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In this Update:

• NEXT WEEK: Lancaster Senior Expo Set for Aug. 27
• School Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action
• Strategies to Prevent Electric Bill Spikes Highlighted at Senate Hearing
• What to Know About Teen Gambling
• Elk Cam Shows Largest Free-Roaming Elk population in Eastern U.S.

NEXT WEEK: Lancaster Senior Expo Set for Aug. 27

Approximately 60 exhibitors will be available to offer information on programs and services for older community residents at my Senior Expo Aug. 27. This free public event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Farm and Home Center, located at 1383 Arcadia Road in Lancaster.

State, county and local agencies will be on hand to provide information on a wide variety of benefits for older Pennsylvanians, including health and wellness, assistive technologies, consumer protection, income tax assistance, veteran benefits, traffic safety, utility assistance, and much more. Free health screenings, door prizes and light refreshments will also be available for visitors.

Some of the features of this year’s expo include:

• America250PA celebrating the nation’s 250^th anniversary.
• A flag-raising ceremony and honor guard beginning at 9:30 a.m.
• A secure drug take-back box to dispose of unused prescriptions (offered by the Lancaster District Attorney’s Office).
• Technology tutoring for seniors offered by Tech Buddies, a non-profit organization that encourages teenage volunteers to help older Pennsylvanians with cell phones and other devices.

• Three prominent Lancaster historical organizations – Historic Rock Ford, LancasterHistory and the Demuth Museum of Art – will highlight our rich heritage and contributions to our nation’s story.

Seniors can RSVP to attend the expo by clicking here.

School Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action

Over the past five years, 25,136 Pennsylvania drivers have been cited for school zone violations, including 8,302 for overtaking or illegally passing a school bus. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania breaks down the numbers here.

In September 2025, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 65, Enhancing the Safe Transportation of School Children, which would extend the stopping distance requirement from 10 feet to 15 feet before reaching the bus when the red signal lights are flashing and the side stop arm is activated. It also develops a tiered penalty system for a second or subsequent offense. Current law does not penalize repeat offenders.

With the start of a new school year nearly a year later, it still awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives. Read more about this effort to boost school bus safety here.

Strategies to Prevent Electric Bill Spikes Highlighted at Senate Hearing

Strategies to increase energy production and lower utility bills for Pennsylvanians were the focus of a public hearing by the Senate Majority Policy Committee.

The committee heard from energy generators, utilities, business groups, taxpayer advocates and more. Pennsylvania is the top electricity exporter and supplier of natural gas, but the retirement of generation sources is driving up prices and risking electric grid reliability.

Testifiers noted the commonwealth needs to build more reliable baseload generation to keep prices stable and ensure access to energy. Read more and access hearing video here.

What to Know About Teen Gambling

Just because teens aren’t allowed to gamble doesn’t mean they don’t.

Gambling among teenagers is a growing problem. Information is available to learn what teen problem gambling is, how to recognize the warning signs and where to go for help. 

Topics include: Why do people gamble? The “gambler’s fallacy,” and Who’s at risk? Learn more here from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Elk Cam Shows Largest Free-Roaming Elk population in Eastern U.S.

Elk were once native to Pennsylvania but disappeared in the 1800s due to overhunting and habitat loss. Today, Pennsylvania is home to 1,300 to 1,400 elk, making it the largest free-roaming elk population in the eastern U.S.

Live from Elk State Forest in northern PA, the Elk Cam is a window into the world of these impressive animals, as well as turkey, deer and other wildlife. Best viewing times are mornings and evenings.

The livestream is provided by HDOnTap and made possible with the help of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission.