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

Police are warning of a scam that uses a number matching that of their bureau. It’s going to cost more to fish next year. A state board lowered tax ratios used in property tax appeals. Lastly, the site where a historical battle began has been officially confirmed.

Claudia speaks with PennLive reporter John Luciew, who talks about the death of Ellen Greenberg, and the debate over whether her death was homicide or suicide.

There are eight breeders in Pennsylvania that made it onto this year’s “Horrible Hundred” list. More and more people are moving into rural parts of the state, resulting in these areas’ population growth. There’s only one Disney store left in the whole entire state. And a beer garden is offering a $700, gold-covered burger.

A man shot a bald eagle to death in Washington County. The state has reached a settlement coming in at millions of dollars with a “predatory” lending company. Over 20 breweries have teamed up to create a beer that benefits veterans. Plus, this man has given thousands of soldiers their “final goodbye.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer fell victim to a cyberattack over the weekend. A class action lawsuit against U.S. Steel has been certified. Look up — there’s going to be millions of birds flying over Pennsylvania in the coming weeks. Also, one city in the state is among the best for basketball fans while another is the worst.

A few state lawmakers believe a four-day workweek is the answer to the current labor shortage. The number of motorcyclists in Pennsylvania has been — and continues to — drop. You may eventually be able to pick up canned cocktails while grocery shopping. Lastly, a highway was left greener in an unexpected way.

Philadelphia residents have some trust issues with their tap water. Three baby ducks are saved from a storm drain. And “Today in Pa.” has its first-ever “Listening to Listeners” segment!

Doctors are still looking for more information on the effects of medical marijuana seven years after its legalization in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia’s homicide clearance rates are low, a trend seen nationally. What’s inside teddy bears could change. Finally, a new pastor in Philadelphia learns the true meaning of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

A bag with Bob Marley on it — and over $400,000 in it — was seized at Philadelphia International Airport. Some experts say that the best way to keep juvenile crime down is by creating in-school youth courts run by students. The state’s RV industry is still going strong, even after the pandemic. Also, this college student is sneaking his way into success.

A man stole his ex-girlfriend’s cat and sent her various messages threatening to kill it. Two state lawmakers want to make parental consent a requirement for minors to use social media. One lucky Sheetz customer will get free gas for the rest of their lives. Finally, a woman visited all 50 states while battling cancer.

Pennsylvania residents who were misled in paying for what should have been free TurboTax tax fillings will start getting reimbursements this month. Some parties in Philadelphia are so loud, people in Jersey are complaining about them. Some new parking changes are a W for Allentown residents. And when Pennsylvanians get the “drunchies” — that grumbling hunger you get after you drink — this is what they like to eat.

A man who made fun of police online for not being able to catch him got arrested. Pennsylvania was among the states who saw the most identity theft reports in 2022. SEPTA is closing some stations this weekend for cleaning. Plus, today’s your last chance to get your hands on some rare whiskey.

Students saw a drop in their history and civic scores throughout the U.S. You may not be able to buy fireworks anymore if this bill comes to pass. Pennsylvania is currently rife with wild mushrooms and leeks galore. Also, in honor of May the Fourth, here’s Pennsylvania’s favorite “Star Wars” movie.

The president of a university sent out an apology after his Twitter “like” history was publicly criticized. State lawmakers are thinking about replacing the gas tax with electric vehicle fees. Giant Eagle will start reducing prices on about 800 items starting tomorrow through August. And if you’re felling unmotivated — just look at the 95-year-old who sprinted a 100-meter dash.

A federal judge has ruled that a school district must allow for a Satan club to meet on its property after school. According to a new report, most of the train derailments that have happened in Western Pennsylvania occurred near a major river. The state could get an Office of Outdoor Recreation in the future. Also, if you think alligators in sewers are just a legend — think again.

A school went virtual last week after a student brought in a loaded gun. A lawsuit claims that the state Department of Education is forcing “woke” guidelines on schools, students, and teachers. Traffic fatalities dropped in 2022. Plus, this college student took civic duty to the next level.

Pennsylvania’s highways have received poor marks in factors such as quality and cost-effectiveness. Pittsburgh is currently seeing a record amount of vacant office space. Spotted lanternfly eggs are hatching soon, so be sure to reap as much destruction upon them as you can. Also, Reader’s Digest has spoken: this is the best burger in Pennsylvania.

A soon-to-be introduced bill will allow for registered independents to vote in primary elections. A school district is “committed” to starting classes a little later. You may have to wear your life jacket on the state’s waterways until June in the future. Lastly, this auction offered bidders something they could really sink their teeth into.

A teenager who was picked up by two men he met online has been found safe. A city’s parking authority has been accused of handing out tickets to people waiting online at a food bank. One school district got $6 million in funding for electric buses. Also, a tasting room plans on hosting a boozy spelling bee.

Pennsylvania has reached a settlement in lawsuits that accused the state of not doing enough to mitigate pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. Yet another school in Philadelphia has been closed due to asbestos. A company in Pennsylvania is the top-producing craft brewery in the nation. Lastly, the secret to long life is simple: “laughter and ice cream.”

A township has passed a motion that restricts where guns can be sold. Water levels in the Susquehanna watershed are reportedly low. A mobile September 11th museum will roll into one county. Plus, a very, very rare Corvette was featured at an auction last week.

An employee put needles in certain foods at a Giant in Lehigh County. People in one township are not a little irate over the almost $10,000 bill their commissioners racked up during a hotel retreat. A town is losing its only liquor store, but only for a little bit. Lastly — lions and tigers and beers, oh my!

Hundreds of people protested a transgender event hosted by the University of Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Over in Philadelphia, a pothole continues to fill with trash as officials try to figure out who’s responsible for fixing it. Pennsylvania is among the states that are the least impacted by dementia. Also, a mysterious noise woke a bunch of people up in York County the other day.

Pennsylvania, like the rest of the nation, wants to get “junk fees” under control. The pilot program for speed detection cameras in work zones ends this year, but PennDOT officials want to keep it around. The Lehigh River is one of America’s “most endangered.” Plus, he’s serving pizza — with a side of justice.

Pennsylvania is among the states that could see gas prices go up by as much as 40 cents in the coming weeks. A township may be the first in the state to build a “dog bone”-like traffic rotary. Strong winds may be a-coming this week. Finally, one city plans on turning the spotlight on some of its landmarks.

A substitute teacher is being criticized for saying a racial slur in front of students while reading a passage of “Of Mice and Men” aloud. State Police have seized about $16 million in illegal drugs so far this year. Black fly suppression spraying has begun. And Pennsylvania’s favorite smell, found.

Central Bucks School District is receiving backlash for its plans to monitor students’ online activity. A new lawsuit claims Excela Health secretly gave Facebook and Google personal patient information. Pennsylvania’s public schools got poor marks in a recent poll. Finally, this kid got a job everyone would want.

A study has found that Pennsylvania actually gets more money from the federal government than it pays in taxes. A city is in such dire financial straits that it may have to stop being one. PPL will give you $10 for that old air conditioner. Lastly, this former police horse gets a new job.

According to a newly filed lawsuit, a chocolate factory ignored reports of a gas leak before an explosion that killed seven. This dry, breezy, warmer weather puts the state at a higher risk of wildfires. Philadelphia is getting public toilets that will prevent “vandalism, illegal drug use, or prostitution.” Finally, a rare hawk was rescued after being found stranded by a creek.

100 students have been shot in Philadelphia this year. Pennsylvania (still) has some of the highest gas prices in the country. Giant Eagle has been dethroned as Pittsburgh’s most dominant grocery store. And this woman got a sign that her boyfriend wanted to marry her.

Several counties plan on joining a national database that’ll help to identify guns used in crimes. Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey have seen a 600 percent increase in tornadoes over the past five years. A local grocery store has released a new ice cream line. And was that a black panther roaming around Jersey the other day?

A Native American tribe in South Dakota is pushing to get the remains of a child in a Pennsylvania cemetery transferred to them faster. An advocacy group plans on rolling out a new civic education campaign in Pennsylvania that’ll hopefully combat disinformation ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Fans heading to PNC Park for the home opener today can expect some nifty new park enhancements. Lastly, this city is the best in the country for Easter.

The continuing chip shortage is seeing new cars missing certain perks — like heated steering wheels and parking assistance technology — sold at dealerships all over the country. The Pittsburgh City Council has reached a tentative agreement with cops. Protein bars sold at Costcos are being recalled. Lastly, this brewery has been named Pennsylvania’s best — again.

A man received a five-year sentence for setting a Philadelphia police car on fire during the 2020 George Floyd protests. Pennsylvania’s largest coal plant announced its plans to fully close by June. April’s full moon will rise later week, and it’ll be pink. Finally, this is “The Coolest Thing Made in Pa.”

Xylazine — also known as “zombie drug” — is becoming increasingly present in illegal opioids. Get this — one gas company actually wants to decrease rates and save customers some money. Over four million trout were added in nurseries throughout the state for the fishing season. Also, this exhibit is a Peep into how creative people can get.

St. Luke’s University Health Network has been accused in a new class action lawsuit of charging employees who received religious exemption from the vaccine more for health insurance. A man who stole the thumb of an ancient terra cotta warrior statue during an ugly sweater party at the Franklin Institute has accepted a plea deal. Short-term rental owners in Philadelphia were informed about subpoenas from the city last week. Finally, the former home of a Founding Father will be featured on “Ghost Hunters.”

A woman has been banned by every casino in the state for leaving her baby in the car while she gambled. Three schools in one county have been using a new method to catch drivers who illegally pass buses. Strong winds are a-coming this weekend. Lastly, Pennsylvania’s a state full of jokers.

Pennsylvania officials want to start testing the tissues of animals that may have been affected by the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last month. The state PUC has determined that PECO natural gas pipelines were not the cause behind an explosion in Pottstown nearly a year ago. A farm had to pull its goat-snuggling offering out of a few events after some people called it “exploitive.” Also, officers pulled over two culprits guilty of horsing around.

A school has enforced stricter rules to its bathroom policies in order to mitigate reports of fights and vandalism, and students aren’t too thrilled about it. The state Attorney General has stated a ticket retailer must now give people full refunds for cancelled shows. A couple has to relocate their nonprofit for a PennDOT highway project and was only offered $100 for their troubles. Lastly, this thief’s gotta steal ‘em all.

A man who was cleared of a murder in Philadelphia in 2017 has just been arrested for another homicide. Pennsylvania — as did the rest of the U.S. — saw a surge in antisemitic incidents last year. Officials in one county dream of a day where civilians share footage from their own private security cameras to help mitigate crime. Finally, Pennsylvania lawmakers want Hershey’s Kiss as the official state candy – again.

English is grand, isn’t it, and not a little in part due to the slang which evolves from it. In the spirit of that, here are the top five most popular slang words in Pennsylvania.

Tune in for a special “Today in Pa.” episode featuring John Luciew as he discusses the subject of his new series: Musa Harris, a.k.a, the Luzerne County Predator Catcher.

It’s National Cocktail Day, and in honor of this glorious occasion, a new study has found the favorite cocktail of each state.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro believes tax credits are the answer to alleviating the state’s current teacher shortage. Farmers are worried about the effects this warmer winter will have on their fruit crops. Kennywood plans on celebrating its 125th birthday with a new ride. Also did you know the supposed best steakhouse in the whole state is in Dauphin County?

The CEO of Norfolk Southern was questioned by state lawmakers on what led to the burning of toxic chemicals after the East Palestine train derailment. A recent Commonwealth Court ruling has stated that medical marijuana should be covered by workers’ compensation. Pennsylvania is among the states that are the least prepared for power outages. Plus, this “museum” actually used to be a train.

Williamsport plans to either fix or replace a bunch of wells on the city’s floodwall. If you spot some low-flying planes, don’t worry — they’re just helping with a little growing season preparation. A very lucky someone bought a $3 million scratch-off at a Sheetz. Lastly, this spot is one of the “Best Northeastern Small Towns,” according to USA Today.

Stop-and-frisk is back on the table ahead of Philadelphia’s mayoral election. A new proposal would give Pennsylvania drivers a 50 percent refund of Turnpike tolls. Speaking of getting your money back, the state Treasury could soon give you your unclaimed cash and property back in a speedier fashion. Also, Sheetz cut prices on some of its gas.

A township doesn’t want — or need — yet another Wawa. In Lebanon County, locals in one area have had their mail suspended. Parx Casino has some big plans in Bensalem. And the luck of the Irish persists, as there are two spots in Pennsylvania that are among the best for St. Patrick’s Day.

A mayor put up a sign — then took it down — which called a homeless man a “bum.” Bucks County has filed a lawsuit against the developers of popular apps such as TikTok. Allegheny County residents now have the ability to track that “rotten egg” smell. Plus, Pennsylvania is home to some of the U.S.’s “most Irish” cities.

According to a recent survey, the majority of Philadelphia residents don’t really think the city is going in the right direction. The University of Pittsburgh is receiving a bit of criticism for hosting events featuring “provocative” speakers. A bridge’s proposed reopening has been rejected. Also, Pennsylvania’s top phobia, found.