Legislatura
Lawmakers get mixed message at opioids update
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/lawmakers-get-mixed-message-at-opioids-update/article_fb3499cc-4dda-11ea-8894-5fad49ae4289.html
Pa.’s black legislative caucus demands investigation of Allegheny County judge, alleged racist comments
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/12/PA-black-legislative-caucus-investigation-Allegheny-County-judge-Mark-Tranquilli-racist-comments/stories/202002120118
Millions of dollars in Pa. tax credits may not be paying off for taxpayers
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-tax-credits-review-20200213.html
Send in a Marine: Pa. Republican lawmaker seeks overhaul of the state’s costly school pension fund
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pensions-pa-psers-teachers-reform-marine-republican-wolf-20200213.html
Pa. Senate’s most powerful Republican won’t seek reelection
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/senate-joe-scarnati-not-seeking-reelection-20200213.html
Top Pa. Senate leader announces he is not seeking re-election to another term
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/top-pa-senate-leader-announces-he-is-not-seeking-re-election-to-another-term.html
Joe Scarnati, top state Senate Republican, announces retirement
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/12/top-state-senate-republican-announces-retirement/
Pennsylvania Senate President Joe Scarnati will not seek re-election
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-senate-president-joe-scarnati-will-not-seek-re-election/
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati is not seeking re-election
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/senate-president-pro-tempore-joe-scarnati-is-not-seeking-re-election/
Sara Innamorato: Socialized risk, privatized profits
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2020/02/13/Sara-Innamorato-Socialized-risk-privatized-profits-House-Bill-1100-petrochemical-Pennsylvania/stories/202002130024
Lawmakers ‘disappointed’ in Wolf’s veto: Legislation would have delayed closing of two state facilities
https://www.tribdem.com/news/lawmakers-disappointed-in-wolf-s-veto-legislation-would-have-delayed/article_84913aca-4e05-11ea-b51c-9bd527395104.html
Wolf vetoes bill on state centers
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wolf-vetoes-bill-on-state-centers-1.2594469
Mullery, Toohil vow to override Wolf veto on center closure moratorium bill
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772571/mullery-vows-to-override-wolf-veto-on-center-closure-moratorium-bill
Gov. Wolf vetoes bill that would have put moratorium on Polk closure
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2020/02/12/Pennsylvania-Tom-Wolf-vetoes-bill-Polk-Center-closure-intellectual-disabilities/stories/202002120112
Flynn to host hearing on municipal tax burden
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/flynn-to-host-hearing-on-municipal-tax-burden-1.2594381
Homeowners are tired of waiting for school property tax reform; ‘we need action’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/homeowners-are-tired-of-waiting-for-school-property-tax-reform-we-need-action.html
Administración
‘Are we going to bet on horses or are we going to bet on our kids?’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/02/12/State-System-of-Higher-Education-scholarships-student-debt-horse-racing-Pennsylvania-Wolf/stories/202002120110
Gov. Wolf proposes $200 million cut from horse racing trust fund
https://observer-reporter.com/sports/gov-wolf-proposes-million-cut-from-horse-racing-trust-fund/article_dd88d836-4df6-11ea-b24c-fffec06ab034.html
Editorial: Funding plan for Pennsylvania State Police falls far short
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-funding-plan-for-pennsylvania-state-police-falls-far-short/article_6b23b538-4db8-11ea-bf4a-3ba352752378.html
Empresas
BP says it will cut its carbon emissions to net zero by 2050
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2020/02/12/BP-net-zero-emissions-carbon-2050-new-boss-oil/stories/202002120186
Former Justice Grown pharmacist sues, saying she was terminated for not trying medical marijuana
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772606/former-justice-grown-pharmacist-sues-saying-she-was-terminated-for-not-trying-medical-marijuana
As department stores close, how is Boscov’s bucking the trend?
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-how-boscovs-sticks-out-expands-in-tough-retail-climate-20200213-uighwj66xve4rh54nlbucampga-story.html
Delito/Castigo
Trial set for ex-Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez, who is accused of sexually assaulting a minor
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/12/Trial-Westmoreland-County-Pirates-pitcher-Felipe-Vazquez-accused-sexually-assaulting-minor/stories/202002120158
Death sentence of Rahmael Sal Holt finalized by Westmoreland judge
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/12/Official-death-sentence-of-Rahmael-Sal-Holt-finalized-by-Westmoreland-Judge/stories/202002120113
Rahmael Holt officially sent to death row for killing New Kensington Officer Brian Shaw
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/rahmael-holt-officially-sent-to-death-row-for-killing-new-kensington-officer-brian-shaw/
Pennsylvania adds muscle to reviewing convictions for errors
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/12/Pennsylvania-adds-muscle-to-reviewing-convictions-for-errors/stories/202002120149
Witness in Wilkinsburg mass shooting case said investigators paid him, used him as illegal informant
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/12/Wilkinsburg-mass-shooting-witness-paid-illegal-informant-Kendall-Mikell/stories/202002120150
Kingston police launching ‘CAPTURE’ program
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772531/kingston-police-launching-capture-program
Scranton native shoots two police officers in Baltimore
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-native-shoots-two-police-officers-in-baltimore-1.2594544
Berks County man faces 7th DUI in 10 years after driving wrong way on Media Bypass, police say
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/crime/berks-county-man-faces-th-dui-in-years-after-driving/article_147904ea-672f-58ce-bae8-b6f879cff1a6.html
Educación
Union report suggests closing Northeast Scranton Intermediate was unnecessary
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/union-report-suggests-closing-northeast-scranton-intermediate-was-unnecessary-1.2594390
Felony riot charge dropped against Whitehall boys involved in ruckus at basketball game
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-whitehall-students-riot-charge-hearing-20200212-i7pxluqt5za3dg2qvmlvr4t55e-story.html
Trayvon Martin’s mother delivers message of peace and hope at Penn State Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/trayvon-martin-s-mother-delivers-message-of-peace-and-hope/article_60e09cf6-4dfb-11ea-a44e-870d60e2751c.html
State board sets more rules for community college hearing
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200213/state-board-sets-more-rules-for-community-college-hearing
Elecciones/Política
Pa. Democrats are waiting for answers as Sanders surges, Biden struggles, and Bloomberg looms
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/bernie-sanders-mike-bloomberg-joe-biden-pennsylvania-2020-new-hampshire-20200212.html
Eugene DePasquale leads Democrats’ money primary in 10th Congressional District
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/02/eugene-depasquale-leads-democrats-money-primary-in-10th-congressional-district.html
Congressional hopeful Brier courts Black voters in tough Democratic primary fight
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/congressional-hopeful-brier-courts-black-voters-in-tough-democratic-primary-fight/
Noticias locales
RailRiders to host Office Night with special appearance
https://www.citizensvoice.com/sports/railriders-to-host-office-night-with-special-appearance-1.2594525
Olyphant mine fire slated to be extinguished by 2022
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/olyphant-mine-fire-slated-to-be-extinguished-by-2022-1.2594335
Dormitory plan for Scranton Electric Building raises zoning concerns
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/dormitory-plan-for-scranton-electric-building-raises-zoning-concerns-1.2594542
Reading Country Club options limited, future still uncertain, Exeter supervisors say
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-country-club-options-limited-future-still-uncertain-exeter-supervisors/article_63125492-4e0f-11ea-a2ee-17e356c00dd9.html
Arnold City Council lays off public works employee with an email vote
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/arnold-city-council-lays-of-public-works-employee-with-an-email-vote/
Arnold clerk Bellavia named city administrator
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/arnold-clerk-bellavia-named-city-administrator/
Jeannette officials move to abate long-standing public hazard at former bank building
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/jeannette-officials-move-to-abate-long-standing-public-hazard-at-former-bank-building/
Westmoreland buys small Fayette sewage system
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-buys-small-fayette-sewage-system/
County still researching options for ways to fight stormwater fee
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-still-researching-options-for-ways-to-fight-stormwater-fee-1.2594410
Griffith, Salavantis disagree over conflict allegations
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772609/griffith-salavantis-disagree-over-conflict-allegations
Officials ‘aggressively’ enforce city codes to improve Nanticoke
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/officials-aggressively-enforce-city-codes-to-improve-nanticoke-1.2594464
This Harrisburg couple is working to increase access to opportunity — one child at a time | Anwar Curtis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/this-harrisburg-couple-is-working-to-improve-their-hometown-one-child-at-a-time-anwar-curtis/
Federal officials tour Coatesville Qualified Opportunity Zones, participate in roundtable discussion
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/federal-officials-tour-coatesville-qualified-opportunity-zones-participate-in-roundtable/article_7f41f33a-4ddc-11ea-9dd4-fb03107812f6.html
Noticias nacionales
Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were laid to rest in a private service, records show
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/other-sports/2020/02/13/Kobe-Bryant-daughter-Gianna-laid-to-rest-private/stories/202002120182
Filadelfia
Two more Philly schools closed Thursday and Friday because of asbestos
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-schools-asbestos-close-barton-sullivan-20200213.html
As asbestos crisis persists, it’s time to shake up Philly’s Board of Education | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-school-district-board-education-asbestos-mayor-jim-kenney-20200212.html
New Philly Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw is already making changes — starting with her fingernails
https://www.inquirer.com/news/danielle-outlaw-philadelphia-police-commissioner-first-week-20200212.html
Danielle Outlaw talks about race, crime and the homicide rate on her third day in office
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/danielle-outlaw-talks-about-race-crime-and-the-homicide-rate/article_f9bc9b8c-4e05-11ea-81c6-4f781367bde3.html
After last-minute negotiations, judge picks a winner in Philadelphia refinery auction
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/pes-hilco-philadelphia-refinery-bankruptcy-auction-winner-20200213.html
They posed as lawyers, scammed thousands in cash from immigrants, and robbed them of their hope to stay in the U.S. They got away with it for years.
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/a/philadelphia-immigrants-notario-scam-ana-molina-luc-matthews-20200213.html
Michael Bloomberg apologized for ‘stop and frisk.’ Don’t expect his surrogate Michael Nutter to do the same.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/michael-nutter-michael-bloomberg-stop-and-frisk-apology-20200212.html
Philadelphians facing foreclosure get a reprieve
https://www.inquirer.com/news/foreclosure-relief-diversion-philadelphia-federal-housing-phfa-fha-20200213.html
Mercy Hospital in West Philadelphia faces closure as an inpatient facility
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/mercy-philadelphia-hospital-closing-acute-care-hospital-20200212.html
New faces on the Philly school board? Mayor’s nominating panel submits 27 names.
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-board-nominating-panel-jim-kenney-20200212.html
The U.S. attorney in Philly compared Jim Kenney and Larry Krasner to slaveholders and civil rights opponents
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/william-mcswain-jim-kenney-larry-krasner-20200212.html
Overdose prevention sites promote public health and don’t increase crime | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/supervised-injection-site-community-safety-overdose-deaths-20200212.html
Pitt
Pitt to acquire samples of coronavirus for development of treatments, including vaccine
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/02/12/coronavirus-University-of-Pittsburgh-vaccine-Duprex-health-medicine-Salk-polio-China-epidemic/stories/202002120141
CDC to send University of Pittsburgh coronavirus samples for vaccine research
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/cdc-to-send-university-of-pittsburgh-coronavirus-samples-for-vaccine-research/
Flight risk? Prices at some airport stores are too high, county controller finds
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/02/13/Airmall-Pittsburgh-International-Airport-Chelsa-Wagner-controller/stories/202002120152
$100K grant to help expand anti-hate programming in local schools
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/02/12/100K-grant-to-help-expand-anti-hate-programming-in-local-schools/stories/202002120058
Burgess, Lavelle to CMU: Invest in communities that were left blank on map
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/12/Burgess-Lavelle-to-CMU-Invest-in-communities-that-were-left-blank-on-map/stories/202002120143
Pittsburgh councilmen seek CMU funding, assistance to break down racial barriers
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-councilmen-seek-cmu-funding-assistance-to-break-down-racial-barriers/
Public hearings, meetings ahead for parks tax issue
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/12/Public-hearings-meetings-pittsburgh-parks-tax-issue/stories/202002120130
Tree of Life synagogue says phishing scam spreading across country
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/12/Tree-of-Life-synagogue-phishing-scam-squirrel-hill-warning/stories/202002120114
Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation Night of Assists sparkles with disco theme
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-penguins-foundation-night-of-assists-sparkles-with-disco-theme/
Heinz History Center accumulating properties for future expansion
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/heinz-history-center-accumulating-properties-for-future-expansion/
‘Absolutely not clear’ why federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh will vet Giuliani’s Ukraine claims
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/13/absolutely-not-clear-why-federal-prosecutors-in-pittsburgh-will-vet-giulianis-ukraine-claims/
Noticias del Estado
The pilot and the professor: A Tuskegee touchdown on the Main Line | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/news/columnists/philadelphia-tuskegee-airmen-book-tour-roscoe-draper-maria-panaritis-20200213.html
A Pa. medical marijuana patient goes to court after being denied federally subsidized housing
https://www.inquirer.com/business/marijuana-section-8-housing-patient-federal-law-pennsylvania-mary-cease-20200212.html
Pennsylvania Solar Congress comes to Indiana County
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pennsylvania-solar-congress-comes-to-indiana-county/
Transgender felons seek to ease Pennsylvania rules on name changes
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/transgender-felons-seek-to-ease-pennsylvania-rules-on-name-changes/
Presidents Day in Pa.? It just raises questions | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/presidents-day-in-pa-it-just-raises-questions.html
GOP ‘congressional census’ circulates in Montgomery and Berks counties, causes confusion
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/12/gop-congressional-census-circulates-in-montgomery-and-berks-counties-causes-confusion/
Someone is shooting and killing cows in Pa.: state police
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2020/02/someone-is-shooting-and-killing-cows-in-pa-state-police.html
Transporte
Allegiant Air opens base and expands service at Allentown airport
https://www.mcall.com/business/transportation/mc-biz-allegiant-aircraft-base-opening-20200212-wcwhnb2kjnhbvkantwns64wk74-story.html
Washington
After Pentagon raises injury count in Iranian missile attack, lawmakers are paying more attention
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/after-pentagon-raises-injury-count-in-iranian-missile-attack-lawmakers-are-paying-more-attention.html