Today in PA | A PennLive daily news briefing with Claudia Dimuro

The state AG’s office has reached a $1 million settlement with Rutter’s over a data breach that occurred between 2018 and 2019. A court is currently considering the constitutionality of one city’s tax on pro-athletes and entertainers. New research has found that about 800,000 tons of oil and gas waste can’t be accounted for. Finally, this is one of the “world’s most haunted hotspots,” and it’s right here in Pennsylvania.

EMS is suffering in the western part of the state over a lack of funding and of workers. Critics of the recently expanded Amtrak service between NYC and Pittsburgh are claiming it’s picking “the pockets of Pennsylvania’s taxpayers.” A man stole $4,000 with a fake lotto ticket. Speaking of which, Pennsylvania’s one of the “luckiest” states for Powerball.

The shooting that occurred in Indiana County over the weekend that left at least eight wounded and one person dead was the U.S.’s 540th mass shooting of the year. Sewer rates may go up in Bethlehem. A pagan shop claims to have gotten a visit from cops over some obscure “fortune-telling” laws Pennsylvania still has. Lastly, Stoneman Willie finally gets a grave and a name.

There’s one area that’s seeing a greater number of “potentially preventable hospitalizations” than the state average. Meanwhile, SEPTA may potentially strike. You can see the “ring of fire” this week (just make sure you don’t hurt your eyes while doing it). And meet the “Heritage Hotties.”

Federal investigators have put the blame on the R.M. Palmer Co. chocolate plant for an explosion that killed seven employees. Carnegie Museum has decided to permanently remove a diorama which, in part, was created using a real human skull and jaw. Some places have already put on their fall best, foliage-wise. Also, not a lot of places can boast about having an official monster, but Clinton County can.

The driver of a tractor-trailer was certainly very crabby after events that took place yesterday. One health network is using simulators to test teens for potential risky driving behavior. One university’s offering free tuition to anyone whose family makes less than $75,000. Lastly, Chance the German Shepherd finds a home.

A nurse has been accused of killing three people in nursing homes with insulin. A school in Westmoreland County has upped its security after students were caught passing guns to each other on a bus. A proposed change to a state law would “level the playing field” between people and the telemarketers looking to scam them. Also, in honor of National Taco Day, here’s Pennsylvania’s favorite kind of taco.

Pennsylvania authorities are revisiting ways to stop guns at TSA checkpoints. A board member tried getting two English’s courses dropped from school for being what he believed to be “politically charged.” Over 100 lakes and streams are set to be stocked with trout. Plus, wear your “snot otter” with pride.

Bethlehem has moved forward with plans to build Lehigh Valley’s first and only year-round homeless shelter. FIFA officials dropped by Philly ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Utz is closing one of its manufacturing plants in York County. And Philadelphia will host a conference of “vexillophiles” this weekend.

Giant Eagle has announced a partnership with Instacart for same-day delivery. SEPTA riders can now officially go contactless with payments. The last supermoon of 2023 has come and gone. And this stadium said, “Later, gator.”

The Philadelphia area has seen over 20 Rite Aids close over the past year with potentially more closures to come. Airbnbs and other rental properties will have to undergo inspection and get permits in Pittsburgh. One newspaper’s CEO is pushing for local news’ fair compensation. Lastly, these are the best spots to be a ghost in.

York County has had the highest amount of murder-suicides it’s ever seen. Pennsylvania has joined a multi-state lawsuit against Amazon. “Leaf advisers” are here for all your fall foliage needs. Speaking of which, these towns are “stunning spots” as for as leaf peeping goes.

Despite recent events, a new analysis has found that Pennsylvania doesn’t see jailbreaks all too frequently. Luzerne County officials are posed to discuss the area’s over $191 million in outstanding debt. Someone stole a bunch of hornets. And an icon turns five.

Advocates plan to denounce Norristown at next month’s U.N. meeting for allegedly “criminalizing” homelessness. About 60 percent of state residents are paying above the average rent price from just two years ago. Fall season means spider season. Finally, these are Pennsylvania’s “supernatural hotspots.”

Penn Medicine hired a now former senior director who — a cursory Google search shows — had a “long and complex criminal history.” State government officials are exploring the potential use of AI. An Australian company plans to invest about $500 million into the state. And there’s a new baby alpaca in town.

State data shows how thousands of children in Pennsylvania are impacted by drugs throughout the state. Officials are pointing fingers after a suspect in a $1.6 million drug case was released. Eagles fans are looking at their new kelly green merch sideways, mostly because they have to. Lastly, a beloved pretzel comes home.

Drivers are being warned of a “pump switching” scam. The Mütter Museum is making changes based on what some believe is an ethical review while others believe is a watering down of medical history. Officials claim that state traffic camera programs have shown a decrease in both speeding an death. And they were gone in the mink of an eye.

Multiple shootings have left six dead in one weekend in Philadelphia. Reckless stunt driving continues to be a (rather troubling) trend in in the city, too. Some Clorox products will be in short supply following a cyberattack. Lastly, if you want to peep at some leaves, here’s where to go.

Artwork believed to be stolen during the Holocaust has been seized from a museum. One area struggling with a low inventory of homes for sale is grappling with what’s known as the “golden handcuff” problem. Casinos had their best-ever July nationwide. Plus, Pennsylvanians got an A+ for their pajamas.

You would have to make this much annually if you were to be called “middle class” in Pennsylvania. Some officials are calling to renew a statute for 911 call center fees. New research has found that spotted lanternflies actually don’t pose any long-term damage to trees. And there was no try, only do for this pooch in capturing Danelo Cavalcante.

A nonprofit health system paid its CEO more than it spent on charity care for financially needy patients over the past three years. State lawmakers are looking to rid the ticket-buying world of “grinch bots.” Non-native lizards that were released into the wild in the 1970s have made this community their home. Finally, this comet won’t be around for another 400 years.

A Philadelphia-based health insurer spent the most on lobbying in Pennsylvania last year. A multi-state settlement has forced a “predatory” leasing company to close for good. There’s been a spike in applications for state police positions ever since the requirement for college credits was dropped. Also, what was once the “nation’s most haunted house” is still standing in Chestnut Hill.

This weekend saw a spike in overdoses in Dauphin County. Pennsylvania nursing homes would have to up their required staffing under a new federal proposal. If you smell something foul in Allentown, worry not. And we’ve all heard of lumberjacks, but how’s about lumberjills?

A woman is suing Uber over her daughter’s death in 2022, claiming the company puts its drivers “at high risk of violent attacks by passengers.” A report has found that Pennsylvania is one of the top states people are moving out of. “The Tidy Tombstone Man” is working his magic in Bensalem. Plus, bird watchers have reported sightings of…flamingos?

When it came to removing lead from drinking water, Pennsylvania’s schools got an “F.” The database of public employees’ emails is no more. Pittsburgh’s ban on plastic bags goes into effect next month. Also, meet “The Romper Stomper.”

Most major car companies admitted they may sell personal data (some of which is very personal). SEPTA may lose the millions of dollars it spent on electric buses after their manufacturer filed for bankruptcy. Teachers and school administrators can get free coffee from Wawa this month. Finally, this tournament turned out e-Xcellent for this team.

There’s a rise in cyberattacks on health care providers. United Airlines had to ground planes nationwide due to a “technology issue.” UPMC is readying itself for a gigantic transfer of medical records. Also, an asteroid disintegrated over Pennsylvania on Sunday night.

A man who shot a home intruder isn’t expected to face charges. Some areas in Pennsylvania are seeing a rise in corporations buying homes. The state now has a brand new agency. And two places in Pennsylvania are pretty sweet if you’re trying to survive the zombie apocalypse.

State officials continue to discuss potentially establishing the regulation of skill games. The Independent Fiscal Office has published a list of the areas with the highest tax burdens. The state Turnpike Commission has revealed the location of a new interchange. Plus, a city in Pennsylvania topped a list of the best in the U.S. for the NFL.

Pennsylvania is officially avian influenza-free after more than a year. Almost a dozen students in Beaver County had to learn virtually on their third day of school as a result of the bus driver shortage. State-owned universities are now offering Google Career Certificates. And all’s fair in love in war — that is, unless football’s involved.

Pittsburgh would become a “sanctuary city” for gender-affirming care should a recent proposal come to pass. Lehigh County folks, be wary of scammers impersonating sheriff’s officers. People might be allowed to hunt deer in some of Pittsburgh’s parks this fall. Finally, a rare blue moon rises tonight.

One region continues to combat with flash car rallies that “frequently bring traffic jams, loud, reckless, and chaotic driving and damaged property.” A proposal would allow for civilians to pursue potential child predators. Those “large cats” spotted in York County, by the way, weren’t mountain lions. And a man put out a fire on the roof of PNC Park with just the shirt on his back.

Some areas are still under a drought watch. New schedules for most SEPTA Regional Rail lines are now in effect. Philadelphia schools are offering parents $300 to give their kids a lift. Also, there are those that believe mountain lions were recently spotted near a cemetery.

One state lawmaker is looking to protection child Influencers on social media from exploitation. A man found out the hard way that, legally, “finders keepers” doesn’t stand. The state’s main airports saw, on average, almost one in five flights delayed for this year. Lastly, a total of five spots in Pennsylvania have been labeled among the country’s “most picturesque.”

Pennsylvania is one of 11 states reporting a salmonella outbreak linked to turtles. The former president of the University of Pennsylvania got a $3.7 million home loan from the school. If you shopped at a Wegmans last week, be sure to check you didn’t get double-charged. And the fans of this NFL team are apparently one of the “most hardcore” when it comes to tailgating.

A former employee is suing The Hershey Company over claims that he was fired for refusing to be vaccinated. Dick’s Sporting Goods’s second quarter profits were down, something which the company states is the result of retail theft. Ragweed pollen season has begun. Plus, two orphaned puma cubs get a new home.

A mall in Philadelphia was evacuated over the weekend following a smash-and-grab robbery. In Pittsburgh, cops on patrol managed to thwart a potential nightclub shooting. Residents of one township have filed a lawsuit in the wake of revamped plans to potentially expand a landfill. Finally, this owl went from “Stinky” to “Lucky.”

Residents of one county remain concerned over their odorous and strange-tasting water despite reassurances from officials. The Lehigh Valley region is looking for a federal Tech Hub designation. This stadium is making MLB history by being the first to use facial recognition technology. And if you’re tired of the regular, droll calendars out there, then, boy, is this the one for you.

Two universities in Pennsylvania have some of the most expensive in-state tuition prices in the entire country. State lawmakers are thinking about letting psychologists prescribe medicine for patients. The owner of a vacant mall is looking to make it more “dynamic.” Lastly, these two arenas are beloved by fans.

A federal lawsuit against a former superintendent who was accused of punching a district assistant principal has been dismissed. Things stink —unfortunately, literally — for quite a number of Philadelphia residents. Amazon has confirmed it will be operating yet another warehouse in Pennsylvania. Also, this roller coaster drops “beyond vertical.”

The man accused of plotting to bomb Muskiest was, according to newly released records, behind several other explosions that occurred around Bethlehem. A community rallied behind plans for a well injection for fracking wastewater and won. That new labor contract will cost Pennsylvania’s taxpayers over $3 billion over the next four years. And sushi robots and expensive ice cream makers and pants, oh my!

Shootings that occurred in Philadelphia over the weekend left six dead and others injured. U.S. Steel has rejected an “unreasonable” proposal. Rain starts off this week but won’t finish it. Lastly, this power outage was a bit fishy.

A school district is considering a policy that includes “certifying” the gender of athletes. One township is dealing with a persistent — and sometimes dangerous — dirt bike problem. Those riding SEPTA buses are expected to experience some delays today. Also, did you know mermaids have been spotted in the Susquehanna before?

Advocates in Pennsylvania are looking to decriminalize, research, and maybe even legalize psychedelics. Verizon is offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who could give them information on the perpetrators behind the thefts and vandalism that caused a series of outages throughout the state. Troopers picked up a dog that was roaming around I-95. And these restaurant’s wings are officially fly.

The Postal Police Officers union claims Pittsburgh is on track to seeing 600 mail carriers robbed by the end of this year. Schools are hiring teachers lacking in experience as the shortage in educators continues. Hardware stores — as well as others — are trying to adjust to the federal ban on incandescent light bulbs that just took effect. Lastly — an update on UFO sightings in Pennsylvania.

A judge has ruled that members of the Philadelphia school board didn’t break any rules when they limited the amount of speakers — and the amount of time each could speak — at public meetings. Thousands were still left without power after Monday’s storms. State police have started testing out a body camera pilot program. Lastly…Heinz Field lives!

The man who threatened to build and detonate a bomb at Muskifest has been jailed. The PUC has approved a revised settlement for an explosion that occurred 2019. Searches for homeschooling have spiked within a four-year period. And the Eagles are hiring those with autism to run a popcorn stand this football season.

Another health network in Pennsylvania has suffered a cyberattack. The closure of a FedEx facility in one county will affect over 200 workers. Anglers are being directed to report and kill these “voracious predators.” Finally, it isn’t inflated to say that an annual balloon festival was a sight to see.

Two pharmacies in Philadelphia will have to pay over $3.5 million for billing Medicare for drugs they never actually sold. A racetrack, after almost 200 years, must never again host races as the result of a recent court ruling. Allegheny County is currently taking protective measures against rabies in raccoons. And a historic home is spared from demolition.

A once-common bat species is now on the state’s endangered list. Unemployment in the Pittsburgh area has hit a new record low. Some road work around Harrisburg may cause some delays this weekend. Lastly, this kid’s all business in the front, party in the back.