Legislatura
The inside story of how Pennsylvania failed to deliver millions in coronavirus rent relief
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pa-rent-relief-application-deadline-pennsylvania-failure-tenants-landlords-20210215.html
NEPA educators, advocates call for fixing ‘structurally unfair’ school funding system
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/nepa-educators-advocates-call-for-fixing-structurally-unfair-school-funding-system/article_bfca5167-a242-50d4-82ee-db09ef6bffac.html
VOICES OF INEQUITY: Report shows how Pa. policy harms underfunded schools
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/voices-of-inequity-report-shows-how-pa-policy-harms-underfunded-schools/article_6f71a021-57dc-544f-9988-7b0d94665cad.html
Blake to resign state Senate seat for post with Cartwright
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/blake-to-resign-state-senate-seat-for-post-with-cartwright/article_52e1b3e5-4a9c-50c7-a013-5315aa044ffc.html
Rep. Manny Guzman: Berks County needs a health department (Opinion)
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/rep-manny-guzman-berks-county-needs-a-health-department-opinion/article_f832f788-6c8c-11eb-9221-9771059d2e8a.html
Rep. Greg Vitali: A Realistic Climate Agenda For Pennsylvania
https://www.dailylocal.com/opinion/rep-greg-vitali-a-realistic-climate-agenda-for-pennsylvania/article_6ab460e9-df9c-5e53-af3a-220fa1d37830.html
Sen. Scott Martin reappointed to PASSHE board of governors
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/sen-scott-martin-reappointed-to-passhe-board-of-governors.html
Resuming war on opioid addiction
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/resuming-war-on-opioid-addiction/article_7402e3da-d75d-5cc7-a44d-b7cc8d52a118.html/?&logged_out=1
Give schools means to open
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/give-schools-means-to-open/article_7495f4ec-3180-5871-97f3-6dbee0b58919.html
Coronavirus - COVID-19
Pa. claims readiness for mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics, but they won’t all look the same
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-claims-readiness-for-mass-covid-19-vaccination-clinics-but-they-wont-all-look-the-same.html
How a federal program built to reward anti-COVID efforts doled out millions of dollars to some of Pa.’s most troubled nursing homes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/covid-19/2021/02/14/COVID-19-pandemic-Pennsylvania-nursing-homes/stories/202102140060
Pennsylvania is limiting who administers the COVID-19 vaccine. Doctors’ groups say that’s a bad move.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/covid-vaccine-pennsylvania-primary-care-physicians-20210214.html
Pa.’s lack of data prevents tracking of racial, ethnic disparities in vaccine distribution
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-s-lack-of-data-prevents-tracking-of-racial-and-ethnic-disparities-in-vaccine-distribution/
26 states have plans for teachers to get their COVID shots. Pa. isn’t one of them.
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2021/02/14/pa-covid-19-shots-teachers-must-wait-vaccinated/4485650001/
Some traveling far and wide for COVID-19 vaccinations
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/some-traveling-far-and-wide-for-covid-19-vaccinations/article_72a0c933-1fb6-54dd-95d6-9d53a3d0683b.html
Winter storm won’t halt plans for covid-19 vaccines at Allegheny County sites
https://triblive.com/local/monroeville/winter-storm-wont-halt-plans-for-covid-19-vaccines-at-allegheny-county-sites/
COVID-19 update: Slots for Castle Shannon vaccination clinic taken in minutes; more opening Tuesday
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2021/02/13/Castle-Shannon-vaccination-clinic-COVID-19-Allegheny-County-case-numbers-coronavirus/stories/202102130031
Some distributors on ‘honor system’ for vaccine distribution, while others have more strict requirements
https://www.timesleader.com/top-stories/877120/some-distributors-on-honor-system-for-vaccine-distribution-while-others-have-more-strict-requirements
Coroner reports 2 more Berks County COVID-19 deaths
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/coroner-reports-2-more-berks-county-covid-19-deaths/article_0af3b710-6ee3-11eb-9962-df8119a49e33.html
Counterfeit N95 masks hit U.S. hospitals by the millions. But some work surprisingly well.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-19-coronavirus-n95-masks-ppe-20210215.html
COVID-19 conspiracy theories and the superspreaders behind them
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/02/covid-19-conspiracy-theories-and-the-superspreaders-behind-them.html
Administración
Gov. Wolf has proposed a bold plan to address unequal education funding in Pennsylvania schools | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/gov-wolf-has-proposed-a-bold-plan-to-address-unequal-education-funding-in-pennsylvania-schools-opinion.html
Empresas
Area counties set to disburse latest restaurant relief funds
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2021/02/14/restaurant-relief-covid-bailout-wolf-pennsylvania-counties-ready-disperse-funds/stories/202102100148
Solar advocates make appeal to businesses that now is a uniquely good time to look to the skies
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2021/02/14/Pennsylvania-Solar-Center-Hill-District-renewable-energy-small-medium-businesses/stories/202102140058
Delito/Castigo
Report: Life sentences create ‘larger, older, sicker, more expensive’ prison population
https://www.witf.org/2021/02/15/report-life-sentences-create-larger-older-sicker-more-expensive-prison-population/
Man accused of shooting at Walmart employee over video game sale in Delaware County
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/man-accused-of-shooting-at-walmart-employee-over-video-game-sale-in-delaware-county.html
Educación
With covid cases dropping, more Westmoreland school districts opt to reopen classrooms
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/with-covid-cases-dropping-more-westmoreland-school-districts-opt-to-reopen-classrooms/
Which Pa. schools had the largest number of arrests in 2019-20?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/which-pa-schools-had-the-largest-number-of-arrests-in-2019-20.html
VOICES OF INEQUITY: In Pottstown, lack of resources adds to COVID burden
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/voices-of-inequity-in-pottstown-lack-of-resources-adds-to-covid-burden/article_6ceb8ef5-b3a5-549b-8273-92ec7d3b8cbb.html
SAT changes show declining impact exam has on college admissions
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/15/college-boards-entrance-admissions-changes-SAT-exams-essay-writing-subject-tests/stories/202102070062
Penn State among the nation’s first to offer a class on COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/15/Penn-State-COVID-19-class/stories/202102120123
Elecciones/Política
Democrats had a brutal 2020 in Pennsylvania besides Biden. Now they’re charting a path forward.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-democrats-2020-election-20210214.html
Seeking courage in Senate candidates | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/seeking-courage-in-senate-candidates-opinion.html
Census delay in releasing population data throws states, Pa.’s May primary into question
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/census-delay-in-releasing-population-data-throws-states-into-chaos/
Sanidad
Greensburg mom is among those who shortened hospital stay after giving birth because of pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-mom-is-among-those-who-shortened-hospital-stay-after-giving-birth-because-of-pandemic/
Obamacare, Medicaid: Erie County residents without health insurance fell by 50% over 5 years
https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/2021/02/15/after-obamacare-half-many-erie-county-without-health-insurance/6560652002/
Noticias locales
Wastewater testing aimed at finding COVID-19 hotspots completes trial program in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/wastewater-testing-aimed-at-finding-covid-19-hotspots-completes-trial-program-in-scranton/article_56cb5bf1-7d97-5c3f-9ae0-e18967d075b9.html
Friends of the Poor sets $350k goal for endowment campaign
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/friends-of-the-poor-sets-350k-goal-for-endowment-campaign/article_972d26c5-12df-5fbe-ac06-0bb8aa8b1a50.html
Amid fundraising crunch, some fire departments seek insurance reimbursement
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/crime-emergencies/amid-fundraising-crunch-some-fire-departments-seek-insurance-reimbursement/article_40a3feaf-3f44-5562-aeda-42daaaa15ffd.html
Chris Kelly: QAnon Realtor sells rabbit holes on YouTube
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/columnists/chris-kelly/chris-kelly-qanon-realtor-sells-rabbit-holes-on-youtube/article_0bff9566-5089-5f5f-aa94-464021807972.html
Devotion to one another buoys Scranton couple over decades together
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/lifestyles/devotion-to-one-another-buoys-scranton-couple-over-decades-together/article_02fb8dc0-5b89-5ba1-90a0-a26908dd83db.html
Radnor to propose zoning change amendment addressing open space
https://www.delcotimes.com/radnor-to-propose-zoning-change-amendment-addressing-open-space/article_b55d3ca6-28c6-51a7-adec-73151f88279b.html
New craft beer festival may prompt Tarentum to alter alcohol ban
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-craft-beer-festival-may-prompt-tarentum-to-alter-alcohol-ban/
Luzerne County government saving money with LED lights
https://www.timesleader.com/news/884770/luzerne-county-government-saving-money-with-led-lights
Customers can ask for help before utilities cut service
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/customers-can-ask-for-help-before-utilities-cut-service/article_ccf628a0-a45f-5be6-9bf2-babc86293e43.html
Nueva Jersey
A weed legalization bill inches closer to approval in N.J. after a long wait
https://www.inquirer.com/business/weed/marijuana-cannabis-new-jersey-legalization-weed-industry-bill-20210213.html
Filadelfia
A Salvation Army program helps sex workers survive in Philly. It can also lead them to a new life.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/salvation-army-philadelphia-prostitution-human-trafficking-20210215.html
Seeking a safer haven from COVID-19, demonstrators seek to restore hotel rooms for the homeless
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/homeless-philadelphia-hotels-shelter-fema-federal-biden-20210214.html
Black church leaders, health systems organize mass vaccination site in West Phila.
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/black-church-leaders-health-systems-organize-mass-vaccination-site-in-west-phila/article_54359b7e-6ee2-11eb-8954-f74aab43dc78.html
Philly’s plan to fight climate change has a glaring absence on demolitions and cultural heritage | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-climate-change-plan-historic-preservation-building-demolition-20210215.html
Envisioning a psychedelic future for Philadelphia’s USciences as it pairs with Compass Pathways for a Drug Discovery Center
https://www.inquirer.com/business/drugs/psychedelics-compass-pathways-wallach-university-of-the-sciences-usciences-20210215.html
Philly hopes to benefit from Pete Buttigieg’s goal of sharing the road
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/biden-pete-buttigieg-transportation-climate-change-racial-justice-philadelphia-20210215.html
Pitt
Over 100 firefighters gather to give former Pittsburgh union leader Joe King a final salute
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/14/Over-100-firefighters-gather-to-give-Pittsburgh-union-leader-Joe-King-a-final-salute/stories/202102140219
Former city police officer would listen to voters in mayoral run
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/15/tony-moreno-former-pittsburgh-police-detective-office-cop-making-run-mayor-democratic-primary/stories/202102140179
Rink oversight lacking
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/02/15/Rink-oversight-lacking-Editorial-Board-Pittsburgh-Post-Gazette/stories/202102100045
Ruth Ann Dailey: Peduto speaks up for students
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/ruth-ann-dailey/2021/02/14/Peduto-speaks-up-for-students/stories/202102140052
Noticias del Estado
Undocumented immigrants who help police can be at risk for deportation. A Pa. lawyer is trying to stop it.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/u-visa-immigrants-immigration-uscis-homeland-security-backlog-deportation-20210214.html
ATV/snowmobile fever: Westmoreland, Allegheny lead Pennsylvania in registrations
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/atv-snowmobile-fever-westmoreland-leads-state-in-registrations-allegheny-is-2nd/
Pennsylvania grant program to support hemp industry, which shrunk in 2020
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-grant-program-to-support-hemp-industry-which-shrunk-in-2020/
REPORT: Pa.’s Infrastructure gets a C- | The Numbers Racket
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/report-pa-s-infrastructure-gets-a-c-the-letters-racket/
Transporte
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission tool identifies potential transportation centers in 10-county region
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/02/14/Southerstern-Pennsylvania-Commission-multimodal-centers-regional-transit-study-10-county-area/stories/202102140070
Old industrial sites along Great Allegheny Passage Trail to get historical markers
https://triblive.com/local/old-industrial-sites-along-great-allegheny-passage-trail-to-get-historical-markers/
PennDot, Pa. Turnpike issue restrictions ahead of winter storm
https://triblive.com/local/regional/penndot-and-pa-turnpike-issue-restrictions-ahead-of-winter-storm/
Editorial: A step in right direction for return of Reading-Philadelphia rail service
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorial-a-step-in-right-direction-for-return-of-reading-philadelphia-rail-service/article_c3ea4af2-6df5-11eb-aaee-13d9195698f4.html
PennDOT leaves Community Transit out in cold
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/penndot-leaves-community-transit-out-in-cold/article_58eca3fe-6be2-11eb-a915-c76082cb72c4.html
Washington
Pat Toomey cites Trump’s ‘betrayal of the Constitution’ in breaking with GOP on impeachment
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pat-toomey-trump-impeachment-trial-vote-20210213.html
York County GOP committee votes to censure Sen. Pat Toomey after impeachment vote
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2021/02/15/York-County-republican-committee-vote-to-censure-U-S-Senator-Pat-Toomey-trump-impeachment/stories/202102150065
3 years after Parkland, Biden asks Congress for background checks, other gun control measures
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2021/02/3-years-after-parkland-biden-asks-congress-for-background-checks-other-gun-control-measures.html
Trump’s impeachment lawyer, Bruce Castor, was not Pa.’s finest | Dick Polman
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/trumps-impeachment-lawyer-bruce-castor-was-not-pa-s-finest-dick-polman/