(File photo)

(Harrisburg, Pa.) Governor Tom Wolf today announced that PennDOT and Norfolk Southern Corporation have reached an agreement to expand passenger rail access in western Pennsylvania. The milestone follows a February 2022 announcement that the parties would jointly examine opportunities to eliminate chokepoints and improve Pennsylvania’s rail system to better permit freight and passenger trains to operate together.
Currently, the Pennsylvanian Amtrak service travels roundtrip between New York City and Pittsburgh via Harrisburg once daily. The agreement that Norfolk Southern and PennDOT developed anticipates increasing those Pennsylvanian passenger services to twice a day. Eastbound service would depart Pittsburgh at 7:00 AM and 12:30 PM and westbound service would depart Harrisburg at 9:41 AM and 4:40 PM.
To support these expanded passenger operations, the commonwealth will invest more than $200 million in infrastructure and safety improvements that will be constructed and maintained by Norfolk Southern. The future improvements and construction will stem from a previously released Norfolk Southern operational feasibility study and includes upgraded rail lines, passenger platforms, sidings, and necessary communications signals infrastructure.
PennDOT will redirect state Multimodal Transportation Fund dollars to fund the project, as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s (BIL) funding is intended to replace train sets on the Amtrak passenger-rail network.

(File Photo of State Senator Katie Muth)

(Harrisburg, Pa.) Seven female members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus circulated a memo on Friday afternoon to take steps to codify into state law the personal right to make decisions about health and reproduction, including access to safe and legal abortions.
The co-sponsorship memo was circulated by state Senators Katie Muth, Amanda Cappelletti, Lindsey Williams, Maria Collett, Judy Schwank, Christine Tartaglione, and Carolyn Comitta.
The legislation comes on the heels of what the Senators call a devastating ruling handed down by what they are calling a partisan Supreme Court last Friday that overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling and eliminates the constitutional right to an abortion after almost 50 years and lets states make their own decisions on abortion laws

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 is announcing overnight ramp paving operations on Business Loop 376 (Route 3160) in Moon Township, Allegheny County will begin Tuesday night, June 28 weather permitting.

(File Photo)

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 is advising motorists that line painting operations on various roadways in Beaver and Allegheny counties will occur Monday through Saturday, June 27-July 2 weather permitting.

(Official Photo of Pa. Sate Rep. Aaron Bernstine)
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A proposal is advancing in the Pennsylvania Legislature to require the four state-related universities to promise they are not conducting research or experiments with fetal tissue from elective abortions. The measure was added to a state budget bill by House Republicans on Monday. The target of the measure is the University of Pittsburgh, which is in line to receive $155 million from the state in the coming year.
Pa. State Rep. (10th) Aaron Bersntine’s amendment, to force Penn State to disclose the whereabouts of a statue of former head football coach Joe Paterno, was easily defeated.

(Pittsburgh, Pa.)  Sheetz Inc. announced Monday afternoon that they are lowering the price of some of their gas prices for a limited time.

Starting Immediately  Sheetz will charge $3.99 a gallon for unleaded 88 octane fuel and $3.49 a gallon for E-85 through the Fourth of July holiday travel season.

Sheetz does say it is important to make sure your car is compatible with Unleaded 88 or E-85 fuel before buying it check your owner’s manual.

(McKees Rocks, Pa.) A 23-yer-old man died after being shot multiple times around 1:20 AM Tuesday morning in the 800 block of Frank Street in McKees Rocks.

When first responders arrived they found the victim at the scene and he was taken to the hospital where he died.

Witnesses reported seeing two men run down Frank Street toward Bruce Street. The victim’s identity has not been released.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the Allegheny County Police Tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.

(File Photo of Josh Kail during recent interview on Beaver County Radio)

(HARRISBURG,PA)Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) announced Monday that as part of the ongoing effort to impeach Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner he has introduced House Resolution 216, which will create the investigative Select Committee on Restoring Law and Order.

“Since the beginning of the effort to impeach Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, we have heard from countless Pennsylvanians, business owners and families who are fed up with the absolute lawlessness in Philadelphia,” Kail said.

“While DA Krasner has been transparent in his willful dereliction of duty to enforce the law and should be removed from office, it is imperative the House takes a comprehensive approach to holding Philadelphia officials accountable with a full airing of the facts, a comprehensive record, and vetted recommendations as we move forward to ensure state law is respected and enforced in our largest city.”

According to the resolution, the Select Committee on Restoring Law and Order will consist of five members selected by the Speaker of the House—three Republicans and two Democrats—and have subpoena power.

The Select Committee on Restoring Law and Order will examine the effect of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s failure to enforce criminal laws in Philadelphia, how state public safety funding for Philadelphia has been used, and the extent to which victims’ rights are properly enforced.

In addition to impeachment, and other methods of removal from office, the Select Committee is also empowered to recommend potential legislative or policy changes that could be made to ensure public safety is guaranteed.

“The problem of unchecked crime and violence in Philadelphia is a statewide concern requiring strong and deliberate state action,” Kail added.

“The investigative Select Committee on Restoring Law and Order will take a deep dive into this issue and offer real remedies to ensure local officials like Larry Krasner are held accountable for their refusal to enforce state law and our cities are once again safe.”