Pennsylvania
Shapiro ‘confident’ 76ers arena will remain in Philadelphia • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Despite news reports that New Jersey is trying to woo the 76ers to build a new arena in Camden, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday said he’s confident the team will remain in Philadelphia.
“The mayor is the lead on this, together with city council. We’re in direct communication with her office,” Shapiro told reporters after a ceremonial bill signing at Morrisville Middle/Senior High School in Bucks County Tuesday. “And I’m confident that the mayor will bring this to a conclusion that works for her, for council, for the city of Philadelphia and that keeps the Sixers here in the city.”
First reported by ROI-NJ, New Jersey officials sent a written proposal to the team for a multibillion-dollar arena project on state-owned land in Camden. The proposal would be financed by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the entity that owns the Sixers, and has the support of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and other leaders in the Garden State’s General Assembly, according to ROI-NJ. The news was confirmed by the Philadelphia Inquirer, which obtained a copy of the letter, signed by Murphy and other New Jersey officials.
The report states the New Jersey project would be eligible for “hundreds of millions of dollars in tax incentives,” since it would include an arena and “commercial, residential and retail offerings.”
The 76ers have played at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia since 1996, but the organization is looking to build its next arena in the city’s Market East section next to Chinatown, when its lease is up at the end of the 2030-31 season.
Shapiro cited the 76ers’ previously announced plans as evidence the team wants to remain in Philadelphia, but said he didn’t want to “get ahead of the mayor or council” on the best course forward.
“To show you just how much the ownership group of the Sixers wants to be in Philadelphia, they plan to invest their own money in building this arena,” Shapiro said in response to a question from the Capital-Star. “They’ve not asked, nor have I offered any state funding for their arena, nor will I, and I believe that Philadelphia is the exact right place for the Sixers to remain, and it’s clear that that is what they want, and I know that the mayor is working toward meeting that goal and keeping the Sixers here and healthy for a long time.”
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker did not respond to a request for comment from the Capital-Star and Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson was unavailable for comment on Tuesday.
During Parker’s campaign, she said she was open to the 76ers building the arena at Market East, although she didn’t go as far as endorsing it without seeing the details.
Philadelphia City Councilmember Mark Squilla, who represents the district for the proposed arena at Market East in Philadelphia, has discussed potential economic impacts for the area, but has not specifically endorsed the arena being built there yet. His office told the Capital-Star that he believes Philadelphia is still the 76ers first choice for their next arena.
“CM Squilla would like the Sixers to remain in Philadelphia,” Anne Kelly King, Squilla’s chief of staff said in an emailed statement. “He understands that NJ and DE offered them opportunities to build an arena in those states and they have every right to explore all their options.”
Not everyone in Philadelphia is excited about the team’s stated plans for its new arena, however. Some residents in nearby Chinatown say the new arena would have a negative impact on their neighborhood.
On Aug. 26, the city of Philadelphia released studies of a 76ers arena being built at Market East, which found that there could be some negative impacts on the city.
A spokesperson for the 76ers told ROI-NJ on Tuesday that it is taking “all potential options seriously, including this one,” in response to the proposal to build an arena in Camden.
The Save Chinatown Coalition, which opposes the 76ers’ proposal for a new arena at Market East, released a statement following the report about the Camden proposal, claiming that the team has “stepped up their veiled threats to leave Philadelphia.”
State Sen. Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia) criticized the New Jersey proposal Tuesday.
“There are few economic strategies more bankrupt and roundly disparaged in urban development than tax giveaways to greedy sports team owners,” Saval said in an email to the Capital-Star. “This tactic is a notorious, tired form of economic and political blackmail, and I reject it in the strongest possible terms.”
In 2016, the 76ers built a practice facility in Camden, New Jersey, due in part to tax breaks New Jersey offered. Philadelphia City Council would need to approve legislation for a new arena to be built.
“I love the Sixers, they belong in Philadelphia,” Shapiro said. “So I recognize Jersey may want to try and entice them to move across the river, but the Sixers shouldn’t go anywhere, and we’ll leave it to the mayor and council to comment on their process further.”
Take a virtual ride on ‘Wildcat’s Revenge,’ set to debut at Hersheypark
Hersheypark will have a hybrid roller coaster. A new steel track has been added to the existing wooden framework, the company announced Wednesday.
York Daily Record
Pennsylvania is one of the top places in the country for theme parks and water parks, according to USA TODAY readers, and all the best attractions are just close enough to South Central Pennsylvania for a day trip.
Seventeen of the winners in USA TODAY’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for Theme Parks and Water Parks are in Pennsylvania. There are 18 if you include Great Wolf Lodge, which has a location in the Poconos.
With 24 winners, only Florida tops the Keystone State with top-10 attractions. No other state comes close to the top two.
But how do you measure which is the best? Florida has the most attractions on the list, but Pennsylvania is home to the most No. 1’s (roller coaster, water slide, theme park hotel, theme park restaurant). Florida attractions don’t even top a single category, and both states are missing from two categories.
Here are the Pennsylvania attractions that won USAT’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for Theme Parks and Water Parks. Start planning that day trip — we included each attraction’s travel distance from Chambersburg.
No. 5: Splash Lagoon, located in Erie, is a Polynesia-themed indoor water park that is home to one of the biggest indoor wave pools in the Eastern U.S. It also features nine water slides — in one tube, slides can go as fast as 40 mph — as well as on-site restaurants, bars and shops. Distance from Chambersburg: 277 miles; about 4 hours, 23 minutes
No. 8: Aquatopia Indoor Water Park, located at Camelback Resort, Tannersville (the Poconos), boasts seven pools, 13 slides, an adventure river, a water play structure with gadgets and interactive elements. Thrill-seekers will love Storm Chaser, one of the longest indoor uphill water coasters in North America. The 125,000-square-foot indoor park has a transparent roof, so indoor guests can work on their tan no matter the season. Distance from Chambersburg: 175 miles; about 2 hours, 55 minutes.
Best Lazy River: Runaway River, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom
No. 10: Runaway River at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown is a relatively serene, meandering float. Riders can enjoy fun elements like mushroom rain umbrella fountains, cascading waterfalls and surprising blowholes. The course is made up of a nice balance of peaceful stretches and sections of gentle rapids, so the ride is both relaxing and entertaining. Distance from Chambersburg: 130 miles; about 2 hours
Best Roller Coaster: Phoenix at Knoebels, Phantom’s Revenge at Kennywood, Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer and Water World, Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark
No. 1: The Phoenix at Knoebels, Elysburg, is a classic wooden roller coaster that proves that newer, taller and faster aren’t always better. Phoenix offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills, as well as thrills in the form of a double out-and-back layout and speeds of 45 miles per hour. Distance from Chambersburg: 121 miles; about 2 hours
No. 2: Phantom’s Revenge at Kennywood, West Mifflin, features a 3,365-foot-long track that brings visitors frighteningly close to another of the park’s coasters, Thunderbolt. A hair-raising highlight is the ride’s second drop — a 232-foot thriller at 85 miles per hour. Distance from Chambersburg: 148 miles; about 2 hours, 40 minutes
No. 5: Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer and Water World, Erie, is the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in Pennsylvania, featuring an exhilarating 120-foot first drop and a top speed of 60 miles per hour. The coaster crosses over Pennsylvania Route 832 via a huge bridge, mimicking the path of the original Ravine Flyer from 1922. This hybrid coaster boasts airtime hills, tunnels and a 90-degree banked turn, delivering a relentless and thrilling ride. Distance from Chambersburg: 282 miles; about 4 and a half hours
No. 10: Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark, Hershey, mixes past and present. Hersheypark added steel to an existing wooden track to come up with an entirely new hybrid ride that opened in 2023. This coaster climbs to the dizzying height of 140 feet, hits 62 miles per hour, and takes riders through four inversions and an 82-degree drop. The coaster also boasts the world’s largest underflip inversion for even more thrills. Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutes
Best Theme Park: Knoebels, Kennywood, Hersheypark
No. 2: Knoebels, Elysburg, is a vintage amusement park in Pennsylvania’s coal country. The rare amusement park that’s still free to enter (rides require old-school tickets), Knoebels is home to Phoenix, one of the most popular wooden roller coasters in the United States. And it’s a virtual museum of still-operating classic rides like Whipper, Flying Turns and the Haunted Mansion dark ride. Add in some modern thrills and water rides, and you have the perfect mix for a relaxed yet thrilling day in the park. Distance from Chambersburg: 121 miles; about 2 hours
No. 4: Kennywood, West Mifflin, brings history and iconic rides together in one place. Witness over 120 years of innovation in classic favorites that include wooden roller coasters like the side-by-side Racer, the intense Thunderbolt and the circa-1920 Jack Rabbit. Plus, there’s an unmatched collection of dark rides like the Old Mill and the last-of-its-kind Noah’s Ark, as well as modern thrill rides like the Steel Curtain coaster. Distance from Chambersburg: 148 miles; about 2 hours, 40 minutes
No. 10: Hersheypark, Hershey, is the amusement park of every chocolate lover’s dreams. Hersheypark features 121 acres with more than 70 rides (including 15 coasters), a water park and an 11-acre zoo — all accessible via a single admission. Wildcat’s Revenge, the first hybrid coaster manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction in Pennsylvania, boasts four inversions, including the world’s largest underflip. Candymonium — the park’s tallest, fastest and longest hyper coaster — debuted in 2020. Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutes
No. 1: The Hotel Hershey in Hershey provides a sweet spot to lay your head, whether you’re in town to take the Hershey’s Chocolate factory tour, check out Hersheypark or you’re just in the mood for a little pampering with a cocoa-infused spa treatment. A member of Historic Hotels of America, the four-star Hotel Hershey is an elegant retreat and offers a wide range of sports and recreation facilities where you can work off all those tasty treats, including a fitness center, golf, tennis, hiking trails and a pool with waterslides. Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutes
No. 1: The Alamo at Knoebels, Elysburg, is as friendly to the pocketbook at it is to families. The menu at this eatery, located on the park’s main boulevard, includes everything from hamburgers and hotdogs to heartier options like deep-fried crab cakes, chicken and waffles, and spaghetti and meatballs. Distance from Chambersburg: 121 miles; about 2 hours
Best Water Coaster: Storm Chaser at Aquatopia, Breakers Edge at Hersheypark’s Boardwalk
No. 6: Storm Chaser at Aquatopia Indoor Water Park, Tannersville (in the Poconos), is one of the longest indoor uphill water coasters on the continent. The ride features five steep plummets and loads of twists, turns and blasts. Guests can ride solo, but Aquatopia recommends riding the coaster in pairs for maximum fun. Distance from Chambersburg: 175 miles; about 2 hours, 55 minutes.
No. 8: Breakers Edge Water Coaster at The Boardwalk At Hersheypark, Hershey, is a fast-paced, hydromagnetic water coaster that launches four-person rafts through a series of exhilarating drops, high-speed tunnels and uphill climbs powered by linear induction motors. Riders experience airtime, g-force curves, tunnels, saucers and lots of splashes. Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutes
No. 1: VR Waterslide at Kalahari Resorts, Pocono Manor, brings virtual reality to water slides. Choose from a safari adventure, space exploration or a dragon experience, then get ready to slide on down for 40 seconds of thrills that will have you feeling out of this world. Distance from Chambersburg: 175 miles; about 2 hours, 45 minutes
Best Wave Pool: The Shore at Hersheypark’s Boardwalk, Wave Pool at Dorney Park’s Wildwater Kingdom
No. 6: The Shore at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, Hershey, is a 378,000-gallon wave pool that is the perfect place to cool off in the summertime with your entire crew. Lounge in the shallow end, or venture into the waves in the 6-foot deep end — the choice is yours! Distance from Chambersburg: 68 miles; about 1 hour, 15 minutesNo. 10: The Wave Pool at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Allentown, holds over 560,000 gallons of water and is as large as a football field. With depths ranging from 0 to 6 feet, you’ll enjoy waves on a five-minute on, five-minute off cycle so you can enjoy some excitement and then some downtime under the sun. Distance from Chambersburg: 130 miles; about 2 hours
Amber South can be reached at asouth@publicopinionnews.com.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — More than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians won’t be able to vote on May 19 because of the state’s closed primary elections.
The state is an outlier, as 42 other states and D.C. have open primaries, which means voters don’t need to affiliate with a political party ahead of the election to vote. Lawmakers have been pushing for reform since at least 1995, but so far none have successfully changed the law.
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The issue has support from Democrats and Republicans. But now a group of independents has filed a lawsuit asking a Pennsylvania court to force them into the primaries.
John Jones, a former federal judge, cited the “free and fair elections” in Pennsylvania’s Constitution for grounds to open the state’s primary elections.
“Emphasis on the word fair,” he said. Jones and political scientists argue too many elections are decided on primary day, rather than Election Day in November.
“You look statistically in elections from 2020 to 2025, in the state legislature, for example, only about 10% of those elections were actually really contested,” he said.
Pa. primary election 2026: A complete guide
Not everyone is open to open primaries. Republican strategist Chris Nicholas said if voters don’t care to be a part of a party, they shouldn’t get a say in the primary.
“Imagine if you’re a member of the Elks Lodge, and you work all year to make the Elks Lodge the best it can be,” he said. “Then on Election Day, you let those folks from the Moose Lodge in, and they come in for one hour, vote in your elections and leave, never to come back again.”
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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GREENE TWP., Pa. (WKBN) – A 17-year-old Greenville boy on a minibike was killed in a crash over the weekend in Mercer County.
The crash happened around 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
A family member identified the victim as Ethan Guthrie, who attended Reynolds High School.
A Pennsylvania State Police report states that the teenager was driving a minibike traveling westbound on state Route 58 in the eastbound lane. A 2003 Lincoln Town Car driven by a 23-year-old man from Jamestown was traveling east in the eastbound lane.
The report states that the Town Car swerved to the right to avoid a head-on crash, while the minibike swerved to the left and hit the front end of the Town Car.
Guthrie, who was wearing a helmet, was transported to UPMC Greenville but died from his injuries.
Pennsylvania State Police were investigating the crash.
Hanna Erdmann and Kristen Hephner contributed to this report.
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