June 24, 2026 4:14 pm
HARRISBURG – Legislation to give Pennsylvania municipalities the time and authority to rein in data center projects across the state continues its way through the General Assembly. The state House of Representatives , on Wednesday, by an overwhelming bipartisan majority passed H.B. 2496 to empower local governments to place up to a six-month “pause” on the consideration of any data center application. Municipalities could adopt, amend or repeal sections of their related land-use ordinances during the pause. “This pause window allows local governments the time they need to thoroughly research, draft and pass comprehensive land-use ordinances pertaining to data centers,” Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, a co-sponsor said. “The bill gives our local officials necessary breathing room to update these ordinances, evaluating demands like water and energy usage and other considerations related to protecting our communities from potential harms caused by data center development.” Critically, the pause dates back to the moment the public was notified of the meeting agenda, and any application filed during the pause is subject to the new rules.
June 24, 2026 5:41 pm
Harrisburg, PA – On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 2650 in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote. The bill would codify Governor Josh Shapiro’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Standards in law and require data center developers seeking Commonwealth support protect energy affordability, engage local communities, create family-sustaining jobs, and meet strong environmental standards. The bill would replace the current exemption from paying sales tax with a new GRID certification framework built around strict accountability standards, transparency, and ongoing compliance requirements. Requirements would include protecting energy affordability, promoting transparency, engaging local communities, supporting workforce development, and strengthening environmental protection. Under the legislation, projects with a GRID certification would be required to demonstrate ongoing compliance through annual reporting and verification requirements. “I’ve heard directly from Pennsylvanians who are concerned about what data center development could mean for their communities, and I share those concerns. My GRID Standards establish strong, enforceable requirements for any project seeking Commonwealth support — requiring developers to bring their own power, engage with local communities transparently, support Pennsylvania workers, and protect our environment.
June 24, 2026 1:51 pm
Just when you thought it couldn’t happen again, the National Weather Service has confirmed that the storms that ripped through Southwestern Pennsylvania and nearby states on Monday spurred two tornadoes. NWS teams say that through surveys and aerial imagery, they were able to confirm one tornado south of Vanderbilt in Fayette County. It was rated an EF-1 with a maximum wind gust of ninety mph. Surveyors also confirmed another tornado east of Fairmont, West Virginia. That one was rated an EF-0 with maximum wind speeds of 80 mph. Details on the paths and damage surveyed from both tornadoes will be revealed at a later time.
June 24, 2026 12:52 pm
(AP) – Forty mayors from around the world have signed onto a new pact to try to shape how urban data centers are built and operated. It’s their vision for how urban data center development can be done in a sustainable way, and not at the expense of their cities’ natural resources, energy prices or climate targets. C40 Cities is an alliance of nearly a hundred cities seeking to impact climate change that launched the pact Tuesday during London Climate Action Week. Mayors of cities ranging from Phoenix, Arizona, to Melbourne, Australia, have led the effort.
June 24, 2026 12:25 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump abruptly canceled a planned signing ceremony on Capitol Hill for a housing bill. It was supposed to happen before he met with Republican senators for a lunch. Instead, Trump is pressuring senators to focus on his proof-of-citizenship voting bill even though it doesn’t have the votes to pass. Senators have grown increasingly frustrated with his efforts to divert their agenda. The had said ahead of the meeting that they hoped to focus on unity, not disagreements.
June 24, 2026 5:06 am
Two people were transported to UPMC Washington Hospital following a crash overnight along Interstate 79. Washington County 911 says it happened near the Racetrack Road exit just before midnight. Two or three vehicles were involved. There is no word on the identity or condition of those injured.
June 24, 2026 4:54 am
The North Strabane Township Board of Supervisors took care of multiple items on their agenda. First, the supervisors approved the conditional use application for the proposed Hidden Acres development that would be built along Christy Road. The development includes 159 Single Family detached dwellings. Supervisor Harold Close says that safety is a concern of the township and that the developer is responsible for making sure that the roadway remains safe. Additionally, supervisors intended to consider a $1 million bid submitted by Morganza Development, LLC for the surplus residual property in Eighty-Four. However, the offer was withdrawn. According to Township Manager Andrew Walz, there are currently no plans for the property, but it is something the board will discuss in the future. Finally, the board accepted Andrew Walz’s resignation as Township Manager effective July 31, 2026. Patrick Karnash will serve as Township Manager effective August 1, 2026-December 31, 2027. The board thanked Walz for his work over the years.
June 24, 2026 5:03 am
South Strabane Township has quite a few land development projects in progress and supervisors during their voting meeting made sure that all developers are adhering to their developer’s agreements. Supervisors unanimously approved revisions to the final land development plan with 79/70 Associates to build the Costco Warehouse Club and affiliated fueling stations. Minor modifications to the plan were made to move the building nine feet and help traffic flow around the fueling station. Construction could begin in August. In residential development, supervisors directed their solicitor to reach out to developers of the Bradford Run development to demand that unfinished land issues are addressed. If contact cannot be made, legal action has been approved by supervisors. Finally, in Burkett Manor, township engineers will be meeting with developers to address ongoing construction and instruct the developer to repair a large pothole that has formed at the entrance to the development. Supervisors want the issue fixed because the road is still under ownership of the developer and the pothole is large enough to cause damage to vehicles if drivers do not see it. In road matters, progress is slow on repairs to Locust Avenue. PennDot has received emergency funding to begin repairs, but no timeline has been established for the repair.
June 24, 2026 5:29 pm
Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is announcing several state-owned roads will close for the America250PA Commonwealth Concert in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County on Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27. The following restrictions will be implemented in advance of the Saturday concert at Point State Park according to the following schedule: The Liberty Avenue ramp to westbound I-376 (Fort Pitt Bridge) will close to traffic at approximately 6:30 PM Friday. Eastbound I-376 ramp to Liberty Avenue (Exit 70A) will close to traffic at approximately 6:30 PM Friday. There will be a lane restriction in the northbound direction of the I-279 (Parkway North) Portal Bridge, which spans a portion of Point State Park, beginning at approximately 7:00 AM Saturday. 10th Street Bypass ramp to Commonwealth Place/Fort Duquesne Boulevard/East I-376/Monroeville will close to traffic at approximately 2:00 PM Saturday
June 23, 2026 5:18 am
MACUNGIE, Pa. (AP) — President Donald Trump visited a Mack Trucks facility in Pennsylvania, for a speech meant to focusing on the economy. Instead, he spent most of the time talking about himself — reliving highlights from his 2024 presidential campaign. Tuesday’s visit marked Trump’s first major public event outside Washington since signing an interim agreement to end the Iran war. Trump toured the facility and addressed a cheering crowd. He touched on various topics, including the economy, the U.S.-Mexico border, and prescription drugs. Trump urged support for Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in the upcoming elections. His visit highlighted Pennsylvania’s importance as a swing state, with rising prices potentially impacting voter opinions.
