Melissa Batula: Latest News

Starting in 2023, Pennsylvania residents will need a REAL ID to board a flight or access certain facilities.  PHILADELPHIA - Pennsylvanians who want to travel will soon need a little gold star on their diver's license in order to do so. The star, located in the upper right corner of Pennsylvania driver's licenses, indicates that the driver's license is a REAL ID, which is a credential that Pennsylvania residents will need to have in 2023.Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says REAL ID's will be required starting May 3, 2023 and residents will have the option to upgrade to a REAL ID at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) office. A standard license will not be valid to board a flight or access a secure federal building, like a military base or certain federal offices, according to PennDOT officials. "Although a year seems like a long time to get ready, the deadline will be upon us before you know it," says PennDOT Executive Deputy Secretary, Melissa Batula.

Snow covered roadways across Pennsylvania prompted Gov. Tom Wolf to sign a disaster declaration for the commonwealth Monday HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed a disaster declaration Monday afternoon as a powerful nor’easter dumped snow across Pennsylvania.PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration Melissa Batula explained the importance of the declaration in order for crews to do their job this way, "We are in the middle of one of the most impactful statewide storms we’ve had in a long time.