The Morning Agenda

WITF
  • 5.0 (25)
  • DAILY NEWS
  • UPDATED DAILY

Sometimes, your mornings are just too busy to catch the news beyond a headline or two. Don’t worry. The Morning Agenda has got your back. Each weekday morning, The Morning Agenda will keep you informed, amused, enlightened and up-to-date on what’s happening in central Pennsylvania and the rest of this great commonwealth. And every Friday, The Morning Agenda includes The Bright Spot, a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid the week’s news cycle.

  1. 1D AGO

    PA Headlines | May 15 | Online threats target 20 state lawmakers.

    Pennsylvania State Police say twenty Democratic state lawmakers were targeted by online threats, which led to the arrest of a suspect last week.  State police arrested a 42-year-old Lebanon County man last week, after they say he made a series of threats on social media last month.  Voting by Penn State faculty on whether to unionize ended last week. Ballot counting began Wednesday and is slated to be completed by today (Fri). The York County SPCA is asking for the public's help, after rescuing more than 50 dogs from a hoarding situation. Officials say it's one of the largest hoarding cases in its history. Dozens of clean water advocates will gather in Lancaster County next week for the Choose Clean Water Conference. It's a three-day meeting of regional leaders from the nonprofit, government and business industries. And now it’s time for our weekly segment called The Bright Spot: Every Friday, I’ll share a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle.   Today’s bright spot... is a no-brainer – literally. The winner of the 2026 Tiny Desk Contest was revealed earlier this week by NPR Music's Bobby Carter. The group Cure for Paranoia – with a song called “No Brainer” – is the winner, marking the 12th time that an unsigned musical artist has won the nationwide challenge.

    6 min

  2. 2D AGO

    PA Headlines | May 14 | How is Pa. doing, two months into Gov. Shapiro’s maternal health initiative?

    The Shapiro Administration is now two months into its “Healthy Moms, Vibrant Futures” maternal health strategic action plan. The goal is to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, supported by community input, collaboration from multiple state departments and a 5-year federal grant. A Lebanon County man is charged with making terroristic threats online, against 20 Pennsylvania lawmakers. Pennsylvania State Police arrested and charged 42-year-old Adam Berryhill after they say he posted quote "politically violent" posts including a "hit list" on his X account in late April. President Donald Trump is nominating State Senator and former GOP gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Slovakia. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the drowning of a 5-month-old girl at a Lancaster County hotel. In Schuylkill County, Pottsville city council voted earlier this week to join the ICE 287(g) program. Chambersburg Borough Council voted earlier this week to end the Franklin County community's 62-year-old fluoridation program in the public water supply. Votes by council were evenly split for and against fluoridation, so the mayor cast the tie-breaking vote to end the program. Mifflin County is being awarded $1.5 million in PennDOT funding, to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety. As “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” heads into the sunset, keyboardist and Philly resident Corey Bernhard says he's “looking forward to getting back in the mix” and collaborating with Philly's local music scene.

    9 min

  3. 3D AGO

    PA Headlines | May 13 | Homelessness is near record-highs across Central Pa.

    Homelessness is increasing in central Pennsylvania. The number of people living in shelters, cars, and tents are near record highs. The Mutter Museum is opening a new exhibit examining one of the darkest periods in Philadelphia history, the 1976 outbreak at an American Legion convention that left nearly 3 dozen people dead. It led to the discovery of Legionnaires' Disease. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht said Monday he has changed his political affiliation. In Cumberland County, Wormleysburg is considering withdrawing from its current regional police department. Operators of the Millersburg Ferry are putting out a call for volunteers to help put the boats in the water for the upcoming summer season.

    8 min

  4. 4D AGO

    PA Headlines | May 12 | Pa. fruit farmers could be facing $150 million+ in losses this season.

    Early estimates show Pennsylvania's specialty crop industry could be facing losses between $150 million and $200 million dollars this season. That's due to early warm weather that produced blossoms on fruit trees - followed by freezing temperatures in April. Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding says the size and scope of damage is unprecedented. Governor Josh Shapiro is requesting expedited disaster assistance from the U-S Department of Agriculture.  For the better part of a century, the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel has carried drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike through the eastern continental divide.  It’s at the highest point on the toll road, which runs 360 miles across the state.  Plans have been unveiled to replace the tunnel with an open road cut through the top of the ridge. A Lancaster County couple is facing numerous charges, including endangering the welfare of a child, and animal welfare-related charges, following a seizure of more than 90 animals from their home.  A Berks County man is facing felony charges after police say he attacked another parent during a youth soccer game. Police say the incident left the victim injured and unconscious. State officials have implemented new safety requirements at haunted attractions, following a 2025 investigation by our partners at Spotlight PA that revealed dangers situations involving both teen and adult volunteers at Lancaster County's Field of Screams. State officials recently approved more than $7.6 million in tax credits to support more than 100 businesses across Pennsylvania, as part of the Keystone Innovation Zone Tax Credit Program.

    9 min

  5. 5D AGO

    PA Headlines | May 11 | How future rural health funding could impact EMS in Pa.

    Pennsylvania has just a few months left to spend its first round of federal funding dedicated to rural health.  The money is intended to offset Medicaid losses during the next decade, with this initial award prioritizing existing program stabilization.  Emergency responders are exploring what future funding rounds could mean for their services. Submissions are now being accepted for The Older Artists of PA Showcase planned for later this summer at the State Capitol.  And a deeper dive: In suburban Philadelphia, a farm and a nonprofit are teaming up and forging a unique partnership to fight both food waste and hunger.

    7 min

  6. MAY 8

    PA Headlines | May 8 | Stats and analysis, as nearly 20,000 students graduate from Pa. state universities this spring.

    With Commencement season upon us, the State System of Higher Education is sending thousands of graduates out into the workforce.  Nearly 20,000 students are graduating from state system universities. Nearly 90% of the students are from Pennsylvania and most graduates stay in the state.  Four-day school schedules are gaining in popularity across the country. Starting this fall, students at a Catholic secondary school in Williamsport, Lycoming County are joining the trend. The State Department of Health is working closely with health care providers in Lebanon County after three individuals were hospitalized with measles.  The Office of State Inspector General has new office space in Forum Place in Harrisburg.  State Inspector General Michelle Henry says the move allows her entire department to be located on one floor, as opposed to three. A state House committee is advancing a suite of six bills to combat child sex trafficking  Wellspan Health has officially opened Wellspan Carlisle Hospital.  It's the third new hospital Wellspan has opened this year following locations in Newberry and Shrewsbury, York County.  York is being awarded $1.5 million to help city officials convert the vacant Dentsply Sirona property into affordable housing including 81 apartments, plus retail and office space. York's funding is part of a total of $10 million Governor Shapiro is awarding for affordable housing programs across the state. Who owns blighted homes in the city of Reading? The answer is often unclear. And it's hampering city officials from tracking down those owners and ultimately increasing the city's housing stock and tax base. You can learn more about this story on our website, here.  And now it’s time for our weekly segment called The Bright Spot. Every Friday, I’ll share a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle.   Today’s bright spot is this: There’s a new free online quiz to predict and plan for longevity. It’s good timing, as the oldest millennials turn 45 this year - and the oldest Gen Xers are 60. What’s your longevity score? Take the quiz and find out, in a story from NPR, linked here.

    10 min

  7. MAY 7

    PA Headlines | May 7 | Why Gov. Shapiro wrote a letter to 24 water, gas and electric utilities.

    Governor Josh Shapiro says the system formed in the last century to regulate utilities is broken. Shapiro wrote a letter to two dozen water, gas and electric utilities in the state outlining benchmarks required for his Administration to support any future rate hikes. Pennsylvania has been awarded a federal grant to install a geothermal project at an existing natural gas site in western Pennsylvania. The pilot project is the first of its kind in the Eastern U.S. Pennsylvania has filed suit against a company that specializes in artificial intelligence, claiming its chatbots illegally hold themselves out as doctors and deceive the system’s users into thinking they're getting medical advice from a licensed professional. The Shapiro administration called it a first of its kind enforcement action by a governor, and it comes amid growing pressure by states on tech companies to rein in its chatbots' potentially dangerous messages, especially to children. A Baltimore developer has submitted plans for a data center complex in Perry County - encompassing nearly 1.5 million square feet. Cases of bird flu have been discovered at Maryland's Conowingo Dam, along the Susquehanna River, just over the Lancaster County line.

    7 min

  8. MAY 6

    PA Headlines | May 6 | Remembering a fallen Pennsylvania State Police corporal.

    A memorial service Monday honored fallen Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy J. O'Connor Jr. at PSP Headquarters in Harrisburg. The 40-year-old O'Connor was fatally shot on March 8th in Chester County during a traffic stop. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has joined a coalition of nearly two-dozen states urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse new restrictions on medication abortion.  Pennsylvania has more than 450 community health centers that serve more than a million patients each year, many of whom are low-income earners. They operate without consistent state funding, despite supporters saying they’re a good investment and help to fill gaps in the health care system. Childhood obesity is a major public health crisis. Doctors say GLP-1 drugs could help treat kids who are already experiencing adult conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. But some families face barriers to obtaining medications according to new research from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Pennsylvania State Police say a Chambersburg man told them he spent three days surveilling a former neighbor before fatally shooting him on May 1st. Berks County officials are announcing plans to purchase the former Wells Fargo Penn Street building and turn it into a new county government center. The Pennsylvania State Police is expanding their Rapid DNA program to municipal law enforcement agencies.

    10 min
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5
out of 5
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About

Sometimes, your mornings are just too busy to catch the news beyond a headline or two. Don’t worry. The Morning Agenda has got your back. Each weekday morning, The Morning Agenda will keep you informed, amused, enlightened and up-to-date on what’s happening in central Pennsylvania and the rest of this great commonwealth. And every Friday, The Morning Agenda includes The Bright Spot, a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid the week’s news cycle.

Information

  • Creator
    WITF
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    110
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 WITF
  • Show Website
    The Morning Agenda

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