After a 26% rise in food-permit applications and longer waits, Allegheny County moved to speed reviews while keeping safety checks in place. Officials say the change will help small operators open sooner.

A 454‑page petition says coroner Tim Warco withheld autopsies and stalled probes, prompting review by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Shapiro’s budget would extend death and workers’ comp protections to state‑deployed firefighters, EMS and police, building on last year’s PTSD reforms.

With federal oversight thinned, Pennsylvania officials and the PHRC are weighing a state enforcement option to address stalled school civil‑rights cases. Families say monitoring agreements are being left in limbo.

A GOP-backed bill would bar state and local limits on vehicles by power source as AAA reports Pennsylvania average gas at $3.80 per gallon. The measure’s path through the legislature remains uncertain.

Mayor Corey O'Connor's administration says at least $30 million may need to be cut to close a $30–$40 million budget gap as it reopens the city's 2026 spending plan. Officials say they'll target contracts and vacancies to avoid layoffs where possible.

Internal emails show the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police spent more than $11,000 on premium car washes and commanders have been ordered to explain purchases as the city grapples with a near $30M budget gap.

The State Board of Higher Education adopted a new statewide plan to boost credential attainment and affordability while aligning colleges with job needs.

A Commonwealth Court petition argues Republican Ehab Akkary hasn’t met Pennsylvania’s four‑year residency rule for House District 30, putting his McCandless candidacy in doubt.

Valencia and Callery say they won’t join a proposed merger between Mars borough and Adams Township, citing finances and school‑district splits as obstacles. Mars and Adams will press ahead toward more meetings and a possible November referendum.

A Pittsburgh newsroom will appeal a judge’s decision that lets the Allegheny County Sheriff redact hundreds of deputies’ names from payroll records. The case raises new questions about how broadly officer‑safety exemptions can be used.

Western Pennsylvania lawmakers secured about $406M in federal earmarks, led by a $183.8M boost for Montgomery Locks. Funds cover infrastructure, jobs and cultural projects.

Allegheny County approved 10 staffed ballot-return locations and four satellite offices ahead of the May 19 primary, giving voters multiple in-person options to return or cast mail ballots.