PA Headlines | Feb. 6 | Gov. Shapiro touts the benefits of AI data centers.
Fri Feb 06 2026
Governor Josh Shapiro touted the benefits of AI data centers during Tuesday's budget address, responding to widespread opposition with a series of regulatory proposals.
Also in his budget address this week, Governor Shapiro urged lawmakers to pass a school cellphone ban. State senators appeared to heed the call, passing their version of the bill late Tuesday.
Immigrant rights advocates say ICE has been targeting Philadelphia’s Criminal Justice Center, arresting immigrants in areas around the building. At a rally earlier this week, they called on Sheriff Rochelle Bilal to do more to protect immigrant residents at the courthouse.
In the past, if a Pennsylvanian died without a will or heirs, the Commonwealth would get their estate. Under a change in law that took effect in January, those assets will now go to community foundations.
Emergency crews battled a blaze and evacuated patients from a hospital Wednesday night in Northeastern Pennsylvania. All patients, staff and visitors were safely evacuated from Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City, according to a hospital spokesperson.
A Lancaster County prison inmate died Sunday, two days after he had been found unresponsive in his cell, according to prison officials. 61-year old Erik Guenther of Lebanon was found by prison staff unresponsive in his cell early Friday morning.
Lancaster City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Easton McDonald as the city's new police chief Tuesday night.
Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna is being charged with felony assault following an incident on Jan. 31.
Retired Justice Sandra Schultz Newman has died. Newman was the first woman elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
And a deep dive... and tribute to a local music legend:
Al Shade of Gratz, Dauphin County, recently passed away at the age of 98. In honor of Al’s legacy, we’ll listen back to a 2017 WITF Music session with WITF's Joe Ulrich, in which Al performed a few songs and talked about his life and work.
Central PA country music legend Al Shade dies at 98 | WITF Music
If you're already a member of WITF's Sustaining Circle, you know how convenient it is to support programs like this. By increasing your monthly gift, you can help WITF close the budget gap left by the loss of federal funding. Visit us online at witf.org/increase or become a new Sustaining Circle member at www.witf.org/givenow to help build a sustainable future for WITF and public media. Thank you.
Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Governor Josh Shapiro touted the benefits of AI data centers during Tuesday's budget address, responding to widespread opposition with a series of regulatory proposals. Also in his budget address this week, Governor Shapiro urged lawmakers to pass a school cellphone ban. State senators appeared to heed the call, passing their version of the bill late Tuesday. Immigrant rights advocates say ICE has been targeting Philadelphia’s Criminal Justice Center, arresting immigrants in areas around the building. At a rally earlier this week, they called on Sheriff Rochelle Bilal to do more to protect immigrant residents at the courthouse. In the past, if a Pennsylvanian died without a will or heirs, the Commonwealth would get their estate. Under a change in law that took effect in January, those assets will now go to community foundations. Emergency crews battled a blaze and evacuated patients from a hospital Wednesday night in Northeastern Pennsylvania. All patients, staff and visitors were safely evacuated from Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City, according to a hospital spokesperson. A Lancaster County prison inmate died Sunday, two days after he had been found unresponsive in his cell, according to prison officials. 61-year old Erik Guenther of Lebanon was found by prison staff unresponsive in his cell early Friday morning. Lancaster City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Easton McDonald as the city's new police chief Tuesday night. Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna is being charged with felony assault following an incident on Jan. 31. Retired Justice Sandra Schultz Newman has died. Newman was the first woman elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. And a deep dive... and tribute to a local music legend: Al Shade of Gratz, Dauphin County, recently passed away at the age of 98. In honor of Al’s legacy, we’ll listen back to a 2017 WITF Music session with WITF's Joe Ulrich, in which Al performed a few songs and talked about his life and work. Central PA country music legend Al Shade dies at 98 | WITF Music If you're already a member of WITF's Sustaining Circle, you know how convenient it is to support programs like this. By increasing your monthly gift, you can help WITF close the budget gap left by the loss of federal funding. Visit us online at witf.org/increase or become a new Sustaining Circle member at www.witf.org/givenow to help build a sustainable future for WITF and public media. Thank you. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.