Pennsylvania Film Commissioner Gino Anthony Pesi this week announced the Pennsylvania Film Office has awarded $117 million through the Film Production Tax Credit Program to a record 59 projects — estimated to inject a total of $1.1 billion into the economy in 35 counties across the Commonwealth.

These investments will also generate $68.7 million in state and local tax revenue and create or support more than 11,700 jobs.

The Film Production Tax Credit Program awards for 2025-2026 include high-profile economic drivers like Paramount’s Mayor of Kingstown (season 5), the Netflix series Tires (season 3), and Berwyn, Pennsylvania native Brad Ingelsby’s second season of HBO’s Task.

These three projects alone are expected to contribute more than $301 million in direct expenditures and create or support over 7,000 jobs.

“The Film Production Tax Credit program and our growing infrastructure continues to attract production to the Commonwealth,” Pesi said. “These projects showcase Pennsylvania’s diverse geography and topography, stimulate economic impact for our local businesses, and provide life-sustaining wages to our top-notch crews. We are also focused on complementing the attraction of high-profile projects through the Pennsylvania Film Producer Reserve, which embraces independent producers to help retain our trained workforce and create pathways to success for Pennsylvania storytellers.”

The Pennsylvania Film Producer Reserve is an annual, dedicated pool of funding from the Film Production Tax Credit Program. The Reserve, which provides a total of $5 million in tax credits each year to support small, independent filmmakers within the Commonwealth, awarded a combined $11.1 million to a record 31 projects — injecting an estimated $35 million in direct spend and creating or supporting 2,600 jobs across the Commonwealth. This year, demand for the Pennsylvania Film Producer Reserve far outweighed its allocation by 122 percent.

The Pennsylvania Film Producer Reserve, which supported only one project in the three-year period prior to the Shapiro Administration, has grown to 74 projects since 2023 under this Administration. Those 74 projects are estimated to contribute over $74.5 million in direct impact across the Commonwealth, while creating or supporting more than 5,600 jobs.

For information about the Pennsylvania Film Office or the Film Production Tax Credit Program, visit filminpa.com.

FEMA releases $10M in delayed grants

This week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released nearly $10 million in delayed Tropical Storm Debby and COVID-19 grants.

This marks the second round of funding heading back to Pennsylvania after U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-PA, sent a letter in April urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release the delayed grants.

“I’m grateful to see federal funding go back to those impacted by circumstances that were out of their control,” Fetterman said. “The federal government was supposed to help our hospitals and communities after the COVID-19 pandemic and Tropical Storm Debby, but the delayed money made things much more difficult for recovery efforts. I applaud and am grateful to FEMA for putting a stop to the delays and continuing to provide funding and resources for Pennsylvanians.”

In May of this year, FEMA released $600 million in delayed funding to hospitals across the Commonwealth in response to Senator Fetterman’s letter.

Since then, the office has worked to identify any additional outstanding funding and will continue urging DHS to release those funds back to Pennsylvania’s communities.

DCNR: How to prevent Lyme disease

Representatives from the Pennsylvania Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Health (DOH), and Environmental Protection (DEP) highlighted the importance of preventing tick bites and Lyme disease while enjoying the Commonwealth’s parks, forests, and outdoor recreation opportunities this summer.

“Whether you’re exploring one of Pennsylvania’s 125 state parks, hiking in our 2.2 million acres of state forestlands, or relaxing in one of the more than 6,500 local parks right in your own community, it’s essential to understand the risks and be prepared throughout the year,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Taking proper steps to reduce the chances of being bitten is key, as ticks are found in both urban and rural settings — typically in shrubs, weeds, leaf litter, tall grasses, and anywhere there is foliage.”

To help residents plan outdoor activities safely, DOH maintains an online dashboard that shows where ticks are prevalent so people can take appropriate precautions. Pennsylvania typically ranks among the top 10 states in the country for Lyme disease cases per 100,000 residents.

Last year, DOH recorded 18,747 lab-confirmed cases of Lyme disease. Most cases can be treated successfully with a short course of antibiotics, but if left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

“Spending time in nature has many benefits to both physical and mental well-being, and I want to encourage all Pennsylvanians to have fun outdoors this summer,” said DOH Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen. “However, it’s important to do so safely, by taking precautions beforehand and doing tick checks after. If you are experiencing any symptoms of tickborne illness, I encourage you to contact your health care provider right away.”

Ticks can be found in rural, suburban, and urban settings alike — typically in shrubs, weeds, leaf litter, and tall grasses — and can be present anywhere there is foliage. Taking proper steps to reduce the chances of being bitten is key.

“At the Department of Environmental Protection, we conduct tick surveillance and testing to help keep you informed,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “Ticks are found in every county, from Philadelphia to Erie, so a few simple steps can help ensure your time spent outdoors is safe and enjoyable.”

Tips for tick bite prevention:

• Cover exposed skin and wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to spot ticks.

• Use EPA-approved insect repellent for tick prevention.

• Before heading outdoors, treat shoes, clothes, and gear with permethrin.

• After coming indoors, check yourself, children, and pets thoroughly for ticks and remove any promptly.

• Shower soon after spending time outside to help wash away ticks that may have gone unnoticed.

Place clothes in the dryer on high heat to kill any remaining ticks.

Health benefits of spending time outdoors safely:

• Improving cardiovascular health

• Strengthening muscles and bones

• Reducing the risk of chronic diseases

• Lowering stress and improving mental health

• Increasing social connection

Lt. Gov. highlights affordable college

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis this week highlighted the University of Pittsburgh’s launch of the Pitt Regional Campus Tuition Pledge — a new program designed to make it more affordable for Pennsylvania students to attend one of the school’s branch campuses.

This new tuition-free program is available for Pennsylvania students whose household income is $75,000 or less, at regional Bradford, Greensburg, and Johnstown campuses, as well as the Titusville nursing program, beginning fall 2026. Pennsylvania students whose household income is $75,000 or less will pay zero in tuition.

“As a first-generation college graduate and alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, I couldn’t be more thrilled to see this new program unlocking the doors for more Pennsylvanians to chart their own course and achieve their dreams,” Davis said.

At the start of the 2026-27 academic year, residents — both new and currently enrolled — whose household Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $75,000 or less will be eligible to attend the participating regional campuses as well as the nursing program tuition-free.

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on X @TLBillOBoyle.