Legislation has been proposed in Harrisburg to charge a fee to Pennsylvanians who get their police coverage from the Pennsylvania State Police instead of their own municipal police force. Don Rooney has more…

The Commonwealth is announcing the wait is over as hunting and fur-taking licenses for the 2019-2020 season are going on sale next week.  The state Game Commission is reporting the licenses go on sale next Monday, on June 17th.  General hunting licenses and fur-taker licenses still cost about 21 bucks for residents, and around 102 dollars for nonresidents.

Lawmakers and activists gathered in Harrisburg yesterday to call for passage of a law that would limit the number of times a sexually violent predator can file for parole. Don Rooney has more…

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives is backing the state’s effort to take over its online health insurance exchange created by the Affordable Care Act in a bid to cut premiums for hundreds of thousands of people. The Republican-controlled House voted 198-1 on Tuesday for the just-unveiled legislation. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is pressing for the bill to pass this month in the hope that its savings measures can be in full effect in 2021. The bill now goes to the Senate.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Legislation to substantially expand taxpayer support by $100 million for private and religious schools is heading to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk, although he’s signaling that he’ll block it. The Republican-controlled Senate approved the bill Tuesday on a party-line basis, ramping up a fight between supporters of public and private schools in the thick of budget negotiations.

A state House committee is advancing legislation intended to prohibit drivers from having cell phones in their hands while operating a vehicle. House Bill 37 means to require the use of hands-free technology. The measure is now awaiting a full vote in the House.

The city of Pittsburgh may adopt legislation addressing ownership of exotic animals. Mayor Bill Peduto described the recent incidents involving alligators roaming Pittsburgh neighborhoods after escaping from their owners as “ridiculous”. Three alligators were caught in the city within the past months. Peduto said Tuesday – quote “People, if you have alligators, don’t bring them in the city.” Pittsburgh does not have an ordinance to regulate ownership of exotic pets, but Peduto says something may be created very soon.

State Game Commission officials say they’re searching for a young black bear seen wandering around parts of Westmoreland and Washington counties over the weekend. The animal was spotted in Monessen Saturday and South Strabane Township Sunday. Warden Adam Traynor tells authorities that the bear was likely kicked out of his family in Fayette county and traveled toward Washington.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police said officers were flagged down last night because of a large turtle in the road. Police say the reptile was in the intersection of Butler and 47th streets in Lawrenceville. Officers said they called Animal Care & Control who took the turtle to a local shelter. No turtles, citizens or police were injured.

The owner of a captured alligator in the Beechview section of Pittsburgh said he is fighting to get his animals back. Mark McGowen said police and animal control raided his home, which contained 40 animals, taking more than 30 of them. McGowen said the officers told him the seized animals did not have adequate enclosures. The animals include:

3 Alligators
2 Guinea Pigs
6 Rabbits
1 Rattlesnake
5 Yellow Belly Sliders (under 4 inches)
4 Quail
4 Hairless Rats
1 Granite Burmese Python
1 Burmese Python
2 Green Iquanas
3 Chinese Water Dragons (one deceased)
1 Nile Monitor Lizard

McGowen was seen cleaning the alligator’s enclosure on the day the reptile escaped.
McGowen said his animals are around children all the time, and that he rescued them and nursed them back to health. He said they are an educational opportunity for kids. It’s not clear if McGowen will face any charges.