Legislatura
Facing skeptical lawmakers, Human Services official makes $3M pitch for funding for Planned Parenthood
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/facing-skeptical-lawmakers-human-services-official-makes-3m-pitch-for-funding-for-planned-parenthood/
Asbestos naturally occurs in the rock at a Bucks County quarry. An operator wants to mine there.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/rockhill-quarry-asbestos-bucks-county-east-rockhill-township-20200226.html
Could charging Pa. motorists for rush-hour driving pay for infrastructure? PennDOT wants to find out
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/could-charging-pa-motorists-for-rush-hour-driving-pay-for-infrastructure-penndot-wants-to-find-out/
Pa.’s agriculture secretary confronted about past opposition to cutting horse racing subsidies
https://papost.org/2020/02/26/pa-s-agriculture-secretary-confronted-about-past-opposition-to-cutting-horse-racing-subsidies/
Bipartisan effort to preserve race horse industry unites Chester Co. politicians, residents
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/bipartisan-effort-to-preserve-race-horse-industry-unites-chester-co/article_f521354e-58df-11ea-954d-ab7923609295.html
How Turzai’s going-away present to the gas industry will hurt Pa. for years to come | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/how-turzais-going-away-present-to-the-gas-industry-will-hurt-pa-for-years-to-come-opinion/
Pa. lawmakers black out details of why they spent tax dollars, claiming ‘legislative privilege’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/02/27/Pa-lawmakers-black-out-details-of-why-they-spent-tax-dollars-claiming-legislative-privilege/stories/202002260123
Administración
Wolf touts college scholarship plan at Pennsbury High School
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200226/wolf-touts-college-scholarship-plan-at-pennsbury-high-school
At Adams County farm, warnings about Gov. Wolf’s proposed $200 million cut to race horse industry
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/at-adams-county-farm-warnings-about-gov-wolfs-proposed-200-million-cut-to-race-horse-industry.html
Empresas
Multistate investigation of Juul could mean a settlement sooner than later, experts say
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/02/27/Multistate-investigation-of-Juul-could-mean-a-settlement-sooner-than-later-lawsuit-teen-tobacco/stories/202002260164
Giant Eagle to stop doubling coupons
https://triblive.com/local/regional/giant-eagle-to-stop-double-coupons/
Aleppo addresses parking woes caused by Amazon delivery vehicles
https://sewickley.triblive.com/aleppo-township-addresses-parking-woes-caused-by-amazon-delivery-vehicles/
Despite low unemployment rate, applicants flock to Hempfield job fair
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/despite-low-unemployment-rate-applicants-flock-to-hempfield-job-fair/
Neuweiler Brewery developers seek up to $1.9 million in NIZ funding for first phase of project
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-neuweiler-brewery-redevelopment-niz-application-20200227-cdq7igw7nrhjbgvufa6exvuj4q-story.html
Delito/Castigo
Former Leechburg police Chief Michael Diebold to stand trial on alleged sex offender violations
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/former-leechburg-police-chief-michael-diebold-to-stand-trial-on-alleged-sex-offender-violations/
Berks County Prison Board discusses putting jail construction on pause
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-prison-board-discusses-putting-jail-construction-on-pause/article_db45ff9c-58a8-11ea-8d70-0bbfc59298a3.html
Coronavirus
Gov. Wolf, state health department preparing for spread of coronavirus
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/02/26/Gov-Wolf-rachel-levine-department-of-health-coronavirus-Pennsylvania-outbreak-epidemic/stories/202002260108
The state is preparing for cases of coronavirus
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/26/the-state-is-preparing-for-cases-of-coronavirus/
Wolf administration, Berks County continue preparations for coronavirus cases
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/wolf-administration-berks-county-continue-preparations-for-coronavirus-cases/article_c7e115f4-58a8-11ea-9ca8-2be43754ab54.html
PSECU taking precautions after possible coronavirus exposure to employee
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/corona2020/2020/02/27/PSECU-taking-precautions-after-possible-coronavirus-exposure-to-employee-italy/stories/202002270122
Villanova cancels Italy study-abroad program as coronavirus spreads
https://www.inquirer.com/news/villanova-university-coronavirus-italy-study-abroad-cancelled-20200226.html
Coronavirus may not be slowed down by warmer weather, scientists warn
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus-spread-summer-seasonal-penn-state-20200226.html
Trump urges calm even as U.S. reports worrisome new virus case
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-cdc-response-coronavirus-outbreak-20200227.html
Diocese of Scranton offers advice to parishioners amid virus fears
https://www.timesleader.com/news/774348/diocese-of-scranton-offers-advice-to-parishioners-amid-virus-fears
Commonwealth Health, Geisinger issue coronovirus statements
https://www.timesleader.com/news/774341/commonwealth-health-geisinger-issue-coronovirus-statements
Proactive approach: Local agencies prepare for spread of coronavirus
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/proactive-approach-local-agencies-prepare-for-spread-of-coronavirus-1.2600277
Locals heeding warnings about coronavirus
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/locals-heeding-warnings-about-coronavirus-1.2600204
No cases, but Erie schools deal with coronavirus
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200227/no-cases-but-erie-schools-deal-with-coronavirus
Educación
Bogus threat at Kiski Area High School raises concern about Safe2Say app
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/non-credible-safe2say-report-at-kiski-area-high-school-raises-concerns-about-apps-anonymous-nature/
Westmoreland County school districts land state safety grants
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-school-districts-land-safety-grants/
Districts receive over $587K in school safety grants
https://www.timesleader.com/news/774333/districts-receive-over-587k-in-school-safety-grants
Local school districts receive grants for safety and security
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/local-school-districts-receive-grants-for-safety-and-security-1.2600173
Pa. school safety grants awarded to Berks districts
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/pa-school-safety-grants-awarded-to-berks-districts/article_158ec10e-58d4-11ea-9866-1791b1348a30.html
Allentown School District: New elementary school will change the boundary lines
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-allentown-schools-new-elementary-redistricting-20200226-36qq3ibzlva25jrxifac4hm3i4-story.html
See how Pennsylvania students fared on SATs in 2019
https://triblive.com/local/regional/see-how-pennsylvania-students-fared-on-sats-in-2019/
Wharton names Erika James first female dean of University of Pennsylvania’s famed business school
https://www.inquirer.com/business/wharton-dean-business-school-erika-james-geoff-garrett-20200226.html
Elecciones/Política
Labor union unveils $150M campaign to help defeat Trump in Pennsylvania and other battleground states
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/27/labor-union-unveils-150m-campaign-to-help-defeat-trump-in-pennsylvania-and-other-battleground-states/
Bernie Sanders’ rise fuels Dems’ angst over keeping House control
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/bernie-sanders-lead-frontrunner-status-democrats-nervous-2020-election-20200227.html
GOP candidate Cammisa says rival Daniels forged petition signatures
https://www.timesleader.com/news/774310/gop-candidate-cammisa-says-rival-daniels-forged-petition-signatures
I’m worried my vote in the Pa. primary — my first ever — won’t be safe | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/election-security-hacking-iowa-voting-app-20200226.html
Sanidad
Pennsylvania reports 1st child flu-related death of season
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-reports-first-child-flu-related-death-of-season/
Noticias locales
Scranton asks Pennsylvania Supreme Court to hear potentially devastating tax lawsuit that could cost city tens of millions
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-asks-pennsylvania-supreme-court-to-hear-potentially-devastating-tax-lawsuit-that-could-cost-city-tens-of-millions-1.2600188
Scranton recycling: Paper and cardboard to be collected separately
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-recycling-paper-and-cardboard-to-be-collected-separately-1.2600186
Trump may visit Scranton for town hall event
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/trump-may-visit-scranton-for-town-hall-event-1.2600285
Meeting of the minds: five NEPA mayors hold skull session to talk sh
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/meeting-of-the-minds-five-nepa-mayors-hold-skull-session-to-talk-shop-1.2600235
Mayors meet in Wilkes-Barre, next get together in Pittston
https://www.timesleader.com/news/774323/mayors-meet-in-wilkes-barre-next-get-together-in-pittston
County commission aims to be ‘lifeline’ in addiction battle
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-commission-aims-to-be-lifeline-in-addiction-battle-1.2600192
Election board sets up Facebook page to prepare for primary
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election-board-sets-up-facebook-page-to-prepare-for-primary-1.2600212
City sewer system on many W-B residents’ minds
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/city-sewer-system-on-many-w-b-residents-minds-1.2600282
Skyline Drive horse racing perplexes Reading officials
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/skyline-drive-horse-racing-perplexes-reading-officials/article_6ed5b928-58d6-11ea-95c8-637b66e3aac8.html
Reading Parking Authority’s event parking program is paying off
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-parking-authority-s-event-parking-program-is-paying-off/article_7229469e-583b-11ea-808f-fb4873673110.html
Montgomery County has fired its top two public defenders
https://www.inquirer.com/news/montgomery-county-public-defender-dean-beer-keisha-hudson-20200226.html
Last day at Tarentum library like losing ‘family’
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/last-day-at-tarentum-library-like-losing-family/
Cheswick appoints businessman to fill council vacancy
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/cheswick-appoints-businessman-to-fill-council-vacancy/
Richard King Mellon Foundation gives $5.5M for tech lab in New Kensington
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/richard-king-mellon-foundation-gives-5-5-million-for-tech-lab-in-new-kensington/
Volunteers needed for Bull Creek and Deer Creek trout stockings
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/volunteers-needed-for-bull-creek-and-deer-creek-trout-stockings/
North Huntingdon officials hold closed-door session; discuss strategic plan
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/north-huntingdon-officials-hold-closed-door-session-discuss-strategic-plan/
ACLU weighs in on York City’s policy on releasing police body-cam footage
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2020/02/26/aclu-weighs-york-citys-policy-releasing-police-body-cam-footage/4880115002/
Noticias nacionales
Gunman kills 5 at Milwaukee Molson Coors brewery before taking own life
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/milwaukee-shooting-molson-coors-brewing-updates-mayor-tom-barrett-20200226.html
Attorney for clergy sex abuse victims: Catholic bishops often hide assets in bankruptcy cases
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/attorney-for-clergy-sex-abuse-victims-catholic-bishops-often-hide-assets-in-bankruptcy-cases.html
Crisis de los opiáceos
Generic drugmakers sold most opioids during overdose crisis
https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/generic-opioids-drug-pharmaceutical-sales-addiction-20200226.html
Good move in opioid crisis
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/good-move-in-opioid-crisis-1.2600183
Filadelfia
Amid Philly schools’ asbestos crisis, city to pay an outside monitor to watchdog jobs
https://www.inquirer.com/education/asbestos-philadelphia-protocols-pft-mayor-kenney-hite-oversight-20200227.html
Philly School District poised to pay $850K to teacher diagnosed with mesothelioma
https://www.inquirer.com/news/lea-di-russo-settlement-asbestos-mesothelioma-cancer-philly-school-district-board-20200227.html
Where’s damaged asbestos in Philly’s public schools? Look it up in our new School Checkup tool.
https://www.inquirer.com/education/asbestos-philadelphia-schools-search-tool-lead-poisoning-mold-asthma-toxic-city-20200227.html
Mayor Jim Kenney supports Philly’s first supervised injection site. Other officials are angry.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-supervised-injection-site-jim-kenney-20200226.html
South Philadelphia greets news of first supervised injection site with outrage, and also hope
https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/supervised-injection-site-philadelphia-safehouse-community-reaction-opioids-20200226.html
South Philadelphia’s supervised injection site announcement is good news for a bad crisis | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/supervised-injection-site-philadelphia-safehouse-overdose-opioid-20200226.html
South Philly injection site: As Rendell touts ‘tremendous’ upside, some neighbors flip out
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/26/south-philly-injection-site-as-rendell-touts-tremendous-upside-some-neighbors-flip-out/
Mayor Jim Kenney has hiked Philly spending in a big way, and City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart wants you to know it
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philadelphia-city-controller-rebecca-rhynhart-spending-report-20200226.html
Bernie Sanders could be the first Jewish President. For Philly-area Jews, his appeal is powerful but complicated.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/bernie-sanders-jewish-israel-aipac-president-holocaust-20200227.html
Rasheed Wallace carries the lessons learned playing for Bill Ellerbee at Simon Gratz into coaching high school basketball
https://www.inquirer.com/high-school-sports/pennsylvania/rasheed-wallace-bill-ellerbee-coaching-high-school-basketball-jordan-high-north-carolina-ball-dont-lie-technical-fouls-20200227.html
Dockless bikesharing was poised for a try in Philly. Now there are no ‘concrete plans.’
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-dockless-bike-share-pilot-indego-20200226.html
A 2-year-old boy is getting cancer treatment in Philly. His parents may be deported to Mexico.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/deferred-action-uscis-cancer-migrant-immigration-mexico-20200227.html
The mom arrested by ICE outside a South Philly school is now facing deportation
https://www.inquirer.com/news/ice-immigration-arrest-mother-south-philadelphia-pregnant-deportation-20200226.html
Philly’s ban on recording bail hearings is unconstitutional, federal judge says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-bail-fund-audio-arraignment-court-20200226.html
Should the city give ‘extra credit’ to tech school grads who apply for government jobs? | Pro/Con
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/vocational-technical-school-city-jobs-philadelphia-veterans-20200226.html
Philly needs a publicly owned electric company | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-peco-public-utilities-pgw-green-energy-20200226.html
Pitt
Mayor Peduto pans design for planned 21-story office in Pittsburgh’s Strip District
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/mayor-peduto-pans-design-for-planned-21-story-office-in-pittsburghs-strip-district/
Three Pittsburgh chefs among 2020 James Beard nominees
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2020/02/26/Pittsburgh-chefs-2020-James-Beard-nominees-driftwood-oven-spork-chengdu-gourmet/stories/202002260136
President of African American Chamber of Commerce explains how it grew
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/lifestyle/2020/02/27/History-in-the-making-Doris-Carson-Williams-African-American-Chamber-of-Commerce/stories/202002260002
Hawkins Village residents see hope for redeveloped site, concerns about relocation
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2020/02/27/Hawkins-Village-residents-see-hope-for-redeveloped-site-concerns-about-relocation/stories/202002250135
Employee at county jail diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/26/Allegheny-County-Jail-employee-Legionnaires-disease-Pittsburgh/stories/202002260202
Take a tour of Facebook’s Pittsburgh lab, where it is developing VR avatars
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/take-a-tour-of-facebooks-pittsburgh-lab-where-it-is-developing-vr-avatars/
Allegheny County Board of Elections facing lawsuit over voter rolls
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-board-of-elections-facing-lawsuit-over-voter-rolls/
Noticias del Estado
Study shows walking is an increasingly dangerous activity
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/02/26/Study-shows-walking-increasingly-dangerous-activity-traffic-pedestrian/stories/202002260111
Republicans are spreading fake census forms throughout the Philly suburbs
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/02/27/Stop-the-grandstanding-Local-governments-cannot-ignore-state-gun-law/stories/202002260062
Stop the grandstanding: Local governments cannot ignore state gun law
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/02/27/Stop-the-grandstanding-Local-governments-cannot-ignore-state-gun-law/stories/202002260062
Pushing electricity: Regulators should penalize false sales tactics
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/02/27/Pushing-electricity-Regulators-should-penalize-false-sales-tactics/stories/202002260039
Only a fraction of Pa. residents have a Real ID, but PennDOT says that’s OK
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/26/only-a-fraction-of-pa-residents-have-a-real-id-but-penndot-says-thats-ok/
Transporte
International bus company to roll into Harrisburg with routes to Philly and New York City for less than $10
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/02/international-bus-company-to-roll-into-harrisburg-with-routes-to-philly-and-new-york-city-for-less-than-10.html