Pennsylvania saw several major developments this week, with a small plane crash near Lancaster Airport dominating headlines. The Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft went down on Sunday afternoon with five people aboard, crashing close to a retirement community south of the airport[16]. Governor Josh Shapiro expressed support for first responders at the scene, as investigations by the FAA and NTSB are underway.

In state politics, Governor Shapiro unveiled his 2025-26 budget proposal, emphasizing workforce development, cost reduction in healthcare and housing, and investments in economic development[2]. The plan includes a controversial proposal to legalize and tax adult-use cannabis, projected to generate $250 million annually. Shapiro also highlighted his administration's success in securing over $3 billion in private sector investments and creating more than 4,700 jobs since taking office[13].

On the economic front, Pennsylvania is projected to be the sixth-best state for franchise growth in 2025, according to a study by the International Franchise Association[3]. The state is expected to add 948 new local franchise businesses and 9,894 jobs, contributing $33.2 billion to the economy.

In environmental news, despite a cold start to 2025, long-term climate trends still show a warming pattern in Pennsylvania[4]. The state experienced its 14th coldest January on record, but experts emphasize that these cold snaps are indications of day-to-day weather variability rather than overall climate trends.

Weather forecasts for the week ahead predict milder temperatures with periods of rain on Wednesday, followed by colder air and possible lake-effect snow showers through Thursday[9]. High pressure is expected to build into the state by Friday, with temperatures near seasonal levels.

Looking ahead, Pennsylvania is preparing for several significant events in 2025, including hosting the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, making it the first state to host the draft in two different cities[13]. Additionally, the state is launching new programs to address permit backlogs and spur economic development, such as the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Economic Development (SPEED) program[19].