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Data center bills split Shapiro, lawmakers

HARRISBURG — As Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro attempts to thread a needle between attracting data center projects to Pennsylvania and satisfying their critics, members of his own party — and many Republicans — are backing a more aggressive regulatory approach. The split between the governor and other lawmakers could be seen this week in a pair of conflicting bills the Democratic-controlled state House passed. One was Shapiro’s own marquee data center proposal, which aims to incentivize developers to, among other things, be more transparent and reduce environmental impacts by ...

Consumer privacy bill edges closer to governor’s desk

A House bill which would establish new business guidelines and consumer protections for the handling of personal data passed unanimously in the Senate Technology and Communications Committee Wednesday. Sponsored by Democratic Rep. Ed Neilson of Philadelphia County, the bill will now be sent to the full Senate. “A lot of time and effort has been put into this,” said Sen. Nick Miller of Lehigh County, the top Democrat on the committee. “It’s long overdue.” Already 20 other states including Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey have enacted comprehensive privacy laws to protect ...

Starting to make a splash: Work begins on Prospect Pool renovations

Work began this week on an approximately $4.3 million reconstruction of the Prospect Pool complex in Dutch Hill that will be paid for by an anonymous donor. Based on a design by a Millersburg firm that was commissioned by City Council in December, a King of Prussia company will renovate the ...

Vandals target Hollidaysburg’s Canal Basin Park

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Although graffiti from a recent incident at Canal Basin Park has been removed, officials are still on the hunt for more information about who carried out the vandalism. According to Hollidaysburg police Chief Richard Oldham, multiple racial and homophobic slurs were spray painted onto playground slides and areas around the park. The incident is believed to have occurred sometime over the weekend, or possibly even into early Monday morning, Oldham said. The vandalism was discovered Tuesday and removed by public works employees just before lunchtime Wednesday, said Amy ...

St. Vincent de Paul society seeking deal with Amtran to assist homeless

The local office of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Amtran plan to work out an arrangement by which a handful of individuals who’ve been struggling with homelessness can ride buses for free. The program would be intended to help the individuals get to work, to employment interviews, to the grocery store and to the doctor’s, so that they can become productive members of society. The arrangement would be similar to ones Amtran already has with other social service agencies, said Amtran CEO Michele Barnes, after board Chairman Larry Bilotto broached the idea Wednesday, upon the ...

Shapiro, Garrity willing to debate in governor’s race

HARRISBURG — For the first time since 2018, Pennsylvanians may have the chance to watch their choices for governor meet face-to-face for a debate. Spokespeople for incumbent Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican challenger Stacy Garrity told Spotlight PA that the candidates are both willing to participate in at least one debate leading up to November’s general election. Neither would discuss the potential details, like what organization might host one or who they’d accept as moderator. “We aren’t going to negotiate the terms of a debate through the press,” said ...