From allegiances to sports teams and convenience stories, to the shoddy condition of the roads and carbohydrate-forward culinary staples, Pennsylvania has strong traditions and cultural influences that define different regions and sometimes the entire state. 

That also means that occasionally the stereotypes about us ring true, to the point where—for better or worse—our identity becomes intertwined with the notions that all Philadelphia sports fans should be committed, every highway in the state is pockmarked with potholes, and that the official state food pyramid is comprised of pierogi, shoofly pie, cheesesteaks, scrapple, Old Forge pizza, and sandwiches with fries piled on top. 

Kalena Thomhave looked into some of the more common Pennsylvania stereotypes to see how true they actually ring. It’s a pretty fun exercise that I think will have many of us nodding our heads in agreement more often than not.

Since we’re talking about Pennsylvania stereotypes and how outsiders view us, this week, we’re asking you to…

Tell us you’re from Pennsylvania without telling us you’re from Pennsylvania. 

I’ll go first: When I stay with friends out of town, I won’t think twice about asking them to re-arrange plans so I can be in front of the television to watch an important game. The last time I did this was on a trip to Boston in October 2023 during the National League Division Series between the Phillies and the Braves. No, I haven’t been invited back since.

Tell us you’re from Pennsylvania without telling us you’re from Pennsylvania and please let us know where you live.

The Keystone wants to hear from you. Please take our quick 5- to 10-minute survey to help guide our reporting and give us a better understanding of what our readers are looking for.

Thank you for participating!

We’re holding out hope that these Pennsylvania cases get solved. (Frank Flores/Unsplash)

More than 10,000 murders remain unsolved in Pennsylvania, according to data beginning in 1965.

Many of the unsolved murders that endure in the public’s imagination are those that seem particularly improbable—especially murders from decades ago, when technologies like surveillance cameras couldn’t help solve the crimes.

Racial disparities also exist: Nationwide, a disproportionate number of unsolved murders involve Black victims, a pattern that persists in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

We’ve compiled details on 10 of these Pennsylvania cold cases, including decades-old murders that remain unsolved and recent homicide investigations that have yet to result in arrests. 

• Artificial intelligence entrepreneur Sam Altman’s vision for a future when AI is viewed as a utility “like electricity or water” has prompted legislation in Harrisburg to make clear that data centers are not public utilities. Get the details here. 

• No more warnings: Beginning Friday, Pennsylvania motorists need to put down electronic devices like cellphones while driving or risk a $50 ticket. Find out more about the law here.

• Starting Monday, PECO customers will see increased rates for electricity and natural gas. Learn more about the rate increases in this story.

• Pennsylvania schools collected nearly $18 billion in property taxes in the last fiscal year, the biggest increase in collections in nearly a decade. Find out more here.

Pittsburgh jazz guitarist Joe Negri performs with his trio during the Inauguration ceremony for second term of Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (Associated Press)

Ending today’s newsletter with some sad news out of Pittsburgh, where jazz musician and actor Joe Negri, best known for his long-running role on the children’s series “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” died on Saturday, less than two weeks before he was set to celebrate his 100th birthday on June 10.

The Pittsburgh native, who played Handyman Negri on the beloved PBS show, died of natural causes, according to his daughter.

Fred Rogers Productions, the production company behind “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” paid tribute to Negri in a statement on Monday.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Joe Negri, a beloved member of the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood family whose warmth, incredible musical talent and gentle spirit brought endless joy to viewers for decades,” the statement read.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from Kalena Thomhave,  The Associated Press, USA Today via Reuters Connect, and Peter Hall of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. It was edited by Brook Bolen.

The Keystone is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.