Legislature
Lawmaker pushes to eliminate state constables
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lawmaker-pushes-to-eliminate-state-constables-1.2446625
Uncertainty shadows Pennsylvania’s debate over nuclear power
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/uncertainty-shadows-pennsylvanias-debate-over-nuclear-power/
Sunday hunting measure advances, but some groups oppose it
https://www.timesleader.com/news/733658/sunday-hunting-measure-advances-but-some-groups-oppose-it
Metcalfe’s exit as key committee chairman fuels optimism among redistricting reform supporters
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190217/metcalfes-exit-as-key-committee-chairman-fuels-optimism-among-redistricting-reform-supporters
State Rep. Wendy Ullman hears from residents on roads, environment
https://www.theintell.com/news/20190217/state-rep-wendy-ullman-hears-from-residents-on-roads-environment
Time for Pennsylvania politicians to stop rigging elections | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/tom-wolf-pennsylvania-politicians-harrisburg-gerrymandering-reform-20190218.html
Tie pension to conduct
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/tie-pension-to-conduct-1.2446575
State Rep. Bernstine’s bill would secure an additional $2 million for McGuire school
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190217/state-rep-bernstines-bill-would-secure-additional-2-million-for-mcguire-school
Business
Marriott workers’ class-action says inconsistent schedules and credit union loans are a predatory mix
https://www.philly.com/news/marriott-credit-union-lawsuit-payday-loans-20190218.html
A year after Parkland, Dick’s Sporting Goods is giving even less space to the gun rack
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2019/02/18/Dicks-Sporting-Goods-Walmart-Parkland-guns-shootings-sales-policy/stories/201902170053
Two Luzerne County Walmart stores receive assessment reductions
https://www.timesleader.com/news/733735/two-luzerne-county-walmart-stores-receive-assessment-reductions
Ski resorts see sunny skies as they hit Presidents Day groove
https://www.mcall.com/sports/outdoors/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-ski-season-20190215-story.html
GE Transportation-Wabtec merger brings hope for fresh start
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190217/ge-transportation-wabtec-merger-brings-hope-for-fresh-start#
Education
School threat system fields thousands of tips in first month
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/school-threat-system-fields-thousands-of-tips-in-first-month.html
More Berks schools moving to armed security
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/more-berks-schools-moving-to-armed–security
Freeport Area School Board must find way to close $1.5M gap
https://triblive.com/news/valley-news-dispatch/freeport-area-school-board-must-find-way-to-close-1-5m-gap/
Claims against Pa. school over teen’s disappearance dismissed
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/claims-against-pa-school-over-teens-disappearance-dismissed.html
Teacher strikes are about power, not students | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/teacher-strike-denver-los-angeles-union-students-20190218.html
Temple to offer new scholarship to help students graduate
https://www.philly.com/news/temple-university-scholarship-need-graduation-emergency-20190218.html
Can you teach students to be happy? Colleges are trying.
https://www.philly.com/health/positive-psychology-college-mental-health-penn-temple-20190218.html
Parents of victim in Penn State hazing death speak out about ritualized drinking
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/02/17/timothy-piazza-penn-state-fraternity-hazing-IUP-Indiana-University-of-Pennsylvania-college/stories/201902170179
Drexel’s student newspaper disappeared for a week. Then, a rush of donations brought it back to life.
https://www.philly.com/education/drexel-university-student-newspaper-publish-donations-20190218.html
Switching gears to the booming field of nursing
https://www.timesleader.com/news/733701/switching-gears-to-the-booming-field-of-nursing
Editorial: Trustees’ ongoing gripes do Penn State no good
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-trustees-ongoing-gripes-do-penn-state-no-good
How much money did the 2019 Penn State Thon raise?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/how-much-money-did-the-2019-penn-state-thon-raise.html
Health Care
Thanks for nothing: Silent on UPMC, federal official wasted our time
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/02/18/Thanks-for-nothing-Silent-on-UPMC-federal-official-wasted-our-time/stories/201902180010
As UPMC and Highmark split, patients agonize over having to switch doctors
https://triblive.com/news/valley-news-dispatch/as-upmc-and-highmark-split-new-kensington-man-agonizes-over-having-to-switch-doctors/
Local News
Luzerne County Councilman Urban unclear on re-election plans
https://www.timesleader.com/news/733726/luzerne-county-councilman-urban-unclear-on-re-election-plans
Three under 30 running for county council
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/three-under-30-running-for-county-council-1.2446697
Court fight continues over eminent domain issue in Nanticoke
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/court-fight-continues-over-eminent-domain-issue-in-nanticoke-1.2446701
New manager of Lackawanna State Park Complex: ‘Like being mayor of a small town’
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-manager-of-lackawanna-state-park-complex-like-being-mayor-of-a-small-town-1.2446779
In tax appeal on Electric City garage, school district wants to do own appraisal
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/in-tax-appeal-on-electric-city-garage-school-district-wants-to-do-own-appraisal-1.2446776
MONDAY UPDATE: Efforts underway to save Wayne County dam
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/monday-update-efforts-underway-to-save-wayne-county-dam-1.2446765
Mahanoy City to request Schuylkill put home rule question on ballot
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/mahanoy-city-to-request-schuylkill-put-home-rule-question-on-ballot-1.2446631
Frackville project moving toward ’20 opening
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/frackville-project-moving-toward-20-opening-1.2446638
Razing once-grand Belvedere Hotel along Route 66 proves to be problematic, costly
https://triblive.com/news/valley-news-dispatch/razing-the-once-grand-belvedere-hotel-along-route-66-proves-to-be-problematic-costly/
‘Jericho’ marches to protest lack of local labor used on new federal courthouse project
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/jericho-march-against-economic-injustice-planned-for-monday.html
DEP: Centralia sinkhole unrelated to underground fire
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-centralia-sinkhole-20190217-story.html
County commissioner wants to review right-to-know requests
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190218/county-commissioner-wants-to-review-right-to-know-requests
Steve Chronister explores run for office, but still won’t address Grandview incident
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/15/steve-chronister-grandview-golf-club-exploring-run-york-county-commisioner/2880141002/
National News
The latest Smollett developments leave some baffled and others outraged
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv-radio/2019/02/17/Empire-actor-Jussie-Smollett-alleged-attack-outrage-Chicago-police-investigation/stories/201902170206
National briefs: Fla. student charged after refusing to recite Pledge of Allegiance
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/02/17/National-briefs-Florida-student-charged-misdemeanor-recite-Pledge-Allegiance/stories/201902180056
Philly
‘Old-school’ Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney deleted years’ worth of cell phone text messages
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-mayor-jim-kenney-deleted-texts-public-records-transparency-20190216.html
Philly narcotics cops turned suspects into off-the-books confidential informants. Now, defense lawyers want to know more.
https://www.philly.com/news/philly-police-ray-evers-flipping-confidential-informants-narcotics-scandal-20190218.html
Pitt
Census Bureau counting on local job applicants to apply soon
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/02/18/Census-Bureau-jobs-enumerators-Pittsburgh-Allegheny-hiring-employment/stories/201902180026
Keep the subsidy: Government facilities should treat everyone the same
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/02/17/Keep-the-subsidy-Government-facilities-should-treat-everyone-the-same/stories/201902170055
Pittsburgh Regional Alliance president stepping down
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-regional-alliance-president-stepping-down/
State News
Pennsylvania now requires state buildings to provide rooms for nursing moms
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pennsylvania-now-requires-state-buildings-to-provide-rooms-for-nursing-moms
Transportation
Repairs to Route 92 in Exeter will take weeks
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/repairs-to-route-92-in-exeter-will-take-weeks-1.2446700
Clydesdale Bus Lines will begin filling void left by Bieber
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/clydesdale-bus-line-on-monday-will-begin-filling-void-left-by-bieber
State police and PennDOT urge drivers to review new traffic safety laws
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/state-police-and-penndot-urge-drivers-to-review-new-traffic-safety-laws
Washington
Ex-FBI official McCabe says a ‘crime may have been committed’ by Trump
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/02/17/Andrew-McCabe-President-Trump-FBI-former-deputy-director-Graham-Rosenstein/stories/201902170219
White House defends Trump’s emergency declarations amid lawsuits, political battles
https://www.philly.com/politics/trump-national-emergency-border-wall-white-house-defends-against-lawsuits-20190218.html