Pennsylvania
Pa. Gov. Shapiro looks to legalize — and tax — marijuana to balance state budget
However, some Republicans have started showing an interest in legalization suggesting that the state may be even closer to joining its neighboring states. Republican State Senator Dan Laughlin of Erie joined Philly Democrat Sharif Street to introduce a bill for legalization last year.
Still, there are competing perspectives on how exactly it might be implemented. Some legislators have advocated for state-owned cannabis shops similar to Fine Wine and Good Spirits stores. Laughlin and Street proposed a bill to create a board that would approve sellers and otherwise regulate the industry.
The governor did not specify a preference, only insisting it should include language on social equity.
“I ask you to come together and send to my desk a bill that legalizes adult-use cannabis and expunges the records of people who have been convicted for nonviolent possession of small amounts of marijuana,” he said. “A bill that sets reasonable regulations, protects public safety, and gives communities that suffered from the criminalization of cannabis an opportunity to succeed.”
That approach bothers some Republicans who say that the budget process isn’t an appropriate venue to debate the issue and the governor shouldn’t budget based on tax revenue from an illegal industry.
“If he wants something done, he needs to lead on it,” said Republican Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman. “He can’t throw an idea out there, which he did last year and say, ‘let the legislature figure it out, I’ll sign it. Then I’ll go do press conferences all over the state.’ He has to lead on something. What is his priority? What will he do to get some of this stuff across the finish line?”
Although legalization appears to have gained some steam, it’s not clear proponents have the votes with some legislators concerned about the fact it continues to be criminalized by the federal government.
“Remember, it’s still a schedule one narcotic. It’s still an all cash industry. This is not something that we need to look to to balance budgets,” said House Republican leader Rep. Jesse Topper. “I believe that it is an impediment to members from both sides of the aisle throughout the building.”
A majority of Pennsylvanians support legalization, according to a recent poll. Meredith Buettner Schneider, executive director of the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition, argued that the state is ripe to establish a marijuana industry.
“Pennsylvania is uniquely positioned to experience the economic benefits of cannabis legalization swiftly because of its robust existing cannabis infrastructure,” she said in a statement. “With 32 active grower/processors, almost 200 dispensaries and more than 25,000 employees, the current medical marijuana industry is ready to deliver safe, regulated cannabis on day-one while generating revenue for the Commonwealth immediately.”
Pennsylvania
Monday is the last day to register to vote in this month’s primary election in Pennsylvania
Monday, May 4, 2026 7:08PM
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Monday the last day to register to vote in this month’s primary election in Pennsylvania.
If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so in person at your county election office, or at a PennDOT facility along with other government agencies.
The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is May 12th.
Those ballots must be received by your county elections office by 8 pm on May 19th which is primary day.
Polls will be open on May 19th from 7am until 8pm.
Pennsylvania has a closed primary system.
This means that Republican voters can vote only for Republican candidates and Democratic voters can vote only for Democratic candidates.
The U.S. has a new top amusement park – and it’s not Disney themed.
Little-known Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, took home the top prize for top amusement park in the recently released TripAdvisor “Best of the Best” list.
“Family-owned and operated since 1926, Knoebels Amusement Resort—located in Elysburg, Pennsylvania—is America’s largest free-admission amusement park. It’s got it all: roller coasters, kid-friendly rides (bumper cars, a haunted mansion), swimming, camping, a mining museum, and even a championship 18-hole golf course. The accommodating staff, clean facilities, and fun attractions make for a memorable family-friendly visit,” TripAdvisor noted.
The park, which is located in the middle of the state, received a 4.7 rating from nearly 3,000 reviewers on the website.
Dollywood, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Island rounded out the top five on TripAdvisor’s list.
Knoebels celebrated taking the top spot with a social media post. Its fans were not surprised with the high ranking.
“We knew it all along,” the American Coaster Enthusiasts for Eastern Pennsylvania wrote in response.
“Been going since 1996,” one user wrote.
Knoebels opened in 1926 and is America’s largest free-admission park. Tickets for individual rides cost visitors a fee,, but entry remains free.
The resort offers more than 100 rides ranging from family to thrill coasters. The Impulse roller coaster is one of the park’s most popular and features upside-down twists and a 90-degree free fall. The Phoenix roller coaster is a classic wooden model that first opened in 1947 in Texas. In 1985 it was reborn at Knoebels.
If thrill seeking isn’t on your bucket list, the park offers plenty of gentler rides. The antique cars attractions let people drive a Model-T replica through the woods and under the Phoenix roller coaster. The park’s Grand Carousel also offers a throwback ride to users and a game on each ride where the winner gets a free turn.
Dolly Parton’s Dollywood in Tennessee took the second spot on the list.
“Dollywood is the brainchild of singer Dolly Parton, who grew up in the surrounding Smoky Mountains of Tennessee,” TripAdvisor noted. “The park has a downhome feel with singalongs and a museum dedicated to Parton’s life, plus high-velocity roller coasters and thrill rides. Watch artisans showcase glass blowing and pottery skills. Stay at the park’s two resorts for loads of perks.”
While a pair of Disney parks in Florida took the next two spots on the list.
“Known as The Most Magical Place On Earth, the Magic Kingdom Park needs no introduction. This theme park is located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and features some of Disney’s best-known attractions (Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Cinderella Castle). There’s also a nightly fireworks show, musical parades, and meet and greets with your favorite Disney Characters,” TripAdvisor said of Magic Kingdom.
Here is the full top 10 list:
- Knoebels Amusement Resort (Elysburg, Pennsylvania)
- Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
- Magic Kingdom Park (Bay Lake, Florida)
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Bay Lake, Florida)
- Universal Islands of Adventure (Orlando, Florida)
- Epcot (Bay Lake, Florida)
- Legoland California (Carlsbad, California)
- Universal Studios Florida (Orlando, Florida)
- Disneyland Park (Anaheim, California)
- Silver Dollar City (Branson, Missouri)
Pennsylvania
Update: Freeze warning for part of Pennsylvania until Sunday morning – temperatures to drop to 28
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