Pennsylvania
$7.25 in this economy? Easton City Council urges Pa. lawmakers to raise the minimum wage.
Easton City Council is urging state legislators to raise the minimum wage, which has remained $7.25 per hour since 2009.
City council unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday evening calling on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to increase the Commonwealth’s minimum wage. The resolution was introduced by Vice Mayor Frank Pintabone.
The resolution emphasizes the current minimum wage has not kept pace with inflation or rising costs such as housing, healthcare and transportation.
The resolution notes the financial strain facing low-wage workers in the Lehigh Valley and across the state, stating that many full-time workers continue to struggle to meet basic household needs.
An increase would provide economic relief, reduce reliance on public assistance programs and stimulate local economies, officials said.
Minimum wage increases can strengthen local economies, reduce employee turnover and improve workforce productivity without negatively affecting long-term job growth, according to the resolution. Municipalities like Easton are limited by state law and cannot set their own local minimum wage.
The resolution will be sent to Gov. Josh Shapiro, legislative leaders and Easton’s state legislative delegation. Shapiro has been vocal about the issue, urging legislators to put a minimum wage bill on his desk.
In 2025, Allentown and Bethlehem’s city councils passed similar resolutions urging a minimum wage increase.
“So hopefully we’re going to follow Bethlehem and Allentown and apply pressure to get [The Pennsylvania General Assembly] to do that,” Pintabone said.
A pending bill, House Bill 1549, proposes a minimum wage increase. It has passed the state House of Representatives but has not advanced in the state senate since last June. The bill outlines incremental increases based on county classification, which is determined by population.
Under the proposal, first class counties would have reached a $15 per hour minimum wage by Jan. 1, 2026. Second, third class and certain fourth class counties would have reached $12 per hour by Jan. 1, 2026, with incremental increases bringing the wage to $15 by Jan. 1, 2028. Counties classified between fifth and eighth class, and other fourth class counties of lower populations, would have seen a $12 minimum wage by Jan. 1, 2028.
According to the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County is the Commonwealth’s only first class county. Northampton and Lehigh counties, which include Easton and much of the Lehigh Valley, are classified as third class counties.
Johnstown, Pa. (WJAC) — The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just released this year’s list of inductees, and a new clothing store just opened in the Johnstown Galleria.
What do these two things have in common?
If you grew up listening to 90’s hip-hop, then you’re probably familiar with the Wu-Tang Clan.
Wu-Tang Clan member opens clothing store in Pennsylvania (WJAC)
They said, “We’re in the building right now, we’re out in Johnstown making it happen, fashion and rapping, and Wu-Tang, you already know Wu-Tang is the witty, unpredictable talent and natural game. So, it’s all grassroots with us, man. We do everything from scratch.”
They’re being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, and Darryl Hill, aka Cappadonna, and manager Al “Heck” Felder are opening the Pillage, a clothing store in the Johnstown Galleria, selling apparel with a purpose.
Cappadonna said, “‘Cappadonna,’ that stands for ‘Consider All Poor People Acceptable, Don’t Oppress Nor Neglect Anyone,’ and we stand on that.”
They were introduced to mall owner Leo Karruli through Mustafa Curry, a childhood friend from New York, who owns a store on Main Street in Johnstown.
Heck said, “BK Styles, I’ve got to give a shout out to my boy, Mustafa. They’ve got some apparel down there, too. We’re all over. We’re spreading the word and we’re spreading the love.”
Wu-Tang Clan member opens clothing store in Pennsylvania (WJAC)
Their other clothing line, Angry Elephant, promotes being good stewards of the Earth, with a portion of the proceeds protecting the animals from poachers.
They said they believe in always putting God and family first.
Cappadonna said, “When you recognize the God in us, then you can see the God in you.”
They said they want kids to know that violence is not the answer, and it doesn’t cost anything to be kind.
Cappadonna said, “We just want to say that it’s nice to be important, but it’s even more important to be nice.”
A mother and her six children died when their Central Pennsylvania home exploded and caught on fire Sunday morning, state police said.
The explosion and fire happened at around 8:30 a.m. at a home on Long Run Road in Lamar Township, Clinton County, which is roughly 35 miles from State College. Crews arrived on the scene and found the home fully engulfed in flames, with the mother and her six children trapped.
State police identified the 34-year-old woman who died in the fire as Sarah B. Stolzfus. Her 11-year-old son, 10-year-old son, 8-year-old daughter, 6-year-old daughter, 5-year-old son and 3-year-old son also died in the blaze, according to state police.
A propane leak inside the house might’ve caused the explosion and fire, state police said. Propane tanks outside the home did not explode or contribute to the fire, according to state police.
The explosion and fire are under investigation by state police.
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