PennsNet

Good morning, NEPA! The weekend left us with a fresh crop of festivals, some big local news about our campuses and rail lines, and plenty of civic goings-on to sip your coffee to.

Misericordia Eyes Penn State Wilkes-Barre Campus (WNEP-TV 16)
Penn State's trustees approved selling its 57-acre Wilkes-Barre-area campus near Dallas for about $5.25 million, opening the door to a possible Misericordia University expansion. Students and faculty are already weighing in on what it could mean.

Luzerne County Council to Decide Fate of Rail Line Sale (Times Leader)
Council votes Tuesday on whether to approve or veto the Redevelopment Authority's decision to sell the county rail line to R.J. Corman Railroad. It's a consequential call for the region's freight future.

Avoca Fire Department Lands $250K to Fight Firefighter Cancer Risk (WBRE/WYOU 28/22)
The Avoca Volunteer Fire Department received a state grant to build a dedicated decontamination room, part of a regional push to reduce cancer risks tied to firefighting. It's a hometown fix for a nationwide problem.

Cael's Climb 5K Raises Over $100K for Rare Epilepsy (WNEP-TV 16)
Runners packed Lackawanna County to support first grader Cael Hill, who has Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy. The community turned out big for a small hero.

F.M. Kirby Center Celebrates 40 Years With Documentary Premiere (WBRE/WYOU 28/22)
The Wilkes-Barre landmark marked its 40th anniversary Saturday with the debut of 'The Diamond of Downtown,' tracing its history back to its days as the Comerford Theater. A fitting toast to a downtown gem.

Quick Hits
· Missing 1-year-old from Scranton found safe after police search.
· Luzerne County residents and leaders gather in Wyoming for an affordability town hall with Sen. Nikil Saval.
· Plains Township celebrates its 175th birthday with a first-ever Community Day.
· Thousands of Pennsylvanians miss out on utility assistance as regulators weigh automatic enrollment.
· Apple picking season is underway at Brace's Orchard in Franklin Township.
· Scranton's 31st annual Lebanese Festival brings families together at St. Ann Maronite Church.
· Utility work on Route 315 in Pittston expected to disrupt traffic Monday.
· Questions linger over ICE arrests involving workers at a Geisinger Medical Center construction project.


Grab a cider, enjoy the festival season, and we'll see you back here tomorrow morning.