U.S. launches ‘economic D-Day’ with tougher sanctions against Iran

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The United States is preparing what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is calling an “economic D-Day,” an intensified financial campaign designed to further isolate Iran and cripple its economy. Bessent is scheduled to hold a news conference Monday detailing stronger U.S. sanctions against Tehran. In a Financial Times opinion piece published Sunday, he described the effort

$10 million in freeze relief available to Pennsylvania fruit growers

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Pennsylvania fruit growers who suffered losses during a damaging spring freeze will be able to apply for a share of $10 million in state disaster assistance, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Thursday during a visit to Adams County. Shapiro, joined by state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, announced the Freeze Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant program at Three

Gettysburg College, community to explore shared history during America 250

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As part of the America 250 celebration, Gettysburg College will host “Gettysburg College and Community: A Shared History” on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the newly renovated College Union Building Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public. The special panel discussion will explore the longstanding relationship between Gettysburg College,

Dobbin House 250th events this week

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In celebration of the 250th birthday of one of Gettysburg’s cherished landmarks, the 1776 Dobbin House Tavern, and the 250th birthday of the United States of America, we invite the public to join us for two free once-in-a-lifetime events. At 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 250 years to the day, a reenactment of

Electric Map showing on Saturday

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The Gettysburg Electric Map, once a familiar first stop for generations of visitors to the Gettysburg battlefield, will light up again Saturday in Hanover. A public showing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at 22 Carlisle St. The approximately 75-minute program will include the original Electric Map narration along with a presentation on

WellSpan and Johns Hopkins Medicine extend oncology collaboration, expanding access to world-class cancer care across Central Pennsylvania

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Collaboration offers patients expanded access to life-saving medicine WellSpan Health and Johns Hopkins Medicine today announced the next phase of an oncology collaboration that will further strengthen access to advanced cancer care, clinical expertise and research opportunities for patients across Central Pennsylvania. The renewed collaboration builds upon a relationship that began in 2017 and expanded

Pa. Game Commission is ending its Deputy Game Warden program

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The Pennsylvania Game Commission is ending its Deputy Game Warden program on September 1, affecting about 140 wardens across the state. A Game Commission spokesperson said the decision “reflects our focus on having the most efficient and effective full-time professional law enforcement workforce.” “The decision was not made lightly but takes into account the complexities

Summer weather sets the stage for fall colors

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It still feels like summer across Pennsylvania, but the weather over the next several weeks will help determine whether this fall brings brilliant foliage or a disappointing display. The annual change actually begins with something weather cannot alter: shortening daylight. As days grow shorter, trees stop producing chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for their green color.

Harry and Meghan moving back to Britain

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Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are reportedly preparing to move back to Britain with their two children, six years after leaving the country and settling in California. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to relocate later this month to a private residence outside London, according to British media reports. Their children,

U.S. national debt now tops $40 trillion

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The U.S. national debt has surpassed $40 trillion for the first time, more than doubling in less than a decade as federal spending, tax cuts, pandemic relief and rising interest costs continue to strain the nation’s finances. The Treasury Department reported total public debt outstanding reached $40.047 trillion Tuesday. That includes about $32.3 trillion in

No joke: Fifteen are charged in PSU cocaine bust

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An investigation into an alleged cocaine trafficking operation centered around two Penn State fraternity houses has resulted in charges against 15 people, including two former students authorities describe as the ring’s primary suppliers. Court documents released as part of the case provide new details about the December 2024 arrest of Thomas Robinson, who investigators say

Shapiro shifts course on Pennsylvania data centers

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Gov. Josh Shapiro has dramatically tightened Pennsylvania’s approach to data center development, signing an executive order that gives local communities greater control over projects while imposing new environmental, energy, and transparency requirements. The move marks a significant change for Shapiro, who previously championed data centers as an economic opportunity for Pennsylvania, including Amazon’s $20 billion

Count Binface is defeated, despite considerable support

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British voters have once again denied Count Binface his chance at political power, handing a decisive victory instead to Reform U.K. leader Nigel Farage in a special parliamentary election. Farage easily won Thursday’s election in Clacton, England, receiving 22,239 votes. But perhaps the more entertaining result came from Count Binface, the trash-can-costumed political character played

Central Pa. Head Start programs could face major changes under federal proposal

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Central Pennsylvania Head Start programs could see larger classes, shorter operating hours and fewer requirements for working with families under sweeping changes proposed by the Trump administration. The proposal would give states greater control over Head Start while reducing federal regulations for the program, which has provided early childhood education and other services to low-income

U.S., Canada race to avoid 50% tariffs

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The United States and Canada are working toward a trade agreement that could prevent President Donald Trump from imposing 50% tariffs on some Canadian products beginning early Wednesday. Negotiators have made progress toward a possible deal, although significant differences remain and discussions have been contentious, according to The Washington Post. The tariffs, scheduled to take

Logging off — and going out?

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After years of swiping, streaming and socializing through screens, younger Americans may be rediscovering an old-fashioned pastime: leaving the house and spending time with other people. Millennials and members of Generation Z are increasingly turning to in-person activities ranging from chess clubs and birdwatching groups to crafting sessions and book clubs, according to a report

Hayden Panettiere, star of ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville,’ is dead at 36

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Actress Hayden Panettiere, who rose from child stardom to prominent roles in the television series “Heroes” and “Nashville,” has died at age 36, her representative confirmed to ABC News. Panettiere’s father, Skip Panettiere, announced her death in a statement early Monday, describing his daughter as a source of love and joy to her family, friends,

Reports of sailors trying to jump overboard raise concerns aboard USS Abraham Lincoln

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Reports that multiple sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln have attempted to jump overboard are raising concerns about the mental health and living conditions of the aircraft carrier’s crew during an unusually long deployment. The Navy Times and Stars and Stripes reported this week that sailors have been involved in several incidents in which crew

Registration open for Emerge Youth program

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Registration is underway for Emerge Youth, a faith-based wellness and personal development program for young women ages 10 to 13 in the Gettysburg area. The 2026-27 program will begin Sept. 14 and continue through April 26, 2027, at Under The Horizon, 2650 Biglerville Road, Gettysburg. Registration is requested by Aug. 31, and organizers say limited

Head Start overhaul would eliminate many federal regulations

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The Trump administration is moving forward with a major overhaul of Head Start that would eliminate many federal regulations governing the early childhood education program and give local operators greater flexibility. The Department of Health and Human Services unveiled the proposal last week, arguing that reducing federal requirements could lower costs, increase local control and

Sports Wrap: Keeping playoff hopes alive

With fewer than two months remaining in the Major League Baseball season, the playoff races are tightening — and the Phillies, Orioles, Nationals and even the Pirates still have something to play for. Philadelphia avoided what would have been a costly sweep Sunday, beating Toronto 7-6 in 12 innings at Citizens Bank Park. Derek Hill

Harry Potter fans force power cable to steer clear of Dobby’s ‘grave’

Harry Potter fans have apparently proved that even a fictional grave can complicate a real-world construction project. Developers of a roughly $580 million undersea power cable connecting the United Kingdom and Ireland changed its route after fans complained that construction would disturb the makeshift “grave” of Dobby, the house elf from the Harry Potter series.

Sanders calls for pause in AI development

Sen. Bernie Sanders is calling on some of the world’s leading artificial intelligence companies to pause development of increasingly powerful AI systems, warning that Congress could intervene if the industry fails to address growing safety concerns. The Vermont independent sent a letter to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and Meta CEO Mark

Rabid beaver attacks force closures at Cunningham Falls State Park

Portions of Cunningham Falls State Park remain closed as of Sunday, after two visitors were attacked by beavers that later tested positive for rabies. The incidents occurred less than two weeks apart at the Frederick County park, prompting Maryland officials to prohibit swimming, fishing and boating while wildlife surveillance continues. The first attack occurred July

New Superintendent selected for Gettysburg Area National Parks

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Stephanie Stephens has been selected as superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park, Eisenhower National Historic Site, and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. Stephens currently serves as the acting regional director for the Midwest Region of the National Park Service and will assume her new role this fall. “Stephanie’s extensive experience in cultural resource

Google’s massive India data center versus environmental opposition

Google’s planned $15 billion data center complex in southern India is encountering growing legal and public opposition as environmental groups raise concerns about water supplies, wildlife and the long-term impact of one of the company’s largest international investments. Construction is underway near Visakhapatnam in the state of Andhra Pradesh, where the project is expected to

Penn State and WHYY finalize WPSU deal

The deal to transfer WPSU from Penn State to WHYY has cleared another hurdle. The university and the Philadelphia-based public broadcasting station reached agreement on the details of the transfer and filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission last Thursday. FCC approval is needed before the transfer can be completed. The sale price is

Midterm primaries reveal progressive strength and division

Voters in five key states cast ballots in closely watched primary elections Tuesday, producing results that highlighted both the growing influence of progressive Democrats and the limits of that movement as both parties look ahead to November’s midterm elections. The marquee contest came in Michigan, where former public health official Abdul El-Sayed narrowly captured the

Study links climate change to Canada’s severe wildfire season

A new scientific analysis concludes that human-caused climate change significantly increased the likelihood of the extreme weather conditions that fueled this summer’s devastating Canadian wildfires, even as President Donald Trump has blamed forest management practices for the fires and the smoke that has drifted into the United States. The study, released Thursday by the international

Etsy will cut 12% of its workforce

Online marketplace Etsy will lay off about 220 employees, or roughly 12% of its workforce, as the company reshapes its organization to speed innovation and strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive e-commerce market. The layoffs, announced Wednesday alongside the company’s second-quarter earnings report, will primarily affect Etsy’s product and engineering teams. Company leaders said

A routine Pennsylvania voter list update sparks misleading purge claims

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A routine update to Pennsylvania’s voter registration records has fueled misleading claims on social media that tens of thousands of voters were removed from the state’s rolls, even though election officials say those voters remain eligible to cast ballots. The confusion followed a statewide voter list maintenance process required under the National Voter Registration Act,

Leftover LIHEAP funds used to give Pennsylvania enrollees a $100 supplemental benefit

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services said the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is entirely funded by federal dollars, started with $232 million ahead of the program’s 2025-2026 season, which ended in early May. “We know that even though winter is over, many Pennsylvanians may still need assistance with utility bills from last

Watershed-friendly native tree and shrub sale continues through Aug. 25

Add native beauty to your landscape and support local projects such as stream health, tree plantings, adult and youth education, and more. The Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward online watershed-friendly tree and shrub sale is open now through August 25th. Choose from 24 species of trees and shrubs that provide benefits such as attractiveness,

Hot weather will return this week

After a brief break from the heat, South Central Pennsylvania is expected to endure another stretch of hot weather beginning Tuesday, with temperatures climbing into the 90s and remaining there through much of the workweek. The hottest days are expected to be Wednesday and Thursday, when afternoon highs could reach the upper 90s. Forecasters say

U.S.-Iran talks set for today

The United States and Iran are expected to begin a new round of negotiations Monday as President Donald Trump signaled a possible diplomatic opening in the months-long conflict that has disrupted global energy markets and heightened tensions across the Middle East. Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said talks would begin Monday afternoon

Farmers Market program helps eligible Adams County seniors buy fresh produce

Eligible Adams County senior citizens can receive assistance purchasing fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables through the Pennsylvania Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), with vouchers available through the Adams County Office for Aging. The program is designed to help lower-income older adults improve access to nutritious foods while also supporting local farmers. Participating growers at

Now you can lease that Apple device

Consumers looking to soften the cost of new Apple products now have another option: the company has launched an expanded leasing program that lets customers make monthly payments on select devices instead of paying the full purchase price upfront. The new Apple Upgrade program, offered in partnership with financial technology company Klarna, extends beyond iPhones

Eagles make Jalen Carter the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history

The Philadelphia Eagles have secured one of the NFL’s premier defensive players for the long term, signing defensive tackle Jalen Carter to a record-setting four-year contract extension through the 2031 season. According to multiple reports, the extension is worth $152 million and could increase to $160 million with incentives. The deal reportedly includes $106 million

Concern persists as former Three Mile Island nuclear plant progresses toward 2027 restart

The former Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Dauphin County is meeting milestones in its relicensing process and on track to begin producing electricity again by the middle of next year, federal regulators said. But during a public meeting Tuesday about emergency preparedness and environmental reviews, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) officials also worked to

Heavy TV viewing may raise Alzheimer’s risk

Spending long hours watching television in middle age may be linked to brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease later in life, according to a new study suggesting not all sedentary activities carry the same risks. The research, published in *Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association*, followed more than 1,700 adults for nearly

Pentagon changes Iran war casualty accounting, raising questions

The Pentagon has quietly changed the way it publicly tracks U.S. military casualties from the war with Iran, prompting questions about how service member deaths and injuries are being counted. The Defense Department recently updated its Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS), replacing “Operation Epic Fury” with a new category labeled “Overseas Operations” for casualties associated

PA. Republicans rally behind SAVE America Act

Pennsylvania’s Republican members of Congress are continuing to back the SAVE America Act, legislation they say would strengthen election security by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, even as President Donald Trump has revived disputed claims about fraud in the 2020 election. U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick has emerged as one of the

Fauci set to testify before Senate panel

Dr. Anthony Fauci is scheduled to testify Wednesday before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where Republicans are expected to renew their criticism of the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and question his role in research involving a laboratory in Wuhan, China. The hearing comes after committee Chairman Sen. Rand Paul,

Bendersville Fire Company Carnival starts this week

The Bendersville Fire Company will kick off its annual community carnival Thursday, offering three evenings of food, live entertainment, bingo and family-friendly activities. The carnival will run July 30 through Aug. 1 at the fire company’s grounds, 144 Park St., Bendersville. Each evening will feature games, cash prizes, small games of chance, bingo, live music

Free workshop aims to help build career skills

Job seekers looking to strengthen their resumes, improve interview skills and expand their professional networks will have an opportunity to do so at a free career development workshop in Reading this week. AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania, in partnership with PA CareerLink, will host the “Tips to Kick-Start Your Career: Tools for Tomorrow Job Readiness Workshop” on

Cooler, drier weather brings welcome relief

After weeks of oppressive heat, sticky humidity, and periods of wildfire smoke, residents of Pennsylvania and much of the Northeast can look forward to several days of comfortable summer weather. Forecasters say a refreshing air mass has settled over the region, bringing daytime highs mainly in the 70s and low 80s through the end of

Utz to be acquired in $2.9 billion deal

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Hanover-based Utz Brands, the 105-year-old snack food company known for its potato chips, pretzels and cheese balls, has agreed to be acquired by Germany’s Intersnack Group in a deal valued at approximately $2.9 billion. The companies announced Tuesday that Intersnack will purchase all outstanding Utz shares for $14.25 per share in cash. The transaction is

A software error led to thousands of non-citizens being registered to vote in New Jersey

New Jersey officials say a software error at the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) mistakenly registered more than 6,000 non-citizens to vote over a one-year period, with fewer than 400 of those individuals casting ballots in elections since 2023. Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced Tuesday that approximately 6,600 people who identified themselves as non-citizens while applying

Penn State approves tuition increase as university continues campus consolidation

Penn State’s Board of Trustees has approved tuition and fee increases for most students for the 2027-28 academic year while continuing efforts to address financial pressures that have also led to the planned closure of seven Commonwealth campuses. Approved Friday, the new budget raises tuition 2.5% for Pennsylvania undergraduate students at the University Park campus.

Annual library book sale opens today

Book lovers and readers in general will have thousands of reasons to visit Gettysburg beginning today as the Friends of the Adams County Library System kick off their 2026 Summer Book Sale Bonanza. The three-day fundraiser opens Thursday and continues through Saturday at Redding Auction Services, 1085 Table Rock Road, Gettysburg. Proceeds from the sale

ICE abandons plans for two proposed Pennsylvania detention centers

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has formally withdrawn plans to develop two large immigration detention centers in Pennsylvania, ending a proposal that drew strong opposition from state officials and local communities. Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Wednesday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has reversed plans to convert warehouses in Berks and Schuylkill counties into

Campbell’s rolls out new protein-packed soups

Campbell’s is expanding its soup lineup with five new protein-rich varieties, aiming to meet growing consumer demand for foods that deliver more nutrition without sacrificing convenience. The new Protein Soup line features five flavors, each providing 20 grams of protein per serving — the equivalent of an entire 16.1-ounce can. Four of the five varieties

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