If you’ve gassed up your car in the last few days, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that prices at the pump are rising significantly in Pennsylvania, as oil prices rise further because of the war with Iran.

As of Thursday in Pennsylvania, the average price is $3.35 a gallon, up just over 7% from $3.12 a week ago, according to auto club AAA.

Nationally, the average price for a gallon is $3.25, up 9% from $2.98 a week ago.

Pennsylvania’s highest gas prices are in Bedford and Elk counties, where the average price is $3.55 a gallon. Northumberland County has the lowest average cost, at $3.11 a gallon.

One month ago, the average price in Pennsylvania was $3.35 a gallon.

The House is preparing to vote Thursday on a war powers resolution to halt President Donald Trump’s attack on Iran, a sign of unease in Congress over the rapidly widening conflict that is reordering US priorities at home and abroad.

On Wednesday, the Senate defeated a similar measure largely along party lines, with Pennsylvania US Sen. John Fetterman the lone Democrat to vote against.

We’d like to know: How do you feel about the US attack on Iran?

Here’s what you’re saying regarding the war (you can find more responses here):

“These wars have got to stop. President Trump is out of control. I think he did this to make a distraction so he doesn’t have to face the information in the Epstein files.”

— Anisa B., Pennsylvania

“I believe this war is wrong. The idiot started this war without the approval of Congress and will only escalate the problems that already exist in the Middle East.”

— Donna, Harrisburg

“I think it should have been done sooner but better now than in another 47 years.”

— Karla, Philadelphia

“I feel we’ve learned nothing from Iraq and Afghanistan, nothing from Venezuela. In Venezuela, Maduro’s people remain in power. In Afghanistan, the Taliban runs things. Iraq has yet to recover from that war. I have zero confidence in Trump to make sensible decisions.”

— Gary, Annville

“It’s his latest gift to billionaires and a distraction from the Epstein files. Brave men are dying because of the pedo in chief.”

— Lisa, Luzerne County

“Sadly and unfortunately, this is another lie he has sold his followers! He has absolutely NO IDEA what he’s doing. Our military will pay the price for his incompetence and utter stupidity!! God help us and have mercy on our country. IMPEACH, REMOVE IMMEDIATELY.”

— Nanette, Bethlehem

Let us know where you stand on the US launching a war against Iran, and please let us know where you live.

Aerial view of Pennridge High School in Perkasie, Pa. (Pennridge School District)

In the mostly white Pennridge School District in Bucks County, Black students routinely heard racial slurs from white classmates, behavior that often went unpunished.

Parents made those claims in a 2024 complaint asking the US Education Department to investigate racial bullying at the Pennridge School District. They thought their complaint had the power to make things better. Instead, it became one of thousands sitting in a federal office with little hope of gaining attention after Education Department layoffs by the Trump administration.

“There was an expectation that something was going to happen,” said Adrienne King, who has two daughters in the district and is president of the NAACP Bucks County chapter. When nothing did, “it’s a very hollow, empty feeling.”

Prompted by the inactivity at the federal level, state Sen. Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) is proposing a new state agency that would investigate schools and uphold students’ civil rights—traditionally the role of the federal government. 

“If the federal government won’t stand up for our most vulnerable students, I will,” said Williams.

• As hundreds of pharmacies close across Pennsylvania, pharmacists are asking state lawmakers to play a bigger role in how they’re paid for drugs dispensed to Medicaid patients. Find out more in this story.

• More Pennsylvania hospitals are creating private police forces in response to an uptick in violence against health care workers. Get the story here.

• There are 27 counties in Pennsylvania that have not held a countywide property reassessment since 1999 or earlier. Find out why some counties are content to go decades without conducting them in this report.

On behalf of our parent company COURIER, check out this March 12 virtual event:

Big national decisions can have real impacts close to home—especially when it comes to health care.

COURIER is hosting a live virtual event, MAHA & the Midterms, to help break down how recent political choices are shaping health care access, affordability, and what families should know moving forward.

The conversation features author Hank Green, psychologist Dr. Mary Trump, US Rep. Lauren Underwood (a registered nurse), Shaughnessy Naughton of 314 Action, and medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta.

Join us for an informative discussion designed to help you better understand the issues—no policy background required.

👉 Save your spot here.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from The Associated Press, USA Today via Reuters Connect, and Ian Karbal of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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