Transgender issues

After passionate pleas and statements from advocates of the LGBTQ+ community, Berwick school directors approved policies that detail when staff can refer to students by their preferred names and pronouns, and what bathrooms or locker rooms students can use.

Pennsylvania health insurers are proposing higher premiums for coverage in 2026. That means people who buy plans through Pennie – the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace — could end up paying more each month to stay insured.

The name and bathroom policies are the latest attack on students within the LGBTQ+ community, advocates say. In October 2024, the board banned employees from displaying most flags on district property, including the Pride flag.

For months, Congressman Rob Bresnahan has faced criticism for trading stocks after calling for a ban on congressional stock trading as a candidate. He says he wants a blind trust, but House rules thwarted that plan.

Gov. Josh Shapiro weighs in on legislation that would ban transgender girls and women from publicly funded sports teams, but does not say if he would veto the bill. And, Food Dignity, a local nonprofit, applied for a USDA grant to support farming infrastructure in the region.

The governor said he loves and supports transgender children. Trans kids and their parents want that message to be louder and paired with policy action.