,833 individuals were denied the purchase or transfer of a firearm, an increase from 3,444 denials during the second quarter of last ...

Local SAR members attend nation’s 250th Independence celebration

From staff reports STATE COLLEGE — Members of the Centre County Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution traveled to Philadelphia July 2-5 to participate in events marking the nation’s semiquincentennial, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The celebration coincided with a record-breaking heat wave. Temperatures reached 103 degrees on July 2, 104 degrees on July 3 and 101 degrees on July 4, marking just the third time in Philadelphia’s history that the city experienced three consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures. Despite the ...

Triple A Blues Band to perform at South Hills Music Picnic

STATE COLLEGE — The Triple A Blues Band will perform Sunday, July 19, as part of the 2026 Music Picnic Series at South Hills School of Business & Technology. The free outdoor concert will begin at 6 p.m. on the north lawn of the school’s main campus, 480 Waupelani Drive, State College. The Triple A Blues Band has been a fixture on the central Pennsylvania music scene since its first performance at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in 1991. In 1999, the group won Billboard magazine’s “Best Unsigned Band” award for its album Highwater, earning the honor from more ...

Mount Nittany workers authorize 5-day strike beginning July 27

From staff reports STATE COLLEGE — Union employees at Mount Nittany Medical Center have voted to authorize a five-day strike beginning July 27 after contract negotiations failed to produce a new labor agreement. According to SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, approximately 950 hospital workers voted July 8 to authorize the strike, with 98% voting in favor. The union said members will hold a news conference Thursday afternoon to discuss the vote and urge hospital officials to invest in employees and patient care. The union said workers are seeking wage increases that keep pace with ...

MY Work program gives students summer job experience

From staff reports MARYSVILLE — Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker visited Marysville on Thursday to meet with high school students with disabilities participating in the department’s MY Work summer employment program. Created by the Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the MY Work program connects students with disabilities to paid work opportunities in their communities. According to the department, students who gain paid work experience before graduating are four times more likely to obtain competitive ...

DMVA offers help locating lost records

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is encouraging veterans who have misplaced their military discharge paperwork to seek assistance in obtaining replacement records needed to access benefits. The department can help veterans locate a DD Form 214, commonly known as a DD-214, which is issued when a service member retires, separates or is discharged from active duty. The document is often required to verify military service when applying for veterans benefits, retirement, employment or membership in veterans organizations. DMVA can also help ...