News

State acting on climate at parks, forests

Local News November 13, 2026

The Shapiro Administration is taking new steps to protect Pennsylvania’s state parks, forests, and outdoor recreation areas from the growing impacts of climate change, while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). This week, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn unveiled a new Climate Action Plan at the Mira Lloyd Dock Resource Conservation Center, establishing measurable goals and actions to make the Commonwealth’s public lands and DCNR operations more sustainable and resilient through ...

Trio offers region a free concert series

Local News November 13, 2026

The Allegheny Trio, a piano, violin, and cello ensemble, will be performing a series of free concerts. The local concert will be held on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Church in Warren. Additional performances scheduled prior to the one in Warren, will be in Erie at the Unitarian ...

New Medicare fraud hotline launched in state

Community November 12, 2026

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) has launched a new toll-free hotline to encourage Medicare beneficiaries to report suspected cases of fraud, as Pennsylvanians continue to make choices about their coverage during Medicare’s annual open enrollment period. Medicare open enrollment lasts through Dec. 7. Beneficiaries can join, switch or drop their Medicare Advantage or prescription drug coverage during this period. Medicare, a federally funded program, annually loses nearly $100 billion to fraud. To protect themselves, Pennsylvanians should never respond to unsolicited ...

Russell man sentenced to prison

Local News November 12, 2026

A Russell man has been sentenced to between 4 and 8 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated indecent assault in the Court of Common Pleas. The sentence was made by Judge Todd Woodin recently. Michael R. Simpson, 52, of Russell was charged in June 2025 with second-degree felony indecent assault without consent, third-degree felony corruption of minors – defendant age 18 or above and two counts of indecent assault without consent of other by the State Police at Warren. Charges were filed June 13, 2025, after an alleged incident on May 17, 2025. The rest of the charges ...

1.7% salary hike for superintendent OK’d

Local News November 12, 2026

The Warren County School District board of directors unanimously approved a 1.7% salary adjustment for Superintendent Gary Weber during this week’s regular board meeting, following public comments from residents who questioned the increase amid concerns about the district's finances and academic performance. The adjustment, recommended as a market adjustment based on Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) figures, is retroactive to July 1, 2026. Before the board considered the measure, two residents addressed directors during the public comment portion of the meeting, ...

McCormick announces $191M in funding for rural healthcare

Community November 12, 2026

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick this week announced that Pennsylvania will receive nearly $191 million in the next round of funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This latest allocation continues the historic investment McCormick strongly advocated for as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, delivering additional resources to expand access to care, strengthen the rural health workforce, modernize facilities, and support innovative care models across the Commonwealth. “The Working Families Tax Cuts Act is delivering once again for Pennsylvania,” ...