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Briefcase: Sheetz earns recognition

Local Business

Sheetz Inc. has been named to this year’s “Companies that Care” list by Great Place To Work and People Magazine. The annual list, now in its 10th year, highlights the top companies in the U.S. that have succeeded in business while also demonstrating outstanding respect, care and concern for their employees and a deep commitment to their communities. That marks the fifth consecutive year, and sixth time in seven years, that Sheetz has been ranked on the national list. Sheetz ranks 73rd on this year’s list. Ninety percent of employees surveyed at Sheetz said it is a great place ...

Pennsylvania sues TikTok over youth use

Local News

Attorney General Dave Sunday is suing the social media platform TikTok, alleging the company violated Pennsylvania’s Consumer Protection Law by failing to protect children from accessing adult-themed content and employing tactics designed to promote addictive use of its app. “This suit seeks to put in place effective barriers and safeguards that will consider the child consumer’s well-being and safety,” Sunday said at a Tuesday press conference at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. “Is there any more important battle that could possibly exist than putting our children in a place ...

Bills target lab-grown meat products

Local News

Legislation introduced in both chambers of the General Assembly would ban the sale of lab-grown meat in a bid to protect the state’s farming industry. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave its first approval for lab-grown meat in 2022, clearing lab-grown chicken produced by UPSIDE Foods. A second company, GOOD Meat, received FDA approval for its lab-grown meat products in June 2023. Neither company is currently selling their products on grocery store shelves. Instead, both have been temporarily on the menus of a handful of high-end restaurants around the country. Proponents say ...

Williamsburg School District adopts AI policy

Local News

WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg Community School Board unanimously adopted a new artificial intelligence policy Thursday evening. According to policy 815.1, the board of school directors permits students and staff district-wide to use generative AI for approved educational purposes to support a dynamic learning experience. Teachers will determine specific grades and expectations when students use AI in their classrooms, Superintendent Lisa Murgas said after the meeting. “We’re not writing specific programs into the policy,” she said. “It’s changing so much. It would be ...

Blair County to install more cameras at Central Court building

Local News

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County is expected to secure a state grant of almost $19,000 to put toward the installation of additional surveillance cameras in the Central Court building where a county prison corrections officer was fatally shot in 2021. Court Administrator Sam Dunkle told ...

ABCD president blasts mall owners over building's condition

Local News

Altoona Blair County Development Corp. President/CEO Steve McKnight addressed the Logan Township supervisors with concerns about the Logan Valley Mall’s conditions during their meeting Thursday. For decades, the mall has served as an important commercial center, employment base and ...