News

(WBRE/WYOU) — Current and former members of Congress are asking the Pennsylvania Department of Health to investigate a concerning trend of health problems identified by former employees of a now-razed manufacturing facility in Olyphant, Lackawanna County.

Former Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-8th) first requested the investigation in a letter last month, the I-Team has learned. His successor, Rob Bresnahan (R-8th) has promised to continue to look into what could be hundreds of illnesses identified by former members of the facility.

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Several people in Luzerne County are without money for food for the month, after they say their EBT accounts were drained.

And while they were issued new cards, they were not reimbursed for the lost benefits.

People we spoke with say they woke up Thursday morning to their EBT accounts empty of SNAP benefits.

This means that money they would have used for food for their families, is gone until February.

The state says they are aware of the issue, but a change in the law makes it impossible for people to get stolen benefits refunded.

(WBRE/WYOU) — Wawa announced grand opening dates Thursday for two new stores in Central Pennsylvania.

A spokesperson for Wawa said the two newest locations will both open at 8:00 a.m. on January 23 at 164 Maynard Street in Williamsport, and 1071 Wayne Avenue in Chambersburg.

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Each year the men's basketball team at the University of Scranton finds a way to help out the community, but for the first time ever they are doing it during their games.

Every 3-point shot the University of Scranton's Men's Basketball team makes is worth more than just three points. With the help of a few local businesses, it's also a $5 donation to the Boys and Girls Club of NEPA.

Bitter cold chills region ahead of weekend snow

PLYMOUTH TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Pennsylvania State Police in Wilkes-Barre are investigating a burglary that was reported Thursday morning.

Troopers say they received a call just before noon from an 81-year-old man from Hanover Township.

Coroner releases autopsy results in Schuylkill Haven death investigation

According to PSP, the burglar, or burglars, entered the building in the 2000 block of West Main Street through an upstairs window and used a power tool to cut through locked doors to gain access to the rooms downstairs.

SELINSGROVE — Penn Township and Middleburg borough are considering withdrawing as shareholders in the Penn Valley Airport, at the airport authority’s request.

HARRISBURG — Leaders of Pennsylvania’s General Assembly finalized appointments this week on which members of the House and Senate will serve as committee chairs in the 2025-26 Legislative Session.

SUNBURY — Couples in the midst of wedding planning may find a valuable resource in the Winter Bridal Expo on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Whispering Oaks Vineyard, 1306 PA-61, Sunbury.

(NEXSTAR) - A swarm of winter wildfires ravaged America's most heavily-populated county to start 2025, scorching cars, banks, bungalows and multi-million dollar mansions.

Donate to Red Cross wildfire relief efforts

Destructive wind gusts slowed late in the week, offering fire crews a moment to gain the upper hand, for now. The forecast shows no rain and a potential return of dangerous wind conditions, meaning the threat to Southern California is ongoing and critical.

UPDATE: This story has been edited to include the new dates for the project as provided by PennDOT.

SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — PennDOT has announced a change to the traffic pattern on Interstate 81 in Susquehanna County.

The project was initially going to begin on January 13 and run until to January 27. There has been an update and the work has been rescheduled to a later date to be announced. Between mile markers 228 to 232.7, the southbound lanes will be transitioned to a new lane and the median starting at the New York State line.