News

Scranton, City of Scranton

Cities, Chambers Join Forces to Address Financial Woes

A new group is calling on state lawmakers to provide mandate relief for Pennsylvania’s cities and towns.  It’s called the Coalition for Sustainable Communities, and it’s comprised of a variety of business and municipal groups from across the state.  Chambers of commerce and local government groups had been working independently to strengthen Pennsylvania’s communities, but […]

Lawmaker: One Ridiculous Bill Deserves Another

The Women’s Right to Know Act would require Pennsylvania women seeking abortions to receive an ultrasound within 24-hours of the scheduled procedure.  It’s sparked a new health care debate at the state capitol.  Supporters say women deserve to be informed; critics call it a legislative overreach.  Philadelphia Democrat Larry Farnese has added a new twist […]

Romney Wins Illinois, Rick Santorum Fights On

    Rick Santorum was in Gettysburg last night to watch returns from the Illinois primary. While Mitt Romney would take the contest, Santorum spoke to supporters, once again claiming that he is the only viable candidate to run against President Obama in the fall.     Romney’s win Tuesday dampens some of the momentum Santorum enjoyed after […]

Spring is Here, Allergy Season Too

Six Pennsylvania cities made the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s list of the 100 worst places to live with spring allergies.  The good news is that you’ll have to look a little further down the list to find the Pennsylvania locales; the bad news is that it’s going to be a difficult spring for […]

Apartments, Apartment Building

Report Examines Affordable Housing Gap

Fair Market Rent for a two bedroom apartment in Pennsylvania comes to $835/month.  That means 2.2-minumum wage earners would have to work 40-hours/week in order to afford the average unit, according to the 2012 “Out of Reach” report.  Pennsylvania’s minimum wage is $7.25/hour.  The National Low Income Housing Coalition and Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania released […]

High Heels

The High Risk of High Heels

Long-term, repeated use of high heels can cause problems from the hip down to the foot, according to Geisinger Medical Center podiatrist David Troutman, and he says studies continue to reinforce that fact.  For instance, a study recently published in the Journal of Applied Physiology finds that high heels strained the calf muscle, even when […]

Pennsylvania Highway Deaths Decline in 2011 to Second Lowest Level on Record

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is reporting a decline in highway deaths.  The numbers in 2011 were the second lowest on record.   1,291 people were killed in crashes on Pennsylvania roads last year. That number is 33 fewer than in 2010. Fatal crash statistics improved in several areas.  There were fewer alcohol-related deaths along with […]