|
||||
|
In this Update:
Maplewood Girls’ Volleyball State Champs
I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Maplewood Junior/Senior High School Girls’ Volleyball Team on winning the 2025 PIAA State Class A Championship. This remarkable accomplishment reflects the team’s hard work, discipline, and determination throughout the season, including their Region 2 and District X titles. I was honored to join Senator Michele Brooks and Representative Brad Roae in sponsoring congratulatory Senate and House citations in recognition of the Lady Tigers’ outstanding achievement. Under the exceptional leadership of Coach Sheila Bancroft and her staff, the players consistently demonstrated teamwork, perseverance, and excellence on and off the court. This championship is a tremendous source of pride for Maplewood and the entire Commonwealth. Best wishes to the team for continued success in all that lies ahead. National School Choice Week and Catholic Schools Week in PA
The week of Jan. 25–31 marks both National School Choice Week and Catholic Schools Week in Pennsylvania, highlighting the importance of educational options that meet the unique needs of every student. School choice initiatives, including the state’s popular Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, which was expanded this year to serve more families in disadvantaged schools, play a critical role in helping students reach their full potential. Education is not a one-size-fits-all experience, and these observances underscore how expanding options can improve outcomes and encourage innovation. This week also provides an opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions of Catholic schools, which deliver a values-based education that builds confidence, character, and leadership skills. Nearly 140,000 students attend Catholic schools across the Commonwealth, with 99 percent graduating from high school and 96 percent continuing to college. Senate Republicans led the effort to designate Catholic Schools Week to honor the vital role these schools play in shaping future leaders and strengthening communities across Pennsylvania. Izaak Walton League Celebrates 100 Years
I was honored to join the Oil City Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America as they celebrated an extraordinary milestone – 100 years of service and advocacy for conservation, hunting, fishing, and the shooting sports. Founded in 1926, the Oil City Chapter is the oldest in Pennsylvania and one of the oldest in the nation. Today, it operates on 61 acres in Franklin and continues to support local conservation efforts, youth education programs, and shooting sports opportunities throughout the region. To commemorate this historic achievement, I was proud to present the chapter’s vice president, Jeff McCall, with a Pennsylvania Senate citation recognizing its century of dedication to preserving our natural resources and promoting Pennsylvania’s outdoor traditions. Congratulations to the Oil City Chapter on this well-deserved recognition, and best wishes for continued success in the years ahead. 2026 Trout Stocking Schedule
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission has released its 2026 Trout Stocking Schedule, marking the start of what promises to be a strong fishing season across the Commonwealth. Approximately 3.2 million adult trout will be stocked statewide, including 2.3 million rainbow trout, 698,000 brown trout, and 128,000 brook trout, across 684 streams and 130 lakes. Stocking operations begin the week of February 16. Fishing in designated Stocked Trout Waters will be closed until Opening Day on April 4, with the exception of Mentored Youth Trout Day on March 28. The schedule, available here, is searchable by county and provides detailed information on stocking dates, locations, species, and volunteer meeting points to help anglers plan ahead. Hearing Explores AI’s Impact on Pennsylvania’s Biotech Sector
How Pennsylvania can become a leader in harnessing AI to improve lives, fuel the economy and build a sustainable future was the topic of a recent hearing by the Senate Communications and Technology Committee and the Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee. In biotechnology, AI is accelerating research timelines, improving drug development, optimizing supply chains and expanding the frontiers of what’s possible in medical and agricultural science. Pennsylvania has roughly 3,000 life science companies with a $61 billion direct economic impact. The hearing, held at Merck & Co. in Montgomery County, heard from representatives of Merck, Johnson & Johnson, the University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University, a biotech nonprofit, a health care technology firm and a neuroscientist start-up, among others. You can view the hearing and read testimony here. DEP Recommends Testing Your Home for Radon
Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking in the U.S. To help mark Radon Action Month, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Pennsylvanians to test their homes for radon. DEP recommends all homes, schools, public and private buildings get tested. Radon test kits are also available at many home improvement and hardware stores, as well as from state-certified radon laboratories. Call DEP’s Radon Division at 717-783-3594, or the Radon Hotline at 800-237-2366, for help with interpreting their test results and what follow-up action may be necessary.
For anyone who hasn’t already signed up to receive my e-newsletters, you can get on the mailing list here. |
||||
|
||||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://www.senatorscotthutchinson.com | Privacy Policy |
