Peter Hall
@petehallpa.bsky.social
Journalist covering Pennsylvania government and politics for @penncapitalstar.bsky.social.
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A project to wring more capacity out of existing power lines will help suppliers like PPL Electric Utilities improve reliability and affordability for customers, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Thursday. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
Energy Department unveils project to squeeze more juice through existing power lines • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is poised to spend nearly $2 billion to help fund 31 grid improvement projects in 26 states.
penncapital-star.com
The Clearfield County commissioners voted Tuesday to extend a contract to operate the Moshannon Valley Processing Center on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after hearing strong public pushback. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
Amid opposition, Clearfield County commissioners approve ICE contract extension • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
The Moshannon Valley Processing Center, with beds for about 1,800 people, is the largest ICE detention center on the east coast.
penncapital-star.com
After hearing strong public opposition, the Clearfield County commissioners voted 2-1 to extend the county's contract with ICE for the operation of the the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, where three detainees have died.
UPMC will end gender-affirming care for minors under a settlement with the federal government. “Gender-affirming care is legal in Pennsylvania, and gender-related discrimination is not,” Public Interest Law Center Executive Director Mimi McKenzie said. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
UPMC agrees to end gender-affirming care in settlement with Justice Department • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
UPMC is one of more than 20 hospitals that received subpoenas last year for the patient records of children receiving gender-affirming care.
penncapital-star.com
Pennsylvania’s fiscal watchdog halted about 20,000 improper state government payments worth $1.4 billion last fiscal year. Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced details about her office’s efforts to curb waste as it processes payments for more than 70 state agencies. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
State Treasury flagged $1.4B in improper payments; lawmakers say greater oversight needed • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
A pair of state lawmakers want to expand efforts to track improper payments by state agencies by requiring them to review and assess programs that fall outside of federal oversight of wasteful spendin...
penncapital-star.com
Rolling blackouts would happen more than 13 days a year in a “worst case future” scenario, where data center growth is unrestrained and electricity supplies remain tight, according to a report commissioned by Pennsylvania utility regulators. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
Study warns of electricity shortages unless supply keeps pace with data center growth • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Even if new power plants are built over the next 15 years, as data center projects come online, the regional electricity grid would fall short of demands six times per decade, on average, according to...
penncapital-star.com
Immigration rights advocates say there’s evidence the federal government plans to buy a privately owned and operated detention center -- The Moshannon Valley Processing Center -- in Clearfield County and are calling on Pennsylvania elected leaders to act. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
Advocates call on Clearfield County commissioners to vote 'no' on ICE contract extension • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Immigration rights advocates sound alarm that the federal government may buy the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Clearfield County.
penncapital-star.com
Two more Pennsylvanians have died after becoming infected with measles, health officials said, bringing the number of deaths in the commonwealth attributed to the virus to four. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
Pa. announces two measles deaths, bringing total to four in ongoing outbreak • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
The dead are an 18-year-old from Mifflin County and a 40-year-old Jefferson County woman. Both were unvaccinated, the department said.
penncapital-star.com
The commonwealth’s top doctor stressed the best protection against measles is to get fully vaccinated. During an update on the measles outbreak Friday, Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Debra L. Bogen said it has now sickened 676 people in the commonwealth. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
Measles outbreak has sickened 676 in Pa., including four fully vaccinated people • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
State health officials have recorded cases of measles in 37 of the commonwealth’s 67 counties.
penncapital-star.com
How do you keep the legacy of the Flight 93 passengers and crew alive when more than a third of Americans have no living memory of 9/11? penncapital-star.com/education/ke...
Keeping the story of Flight 93 alive, as living memories become fewer • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
for around 100 million Americans born after 9/11, that day that shifted the nation’s course is an abstract day in history.
penncapital-star.com
Wonder how this would go over in the Pa. General Assembly? www.newsfromthestates.com/article/bill...
Bill would make NJ lawmakers ‘practice what they preach’ on cell phone use
With New Jersey students now banned from using their cell phones during the school day, one state lawmaker wants his fellow legislators to follow in their footsteps and stop scrolling during legislati...
newsfromthestates.com
“I mean, they stare right at you as you’re telling the story, or you’re telling them what I want from them and why it’s important. And you know, usually eighth grade kids are kind of all over the place. But they are totally locked in.” From @petehallpa.bsky.social
Keeping the story of Flight 93 alive, as living memories become fewer • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
for around 100 million Americans born after 9/11, that day that shifted the nation’s course is an abstract day in history.
penncapital-star.com
Meta settled claims by 47 states that its platforms were harmful to children by agreeing to pay up to $17.1 billion. Now, those states, including Pennsylvania, must decide for themselves how the money should be distributed. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
Meta settlement brings questions about where and how to use the money • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
The Meta settlement prescribes broad uses to remedy the increase in teen mental health issues such as body dysmorphia and suicide.
penncapital-star.com
A Commonwealth Court judge ruled Friday afternoon that Andrew Tupone, a hopeful Green Party candidate in the 7th Congressional District, can be removed from the ballot despite collecting sufficient signatures to appear on it. penncapital-star.com/briefs/judge... via @iankarbal.bsky.social
Judge rules Green Party candidate accused of being GOP plant can be kicked off ballot in PA-07 • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
The decision marks a turning point in a dispute between Tupone and the Pennsylvania Green Party itself, which challenged Tupone’s nomination papers and accused him of being a Republican plant.
penncapital-star.com
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Federal investigators released preliminary findings in the mid-air collision between a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter and a private propeller plane about two weeks after the fatal crash near Carlisle. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
NTSB releases initial report in State Police helicopter collision with private plane • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
The report shows the crew of the helicopter was in radio contact with the pilot of the Cessna 150 airplane before it struck helicopter.
penncapital-star.com
With the future of skill games in Pennsylvania on the line, a Lebanon County state lawmaker is proposing an update to the commonwealth’s Gaming Act to legalize the gambling machines before they’re forced to go dark. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
Rep. Diamond proposes gaming reform to save skill games and boost tax relief • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Rep. Russ Diamond said in a news release that taxing skill games could also provide nearly $1 billion in additional property tax relief.
penncapital-star.com
Wouldn't it be nice if you could just read about what's happening in Pennsylvania without waiting for social media algorithms to decide what you see and when you see it? Well, there is a way. Subscribe to our morning newsletter and you'll get everything you need to know -- right in your inbox.
“We can’t pass every increase along ... "
Rising energy and fuel costs cut into Pa. businesses' bottom lines.
newsletters.penncapital-star.com
A good NYT story this morning on Pennsylvania “skill games” — from the perspective of people struggling with gambling addiction who have lost tens of thousands to them. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/30/b...
Pennsylvania Gambling Addicts Hope that ‘Skill Games’ Will Go Bust (Gift Article)
The machines, which enjoyed legal protection until a recent court ruling, could go dark in October.
nytimes.com
ICYMI: On Friday, I asked Gov. Josh Shapiro for his opinion about the ongoing debate of regulating Flock cameras and other automated license plate reading systems. “I would welcome bipartisan legislation to ban these across the state,” he said. Story below ⬇️
Gov. Josh Shapiro joined nearly two dozen states in a legal challenge to conditions on federal family planning funding he said is intended to advance the Trump administration’s political agenda. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
Shapiro joins lawsuit over Trump administration restrictions on family planning funding • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
The lawsuit seeks a court order to vacate requirements for states applying for family planning funding under Title X.
penncapital-star.com
Announcing a lawsuit alleging Snapchat’s 13+ age rating misleads parents and that the platform is designed to be addictive, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday called on the social media company to take steps to protect young users. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday is suing another social media platform alleging harm to kids • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday called on the social media company Snapchat to take steps to protect young users.
penncapital-star.com
Amtrak will operate a second daily passenger train between Pittsburgh and New York via Harrisburg and Philadelphia starting in mid-November, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office announced Monday. The trip from Pittsburgh to New York currently takes more than nine hours. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
Additional Amtrak passenger train service to and from Pittsburgh to begin in mid-November • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Amtrak anticipates beginning ticket sales for the second Pittsburgh to New York passenger train in October, the administration said.
penncapital-star.com
Data centers are *the* hot button issues in communities across the state. Our latest Folo PA podcast episode with @ejprev.bsky.social and @petehallpa.bsky.social takes a look at how three communities are each reacting to the possibility of a data center in their backyards. Listen now.
A tale of three townships: Pennsylvania's data center debate • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
For communities yet to face data center proposals, others' experiences could provide guidance on how to respond — and what not to do.
penncapital-star.com
As Pennsylvania lawmakers proposed measures to better regulate the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and the data they gather, a major purveyor of the technology announced it would tighten the optional controls on how police use its system. From @petehallpa.bsky.social
Pa. lawmakers propose guardrails on automatic license plate cameras as backlash grows • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Flock’s ALPRs, otherwise known as Flock cameras, capture images of passing vehicles and upload them to a database police can search.
penncapital-star.com
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SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST States Newsroom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news operation that depends on support from people like you to produce high-quality journalism without paywalls, popups or ads. Please…
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Anyone else out there having detailed discussions about the problem with the kerning problems in the “BUSCH STADIUM” sign? Just me? Ok.
