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Pennsylvania Soldiers Head to Europe for Training Mission

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U.S. Soldiers with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard are honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Maj. Travis Mueller)

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56th SBCT deployment ceremony








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U.S. Soldiers with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard are honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Maj. Travis Mueller)

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56th SBCT deployment ceremony








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U.S. Soldiers with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard are honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Maj. Travis Mueller)

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56th SBCT deployment ceremony








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U.S. Soldiers with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard are honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Maj. Travis Mueller)

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56th SBCT deployment ceremony








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U.S. Soldiers with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard are honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Maj. Travis Mueller)

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56th SBCT deployment ceremony








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U.S. Soldiers with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard are honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Maj. Travis Mueller)

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56th SBCT deployment ceremony








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U.S. Soldiers with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard are honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Maj. Travis Mueller)

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56th SBCT deployment ceremony








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U.S. Soldiers with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard are honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Maj. Travis Mueller)

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56th SBCT deployment ceremony








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U.S. Soldiers with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard are honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Travis Mueller)
(Photo Credit: Maj. Travis Mueller)

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Celebration of family and service at farewell ceremony








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U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kurtis Startzel with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard smiles while lifting his daughter sky-high at the unit’s pre-deployment farewell ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Aug. 21, 2024. The unit is deploying to Grafenwoehr, Germany to resume the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine (JMTG-U) mission under 7th Army Training Command (7ATC).
(Photo Credit: Capt. Leanne Demboski)

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Celebration of family and service at farewell ceremony








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A U.S. Soldier attended the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard pre-deployment farewell ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Aug. 21, 2024, in honor of his brother who is deploying. The 56th SBCT is deploying to Grafenwoehr, Germany to resume the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine (JMTG-U) mission under 7th Army Training Command (7ATC).
(Photo Credit: Capt. Leanne Demboski)

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Celebration of family and service at farewell ceremony








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U.S. Army Col. Christopher Costello, commander of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard, smiles with his wife, Judy, at the unit’s pre-deployment farewell ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Aug. 21, 2024. The unit is deploying to Grafenwoehr, Germany to resume the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine (JMTG-U) mission under 7th Army Training Command (7ATC).
(Photo Credit: Capt. Leanne Demboski)

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Celebration of family and service at farewell ceremony








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A U.S. Soldier assigned to the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard walks alongside her dog at the unit’s pre-deployment farewell ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Aug. 21, 2024. The unit is deploying to Grafenwoehr, Germany, to resume the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine (JMTG-U) mission under the 7th Army Training Command (7ATC).
(Photo Credit: Capt. Leanne Demboski)

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Celebration of family and service at farewell ceremony








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A U.S. Soldier assigned to the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard stands while a child looks on at the unit’s pre-deployment farewell ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Aug. 21, 2024. The unit is deploying to Grafenwoehr, Germany to resume the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine (JMTG-U) mission under 7th Army Training Command (7ATC).
(Photo Credit: Capt. Leanne Demboski)

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Surrounded by loved ones, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Paul Richter with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard smiles at the unit’s pre-deployment farewell ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Aug. 21, 2024. The unit is deploying to Grafenwoehr, Germany to resume the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine (JMTG-U) mission under 7th Army Training Command (7ATC).
(Photo Credit: Capt. Leanne Demboski)

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Pa. National Guard’s 56th SBCT departs for year-long deployment to Germany








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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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Pa. National Guard’s 56th SBCT departs for year-long deployment to Germany








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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall)
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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Pa. National Guard’s 56th SBCT departs for year-long deployment to Germany








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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall)
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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Pa. National Guard’s 56th SBCT departs for year-long deployment to Germany








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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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Pa. National Guard’s 56th SBCT departs for year-long deployment to Germany








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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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Pa. National Guard’s 56th SBCT departs for year-long deployment to Germany








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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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Pa. National Guard’s 56th SBCT departs for year-long deployment to Germany








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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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Pa. National Guard’s 56th SBCT departs for year-long deployment to Germany








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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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Pa. National Guard’s 56th SBCT departs for year-long deployment to Germany








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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall)
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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Pa. National Guard’s 56th SBCT departs for year-long deployment to Germany








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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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Pa. National Guard’s 56th SBCT departs for year-long deployment to Germany








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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall)
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 21, 2024. These Soldiers are preparing to deploy to Germany for a year-long mission supporting Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall)
(Photo Credit: Wayne Hall)

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FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – More than 150 Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team were honored during a deployment ceremony at Strickler Field on Aug. 21.

Part of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 56th SBCT, these Soldiers are preparing to leave their homes and loved ones for a year-long deployment to Germany. They will serve with the Joint Multinational Training Group Ukraine, aiding the 7th Army Training Command with its mission of helping Ukraine defend itself.

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“This mission supports the United States enduring national interests that include security for U.S. allies and partners, respect for universal values, and a rules-based international world order that promotes peace and security,” said Col. Christopher Costello, commander of the 56th SBCT. “I am confident that we have the right people and the right training to ensure the success of this mission.”

The Soldiers and their families were praised for their dedication to duty and selfless service. Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, shared remarks during the ceremony.

Other Pennsylvania National Guard senior leaders were in attendance, including Maj. Gen. Michael Wegscheider, commander of the 28th Infantry Division, and Brig. Gen. Laura McHugh, Deputy Adjutant General-Army.

Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine is the name given to the mission of training the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The 7th Army Training Command oversees the JMTG-U mission and is supported by numerous Army units. Since 2015, JMTG-U has trained the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In 2022, JMTG-U relocated to Grafenwoehr, Germany and resumed its role. Since then, the training has continued to evolve based on the needs of and in coordination with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

HHC, 56th SBCT, will provide a command-and-control element to the JMTG-U mission. The unit, part of the 28th Infantry Division, is based in Horsham, Pennsylvania, but its Soldiers come from across the commonwealth and some neighboring states.

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For more National Guard news: http://www.nationalguard.mil/

National Guard Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNationalGuard/

National Guard X: https://twitter.com/usnationalguard





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Pennsylvania

Where did people move to in 2025? Here’s what U-Haul says and how Pennsylvania ranks

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Where did people move to in 2025? Here’s what U-Haul says and how Pennsylvania ranks


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A new report from U-Haul shows where Pennsylvania residents are leaving to and where new residents are coming from in 2025. Here’s what to know about U-Haul’s top 10 states with the most and least growth numbers.

Eight warm weather states made U-Haul’s top 10 growth list for 2025, while eight states in the colder Northeast and Midwest filled out the bottom 10, including Pennsylvania and neighboring New York, New Jersey, and Ohio. Delaware ranked 21 out of 50 states in growth for 2025.

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U-Haul also noted besides geography, that seven of the 10 states with the most growth featured Republican governors, nine of which went red in the last presidential election, and 9 out of 10 in the bottom growth states featured Democrat governors, seven of which went blue in the last presidential election.

“We continue to find that life circumstances — marriage, children, a death in the family, college, jobs and other events — dictate the need for most moves,” said John “J.T.” Taylor, U-Haul International president in press release. Adding, “But other factors can be important to people who are looking to change their surroundings. In-migration states are often appealing to those customers.”

U-Haul ranks states growth based on their one-way customer transactions that rented trucks, trailers or moving containers in one state and dropped it off in another state. Their growth index included over 2.5 million annual one-way transactions across the United States and Canada.

Texas holds the number one U-Haul growth state for the seventh time in the last 10 years while California ranked last for the sixth year in a how.

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Pennsylvania’s growth rank for 2025 remained at a low 46 out of 50 states, same as 2024, and compared relatively similar to its growth numbers over the last 10 years, according to U-Haul’s data, with the exception during 2022-2023 when its highest growth numbers hit 24 out of 50 in 2022 and 38 out of 50 in 2023.

Oregon, Mississippi, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Louisiana and Montana were among the biggest year-over-year gainers in 2025 compared to U-Haul’s 2024 rankings, while Ohio, Virginia, Indiana, Iowa, Delaware and Nebraska saw the biggest drops.

While the national average rent in the U.S. sits at approximately $1,623 per month (0.4% higher than this time last year) the Keystone State boasts a lower rent average at approximately $1,526 per month (1.9% higher than last year), according to Apartments.com. It is ranked 34th least expensive rent by state.

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Here’s what to know about Pennsylvania and what states saw the most and least growth in 2025 according to U-Haul.

Top 10 U-Haul growth states of 2025

In 2025 Pennsylvania ranked 46 out of 50 states on growth as reported by U-Haul.

  1. Texas
  2. Florida
  3. North Carolina
  4. Tennessee
  5. South Carolina
  6. Washington
  7. Arizona
  8. Idaho
  9. Alabama
  10. Georgia

U-Haul reported the 10 states with the lowest growth numbers were lead by California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connecticut, and Michigan.

Where are Pennsylvania residents moving to and from?

According to the company’s semiannual U.S. migration trends report, based on the one-way rental data after the summer’s high moving season, it revealed that while Pennsylvania remains a top destination, Pennsylvanians are also packing up and heading out. Here’s where they moved to:

  • New York
  • Maryland
  • North Carolina
  • Massachusettes
  • Ohio
  • Michigan
  • Florida
  • California
  • Washington D.C.

According to this report, here’s what states new residents came from:

  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Maryland
  • Florida
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • Delaware
  • Massachusetts
  • Ohio
  • Texas
  • West Virginia
  • Michigan



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Pennsylvania

Snapshot: Pittsburgh’s New Airport Terminal Celebrates Western Pennsylvania’s Identity

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Snapshot: Pittsburgh’s New Airport Terminal Celebrates Western Pennsylvania’s Identity


Designed by Gensler and HDR, in association with Luis Vidal + Architects, the transformed Pittsburgh International Airport Terminal aims to create a more tranquil passenger experience while celebrating Western Pennsylvania’s identity. Completed in November, it is entirely powered by its own microgrid that uses natural gas and solar energy. A skybridge connects the new headhouse—which con- solidates all major airport operations into a single structure—to a modernized terminal concourse. The roof, which consists of staggered peaks that frame clere- story windows, evokes the Allegheny Mountains, while branching columns recall trees. Augmenting the many nods to the region, the team included four verdant terraces fea- turing native plants, which are sustained by rainwater-harvesting systems.



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Pennsylvania

Pa. provisional ballot rejection rates dropped 11% after envelopes were redesigned

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Pa. provisional ballot rejection rates dropped 11% after envelopes were redesigned


Counties that used a redesigned envelope for their provisional ballots in 2025 saw rejection rates drop by 11.3% when compared to last year, according to Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt.

The new look adopted by 85% of counties indicates which fields are for voters and which are for election workers, and highlights where voters must sign. The drop from 4.96% to 4.4% doesn’t include the nine counties that didn’t use the new design or Chester County, which had a printing error in November that omitted third-party and independent voters from pollbooks.


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The 11.3% figure is adjusted for voter turnout. More than 7 million Pennsylvanians voted in 2024 – which was a presidential election year – compared to 3.6 million in the 2025 off-year election.

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“Our goal remains ensuring every registered voter in our Commonwealth can cast their vote and have it counted in every election,” Schmidt said in a release. “As with the changes to mail ballot materials two years ago, these improvements resulted in more registered voters being able to make their voices heard in November’s election.”

Two years ago, the state conducted a voter education initiative and required counties to preprint the full year of mail ballot return envelopes. Mail ballot instructions and online application materials were also redesigned.

Five counties — Philadelphia, Berks, Butler, Mercer and Greene — worked with the state to craft the new envelopes to be more user friendly for both voters and poll workers.

“The purpose in leading the redesign effort was to reduce errors and have more votes counted, which is exactly what we achieved,” said Omar Sabir, the chair of the Philadelphia City Commissioners. “An 11% decrease in ballot rejections shows the real impact that thoughtful design can have on protecting voting rights across Pennsylvania.”

The nine counties opting out of the new design were: Bedford, Bradford, Crawford, Franklin, Huntingdon, Lackawanna, Lycoming, Monroe and Wyoming.

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Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Tim Lambert for questions: info@penncapital-star.com.



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