News

House passes bill requiring patients be told of AI use in health care

PA News September 30, 2026

(The Center Square) - Health care patients would have to be told when a facility is using artificial intelligence to make clinical decisions under a bill that got strong bipartisan support Wednesday in passing the Pennsylvania House. The provision was one of many in the wide-ranging bill focused largely on health care and insurance uses of AI and sponsored by Democratic Rep. Arvind Venkat of Allegheny County. Meanwhile, a separate resolution to push back against President Trump's desire for a moratorium on state-level regulation of AI also got strong bipartisan support. Venkat, an ...

Bill to let unaffiliated voters participate in Pa primaries passes state House

PA News September 30, 2026

HARRISBURG — For the first time in recent memory, a bill to open up Pennsylvania’s primary elections to unaffiliated voters has passed the state House. The bill still faces tough odds of becoming law, particularly since there are only two months left in the 2025-2026 legislative session. But the bill’s passage in the lower chamber represents a milestone for advocates. “There’s nothing more foundational to our democracy, to build institutional accountability, than ensuring everyone has a right to vote and a voice in the democratic process,” state Rep. Jared Solomon (D., ...

House committee backs bill sparing communities from 'fake' data center proposals

PA News September 30, 2026

(The Center Square) - More than a hundred data center proposals have popped up like mushrooms on the Pennsylvania map, and a House committee on Wednesday attempted to validate the "real" ones by backing a plan to weed out many others believed to be speculative grabs for money. The House Energy Committee approved a bill that would require a proposer bringing a data center concept to a municipality to also bring proof it had applied for electrical service. It also would have to include proof that it had paid the fees and costs for making that application. "Municipalities are being ...

Hurricane Polo's remnants bringing more rain to US Southwest

International News September 30, 2026

PHOENIX (AP) — As former Hurricane Polo weakened over northwestern Mexico on Tuesday evening, the storm's remnants battered the U.S. Southwest, flooding roadways and forcing residents in small New Mexico towns to evacuate over concerns about a dam failing. Polo had struck the Mexican state ...

October designated Local Chamber of Commerce Month

Local News September 30, 2026

LEWISTOWN — Gov. Josh Shapiro has proclaimed October 2026 as Local Chamber of Commerce Month in Pennsylvania, recognizing the role chambers play in supporting businesses and local economies. The Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce, which serves businesses and organizations in Mifflin ...

Civil War Round Table to hear history of Gettysburg manor

Local News September 30, 2026

STATE COLLEGE — The Central Pennsylvania Civil War Round Table will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, in the Activities Room at South Hills School of Business & Technology, 480 Waupelani Drive, State College. Award-winning journalist Kellie Gormley will present “Cease Firing! Life and Death at the Swope Manor.” Her program will explore the history of the Gettysburg bed-and-breakfast, the Swope family and Lt. Pohlman, a veteran of 14 Civil War battles. Gormley will also read from Pohlman’s letters home from the battlefield. Gormley has more than 20 years of journalism ...