Legislature
Editorial: State needs new process for redistricting https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-state-needs-new-process-for-redistricting/article_fc8d31ce-5a43-11ea-a082-c383d78b5e3d.html
Coronavirus
First person dies of coronavirus in U.S. https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/seattle-area-patient-with-coronavirus-dies/
Trump, on 1st death from virus in U.S.: ‘No reason to panic’ https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/first-us-coronavirus-death-trump-travel-ban-20200229.html
As coronavirus spreads, infectious disease specialists counsel simple protection measures https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/03/01/coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak-protection-allegheny-health-network-wvu-medicine-excela-health/stories/202002290059
Virus’ effect on world economy grows more alarming https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/02/29/Virus-effect-on-world-economy-grows-more-alarming/stories/202002290070
Labs across the country get OK from FDA to do coronavirus testing https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/02/29/Labs-food-drug-administration-upmc-allegheny-health-network-coronavirus-covid-19/stories/202002290050
Matter of when, not if, coronavirus reaches Western Pennsylvania but big questions remain https://triblive.com/local/regional/matter-of-when-not-if-coronavirus-reaches-western-pennsylvania-but-big-questions-remain/
Because of coronavirus, March Madness should be played without fans, players group says https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/group-tells-ncaa-to-take-precautions-during-march-madness-hold-tournament-without-fans.html
Coronavirus scams have arrived https://www.goerie.com/business/20200301/david-bruce-coronavirus-scams-have-arrived
Lehigh Valley health officials prepare for coronavirus as pharmacies run out of masks, travel agents lose customers and businesses get nervous https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-coronavirus-20200228-2ii4d3jeobe3rofnhqjxofpm4y-story.html
Chester County taking proactive role in coronavirus outbreak https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/chester-county-taking-proactive-role-in-coronavirus-outbreak/article_402e6fda-5b19-11ea-94b2-fbcd3e8786f5.html
Crime/Punishment
State Police seize purported ‘Skill-Based’ gambling devices statewide https://www.witf.org/2020/02/29/state-police-seize-purported-skill-based-gambling-devices-statewide/
5 Philly cases that made it to the U.S. Supreme Court — and their impact on the nation https://billypenn.com/2020/02/29/philly-supreme-court-cases-history-national-impact/
Allentown Diocese says earlier accusation against now jailed priest was ‘unfounded.’ Prosecutors disagree https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-allentown-catholic-diocese-lonergan-first-accuser-recanted-20200301-xvbez5tdjbaivjilysrkjx2ubq-story.html
Education
Temple closing Italy campus over coronavirus; students told to leave https://whyy.org/articles/temple-closing-italy-campus-over-coronavirus-students-told-to-leave/
Pittsburgh Universities, Schools Increasing Precautions Over Coronavirus https://www.wesa.fm/post/pittsburgh-universities-schools-increasing-precautions-over-coronavirus
Western Pa. school districts collaborate with PPG, FedEx Ground, Siemens https://triblive.com/local/regional/school-districts-collaborate-with-local-corporations-program-leaders-hope-to-expand-across-the-state/
Unknown future for Scranton preschool program frustrates teachers, parents https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/unknown-future-for-scranton-preschool-program-frustrates-teachers-parents-1.2601707
Elections/Politics
Wolf and Shapiro rally Bucks Dems to take back power in Washington and Harrisburg https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/wolf-and-shapiro-rally-bucks-dems-to-take-back-power-in-washington-and-harrisburg/
Lt. Gov. Fetterman rallies Democrats in Monessen https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/lt-gov-fetterman-rallies-democrats-in-monessen/article_9e617e2e-5b2a-11ea-ad25-2bbb1fad3676.html
For Pennsylvania election, grassroots groups unite in novel strategy to beat Trump https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-primary-grassroots-20200229-jnup7sslojexdklmvchl5jjeve-story.html
Joe Biden has won South Carolina in a big revival before Super Tuesday https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/south-carolina-democratic-primary-results-joe-biden-winner-20200301.html
Billionaire Tom Steyer ends 2020 Democratic presidential bid https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/billionaire-tom-steyer-ends-2020-democratic-presidential-bid-20200301.html
Biden wins South Carolina, hopes for Super Tuesday momentum https://whyy.org/articles/biden-wins-south-carolina-hopes-for-super-tuesday-momentum/
Dems have generational divide when it comes to top candidates https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/dems-have-generational-divide-when-it-comes-to-top-candidates-1.2601644
Environment
Better late than never? Big companies scramble to make lofty climate promises https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/better-late-than-never-big-companies-scramble-to-make-lofty-climate-promises/
Editorial: EPA action on PFAS is long overdue https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/opinion/20200301/editorial-epa-action-on-pfas-is-long-overdue
Health
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is ‘essentially full,’ so it’s pumping $3.4B to expand https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/chop-childrens-hospital-philadephia-expansion-new-buildings-20200301.html
Local hospitals brace for potential coronavirus outbreak https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/local-hospitals-brace-for-potential-coronavirus-outbreak/article_f6da5e1a-5975-11ea-96ad-af24f3bc51fa.html
Local News
Live-in La Roche students narrow the generation gap https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/03/01/Terrace-Place-Vincentian-LaRoche-University-intergenerational-living/stories/202002160022
Trump town hall to tie Scranton traffic in knots; police issue road closures, parking restrictions https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/trump-town-hall-to-tie-scranton-traffic-in-knots-police-issue-road-closures-parking-restrictions-1.2601518
Erie County’s Truesdail Farms: A year in the life https://www.goerie.com/news/20200301/erie-countys-truesdail-farms-year-in-life
Erie’s history rich with faithful female leaders https://www.goerie.com/entertainmentlife/20200301/eries-history-rich-with-faithful-female-leaders
Documenting heritage, history: Johnstown African Americans recall their pasts https://www.tribdem.com/news/documenting-heritage-history-johnstown-african-americans-recall-their-pasts/article_f1275c1c-5b77-11ea-b52a-93b9fcf063ed.html
Pennsylvania Cannabis Festival moves to Berks County in April https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/pennsylvania-cannabis-festival-moves-to-berks-county-in-april/article_5f85443a-54e8-11ea-a8a5-c7871ca112bf.html
Quarry riles officials, residents as court hearing approaches https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200301/quarry-riles-officials-residents-as-court-hearing-approaches
Philly
Crowds flock to Philadelphia Flower Show, shrug off coronavirus https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-flower-show-coronavirus-entertainment-20200229.html
After surprise announcement — and cancellation — of Philly’s supervised injection site, advocates haven’t given up https://www.inquirer.com/news/safehouse-injection-site-philadelphia-20200229.html
How ready is Philadelphia for the coronavirus? https://whyy.org/articles/how-ready-is-philadelphia-for-the-coronavirus/
Counting Philly’s Cambodians in the 2020 census: ‘We aren’t invisible’ https://whyy.org/articles/counting-phillys-cambodians-in-the-2020-census-we-arent-invisible/
In Philly, how will the 2020 Census count people experiencing homelessness? https://whyy.org/articles/in-philly-how-will-the-2020-census-count-people-experiencing-homelessness/
Philly honors reparations advocate, plans a path forward for restitution | John N. Mitchell https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/evanston-ill-alderwoman-leads-all-in-reparations-work/
Pitt
Downtown Pittsburgh steam heat system ‘beyond repair,’ says mayor https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/downtown-pittsburgh-steam-heat-system-beyond-repair-says-mayor/
Pittsburghers lap up beers at BrewDog’s grand opening in East Liberty https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburghers-lap-up-beers-at-brewdogs-grand-opening-in-east-liberty/
State News
NAACP suing state for prison gerrymandering https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/naacp-suing-state-for-prison-gerrymandering/
Westmoreland and other counties identify internet access as critical need, plan service expansion https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2020/02/28/Westmoreland-county-southern-alleghenies-planning-broadband-access-bedford-internet/stories/202002270169
Spring-like temperatures in store for first week of March https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/03/spring-like-temperatures-in-store-for-first-week-of-march.html
Washington
Trump says getting rid of ‘bad’ people made him successful https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/02/29/Trump-says-getting-rid-of-bad-people-made-him-successful/stories/202002290071