Legislatura
Pa. GOP senators refused to seat a Democrat and removed Lt. Gov. Fetterman from presiding
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/john-fetterman-pennsylvania-senate-removed-republicans-jim-brewster-20210105.html
Fireworks erupt in Pa. Senate over refusal to seat a Democratic senator
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/fireworks-erupt-in-pa-senate-over-refusal-to-seat-a-democratic-senator.html
Pa. Senate GOP refuses to seat Democrat Brewster, removes Lt. Gov. Fetterman from running session
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2021/01/05/Pa-Senate-refuses-to-seat-McKeesport-s-Brewster-in-contentious-swearing-in-ceremony/stories/202101050125
‘Chaos on the floor’: Fetterman replaced as president as Pa. Senate erupts in arguments
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2021/01/05/pa-senate-chaos-john-fetterman-jim-brewster-jake-corman-pennsylvania/6554372002/
Democrats decry ‘farce’ as Senate descends into chaos over swearing-in
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/democrats-decry-farce-as-senate-descends-into-chaos-over-swearing-in/
GOP seizes control of Pa. Senate floor, blocks Brewster from being seated
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/gop-seize-control-of-pennsylvania-senate-floor-and-block-jim-brewster-from-being-sworn-in/
Partisan feuding mars opening ceremonies in state Senate
https://www.tribdem.com/news/partisan-feuding-mars-opening-ceremonies-in-state-senate/article_78b8a1ca-5914-5fff-84b8-b062434e5496.html
In Pennsylvania state Senate fiasco, Republicans show how fast democracy can be eroded | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/pa-senate-republicans-jim-brewster-john-fetterman-brian-fitzpatrick-election-20210105.html
Pa. House passes rules ensuring remote participation in debates; masking remains an issue
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/pa-house-of-representatives-passes-rules-guaranteeing-full-remote-participation-in-committee-and-floor-debates-masking-remains-an-issue.html
Pa. House approves bipartisan rule tweaks as Senate rages
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-house-approves-bipartisan-rule-tweaks-as-senate-rages/
Pennsylvania House holds moment of silence for the late Mike Reese, who was to have been sworn in today for 7th term
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pennsylvania-house-holds-moment-of-silence-for-the-late-mike-reese-who-was-to-have-been-sworn-in-today-for-seventh-term/
Frustrated by the Pa. legislature? How obscure rules kill reforms and fuel partisan gridlock
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-legislature-house-senate-rules-majority-party-reform-20210105.html
Looking to boost minimum wage, Pa. Dems want to end preemption. That’s a heavy lift
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/looking-to-boost-minimum-wage-pa-dems-want-to-end-preemption-thats-a-heavy-lift/
Meet Pa.’s new General Assembly: A mother-son and father-daughter combo, 2 women floor leaders & more
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/meet-pas-new-general-assembly-a-mother-son-and-father-daughter-combo-2-women-floor-leaders-more.html
Berks County legislators share their top priorities for a new session in Harrisburg
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-legislators-share-their-top-priorities-for-a-new-session-in-harrisburg/article_9b744600-4ea0-11eb-814d-8f8a7217dc81.html
State Rep. Summer Lee tests positive for covid-19
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/state-rep-summer-lee-tests-positive-for-covid-19/
State reps, senators sworn in
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/state-reps-senators-sworn-in/article_4e3cf00b-8205-586d-bd14-6bf1dfb4b67d.html
Lancaster County Rep. Bryan Cutler re-elected as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/lancaster-county-rep-bryan-cutler-re-elected-as-speaker-of-the-pennsylvania-house.html
Two new Lehigh Valley members of Pennsylvania Legislature plan to help coronavirus-ravaged small businesses; top Republican says
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-lawmakers-new-session-20210105-gb5cebiff5chtizt3e7wuucouu-story.html
Coronavirus - COVID-19
Pa. lags nation in people tested per day, is nowhere near level needed to suppress the virus
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/pennsylvania-coronavirus-testing-target-suppression-lowest-nation-20210106.html
Philadelphia could expand vaccinations as soon as February, but the number of incoming doses ‘is not enough,’ official warns
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-pa-philly-nj-variant-chesco-delco-delaware-race-20210105.html
Officials: Fewer Pennsylvanians refusing to COVID quarantine
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2021/01/05/fewer-pennsylvanians-refusing-quarantine-because-covid-19/6551302002/
COVID-19 Update: Allegheny County passes 1,000 virus deaths
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/01/05/covid-19-coronavirus-pennsylvania-allegheny-pittsburgh-cases-deaths-stats-data-vaccine-health-pandemic-surge/stories/202101050123
Allegheny County tops 1,000 coronavirus deaths
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-tops-1000-coronavirus-deaths/
County adds more than 200 new COVID-19 cases
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/county-adds-more-than-200-new-covid-19-cases/article_3f1d2570-8e59-5a22-8a46-b800085fe2f2.html
Westmoreland County adds 228 new coronavirus cases, 8 deaths
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-adds-228-new-coronavirus-cases-8-deaths/
New COVID-19 cases rise again
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/new-covid-19-cases-rise-again/article_d138069d-a871-5481-8e2a-141517ba1f07.html
11 more COVID deaths reported by the Berks County coroner; month already at 29
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/11-more-covid-deaths-reported-by-the-berks-county-coroner-month-already-at-29/article_402bf5da-4d4d-11eb-8d2b-4395f3e7d48a.html
Lawyers for Brighton Rehab say federal law protects health care providers from lawsuits
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/west/2021/01/05/Lawyers-for-Brighton-Rehab-say-federal-law-protects-healthcare-providers-from-lawsuits/stories/202101050156
Brighton Rehab claims it is immune from lawsuit in federal court filing
https://triblive.com/local/regional/brighton-rehab-claims-it-is-immune-from-lawsuit-in-federal-court-filing/
UPMC employees get 2nd dose of covid vaccine, describe ‘first step’ toward ending pandemic
https://triblive.com/news/health-now/upmc-employees-receive-second-dose-of-covid-vaccine-describe-first-step-toward-ending-pandemic/
COVID-19 experience will shape Generation Z’s future
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/letters/covid-19-experience-will-shape-generation-zs-future/article_7ab3680f-0164-546d-a7f4-acb68485fbdd.html
Empresas
Changing hands: Covestro buys former Bayer campus for $30.7 million
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/01/06/Covestro-Bayer-Robinson-Parkway-West-DiCicco-Development/stories/202101060080
Macy’s to close 45 stores as a part of 3-year plan: report
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/macys-to-close-45-stores-as-a-part-of-3-year-plan-report.html
Black and Hispanic workers feeling brunt of pandemic recession according to Philly Fed
https://www.witf.org/2021/01/06/black-and-hispanic-workers-feeling-brunt-of-pandemic-recession-according-to-philly-fed/
Montgomery County restaurants eligible for coronavirus relief grants
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-restaurants-eligible-for-coronavirus-relief-grants/article_6041a16e-2a56-5c1b-ade0-2759f5f838cf.html
Amazon not coming to former trailer site in Falls
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/01/06/bucks-county-amazon-warehouse-stricker-trailer-site-falls/4101892001/
Delito/Castigo
Montgomery County illegally double-bills defendants for court costs, ACLU alleges in lawsuit
https://www.inquirer.com/news/aclu-montgomery-county-pa-lawsuit-court-costs-fees-20210105.html
Teen dies at shooting scene in Wilkinsburg
https://triblive.com/local/teen-dies-at-shooting-scene-in-wilkinsburg/
State prison inmate in Centre County dies: officials
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/inmate-dies-at-state-prison-in-centre-county-officials.html
State College defends actions of police in fatal shooting of Black autistic man
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/state-college-defends-actions-of-police-in-fatal-shooting-of-black-autistic-man.html
Educación
Calls for Gateway school board member to resign come after racially charged text message
https://triblive.com/local/monroeville/calls-for-gateway-school-board-member-to-resign-come-after-racially-charged-text-message/
Scranton parents, teachers fear losing Bancroft ‘family’
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-parents-teachers-fear-losing-bancroft-family/article_cc47928e-68fd-59fd-9f73-f2b069506737.html
Plans move forward for Milton Hershey School’s first early childhood education center
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/plans-move-forward-for-milton-hershey-schools-first-early-childhood-education-center.html
End the blame game
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2021/01/06/End-the-blame-game-Education-Schools-COVID-Pandemic/stories/202101010021
Wilkes University gets $30,000 for sexual violence prevention
https://www.timesleader.com/news/815360/wilkes-university-gets-30000-for-sexual-violence-prevention
Four local schools receive grants to combat sexual violence
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/four-local-schools-receive-grants-to-combat-sexual-violence/article_abd3e0f8-681d-5181-a651-2d221435785d.html
Albright College awarded $30,000 state grant to combat sexual assault
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/albright-college-awarded-30-000-state-grant-to-combat-sexual-assault/article_57b820dc-4f75-11eb-a77a-5f132438e9df.html
WCU, LU, to get funding to combat sex assault on campus
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/wcu-lu-to-get-funding-to-combat-sex-assault-on-campus/article_dc02d126-501e-11eb-ae22-67324a8ef15a.html
Elecciones/Política
Warnock makes history with Senate win as Dems near majority
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2021/01/06/Warnock-makes-history-with-US-Senate-win-no-Loeffler-concession-as-Dems-near-majority-Georgia-runoffs/stories/202101060095
Black voters fuel Warnock’s victory in Georgia Senate runoff
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/georgia-senate-runoff-raphael-warnock-victory-analysis-20210106.html
Republicans in Congress are about to object to Pennsylvania’s election results. Here’s what you need to know.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/electoral-college-certification-congress-pence-pennsylvania-20210106.html
Congress set to certify Biden’s win amid ‘sound and fury’ from some GOP lawmakers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/01/06/Congress-certification-Joe-Biden-Donald-Trump-Guy-Reschenthaler-Mike-Kelly/stories/202012020149
Eight Pennsylvania Republicans in Congress will join a push today to reverse Trump’s election loss
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/electoral-college-certification-congress-pennsylvania-republicans-20210106.html
How Berks County’s congressional delegation plans to vote on Electoral College certification
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/how-berks-countys-congressional-delegation-plans-to-vote-on-electoral-college-certification/article_68ffc436-4f7e-11eb-b63b-93e2f895c6b5.html
Pence said to have told Trump he lacks power to change election result
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/01/06/pence-trump-biden-electoral-college-ratify-congress-joint-session/stories/202101060104
Congress is about to formalize Biden’s win. Busloads of Pa. Trump supporters are heading to D.C. to protest.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-trump-supporters-washington-electoral-college-certification-20210105.html
Scavo leads busloads to capital to protest Biden election
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/scavo-leads-busloads-to-capital-to-protest-biden-election/article_f8acc85c-e9d2-5e10-b58c-e090d335f082.html
‘Hear Us Roar’ rally attendees call for decertification of vote in Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/hear-us-roar-rally-attendees-call-for-decertification-of-vote-in-pa.html
I weep for my country’: Electoral College vote challenge is a menace that could maul us | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/electoral-college-trump-propaganda-biden-vote-civil-war-maria-panaritis-20210106.html
Michael McGough: What’s the matter with Pennsylvania? Trumpism and blind partisanship
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2021/01/06/What-s-the-matter-with-Pennsylvania-Trumpism-and-blind-partisanship/stories/202101060022
Noticias locales
Scranton council defends its cuts to mayor’s budget
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-council-defends-its-cuts-to-mayors-budget/article_5e598f7d-cd2d-5256-9210-6171dcaefe02.html
Scranton aims to modernize City Hall internal processes
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-aims-to-modernize-city-hall-internal-processes/article_ab4a70f9-e3c3-55cf-a3e6-1fdd7d1ec1f1.html
Reading mayor pledges thorough investigation of police interaction with residents during arrest recorded by bystander
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-mayor-pledges-thorough-investigation-of-police-interaction-with-residents-during-arrest-recorded-by-bystander/article_d261ad1c-4f70-11eb-a2f5-27b213cae784.html
Schuylkill commissioners outline priorities for 2021
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-commissioners-outline-priorities-for-2021/article_53c3babd-ef1c-5ee9-b4d5-4b6b130b7a3b.html
State College extends coronavirus-related rules requiring masks, limiting gatherings
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/01/state-college-extends-coronavirus-related-rules-requiring-masks-limiting-gatherings.html
Allentown gets tough with Amazon, Uber and others, taxing them for the privilege of doing business in the city
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-business-tax-new-regulations-online-transactions-20210105-cichzf5ezjcqna2s7xgcx6qag4-story.html
Noticias nacionales
No charges will be filed against the Wisconsin police officer who shot Jacob Blake
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/kenosha-jacob-blake-charges-police-officer-protests-20210105.html
Filadelfia
How one Temple doctor is helping women in North Philadelphia fight heart disease
https://www.inquirer.com/health/cardiovascular-equity-racial-disparities-philadelphia-temple-deborah-crabbe-20210106.html
Organized anarchists? Homegrown rabble-rousers? Philly police say they aren’t sure what motivated vandals.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/vandalism-graffiti-arrests-philadelphia-new-years-eve-antifa-20210105.html
South Philly residents say their windows were smashed after complaining about a neighborhood bar owner
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/station-bar-grill-south-philadelphia-complaints-vandalism-20210106.html
Philly police are asking for help in the brutal beating of an 83-year-old man in a home-invasion robbery
https://www.inquirer.com/news/hunting-park-home-invasion-robbery-mauricio-gesmundo-20210105.html
Trump’s mishandling of the pandemic is partly to blame for the death of Daphne Goggins and others | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/covid-19-pandemic-trump-daphne-jenkins-goggins-philly-jenice-armstrong-20210105.html
Pitt
Law enforcement investigates Lawrenceville, Ross sites in wake of Penn Avenue explosion
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/01/05/Report-SWAT-looking-explosive-bombing-suspect-Lawrenceville-rowhome-Denny-Street/stories/202101050151
Carnegie museums reopen, but others remain closed
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2021/01/06/Carnegie-museums-Aviary-Phipps-Westmoreland-Mattress-Factory-Frick/stories/202101050103
Remembering the Pittsburgh-area restaurants that closed in 2020
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2021/01/06/Look-back-at-Pittsburgh-restaurants-that-closed-in-2020/stories/202101070012
Hamlet: Task force will examine disparities, biases in safety at Pittsburgh’s public schools
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/05/pps-pittsburgh-public-school-race-racial-disparities-bias-task-force-school-safety/stories/202101050134
Pittsburgh Public Schools announces new equity task force, lays out plans for return to buildings
https://triblive.com/news/education-classroom/pittsburgh-public-school-announce-new-equity-task-force-lay-out-plans-for-return-to-buildings/
Allegheny County argues Crack’d Egg can’t hide from covid restrictions under bankruptcy filing
https://triblive.com/local/south-hills/allegheny-county-argues-crackd-egg-cant-hide-from-covid-restrictions-under-bankruptcy-filing/
PWSA donates $250K to nonprofit as part of lead violation settlement
https://triblive.com/local/pwsa-donates-250k-to-nonprofit-as-part-of-lead-violation-settlement/
Noticias del Estado
Thornburgh’s steady hand
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/thornburghs-steady-hand/article_204f6c57-0c42-5bd5-9fbf-145fca427bc4.html
Rock-bottom rockfish numbers drag down Chesapeake Bay health score: Report
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2021/01/05/rockfish-chesapeake-bay-health-score-2020/4140767001/
Transporte
Major traffic improvements begin this week on Route 28 near Highland Park Bridge
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/01/05/Route-28-Highland-Park-Bridge-PennDOT-road-restrictions-adding-lanes-traffic-lights/stories/202101050179
Long-term traffic restriction set on Route 19 in Marshall for turnpike bridge project
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/01/05/Route-19-Marshall-Pennsylvania-Turnpike-bridge-work-traffic-restrictions/stories/202101050109