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More Pennsylvania voters are registering as independents

HARRISBURG — In February, Lehigh County Commissioner Ron Beitler made a decision that he described as a “political suicide” — he left the GOP and chose not to affiliate with any political party. There was no single inciting incident. Beitler has always considered himself to be politically fluid, he told Spotlight PA. While Lehigh County leans Democratic — 44% of voters are registered Democrats and 36% are registered Republicans — Beitler describes his district as “pretty Republican.” He ultimately decided that going independent would help him better communicate with ...

PA Preferred Grants invest $500,000 for farms in PA

MECHANICSBURG — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding recently visited Oak Grove Farms, a PA Preferred® farm market in Cumberland County, to announce the new PA Preferred Marketing Grants program. Offered through the PA Department of Agriculture, the grant program totals $500,000 and will support Pennsylvania farmers and agricultural producers in marketing their products. Applications for up to $10,000 to reimburse promotional costs are due by May 16, 2026 and available to reimburse product promotions under the PA Preferred, PA Preferred Homegrown by Heroes®, or PA Preferred ...

State invests funds to support Pennsylvania’s urban farmers

WILLKINSBURG, Pa. — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Lt. Governor Austin Davis recently announced 21 Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grants totaling $499,480 for projects addressing long-standing challenges urban farmers face in growing local, farm-fresh produce in cities across Pennsylvania. Lt. Governor Davis and Secretary Redding made the announcement at The Mill in Wilkinsburg, where Landforce, Pittsburgh’s Conservation Corps, will put a $40,500 grant toward equipment to increase efficiency in production of biochar – a soil enhancer made of wood waste from urban tree ...

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 ...