NEPA Scene Staff

Fine Wine & Good Spirits offers tips for safer holiday shopping during COVID-19

Fine Wine & Good Spirits offers tips for safer holiday shopping during COVID-19

From a press release: The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has urged Fine Wine & Good Spirits customers to create a plan to shop for wines and spirits before the upcoming holidays, particularly after COVID-19 drove record liquor sales across the state. “November and December are typically the busiest months of the year in Fine Wine […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Independent music venues form new foundation led by Pennsylvania owner as federal relief stalls

Independent music venues form new foundation led by Pennsylvania owner as federal relief stalls

From a press release: As its nearly 3,000 members anxiously await the passage of the Save Our Stages Act in Congress, the National Independent Venue Association has announced the formation of the National Independent Venue Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that seeks to partner and fundraise through individual, corporate, and foundation donations to expand upon […]

 Rich Howells

John Oliver pokes fun at Forty Fort and its funny name on HBO’s ‘Last Week Tonight’

John Oliver pokes fun at Forty Fort and its funny name on HBO’s ‘Last Week Tonight’

Comedian John Oliver’s news satire program “Last Week Tonight” has talked about Scranton several times on HBO. In last night’s episode, a lesser-known town in Northeastern Pennsylvania received a mention – and a light ribbing. During the main segment on Joe Biden winning the presidential election and “Donald Trump’s various attempts to overturn the results” […]

 The Conversation

Why Pennsylvania, the Keystone State we call home, unlocks the White House

Why Pennsylvania, the Keystone State we call home, unlocks the White House

Pennsylvania emerged as one of the key swing states crucial for determining the outcome of the 2020 U.S. election. The Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, who is from the city of Scranton in the northeast of Pennsylvania, took the lead in the vote count on Nov. 6 as he edged closer to the White House. As […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Pennsylvania drank a lot of Tito’s Vodka, Fireball Whisky, and Barefoot Wine in 2019-2020

Pennsylvania drank a lot of Tito’s Vodka, Fireball Whisky, and Barefoot Wine in 2019-2020

Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky topped liquor sales in Pennsylvania’s Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, according to the Liquor Control Board’s annual report that was released yesterday. Crown Russe Vodka, Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Nikolai Vodka, Hennessy Cognac, New Amsterdam Vodka, […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

COVID-19 drove record liquor sales in Pennsylvania, increasing yearly profits despite shutdown

COVID-19 drove record liquor sales in Pennsylvania, increasing yearly profits despite shutdown

From a press release: This week, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board released its Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Annual Report, which details agency operations, sales trends, popular products, and financial results for the period of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. This year’s report also details how the COVID-19 pandemic affected PLCB operations and sales. The […]

 Scott Kucharski

PHOTOS: Jon Bon Jovi acoustic at Joe Biden rally at Dallas High School, 10/24/20

PHOTOS: Jon Bon Jovi acoustic at Joe Biden rally at Dallas High School, 10/24/20

Luzerne County has hosted its share of drive-in concerts and political rallies over the last few months, but both came together for a unique event at Dallas High School on Saturday, Oct. 24. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jon Bon Jovi joined former Vice President and current Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Mount Airy Casino Resort fined $90K by Pa. Gaming Control Board for free slot play violations

Mount Airy Casino Resort fined $90K by Pa. Gaming Control Board for free slot play violations

From a press release: Today, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board fined Mount Airy No. 1, LLC, operator of Mount Airy Casino Resort, and SugarHouse HSP Gaming, L.P., operator of Rivers Casino Philadelphia, for violations related to the issuance of complimentary free slot machine play. The fines, totaling $135,000, were the result of board approval at […]

 Rich Howells

Save Our Stages legislation moves forward as NEPA music venues await federal aid, among other small businesses

Save Our Stages legislation moves forward as NEPA music venues await federal aid, among other small businesses

Since COVID-19 shut down music venues across the country, the National Independent Venue Association has been pushing legislation that will help those businesses stay afloat, including several venues and festivals in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Half a year later, it is finally starting to pick up steam in the state and federal government. The Save Our Stages […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Gov. Wolf, Dr. Levine loosen occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor shows and events

Gov. Wolf, Dr. Levine loosen occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor shows and events

From a press release: Today, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine amended existing COVID-19 orders to allow for adjusted capacity to gathering limits while keeping in place the proven mitigation tools that include wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. This will loosen some restrictions on crowds at concerts, sports, festivals, […]