Legislature
Students rally for affordable higher education
https://www.abc27.com/news/local/students-rally-for-affordable-higher-education/1882013464
Efforts to salvage cash assistance for Pa.’s poorest citizens fail in the House
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/efforts-to-salvage-cash-assistance-for-pas-poorest-citizens-fail-in-the-house.html
Bill could end aid for poor
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/03/bill-could-end-aid-for-poor/
House approves Topton land swap to aid Toad Creek bank stabilization project
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/house-approves-topton-land-swap-to-aid-toad-creek-bank-stabilization-project
Bill would require hands-only CPR training for high school students
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/bill-would-require-hands-only-cpr-training-for-high-school-students.html
State awards Carbon $158K for multiuse fire training facility project
https://www.tnonline.com/state-awards-carbon-158k-multiuse-fire-training-facility-project
State Sen. Bartolotta’s nurse practitioner bill passes committee
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190327/state-sen-bartolottas-nurse-practitioner-bill-passes-committee
Chester County transportation projects get $725,000 in funding
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/chester-county-transportation-projects-get-in-funding/article_d43fd888-507c-11e9-b904-df7ac32e90df.html
Pray to unite, not divide
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/pray-to-unite-not-divide-1.2462967
Divisive prayer at statehouse provides Movita Johnson-Harrell’s divine introduction to Harrisburg | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.philly.com/opinion/movita-johnson-harrell-muslim-prayer-stephanie-borowicz-pennsylvania-jenice-armstrong-20190327.html
Why weed? Pennsylvania has bigger issues than legalizing recreational marijuana | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/marijuana-recreational-legalization-john-fetterman-pennsylvania-20190328.html
Editorial: Tax relief for nuclear industry wouldn’t be mere bailout
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-tax-relief-for-nuclear-industry-wouldnt-be-mere-bailout
Administration
As Wolf boosts natural gas tax plan, industry objects
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/as-wolf-boosts-natural-gas-tax-plan-industry-objects
Antwon Rose
Father of Antwon Rose II felt ‘bamboozled’ by verdict
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/03/27/Father-dad-Antwon-Rose-II-reaction-Michael-Rosfeld-acquittal-NAACP-bamboozled/stories/201903270094
Business
J.C. Penney closing 27 more stores as sales deteriorate
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2019/02/28/Penney-closes-more-stores-as-sales-deteriorate/stories/201902280107
Sunoco cuts ties with Armstrong County gas station over ‘offensive’ billboard
https://triblive.com/local/regional/sunoco-cuts-ties-with-armstrong-county-gas-station-over-controversial-billboard/
Bike shop gift card holder left feeling ‘betrayed’
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/bike-shop-gift-card-holder-left-feeling-betrayed-1.2463061
NASCAR champ Joey Logano talks about safety with Shell workers
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190327/nascar-champ-joey-logano-talks-about-safety-with-shell-workers
Catholic Church
‘They’re all out to destroy me,’ Philly native Bishop Michael Bransfield says of abuse lawsuit
https://www.philly.com/news/michael-bransfield-bishop-lawsuit-west-virginia-clergy-sex-abuse-20190327.html
Crime/Punishment
3 to graduate from county drug treatment court
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/3-to-graduate-from-county-drug-treatment-court/
Berks County Prison Board discusses program to curb addiction
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-prison-board-discusses-program-to-curb-addiction
Fatal DUIs increase in Pennsylvania’s rural counties and fall closer to cities
https://www.philly.com/news/dui-pennsylvania-rural-fatal-alcohol-20190327.html
Education
Lead levels still elevated in water at Erie school
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190328/lead-levels-still-elevated-in-water-at-erie-school
Glen Mills hit with federal lawsuit by former students alleging abuse
https://www.philly.com/news/glen-mills-schools-lawsuit-abuse-pennsylvania-20190328.html
Contracts for new Wilkes-Barre Area High School total $88.2M
https://www.timesleader.com/news/737911/contracts-for-new-w-b-area-high-school-total-88-2-million-with-alternates
W-B Area conditionally awards construction contracts for new school
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-area-conditionally-awards-construction-contracts-for-new-school-1.2463075
New Scranton school director begins making late tax payments
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-scranton-school-director-begins-making-late-tax-payments-1.2462912
Scranton School Board won’t shoot straight
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/scranton-school-board-won-t-shoot-straight-1.2462965
Students honor local notable women
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/students-honor-local-notable-women-1.2462990
IUP student wins Biden Courage Award for stopping assault near campus
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/03/27/Biden-Courage-Award-IUP-Indiana-University-of-Pennsylvania-sexual-assault-Adrianna-Branin/stories/201903270152
2,000 at Temple University get shots amid mumps outbreak
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/2000-at-temple-university-get-shots-amid-mumps-outbreak/
Wilkes, Lackawanna join in degree program
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/wilkes-lackawanna-join-in-degree-program-1.2463125
Elections/Politics
37th Senate District Race: Taking care of the troops
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2019/03/28/37th-Senate-District-Race-Taking-care-of-the-troops/stories/201903260017
37th Senate District race: Greatness is within our grasp
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2019/03/28/Greatness-is-within-our-grasp/stories/201903260018
Butler County Republicans chose candidate for special election to replace Brian Ellis
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/03/27/Butler-County-Republicans-chose-candidate-for-special-election/stories/201903270164
Commissioner Cerilli to give campaign money from man tied to human trafficking case to human trafficking task force
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/commissioner-cerilli-to-give-campaign-money-from-man-tied-to-human-trafficking-case-to-human-trafficking-task-force/
Dems nominate Hammond for 33rd District election
https://www.therecordherald.com/news/20190327/dems-nominate-hammond-for-33rd-district-election
Health Care
Flu activity ‘decreased sharply’ last week in Pennsylvania, state says
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-flu-update-20190327-story.html
Erie-area patients resigned to switching doctors
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190328/erie-area-patients-resigned-to-switching-doctors
Local News
Dozens of local municipalities receiving gambling grants
https://www.timesleader.com/news/737908/dozens-of-local-municipalities-receiving-gambling-grants
County Council OKs new contract with probation/domestic relations officers
https://www.timesleader.com/news/738141/county-council-oks-new-contract-with-probation-domestic-relations-officers
WB targets trash, problem properties during ‘Taking it to the Streets’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/737917/wb-targets-trash-problem-properties-during-taking-it-to-the-streets
Lehman Twp. woman organizing effort to challenge stormwater fee
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lehman-twp-woman-organizing-effort-to-challenge-stormwater-fee-1.2463004
TL honors winners of Readers’ Choice Awards
https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/738031/tl-honors-winners-of-readers-choice-awards
Proposed change to city alcohol law clears first hurdle
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/proposed-change-to-city-alcohol-law-clears-first-hurdle-1.2463033
Vine Manor, Vine West score improvement work continues
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/vine-manor-vine-west-score-improvement-work-continues-1.2462955
North Huntingdon donates used police car to Norwin
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/north-huntingdon-to-give-used-police-car-to-norwin/
Lower Burrell councilman on harassment conviction: ‘I will be vindicated’
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/lower-burrell-councilman-found-guilty-of-harassment-i-will-be-vindicated/
Berks County deputy sheriff wounded in accidental shooting at county services center
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/shooting-reported-at-berks-county-services-center
Reading council, chief surprised by proposal to move money from community policing to job training
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-council-chief-surprised-by-proposal-to-move-money-from-community-policing-to-job-training
National News
Winning $768M Powerball ticket sold in Wisconsin
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/03/28/Winning-768M-Powerball-ticket-sold-in-Wisconsin/stories/201903280080
Natural Gas
Contentious crowd rejects shale well proposal at Edgar Thomson mill site
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2019/03/28/contentious-hearing-on-shale-gas-well-proposal-at-Edgar-Thomson-miil-site/stories/201903270165
Opioid Crisis
‘Mistreatment’ centers shouldn’t be adding to the opioid crisis | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/recovery-housing-liberation-way-addiction-treatment-regulation-20190328.html
Highlands hosting program on opioid addiction for middle, high school students and families
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/highlands-hosting-program-on-opioid-addiction-for-middle-high-school-students-and-families/
New Pa. program will try to keep roofs over heads of people addicted to opioids
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/new-pa-program-will-try-to-keep-roofs-over-heads-of-people-addicted-to-opioids.html
Philly
As VisionQuest works to house undocumented immigrant children, a North Philly neighborhood speaks out
https://www.philly.com/news/immigration-undocumented-unaccompanied-minors-vision-quest-philly-20190328.html
Philly school board set to decide: Should all high schools use metal detectors?
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-schools-metal-detectors-safety-policy-20190328.html
Sure, there are plenty of hacks in the Philly primary. But there are reasons for hope. | Mike Newall
https://www.philly.com/opinion/philadelphia-primary-city-council-at-large-city-commissioner-willie-singletary-mike-stack-kahlil-williams-anthony-clark-20190327.html
CCP faculty overwhelmingly votes to give union leaders right to call a strike; walkout could occur as soon as next week
https://www.philly.com/news/community-college-faculty-strike-20190327.html
Christ Church steeple is leaning, and help is on the way to set things straight
https://www.philly.com/news/christ-church-steeple-leaning-national-endowment-humanities-grants-20190328.html
Man who accused Philly cop of framing him is freed after serving 10 years of a life sentence for murder
https://www.philly.com/news/dwayne-thorpe-james-pitts-philadelphia-murder-district-attorney-todd-mosser-judge-sarmina-teresa-20190327.html
Freed from prison in 2006, Philly native faces another 16 months behind bars due to apparent clerical error
https://www.philly.com/news/demetrius-anderson-philadelphia-connecticut-federal-prison-us-marshals-20190327.html
Lawsuits say 3 Philly hotels ignored sex slavery on their properties
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia/sex-trafficking-lawsuit-hotels-philadelphia-20190327.html
Developer Alterra pays $17M for semi-demolished church site in West Philly
https://www.philly.com/real-estate/commercial/alterra-laren-west-philadelphia-church-demolition-lube-garage-apartments-20190327.html
Pitt
City Council gives tentative approval of gun-control bills in wake of Tree of Life shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/03/27/pittsburgh-city-council-gun-control-bills-Tree-of-Life-mass-shooting/stories/201903270104
Pittsburgh’s controversial gun legislation passes first hurdle
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburghs-controversial-gun-legislation-passes-first-hurdle/
Pittsburgh Public Schools board approves new magnet, CTE programs
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/03/27/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-CTE-magnet-program-students-Brashear-Milliones/stories/201903270143
Hazelwood Green site will receive $10M in funding
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/03/27/Hazelwood-Green-site-10-million-funding-Jake-Wheatley/stories/201903270134
Pittsburgh Fringe Festival moves to East End for 2019
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2019/03/27/Pittsburgh-Fringe-Festival-moves-East-Liberty-Garfield-Bloomfield-Penn-Ave-2019/stories/201903270113
Compromise pending in plan to release child sex predator in Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/03/27/Compromise-release-predator-Pittsburgh-Scott-Tyree-Alicia-Kozakiewicz-sexual-abuse/stories/201903270092
Battling anti-vaxxers: Pitt study may show a way forward
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/03/28/Vaccination-anti-vaxxers-University-Pittsburgh-study-health-risk-danger-education/stories/201903280027
Point Park partnering with Penguins, Cavs on esport tourney
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/point-park-partnering-with-penguins-cavs-on-esport-tourney/
River, a four-legged fixture on Grant Street, resigning as Pittsburgh’s canine ambassador
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/river-a-four-legged-fixture-on-grant-street-resigning-as-pittsburghs-canine-ambassador/
State News
Poll: Strong support for legalizing pot in Pa., not so much backing for President Trump
https://www.philly.com/news/poll-marijuana-legalization-president-trump-voters-popularity-20190328.html
Voters back legal pot, higher minimum wage
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/majority-in-pa-back-legalized-marijuana-1.2463064
Most in Pa. support raising minimum wage to $12 per hour: F&M Poll
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/most-in-pa-support-raising-minimum-wage-to-12-per-hour-fm-poll.html
Franklin & Marshall poll explores Pennsylvanians’ views on nuclear power, legalizing marijuana and more
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/franklin-and-marshall-poll-explores-pennsylvanians-views-on-nuclear-power-legalizing-marijuana-and-more
Majority in Pa. say marijuana should be legal: F&M Poll
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/majority-in-pa-say-marijuana-should-be-legal-fm-poll.html
Pennsylvanians still favor nuclear power but are less sure of how to bail it out
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/pennsylvanians-still-favor-nuclear-power-but-are-less-convinced-on-how-to-bail-it-out.html
North Versailles shuts down retirement complex
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2019/03/27/North-Versailles-retirement-community-Gardens-of-Lincoln-Court-closed/stories/201903200097
Kathleen Kane’s downfall: Former AG was a victim of her worst impulses
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/03/28/Kathleen-Kane-downfall-former-Pennsylvania-attorney-general/stories/201903280030
In 2020, let’s focus on women all year long | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/drexel-vision-womens-rights-20190327.html
Allergy season will be rough in NEPA
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/allergy-season-will-be-rough-in-nepa-1.2463035
Special Olympics Pa. could face major funding cut under Trump’s education budget plan
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/special-olympics-pa-could-face-major-funding-cut-under-trump-administrations-proposed-education-budget.html
Transportation
County to display plans for Latrobe Brewery Bridge replacement
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/county-to-display-plans-for-latrobe-brewery-bridge-replacement/
Washington
DeVos defends plan to eliminate Special Olympics funding
https://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/special-olympics-funding-betsy-devos-20190328.html