Pennsylvania
Otters captured on trail cam playing in snow at Pennsylvania state park
Otters were captured playing in the snow on a trail camera in a Pennsylvania state park.
Chapman State Park in Warren County posted a video to Facebook from earlier this month, showing a pair of otters rolling around and sliding in the snow. The critters play with each other before slipping back into the forest.
“Otters are extremely curious and playful and often slide on ice or snow, shoot down slick muddy banks into creeks, play with food and wrestle each other,” Chapman State Park said in a Facebook post. “Few people are lucky enough to see otters in the wild, but those who do, rarely forget the experience.”
The park called the resurgence of river otters in North America “one of the greatest success stories” of modern wildlife conservation. Before 1900, the degradation of water quality and habitat, human encroachment and unregulated harvest led to a 75% decline in North American otter populations.
Though otters were never completely extirpated from Pennsylvania, the state park says their numbers were vastly reduced. Thanks to restoration efforts in Pennsylvania and neighboring states that started in the 1970s, the range of otters significantly expanded.
Now otter populations are increasing or stable across their range, the park says. The densest otter populations are in the northwestern and northeastern counties.
Chapman State Park is located in northwestern Pennsylvania. According to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the 862-acre state is an “Oasis of recreational facilities in a vast area of wilderness” located next to the Allegheny National Forest.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that would raise the minimum wage statewide.
The bill would raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $11 per hour starting Jan. 1, 2027. The minimum wage would then increase to $13 per hour in 2028 and finally $15 per hour in 2029.
Representatives voted 104-95 to pass House Bill 2189, which is sponsored by Rep. Jason Dawkins, the House Democratic Communications Office announced Tuesday.
If the bill passes, counties would have the option to implement the $15 per hour minimum wage sooner than 2029. The bill would also set the minimum wage for tipped employees at 60% of the statewide minimum wage.
Pennsylvania’s minimum wage was last raised in 2009 when the federal minimum wage was increased to $7.25, House Democrats wrote in a press release.
The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
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“Research shows that increasing the minimum wage does not lead to job losses or business closures,” Dawkins said. “What it does lead to is financial security and better life outcomes for families relying on minimum wage work. To my colleagues in the Senate, I implore you to take up this bill and finally raise the wage in Pennsylvania.”
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — In an attempt to protect and preserve a healthy tree canopy for communities across the Commonwealth, a Pennsylvania lawmaker is taking action.
Rep. Abigail Salisbury (D-Allegheny) previously introduced House Bill 2161, which would require utility companies to plant a new tree for each one they cut down within two years of cutting it down.
“I introduced this bill after residents and environmental advocates in our district expressed concerns that trees were being removed entirely, instead of simply being pruned or trimmed,” Salisbury said. “Maintaining a healthy tree canopy is essential for communities because it reduces stormwater runoff and air pollution, provides shade that lowers energy costs, raises property values, and increases pedestrian traffic for local businesses, among other benefits.
On Monday, the Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee voted to advance the bill to the House for consideration, according to legislative records.
“Monday’s committee action moved us a step closer to making sure those benefits continue,” Salisbury added.
Electric utilities would be required to plant a new one in a location that the municipality chooses.
She said her bill would align with existing regulations that require damage caused by utility work to be repaired, primarily work that would require excavation or other projects that break into streets and sidewalks.
HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN CO. (WOLF) — Gas prices across Pennsylvania are nearing $4 per gallon, reaching their highest point in several years.
As of March 23, the statewide average stands at about $3.94 per gallon, according to AAA.
Analysts say current prices are now at their highest level since late 2023, with national averages also approaching levels last seen during the 2022–2023 surge.
The last time prices were significantly higher in Pennsylvania was in June 2022, when the average peaked at around $5.07 per gallon, the highest on record.
The increase marks the 24th consecutive day of rising gas prices across the Commonwealth.
The national average has also climbed, reaching approximately $3.96 per gallon, as global energy markets remain volatile.
Diesel prices have surged even more sharply. AAA reports the Pennsylvania average is now about $5.67 per gallon, reflecting significant increases tied to global supply concerns.
Analysts point to ongoing tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to key shipping routes as major factors driving prices higher. Oil prices have climbed above $90 per barrel, adding pressure across all fuel types.
Across the country, California continues to have the highest gas prices, while states in the Midwest remain among the lowest. Current prices are now the highest seen since late 2023.
Pennsylvania Gas Price Trend
Prices have steadily climbed since late February:
- Feb. 27 — about $3.10 per gallon
- Feb. 28 — above $3.15
- March 1 — surpassed $3.20
- March 2 — near $3.24
- March 3 — about $3.28
- March 4 — above $3.30
- March 5 — around $3.35
- March 6 — high $3.30s, some above $3.40
- March 7 — about $3.45
- March 8 — about $3.50
- March 9 — near $3.55
- March 10 — around $3.60
- March 11 — about $3.65
- March 12 — about $3.66
- March 13 — around $3.67
- March 14 — about $3.69
- March 15 — about $3.70
- March 16 — about $3.72
- March 17 — about $3.74
- March 18 — about $3.80
- March 19 — about $3.81
- March 20 — about $3.82
- March 21 — about $3.85
- March 22 — about $3.93
- March 23 — about $3.94
Gas Prices in Nearby States
Drivers in Pennsylvania continue to pay slightly more than those in surrounding states, though prices are rising across the region:
- New Jersey: about $3.88 per gallon
- New York: about $3.90 per gallon
- Ohio: about $3.74 per gallon
- Delaware: about $3.70 per gallon
Northeast Pennsylvania Prices
Northeast Pennsylvania remains among the most expensive regions in the state, with many stations now charging between $3.90 and $4.10 per gallon, especially along major roadways and in metro areas.
Lowest Gas Prices in Pennsylvania
Prices still vary widely by region, with the lowest prices remaining in western Pennsylvania:
- $3.15/gallon — Valero, Dixonville (Indiana County)
- $3.17/gallon — Sunoco, Aliquippa (Beaver County)
- $3.18/gallon — 7-Eleven, Pittsburgh area
- $3.20/gallon — Citgo, Smock (Fayette County)
Cheapest Gas in Northeast and Central PA
Scranton / Lackawanna County:
- Conoco — Clarks Summit — about $3.70/gallon
- Dileo’s — Wyoming — about $3.71/gallon
- Fuel Up — Wyoming — about $3.71/gallon
- Kwik Fill — Nicholson — about $3.71/gallon
Wilkes-Barre / Luzerne County:
- Best — Wilkes-Barre — about $3.72/gallon
- US Gas — Kingston — about $3.75/gallon
Hazleton area:
- Fuel On — Hazleton — about $3.78/gallon
- 7-Eleven — Hazleton — about $3.78/gallon
Schuylkill County:
- Turkey Hill — Shenandoah — about $3.45/gallon
- Pilot/Conoco — Pine Grove — about $3.48/gallon
- Pereira’s — Tamaqua — about $3.52/gallon
Monroe County:
- BrightStar Fuel — Brodheadsville — about $3.80/gallon
- Gulf — Brodheadsville — about $3.80/gallon
- Wawa — East Stroudsburg — about $3.85/gallon
Lycoming County:
- Sam’s Club — Muncy — about $3.10/gallon
- Exxon — Williamsport — about $3.12/gallon
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