Legislature
Fate of two child sex crime bills tied to each other
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/fate-of-two-child-sex-crime-bills-tied-to-each-other.html
Pa. House links bills addressing child sexual abuse so one can’t be approved without the other
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/pa-house-links-bills-addressing-child-sexual-abuse-so-one-can-t-be-approved-without-the-other-1.2468192
Questions linger over details, deadlines as Senate re-attempts redistricting overhaul
http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/04/questions-linger-over-details-deadlines-as-senate-re-attempts-redistricting-overhaul.php
Harrisburg protest calls for new gun-control law
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/harrisburg-protest-calls-for-new-gun-control-law/article_3f9fb286-5b0b-11e9-8bc7-1b3eddd4544b.html
Returning to stickers for Pa. car registrations: ‘A public safety issue’ or an annoying backtrack?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/should-pennsylvania-return-to-physical-stickers-for-car-registrations-or-is-that-getting-stuck-in-the-past.html
Langerholc: 3 bills aim to strengthen crime victims’ rights
https://www.tribdem.com/news/langerholc-bills-aim-to-strengthen-crime-victims-rights/article_07bc0d5c-5b3c-11e9-ae54-13e74a48dadf.html
Pa. lawmakers try to stop plan to switch paratransit funding from counties to private brokers
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-lawmakers-try-to-stop-plan-to-switch-paratransit-funding-from-counties-to-private-brokers/
Bill would delay operating change to Medical Assistance Transportation Program
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190409/bill-would-delay-operating-change-to-medical-assistance-transportation-program
Bill seeks to help homebound students take part in classroom
https://www.readingeagle.com/ap/article/bill-seeks-to-help-homebound-students-take-part-in-classroom
Advocates call on lawmakers to make home-based care services more accessible for seniors and disabled
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/advocates-call-on-lawmakers-to-make-home-based-care-services-more-accessible-for-seniors-and-disabled.html
New gun law takes effect as more change debated
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/new-gun-law-takes-effect-as-more-change-debated/
Lawmakers to honor victims of Pittsburgh synagogue massacre
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/04/lawmakers-to-honor-victims-of-pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre.php
Bartolotta, Stefano propose severance-free alternative to Restore PA
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190409/bartolotta-stefano-propose-severance-free-alternative-to-restore-pa
Norwin officials want state law to penalize vaping at school
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/norwin-officials-want-state-law-to-penalize-vaping-at-school/
State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe’s quixotic new quest to impeach Bill Peduto
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/state-rep-daryl-metcalfes-quixotic-new-quest-to-impeach-bill-peduto/Content?oid=14596430
Let the public in: Residents deserve to be in meeting on rare cancer
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/04/10/Ewing-sarcoma-rare-cancer-Timothy-ONeal-Canon-McMillan/stories/201904100027
End vaccine exemptions
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/end-vaccine-exemptions-1.2468187
Editorial: Rozzi makes wise move on abuse legislation
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-rozzi-makes-wise-move-on-abuse-legislation
Pizza and the minimum wage | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/04/pizza-and-the-minimum-wage-opinion.html
Administration
Wolf supports law to let abuse victims sue retroactively
https://www.tribdem.com/news/watch-video-wolf-supports-law-to-let-abuse-victims-sue/article_c34e793c-5b2e-11e9-a8c4-43de0392272c.html
Pulling the plug on Mariner East: After new revelations about Big Gas in Pa., the time is now | Will Bunch
https://www.philly.com/opinion/mariner-east-pipeline-investigation-governor-wolf-emails-texts-sunoco-approval-20190409.html
Business
‘Valueless warranties’: Harrisburg car dealership must refund consumers, Pennsylvania AG says
https://www.philly.com/business/harrisburg-car-dealership-warranties-valueless-refund-consumers-20190409.html
Crime/Punishment
Arrest made in cold case of Penn Hills women killed on vacation in 1973
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/04/09/Arrest-made-in-cold-case-of-Penn-Hills-women-killed-on-vacation-in-1973-pittsburgh-virginia-beach-Lynn-Seethaler-Janice-Pietropola-Ernest-Broadnax/stories/201904090162
Education
Plum School District and teachers union formally approve new 6-year contract
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/plum-school-district-and-teachers-union-formally-approve-new-6-year-contract/
Donkeys, bones and flash cards help children learn life skills
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739774/donkeys-bones-and-flash-cards-help-children-learn-life-skills
As Scranton School District pushes for state funding, online petition gains momentum
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/as-scranton-school-district-pushes-for-state-funding-online-petition-gains-momentum-1.2468389
Franklin Regional stabbing remains fresh for medics, police, hospital staff 5 years later
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/memory-of-franklin-regional-school-stabbing-remains-fresh-for-first-responders-on-5th-anniversary/
Allegheny, Armstrong and Westmoreland school districts recognized for music education
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/allegheny-armstrong-and-westmoreland-school-districts-recognized-for-music-education/
Fleetwood parents demand answers about middle school lockdown
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/fleetwood-parents-demand-answers-about-middle-school-lockdown
Cal U, Slippery Rock to launch new degree programs
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/cal-u-slippery-rock-to-launch-new-degree-programs/
Mumps outbreak at Temple University rises to 140 cases
https://www.philly.com/news/mumps-outbreak-temple-university–20190409.html
Texas Tech medical school to stop using race in admissions
https://www.philly.com/education/texas-tech-medical-school-race-not-factored-admissions-agreement-trump-administration-devos-20190409.html
Elections/Politics
Complaint alleges violation of campaign finance law in aim to derail election of Democratic Socialist
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/04/09/Democrats-Socialists-campaign-finance-law-campaign-for-accountability-costa-innamorato-pennsylvania/stories/201904090142
Steve Chronister, who called cops on black women last year, skips York County candidate forum organized by African American group
https://papost.org/2019/04/10/steve-chronister-who-called-cops-on-black-women-last-year-skips-york-county-candidate-forum-organized-by-african-american-group/
Local News
Luzerne County election director won’t participate in voting machine selection
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739782/luzerne-county-election-director-wont-participate-in-voting-machine-selection
Crispell not on committee to review electronic voting machine proposals
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/crispell-not-on-committee-to-review-electronic-voting-machine-proposals-1.2468299
County crime watch meeting spotlights investigative efforts
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739745/county-crime-watch-meeting-spotlights-investigative-efforts
Electronics-detecting K-9 steals show at crime watch meeting
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/electronics-detecting-k-9-steals-show-at-crime-watch-meeting-1.2468265
Wilkes-Barre city council reacts to contract, say employees should be residents
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739767/wilkes-barre-city-council-reacts-to-contract-say-employees-should-be-residents
W-B, city workers union agree to contract
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-city-workers-union-agree-to-contract-1.2468293
City to participate in cleanup
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/city-to-participate-in-cleanup-1.2468203
Republic Services seeks to hike Delmont residents’ hauling bills by 74 cents
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/republic-services-seeks-to-hike-delmont-residents-hauling-bills-by-74-cents/
Recycling event targets tires, West Nile virus
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/recycling-event-targets-tires-west-nile-virus/
Eli Bussotti’s parents meet Freeport man who received the teen’s organs
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/eli-bussottis-parents-meet-freeport-man-who-received-the-teens-organs/
Work begins on new home for Animal Protectors in New Kensington
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/work-begins-on-new-home-for-animal-protectors-in-new-kensington/
Financial overseer flags big jump in deficit for Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/financial-overseer-flags-big-jump-in-deficit-for-reading
New drug-abuse recovery center gets lease on life in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/coca-board-approves-lease-for-new-recovery-center-in-reading
Harrisburg City Council rehires lobbyist for $5,000 per month
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/harrisburg-hires-maverick-strategies-as-citys-lobbyist.html
What if ICE comes knocking? Attorneys offer advice to Easton families.
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-easton-paxinosa-immigration-law-20190409-4iymrwezdfat7c62wlmct52kba-story.html
Firefighters’ risky operation gets buoys near deadly Dock Street Dam: How?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/they-said-it-was-too-dangerous-so-how-did-harrisburg-firefighters-put-buoys-near-the-dock-street-dam.html
Marijuana
Big Marijuana: Arizona company set to become Pennsylvania’s largest cannabis chain after new deal
https://www.philly.com/business/weed/marijuana-cannapharmacy-harvest-pennsylvania-garden-state-dispensary-acquisitions-20190409.html
Lt. Gov. Fetterman’s weed tour takes some hits | John Baer
https://www.philly.com/opinion/john-baer-fetterman-marijuana-tour-complaints-20190409.html
Fetterman stops in Berks, hears support for legalizing marijuana
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/fetterman-stops-in-berks-hears-support-for-legalizing-marijuana
Saxton pins hopes on medical pot
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/04/saxton-pins-hopes-on-medical-pot/
National News
Report rips online haunts of accused Tree of Life, New Zealand shooters as platforms for extremism
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/04/09/adl-gab-8chan-bowers-tree-of-life-pittsburgh-tarrant-new-zealand-hate/stories/201904090070
Anti-vaccine parents are often white, college-educated, ‘Whole Foods moms’
https://www.philly.com/news/middle-class-working-class-vaccine-anti-vaxxers-measles-cdc-20190410.html
Magic Johnson steps down as Lakers executive, citing Ben Simmons mishap earlier this season as part of his reasoning
https://www.philly.com/sixers/magic-johnson-lakers-ben-simmons-sixers-nba-lebron-james-20190410.html
Republican state senator in Oregon criticized for comments on slavery
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/oregon-state-senator-republican-three-fifths-compromise-slaves-benefited-20190409.html
Natural Gas
Stalled Pennsylvania-New York gas pipeline could get a boost from Trump’s executive order
https://www.philly.com/business/trump-executive-order-boost-pennsylvania-new-york-gas-pipeline-20190409.html
New Jersey
As New Jersey plans to legalize weed, growing it at home is still off-limits
https://www.philly.com/news/new-jersey/legal-weed-nj-bill-growing-marijuana-criminal-records-social-justice-home-cultivation-20190410.html
Opioid Crisis
As lawsuits mount, Philly-area pharma company reports 20,000 opioid-related deaths to FDA
https://www.philly.com/business/drugs/opioids-fda-endo-pharmaceuticals-overdoses-deaths-20190410.html
CDC: Opioid guideline not meant to limit cancer patients’ access to painkillers
https://www.philly.com/health/cdc-opioids-cancer-nccn-asco-ash-20190410.html
Philly
At this West Philly charter, elementary schoolers travel as far away as Kenya and China
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-charter-school-travel-global-leadership-academy-20190410.html
‘Vindictive’ — or only proper? DA Larry Krasner asks a Philly judge to recuse himself from all criminal cases.
https://www.philly.com/news/scott-diclaudio-da-larry-krasner-philly-catherine-smith-recuse-common-pleas-20190409.html
Philly agencies grapple with a wrongful conviction. Can they learn from their mistakes?
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-wrongful-conviction-event-review-quattrone-center-penn-20190409.html
Philly could elect its first millennial to City Council, where the average age is 58
https://www.philly.com/news/city-council-primary-millenial-younger-katherine-gilmore-richardson-politics-20190409.html
Dawn Staley will receive Temple’s annual Love for the City award
https://www.philly.com/college-sports/temple/dawn-staley-temple-university-love-for-the-city-award-south-carolina-20190409.html
If Philly job growth doesn’t keep up, millennials will go where the good jobs are, new study warns
https://www.philly.com/business/philly-jobs-millenials-vanguard-comcast-wawa-penn-20190409.html
The machine age of politics should be over in N.J., Philadelphia | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-city-council-camden-cherry-hill-george-norcross-20190410.html
Pitt
Mayor Peduto signs new gun-control legislation into law
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/04/09/Pittsburgh-Mayor-Peduto-signs-new-gun-rules-control-NRA-extreme-risk-protection-order/stories/201904090097
NRA sues Pittsburgh after Peduto signs gun ban into law
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-mayor-bill-peduto-signs-controversial-gun-legislation/
Community leaders, law enforcement update guidelines for citizen, police engagement
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/04/09/B-PEP-CPRB-Pittsburgh-police-cops-initiative-interaction-engagement-guidelines-rules/stories/201904090085
What to do if stopped by police? Brochure outlines rights, responsibilities
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/what-to-do-if-stopped-by-police-brochure-outlines-rights-responsibilities/
Pittsburgh pride shows in rating among 20 top U.S. cities for 2019 LGBTQ retirement
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/neighborhood/2019/04/09/Pittsburgh-pride-11-among-20-top-best-U-S-cities-2019-LBGTQ-retirement/stories/201904090124
Planning Commission reviews proposal to require affordable housing in Lawrenceville
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/04/09/Pittsburgh-Planning-Commission-inclusionary-zoning-Lawrenceville/stories/201904090146
FutureFest and ReUse Fest teaming up for Earth Day party
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/04/09/Pennsylvania-Resources-Council-Communitopia-Buhl-Park/stories/201904090132
Allegheny County seeks proposals for new paper ballot voting machines
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/04/09/allegheny-county-voting-integrity-paper-ballots-audits/stories/201904090150
URA chief plans to step down as organization refocuses on housing, smaller projects
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/04/09/URA-chief-step-down-Rubenstein/stories/201904090102
2 more die of flu complications in Allegheny County
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/2-more-die-of-flu-complications-in-allegheny-county/
State News
Deer hunting opening day moving to Saturday from Monday
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/outdoors/2019/04/09/Deer-hunting-opening-day-moving-Saturday-from-Monday-pennsylvania/stories/201904090117
Pennsylvania’s deer rifle season moved to Saturday after Thanksgiving
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/first-day-of-deer-rifle-season-officially-moved-to-saturday-after-thanksgiving/
Deer rifle season change divides hunters
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739780/deer-rifle-season-change-divides-hunters
PGC approves moving up firearms deer season
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/pgc-approves-moving-up-firearms-deer-season-1.2468292
For this group, ‘welcoming the stranger’ means teaching English and citizenship — for free
https://www.philly.com/life/welcoming-the-stranger-immigration-english-language-20190410.html
One of the Americans killed in Afghanistan was a New York firefighter with Pa. ties
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2019/04/09/New-York-firefighter-Christopher-Slutman-US-Marine-killed-bomb-Afghanistan/stories/201904090182
Midstate man one of three Marines killed in roadside bombing in Afghanistan
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/04/midstate-man-one-of-three-marines-killed-in-roadside-bombing-in-afghanistan.php
‘Atheism is the last taboo,’ says West Chester woman, an advocate for non-believers | We The People
https://www.philly.com/news/atheism-freethought-society-friggatriskaidekaphobia-superstitions-20190410.html
Family of teen who committed suicide awarded $2.9 million against treatment facility
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/family-of-teen-who-committed-suicide-awarded-2-9-million-against-treatment-facility-1.2468169
It’s almost spotted lanternfly season. Here’s a workshop on how to trap and kill them.
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/northampton-county/2019/04/its-almost-spotted-lanternfly-season-heres-a-workshop-on-how-to-trap-and-kill-them.html
Transportation
Train carrying sand, lumber derails in Dickson City
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/train-carrying-sand-lumber-derails-in-dickson-city-1.2468027
Washington
Blaming Obama for ‘cages,’ Trump denies plans to separate migrant families again
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/04/09/Trump-administration-immigration-border-policy-separation-Homeland-Security-Obama/stories/201904090163
A flood online of hate speech greeted a House hearing on white nationalism
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2019/04/09/House-hearing-white-nationalism-YouTube-hate-Facebook-Google-Candace-Owens-Lieu/stories/201904090152
Sen. Pat Toomey wants local cops informed of failed firearms background checks
https://triblive.com/news/world/like-in-pennsylvania-sen-pat-toomey-wants-local-police-in-all-states-informed-of-failed-firearms-background-checks/
Cartwright questions AG William Barr on not defending Obamacare
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cartwright-questions-ag-william-barr-on-not-defending-obamacare-1.2468081
World News
Israel’s Netanyahu appears headed toward 5th term as prime minister
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2019/04/10/Israel-s-Netanyahu-appears-headed-toward-5th-term-as-prime-minister/stories/201904100079