Legislature
Top Pa. senator appoints colleague’s wife to lucrative Gaming Control Board seat
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-gaming-control-board-mike-regan-frances-regan-jake-corman-20210302.html
Pa. lawmakers urge improvements in vaccine distribution for seniors
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-lawmakers-urge-improvements-in-vaccine-distribution-for-seniors/
State plans for teachers to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/state-plans-for-teachers-to-get-the-johnson-johnson-vaccine/article_65fa0d7b-00f8-55f5-9fa8-943fbbb60571.html
Teachers, child care workers to get first dibs on Pa.’s initial batch of Johnson & Johnson vaccine
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/teachers-child-care-workers-to-get-first-dibs-on-pas-initial-batch-of-johnson-johnson-vaccine.html
Gov. Wolf: Pennsylvania teachers will be eligible for J&J vaccine
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/02/Pa-to-make-teachers-eligible-for-J-J-vaccine/stories/202103020144
Gov. Wolf: Teachers, others can get Johnson & Johnson vaccine when it arrives
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/johnson-johnson-vaccine-expected-to-arrive-in-pa-this-week/
COVID-19 Update: 2,500 new cases in Pa., with 200 in Allegheny County
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/03/02/COVID-19-coronavirus-pittsburgh-Allegheny-County-cases-deaths-pandemic-data-hospitalizations-vaccine/stories/202103020117
Virtual town hall looks at contributions of Black Muslims
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/virtual-town-hall-looks-at-contributions-of-black-muslims/article_59045c96-e86e-53b6-bf5f-69b1cd50c50c.html
More staff needed to end Pa. unemployment delays, L&I head tells lawmakers
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/pennsylvania-pa-unemployment-delays-berrier-staff-lawmakers/
Pa.’s ‘scavenger hunt’ approach to vaccines leaves everyone on their own | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-vaccine-distribution-registry-national-guard-20210303.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf has yet to get COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/pa-gov-tom-wolf-has-yet-to-get-covid-19-vaccine.html
While state drags its feet on vaccine sign-ups, Pennsylvanians bootstrap their own improvements
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/while-state-drags-its-feet-on-vaccine-sign-ups-pennsylvanians-bootstrap-their-own-improvements/
How soon will herd immunity against COVID come, and normalcy return?
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/how-soon-will-herd-immunity-against-covid-come-and-normalcy-return/article_50fc16ea-75f4-11eb-89ca-2f2e1e73beac.html
Black Harrisburg residents say they want the COVID-19 vaccine but can’t get it
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/black-harrisburg-residents-say-they-want-the-covid-19-vaccine-but-cant-get-it.html
UPMC pushing the ethical envelope
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/03/03/UPMC-pushing-the-ethical-envelope/stories/202103020012
Quest Diagnostic performed 35.3 million COVID-19 tests in the past year
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/quest-diagnostic-performed-35-3-million-covid-19-tests-in-the-past-year/article_ffc9a48c-7b9c-11eb-9e3c-0f8f8dd4b2cc.html
What’s up with OraSure’s COVID-19 self-test? Bethlehem company expanding as it seeks FDA authorization
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-orasure-provides-update-on-covid-rapid-self-test-20210302-ggsb5bksevfwbpjtn6s7kcuc2e-story.html
Biden vows enough vaccine for all U.S. adults by end of May
https://triblive.com/news/world/biden-vows-enough-vaccine-for-all-u-s-adults-by-end-of-may/
Minimum wage hike sets up clash among Senate Democrats as COVID-19 relief bill hits floor
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/03/02/Minimum-wage-clash-senate-democrats-covid-19-relief-bill-house-of-representatives-washington-joe-manchin-mike-doyle-conor-lamb/stories/202103030020
Business
Brackenridge steelworkers to vote on ATI strike authorization
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/brackenridge-steelworkers-to-vote-on-ati-strike-authorization/
Packaging company bringing about 80 manufacturing jobs to Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/packaging-company-bringing-about-80-manufacturing-jobs-to-berks/article_e81109c4-7b93-11eb-8deb-dfbd184b2a52.html
Pa. bars and restaurants can apply for new state grants starting this month
https://www.witf.org/2021/03/02/pa-bars-and-restaurants-can-apply-for-new-state-grants-starting-this-month/
Crime/Punishment
Bucks man imprisoned 30 years says DNA can clear him of murder. The DA won’t run the test.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/john-brookins-bucks-county-commutation-clemency-wrongful-conviction-20210303.html
DOC: Two SCI-Dallas officers sickened by drug-laced mail
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/doc-two-sci-dallas-officers-sickened-by-drug-laced-mail/article_4acf895a-81e5-52fb-b927-540fb12089eb.html
Online sleuths link Harrisburg-area woman accused of stealing Nancy Pelosi’s laptop to neo-Nazi activism
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/online-sleuths-link-harrisburg-area-woman-accused-of-stealing-nancy-pelosis-laptop-to-neo-nazi-activism.html
Education
Pa. asks for money to extend school meals benefits
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-asks-for-money-to-extend-school-meals-benefits/
Reading Across America week comes as publication stops on 6 Dr. Seuss books due to insensitive images
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/reading-across-america-week-comes-as-publication-stops-on-6-dr-seuss-books-due-to/article_af4f17d5-79ac-5b3c-86f5-16247fdfabe5.html
Scranton School District looking at alternatives as ventilation work continues
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-district-looking-at-alternatives-as-ventilation-work-continues/article_ab640a19-5249-5e05-95ed-54578256791d.html
How a Pa. case may impact what public school students all over the country can – and can’t – say on social media | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/how-a-pa-case-may-impact-what-public-school-students-all-over-the-country-can-and-cant-say-on-social-media-opinion/
The push for ‘free community college’ is a smokescreen on student debt | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/cartoons/free-community-college-biden-administration-student-debt-20210302.html
Elections/Politics
Early ratings have 2022 Pennsylvania governor’s race up for grabs
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/03/02/pennsylvania-govs-race-toss-up-early-ratings-2022/6890231002/
Thousands of Pa. Republicans are switching parties. Why Democrats shouldn’t get excited
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/03/03/pennsylvania-republicans-switching-parties/6841875002/
Local News
Cognetti to address Scranton’s challenges, opportunities during State of the City speech
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cognetti-to-address-scrantons-challenges-opportunities-during-state-of-the-city-speech/article_0f33dedf-7d87-5ce9-b0ad-406f03428276.html
Reading City Council looks at recent salary increases
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-city-council-looks-at-recent-salary-increases/article_7a73958c-7ba0-11eb-b7b7-63db4f075a92.html
Luzerne County Council ousts trio from election board
https://www.timesleader.com/news/980001/luzerne-county-council-ousts-trio-from-election-board
County council declares election board seats vacant
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-council-declares-election-board-seats-vacant/article_0926cce6-1b68-5391-a6a1-3b4a96f3ccef.html
Wilkes-Barre City Fire Dept. promotes eight
https://www.timesleader.com/news/980366/wilkes-barre-city-fire-dept-promotes-eight
National News
You can keep getting free weekly credit reports — at least for another year
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2021/03/02/free-weekly-credit-reports-Experian-Equifax-TransUnion-pandemic-coronavirus/stories/202103020138
New Jersey
Phil Murphy gave New Jersey progressives what he promised. Now they’ve got his back for reelection.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/new-jersey/phil-murphy-new-jersey-governor-race-progressives-20210303.html
Philly
A leaked memo suggests Philly police use vehicle stops to get around stop-and-frisk reform
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-stop-and-frisk-racial-disparities-vehicle-20210302.html
Philadelphia’s health commissioner has this advice for small businesses reopening this year
https://www.inquirer.com/business/small-business/philadelphia-health-commissioner-tips-advice-reopening-covid-restaurants-masks-20210303.html
Bankrupt Philadelphia Energy Solutions blames ‘mislabeled’ pipe for big blast that led to refinery’s closure
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/bankrupt-pes-philadelphia-refinery-sues-supplier-babcock-for-explosion-20210303.html
Philly’s gun violence-prevention community needs a reckoning of its own | Helen Ubiñas
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/philadelphia-guns-violence-gun-control-endangered-kind-john-solomon-helen-ubinas-20210302.html
Vulnerable immigrants in Philly are scrambling to get the COVID-19 vaccine with few resources or outreach
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/immigrants-vaccines-covid-philadelphia-undocumented-20210302.html
Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in the Philly area? Use our lookup tool.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/a/covid-19-vaccine-registration-philadelphia-new-jersey-20210120.html
City Councilmember David Oh invited a man accused of child sexual assault to testify on pandemic response
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/emmanuel-bussie-david-oh-philadelphia-city-council-20210302.html
After a year without jobs, stadium workers are eager to return to the stands with fans
https://www.inquirer.com/news/sports-stadium-workers-philadelphia-unemployed-covid-wells-fargo-20210302.html
Bring our money home. Philly needs a public bank. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/public-bank-philadelphia-derek-green-20210302.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh City Council gives green light to citywide eviction moratorium
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/03/02/Pittsburgh-City-Council-gives-green-light-to-citywide-eviction-moratorium-covid-19/stories/202103020132
Eviction ban passed by Pittsburgh City Council
https://triblive.com/local/eviction-ban-passed-by-pittsburgh-city-council/
A shot in the arm: Fans inject life into first Penguins game with spectators
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2021/03/02/Pittsburgh-Penguins-fans-Pens-vs-Flyers-3-2-2021-PPG-Paints-Arena-seating-capacity-COVID-19/stories/202103020168
Hundreds arrive for mass vaccination clinic at Heinz Field
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/03/02/COVID-19-mass-vaccination-clinic-heinz-field-pittsburgh/stories/202103020113
Police promise to crack down on off-road vehicles using city streets
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/02/pittsburgh-Police-crack-down-off-road-atv-illegal-vehicles-city-streets-ride-outs-flash-mobs/stories/202103020146
‘Such a relief’: People flock to Heinz Field for covid vaccine clinic by Giant Eagle, Steelers
https://triblive.com/local/such-a-relief-people-flock-to-heinz-field-for-covid-vaccine-clinic-by-giant-eagle-steelers/
Candidate’s old tweets touting Trump spur more turmoil among Democrats in Pittsburgh mayoral race
https://triblive.com/local/old-tweets-touting-trump-spur-more-turmoil-among-democrats-in-pittsburgh-mayoral-race/
Woman claims she was bitten by a rat at Allegheny County Jail
https://triblive.com/local/woman-claims-she-was-bitten-by-a-rat-at-allegheny-county-jail/
Allegheny County covid hospitalizations drop by 25% in last week
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-covid-hospitalizations-drop-by-25-in-last-week/
Lawsuit contends Allegheny County judge is illegally blocking access to virtual hearings
https://triblive.com/local/lawsuit-contends-allegheny-county-judge-is-illegally-blocking-access-to-virtual-hearings/
State News
Berks detention center is now empty, but will it stay that way?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/berks-detention-center-immigrants-immigration-family-children-parents-20210302.html
Editorial: Berks County, U.S. officials must stop stonewalling on detention center
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-berks-county-u-s-officials-must-stop-stonewalling-on-detention-center/article_d58767d6-7b5b-11eb-85e9-6bb865b7ad4b.html
Upper Darby woman with food pantry at her house garners accolades and invite from Dr. Oz
https://www.inquirer.com/news/dr-oz-upper-darby-food-pantry-hunger-poverty-pandemic-20210302.html
The recent deaths of trans people of color in Western Pennsylvania signal an alarming trend of violence
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/the-recent-deaths-of-trans-people-of-color-in-western-pennsylvania-signal-an-alarming-trend-of-violence/Content?oid=19015946
Conneaut Lake Park, a 129-year-old Crawford County icon, sold for $1.2 million
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2021/03/02/Conneaut-Lake-Park-pennsylvania-Crawford-County-icon-sold/stories/202103020133
State treasurer names former PennDOT spokesman as new public affairs manager
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-treasurer-names-former-penndot-spokesman-as-new-public-affairs-manager/article_342f2f04-348a-572d-8927-4b44452c7419.html
Schuylkill River Trail named one of top three riverwalks in United States
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/schuylkill-river-trail-named-one-of-top-three-riverwalks-in-united-states/article_8c550580-7b80-11eb-8d5d-8bc54c17c90f.html
Transportation
I-83 South Bridge toll plan: Most don’t want to pay to cross, but some ‘are still trying to take it in’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/public-reaction-to-tolling-i-83-south-bridge-leans-against-it-some-are-still-trying-to-take-it-in.html
Washington
Biden’s budget nominee Neera Tanden withdraws nomination amid opposition
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/biden-budget-neera-randen-withdraws-20210303.html
FBI chief warns violent ‘domestic terrorism’ growing in U.S.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/chris-wray-fbi-capiitol-attack-20210302.html
People rally at Rep. Conor Lamb’s Penn Hills office in support of $15 minimum wage increase
https://triblive.com/local/penn-hills/people-rally-at-rep-conor-lambs-penn-hills-office-in-support-of-15-minimum-wage-increase/