Legislature
Lawmaker, residents ask PUC to review Norfolk Southern rail inspections
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/02/18/Public-Utility-Commission-Norfolk-Southern-Sen-Wayne-Fontana-review-rail-inspections/stories/201902180116
Gun show dealers, participants express concern over Pa.-proposed ‘extreme risk’ law
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/02/18/Pennsylvania-gun-show-dealers-extreme-risk-law-gun-control-Fontana-Stephens/stories/201902170202
Pennsylvania victims aren’t invited, but will be represented at Vatican conference on clergy sex abuse
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/pennsylvania-victims-arent-invited-but-will-be-represented-at-upcoming-vatican-conference-on-clergy-sex-abuse.html
State Rep. Boback pushing for government funding for stormwater mandate
https://www.timesleader.com/news/733839/state-rep-boback-pushing-for-government-funding-for-stormwater-mandate
The general mess around Pa.’s General Assistance | John Baer
https://www.philly.com/news/columnists/john-baer-general-assistance-pennsylvania-state-budget-20190218.html
Businesses statewide should accept cash
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/businesses-statewide-should-accept-cash-1.2446858
Editorial: State leaders must find humane way to fight truancy
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-state-leaders-must-find-humane-way-to-fight-truancy
Business
Tenants emptying out Century III Mall after being given notice to vacate
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2019/02/18/Tenants-Century-III-Mall-West-Mifflin-notice-to-vacate-Moonbeam-Capital/stories/201902180076
Analysis: Hundreds of steel firms granted tariff relief
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/analysis-hundreds-of-steel-firms-granted-tariff-relief-1.2446950
Dunmore cupcakery moving downtown
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/dunmore-cupcakery-moving-downtown-1.2446860
Wabtec, union workers in Erie at odds over contract
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190219/wabtec-union-workers-in-erie-at-odds-over-contract
Crime/Punishment
Pennsylvania prisons’ unprecedented mail policy will be tested in federal court this week
https://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania-department-corrections-state-prison-legal-mail-policy-20190219.html
Judge to decide if Ashley cop’s accusers can remain anonymous
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/judge-to-decide-if-ashley-cop-s-accusers-can-remain-anonymous-1.2446879
Midstate woman charged under law intended to halt witness intimidation
http://www.witf.org/news/2019/02/midstate-woman-charged-under-law-intended-to-halt-witness-intimidation.php
Education
Charter schools left out of Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to boost starting teachers salaries
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-pennsylvania-wolf-teacher-salaries-charter-schools-20190212-story.html
School threat system fields thousands of tips in first month
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/02/18/School-threat-system-fields-thousands-of-tips-in-first-month/stories/201902180090
Reported threat closes Keystone Oaks schools on Tuesday
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/02/19/Reported-threat-closes-Keystone-Oaks-schools-on-Tuesday-mt-lebanon-police/stories/201902190072
Seeking exceptions gives Highlands ‘options’ for budget, business manager says
https://triblive.com/news/valley-news-dispatch/seeking-exceptions-gives-highlands-options-for-budget-business-manager-says/
Twin Valley support workers take on school board
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/twin-valley-support-workers-take-on-school-board
Shell again looking to reward teacher, students of the year in county
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190218/shell-again-looking-to-reward-teacher-students-of-year-in-county
Misericordia agrees to purchase Payne Printery building, property
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/misericordia-agrees-to-purchase-payne-printery-building-property-1.2446880
Elections/Politics
Dozens eyeing Marino’s vacant U.S. House seat
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/dozens-eyeing-marino-s-vacant-u-s-house-seat-1.2446941
Bowman-Hosley announces run in 12th Congressional District
https://www.timesleader.com/news/733841/bowman-hosley-announces-run-in-12th-congressional-district
Guns
Falling through cracks: Gun control won’t work unless laws are enforced
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/02/19/Falling-through-cracks-Gun-control-will-nott-work-unless-laws-are-enforced-Gary-Martin-Aurora-shooting/stories/201902190019
Health Care
Families grieving a pregnancy loss hit especially hard by medical bills: ‘I wasn’t prepared at all’
https://www.philly.com/health/pregnancy-loss-rainbow-baby-medical-bills-20190219.html
Mostly retired doctor from Berks still makes time for house calls
https://www.readingeagle.com/life/article/mostly-retired-doctor-still-makes-time-for-house-calls
Local News
One Luzerne County municipality gets out of stormwater mandate, and another seeking reprieve
https://www.timesleader.com/news/733835/one-luzerne-county-municipality-gets-out-of-stormwater-mandate-and-another-seeking-reprieve
Collins retired from WB police force amid sexual assault allegations
https://www.timesleader.com/news/733802/collins-retired-from-wb-police-force-amid-sexual-assault-allegations
Volunteers sought for the ABCs of county government
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/volunteers-sought-for-the-abcs-of-county-government-1.2446876
Ironing out plan to renovate eyesore in South Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/ironing-out-plan-to-renovate-eyesore-in-south-scranton-1.2446969
Dickson City police union files two grievances over new schedule
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/dickson-city-police-union-files-two-grievances-over-new-schedule-1.2446971
Scranton council to review ways to fight blight
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-council-to-review-ways-to-fight-blight-1.2446977
Streetlight project may happen in April
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/streetlight-project-may-happen-in-april-1.2446888
Local church offers 2 outreach programs
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/local-church-offers-2-outreach-programs-1.2446887
Carlislers rally for “Hope Against Hate” to send public show of unity to KKK flyer distributors
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/carlislers-rally-for-hope-against-hate-to-send-public-show-of-unity-to-kkk-flyer-distributors.html
National News
N.J., Del. among 16 states filing suit against Trump’s emergency declaration
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/president-trump-border-wall-emergency-declaration-protests-states-lawsuit-20190219.html
New Jersey
Majority of New Jersey residents favor legalizing recreational marijuana, poll shows
https://www.philly.com/business/weed/marijuana-legalization-nj-monmouth-poll-20190218.html
Opioid Crisis
Using opioids to treat addiction is considered the gold standard. So why aren’t more doctors prescribing them?
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/02/18/Opioids-suboxone-buprenorphine-addiction-treatment-gold-standard-doctors-prescriptions-health/stories/201902180031
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick gets look at ‘ground zero’ of the opioid epidemic
https://www.theintell.com/news/20190218/rep-brian-fitzpatrick-gets-look-at-ground-zero-of-opioid-epidemic
Philly
Strongest growth in housing production in Center City Philly area since 2002, new report finds
https://www.philly.com/news/real-estate-housing-philadelphia-construction-suburbs-20190219.html
Philly judge cites prosecutorial misconduct, vacates conviction of man who spent 28 years on death row
https://www.philly.com/news/philly-wrongful-conviction-larry-krasner-roger-king-prosecutorial-misconduct-20190219.html
Philly’s new voting machines: A Q&A guide to the process, the controversy, and why it matters
https://www.philly.com/politics/philadelphia/voting-machines-philadelphia-controversy-presidential-election-20190219.html
Betsy Ross’ imperiled family Bible is saved by local conservation center
https://www.philly.com/news/bible-betsy-ross-house-historic-philadelphia-american-bible-society-conservation-center-20190219.html
‘I wanted to thrive.’ How Kishon Carter found success, and college credits, after leaving high school.
https://www.philly.com/education/alternative-schools-community-college-philadelphia-high-school-credits-graduation-20190219.html
Philadelphia promised to stand with Pittsburgh after the Tree of Life shooting. Time to do it. | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/gun-control-philadelphia-pittsburgh-state-preemption-20190218.html
Philly GOP votes to let Daphne Goggins keep mayoral endorsement
https://www.philly.com/news/goggins-kenney-philadelphia-mayor-republican-ciancaglini-20190218.html
South Philly Republicans: Mayor Kenney, City Council must reckon with ‘Johnny Doc’ indictment | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/johnny-doc-indictment-local-bobby-henon-20190218.html
Pitt
City begins a string of landslide remediation projects, costing $8 million
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/02/18/City-begins-a-string-of-landslide-remediation-projects-costing-8-million/stories/201902180118
Pittsburgh council to consider new fund to improve city’s child care facilities
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/02/18/Bill-Peduto-Pittsburgh-early-childhood-education-child-care-funding/stories/201902180108
Pittsburgh creates $2 million fund to improve child care centers citywide
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-creates-2-million-fund-to-improve-childcare-centers-citywide/
Programs at Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh get federal funding
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/programs-at-housing-authority-of-the-city-of-pittsburgh-get-federal-funding/
In the “Compassionate City,” governmental unity has helped to reduce child poverty rates.
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/blog/growing-up-through-the-cracks-louisville-pittsburgh-jefferson-allegheny-county/
When it comes to travel, Pittsburgh Public school board leads the pack
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/02/18/travel-Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-board-leads-the-pack/stories/201902140196
Keith Burris named Post-Gazette executive editor
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/02/18/Keith-Burris-named-Post-Gazette-executive-editor/stories/201902180136
Demonstrators Downtown join those elsewhere in protesting Trump’s national emergency declaration
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/02/18/immigration-border-wall-national-emergency-trump-rally-pittsburgh-peduto-casa-san-jose/stories/201902180093
Demonstrators rally in Pittsburgh over Trump’s emergency declaration
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/demonstrators-rally-in-downtown-pittsburgh-over-president-trumps-emergency-declatration/
Are more restaurants closing than usual in Pittsburgh? And if so, why?
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2019/02/18/Pittsburgh-restaurants-food-closings-rent-expense-market-saturation/stories/201902180023
Volunteers sought for third year of large, free dental clinic
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/02/18/Mission-of-Mercy-Pittsburgh-free-dental-clinic-volunteers-July-2019/stories/201902180087
City set to repair damage caused by 2018 Spring Hill landslide
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/02/18/Pittsburgh-ready-repairs-damage-Spring-Hill-landslide-2018-Diana-Street-Ives-Way/stories/201902180072
Five-block Smallman Street makeover will include public plaza, bike lanes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/02/18/Five-block-Smallman-Street-makeover-will-include-public-plaza-bike-lanes/stories/201902180130
Some students, faculty remain uneasy about CMU’s Army AI Task Force
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2019/02/17/army-ai-task-force-pittsburgh-cmu-farnam-jahanian-military-google-project-maven/stories/201902150015
New shops to open at Pittsburgh International Airport in spring
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/new-shops-to-open-at-pit-this-spring/
Pittsburgh Hays bald eagles deliver 3rd egg
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-hays-bald-eagles-deliver-3rd-egg/
Kindergartner brings loaded gun to Pittsburgh elementary school
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/kindergartner-brings-loaded-gun-to-pittsburgh-faison-elementary-school-in-homewood/
State News
Racist, anti-Semitic fliers left at Pa. suburban homes spark community meeting
https://www.philly.com/news/racist-flier-distribution-springfield-abington-town-hall-meeting-20190219.html
Ski-related deaths are rare, but precautions should always be taken
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/other-sports/2019/02/18/Ski-related-deaths-are-rare-but-precautions-should-always-be-taken/stories/201902180008
Bucks County residents push back against planned chemical plant
https://www.philly.com/news/elcon-chemical-falls-township-bucks-pollution-20190218.html
Some caught off guard as many see smaller tax returns
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/some-caught-off-guard-as-many-see-smaller-tax-returns-1.2446957
5 facts: James Buchanan, not the best president, but Pennsylvania’s only
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/5-facts-james-buchanan-not-the-best-president-but-pennsylvanias-only/
No need for state to wait for safe water
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/no-need-for-state-to-wait-for-safe-water-1.2446847
DEP says it will create PFAS drinking water standards
https://www.theintell.com/news/20190215/dep-says-it-will-create-pfas-drinking-water-standards
Transportation
Road in Exeter expected to remain closed for a ‘few weeks’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/733837/road-in-exeter-expected-to-remain-closed-for-a-few-weeks
Highway service patrol coming to Reading area in March
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/highway-service-patrol-coming-to-reading-area-in-march
Trans-Bridge proposes adding new bus service to Philadelphia, wants to hear from commuters
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-trans-bridge-philadelphia-buses-20190218-story.html
Report shows how more Pennsylvania drivers can go electric
http://www.witf.org/news/2019/02/report-shows-how-more-pennsylvania-drivers-can-go-electric.php
Washington
Secure border is ‘better for the middle school kids’ than new school, Lindsey Graham says
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/lindsey-graham-donald-trump-border-wall-kentucky-middle-school-funding-teachers-20190219.html