radioNOVO News for Altoona: August 25, 2026

RNN ALTOONA 08/25/26          ALTOONA IS TAKING STEPS TO FIX HOW IT TALKS TO THE PUBLIC.  THE CITY HAS HIRED MARKETING FIRM NOVA6 UNDER A ONE-YEAR, 36-THOUSAND DOLLAR CONTRACT TO OVERHAUL MUNICIPAL COMMUNICATIONS. OFFICIALS SAY THE GOAL IS TO BOOST TRANSPARENCY BY BREAKING DOWN CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, SERVICE UPDATES, AND CODE REGULATIONS INTO BITE-SIZED CONTENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOUTUBE.            CITY LEADERS HOPE THE MOVE WILL CUT DOWN ON RUMORS AND BUILD TRUST WITH RESIDENTS.          GETTING ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA BY RAIL IS ABOUT TO GET A WHOLE LOT EASIER.          GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO ANNOUNCED MONDAY THAT AMTRAK WILL ADD A SECOND DAILY ROUND-TRIP PASSENGER TRAIN BETWEEN PITTSBURGH AND NEW YORK CITY STARTING IN MID-NOVEMBER.          BACKED BY OVER $220 MILLION IN STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING, TRACK IMPROVEMENTS WILL HELP EASE DELAYS BETWEEN FREIGHT AND PASSENGER TRAINS. LOCAL OFFICIALS SAY THE EXPANDED PENNSYLVANIAN SERVICE OFFERS MORE FLEXIBLE TRAVEL SCHEDULES WHILE MARKING A MAJOR STEP FORWARD FOR REGIONAL RAIL EXPANSION.