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.
Hersheypark in Pennsylvaniacould be forced to close this summer amid a dispute between the site’s operators and union employees, according to a report.
The amusement park is scheduled to open seven days a week starting May 21 in a shift from its weekend-only operation before the summer, despite a looming vote among employees about whether to go on strike.
Over 200 union maintenance employees at Hersheypark, The Hotel Hershey and Giant Center rejected a contract offer from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts on May 7, according to Inside the Magic. The park’s operators described the proposal as their “last, best and final” offer.
Over a three-day period this week, employees will vote on whether to strike after rejecting the offer, which is the third from the park’s operators. A strike could close the park just in time for the start of the busy summer season when families head on vacation.
The list of employees considering going on strike includes ride mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, painters, machinists, utilities technicians, carpenters, garage auto mechanics and sign artists.
In mid-March, the union and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts agreed to extend a former contract for 60 days to allow for continued negotiations.
According to Inside the Magic, union workers are seeking fair wage increases, more affordable care plans and higher pay premiums for less-desirable shifts. The union has also said that it will reject new contract offers that lower professional standards, devalue skilled trades or open the door to lower wages in maintenance roles in the future.
The Independent has contacted Hershey Entertainment & Resorts for comment about the possible strike.
Hersheypark, located 15 miles east of Harrisburg, is the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1906, the 121-acre site boasts more than 70 rides, a water park with 17 water attractions and an 11-acre North American Wildlife Park, according to Hersheypark’s website.
It’s named for and themed in conjunction with the popular candy company.
However, a different park in the Keystone State was named as the top amusement park in the U.S. on TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best list.
It was Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, 42 miles north-northeast of Harrisburg, that topped the list. In doing so, the little-known park was ranked higher than Dollywood, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure that also made the top 5.
“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,” TripAdvisor wrote. “The accommodating staff, clean facilities, and fun attractions make for a memorable family-friendly visit.”
Knoebels is the U.S.’s largest free-admission park, although tickets for individual rides cost a fee.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on cast vote records creates uncertainty for counties
NEW CASTLE, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Charles “Yami” Frederick Jamison, age 83, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, formerly of Warren, Ohio, passed away, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Haven Convalescent Home.
Mr. Jamison was born December 2, 1942, in New Castle, a son of the late Charles N. and Anna (Callihan) Jamison and was a 1960 graduate of New Castle High School.
Charles worked as an order checker clerk for Packard Electric Company, Warren, Ohio, for 31 years, until his retirement in 1999.
A proud veteran, he served his country in the United States Navy.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Warren, Ohio and also attended Mass at Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church.
Charles spent his free time hunting and playing Euchre.
He is survived by his four sisters, Margaret I. Klann, Mary E. DeMarco and Catherine “Kay” A. Houk (Robert), all of New Castle and Susan J. Olson (Donald), Winfield, Illinois; his brother, Richard Jamison (Linda) of New Castle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the City Rescue Mission, 319 S. Croton Ave., New Castle, PA, 16101, and the Salvation Army, 240 W. Grant St., New Castle, PA, 16101.
The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to the Haven Convalescent Home for the care and support that Charles received over the years.
Calling Hours will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 111 W. Falls St., New Castle.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 10:30 a.m., Wednesday May 13, 2026, in Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church, 124 N. Beaver St., New Castle, with Rev. Aaron Kriss, as celebrant.
Interment: Castleview Memorial Gardens, Neshannock Twp.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles F. Jamison, please visit our flower store.
-
Florida4 minutes agoSouth Florida officers sue Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, claiming details in ‘The Rip’ are too real
-
Georgia10 minutes agoGeorgia Democrats seek answers from Justice Department over Fulton election worker subpoena
-
Hawaii16 minutes agoMan killed while changing tire after crash in South Kohala
-
Idaho22 minutes agoDelicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon
-
Illinois28 minutes agoPPP Loan Scandal Busts Joliet Woman Working For Illinois Department Of Corrections: AG Kwame Raoul Reveals
-
Indiana34 minutes agoFernando Mendoza, citing Raiders obligations, misses Indiana’s White House visit
-
Iowa40 minutes agoIowa City police seek help identifying persons of interest in vandalism investigation
-
Kansas46 minutes agoBoeing makes $1 billion investment in Wichita facility