Brian Roche

The Powerball jackpot has risen to $856 million after 40 drawings without a winner, but a Pennsylvania winner choosing the lump-sum option would receive approximately $223 million after federal and state taxes. The cash value is about $372 million, while the advertised jackpot reflects an annuity paid over time. Higher interest rates allow lottery funds to generate more income through government securities, increasing the advertised annuity without proportionally raising the immediate cash payout. Winners choosing annual payments may also see their purchasing power reduced by inflation.

WGAL reports that residents have received calls claiming a credit card was opened in their name, sometimes impersonating JPMorgan Chase and citing personal information such as an address and the last four digits of a Social Security number. Such calls may be attempts to obtain more sensitive data, although unauthorized accounts can also indicate genuine identity theft. Consumers should avoid confirming personal information and check their free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com for unfamiliar accounts.

Virginia pastor Kenneth Baldwin, 47, of Alexandria was charged after Pennsylvania State Police accused him of sending explicit photographs to a 15-year-old York County teen. Investigators said Baldwin met the teen at church in November 2024 and sent multiple explicit images each week through December 2025. Troopers said he may also have shared explicit images with other juveniles.

A woman in Adams County was targeted by a long‑running car‑wrap scam after receiving a text offering payment to display a Dr Pepper advertisement on her vehicle. She was mailed a nearly $4,000 check and instructed to deposit it and forward most of the money to an installer, which would have left her liable when the check inevitably bounced. The report highlights the financial risks and explains how such scams persist by preying on people unfamiliar with them and using large fraudulent checks paired with requests to send funds to unknown individuals.

Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is allocating $2.5 million to support the reconstruction of Harrisburg’s Broad Street Market, which has been undergoing renovation since a 2023 fire. State Rep. Nate Davidson praised the funding as a key commitment from the Shapiro administration and emphasized the market’s economic value to the region. Additional grants were awarded to other Harrisburg sites, including 333 Market Street and the Martin Luther King Jr. Government Center.

Pennsylvania approved a state budget that provides a $10 million performance‑based funding pool for Penn State, Temple University and the University of Pittsburgh. Allocation amounts will depend on metrics such as in‑state enrollment, graduation rates, high‑demand degree programs and affordability. Penn State expects more than $4 million, increasing its total appropriation to $246 million, while the University of Pittsburgh anticipates about $5.5 million. The funding pool is smaller than the $30 million originally proposed by Governor Josh Shapiro, and Lincoln University is not included despite sharing the same public‑private partnership model.

Pennsylvania officials and the Keystone Contractors Association partnered with the statewide Life Unites Us campaign to address opioid addiction among construction workers, who face elevated risks due to job-related injuries and stress. The initiative focuses on education, prevention and reducing stigma, reinforced by personal testimony from a recovery advocate. KCA is expanding efforts to distribute naloxone and promote safer, more supportive and recovery‑friendly workplaces across the construction sector.

Police reported that motorcycle rider Ramy Botros of Mechanicsburg died at the scene after colliding with a car at the intersection of Carlisle Pike and Brondle Boulevard in Hampden Township on Tuesday night.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission ended its pilot program to inform drivers of unpaid tolls by text message after concerns that the notifications could be confused with widespread toll-related scams. State Rep. Mary Louise Isaacson introduced legislation banning such messages, which passed unanimously in the state House and is now headed to the Senate. The commission said it paused the pilot due to customer and legislative concerns and will not proceed until it can clearly differentiate legitimate messages from scams.

Penn State Harrisburg held a Lion Surplus auction in Lower Swatara Township, offering university-owned furniture from dorms and academic buildings at low prices. Items such as couches, desks, dressers and cabinets were available, with the sale continuing through Friday.

Reports detail a rise in scam emails requesting account updates for various services. An example impersonating Microsoft used a misleading sender address, generic greeting, and suspicious link that sought Social Security and credit card information. Key safeguards include checking sender addresses, ensuring emails use proper names, and avoiding unverified links to prevent fraud.

Firefighters in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, rescued a golden retriever named Bentley after he became stuck in a tree surrounded by heavy brush. Crews used a tall ladder to bring the dog safely to the ground, and he was uninjured. The Gladwyne Volunteer Fire Company noted the unusual nature of the call compared to typical cat-in-tree rescues.

Falls Township police in Pennsylvania report that a woman repeatedly broke into her former boyfriend’s home and lived there undetected for weeks. Officers responding to a disturbance saw her entering through a window. The man, who had briefly dated her after meeting on a dating website, had never given her his address and had noticed items in his home were being moved. Investigators note that increased online interaction has raised risks and driven demand for background checks in intimate relationships.

Pennsylvania launched the Comprehensive Aging Performance Evaluation system to replace a pass-fail approach with detailed reviews of local aging agencies. Officials report improved response times to elder abuse investigations and better communication between agencies and the state. The new state budget allocates an additional $1 million to support the system.

Letters falsely claiming recipients are heirs to multimillion-dollar life insurance policies are being used to steal personal and financial information. The messages impersonate lawyers and assert no other heirs could be found before proposing to split the nonexistent proceeds. Responding risks exposing Social Security and bank account details. Recipients are urged not to reply and to avoid sharing money or information with strangers promising large rewards.

Veterans in Steelton warn that a Supreme Court decision classifying skill game machines as gambling devices could jeopardize funding for American Legion and VFW posts, volunteer fire companies, and local businesses. They support state legislation to regulate the machines, apply monthly fees, and raise significant revenue. Community members stress that reduced funding would harm programs for homeless veterans and other services, and hope discussions lead to a solution that keeps their posts operating.

Debate over AI data center development has become a central issue in Pennsylvania’s governor’s race, with Republican Stacy Garrity urging a pause on new projects and criticizing the Shapiro‑backed GRID standards for failing to address local concerns. The Shapiro campaign defends the regulations as strong accountability measures developed with community and environmental leaders, while Garrity and state Rep. Aaron Bernstine argue for greater local control and less state intervention as both candidates head toward the November 3 general election.

Lebanon’s Fourth of July fireworks show was postponed twice due to severe storms, with celebrations held Saturday but the fireworks canceled on both Saturday and Sunday. A new date has not been set.

Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive will make a whistle stop at Lebanon Station, prompting road closures from Monday night through Tuesday afternoon across several streets. The train will arrive around 1:30 p.m., with a public event planned on North 8th Street before its departure at 2:15 p.m.

Storm damage forced the closure of Pine Grove Furnace State Park, halting all programs and limiting cabin access. Refunds will be issued to reservation holders, and several roads and restrooms remain closed. Park officials say reopening will occur once fallen trees are removed and power is restored, though no timeline has been provided.

The Lancaster Post Office celebrated its 250th anniversary with a mayoral proclamation recognizing its continuous operation since 1775. USPS representative Mike Wall highlighted the institution’s long history of adapting to customer needs, citing Ben Franklin’s emphasis on continual change. The post office’s legacy includes two former employees who later served as postmasters general: Patrick Donahoe and Megan Brennan, the first woman to hold the position.

York County public safety officials urge preparation and awareness for outdoor activities following multiple water and hiking rescues, advising hikers to share itineraries and pack essential supplies. Chief Kurt Timmer notes that basic self‑treatment can speed rescue efforts. With ongoing hot and dry conditions, authorities also emphasize hydration and monitoring weather changes.

A 48-year-old man from Mohnton, Berks County, was charged by Ephrata police with indecent assault following allegations that he sexually abused a child from ages four to sixteen. The case began when the now-adult victim reported the abuse in February, leading to charges filed on Thursday. The suspect was arraigned and released on unsecured bail.