Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro and America250PA announced the lineup for the Commonwealth Concert Series, a free, five-city concert tour celebrating Pennsylvania’s historical significance as the birthplace of the nation.

 

The tour will run from May 23 through June 27 with performances by Lady A, Nelly, The Avett Brothers, Third Eye Blind and more. The series will make stops in State College, Erie, Hershey, Wilkes-Barre, and Pittsburgh and is free to attend, giving all Pennsylvanians the chance to celebrate.

 

“America’s story started right here in our Commonwealth and Pennsylvanians have played a key role in shaping our nation. My Administration is committed to ensuring everyone can take part in celebrating our history – and this concert series will bring together Pennsylvanians from all across the Commonwealth, giving them an opportunity to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday,” said Governor Shapiro. “I’m proud that we secured funds in the 2025-26 budget to put on these free concerts – and I’m confident the Commonwealth is ready to put on a once-in-a-lifetime show.”

 

Last week, Governor Shapiro announced $675,000 to support the Commonwealth Concert Series through the Marketing to Attract Marquis Events (MTAME) program, working across the aisle to secure $50 million in his 2025-26 budget to establish the program. MTAME offers grants that can support operations, security, event infrastructure, shuttle and transportation systems, community engagement, programming, marketing, talent, and other essential costs related to executing these events.

 

“Pennsylvania’s deep-rooted cultural history and national significance will be on full display this year as we celebrate 250 years of America ― a tremendous opportunity for the Commonwealth,” said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger. “Millions of visitors are expected to visit Pennsylvania this year to attend events like the NFL Draft, PGA Championship, and FIFA World Cup—providing a huge boost to our tourism and hospitality industry. The Commonwealth Concert Series adds to this great lineup of events that will fuel Pennsylvania’s economy and strengthen our communities.”

 

Pennsylvania is set to be the epicenter of some of the biggest events this year, as the Commonwealth celebrates the semi-quincentennial of American independence and democracy. Pennsylvania will welcome a major slate of events honoring our shared cultural heritage and history including the NFL Draft, PGA Championship, FIFA World Cup, America250PA, and MLB All-Star Game, alongside the Commonwealth Concert Series.

 

The concert series, joined by the other national events, is an opportunity to showcase Pennsylvania’s hospitality, diversity, and communities. Together, these events are expected to bring millions of people from across the nation, boosting local economies and demonstrating why Pennsylvania is the “Great American Getaway.”

 

“Pennsylvania is the Keystone State for a reason,” said Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA. “Our role in the founding of this nation is unmatched. The Commonwealth Concert Series honors that legacy by bringing people together in communities across Pennsylvania to celebrate a shared pride in who we are and where we come from. We are thrilled to welcome world-class artists for this series, and we cannot wait to share this moment with our neighbors across the Commonwealth this summer.”

 

Commonwealth Concert Series Tour Schedule

 

Saturday, May 23: Bryce Jordan Center, State College

●      Performers include Cole Swindell (headliner), Gabby Barrett, and the Benny Havens Military Band.

 

Saturday, June 6: Erie Insurance Arena, Erie

●      Performers include The Fray (headliner), and First to Eleven.

 

Saturday, June 13: Hershey Park Stadium, Hershey

●      Performers include The Avett Brothers (headliner).

 

Saturday, June 20: Kirby Park, Wilkes-Barre

●      Performers include Lady A (headliner), and En Vogue.

 

Saturday, June 27: Point State Park, Pittsburgh

●      Performers include Nelly (co-headliner), and Third Eye Blind (co-headliner).

 

Additional supporting artists will be announced on a rolling basis. Attendees will be required to have a free ticket for admission to the events and are encouraged to visit America250PA.org to sign up for email alerts regarding ticket release dates.

 

HARRISBURG, PA (April 9, 2026) – On May 5, 2026, hundreds of youth and adult lung health advocates from across Pennsylvania will travel to the Capitol for the 21^st annual Day at the Capitol, hosted by the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania and and PACT (Pennsylvania Alliance to Tobacco Control).

 

Youth and adult advocates from across the Commonwealth will gather at the Capitol to meet with lawmakers and call for stronger tobacco control policies, including closing loopholes in Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Air Act and increasing revenue from tobacco sales to support tobacco prevention and cessation efforts.

 

Nearly 500 advocates, including 300+ youth from Tobacco Resistance Unit (TRU) groups statewide and 131 adult advocates, will meet with lawmakers and participating in an outdoor rally on Soldier’s Lawn to elevate the voices of youth and communities impacted by tobacco and nicotine addiction. The call to action is for stronger tobacco control policies that protect youth, safeguard workers and reduce tobacco related disease.

 

“Pennsylvania’s tobacco control laws are not aligned with what we know works to protect public health,” said Elizabeth Hensil, Advocacy Director for the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania. “Too many people are still exposed to secondhand smoke, and too many young people continue to be targeted by the tobacco industry. We are calling on lawmakers to close gaps in clean indoor air protections and invest in prevention efforts and policies that save lives.

 

Despite decades of evidence showing what works to reduce tobacco use, Pennsylvania continues to lag behind in adopting comprehensive tobacco control policies. According to the American Lung Association’s 2026 State of Tobacco Control report, the state received grades of F for funding tobacco prevention programs, D for smokefree workplace laws, and F for tobacco tax levels. These shortcomings have real consequences: tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death in Pennsylvania, killing more than 22,010 residents each year.

 

A key focus of the 2026 Day at the Capitol will be the need to strengthen Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Air Act, which currently includes exemptions that leave workers and patrons in more than 1,300 establishments across the state unprotected from secondhand smoke. Advocates argue that these loopholes undermine public health and disproportionately impact workers in service and hospitality settings.

 

Advocates will also urge lawmakers to increase revenue from tobacco sales to support evidence-based tobacco prevention and control programs. These programs have been shown to reduce tobacco use, prevent youth addiction and lower health care costs across the state.

 

“It is important to use your voice to advocate for others’ health even when the audience isn’t open minded,” said Sanai Lester, 12^th grade, Capital Area School for the Arts and TRU one-year participant.

 

Now in its 21st year, Day at the Capitol brings together youth leaders and lung health advocates to highlight the importance of strong tobacco control policies and to encourage lawmakers to take action to protect all Pennsylvanians. Additional details, including a media advisory and event schedule, will be shared closer to the event.

Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is announcing a lane shift at the I-376 (Parkway West)/I-79 interchange in Collier and Robinson townships, Allegheny County, will occur Monday through Friday nights, April 13-17 weather permitting.

A lane shift will occur on the ramp from westbound I-376 to northbound I-79 (Exit 64A) exit, just after the split toward Erie each night from 6:00 PM until 5:00 AM as crews conduct repair work on the anti-icing system.

This work is part of the $12.6 million project on the Parkway West located between the Ridge Road (Exit 61) and I-79 (Exit 64A) interchanges in Robinson and Collier townships. Additionally, milling and paving on I-376, ramp preservation work, overhead sign structure repairs, drainage improvements, guide rail updates, and sign and pavement marking installation work are included in the project. The majority of the project was completed in late 2025, however, punch list work is expected to continue through summer of 2026.

To help keep motorists informed as work progresses, PennDOT has created an email distribution list for Parkway West traffic advisories and construction updates. Enroll by sending email addresses to ymanyisha@pa.gov. Please write “Subscribe – Parkway West” in the subject line.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Mengshin Lin / Associated Press)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Honolulu, HI) A doctor who was previously an anesthesiologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center that was accused of trying to kill his wife during a cliffside hike last year in Hawaii was found guilty of the lesser charge of attempted manslaughter based on extreme mental or emotional disturbance by a jury in Honolulu yesterday. Forty-seven-year-old Gerhardt Konig was convicted after a trial that lasted three weeks in which both he and his wife testified. The Maui-based doctor had pleaded not guilty to second-degree attempted murder following his arrest and indictment last year on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. His charge stemmed from an incident that occurred on March 24th, 2025 in which prosecutors confirmed that Konig assaulted his wife, Arielle Konig, as they walked along the Pali Puka trail, which is a scenic hiking trail in Honolulu. His conviction yesterday was on a lesser charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. The Pali Puka trail wraps around the edge of a cliff and also includes a popular but remote lookout spot, where Arielle Konig alleged that her husband attacked her by trying to stab her with a syringe first and then by hitting her over the head with a rock. She said in her testimony at his trial that she believed her husband wanted to render her unconscious before pushing her off the cliff. Arielle Konig said she suffered critical injuries in the attack and has since filed for divorce from her husband. Prosecutors stated at the trial that she survived because a pair of hikers saw the assault happening on the trail, which prompted Gerhardt Konig to stop. According to a report from CBS affiliate KGMB-TV, he escaped the scene and was eventually arrested after a manhunt that lasted more than six hours. Arielle Konig testified that her husband was angry with her for having an affair, and that motivated the attack. Gerhardt Konig’s nineteen-year-old son, Emile Konig, said during his own testimony that his father told him as much during a FaceTime call after it happened. Emile Konig also referred to Gerhardt Konig as “the defendant” when he spoke to jurors from the stand. Gerhardt Konig claimed self-defense when he took the stand last week, testifying that Arielle Konig grabbed his wrists, threw herself to the ground and hit him on the side of his face with a rock. Gerhardt Konig worked as a doctor at Anesthesia Medical Group in Hawaii and earlier as an anesthesiologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center before his arrest. He was also an assistant professor of anesthesiology and bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh.

(Credit for Photo:  (PRNewsFoto/SHEETZ, INC.) Caption for Photo: Sheetz logo.

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Altoona, PA) Sheetz now has plans to open 100 stores in Indiana over the next ten years. The Altoona-based gas station and convenience store chain announced the expansion yesterday. According to Sheetz, it plans to open its first stores in the greater Indianapolis area next year. The company plans to invest nearly $1 billion in the state of Indiana, creating over 3,000 long-term jobs.