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State senator seeks Flock camera ban

The Republican chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee announced Thursday that he intends to introduce legislation that would ban the use of Flock cameras due to complaints from constituents about privacy concerns over the use of the technology. “Some of these systems do much more than record what happens in a public place,” said Sen. Daniel Laughlin, R-Erie. “They automatically identify vehicles, catalog their movements and enter that information into a searchable network. That makes it possible to track and reconstruct where a person has traveled over time, even when ...

Lawmakers want more penalties for Pennsylvania Turnpike scofflaws

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania have repeatedly made adjustments aimed at reducing the number of travelers who skip out on paying their Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls, but a new audit finds that more needs to be done. The Pennsylvania Turnpike lost $229 million in unpaid tolls in the 12-month period ending May 2025, the state auditor general found. The chairwoman of the Senate Transportation Committee has called for stiffer penalties for toll scofflaws. Drivers who failed to respond when billed for traveling on the turnpike accounted for the largest share of that lost revenue — about $171 ...

Residents win Sunshine Act case in data center hotbed

A legal battle over public access and transparency has erupted in a community with major data center projects that once were on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s “fast track” list, and a group of citizens acting without a lawyer scored a victory. A Luzerne County judge on Tuesday ruled verbally that ...

Pennsylvania measles deaths spark public fued

NEW YORK — The recent announcement of Pennsylvania’s first measles-related deaths in decades has ignited a public feud among politicians and health officials who disagree over the role of the contagious disease in the fatalities. Independent experts say the conflict is a symptom of a social and political debate over how to frame a national surge in measles cases, the worst seen in more than three decades. Pennsylvania officials this week reported that two unvaccinated residents died after being infected with measles, with Gov. Josh Shapiro stressing that vaccinations could have ...

Divorces

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the prothonotary’s offices at area county courthouses. Blair County BUTLER — John R. Jr.; Lori A., both of Altoona. No date of marriage available. ICKES — Kathryn E.; Joshua P., both of Altoona. Married Aug. 5, 2019. NEFF — Courtney; Kyle, both of Altoona. Married June 1, 2024. DOMINGUEZ — Marcus, Altoona; Johanna, Hagerstown. Married Oct. 21, 2017. LATTIERI — David M., Altoona; Adam R. Replogle, Duncansville. Married July 31, 2021. FINNEGAN — Michael E.; Jennifer L., both of Altoona. Married July 21, ...