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
Pennsylvania High School Girls Basketball 2026 Playoff Brackets, Schedule (PIAA) – March 10, 2026
The 2026 Pennsylvania high school girls basketball state playoffs begin on Tuesday, March 10, with second-round games for all divisions.
High School On SI has brackets for every division in the PIAA high school girls basketball playoffs. The state championships begin on March 19th.
Pennsylvania High School Girls Basketball 2026 Playoff Brackets, Schedule (PIAA) – March 10-11, 2026
CLASS 1A BRACKET (select to view bracket)
Second Round
New Covenant Christian vs. Delaware County Christian – 03/11
Philadelphia Montgomery Christian Academy vs. Benton – 03/11
Our Lady of Lourdes Regional vs. Motivation – 03/11
Linville Hill vs. Southern Fulton – 03/11
Williamsburg vs. Elk County Catholic – 03/11
Farrell vs. Bishop Carroll – 03/11
Clarion-Limestone vs. Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy – 03/11
Bishop Guilfoyle vs. Aquinas Academy – 03/11
CLASS 2A BRACKET (select to view bracket)
Second Round
Shalom Christian Academy vs. Southern Columbia Area – 03/10
Faith Christian vs. Mountain View – 03/10
Wyoming Seminary College Prep vs. Marian Catholic – 03/10
York Catholic vs. Berlin Brothersvalley – 03/10
Neshannock vs. Penns Manor – 03/10
Kennedy Catholic vs. Keystone – 03/10
Bishop McCort vs. Chartiers-Houston – 03/10
Winchester Thurston vs. Wilmington Area – 03/10
CLASS 3A BRACKET (select to view bracket)
Second Round
Imhotep Charter vs. Holy Redeemer – 03/10
Pequea Valley vs. Schuylkill Haven – 03/10
Hughesville vs. Notre Dame-Green Pond – 03/10
Dunmore vs. Executive Education Academy – 03/10
Trinity vs. Troy – 03/10
Northwestern vs. Greensburg Central Catholic – 03/10
Shady Side Academy vs. Beaver Falls – 03/10
Central Cambria vs. Karns City – 03/10
CLASS 4A BRACKET (select to view bracket)
Second Round
Susquehanna Township vs. Universal Audenried Charter School – 03/11
Scranton Prep vs. Allentown Central Catholic – 03/11
Central Columbia vs. Villa Joseph Marie – 03/11
Valley View vs. Neumann-Goretti – 03/11
Delone Catholic vs. Penn Cambria – 03/11
Slippery Rock vs. Oakland Catholic – 03/11
Belle Vernon vs. Blackhawk – 03/11
North Catholic vs. Harbor Creek – 03/11
CLASS 5A BRACKET (select to view bracket)
Second Round
Lampeter-Strasburg vs. Mt. St. Joseph Academy – 03/11
Marple Newtown vs. Crestwood – 03/11
Bethlehem Catholic vs. Villa Maria Academy – 03/11
North Pocono vs. Archbishop Wood – 03/11
York Suburban vs. TBD – 03/11
Peters Township vs. Manheim Central – 03/11
South Fayette vs. Penn-Trafford – 03/11
Baldwin vs. Indiana – 03/11
CLASS 6A BRACKET (select to view bracket)
Second Round
Upper Dublin vs. Perkiomen Valley – 03/10
Hazleton vs. Parkland – 03/10
Easton vs. Red Lion – 03/10
Downingtown West vs. Archbishop Carroll – 03/10
Wilson vs. Cardinal O’Hara – 03/10
Pennsbury vs. Altoona – 03/10
Dallastown vs. Emmaus – 03/10
Canon-McMillan vs. Taylor Allderdice – 03/10
Get even closer to the action by creating a free account. Follow your favorite teams and get score updates, breaking news and alerts when new photo galleries are available.
More Basketball Coverage from High School On SI
West Caln Twp., Pa. (WPVI) — A Pennsylvania State Police Corporal was shot and killed in the line of duty in Chester County Sunday night.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was joined by law enforcement officials outside of Paoli Hospital in paying tribute to Cpl. Timothy O’Connor.
Lt. Colonel George Bivens says O’Connor responded to a call to investigate an erratic driver just after 8 p.m. in Honey Brook.
O’Connor stopped that vehicle the intersection of Compass Road and Michael Road in West Caln Township.
Bivens says O’Connor made a radio call indicating the stop, but did not respond to calls to check on him.
Officers in the area immediately responded and found the situation investigators are calling murder-suicide.
Bivens says within seconds of approaching the stopped vehicle, the driver opened fire, killing O’Connor at the scene.
Investigators say the driver then got out of the vehicle and fatally shot himself.
Authorities tell Action News that officers responded to the scene when the trooper called for backup after shots were fired.
Bivens say O’Connor is a 15-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police.
He leaves behind a wife and young daughter.
Governor Shapiro has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of O’Connor.
Chester County District Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe says the county is assisting with the investigation.
Officials are not releasing the name of the suspect at this time, but say he is a 32-year-old man from Chester County.
They will now be investigating his background and motives, according to de Barrena-Sarobe.
Compass Road is closed between Hill and Lammey Roads as police continue with their investigation.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
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