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Police report firearms purchase denial data for first quarter of 2026

From staff reports HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania State Police released data Friday showing an increase in background checks and firearm purchase denials during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year. The report is generated through the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS), which is used by county sheriffs, municipal police chiefs in first-class cities and federally licensed firearms dealers to determine whether individuals are legally eligible to purchase or transfer firearms or obtain a license to carry. In the first quarter of 2026, the ...

Penn State Health offers incisionless ultrasound treatment for tremor patients

HERSHEY — Penn State Health is offering a new, incisionless treatment for patients with essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease whose symptoms have not improved with medication. The treatment, known as focused ultrasound, uses sound waves guided by MRI to target a small area deep in the brain responsible for tremors. Because the procedure does not require surgical incisions or permanent implants, most patients face a lower risk of infection and bleeding and can return home the same day, according to the health system. “Focused ultrasound is transforming how ...

Pennsylvania official who exposed noncitizen voting says threat is exaggerated

by Carter Walker of Votebeat This article is made possible through Spotlight PA’s collaboration with Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting. Sign up for Votebeat's free newsletters here. The potential risk of noncitizens illegally casting ballots has dominated the national conversation on election policy in recent years. But one major voice on the issue hasn’t been heard. Pennsylvania is home to someone who has perhaps more experience addressing noncitizen voting than anyone else, a Republican who uncovered hundreds of ...

State trooper pleads guilty to creating A.I. porn, secretly filming victims

From staff reports HARRISBURG — A Pennsylvania State Police corporal has pleaded guilty to a wide range of charges, including using work computers to create artificial intelligence-generated pornography and secretly recording and photographing individuals, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced. Stephen M. Kamnik, 39, entered guilty pleas Wednesday in Montgomery County Court to 15 charges — nine felonies and six misdemeanors. He also admitted to misusing secured law enforcement and Commonwealth databases for personal purposes and possessing child sexual abuse material. Sentencing ...

PennDOT reports lane closures for its High-Speed Interchange project

STATE COLLEGE — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced that the contractor for its High-Speed Interchange project between Interstates 80 and 99 will be implementing alternating lane closures along Interstate 80 eastbound and westbound the week of April 13. This work is part of a project to enhance traffic safety by providing a direct connection between the two Interstates, making it unnecessary to travel along state Route 26 to access them, which will relieve traffic congestion and realign service for local traffic. The lane closures will allow the contractor to ...

Court rejects PSU bid to keep trustee records hidden

STATE COLLEGE — The state’s highest court has denied Penn State’s request to overturn a ruling that will give Spotlight PA and the public access to long-sought trustee documents. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Tuesday denied “a petition for allowance of appeal” from Penn State and the state Department of Education. The requests came after a Commonwealth Court ruling in October that sided with Spotlight PA — as well as affirmed a 2023 determination made by the state’s Office of Open Records — and ordered the university to turn over documents related to a private ...