Pennsylvania
1-on-1 interview | U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick discusses the effects of the Iran war on Pa.
Gas prices in Pennsylvania have risen sharply due to the Iran war, with the state average now at $4.18 per gallon — an increase of $1.06 since the conflict began. McCormick says rising prices are a concernU.S. Sen. Dave McCormick acknowledged the financial strain on Pennsylvanians.”I am worried about gas prices, that the gas is up a buck a gallon,” McCormick said. McCormick expressed hope that relief could come soon as negotiations related to the Iran war progress.”I think the sooner we can finish up the mission and get home, I don’t think there’s any risk of a long, Iraq-like situation, where we’re trying to fix Iran. I think the president’s clear on that, and I’m certainly clear on that,” he said. Farmers feel impact beyond the pumpDuring recent meetings with farmers in Middletown and Tioga County, McCormick noted that higher fuel prices are significantly affecting the agricultural industry.”Fertilizer prices have gone way up largely because of what’s going on in Iran,” he said. Labor issues add to farm concernsMcCormick also addressed labor concerns raised by farmers, particularly regarding the H-2A visa program, which allows farm workers to enter the U.S.”We need to make some changes on that, I think, and maybe even a new visa category for folks that work full-time. And these are jobs that, frankly, most Americans aren’t taking or willing to take. So, so there’s definitely work to do,” he said.
Gas prices in Pennsylvania have risen sharply due to the Iran war, with the state average now at $4.18 per gallon — an increase of $1.06 since the conflict began.
McCormick says rising prices are a concern
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick acknowledged the financial strain on Pennsylvanians.
“I am worried about gas prices, that the gas is up a buck a gallon,” McCormick said.
McCormick expressed hope that relief could come soon as negotiations related to the Iran war progress.
“I think the sooner we can finish up the mission and get home, I don’t think there’s any risk of a long, Iraq-like situation, where we’re trying to fix Iran. I think the president’s clear on that, and I’m certainly clear on that,” he said.
Farmers feel impact beyond the pump
During recent meetings with farmers in Middletown and Tioga County, McCormick noted that higher fuel prices are significantly affecting the agricultural industry.
“Fertilizer prices have gone way up largely because of what’s going on in Iran,” he said.
Labor issues add to farm concerns
McCormick also addressed labor concerns raised by farmers, particularly regarding the H-2A visa program, which allows farm workers to enter the U.S.
“We need to make some changes on that, I think, and maybe even a new visa category for folks that work full-time. And these are jobs that, frankly, most Americans aren’t taking or willing to take. So, so there’s definitely work to do,” he said.
Pennsylvania
New FDA analysis says US infant formula supply is safe after testing for potential contaminants
Pennsylvania saw a record low number of traffic deaths in 2025, according to PennDOT.
The department said 1,047 people were killed in traffic crashes last year, which is 80 fewer than last year and the lowest since record keeping began in 1928.
“Even one life lost is one too many, so while this decrease is good news, Pennsylvania remains committed to moving toward zero deaths on our roadways,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “PennDOT will continue to do our part to decrease fatalities through education and outreach, but we will only reach zero when we all work together.”
PennDOT said there were 109,515 total reportable crashes, which was the second lowest on record only to 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic kept drivers off the road. Of those total crashes, 979 were fatal, down from 1,060 last year.
The number of people killed in impaired driver crashes dropped from 342 to 258 last year, which was also the lowest on record. Fatalities in lane departure crashes and fatalities when someone wasn’t wearing a seatbelt declined as well. PennDOT attributes the decrease in deaths to infrastructure improvements and initiatives like enforcement and education campaigns.
Deaths involving a distracted driver were up from 49 to 54, but PennDOT says the long-term trend is decreasing, and a law that went into effect last June makes it illegal to use hand-held devices while driving, even while stopped because of traffic or a red light.
“Please drive safely,” Carroll said. “Put the phone down when you are behind the wheel. Always follow the speed limit and never drive impaired. And buckle up! Your seat belt can save your life in a crash.”
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania House passes bill to allow PIAA to create separate high school playoff system
PENNSYLVANIA (WJAC) — Pennsylvania lawmakers once again advanced legislation that would allow the PIAA to potentially overhaul the state’s playoff format for high school athletics.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 41 by a 178 to 23 vote, nearly one year after the legislation advanced out of the House Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations Committee.
The issue of “fairness” in Pennsylvania high school athletics has been a hot topic in recent years as both lawmakers and schools have debated whether or not the PIAA should create separate playoff brackets for public and private districts.
HB 41 was first introduced by Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Centre), who argues that the current competition structure in Pennsylvania high school “jeopardizes athletes’ health and safety.”
Student athletes and their parents recognize that contact sports pose certain physical risks, which schools try to minimize through protective equipment, training, and policies like concussion protocols,” Conklin said. “Unfortunately, our schools can’t protect against a playoff system that needlessly escalates those risks through unfair competitions.
PIAA’s existing playoff system forces athletes from public schools, which are limited to recruiting from within district boundaries, to compete against athletes from private schools, which can recruit from anywhere and amass larger, stronger teams. The result is unfair, lopsided competitions that leave public school students on a dangerously unlevel playing field, subjecting them to added physical risks and even depriving them of scholarship and recruitment opportunities. School sports are supposed to be about building confidence and teaching kids lessons in fair play, but the current system is teaching all the wrong lessons.
My bill would provide a way to end these increasingly dangerous competitions by allowing the PIAA to establish separate playoffs and championships for boundary and non-boundary schools.
House Bill 41 will now advance to the state Senate for a vote.
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Lawmakers note that if fully approved, the legislation would not mandate the PIAA to change the current format but would rather give them the option to do so.
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