Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro calls for legalization of recreational marijuana

Published

11 months ago

February 9, 2024

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro calls for legalization of recreational marijuana

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is calling for the legalization of recreational marijuana, but not everyone is on board with the idea.

The Commonwealth’s neighboring states, except for West Virginia, have legalized cannabis.

During his budget address, Governor Shapiro shared details of how he wants to blaze a new trail in Pennsylvania.

“It’s time to catch up. I ask you to come together and send a bill to my desk a bill that legalizes marijuana,” Governor Shapiro said.

The governor told KDKA-TV that legalizing cannabis would bring in $250 million in tax revenue each year.

Some groups want to see this idea go up in smoke. The Pennsylvania Family Institute’s director of communications, Dan Bartkowiak, said there’s a lot of talk of projected revenue, but no one’s talking about the variety of costs and expenses that would come with legalizing recreational marijuana or recognizing how it could harm families.

“We have a medical program right now in Pennsylvania so folks can access marijuana in a legal way. Yet when it comes to recreational use, this is commercialization, this is high potency, 99 percent THC being advertised, marketed, increasing its accessibility and that leads to harm,” Bartkowiak said.

The Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition commends the governor for joining others who believe the legalization of adult-use marijuana would create budding opportunities and deliver more than just revenue.

The organization sent a statement to KDKA-TV that said, in part, “Governor Shapiro’s leadership on this issue will deliver more than just revenue to the commonwealth. The establishment of a well-regulated adult-use cannabis market built on the experience and infrastructure of the current medical marijuana program will add thousands of jobs, reap millions of dollars in investments for Pennsylvania, and stop the revenue bleed to neighboring adult-use states.”

Bartkowiak believes the stakes are just too high, especially for young people. He’s worried teen marijuana use would rise.

“It’s an entirely different thing to say we want to force your community to have pot shops selling 99 percent THC and flavored vapes and all these types of products that appeal to children, advertise and market that and have the state encourage more addictive use of that because they are going to make a profit off of it,” Bartkowiak said.

During the budget address, Governor Shapiro also asked for legislative relief for those ever convicted of marijuana use.

“Oftentimes we think of this, we don’t want to throw someone in jail for a small amount of marijuana,” Bartkowiak said.

The Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition also told KDKA-TV, “Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition looks forward to working with the Shapiro administration, key advocates in the Pennsylvania legislature, and stakeholders to craft a regulatory system that legalizes the sale of recreational cannabis through a well-regulated system that assures safe products for adult consumers, reduces the impact of the illicit market, rights the wrongs of cannabis prohibition and allows the commonwealth to quickly experience revenue.”

Senate President Kim Ward told KDKA-TV that the Republican-controlled State Senate is a long way from approving legalization. Ward suggests it took years to pass medical marijuana and the issue of expanding cannabis use is not something you can make happen right away.

Jessica Guay

Jessica Guay joined KDKA as a reporter in February 2021. Before joining KDKA, Jessica was a morning anchor and reporter at WJAC in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She was also an anchor and reporter at WCHS in Charleston, West Virginia, and at WTOV in Steubenville, Ohio.

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Pennsylvania

Mary Lynn Lofink, Hermitage, PA

Published

3 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

HERMITAGE, Pennsylvania (MyValleyTributes) – Mary Lynn (Rost) Lofink, 79 of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, formerly of Bellevue, Pennslyvania took her journey to Heaven on Friday, January 10, 2025.

She was born June 14, 1945, the daughter of the late Fred and Mary Rost.

Mary lead by example with a fierce love for her family, a kind heart, infectious smile and an affluent amount of wisdom and knowledge. She had an abundance of love and guidance for her grandchildren and she always embodied the unbreakable bond of sisterhood with her siblings. She was a true blessing in all of our lives.

She had a passion for reading, crossword puzzles, cooking and the occasional casino trip. Days with her were filled with much love, joy and laughter. She filled her family’s hearts with unconditional love and will forever be etched with cherished memories of her.

Surviving at home her devoted husband of 57 years, John “Jack” C. Lofink; children, Julie (Rick) Moore, John Michael Lofink, Sarah (Albert) Boland; grandchildren, Meghan Boland (Jack Gladysz) and Emma Boland and Ricky and Madeline Moore; siblings, Beth (John) Waselko, Fred (Deb) Rost, Jean (Hal) Schmitt and Carol (Gary) Horn. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, her sister, Jo Anne Stevenson, precedes her in death.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the dedicated team members of Jameson Care Center and Grane Hospice for their exceptional care and heartfelt compassion.

Family and friends may attend calling hours on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 1:00 – 3:00p.m. at John Flynn Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. 2630 East State Street Hermitage, PA 16148. A funeral service will be held immediately after at the funeral home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Lynn, please visit our floral store.

A television tribute will air Monday, January 13 at the following approximate times: 6:47 a.m. on WYTV, 9:43 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 2 Day results for Jan. 10, 2025

Published

12 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

The Pennsylvania Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

09-23-39-65-66, Mega Ball: 22, Megaplier: 3

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 2 numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

Day: 3-0, Wild: 4

Evening: 0-7, Wild: 1

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

Day: 6-0-1, Wild: 4

Evening: 5-4-7, Wild: 1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

Day: 4-9-0-3, Wild: 4

Evening: 2-6-0-1, Wild: 1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

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

Evening: 7-8-4-0-5, Wild: 1

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

09-37-44-46-48, Cash Ball: 01

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

08-17-27-37-43

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Treasure Hunt numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

04-05-09-23-27

Check Treasure Hunt payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Match 6 Lotto numbers from Jan. 10 drawing

07-24-27-36-38-44

Check Match 6 Lotto 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.
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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Pennsylvania

Books and coffee? Both shine at Pressed in Erie, Pennsylvania

Published

24 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Books and coffee? Both shine at Pressed in Erie, Pennsylvania

Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way, and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities.

Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations.

This week we have Pressed in Erie, Pennsylvania!

What’s your store’s story?

Founded in Erie, Pennsylvania in 2018, our goal is to encourage others to step away from their device and enjoy the feel, smell, and look of a book, paired with a comforting coffee. We love it when customers take their time checking out what’s new (or old!), and have a lovely time reconnecting with their senses as they explore the books and gifts in our shop.

What makes your independent bookstore unique?

Customers love the vibe in our store. It’s modern and upbeat, but with good old-fashioned books in the spotlight! They’re encouraged to take their coffee or warm drink (from our full-service coffee shop) and explore.

We’re known for a curated but wide variety of reading genres, along with fun literary gifts (staff take real pleasure in hearing customers laugh out loud as they peruse the store), as well as our large kids’ area, with our famous reading tree. We’re proud to do our part to make Erie a vibrant and interesting city, something more than just a cluster of big-box stores.

What’s your favorite section in your store?

My favorite section is the front, where all the best displays are and where we greet our customers. But a close second is the kids’ room — the reading tree and the moss-covered cobblestone look of the carpet are so inviting!

Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important?

People vote for what they want in their community with their dollars. If they like having indie bookstores in their town, they simply must spend money there. Spending money elsewhere is exactly like submitting a vote for the indie to close. As long as people understand what they’re doing when they choose not to shop local, I have no problem with it. But if people want that local shop to stay, because it adds value and personality to their town and because they enjoy shopping there, they have to be okay with spending a few extra dollars on a book there. That’s the bottom line.

Check out these books recommended from Pressed owner, Tracey Bowes:

“Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald” by Therese Anne Fowler. It’s a page turner, well-written, entertaining and informative, and often hasn’t yet been read.
“We Should All Be Feminists” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“The Women” by Kristin Hannah
“The Fury” by Alex Michaelides

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