Pennsylvania

Lawmakers talk economic growth for northeast Pa.

Published

2 years ago

February 3, 2024

Lawmakers talk economic growth for northeast Pa.

Across Pennsylvania today, employers must address the needs of several interrelated issues that affect the development of the workforce, the region’s state lawmakers said at this month’s Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers & Employers Association legislative roundtable.

“Everything is attached to everything, and we have all these workforce issues that are really making our economy more of a struggle than it should be,” state Sen. David G. Argall said.

The roundtable, held Feb. 2 at the clubhouse at Mountain Valley Golf Course, also featured Reps. Jamie Barton, JoAnne Stehr, Dane Watro, Tim Twardzik, Jamie Barton, Jim Haddock and Doyle Heffley.

The panel, moderated by MAEA Chairman-elect Chris Dende of Mrs. T’s Pierogies, covered numerous topics related to Pennsylvania’s economy, workforce and infrastructure.

Asked about workforce development, Argall described housing as a big issue in Schuylkill County. He mentioned recent initiatives to provide affordable living spaces, including the conversion of part of the Schuylkill Trust Co. building in Pottsville into 60 market-rate apartments.

“It’s one part economic development, it’s one part housing, it’s one part education,” he added. “It’s all tangled together, and we’re trying to whack away at the issue, one at a time.”

While Barton described Pennsylvania as a fabulous place to live and work, he said businesses are often hindered by regulatory concerns.

Among the pressing issues in Schuylkill, he said, are the expansion of broadband and providing alternatives to public education.

“We need to realize that learning is not one-size-fits-all anymore,” Barton said. “We’ve got to make sure that if we want to invite people into this commonwealth, they need to have a choice for schools as well.”

The lawmakers said it’s important for young, healthy residents who are unemployed to go back into the workforce.

Watro said expanding the tax base would help several communities across the region, including at his local school district, Hazleton Area, which is “bursting at the seams” with rising enrollment. He said many district parents are unemployed.

“We’re one of the fastest growing school districts in the commonwealth, but the tax base isn’t showing that, so there’s a problem,” Watro said. “We’ve got to get those able bodies out to work.”

On that topic, Haddock mentioned recently passed legislation that will expand Pennsylvania’s child care tax credit to match the federal credit. Working families will see a maximum credit of $1,050 for one child, or about $2,000 for two or more children, which is triple the amount of the previous credit, Haddock said.

“That was a major move in the right direction in the state of Pennsylvania to get our people going to work,” he said.

The legislators were asked about House Bill 1481, which would provide unemployment benefits to striking workers. The bill passed the House in November and has been referred to the Senate’s Labor & Industry Committee.

Heffley, a former unionized worker with Conrail, said he voted against the bill and called it a terrible idea.

“If you voluntarily do not go to work, you should not receive unemployment benefits,” he said. “ … Unemployment, already, after the COVID debacle with the emergency orders, we’re now trying to backfill the money that we owe to the system. Putting that additional burden on the system is going to cost employers.”

Asked about infrastructure and transportation, Twardzik mentioned the long-awaited Frackville Grade reconstruction project, which just got underway.

“It’s going to be an improvement,” he said. “We apologize upfront that there will be some headaches, but once the finished product is there, we will get more safe transportation and get closer to market.”

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Pennsylvania

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in strikes; Pennsylvania lawmakers respond

Published

12 hours ago

March 1, 2026

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Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in strikes; Pennsylvania lawmakers respond

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed after a massive U.S. and Israeli military operation Saturday, President Trump said. Meanwhile, the reactions to the strikes against Iran were mostly split along partisan lines among Pennsylvania’s elected officials.

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Pennsylvania

Quakertown police chief on leave after clash with student protesters

Published

24 hours ago

February 28, 2026

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Quakertown police chief on leave after clash with student protesters

From Delco to Chesco and Montco to Bucks, what about life in Philly’s suburbs do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know!

Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree is on leave after he was seen on video placing a student in a chokehold during a high school walkout earlier this month.

Borough Solicitor Peter Nelson told 6abc and other outlets Friday that McElree, who also serves as the borough manager, is currently on workers’ compensation leave. A request for comment from Nelson was not immediately returned Saturday.

The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office is currently investigating the police department’s response to a student-led protest against the Trump administration federal enforcement actions on Feb. 20.

After more than 30 students walked out of Bucks County’s Quakertown Community High School, a violent confrontation with Quakertown officers saw at least five students arrested. The students have since been charged with aggravated assault, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Police claim that students threw snowballs at the responding officers on the scene and kicked their cars.

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 2 Day results for Feb. 27, 2026

Published

2 days ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

The Pennsylvania Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 2 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Day: 4-7, Wild: 5

Evening: 8-8, Wild: 0

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Day: 6-7-7, Wild: 5

Evening: 0-0-3, Wild: 0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Day: 7-2-1-4, Wild: 5

Evening: 5-7-3-1, Wild: 0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Day: 8-4-5-4-4, Wild: 5

Evening: 1-1-9-8-7, Wild: 0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

04-14-16-20-38

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Treasure Hunt numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

02-04-08-13-30

Check Treasure Hunt payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Match 6 Lotto numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

10-12-23-31-33-46

Check Match 6 Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

03-04-13-28-42, Bonus: 02

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Sign the Ticket: Ensure your ticket has your signature, name, address and phone number on the back.
Prizes up to $600: Claim at any PA Lottery retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
Prizes from $600 to $2,500: Use a Claim Form to claim at a retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
Prizes over $2,500: Mail your signed ticket with a Claim Form or in person at a Lottery Area Office (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Lottery Headquarters is currently not open to the public. Visit the PA Lottery website for other office locations near you.

When are the Pennsylvania Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: 1:35 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. daily.
Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. daily.
Treasure Hunt: 1:35 p.m. daily.
Match 6 Lotto: 6:59 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
Powerball Double Play: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Pennsylvania editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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