Pennsylvanians will rally Monday (May 5) in Harrisburg for a "Day of Action," calling on lawmakers to raise the state's minimum wage and do more to support immigrants' rights. As of last year, it's estimated more than 47,000 Pennsylvania workers earn the current $7.25 hourly minimum wage or less. Comments from Jarrett Smith, legislative director, Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

A PENNSYLVANIA INDEPENDENT/KEYSTONE STATE NEWS SERVICE COLLABORATION – Pennsylvania craft brewers are concerned about the economic challenges of President Donald Trump's new tariffs on imported goods, which are expected to increase costs for supplies and materials. Pennsylvania has 530 breweries and ranks as the nation's second-largest craft beer producer. Comments from Beau Baden (BAY-dun), owner of Sherman Street Beer Company in Allentown; Jeff Fegley, owner of Brew Works in Bethlehem; and Fred Maier of Susquehanna Brewing Company in Pittston and president, Brewers of Pennsylvania.

The Trump administration has defunded Kutztown University's NASA program, which aimed to promote STEM careers, citing the Pennsylvania school's focus on diversity, equality, inclusion and accessibility after an executive order. The program had received a $375,000 grant last Fall as one of eight schools in NASA's "Here to Observe" initiative. Comments from Dr. Erin R. Kraal (she/her), faculty director, Center for Engaged Learning, and professor of physical sciences at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's minimum wage has remained at $7.25 per hour for more than a decade. However, the 'Raise The Wage Act of 2025' would increase the federal minimum wage to $17 per hour by 2030. Comments from Andrea Grove, owner of Elementary Coffee Company in Harrisburg.

More than 60 Pennsylvania counties face a shortage of public defenders, the attorneys appointed by courts to represent people who can't pay for legal representation. In Erie County, public defenders are juggling more than 400 cases each. It's estimated that more than 1,200 full-time attorneys are needed to manage the caseloads statewide, but only about 850 are on the job. Comments from Sara Jacobson, Esq., executive director, Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania has made significant progress in expanding access to mental-health care for students and improving overall youth mental health for two consecutive years, according to a new School Mental Health Report Card. The report shows the state reached 49% of recommended psychologists, nearly 36% of counselors and more than 75% of social workers. Comments from Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh County, House Majority Whip; and Caitlin Hochul, vice president for public policy, Inseparable.

The Trump administration has said it wants to cut 7,000 jobs at the U.S. Social Security Administration as it works to reduce the size of the federal government. Critics warn the move could make it harder for the almost 3 million Pennsylvanians who receive some form of Social Security payment. Comments from Nora Dowd Eisenhower, volunteer state president, AARP Pennsylvania.

It’s Earth Day, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is urging folks to join the 2025 Pick Up Pennsylvania campaign. The statewide cleanup effort includes more than 300 Earth Week events. Last year, more than 77,000 volunteers removed more than three million pounds of trash and planted thousands of trees and flowers. Comments from Michelle Dunn, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful program manager and coordinator, Pick up Pennsylvania.

President Donald Trump's latest executive orders green-light increasing coal use, partly to power AI data centers. But coal plants are closing and coal-fired power made up just over 16% of U.S. electricity in 2023, down from nearly 20% in 2022. Critics argue the industry in Pennsylvania has been overtaken by cleaner and more affordable energy sources and say a comeback seems unlikely, even with federal backing. Comments from Tom Schuster, director, Sierra Club Pennsylvania.

A SENTIENT/KEYSTONE STATE NEWS SERVICE COLLABORATION - Animal advocacy group Animal Outlook used drone footage to challenge a Pennsylvanian's egg producer “free-roaming” egg claims. The resulting legal case led to a $287,500 settlement by Alderfer Poultry Farm’s and the removal of the label from its products. Comments from: Two spokespersons from Animal Outlook: Ben Williamson, executive director and Piper Hoffman, senior director of legal advocacy and Pamela Vesilind (VEH-sih-lind) assistant professor of law at Vermont Law School.

Unions representing workers for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH, "NY-osh") workers in Pittsburgh are pushing back against major restructuring plans announced by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The plans would mean closing regional offices and cutting 20,000 jobs nationwide. Comments from Brendan Demich (DEH-mish), chief steward, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1916, Pittsburgh.

Spring is here in Pennsylvania, bringing with it sneezing and itchy eyes for allergy sufferers. Seasonal allergies affect about one in four adults and one in five children. Comments from Skye Miller, physician assistant at UPMC Williamsport, Penn.; and Dr. Gregory Carnevale (KAR-nuh-VAHL-ee), chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare.

A new report says federal funding has doubled clean energy investments in Appalachia. Between 2022 and 2024, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia saw funding for clean energy projects surge to $11.5 billion, with total investment of just over $40 billion boosting energy and manufacturing. Comments from Diana Polson, senior policy analyst at the Keystone Research Center, which released the report jointly with ReImagine Appalachia.

April 15th, otherwise known as Tax Day, is quickly approaching. Pennsylvanians can now use the Internal Revenue Service’s free tax filing system, Direct File, to save both time and money, and ensure they’re not missing out on available tax credits. Comments from Lucas DeBartolo (De-Bar-TOW-low), resident, East Stroudsburg, PA ; and Adam Ruben, vice president of campaigns and political strategy, Economic Security Project.

Republicans in Congress have proposed budget cuts that could affect millions of Pennsylvanians by slashing safety-net programs like Medicaid. Therefore 167 organizations across Pennsylvania have signed a letter and sent it to Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation opposing any cuts to Medicaid in the federal budget. Over 3 million Pennsylvanians rely on Medicaid for ther healthcare, including 1.2 million children. Comments from Becky Ludwick, vice president of Public Policy, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children

A PENNSYLVANIA INDEPENDENT/ KEYSTONE STATE NEWS SERVICE COLLABORATION – Nearly 500 people gathered at a "People’s Town Hall" in Bethlehem, Pa., to protest potential cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and Social Security. The event is part of a national movement against Trump administration policies, as 69 million Americans are projected to receive $1.6 trillion in Social Security benefits this year. Comments from Anna Gustafson (GUS-tuff-sun), reporter for The Pennsylvania Independent who covered the event.

A study has found a link between stress and chronic pain, and as cases of arthritis increase in Pennsylvania, the number of trained doctors in pain management would need to continue to increase. About 31% of Pennsylvanians have arthritis. Comments from Dr. Sean Pastuch (pas-TOOCH), former chiropractor and current CEO of Active Life, a personal coaching company that focuses on chronic pain options.

An immigration advocacy group warns that federal funding cuts for legal aid to unaccompanied minors is affecting 26,000 children nationwide, including 589 in Pennsylvania, leaving vulnerable children without legal representation. Comments from Cathryn Miller-Wilson, executive director of Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS, "HY-us") Pennsylvania, says nonprofits are now scrambling for alternative funding.

This Saturday (4/5) is a National Day of Action, with thousands of “Hands Off” protests planned across the U.S. – including almost 100 in Pennsylvania. They'll target Trump administration policies that have affected education, Social Security, Medicaid, the jobs of federal workers and more. Comments from Jessica Brittain, communications director for Action Together Northeast PA ("NEPA"); and Vicki Miller, group leader with Indivisible Philadelphia.

As tree-planting season starts to bloom in Pennsylvania, the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership is fighting back against water pollution, with a goal of planting 10 million trees by the end of this year. More than 8.2 million have been planted so far. Comments from Marley McKind, Keystone 10 Million Trees partnership manager, Chesapeake Bay Foundation.