Whitney Downard, Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Latest from Whitney Downard, Pennsylvania Capital-Star
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Pa. Pennie enrollment drops as Congress wrestles with health insurance subsidy vote
Thousands of Pennsylvanians have left the state’s only Affordable Care Act marketplace, Pennie, following sharp increases in monthly premiums due to expiring enhanced federal subsidies.
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Sen. Doug Mastriano opts out of Pa. gubernatorial run in 2026
The Franklin County Republican ran against now-Gov. Josh Shapiro in 2022 and was resoundingly defeated. He didn’t endorse state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, saying “we’ll talk about that down the road.” She won the party’s nomination in September.
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New overdose reporting requirements for Pennsylvania EMS
In 2023, 4,719 Pennsylvanians died from an overdose and there were 37,371 nonfatal suspected overdoses.
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Paris stepping down as Pennsylvania State Police commissioner
Paris’ last day as commissioner will be Jan. 2, 2026, marking the end of a 26-year career with the state police. He was nominated by Gov. Josh Shapiro on Jan. 19, 2023, and unanimously confirmed by the state Senate almost two months later.
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In Lehigh Valley visit, Vance tries to ease fears over the economy as jobs report shows losses
The VP touted the administration’s economic policies a week after President Trump traveled to Pa.
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Pa.’s Sunday, lawmakers contend with Trump order blocking state AI regulations
In the wake of a Trump administration executive order striking state-level AI regulations, Pennsylvania will continue to prosecute its laws related to artificial intelligence in the interest of its residents, said state Attorney General Dave Sunday.
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Congressional health insurance tug-o-war puts Pennsylvanians in a lurch
Premiums for state marketplace plans are expected to double in the coming year.
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Bill advances mandating bell-to-bell cellphone bans in Pa. schools
School districts — whether public or private — across the commonwealth may be required to draft a policy prohibiting student cellphones with limited exceptions following a unanimous vote in the state Senate Education Committee Tuesday.
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Pa.’s home care workers want to be included in the next state budget
According to one group, the average hourly reimbursement rate for personal assistance services is “the lowest among neighboring states.”
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Pennsylvania’s home repair program left out of state budget, despite high demand
A multi-million dollar proposal designed to rehabilitate Pennsylvania’s aging housing stock failed to receive funding in the state’s 2025-2026 budget — marking the third year without a state-funded successor to the popular Whole Home Repair Program.
