Evan Croen

1 week ago | whyy.org | Evan Croen

This story originally appeared on WESA. A local legislator wants the state to help keep tabs on the owners of blighted properties — and to levy fines against them. Monroeville Democratic state Rep. Brandon Markosek, who chairs the House committee on Housing and Community Development, has put forth a bill that would create a blight database managed by the state. Municipalities wouldn’t be required to participate, but could opt in.

1 week ago | whyy.org | Evan Croen

A former magistrate judge in Pennsylvania convicted of shooting and wounding her ex-boyfriend in the head as he slept has been sentenced to 13 1/2 to 30 years in prison. Sonya McKnight was convicted last month on attempted homicide and aggravated assault charges. She resigned her post during Wednesday’s hearing, where the judge told her she was “totally without remorse” for the shooting. McKnight has maintained her innocence, and her attorney said an appeal is ongoing.

1 week ago | whyy.org | Evan Croen

This story originally appeared on 6abc. Roughly 40 animals are either dead or missing after heavy flames engulfed a barn in Worcester Township, Pennsylvania. The blaze broke out around 3:13 a.m. Wednesday at the House of Wiggle Goats, a rescue and sanctuary that provides lifelong care for goats and other farm animals. The property, which was built in 1857, is home to roughly 120 animals. Video shows the heavy flames ravaging the barn.

1 week ago | whyy.org | Evan Croen

President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is nominating his former criminal defense lawyer Emil Bove, who as a high-ranking Justice Department official was behind the controversial move to drop the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, to become a federal appeals court judge. As acting deputy attorney general, Bove has been at the center of some of the department’s most scrutinized actions since Trump’s return to the White House in January.

1 week ago | whyy.org | Evan Croen

After rebounding in recent decades due to conservation efforts, the number of once-imperiled peregrine falcons in the U.S. has been dropping again in some places due to the bird flu that has decimated other avian populations in recent years. Although falcons in coastal parts of the country have been hit hard, researchers say others that set up camp in some of the country’s biggest cities appear to be thriving, showing the world’s fastest bird has acclimated to living among people.