Legislature
NEPA lawmakers named committee chairs
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/nepa-lawmakers-named-committee-chairs-1.2440129
End threat of flying ice
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/end-threat-of-flying-ice-1.2439963
Pa. state representative proposes bill to help boost Berks Heim funding
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pa-state-representative-proposes-bill-to-help-boost-berks-heim-funding
Our view: Open courtroom doors to victims
https://www.goerie.com/opinion/20190201/our-view-open-courtroom-doors-to-victims
Administration
Gov. Wolf again pitches plan for taxing Marcellus gas drillers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/01/31/Pennsylvania-Tom-Wolf-severance-tax-plan-Marcellus-Shale-natural-gas-drilling/stories/201901310099
Wolf’s plan to restore Pa.’s infrastructure dependent on gas industry severance tax
https://www.timesleader.com/news/732092/wolfs-plan-to-restore-pa-s-infrastructure-dependent-on-gas-industry-severance-tax
Wolf renews call for drilling tax
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wolf-renews-call-for-drilling-tax-1.2440029
Wolf seeks $4.5B capital program paid by Marcellus Shale tax
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/wolf-seeks-45b-capital-program-paid-by-marcellus-shale-tax.html
Gov. Wolf signs into law stiffer penalties for repeat DUI offenders
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/gov-wolf-signs-into-law-stiffer-penalties-for-repeat-dui/article_f86f71ea-25a8-11e9-8f1f-7bedcce6eacf.html
Business
Houston gas driller wants Northern Pennsylvania man thrown in jail for contempt
http://www.philly.com/wires/ap/gas-driller-seeking-have-man-thrown-jail-contempt-20190131.html
On tap: Direct-to-consumer beers now coming fresh from the brewery
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/2019/01/31/Direct-to-consumer-beers-Pennsylvania-breweries-mail-online-Levante/stories/201901250133
U.S. Steel anticipates $40M in losses from Clairton Coke Works fire
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14563643-74/us-steel-anticipates-40m-in-losses-from-clairton-coke-works-fire
New Vandergrift Dollar General grand opening set for Feb. 16
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14563758-74/new-vandergrift-dollar-general-grand-opening-set-for-feb-16
Crime/Punishment
Just the (relevant) facts: Judge should exclude gun info in Antwon Rose II trial
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/02/01/Just-the-relevant-facts-Judge-should-exclude-gun-info-in-Antwon-Rose-II-trial/stories/201902010037
Woman who helped Lower Burrell cop killer gets parole
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14564393-74/woman-who-helped-lower-burrell-cop-killer-gets-parole
Department of Corrections needs to improve focus on safety for officers | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/01/department-of-corrections-needs-to-improve-focus-on-safety-for-officers-opinion.html-2
Kids in Cuffs: Hundreds of youths charged as adults in Pennsylvania every year
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/state/kids-in-cuffs-hundreds-of-youths-charged-as-adults-in/article_3277a255-81b7-558c-9ba9-56a60277d602.html
Education
Time of change for Catholic schools
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/time-of-change-for-catholic-schools-1.2440242
High school student killed in crash remembered as silly, supportive friend
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/high-school-student-killed-in-crash-remembered-as-silly-supportive-friend.html
Paul Muschick: Allentown School Board disappoints with $100,000 hire, surprise Building 21 vote
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/muschick/mc-opi-allentown-school-district-spending-building-21-muschick-20190130-story.html
This central Pa. college will offer free housing for incoming students
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/01/this-central-pa-college-will-offer-free-housing-for-incoming-students.html
Elections/Politics
Secure voting machines: Pa. polling places could see paper ballots soon
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/02/01/Secure-voting-machines-Pa-polling-places-could-see-paper-ballots-soon/stories/201902010038
Gaming
Truck stop or convenience store? The answer will affect Pa.’s gambling expansion
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/truck-stop-or-convenience-store-its-a-big-bet-in-pennsylvanias-gambling-world.html
Health Care
Allegheny Health Network reports $3.3B in operating revenue, up 6.9% from 2017
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14564395-74/allegheny-health-network-made-33b-last-year-up-69-percent-from-2017
Reading Hospital to open pediatric emergency room
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-hospital-to-open-pediatric-emergency-room
Local News
More outrage over stormwater fee as WVSA continues to make changes
https://www.timesleader.com/news/732117/more-outrage-over-stormwater-fee-as-wvsa-continues-to-make-changes
WVSA OKs changes on stormwater fee
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wvsa-oks-changes-on-stormwater-fee-1.2440182
Meuser seeks info on stormwater fee
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/meuser-seeks-info-on-stormwater-fee-1.2440176
Good Samaritans secure wheelchair for homeless woman
https://www.timesleader.com/news/732104/good-samaritans-secure-wheelchair-for-homeless-woman
Lackawanna County children’s library to close mid-February for floor restoration
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-children-s-library-to-close-mid-february-for-floor-restoration-1.2439852
Cartwright: Almost $3.9 million in HUD funds awarded locally to address homelessness
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cartwright-almost-3-9-million-in-hud-funds-awarded-locally-to-address-homelessness-1.2440250
Greenfield Twp. hires new sewer operator
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/greenfield-twp-hires-new-sewer-operator-1.2440246
Zoning board says OK to pot
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/zoning-board-says-ok-to-pot-1.2440045
Source of fuel odors unknown, city fire chief says
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/source-of-fuel-odors-unknown-city-fire-chief-says-1.2439968
Westmoreland courthouse space applications now online
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14564653-74/westmoreland-courthouse-space-applications-now-online
Westmoreland County ups fees for filing civil, family court documents
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14564378-74/fees-increasing-for-filing-civil-family-court-documents-in-westmoreland-county
Hempfield to review past votes, but supervisors balk at state audit
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14564467-74/hempfield-to-review-past-votes-but-supervisors-balk-at-state-audit
Reading Mayor Wally Scott criticizes ‘old regime’ of politicians in annual State of the City address
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-mayor-wally-scott-in-state-of-the-city-address
Berks municipalities soundly reject ARL animal control program
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-municipalities-soundly-reject-arl-animal-control-program
Bethlehem eyes way to raise women’s pay, after Philly tried it and ended up in court
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/2019/01/bethlehem-eyes-way-to-raise-womens-pay-after-philly-tried-it-and-ended-up-in-court.html
National News
ICE set up a fake university. Hundreds enrolled, not realizing it was a sting operation.
http://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/ice-set-up-fake-university-hundreds-enrolled-not-realizing-it-was-sting-operation-20190201.html
Officials say U.S. border agents have made their biggest-ever fentanyl bust
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/01/31/biggest-fentanyl-bust-ever-US-border-Arizona-customs-protection-officials/stories/201901310194
‘This was a racial and homophobic hate crime,’ Jussie Smollett’s family says
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/01/31/This-was-a-racial-and-homophobic-hate-crime-Jussie-Smollett-s-family-says/stories/201901310207
Catholic leaders in Texas name 286 priests and others accused of abusing minors
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/01/31/Texas-Catholic-diocese-released-list-names-priests-accused-sexual-abuse-minors/stories/201901310212
New Jersey
New Jersey’s minimum wage to rise to $15 by 2024
http://www.philly.com/politics/new-jersey/new-jersey-minimum-wage-steven-sweeney-phil-murphy-20190131.html
While companies like Amazon see a future in going cashless, N.J. lawmakers pass a bill to ban the practice
http://www.philly.com/business/new-jersey-cashless-store-ban-amazon-bookstore-20190131.html
Philly
Crumbling school buildings? Philly charter operator offering to build them better.
http://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-charter-schools-buildings-expansion-string-theory-20190201.html
Here’s what a Broad Street Line extension to the Navy Yard could look like
http://www.philly.com/transportation/broad-street-line-extension-rail-navy-yard-septa-subway-20190201.html
Living black history: 4 African-American leaders to learn from this month | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/black-history-month-philadelphia-ida-b-wells-james-baldwin-20190201.html
On the job site and behind the scenes, Johnny Doc shaped Philly’s skyline. Will he still?
http://www.philly.com/real-estate/john-dougherty-doc-union-labor-local-building-trades-real-estate-construction-industry-20190201.html
Councilman Bobby Henon’s lawyer fires back, says his client was fighting for union workers
http://www.philly.com/news/bobby-henon-arraigned-ibew-local-union-indictment-philadelphia-city-council-johnny-doc-john-dougherty-20190131.html
Why Manhattan health-care clothing company Care+Wear has its designs on Philadelphia
http://www.philly.com/news/carewear-healthcare-clothing-chaitenya-razdan-20190201.html
Philadelphia’s last major drug encampment closes in bitter cold, but the opioid crisis persists
http://www.philly.com/health/opioids-fentanyl-kensington-homeless-encampments-philadelphia-emerald-street-20190131.html
When will #MeToo reach places like North Philly? | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/me-too-movement-low-income-women-sexual-harassment-20190131.html
Pitt
Gun rights advocates float complaints against city officials; DA says no evidence of crimes
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/31/Gun-rights-advocates-file-complaints-against-city-officials/stories/201901310098
Private criminal complaint filed against Bill Peduto, officials over gun bills
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14563600-74/private-criminal-complaint-filed-against-peduto-city-council-members-over-gun-bills
Is Pittsburgh a bad city for women in tech? This group wants hard answers
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2019/01/31/How-do-Pittsburgh-women-in-tech-really-feel-about-their-workplaces-A-new-study-is-looking-for-answers/stories/201901290001
Migrations the theme of Black History Month kickoff
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/31/Migrations-Black-History-Month-Association-Study-African-American-Life-History-ASALH/stories/201901310115
Women still face gender pay gap at Pittsburgh-area nonprofit firms
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2019/02/01/Gender-pay-gap-disparity-female-nonprofit-executives/stories/201901310117
Art Institute of Pittsburgh to close in March, affecting more than 2,100 students
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2019/01/31/Art-Institute-of-Pittsburgh-to-close-in-March/stories/201901310093
Art Institute of Pittsburgh to close by March 31
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14564061-74/art-institute-of-pittsburgh-to-close-by-march-31
Though neither faced re-election, Fitzgerald, Peduto pulled in $1 million in combined campaign contributions
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/01/31/Even-while-not-facing-re-election-Fitzgerald-Peduto-pull-in-1-million-in-combined-contributions/stories/201901310139
Eric Crosby, curator of contemporary art, becomes co-director of Carnegie Museum of Art
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2019/01/31/Eric-Crosby-new-co-director-Carnegie-Museum-of-Art-Pittsburgh/stories/201901310091
Pittsburgh man sues Greyhound, accuses driver of racial discrimination
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14564148-74/pittsburgh-man-sues-greyhound-accuses-driver-of-racial-discrimination
State News
ATF: Cause of deadly Chester County nursing home blaze undetermined
http://www.philly.com/news/chester-county-nursing-home-fire-cause-unknown-atf-20190131.html
Cosby victim Andrea Constand settles suit she filed against ex-DA Bruce Castor
http://www.philly.com/news/andrea-constand-bill-castor-lawsuit-cosby-20190201.html
Pennsylvania woman wins $41 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson
http://www.philly.com/business/health/vaginal-mesh-johnsonjohnson-philadelphia-jury-million-award-20190131.html
Yes, ‘frost quakes’ are actually a thing, but nothing to worry about
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14564810-74/was-that-an-ice-quake
Target offers sniper ammo
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/target-offers-sniper-ammo-1.2439961
Pa.’s future depends on the continued growth, diversification of its energy portfolio | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/01/pas-future-depends-on-the-continued-growth-diversification-of-its-energy-portfolio-opinion.html
Auditor General continues child welfare review with look at obscure agency
http://www.witf.org/news/2019/01/auditor-general-continues-child-welfare-review-with-look-at-obscure-agency.php
Auditor general to probe bureau handling child-abuse appeals
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190131/auditor-general-to-probe-bureau-handling-child-abuse-appeals
Transportation
Amid cold and chaos, responders to Route 222 pileup mesh with near precision
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/amid-cold-and-choas-responders-to-route-222-pileup-mesh-with-near-precision
State police, PennDOT, local fire departments set up command post for Interstate 78 crash
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/i-78-crash-response-coordinated
Easton wants PennDOT to add $28 million in projects, including Lehigh River pedestrian bridge, to its long-range plan
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/easton/mc-nws-easton-project-request-20190130-story.html
Washington
Toomey bill would give Congress approval on tariffs invoked over national security
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/01/31/Congress-Pat-Toomey-tariffs-steel-aluminum-national-security-trump/stories/201901310192
Seeking to ban ‘undetectable’ guns, Rep. Madeleine Dean proposes law
http://www.philly.com/news/gun-control-d-printed-undetectable-dean-congress-20190131.html