Good morning, Scranton.

This fall — The Gathering Place in Clarks Summit offers varied classes and lectures on cooking, art, and local history, including stress management, digital help, and ghost tours — while community programs span the month with events like the Memory Café and State Street Trick or Treat on Oct. 31.

More than 700,000 UGI Utilities customers will see their monthly natural gas bill rise from $113.76 to $117.69 (affecting users of 6,880 cubic feet) after the state Public Utility Commission approved a rate hike; the increase will be phased in later this year and next.

Local educators gathered Monday in South Abington Township to discuss Project 2025, a policy blueprint that may cut nearly $3B per year in federal school funds + reduce support for low-income students, special education, Medicaid, and nutrition programs.

An environmental report said proposals for 43 natural-gas power plants may add 4.4+ gigawatts of capacity by 2030 to meet data center demands, including 15 proposals in Lackawanna County and nine in Luzerne County, as local projects increase.

Crews are draining the lake at Lackawanna State Park after Labor Day to repair the dam set to finish by early next year + officials warn visitors to avoid wet, treacherous mud and ask for help locating a historic build plaque stolen from an old bridge.

Monday morning, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on the South Side for the Welby Court Community & Resilience Affordable Housing Project, an energy independent housing model using green technology.

The project will build two three story buildings with 12 apartments at $900 monthly rent, set to open in Feb. 2028.