Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania public schools called police 16,850 times during the 2022-23 school year, a 10 percent increase in calls from the year prior and more than a 13 percent increase since 2018-19 (the last full year before the pandemic), according to the latest PA School Discipline Report released by the Department of Education. The latest report saw 238,694 total disciplinary incidents, including 2,901 possession of a weapon incidents, 5,498 possession/use of a controlled substance incidents, 2,222 bul

The legislation, inked by Gov. Josh Shapiro in December, amended the Pennsylvania School Code to eliminate the required 180 school day minimum and establish a more flexible framework for school districts in the Keystone State. From the current school year onward, Pennsylvania public school districts now have the option to provide 180 school days or roughly 900 hours of annual instruction at the elementary level and 990 hours of annual instruction at the secondary level (districts were previously

Dubbed The Election Threats Task Force, the coalition will involve officials from various agencies including state police, homeland security, information technology and election administration and will be helmed by Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt. “Pennsylvania is the birthplace of American democracy, and we are working to continue defending Pennsylvanians’ fundamental freedoms and ensure we have a free, fair, safe, secure election this November," Shapiro said in a Feb. 29 statement.

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The governor's hour and a half-long Tuesday address in Harrisburg’s Capitol Rotunda did not propose new tax increases but did put an emphasis on education, with Shapiro calling for a $1.1 billion increase in K-12 school funding, including an $872 million down payment next year to poorer schools. Related: New PA Budget To Be Released Tuesday: What You Can Expect

Shapiro’s remarks come on the heels of a court ruling last year that found the state’s school funding formula unconstitutionally discri

Alvaro Andres Valarezo Sandoval, a Miami resident and Ecuadorian national, allegedly received sexually explicit materials from children between the ages of 12 and 17 years old across Hamilton Township, Greene Township, Guilford Township and Saint Thomas Township in Franklin County and blackmailed those individuals in a scheme dating back to at least 2019. Valarezo Sandoval, 34, was arrested Jan. 18 at his Miami residence by Pennsylvania State Police with the help of U.S. Immigrations and Customs

Gov. Josh Shapiro joined local lawmakers this week in Cambria County’s Greater Johnstown Community YMCA to tout a slew of changes to the commonwealth’s tax credit and rebate programs, which is expected to put tens of thousands of dollars back into eligible Pennsylvanians’ pockets this year, Shapiro said. “We’re cutting costs, putting money back in people’s pockets, helping families and seniors get by – and we got this done by working together with Democrats and Republicans,” Shapiro said of the

HARRISBURG, PA - Pennsylvania K-12 schools are underfunded by $5.4 billion and should work to close the gap immediately over the next seven years, according to a new recommendations report narrowly approved last week by a state commission.

The 15-member Basic Education Funding Commission approved its 2024 report Thursday in a 8-7 vote, with recommendations ranging from increased funding to literacy programs and mental health services, charter schools and universal preschool across the Keystone