Pennsylvania has the highest percentage of young agriculture producers in the nation, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistic Service. 

A day after the federal government reported that the country added a higher-than-expected 528,000 jobs in July, the Labor Department announced Thursday that the number of Americans who signed up for unemployment benefits rose last week to the highest level since November.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Deputy Secretary Mike Walsh helped cut the ribbon Wednesday on the final section of the 14-mile Northwest River Trail that spans five municipalities in Lancaster County.

The state Department of General Services will hold an online public auction of more than 280 pieces of surplus heavy equipment from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, starting at noon June 20 and ending at 10 a.m. July 5.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department reclaimed over $15 million last year for more than 41,000 consumers who had funds stolen, payments improperly processed or other forms of restitution or credit as a result of errors or unethical conduct. 

An update to Pennsylvania’s rules regarding how employers pay tipped workers will be voted on by the state Independent Regulatory Review Commission during a meeting next month. 

Pennsylvania Insurance Department Commissioner Jessica Altman is set to resign from her position with the state on Friday, Feb. 25. 

The Manufacturers’ Association will expand its manufacturing pre-apprenticeship program with the hiring of a pre-apprenticeship coordinator. 

 Alison Beam, acting secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, will resign at the end of the year. She is expected to be replaced by Executive Deputy Secretary Keara Klinepeter. 

A booster shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will soon be available for certain adults who received the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago, including residents in long-term care settings. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry paid more than $29.5 billion in unemployment benefits since Pennsylvania’s businesses first closed in mid-March as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.