Legislature
Pandemic changes up Pennsylvania’s state budget hearings
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pandemic-changes-up-pennsylvanias-state-budget-hearings.html
The House and Senate fixed a pricey mistake by scheduling two special elections for primary day | Mark O’Keefe
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/the-house-and-senate-fixed-a-pricey-mistake-by-scheduling-two-special-elections-for-primary-day-mark-okeefe/
Deana Eckman’s family still hopes to reform DUI law
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/deana-eckmans-family-still-hopes-to-reform-dui-law/article_99d3a9c4-6a68-11eb-9833-37a44b4b0d96.html
Pa. parking-protected bike lane bill named in memory of Pittsburgher Susan Hicks
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/pa-parking-protected-bike-lane-bill-named-in-memory-of-pittsburgher-susan-hicks/Content?oid=18888378
Proposed charter reform long overdue
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/proposed-charter-reform-long-overdue/article_b06a1ec2-8dad-558e-ac19-f4b2fb06dbed.html
Severance tax should be on the table
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/02/09/Severance-tax-should-be-on-the-table-Pennsylvania-Wolf/stories/202102030076
Election reform must remain a priority for Pennsylvania | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/election-reform-pennsylvania-boockvar-philadelphia-republicans-trump–20210209.html
Former state Rep. George Hasay dies at 73
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/former-state-rep-george-hasay-dies-at-73/article_f62cc496-3c46-5e4f-b344-db8d88a7018f.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Lack of targeted outreach, translated materials leaves Latino community behind as Pa. struggles with vaccine rollout
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/pennsylvania-vaccine-rollout-latino-community-spanish-speakers-seniors-20210209.html
Pa. counties are blaming ‘cumbersome’ state-provided software for vaccine registration problems
https://www.inquirer.com/news/covid-19-coronavirus-vaccine-prepmod-rollout-county-montco-bucks-20210208.html
Vaccine registration system disappoints non-eligible Pennsylvanians with appointments
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2021/02/09/pennsylvania-covid-vaccine-registration-prepmod/4441261001/
Coronavirus vaccine: Not all diabetics are equal under Pennsylvania vaccination protocols
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2021/02/09/how-one-group-fighting-get-higher-vaccination-list-pa-type-1-versus-type-1-diabetes/4434731001/
Could Pennsylvania soon have a single online site to register for COVID-19 vaccine? It depends.
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2021/02/08/Fayette-County-opens-central-registration-site-COVID-19-vaccines-WVU-Medicine-Uniontown-hospital/stories/202102080061
Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Health officials conduct review of death reports
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-feb-08-update-20210209-xl2kkjt4lrhqnpa7phvstzqcba-story.html
Risk of community spread of COVID improves in Pa., still substantial in Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/risk-of-community-spread-of-covid-improves-in-pa-still-substantial-in-berks-county/article_a3721478-6a2e-11eb-9752-b3343d006abc.html
Berks County community leaders and medical experts promote COVID vaccine
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-community-leaders-and-medical-experts-promote-covid-vaccine/article_ab65aa6c-6a3a-11eb-b723-4bcb74e17961.html
Covid hospitalizations continue to decline in Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/local/regional/covid-hospitalizations-continue-to-decline-in-pennsylvania/
Wilkes-Barre health department vaccinating public against COVID-19
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/wilkes-barre-health-department-vaccinating-public-against-covid-19/article_7792c7d8-2754-57a7-a3d9-a5c03700217d.html
COVID-19 Update: Allegheny County sees two-day increase of 450 new COVID-19 cases
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/02/08/Allegheny-County-COVID-19-update-February-8-2021-coronavirus-pandemic-statistics/stories/202102080135
Reported COVID-19 cases, deaths drop Monday
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/reported-covid-19-cases-deaths-drop-monday/article_f4e5ae0a-2ca0-5cfa-b499-40c9ab244c11.html
As the COVID-19 pandemic raged, pharmaceutical firms quietly raised drug prices | Expert Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/business/drugs/pharma-drug-prices-high-costs-covid-pandemic-vaccine-medicare-insurance-20210209.html
New variants raise worry about covid-19 virus reinfections
https://triblive.com/news/new-variants-raise-worry-about-covid-19-virus-reinfections/
Democrats propose $1,400 payments as part of Biden virus relief
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/biden-budget-15-dollar-minimum-wage-20210208.html
Buttigieg to quarantine after security agent gets COVID-19
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-pete-buttigieg-quarantine-20210209.html
Biden wants to use NFL stadiums as vaccine sites, but Philly disagrees
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-vaccine-philadelphia-biden-nfl-lincoln-financial-field-20210208.html
Business
TerraVida Holistic, Pa.’s largest marijuana retailer, plans to open up shop in West Virginia
https://www.inquirer.com/business/weed/terravida-wv-kindness-acquisition-pennsylvania-medical-marijuana-west-virginia-20210208.html
Comcast offers $10K grants to small businesses owned by people of color
https://www.witf.org/2021/02/09/comcast-offers-10k-grants-to-small-businesses-owned-by-people-of-color/
32 central Pa. licensed restaurants, bars and clubs cited for not following COVID-19 orders
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/02/32-central-pa-licensed-restaurants-bars-and-clubs-cited-for-not-following-covid-orders.html
Crime/Punishment
We are proof incarcerated young people need care, not control | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/we-are-proof-incarcerated-young-people-need-care-not-control-opinion.html
Education
Scranton School Board votes to begin in-person learning for elementary students
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-board-votes-to-begin-in-person-learning-for-elementary-students/article_41d5ce73-96fd-59e1-84c4-380f4332a8c8.html
Keystone Oaks students return to classes this week as teachers’ strike ends
https://triblive.com/local/carlynton/keystone-oaks-students-return-to-classes-this-week-as-teachers-strike-ends/
John Chaney’s funeral service captured the memory of the man | Mike Jensen
https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports/temple/john-chaney-funeral-service-died-age-89-temple-20210209.html
A $3 million donation will help Montgomery County Community College promote employee-owned businesses
https://www.inquirer.com/education/montgomery-county-community-college-newage-industries-employee-stock-ownership-20210208.html
IUP alums dig deep as the university works to remake itself
https://triblive.com/local/regional/iup-alums-dig-deep-as-the-university-works-to-remake-itself/
University of Scranton to announce new president
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/university-of-scranton-to-announce-new-president/article_f434684a-762b-55f1-8e74-6509a2d3f2e5.html
New Penn State Berks chancellor looks to keep pushing university forward
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/new-penn-state-berks-chancellor-looks-to-keep-pushing-university-forward/article_72dfff48-658b-11eb-9d02-43c1cca78843.html
Elections/Politics
Fetterman’s early 2022 entrance gives him time to build strength — or set up his fall
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/fettermans-early-2022-entrance-gives-him-time-to-build-strength-or-set-up-his-fall/
Health Care
Pandemic unemployment spurs health insurance marketplace enrollment as exchanges prepare to reopen
https://www.inquirer.com/health/consumer/covid-19-coronavirus-aca-obamacare-enrollment-20210209.html
Tower Health cuts management pay amid COVID-19 losses
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/tower-health-executives-pay-cuts-covid19-brandywine-chestnut-hill-phoenixville-pottstown-20210208.html
Local News
Reading council asks mayor to address gun violence
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-council-asks-mayor-to-address-gun-violence/article_8746d46a-6a7d-11eb-8e4b-9bce103199e3.html
Reading Public Library awarded $10,000 grant
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/reading-public-library-awarded-10-000-grant/article_096a0da0-6a4b-11eb-b6af-1359defcdf8f.html
A decade later, deadly Allentown gas explosion continues to spur safety changes, haunt neighbors
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-gas-explosion-10-years-later-20210209-5l2yusiahvaolja475mjua6sr4-htmlstory.html
Brown vetoes WB City Council’s reduction of sewer and recycling fees
https://www.timesleader.com/news/842396/brown-vetoes-wb-city-councils-reduction-of-sewer-and-recycling-fees
LCTA life insurance for board members still under discussion
https://www.timesleader.com/news/842531/lcta-life-insurance-for-board-members-still-under-discussion
Pros and cons of mail ballots debated at Luzerne County legislative meeting
https://www.timesleader.com/news/842567/pros-and-cons-of-mail-ballots-debated-at-luzerne-county-legislative-meeting
Rescue 14 EMS in Adamsburg to close, merge with Greensburg-based Mutual Aid
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/rescue-14-ems-in-adamsburg-to-close-merge-with-greensburg-based-mutual-aid/
Hazleton City Council to consider steeper snow and ice removal penalties
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hazleton-city-council-to-consider-steeper-snow-and-ice-removal-penalties/article_591595ef-6b00-5f94-8be3-d16fa6e08d33.html
New Jersey
Deadline for N.J. governor to act on marijuana bill is pushed back
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/deadline-for-nj-governor-to-act-on-marijuana-bill-is-pushed-back.html
Philly
In public protest, thousands of Philly teachers pushed back against reopening schools
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopen-teachers-union-pft-20210208.html
City to launch vaccination program for educators
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/city-to-launch-vaccination-program-for-educators/article_0572a89b-5f31-5e43-9306-cfcea35637a9.html
Allegedly drunk Philly cop left woman with broken legs, dead dog after crashing car into her home at 70 mph
https://www.inquirer.com/news/gregory-campbell-philadelphia-police-fop-crash-20210208.html
Philly Police Commissioner Outlaw talks the good, bad, and ugly of her first year
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/philly-police-commissioner-outlaw-talks-the-good-bad-and-ugly-of-her-first-year/
Artists will hold a virtual rally this week to call for support from City Hall ahead of budgeting decisions
https://www.inquirer.com/news/arts-funding-philadelphia-2021-digital-rally-power-street-theatre-20210208.html
Innovation and audacity needed to stem Philly’s poverty crisis | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-poverty-fund-allan-domb-20210208.html
Pitt
Taking the ice: Penguins ready to advance plan for FNB headquarters at former arena site
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/02/09/Pittsburgh-Penguins-Civic-Arena-Hill-District-First-National-Bank/stories/202102090086
Appointees to Pittsburgh’s new LGBTQIA+ commission will be introduced to Council Tuesday
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/08/Appointees-Pittsburgh-new-LGBTQIA-commission-introduced-to-City-Council-Tuesday/stories/202102080080
Pittsburgh’s new LGBTQIA+ Commission a ‘strong and impressive’ group
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburghs-new-lgbtqia-commission-a-strong-and-impressive-group/
Half of historic South Side structure collapses during fire
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/08/Fire-crews-battling-blaze-at-4-story-building-in-heart-of-South-Side/stories/202102080097
Peduto urges Wolf to prioritize teachers for vaccines
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/08/Mayor-bill-Peduto-pittsburgh-philadelphia-schools-teachers-vaccinations-covid-19-phase-1a-1b-health-wolf/stories/202102080085
Peduto asks Gov. Wolf to vaccinate Pennsylvania teachers immediately
https://triblive.com/local/peduto-asks-gov-wolf-to-vaccinate-pennsylvania-teachers-immediately/
Tech training provider launching Pittsburgh cohort with eye on reaching underrepresented
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2021/02/08/Per-Scholas-tech-training-provider-Pittsburgh-cohort-Java-coding-underrepresented-opportunity/stories/202102080083
Woman dies after being shot in vehicle in Lawrenceville
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/02/08/Lawrenceville-shooting-woman-dead-Davison-St-4400-block-Pittsburgh-police/stories/202102080145
Audit finds Schenley ice rink mismanaged, thousands of dollars misused
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/08/schenley-ice-rink-audit-controller-lamb-mismanaged-thousands-dollars-misused-vehicle/stories/202102080094
State News
Commonwealth Court hears argument on challenge to second-degree murder penalty
https://triblive.com/local/commonwealth-court-hears-argument-on-challenge-to-second-degree-murder-penalty/
More than 500 acres added to Pinchot State Forest in North Pocono
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/more-than-500-acres-added-to-pinchot-state-forest-in-north-pocono/article_1c07b48d-a5c3-59bb-b08a-11a7ac1dd677.html
Some college students temporarily eligible for SNAP benefits
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/some-college-students-temporarily-eligible-for-snap-benefits/
Transportation
PennDOT lowers speed limits on highways as snow snarls commute
https://triblive.com/local/regional/coldest-arctic-air-stays-north-of-pittsburgh-snow-in-weeks-forecast/
Berks crews prepare for snowstorm on track for Wednesday night through Friday
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-crews-prepare-for-snowstorm-on-track-for-wednesday-night-through-friday/article_911bf902-6a50-11eb-8ce5-33afa8a9fe40.html
Washington
Montco’s Bruce Castor and Madeleine Dean bring very different approaches to Trump’s impeachment trial
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/bruce-castor-madeleine-dean-trump-impeachment-trial-20210209.html