• President Biden Wants to Raise Minimum Wage; Pros and Cons of Proposal

    President Biden Wants to Raise Minimum Wage; Pros and Cons of Proposal

    Congressional Democrats have released new details on legislation that would lift the minimum wage to $15 an hour as supported by President Joe Biden in phases over the next four years, writes Eric Morath for The Wall Street Journal. The minimum wage would first increase to $9.50 an hour the day the proposed law would…

  • Customers Bank Offering Banks, Chambers of Commerce, and Other Lenders a White Label Turnkey Solution

    Customers Bank Offering Banks, Chambers of Commerce, and Other Lenders a White Label Turnkey Solution

    In the 3rd round of Paycheck Protection Program loans, Customers Bank, the $19 billion Pennsylvania-based super community bank, is leading the way with over 50,000 loans in process as of last Friday and now tens of thousands more. As of this week, the bank has approved over 3,000 loans providing a much needed lifeline to…

  • New $900M Pandemic Recovery Aid Bill Approved By Pennsylvania Senate

    New $900M Pandemic Recovery Aid Bill Approved By Pennsylvania Senate

    Earlier this week, Pennsylvania’s Senate unanimously approved legislation to distribute more than $900 million in pandemic recovery aid to schools and hospitality-related businesses along with individuals who are struggling to pay rent or utility bills, according to a staff report from The Philadelphia Inquirer. The bill now has to receive approval from both the state…

  • See Where Pennsylvania Ranks in the Unemployment Recovery Rate

    See Where Pennsylvania Ranks in the Unemployment Recovery Rate

    Pennsylvania was in the middle of the pack for the unemployment recovery rate in the nation in December, according to a new report by WalletHub. To determine the ranking for its States Whose Unemployment Rates Are Bouncing Back Most list, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on four key metrics.…

  • Don’t Move To The Country Just Yet!

    Don’t Move To The Country Just Yet!

    I’m here to knock some sense into you.  You’re thinking of moving somewhere bucolic. Somewhere sparsely populated. Somewhere, to quote Tom Petty, into the great wide open, under them skies of blue.  Jonah Bayer, writing for Travel and Leisure, offers a practical, optimistic view of such a move.  I’m going to give you the pessimistic viewpoint. …

  • Votes in for Ruth ‘Butter’ Ginsburg, Baby Yoda, and Many Other Buttery DIY Creations at PA Farm Show

    Votes in for Ruth ‘Butter’ Ginsburg, Baby Yoda, and Many Other Buttery DIY Creations at PA Farm Show

    Ruth ‘Butter’ Ginsburg and Butter Baby Yoda are just a few of the many amazing buttery creations that viewers could vote for at the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show, writes Danya Henninger for the Billy Penn. Since the PA Farm Show has had to go into the virtual realm this year, the beloved tradition of a…

  • Pennsylvania Ranks Near Top of List of Best States for Adventure Seekers

    Pennsylvania Ranks Near Top of List of Best States for Adventure Seekers

    Thanks to its many amazing outdoor destinations and a plethora of extreme sports options, Pennsylvania is an ideal place to visit for travelers who are looking to experience a true adventure, according to a new study published by Outforia. Outforia compiled the list of best states for adventure seekers in 2021 by comparing the number…

  • Pennsylvania is the 8th Least Safe State During COVID-19, According to WalletHub Study

    Pennsylvania is the 8th Least Safe State During COVID-19, According to WalletHub Study

    With only 0.62% of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of January 20, and vaccination being an essential component for full reopening of the economy, PA is the 8th least safe state during the pandemic, writes Adam McCann for WalletHub on the Safest States During COVID-19. “The level of safety in a state is…

  • Joe Biden Nominates Dr. Rachel Levine for Assistant Health Secretary Post

    Joe Biden Nominates Dr. Rachel Levine for Assistant Health Secretary Post

    Pennsylvania’s health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, has been nominated by Joe Biden to be his next assistant health secretary, writes Kennedy Rose for the Philadelphia Business Journal. She would be the first openly transgender official to be confirmed by the Senate, if approved. Levine has taken on praise and criticism in her response to contain…

  • Pennsylvania Among Top Ten States Residents Moved Out Of in 2020

    Pennsylvania Among Top Ten States Residents Moved Out Of in 2020

    Pennsylvania ranked eighth in the list of the top ten states residents moved out of in 2020, writes Michaelle Bond for The Philadelphia Inquirer. According to the report published by Move.org, nationally, most people who decided to move remained either in the city or state to stay close to family, friends, and their jobs thus…

  • PA Chamber Statement on Violence at U.S. Capitol

    PA Chamber Statement on Violence at U.S. Capitol

    PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in regards to yesterday’s violent security breach at the U.S. Capitol Building. “Yesterday’s violence at the U.S. Capitol was completely unacceptable.  It was an assault on our democracy and an affront to our ideals. Those who committed these acts should be prosecuted as soon…

  • Public Service Truly Pays; Check Out Pennsylvania’s Highest-Paid State Employees

    Public Service Truly Pays; Check Out Pennsylvania’s Highest-Paid State Employees

    The highest-paid state employees in Pennsylvania are either managing the retirement fund for public school workers or heading institutions of higher education, writes Kennedy Rose for the Philadelphia Business Journal. The 25 highest-paid state employees together earn more than $7.88 million annually or an average of $315,000. Some of these salaries are not covered just…

  • The ‘US Explained’ Video Series Profiles Pennsylvania

    The ‘US Explained’ Video Series Profiles Pennsylvania

    In its Pennsylvania installment, The US Explained video series by That Is Interesting looked at the Keystone State’s history, geography, and culture and found it to be one of the most fascinating states in the nation. The nickname is also tied to the state’s historical significance since both the Declaration of Independence and the United…

  • Pennsylvania To Get 120K Doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine in First Round

    Pennsylvania To Get 120K Doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine in First Round

    As the distribution of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine commences, Pennsylvania is expected to receive approximately 120,000 doses from the initial shipment, according to a report from The Washington Post. Should the Moderna vaccine be approved, the Keystone State would be in line to receive a total of 590,000 doses before the end of the year. The…

  • Local Hospitals Plans for Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines to Their Staff As Soon As They Become Available

    Local Hospitals Plans for Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines to Their Staff As Soon As They Become Available

    Local health systems, including Einstein Medical and Jefferson Health, are preparing plans for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to their staff as soon as they become available, writes Nina Feldman for the WHYY. Hospitals in the area have spent the last few weeks preparing ultra-cold storage, determining who will be first in line for the…

  • Penn Vet Adds a Dog’s Nose to Arsenal of Weapons Against the Dreaded Spotted Lanternfly

    Penn Vet Adds a Dog’s Nose to Arsenal of Weapons Against the Dreaded Spotted Lanternfly

    Man’s Best Friend is joining the front lines in the spotted lanternfly battle, reports the 6abc staff and Christie Ileto for 6acbc.com. The dogs come from a pilot training program at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Three dogs participated in the five-month study. Unhatched lanternfly eggs are difficult to find and odorless…

  • July Unkind to Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Recovery Rate

    July Unkind to Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Recovery Rate

    Pennsylvania is the state with the eighth-worst unemployment recovery rate in the nation in July, according to a new report by WalletHub. To determine the ranking for States Whose July Unemployment Rates Are Bouncing Back Most, WalletHub compared the 50 states and District of Columbia based on four key metrics. According to WalletHub, “We looked…

  • Cooperative Spotted Lanternfly Program Consolidates State Efforts to Fight Invasive Insect

    Cooperative Spotted Lanternfly Program Consolidates State Efforts to Fight Invasive Insect

    The Cooperative Spotted Lanternfly Program in Pennsylvania is bringing together state scientists and experts to find ways to combat the invasive insect, writes Amy Duke for the Penn State News. If not contained, the Asia-native bug could drain the state economy by at least $324 million annually as well as causing around 2,800 job losses.…