Legislature
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf, lawmakers form joint COVID-19 vaccine task force
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-gov-tom-wolf-lawmakers-form-joint-covid-19-vaccine-task-force.html
COVID-19 Update: Wolf creates vaccine task force with state legislators on board
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/02/09/covid-19-coronavirus-cases-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-allegheny-county-cases-deaths-data-vaccine-pandemic-health/stories/202102090116
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf says new bipartisan task force will tackle state’s troubled COVID-19 vaccine rollout
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-vaccine-task-force-20210209-rddeahus4becpglqghciz5wjfe-story.html
PA legislators to Wolf: Give more reprieves to inmates vulnerable to COVID-19. His response.
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2021/02/10/pennsylvania-inmates-release-covid-19/4455476001/
State System’s Daniel Greenstein faces General Assembly questions about academics, dorm vacancies
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/09/State-System-state-owned-universities-Pennsylvania-Greenstein-merger-facuty-APSCUF-college-faculty/stories/202102090141
Cutting college cost by 25% through redesign of Pa. state universities attracts lawmakers’ attention
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/cutting-college-cost-by-25-through-redesign-of-pa-state-universities-attracts-lawmakers-attention.html
Gov. Wolf outlines plan to raise Pa.’s minimum wage to $15 by 2027
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/gov-wolf-outlines-plan-to-raise-pa-s-minimum-wage-to-15-by-2027/
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf again seeks a higher minimum wage, and he faces strong opposition again
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-gov-tom-wolf-again-seeks-a-higher-minimum-wage-and-he-faces-strong-opposition-again.html
Why Wolf faces bipartisan opposition to natural gas severance tax in southwestern PA
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/09/pa-natural-gas-severance-tax-wolf/4440578001/
Pennsylvania mail-in ballot registry isn’t as permanent as the word implies
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-mail-in-ballot-registry-isnt-as-permanent-as-the-word-implies/
Report finds Pennsylvania falls short in auto safety laws
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/transportation/report-finds-pennsylvania-falls-short-in-auto-safety-laws/article_b3b700de-6653-11eb-bc56-433fda2728f8.html
Pa. has a chance to reform our struggling schools. Will the legislature let it happen? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-budget-charter-school-reform-education-20210209.html
Don’t let sore losers restrict vote
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/dont-let-sore-losers-restrict-vote/article_35bdc556-2be2-5405-8d40-160649099ba3.html
Longtime lawmaker Hasay mourned, praised
https://www.timesleader.com/news/847075/longtime-lawmaker-hasay-mourned-praised
Freshman legislator, first responders work together to aid stricken Capitol Police officer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/freshman-legislator-first-responders-work-together-to-aid-stricken-capitol-police-officer.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pennsylvania tool lets you know when it’s your turn to get covid vaccine
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-tool-lets-you-know-when-its-your-turn-to-get-covid-vaccine/
New Pennsylvania tool informs people of vaccine eligibility
https://www.timesleader.com/news/849185/new-pennsylvania-tool-informs-people-of-vaccine-eligibility
New online COVID-19 tool screens for vaccine eligibility
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/new-online-covid-19-tool-screens-for-vaccine-eligibility/article_3b3e27a8-1349-5e4f-bc33-709d8a7cfdb3.html
Search for COVID-19 vaccines frustrates seekers and providers
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/search-for-covid-19-vaccines-frustrates-seekers-and-providers/article_a328f00c-f583-5ae3-900d-bf95c80d545a.html
A Dose of Hope
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/a/coronavirus-health-care-workers-inside-philadelphia-hospitals-20210210.html
Nearly 500 more Berks County residents start or complete COVID vaccinations
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/nearly-500-more-berks-county-residents-start-or-complete-covid-vaccinations/article_3939f694-6acd-11eb-b12e-43761aab0efd.html
COVID-19 shots available by appointment only from Wilkes-Barre Health Dept.
https://www.timesleader.com/news/846847/covid-19-shots-available-by-appointment-only-from-wilkes-barre-health-dept
Giant Eagle pharmacies hope for more covid vaccine supply to meet ‘unprecedented’ demand
https://triblive.com/local/giant-eagle-pharmacies-hope-for-more-covid-vaccine-supply-to-meet-unprecedented-demand/
Pa. reports 4,088 additional covid cases, 149 deaths
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-reports-4088-additional-covid-cases-149-deaths/
Allegheny County adds most newly reported covid cases in over 2 weeks
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-reports-most-newly-reported-covid-cases-in-over-2-weeks/
Administration
The Wolf administration won’t appeal a state court ruling that tossed victim-rights law overwhelmingly supported by voters
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/marsys-law-pennsylvania-victim-rights-wolf-appeal-20210209.html
A plan for Pa. is needed, not a wish list
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/02/10/A-plan-for-Pa-is-needed-not-a-wish-list/stories/202102060008
Crime/Punishment
Driver who killed 3 on Thanksgiving in 2016 should be resentenced to life imprisonment, Pa. court rules
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/02/09/driver-killed-family-thanksgiving-2016-crash-resentence-life-prison-demetrius-coleman-north-versailles/stories/202102090157
ACLU and 81 other advocacy groups call on Biden to end federal executions
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/stop-federal-executions-aclu-biden-20210209.html
Education
Keystone Oaks teachers set to end work stoppage despite no contract agreement
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/09/Keystone-Oaks-school-teachers-work-stoppage-strike-no-contract-agreement-labor-union/stories/202102090127
Jill Biden promises free access to community college
https://www.inquirer.com/education/jill-biden-community-college-free-access-20210209.html
With ‘luck’ and ‘God’s grace,’ University of Scranton names new president
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/with-luck-and-gods-grace-university-of-scranton-names-new-president/article_eecd35e6-9541-5500-b543-1e7e33cfff8d.html
Elections/Politics
John Fetterman addresses 2013 incident in which he pulled a gun on a man who turned out to be an unarmed Black jogger
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/john-fetterman-2013-braddock-shotgun-incident-20210209.html
Health Care
Gateway Health Plan adopts ‘concierge medicine for the masses’
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2021/02/10/Gateway-Health-Plan-empower360-glenn-Pomerantz-Zane-Gates-altoona-greensburg-highmark/stories/202102090145
Many supposed breast cancer risk genes don’t raise risk, studies find
https://www.inquirer.com/health/which-breast-cancer-genes-really-matter-penn-mayo-clinic-study-surprises-20210210.html
Allegheny Health Network adjusts visiting policy, other hospitals still have limits
https://triblive.com/local/regional/allegheny-health-network-adjusts-visiting-policy-other-hospitals-still-have-limits/
Local News
Scranton likely to lower dog license fee, takes step to address flooding in Keyser Valley
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-likely-to-lower-dog-license-fee-takes-step-to-address-flooding-in-keyser-valley/article_30db18b4-845e-51cb-b096-293560b8beb1.html
Reading Parking Authority to lower meter rates for six months because of COVID pandemic
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/reading-parking-authority-to-lower-meter-rates-for-six-months-because-of-covid-pandemic/article_3eefec32-6aec-11eb-a7c0-17af11f0ee75.html
Tenants of West Reading apartments face imminent eviction if owner fails to fix dozens of safety issues
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/tenants-of-west-reading-apartments-face-imminent-eviction-if-owner-fails-to-fix-dozens-of/article_bc61f142-6b0a-11eb-a1ba-f741c603b98a.html
Luzerne County keeping elected tax collectors
https://www.timesleader.com/news/849162/luzerne-county-keeping-elected-tax-collectors
Salavantis to resign as DA to run for county judge
https://www.timesleader.com/news/846285/salavantis-to-resign-as-da-to-run-for-county-judge
Delmont councilman removed from vice president position
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/delmont-councilman-removed-from-vice-president-position/
National News
Democrats called to save the Postal Service, but now they’re in power and struggling to help the failing agency
https://www.inquirer.com/news/usps-package-delays-2021-republicans-democrats-biden-20210210.html
Capitol riot prompts a reckoning over extremism in the ranks
https://www.witf.org/2021/02/10/capitol-riot-prompts-a-reckoning-over-extremism-in-the-ranks/
Natural Gas
Public input blocked on shale gas wastewater permitting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2021/02/10/Public-participation-blocked-on-shale-gas-wastewater-permitting/stories/202102090149
Philly
Philly teachers don’t report to school buildings for a second day; teacher vaccinations expected to start Feb. 22
Philadelphia teacher coronavirus vaccinations to start Feb. 22 as teachers don’t report to school district buildings for second day (inquirer.com)
Philly restaurants can expand indoor dining if they boost ventilation. Critics call the plan ‘unclear’ and ‘unenforceable.’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-philly-restaurants-indoor-dining-ventilation-pa-nj-vaccine-20210210.html
Comcast, NextFab are giving grant money, accelerator spots to Philly small businesses
https://www.inquirer.com/business/comcast/comcast-rise-small-business-grants-nextfab-artisans-accelerator-philadelphia-chester-20210210.html
Packer Park neighbors are fighting Parx and Chickie’s & Pete’s over plan to relocate the Turf Club
https://www.inquirer.com/news/parx-casino-turf-club-chickies-petes-gambling-south-philadelphia-packer-park-neighbors-angry-20210210.html
Accused of 6 murders, Philly man spent 25 years on death row. Now, his record is cleared.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-conviction-integrity-christopher-williams-exoneree-20210210.html
High-profile Philly lawyer Chuck Peruto is challenging DA Larry Krasner as a Republican
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/chuck-peruto-larry-krasner-philadelphia-district-attorney-election-20210209.html
At 23, South Philly’s Quil Lemons becomes the youngest photographer to shoot a Vanity Fair cover
https://www.inquirer.com/news/billie-eilish-vanity-fair-cover-quil-lemons-photographer-20210210.html
With seven killed in 24 hours, Philly confronts a startling rise in homicides
https://www.inquirer.com/news/murder-philadelphia-spike-homicide-investigation-20210209.html
‘Absolutely grueling’: 7 people fatally shot in Philly in less than 24 hours
https://www.witf.org/2021/02/10/absolutely-grueling-7-people-fatally-shot-in-philly-in-less-than-24-hours/
Outlaw calls lack of witnesses a ‘problem’ after violent 24 hours leaves 7 dead
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/outlaw-calls-lack-of-witnesses-a-problem-after-violent-24-hours-leaves-7-dead/article_3d6d7094-c162-5723-82e7-2e1e96125650.html
Philly residents have to go online to sign up for the coronavirus vaccine. But what about people who can’t?
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/philadelphia-coronavirus-vaccine-registration-website-language-20210209.html
Philly police contract fight is on: FOP seeks 5% ‘accountability’ bonus for body cam use
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-contract-discipline-reform-accountability-20210209.html
Philly receives $2.3 million grant to continue working to reduce its jail population
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-macarthur-grant-reduce-jail-population-criminal-justice-20210209.html
American Airlines warns of more than 1,000 possible furloughs in Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/business/american-airlines-1000-worker-furloughs-philadelphia-international-airport-coronavirus-20210209.html
How basic engineering concepts could help solve Philly vaccination problems | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-vaccine-distribution-philadelphia-engineering-20210209.html
Pitt
A ‘fortress’: Family House, others oppose 300-unit apartment complex on Forbes Ave. in Oakland
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/02/10/Family-House-CA-Ventures-Forbes-Avenue-apartment-building-Oakland-Planning-Development-pittsburgh/stories/202102100053
Jail headcount down, Allegheny County lands more money to erode ‘unnecessary incarceration’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/02/09/John-D-Catherine-T-MacArthur-Foundation-Allegheny-County-Jail-grant-Kim-Berkeley-Clark/stories/202102090168
City Council confirms 17 members to Pittsburgh’s new LGBTQIA+ Commission
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/09/Pittsburgh-City-Council-confirms-17-members-LGBTQIA-commission-bill-peduto/stories/202102090131
Pittsburgh’s new LGBTQIA+ Commission a ‘strong and impressive’ group
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburghs-new-lgbtqia-commission-a-strong-and-impressive-group/
Story of pioneering Pittsburgh Black reporter inspires new documentary
https://triblive.com/aande/movies-tv/story-of-pioneering-black-reporter-inspires-new-documentary/
1 man dead, 2 firefighters injured in house fire in Pittsburgh’s Allentown
https://triblive.com/local/1-man-dead-2-firefighters-injured-in-house-fire-in-pittsburghs-allentown/
Pitt graduate Marty Schottenheimer, coach of 4 NFL teams and winner of 200 games, dies at 77
https://triblive.com/sports/marty-schottenheimer-coach-of-4-nfl-teams-and-winner-of-200-games-dies-at-77/
State News
The Flint indictments are a reminder of Pa.’s failure to protect children from lead poisoning | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/flint-indictments-lead-poisoning-remediation-philadelphia-pennsylvania-20210209.html
Commonwealth Court establishes presence on Twitter
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/commonwealth-court-establishes-presence-on-twitter/
Attorney general decides not to charge Schuylkill commissioner
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/attorney-general-decides-not-to-charge-schuylkill-commissioner/article_2cf24a76-f35f-5491-9542-0f669a4b0249.html
Pa. State Trooper dies while on duty after medical emergency
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-state-trooper-dies-while-on-duty-after-medical-emergnecy.html
Transportation
Dooker’s Hollow Bridge implosion delayed
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/02/09/Dooker-s-Hollow-Bridge-implosion-delayed-east-pittsburgh-traffic/stories/202102090188
Arnold Palmer airport 5-year plan envisions added fire truck, possible terminal expansion
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/arnold-palmer-airport-5-year-plan-envisions-added-fire-truck-possible-terminal-expansion/
Washington
Bruce Castor had a big spotlight to open Trump’s impeachment defense. It didn’t go well.
ttps://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/02/10/Bruce-Castor-impeachment-trump-defense-lawyer-philadelphia/stories/202102100093