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Pennsylvania Lawmakers Must Make Environmental Justice a Top Priority

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Pennsylvania Lawmakers Must Make Environmental Justice a Top Priority


Pennsylvania communities deserve environmental justice. 

Imagine living all your life next to a power plant that sends smoke into the atmosphere each day. Imagine your local water system being filled with chemicals that go into your bloodstream every time you hydrate. Imagine your kids getting asthma at a young age because of the harmful particulates in the air they breathe. For too many Pennsylvania residents, these situations are all too real. 

This year, voters will consider whom to support in the State House, a critical opportunity to strengthen Pennsylvania’s slim pro-environment majority in Harrisburg. For decades, the legislature has been under the influence of large corporate polluters, doing their bidding and thus endangering the health of thousands of Pennsylvanians one community at a time. Now that the environmental movement has gained a foothold in Harrisburg, Pennsylvanians can set their sights on building support for a more robust environmental agenda. A top priority must be the pursuit of environmental justice policies.

READ: Time to Move on Bold, New Clean Energy Plan for Pennsylvania

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Environmental justice is needed to protect the health and well-being of citizens who have suffered from living in close proximity to fossil fuel-burning and polluting infrastructure. Individuals who live near power plants, landfills, factories and highways face health risks that other residents do not. Higher risks of asthma, cancers and fertility issues from chemical exposure, and chronic cough issues are among the challenges that too many residents face. 

It is disproportionately low-income communities, Latino and African-American communities that bear the worst burden from these industry-caused illnesses. For decades, these issues and the inequality underlying them went unexplored, unexplained, and ignored. 

Finally, Pennsylvanians are calling for environmental justice in a statewide effort to push back on environmental racism. 

The truth is that decision makers who decide where to build factories, power plants, ​​incinerators, landfills, and sewage plants have either 1) not considered the impact on local populations or 2) deliberately placed such infrastructure near communities without political clout. As a result, burdened communities with little political influence suffer from worsening air quality and water conditions. 

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Three bills in Harrisburg will do something about it. 

HB 652 would give standing to communities in close proximity to unsafe facilities. It would create a legal definition of “burdened communities” to insist upon consideration for affected neighborhoods and ensure local voices are represented in decision processes on utilities, factories, landfills and powerplants. Under the bill, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would be allowed to deny permits to project applicants whose plans have a measurably corrosive health impact on surrounding communities.

READ: How Fossil Free Penn Is Advocating For Climate Justice  

HB 707 would protect one of the only state organizations in place to advocate for marginalized communities from environmental abuse: the Environmental Justice Advisory Board (EJAB). Composed of historically marginalized groups, environmentalists, academics, and industry experts, EJAB does essential work in scrutinizing and replacing policies that harm human health. The bill safeguards the EJAB from potential partisan dismantlement under any future anti-environment administration. 

HB 742 would give marginalized communities a seat at the table and petition the government to change harmful projects and policies. The bill directs the DEP Secretary to form Regional Environmental Justice Committees consisting of historically marginalized groups and environmental experts. Individuals from burdened communities would be able to petition these committees about adverse environmental effects of state policies. This crucial step would give voice to local residents to prevent environmental damage to local people.  

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Pennsylvania is one of the few states in the nation that provides citizens a constitutional right to a clean environment. As Section 127 of Pennslylvania’s constitution reads: “The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment.” For far too long, this right was not properly afforded to individuals and families in burdened communities. 

There are some who are still fighting for frackers, drillers, and oil companies that pursue profits at the expense of human health. We must do everything we can to defeat these forces and ensure our commonwealth lives up to its constitutional promise. 

We hope that readers will contact their legislators and encourage them to support HB 652, HB 707, and HB 742 to protect the health and wellbeing of all Pennsylvania residents, no matter their zip code, race, or socio-economic situation.



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Man arrested for allegedly posting hit list, threatening more than a dozen Pennsylvania lawmakers

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Man arrested for allegedly posting hit list, threatening more than a dozen Pennsylvania lawmakers


LEBANON, Pa. — A Lebanon County, Pennsylvania man is charged with making terroristic threats and accused of creating a hit list of 20 Democrats, many from the Philadelphia region.

Adam Berryhill’s X handle goes by Pennsylvania Militia.

On it, state police say he posted, “I can’t wait for Memorial Day Operation.”

His thread also displayed guns, and he called local politicians gun-grabbing communists. His alleged hit list included state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta of North Philadelphia.

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“I’ll tell you to a certain degree, not that much shock. You know this is not the first time I’ve been the victim of threats,” Kenyatta told ABC Philadelphia affiliate WPVI.

He says the threats have no impact on his governing.

State police say among the other local Democrats named by Berryhill are congressional candidates Sharif Street, Chris Raab and others, like state Rep. Morgan Cephas.

A routine investigation by the state police detail assigned to state House Speaker Joanna McClinton led to the discovery of the alleged terroristic threats.

Berryhill was arrested and charged last week.

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SEE ALSO: ISIS-inspired teens considered other targets before Gracie Mansion protest: sources

“It’s not about being a Democrat or Republican or an independent. This is about American belief, that in America, Philadelphia, where it all started, that you get to say you believe without any threat of violence,” Kenyatta said.

Court records say Berryhill also criticized Republicans. In another post, he said they need to stop whining and claimed the only solution is war.

Charging documents say Berryhill has been involuntarily committed in the past and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

“It’s deeply uncomfortable for anybody to be doing a job just serving your neighbors. You did not sign up to be in the crosshairs of someone who is unhinged and violent,” Kenyatta said from his North Philadelphia district offices.

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Court records say Berryhill was unable to make bail.

Calls to his public defender have not been returned.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro issued the following statement on the arrest:

“Today, I spoke with Speaker McClinton and Leader Costa about the terroristic threats made against members of their caucuses in the State Legislature. I told them that while these threats of political violence seek to intimidate and silence, my administration will continue to do everything in our power to keep them safe and ensure their members can continue to make their voices heard as the people’s elected representatives.

We are experiencing a dangerous rise in threats of political violence across the Commonwealth and I appreciate the quick action of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Lebanon County District Attorney to charge and arrest the perpetrator. It is also clear a better process is necessary to notify elected officials directly when these threats are made. Lt. Colonel Bivens has spoken extensively with House and Senate leadership and their teams, and the Pennsylvania State Police have instituted a new process to notify members of the General Assembly immediately and directly of any and all threats of violence against them.

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It is on all of us to combat hate speech and political violence, and I call on all of my fellow Pennsylvanians and fellow leaders to stand up against this dangerous rising tide of violence we are seeing across our country.”

Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Shirley Ann Dailey

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Shirley Ann Dailey


Shirley Ann Dailey, 89, of Daytona Beach, Florida (formerly of Montoursville, Pennsylvania), passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026, surrounded by her family at AdventHealth Hospital in Daytona Beach.

Born December 14, 1936, in Sayre, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late John and Laura (Reinbold) White. She met the love of her life, Gordon Ell Dailey whom she shared over 60 years of marriage until his passing in 2023.

Shirley grew up in Buffalo, New York, and Dushore, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Turnpike High School in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, and continued her education with two years of college. She went on to have a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years. Her professional journey included roles with the Social Security Administration, General Motors, Pennsylvania Department of General Services, and most notably, 30 years of dedicated service with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). She served as an Administrative Assistant to the District Executive for PennDOT Engineering District 3-0. Shirley took great pride in her work and spoke fondly of her time at PennDOT throughout her retirement.

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In her personal life, Shirley enjoyed collecting artwork, caring for her home, taking walks, bicycling, and vacationing with her family.

Surviving is a son, David (Crista) Dailey of Daytona Beach, Fla.; a grandson, Garrett Dailey, of Daytona Beach, Fla.; sisters, Regina (Drew) Bagley of Shunk, Pa., and Deborah (Ray) Thall of Mechanicsburg, Pa. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Shirley was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Pier, and a brother, William White.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, 733 Broad Street, Montoursville, Pennsylvania, with Pastor David Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Twin Hills Memorial Park, Muncy. Friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at mccarthythomas.com.

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First-of-its-kind legislative funding approved for gambling support in Pennsylvania

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First-of-its-kind legislative funding approved for gambling support in Pennsylvania


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The digital-first gambling support model aims to strengthen the PA online casino industry’s overall infrastructure, including the integration of care coordination and self-help tools.

Players at Pennsylvania online casinos may soon find more responsible gaming resources thanks to a new, first-of-its kind rollout of a digital platform for gambling support known as Almond Digital Health. Approved by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, it represents the first legislative-led and funded program in the United States that aims to bolster the state’s overall gambling support infrastructure. If you’re in Pennsylvania, sign up for DraftKings Casino and get 1,000 Flex Spins:

Legislators take digital-first approach to responsible gambling

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Another example of lawmakers looking to modernize responsible gambling resources among legal sportsbooks and PA online casinos, the program will offer anonymous, multilingual access to responsible gambling educational materials as well as self-help tools and connections to treatment services.

Officials called it the first legislative-backed, digital-first gambling support program of its kind in the nation, with the goal of filling gaps in access to care. That certainly created some urgency for legislators as the real money online casino and licensed sports betting industries in Pennsylvania continue to expand and grow.

The Almond Digital Health platform will be integrated into mobile casino apps, along with in-person casinos and through partnerships with universities and sports betting operators.

Ultimately, officials look to create earlier intervention opportunities to address potential gambling addictions and provide more readily available responsible gambling tools and resources. Get started at BetMGM Casino now here:

New responsible gambling initiative will complement existing resources

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While the program is expected to be rolled out over the next several weeks, it is not designed to replace all of the existing tools and resources offered throughout the state and via PA online casinos. Rather, the Almond platform will act more as a complement to help fill gaps in access as the legal gambling industry continues to grow.

Kath Middleton, chief product officer of Almond Digital Health, emphasized that the platform is about “scale and access,” noting that Pennsylvania is “building an approach that works both within and outside traditional care settings.”

According to a press release, online casino gaming, sports betting, in-person gambling and the lottery has generated tens of billions of dollars in annual wagering. With that growth, officials wanted to ensure that Pennsylvanians had “practical, accessible and multilingual ways” to engage early with and understand all the available options for responsible gaming.

In rolling out the Almond program, Rep. Joe McAndrew highlighted that more and more people betting on sports or playing casino games online will be exposed to responsible gambling habits and how to prevent addiction through education – in fact, earlier than traditional resources.

It’s a practical approach, Rep. Joe Prokopiak echoed, that will provide “instant impact” for individuals struggling with addiction or at risk of developing one. “It’s an evolved issue,” Prokopiak said, which the state can now address “with an evolved solution.”

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