The Morning Agenda

WITF
  • 5.0 (26)
  • 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. 2d ago

    PA Headlines | Oct. 2nd | Will we ever get money out of politics?

    Want to buy a lawmaker a nice vacation, or a trip to the Super Bowl, or just a few dozen nice dinners around town? You can, under Pennsylvania’s gift laws, among the most lax in the nation. In Harrisburg, the latest push to end what advocates and some lawmakers call corruption. Also this week, the state House passed a bill aiming to expand voting access. Pennsylvania is one of only eight states where only Democrats or Republicans can vote in primary elections, which can sometimes be more consequential than November elections. PA House members are turning to civil liberties advocates and the law enforcement community to answer questions about automatic license plate readers. They recently convened for a hearing in Harrisburg as the legislative session is about to end with multiple bills in play to regulate ALPRs. The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed a fifth measles-associated death on Wednesday. Pennsylvania has the worst outbreak in the country. If Democrats can flip three state Senate seats in the November election, Pennsylvania could see the legalization of recreational marijuana as soon as next year. That’s according to a group of legislators who spoke at a conference called Opportunities in the Cannabis Industry, recently held in Philadelphia. Kratom is an unregulated drug that’s exploded in popularity and over-the-counter availability across Pennsylvania and other states. The state House Health Committee has advanced a bill that would regulate it. The Perry County Coroner's office has released the identity of a a man killed in a house explosion. The director of Pennsylvania's Women, Infants and Children (or WIC) program, under the Department of Health, has resigned. 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:  A record-setting gift to Carnegie Mellon University is the largest individual gift in the history of American higher education. It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked. Thanks to our community, we're still here for you and looking toward the future. Join the thousands of members who are building a stronger WITF. Go to  www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

  2. 3d ago

    PA Headlines | Oct. 1 | A deep dive into data centers: How some residents are pushing back

    A community forum in Cumberland County focused on the growing number of data centers proposed for the region and the pushback against them. Residents are learning how to navigate the challenges presented by data center proposals. Pennsylvania's Department of Health is suspending a proposal to give officials more power to track the spread of disease. The proposed new rules sparked outrage among Republicans. Federal Medicaid changes required by a massive 2025 federal tax cut and spending bill go into effect on January first of next year. Pennsylvania is preparing its recipients for the changes to come while also updating its own reporting system for the joint federal and state health insurance program. A Dauphin County man is dead after a train collided with the pickup truck he was driving, Tuesday. The accident happened in the 300 block of South 7th Street in Lemoyne, Cumberland County. The coroner says there are no gates or flashing lights where that roadway crosses the train tracks. The number of measles cases in Pennsylvania has now surpassed 900. State health officials say a total of 903 cases are now confirmed across 39 counties this year. And a deep dive: Data center development is growing in Pennsylvania, in part because of the state’s big supply of natural gas. In the town of Upper Burrell in Westmoreland County, near Pittsburgh, a data center expansion could be fed by fracking rigs already pumping gas out of the ground there. The town is trying to keep pace with two big industries in its backyard. In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

  3. 4d ago

    PA Headlines | Sept. 30 | Lawmakers have a long to-do list, but a short fall session.

    Lawmakers returned to the state capitol this week with just 11 days in the legislative session and several pieces of legislation awaiting action. The Pennsylvania House and Senate face a long to-do list in a short amount of time. Sixty-four million dollars in state and private investments is going toward revitalizing downtown Harrisburg. Governor Josh Shapiro and local leaders say the money will attract businesses, support those already downtown and strengthen the community. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was in Philadelphia last week, campaigning for Governor Josh Shapiro at the iconic Morning Glory Diner. Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth University plans to lay off faculty and staff next year. The university expects the cuts to happen across its three campuses: Lock Haven, Mansfield and Bloomsburg. Scranton Fire Chief John Judge is leaving the department to take a new position in the State College area. Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration is rolling back an effort to expand the power of Pennsylvania health officials to track the spread of disease. Mobile home owners say they’re trapped, as the lot rents beneath their homes are rising. But a new bill would provide relief.  And LeBron James has joined the Philadelphia 76ers, wearing the No. 23 jersey. Speaking at the 76ers' media day Monday, he says he's excited to play with close friend Tyrese Maxey and start his 24th NBA season.  It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked. Thanks to our community, we're still here for you and looking toward the future. Join the thousands of members who are building a stronger WITF. Go to  www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

  4. 5d ago

    PA Headlines | Sept. 29 | Meet WITF News Director Jackie Palochko.

    Today we take a deep dive into WITF News, as we introduce you to WITF’s new News Director Jackie Plochko. She explains what listeners can expect this election season – and beyond. In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

  5. 6d ago

    PA Headlines | Sept. 28 | Haitian York County pastor deported despite legal and public support

    A York County pastor is now in Haiti, separated from his U.S. citizen wife and children despite his robust legal, public and political support. Pennsylvania legislators return to Harrisburg today, with several major issues still on the table. Pennsylvania schools are building solar arrays that will help them save money on utility bills and lower their carbon footprint. New research from the Centers for Disease Control shows that access to buprenorphine is improving in both rural and urban areas. The medication treats opioid use disorder and can help people in addiction recovery, but there are still treatment gaps. The Energy Department says it will spend almost $2 billion to try to squeeze more electricity out of the nation’s aging and stressed power grid. There have been nearly 900 measles cases in 39 counties throughout Pennsylvania, according to the state Department of Health. If you already support WITF with an ongoing monthly contribution, thank you. If every member of WITF's Sustaining Circle increased their gift by as little as $12 a month, we could close the budget gap caused by cuts in federal funding and keep this programming going strong. Increase your monthly gift today at https://witf.org/increase or become a new sustaining member at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

  6. Sep 25

    PA Headlines | Sept. 25 | A deep dive into the Stelson-Perry race.

    We begin today with a deep dive: A Franklin and Marshall poll shows voters in the 10th Congressional District say the economy is their most important issue. Pennsylvania's Auditor General released a performance audit of the state’s Department of Aging this week. Department of Aging officials are disputing the findings. State lawmakers traveled to the Lehigh Valley this week to hear testimony on the challenges and opportunities facing Pennsylvania’s Latino population. And now an update to a story we first reported earlier this week: Democratic congressional representatives are pressing for information regarding the contract and operations of Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Clearfield County, the largest immigrant detention center in the northeast. And it’s time for our weekly segment called The Bright Spot.  Every Friday, I share a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle.   Today’s bright spot is this: Congratulations to our friends at WVIA who were recently recognized with one of Little League International’s highest honors. WVIA received the 2026 W. Howard Hartman Little League Friendship Award. It recognizes WVIA’s longstanding commitment to the Little League community and its dedication to sharing stories of Challenger Division athletes. It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked. Thanks to our community, we're still here for you and looking toward the future. Join the thousands of members who are building a stronger WITF. Go to  www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

  7. Sep 24

    PA Headlines | Sept. 24 | How state officials are banding together to curb suicide rates among veterans.

    State officials highlighted programs for veterans during a roundtable focused on veterans' suicide in Cumberland County. A new clinical training partnership is launching, to bolster the state’s rural health care workforce and will provide students with psychiatric clinical experience. Clearfield County Commissioners are extending a contract for ICE to run the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, the largest immigration detention facility in the northeast. Six Berks County residents have filed a lawsuit against a neighboring firearms range. They're asking the courts to roll back what they argue is an illegal expansion of University Rifle Club. More than $5 million in state funding is headed to 16 Cumberland County projects ranging from historic preservation and recreation to public safety. WITF has always relied on your support to fulfill our mission. Our community of sustaining members provides a robust and reliable foundation of support that we count on, month after month, year after year. By increasing your sustaining gift today, you're preserving and strengthening the WITF services you count on - from reliable reporting to the programs you love. Invest in your community. Increase your sustaining gift today at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

  8. Sep 23

    PA Headlines | Sept. 23 | With dwindling volunteers, where do Pa. fire companies go from here?

    Fire departments around the country are struggling to maintain a volunteer force that meets community needs. Some central Pennsylvania departments are shifting to a combination of paid and volunteer workers. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has approved 2027 Affordable Care Act health insurance premiums. The final rates are lower than what was originally proposed. After an expedited review, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is denying the green card application for a York pastor whose case has caught the attention of Pennsylvania’s top politicians. A trainer is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of 18-year-old Krystofer Lopez of Biglerville during training at Letterkenny Army Depot in March. Damaged communications lines at a key air traffic control facility in Philadelphia are repaired, allowing airports across the U.S. Northeast to resume operations after hours of disruptions on Monday., The Pennsylvania Game Commission is opening up several state games lands this fall for driving tours. Steve Smith, the Game Commission's Executive Director, says the tours give hunters a preview for the upcoming hunting seasons, while non-hunters can simply enjoy beautiful fall landscapes. WITF has always relied on your support to fulfill our mission. Our community of sustaining members provides a robust and reliable foundation of support that we count on, month after month, year after year. By increasing your sustaining gift today, you're preserving and strengthening the WITF services you count on - from reliable reporting to the programs you love. Invest in your community. Increase your sustaining gift today at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

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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
    210
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 WITF
  • Show Website
    The Morning Agenda

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