Stories by Christen Smith | The Center Square

Two-thirds of mail-in ballots returned, so far

The Department of State’s daily report shows 1.4 million have been received

Community service in lieu of restitution fees coming for drivers

Could you soon be able to PA fines with a helping hand instead of cash?

Who to thank for Pennsylvania’s good credit rating? That depends

The newest Moody’s rating of Aa2 is the highest it’s been after holding steady at Aa3 for the last decade.

PTSD workers comp for first responders on the move

The state Senate approved a proposal last week to expand the program to cover those living with the condition.

Affordable Care Act protections approved in House

All of the bills passed the lower chamber with overwhelming support and now head to the Senate for consideration.

Veteran suicide prevention plan seeks free gun lockboxes

Pennsylvania U.S. Reps. Chris Deluzio and Brian Fitzpatrick, along with Democratic Ohio U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman, are sponsoring the proposal.

Welfare fraud charges filed against 103 recipients in Pennsylvania

Felony charges are a possibility for most involved

Bill wants open primaries nationwide

A new bill pending in Congress would mandate open primaries across the country, giving roughly 23.5 million registered independents a …

Sun Bucks on the way to Pennsylvania low-income families

A new program that covers fresh groceries for low-income kids during summer break in 2025 will accept applications through the …

Bill targets unscrupulous Pennsylvania real estate contracts

A bill that promises to protect seniors and other vulnerable cash-strapped homeowners from unfair realty practices moved one step closer …

Policy weighs locking up Pennsylvania students’ cell phones

A new plan moving through the state Senate would disconnect students from their cell phones during school years – literally.

Disabled vet pay excluded from state aid limits

Disabled veterans in Pennsylvania no longer have to claim their monthly benefits as income when applying for state aid programs.

Pennsylvania’s education reform recap

Both legislative chambers left town this week after advancing sweeping educational reforms likely to wind up – in some form …

Local solar program proposed in Pennsylvania

One Erie County legislator says he’s reintroducing legislation to bridge the gap for renters and homeowners unable to invest in …

Pennsylvania bill targets artificial intelligence election deep fakes

Artificially generated impersonations of political candidates may soon violate state law.

School panic alarms may come to Pennsylvania

Silent panic alarms may become the next line of defense for schools in Pennsylvania.

Remote stalking ban clears legislative hurdle

An anti-stalking measure targeting remote monitoring cleared an important legislative hurdle Tuesday.

Pa. House bill could lead to constitutional amendment enacting universal photo ID to vote

House Republican leadership said letting the bill languish in committee ignores the popularity of the policy among voters, especially those …