Local Government

A crowd of protesters on government building steps holding signs about affordable college funding.

Local Government

WCU faculty union warns of possible strike over state funding

West Chester University's APSCUF chapter president warned of a possible faculty strike tied to state funding as students and faculty rallied in Harrisburg for a 15% increase that could reverse a $172-per-semester tuition hike.

October 9, 2026 · 2 min read

Spotted lanternfly nymph with black body, white spots, and red markings on a green leaf.

Local Government

PA sues over fake spotted lanternfly permits targeting businesses

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday sued an Idaho man and his company for allegedly selling fake spotted lanternfly permits to state residents and businesses, charging $59 to $139 for training the state offers free. Chester County, under the state's lanternfly quarantine, is among the areas where businesses must hold legitimate permits.

October 5, 2026 · 2 min read

Harrisburg skyline with the Pennsylvania State Capitol dome visible among trees.

Local Government

Pielli bill targets utility profit bonus in House committee vote

West Chester state Rep. Chris Pielli's H.B. 2755, which would require Pennsylvania utilities to join a regional transmission organization and eliminate a 0.5% customer-funded profit bonus, advanced out of the House Energy Committee with bipartisan support on Sept. 30.

October 2, 2026 · 2 min read

Ornate legislative chamber with semicircular rows of desks and a gilded domed ceiling.

Local Government

Pa. House passes AI chatbot safeguards for minors

The Pennsylvania House voted 133-70 to pass Chester County Rep. Melissa Shusterman's bill requiring age verification, parental consent and crisis protocols for AI companion chatbots, with civil penalties up to $100,000 per day; the measure now heads to the state Senate.

October 1, 2026 · 2 min read

Man in a dark suit and blue tie poses for a formal portrait in front of an American flag.

Local Government

Pielli data center bill clears Pa. House committee

West Chester Rep. Chris Pielli's House Bill 2674, which would prohibit data centers from obtaining public utility status, cleared a Pa. House committee unanimously and now heads to the full House for a floor vote.

September 30, 2026 · 2 min read

Brick exterior of a high school building with a central facade and glass entrance doors.

Local Government

WCASD board approves Rustin stadium lights, school renovations

The WCASD board approved capital reserve bids for Rustin High School stadium lights and high school lunch renovations, change orders at four elementary schools, and $59,000 in literacy contracts at its Sept. 28 meeting.

September 30, 2026 · 2 min read

Neoclassical stone courthouse with tall columns and a clock tower against a blue sky.

Local Government

Chester County proposes eliminating one magisterial court district

Chester County's Court of Common Pleas proposes eliminating Magisterial District 15-1-02 and redrawing boundaries for three neighboring districts, directly affecting East Goshen and West Goshen residents, with public comments due Oct. 25.

September 29, 2026 · 2 min read

A row of brick apartment buildings with small front yards and concrete walkways.

Local Government

West Chester housing authority plans to end public housing program

The Housing Authority of the County of Chester approved a 2027 Annual Plan that would demolish or dispose of all its West Chester public housing properties and end the agency's Section 9 public housing program after 63 years, shifting residents to Section 8 vouchers.

September 29, 2026 · 2 min read

Neoclassical stone courthouse with tall columns and a clock tower under a blue sky.

Local Government

Chester County holds $126 million in unclaimed property

The Pennsylvania Treasury returned nearly $50,000 in unclaimed property to residents in the 160th Legislative District, but more than $126 million in Chester County claims still awaits owners at the state's newly revamped searchandclaimpa.gov.

September 28, 2026 · 2 min read

Two passenger trains passing on a curved four-track electrified rail corridor lined with trees

Local Government

SEPTA plans 230 new railcars for Paoli/Thorndale Line

SEPTA's new "Accelerate" plan proposes 230 Silverliner VI railcars and 15-minute service at nearly half its stations, with the Paoli/Thorndale Line central to the decade-long vision, but no price tag or binding schedule accompanies the proposal as the agency faces a $192 million budget gap.

September 28, 2026 · 2 min read

A row of historic brick commercial buildings lining a street in downtown West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Local Government

Philly metro housing earns C grade as building permits lag

The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metro area, which includes West Chester, ranked 59th out of 100 major markets and earned a C in Realtor.com's first affordability and homebuilding report card, with new-home permits running at less than half the expected rate.

September 25, 2026 · 2 min read

Red brick municipal building with a blue clock tower and bare trees along the street.

Local Government

Pielli flags grant deadlines for West Chester-area governments

State Rep. Chris Pielli's Sept. 22 grant memo lists state funding programs with October and November deadlines for West Chester-area municipalities, school districts and fire companies, including a $1 million regional policing program closing Oct. 1.

September 24, 2026 · 2 min read