Pennsylvania

Why Gov. Shapiro wants to scrutinize electricity utility profits

Published

3 weeks ago

February 9, 2026

Why Gov. Shapiro wants to scrutinize electricity utility profits

JL: Susan, the governor is proposing a series of reforms to address this gap and the burden on ratepayers. What does he want to do?

SP: He proposed a couple of things, including a new utility affordability watchdog who will scrutinize company profits against the burden of rate payers. This is theoretically what the PUC is supposed to do. So he’s also asked the PUC to step it up.

Gov. Josh Shapiro: “I want the PUC to examine every single line of every single bill to ensure each customer dollar is being well spent.”

SP: He also wants to eliminate certain fees. So for example, if someone gets their electricity shut off for lack of payment, they often have to pay an extra fee to turn it back on. Now, it’s important to note that Shapiro can’t make all these changes by himself. He needs lawmakers to do their part.

JS: “I’m working with the PUC to prevent excessive utility profits this year, but the General Assembly needs to take action to lower costs for consumers going forward by giving the PUC a set of benchmarks to follow when determining how much profit a utility company can make.”

JL: Now, how is the industry reacting to the governor’s roadmap to rein in high electricity costs?

SP: The industry says it is willing to work with the governor. It also says there needs to be additional power plants built. And here’s an interesting thing, Jennifer. Back in the 90s, Pennsylvania deregulated its electricity market. So that meant that the utilities that had once both generated electricity and distributed it and sold it were no longer allowed to do both things. They want to go back to generating electricity and distributing it. Now, the reason that was broken up was because the government wanted to increase competition, right?

And lower rates for ratepayers. So it’ll be interesting to see if this gets off the ground and if utilities are able to actually go back in time and start generating electricity as well as sell it.

JL: Pennsylvania is not alone. New Jersey and Delaware, and other states are dealing with high electricity prices, too.

SP: Yup, that’s true. Our region is all part of the same electrical grid that I mentioned earlier. It’s operated by PJM Interconnection. Shapiro is very critical of PJM, accusing them of dragging their feet on installing new energy projects, specifically renewables. Now, PJM pushes back on that and says that is simply not true. The grid operator says it has approved a number of projects, but other issues are holding back construction, things like state permits and supply chain issues.

JL: OK, well thank you, Susan. Thank you. From our climate desk, Susan Phillips this morning on WHYY’s Morning Edition.

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Pennsylvania

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

Published

10 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

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

22 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

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

1 day 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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