Pennsylvania
Update: Heat advisory affecting Pennsylvania until Friday evening
The National Weather Service issued an updated heat advisory at 4:09 p.m. on Friday in effect until 8 p.m. for Berks, Lehigh, Northampton and Bucks counties.
“Heat index values up to 100 degrees,” says the weather service. “Showers and thunderstorms have brought relief from the excessive heat to many areas.”
“Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses,” explains the weather service.
Hot weather safety: Weather service tips for staying safe and healthy
- Stay hydrated: Make sure to drink plenty of fluids.
- Seek cool shelter: Opt for an air-conditioned room to stay comfortable.
- Avoid sun exposure: Avoid direct sun exposure, protect yourself and check on vulnerable relatives and neighbors.
- Child and pet safety: Never forget to safeguard young children and pets by not leaving them unattended in vehicles, especially during scorching weather when car interiors can become life-threateningly hot.
- Caution outdoors: Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside.
- Optimal timing: If possible, move strenuous activities to early morning or evening for more favorable conditions.
- Recognize heat-related issues: Educate yourself about the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Dress comfortably: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to stay comfortable.
Additional tips for outdoor workers:
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas for outdoor workers.
- If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.
- In emergency situations, dial 911 for immediate assistance.
These NWS heat safety directives are essential for safeguarding your well-being when facing high temperatures. Stay well-informed and take the necessary precautions to shield yourself and others from the potential hazards of extreme heat.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
Pennsylvania
Update: Freeze warning for part of Pennsylvania until Sunday morning – temperatures to drop to 28
Pennsylvania
Could a gas tax holiday be imposed in Pennsylvania as prices at the pump continue to rise?
PENNSYLVANIA (WJAC) — Discussion continues about potentially suspending the Pennsylvania gas tax, one of the highest state gas taxes in the country, as prices at the pump continue to jump.
Lawmakers in both chambers are considering a gas tax holiday that would remove Pennsylvania’s gas tax for a limited period. The Senate proposal would last 60 days, while the House version would run for six months. Supporters say the move would provide needed help for people across the state, while opponents argue it is not sustainable.
The proposals would save drivers about 57 cents per gallon on gasoline and about 75 cents per gallon on diesel from the state gas tax.
Representatives of the Democratic senator Lisa Boscola, who proposed the Senate bill and is from the Lehigh area, said they will continue pushing the measure they believe is needed by families around the state and are optimistic it will pass.
In the House, the effort is mostly being pushed by Republicans, though local Republican Rep. Jim Rigby said he does not support it because it is “not a real solution.”
Democratic Rep. Paul Takac agrees, saying state police and PennDOT road work are funded through the gas tax, and that suspending it would essentially defund both, and they would have to find money to fill those voids. Takac added that he has not heard any serious intention to move the bill forward.
Democratic Rep. Frank Burns said he believes that if the proposal came to a vote, a gas tax holiday would pass with bipartisan support and would provide at least a small break to struggling families.
The debate continues as gas prices continue rising, with another jump in the last week.
Chief economist Gbenga Ajilore of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says prices are unlikely to fall soon.
“It seems like gas prices are going to go up, and even if there’s some sort of resolution in say the next couple weeks, it’s going to be difficult to see prices go down anytime soon,” Ajilore said.
The Senate is back in session on Monday and for the next few days after that, but not again until June. If the gas tax holiday is going to move forward anytime soon, that is when it would likely happen.
In the House, the proposal would need to clear the Democratic-led Transportation Committee before it could go to a vote.
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2% for March, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announced in its preliminary report Friday.
According to L&I, the rate in Pennsylvania was one-tenth of a percentage point below the country’s unemployment rate, which fell to 4.3% compared to February.
The civilian labor force, consisting of residents working or looking for work, increased by 6,000 to 6,593,000, and employment increased by 9,000 while unemployment decreased by 3,000 from February.
Nonfarm jobs also rose in March, to 6,189,600, while jobs in six industry supersectors increased. Trade, transportation, and utilities were up 5,100 during March.
For more information about L&I, visit its website here.
-
Colorado11 minutes agoMugshot Monday: Most wanted in the Colorado Springs area for May 4
-
Connecticut17 minutes agoScammers use AI images of injured pets to target owners, Blumenthal warns Connecticut residents
-
Delaware23 minutes agoBrazen Daytime Robbery Reported At Newark Store
-
Georgia35 minutes agoKalitta Goes Quick As Big Georgia Crowd Looks On – SPEED SPORT
-
Hawaii41 minutes agoHawaiian Airlines Is Gone. Travelers Just Lost The Airline That Knew Hawaii Best.
-
Idaho47 minutes agoIdaho Belles & Chimes club teams with Starbelly School of Dance for Girls’ Day Out
-
Illinois53 minutes agoMan found dead near Chicago Executive Airport may have been killed in crash: police
-
Indiana59 minutes agoIndiana football to visit White House, Fernando Mendoza may skip