Legislature

Pennsylvania Sen. Boscola proposes two-month halt in sales tax to help inflation-slammed consumers – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

In the fight to control Congress, Pennsylvania’s district map could make the difference | WITF

New Wolf admin. rule would aid Pa.’s tipped workers | Wednesday Morning Coffee – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Federal suit asks to block Pa. judges from picking congressional map – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Lawsuit seeks halt to Pennsylvania justices picking congressional map | 90.5 WESA

Schwank Hosts Model Senate Program for Local High Schoolers – BCTV

PA Senate begins review of Wolf’s budget proposal | News | dailyitem.com

Pennsylvania senators question Department of Revenue on revenue projections | State | theprogressnews.com

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Who might benefit from a 4th shot — and who might not – WHYY

Do COVID vaccines affect mammograms? (inquirer.com)

Mask mandate likely to be extended, U.S. flight attendants say – pennlive.com

Allegheny County averaged 300 COVID-19 cases a day last week. In January, it was 3,000 a day | 90.5 WESA

WHO: New COVID-19 cases fall for the 3rd week; deaths also drop | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Region’s COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to decline | Coronavirus | tribdem.com

Business/Jobs

For low-income parents, no day care often means no pay (inquirer.com)

U.S. businesses get ready for long inflation (inquirer.com)

Kmart continues to fade away, with just 4 stores left in the U.S. – pennlive.com

Baristas at The Coffee Tree Roasters vote to unionize | 90.5 WESA

International forces costing American drivers $375M more every day on gas, analyst says | TribLIVE.com

Qualfon: More jobs to be added at Cambria City call center | News | tribdem.com

Crime/Punishment

Philly carjacking operation: Officials announce arrest – WHYY

All 3 defendants convicted of hate crimes in Arbery killing – WHYY

DA Krasner denounced a judge’s decision to dismiss charges against two police officers charged with beating a man with special needs (inquirer.com)

Former Leechburg police chief Michael Diebold ordered to prison for failing to register as sex offender | TribLIVE.com

Jury seated in trial related to Breonna Taylor’s shooting | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh protester sentenced to 2 years probation, restricted social media | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Beekeepers turn to anti-theft technology as hive thefts rise | Coronavirus | tribdem.com

Education

Upper Darby School District to ‘recommend’ but not require masks – WHYY

Rutgers-New Brunswick program reduces tuition significantly for some students – WHYY

First-time Philly college students honor Octavius Catto – WHYY

The U School in Philadelphia feels the city’s gun violence in everything it does (inquirer.com)

Paul Robeson High School students and staff are asking the district to update its building (inquirer.com)

School district reminds families of safety measures following child luring attempt – pennlive.com

Norwin director claims assignment on racism was critical race theory teaching | TribLIVE.com

IUP trustees approve tuition reduction; proposal sent to state system board | News | tribdem.com

Centre County school district breaks silence on assault | Centre Daily Times

Unionville student is Chester County’s top speller; will compete in national Spelling Bee – Daily Local

Frederick Douglass Institute anniversary to be celebrated in West Chester – Delco Times

Elections/Politics

Malcolm Kenyatta rejects electability doubts in 2022 Pa. Senate race (inquirer.com)

Doug Mastriano amends fund-raising report in Pa. governor’s race (inquirer.com)

Sen. Doug Mastriano adds campaign cash in late filing | WITF

Carlisle school board member Rick Coplen launches state Senate campaign in new 34th District – pennlive.com

Mehmet Oz wants us to know why he’s here in Pennsylvania. Will enough voters buy it? | 90.5 WESA

Luzerne Election Board to reconsider bilingual ballots | Election | citizensvoice.com

Scott Conklin and Kerry Benninghoff are running for reelection in Centre County | Centre Daily Times

Reading School Board member running Pennsylvania House seat (readingeagle.com)

Chris Freind: GOP’s cancel culture may crash mid-term election party – Delco Times

Environment

Dispute over Schuylkill Co. wind farm exposes fissures in Pa.’s push to meet renewable energy goals – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Advocates say stricter air permit for Clairton Coke Works could help ensure air quality | 90.5 WESA

New energy co-op aims to make switching to solar more affordable and easy to understand | 90.5 WESA

Biden halts oil, gas leases amid legal fight on climate cost | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Camera ‘ robot’ used to track pollution source | Local News | tribdem.com

Transportation

Speed limits in most Pittsburgh parks dropping to 15 mph | TribLIVE.com

Infrastructure Law Allows PennDOT, Norfolk Southern to Move Toward Improved Freight and Passenger Rail Service – PennWatch

Health

Staffing shortages hit nursing home industry hard, may be here to stay – WHYY

Art and music therapy seem to help with brain disorders. Scientists want to know why | WITF

An $80,000 surprise bill points to a loophole in a new law to protect patients | 90.5 WESA

Editorial: Is marijuana marketing proof its the next Big Pharma? | TribLIVE.com

State News

Pa. physician general pushes for equity in health care, making sure the underserved are heard – pennlive.com

Pennsylvania truckers protest convoy heads to nation’s capital Wednesday – pennlive.com

Pennsylvania Ag Department Says Dairy Premium Has Become Unfair | Dairy Farming News & Information | lancasterfarming.com

National News

N.J. reparations study: A history of lawmakers’ failed efforts – WHYY

U.S. women’s soccer team wins $24M in equal pay settlement – WHYY

Supreme Court will hear another clash pitting religious rights against laws protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination (inquirer.com)

Controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill advances in Florida House – pennlive.com

Corporate opioid payouts now being finalized would top $32 billion | 90.5 WESA

Alabama lawmakers advance transgender students bathroom ban | 90.5 WESA

Recall magnifies infant formula shortage | Business | citizensvoice.com

Local News

Delaware County health department coming ‘very soon’ (inquirer.com)

Wyoming Area extends bus contract, takes next step in superintendent change | Times Leader

Luzerne County Council names Bienias to vacant seat | Times Leader

Luzerne County Manager finalists announced | Times Leader

Zoning board rejects Misericordia sports dome plan | News | citizensvoice.com

High Fuel Prices Hammer Erie-Area Businesses, Nonprofits – Erie News Now | WICU and WSEE in Erie, PA

Early civil rights league organized in Reading (readingeagle.com)

Schuylkill-Carbon Farm Bureau presents book to Orwigsburg library (readingeagle.com)

Lower Pottsgrove man recipient of new liver as one of 6 organ transplants done in one day (pottsmerc.com)

Allentown’s aging storm water system is getting an upgrade – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Meet the Delaware County Health Department team leaders (delcotimes.com)

Bucks County towns with the highest property tax values (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Attractions, Bucks County recreation centers launch hiring blitz with higher wages (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Pitt

Dance film depicting Igbo creation myth makes Pittsburgh premiere | 90.5 WESA

Jewish Federation combating Holocaust ignorance with educational classes | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A mini-boom: Strip District to add another miniature golf venue | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

45 Black-owned restaurants, bakeries and more to support year-round | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Philly

The Mazzoni Center, Philly’s largest LGBTQ+ wellness agency, finds a new leader in Sultan Shakir (inquirer.com)

The Philadelphia Inquirer has grappled with racism for decades. Is it too late to change?

5 takeaways from a housing report on Center City Philadelphia (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia weather forecast is a roller coaster, normal for this time of year (inquirer.com)

Commerce founder Vernon Hill and Cooper boss George Norcross fight for control of Philadelphia’s Republic Bank (inquirer.com)

Washington

Biden announces sanctions against Russian oligarchs, banks – WHYY

Why Luhansk and Donetsk are key to understanding the latest escalation in Ukraine – WHYY

Garland confirms classified material found among records taken from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago – WHYY

Allies join U.S. in imposing sanctions pressure on Russia over Ukraine | WITF

Members of Congress from both parties in Pa. and beyond urge tough sanctions on Russia – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

National Guard called in to help with truck convoys in Washington, D.C. – pennlive.com

Trump praises Putin as ‘savvy’ amid new escalations on Russia-Ukraine border | 90.5 WESA

President Biden’s full plate: Crisis in Ukraine, rising inflation and low public approval | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

China says U.S. creating ‘fear and panic’ over Ukraine | News | tribdem.com