Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

By MATT PAUL Schools have always issued report cards grading our students, but new legislation would require the state to issue report cards grading our schools, too. Under HB 1300, schools and school districts would receive a letter grade - A through F - every year. "Coupled with providing options in education, providing this data to parents just really empowers them to get involved and make those decisions about their child's education," explains Ashley DeMauro, state director of StudentsFirst. "So I think as long as we're empowering parents, obviously, it will have a positive impact." To read the full post, visit: PAMatters.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Since 2005, the fictional paper company Dunder Mifflin has called Scranton, Pennsylvania its TV home. Production of the NBC series The Office didn’t take place in Lackawanna County, but the constant references to local businesses and other real-life features of the region were a boost to locals over the sitcom’s 9-season run. Read more from Brad Christman here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

While discussing the state’s 7.9% unemployment rate on Radio PA’s “Ask the Governor” program, Governor Tom Corbett expressed concern that many employers can’t find qualified employees who can pass a drug test. The comments went viral in a matter of hours, with the Pennsylvania Democratic Party asserting that it’s just the latest example of Corbett blaming Pennsylvanians for the state of the economy. Read more at PAMatters.com . You can hear "Ask the Governor" at 10 a.m. Saturday on 1490 WESB. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Pennsylvania is going to do something this spring it has not done since 2009: spray for gypsy moths. The pests have stripped trees in at least 8 counties. Gypsy moth numbers are high enough in parts of Cameron, Clarion, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, Potter, Tioga and Venango Counties to warrant the spraying of more than 43 thousand acres of state forest, park and game lands, along with some private property. For more on this story go to PA Matters.com The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

After 15-years of testing more than 43,000 deer, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has confirmed three cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in hunter-killed deer. Two of the infected animals were harvested in Blair County; the third came from Bedford County. “We’ve been saying for many years it’s not a matter of if but when, and I think we’ve arrived at when,” says Calvin DuBrock, Director of Wildlife Management. Read more at PA Matters.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Union officials are mounting a legal challenge to the potential deal to privatize the management of the Pennsylvania Lottery. For more on this story go to PAMatters.com .

Sunday marks 21 years to the day after the formation of the system that became known as “The Perfect Storm.” Also known as the Halloween Nor’easter of 1991, the system was a confluence of a hurricane and a cold front. The ensuing monster storm lashed the east coast for days and was immortalized in the movie that highlighted the story of the Andrea Gail, a commercial fishing vessel lost at sea. For more on this story go to PAMatters.com The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

PAMatters.com has in-depth coverage on the life of the late US Senator Arlen Specter. It includes reaction from President Obama and others, as well as a story from RadioPA's Brad Christman about a moment that did not get on the air. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Governor Tom Corbett has made his most extensive comments yet about a scathing ESPN The Magazine article that criticized his role in the firing of Joe Paterno. Radio PA's Brad Christman has the exclusive details at PAMatters.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Commonwealth Court judge’s injunction in a lawsuit challenging a portion of the impact fee law has prompted the state Public Utility Commission to delay action on a final implementation order. For the full story go to PA Matters.com The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

He was more than a coach. Former players spanning six decades were represented at “A Memorial for Joe” on Thursday afternoon. They spoke of Joe Paterno the man, the educator, the role model. http://www.pamatters.com/2012/01/26/a-final-goodbye/ The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A police officer is dead and another wounded in a shooting overnight in a small southwestern Pennsylvania town. The suspect was later killed when police tried to arrest him. Read the story at PA Matters.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

After a series of public meetings around the state, a citizens group formed by several environmental groups and other organizations has released its report on the Marcellus Shale industry. While there’s a lot of discussion about an impact fee or severance tax, the Citizens Marcellus Shale Commission also feels enforcement and regulatory reform are paramount. Dan Surra, who co-chaired the panel, says the overriding feeling the commission received is that people feel their politicians and regulatory agencies that are supposed to be protecting them aren’t. Read more of Cathy Clark's story here .

The Casey Anthony trial is sparking a legislative effort in Pennsylvania. State Senator Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) plans to introduce “Caylee’s Law”, named after the Florida girl who was missing a month before her disappearance was reported. The 2-year-old was later found dead. Read more at PAMatters.com .

The new website Look Out for Child Abuse is designed to be a one stop resource for completing Pennsylvania’s official form for reporting suspected abuse ... and more. RadioPA's Cathy Clark reports at PAMatters.com .

14-year old Sukanya Roy of South Abington Township near Scranton is the winner of the 84th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee. For the full story, go to PAMatters.com

Due to Governor Corbett’s back surgery this week, Radio PA was forced to postpone the first edition of the “Ask the Governor” program that was scheduled for taping on Wednesday, May 18th. "Ask the Governor" will now debut in June. For more information about the show, or to submit a question to the governor go to PAMatters.com .

A new website that offers news and commentary from Harrisburg has just been introduced. PAMatters is also the place to go to submit questions for the radio program "Ask the Governor," which 1490 WESB will be airing. Or you can submit questions by e-mail at AsktheGov@pamatters.com .