Legislatura
State Sen. Judy Schwank joins online platform to foster civic engagement
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/state-sen-judy-schwank-joins-online-platform-to-foster-civic-engagement/article_141814ac-8ccb-11eb-b972-2342363ff22d.html
Pa. House passes bill to let Philly suburbs run their own mass vaccine clinics, a bipartisan rebuke of the state’s rollout
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-vaccine-pennsylvania-coronavirus-mass-clinics-pennsylvania-suburbs-philadelphia-20210324.html
Pa. House panel vets PennDOT’s bridge tolling proposal
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/pa-house-panel-vets-penndots-bridge-tolling-proposal.html
Deana’s Law passes first hurdle in state House
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/deanas-law-passes-first-hurdle-in-state-house/article_770a3eca-d955-53ea-b9d7-0e338068be9a.html
Saylor to schools: Offer in-person classes or forfeit state funding
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/saylor-to-schools-offer-in-person-classes-or-forfeit-state-funding/
With the Fight for $15 in a holding pattern, do two new bills point the way to a deal? | Thursday Morning Coffee
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/with-the-fight-for-15-in-a-holding-pattern-do-two-new-bills-hold-out-hope-for-a-deal-thursday-morning-coffee/
DA controversy continues with questions about special election this year
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/da-controversy-continues-with-questions-about-special-election-this-year/article_1e4cb833-bdf3-545c-bf14-e323e62c2aee.html
Pa. can save lives with an easy policy change: Legalize syringe exchange state-wide now | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/pennsylvania-syringe-services-hiv-overdose-harm-reduction-coronavirus-relief-20210325.html
Let’s support these three, commonsense gun violence measures | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/lets-support-these-three-commonsense-gun-violence-measures-opinion/
To combat coronavirus controversy, Pa. needs a ‘reality czar’ | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/to-combat-coronavirus-controversy-pa-needs-a-reality-czar-john-baer.html
Coronavirus - COVID-19
Wolf administration refuses to release details of wasted COVID-19 vaccine doses
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/pa-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccines-wasted-disease-prevention-control-public-records-20210325.html
New Jersey’s vaccine rollout is mostly working. In Pennsylvania, it’s more complicated.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-19-coronavirus-vaccine-rollout-pennsylvania-new-jersey-governor-wolf-phil-murphy-20210325.html
Delco announces ‘Homebound Vaccination Program’
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/delco-announces-homebound-vaccination-program/article_9693a060-8ce2-11eb-9acd-7b4c8265edc0.html
Bucks County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 9% people fully vaccinated
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/03/24/gda-test-vaccine-2021-03-24-pa-nbcc-42017-pfizer-moderna-johnson-and-johnson-pennsylvania/43478285/
Allegheny County adds 498 covid cases, highest total since mid-January
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/allegheny-county-adds-498-covid-cases-highest-total-since-mid-january/
Berks County’s COVID case surge continues
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-countys-covid-case-surge-continues/article_46150912-8c8d-11eb-b7be-e3df1f5eea06.html
Coronavirus positivity rate, hospitalization numbers ‘going the wrong way’ in Montgomery County
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/coronavirus-positivity-rate-hospitalization-numbers-going-the-wrong-way-in-montgomery-county/article_ce781937-a5b5-57f0-8b83-36b2c1b145d6.html
Covid vaccine recipients celebrate getting 2nd doses in New Kensington
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/covid-vaccine-recipients-celebrate-getting-2nd-doses-in-new-kensington/
Experts encourage Berks residents to get COVID vaccine
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/experts-encourage-berks-residents-to-get-covid-vaccine/article_0322e1b2-8d08-11eb-bb90-a32e8f055770.html
Washington County personal care home says it’s ready to accept visitors
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/03/24/Washington-County-carroll-the-residence-hilltop-personal-care-home-ready-for-visitors/stories/202103240127
In wake of data woes, AstraZeneca now says its COVID vaccine is 76% effective
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/03/25/AstraZeneca-vaccine-COVID-19-coronavirus/stories/202103250142
Noticias del Estado
Deaths and drugging are common in Pennsylvania’s racetracks. It’s all been propped up by $3 billion in subsidies. Gov. Wolf wants to end that.
https://www.inquirer.com/business/a/pennsylvania-horseracing-deaths-integrity-safety-act-20210325.html
Lawsuit: Staff at Lima juvenile facility held ‘private parties’ where young people were sexually abused
https://www.inquirer.com/news/lima-delco-delaware-county-juvenile-detention-center-lawsuits-abuse-20210324.html
Delco juvenile justice center should stay closed permanently | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/delaware-county-juvenile-detention-center-abuse-allegations-closure-20210324.html
Bid to restore monthly cash assistance payments nixed by state court
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2021/03/24/Bid-to-restore-monthly-cash-assistance-payments-to-nearly-12-000-of-Pa-s-poor-nixed-by-state-court/stories/202103240121
Bald eagle populations soar in lower 48 states, report says. You can help count them in Pennsylvania.
https://www.mcall.com/news/nation-world/mc-nws-bald-eagle-population-soars-in-lower-48-states-20210325-5cf3tfanh5frbdmo3noxohuvmi-story.html
We need federal help for infrastructure
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2021/03/25/We-need-federal-help-for-infrastructure/stories/202103250065
Pennsylvania’s energy market needs restructuring | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/03/pennsylvanias-energy-market-needs-restructuring-opinion.html
Cleaner cars will move all Pennsylvanians forward | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/03/cleaner-cars-will-move-all-pennsylvanians-forward-opinion.html
Empresas
Chesapeake to pay $1.9M for damage to wetlands, waterways
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2021/03/24/Chesapeake-Energy-wetlands-pennsylvania-environment-williamsport-courts/stories/202103250116
Chesapeake agrees to pay $1.9M to settle Pa. natural gas-related stream damage litigation
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/chesapeake-agrees-to-pay-19m-to-settle-pa-natural-gas-related-stream-damage-litigation.html
Lola Energy nabs former EdgeMarc oil and gas assets as Revolution pipeline restarts
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2021/03/23/Lola-Energy-nabs-former-EdgeMarc-oil-and-gas-assets-as-Revolution-pipeline-restarts/stories/202103230150
Comcast commits $1 billion to help close the digital divide as Americans increasingly rely on the internet
https://www.inquirer.com/business/comcast-internet-essentials-digitial-divide-free-wifi-20210324.html
Mystery bidder offers $30 million to $40 million to buy The Morning Call
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-offer-made-for-the-morning-call-as-tribune-sells-to-alden-20210324-upe5dsdbbjc2lmqkafcdnbwvfu-story.html
Delito/Castigo
Former Old Forge school director to face charges in Capitol riot
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/former-old-forge-school-director-to-face-charges-in-capitol-riot/article_6425c8b3-72ba-52c0-9a58-9dba60b63069.html
Educación
Financial projections show challenges, need for tax increases in Scranton School District
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/financial-projections-show-challenges-need-for-tax-increases-in-scranton-school-district/article_d67f03d5-3c1b-54cf-9b31-3a0f02d68b71.html
PIAA looking at return to normal spring championships
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/high-school-sports/piaa-looking-at-return-to-normal-spring-championships/article_bdf83538-8ce4-11eb-b1d9-6bdbc827a73a.html
Working parents sweep up the broken pieces of a pandemic year as kids return to school full time | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/school-reopenings-working-mothers-pa-trauma-20210324.html
State System chancellor’s words worsen enrollment woes facing Pa.’s state universities, faculty union charges
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/24/State-System-of-Higher-Education-state-owned-universities-APSCUF-Martin-Greenstein-merger/stories/202103230151
Some colleges in Lackawanna County plan for full return in fall
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/some-colleges-in-lackawanna-county-plan-for-full-return-in-fall/article_9f1cfb01-af36-5c16-a611-babd73e9b346.html
Criminal charges expected for ousted Temple dean in rankings scandal, lawyers say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/temple-fox-business-rankings-moshe-porate-indictment-20210324.html
Obvious solution for tons of NCAA bubble laundry … Put a Delco guy in charge | Mike Jensen
https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports/ncaa-bubble-laundry-steve-sanner-delco-20210325.html
Elecciones/Política
Mastri out of Senate race
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/mastri-out-of-senate-race/article_800b6a49-55d9-5132-9a7e-3a4a4302b483.html
Noticias locales
Landfill responds to DEP for final time, expansion decision imminent
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/landfill-responds-to-dep-for-final-time-expansion-decision-imminent/article_d3de0d18-5295-52d1-a8f7-a0a4b0a4d2d3.html
Reading to hold a gun buyback program in April
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/reading-to-hold-a-gun-buyback-program-in-april/article_c9958f58-8cd0-11eb-9af2-e7d70825b1c2.html
The daughter of a Berks man killed by police tries to make sense of what happened
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/the-daughter-of-a-berks-man-killed-by-police-tries-to-make-sense-of-what/article_cc2431f0-8c19-11eb-966d-0f93f2688069.html
Allentown politicians bicker over proposed campaign contribution limits in future city elections
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-campaign-finance-reform-contribution-limits-20210325-ibk2lazejjfj5hu3aaw2tvnj3q-story.html
$24 million in emergency COVID relief available for hamstrung Lehigh County renters
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-second-round-rental-assistance-20210324-7zm4tc2bb5aehhkxmqnfjxdape-story.html
Clairton native with passion for the city aims remake deteriorating Century Townhomes complex
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/03/25/Clairton-Century-Townhomes-housing-nonprofit-Yasmine-Brooks-Morgan-OBrien/stories/202103250083
Murrysville, Export, Delmont trash contracts all set to expire this year
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/murrysville-export-delmont-trash-contracts-all-set-to-expire-this-year/
Luzerne County DA-to-be Sanguedolce discusses career, future
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1132624/luzerne-county-da-to-be-sanguedolce-discusses-career-future
Luzerne County Transportation Authority stops life insurance for sitting board members
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1133629/luzerne-county-transportation-authority-stops-life-insurance-for-sitting-board-members
Pinwheels planted at city hall for child abuse awareness
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/pinwheels-planted-at-city-hall-for-child-abuse-awareness/article_8c8dcd18-ab95-58b4-a45a-14b3f7fb30a6.html
Noticias nacionales
Shootings never stopped during the pandemic: 2020 was the deadliest year for gun violence in decades
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/gun-violence-united-states-2020-20210324.html
Gun violence deaths: How the U.S. compares with the rest of the world
https://www.witf.org/2021/03/25/gun-violence-deaths-how-the-u-s-compares-with-the-rest-of-the-world/
Man arrested after taking 5 guns, body armor into Publix store in Atlanta
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/25/Man-arrested-5-guns-body-armor-Publix-grocery-store-market-Atlanta/stories/202103250145
Delaware marijuana legalization bill heads to House floor despite governor’s ‘concerns’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/delaware-marijuana-legalization-bill-heads-to-house-floor-despite-governors-concerns.html
Filadelfia
Philly launches $1.5M initiative to restore pandemic-wracked businesses and cultural vitality
https://www.inquirer.com/business/tourism/coronavirus-philadelphia-business-return-offices-tourism-restaurants-20210324.html
‘This is a crisis’: Philly principals say student needs are increasing and the district needs to get more dollars into schools
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-school-district-principal-budgets-20210324.html
New program promotes safe return of Philly’s workers and visitors
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/business/new-program-promotes-safe-return-of-phillys-workers-and-visitors/article_0b22f47f-72a5-51b4-a939-d02dc8f96c62.html
Sneaker giveaway in Center City shows there’s a run on charity
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/sneaker-giveaway-in-center-city-shows-theres-a-run-on-charity/article_c5ec961e-c83a-5e15-84d4-8b1da8d50c6c.html
Pitt
Allegheny County to get COVID-19 registration system as cases rise
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/03/24/covid-19-coronavirus-Allegheny-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-pandemic-two-month-high/stories/202103240116
Allegheny County to launch new vaccine registration system next week
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-to-launch-new-vaccine-registration-system/
Taking shape: I-579 ‘cap’ project starting to look like a park near former Civic Arena
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/03/24/Interestate-579-Hill-District-Civic-Arena-urban-park-cap-project-Golden-Triangle/stories/202103240165
Hundreds turn out for Oakland rally to support Asian Americans while condemning violence
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/03/24/Oakland-Pittsburgh-rally-ECAASU-supports-Asian-Americans-condemns-violence-racism/stories/202103240162
Rally for Solidarity held in Pittsburgh’s Oakland section
https://triblive.com/local/rally-for-solidarity-held-in-pittsburghs-oakland-section/
Pitt reports case of U.K. variant as Oakland campus infections spike
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/24/Pitt-covid-19-cases-UK-variant-spike-oakland-university-of-pittsburgh/stories/202103240090
Taking reservations: Downtown’s William Penn Hotel to reopen next week
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/03/25/William-Penn-Hotel-Downtown-Pittsburgh-reopening-COVID-19/stories/202103250122
Man critically wounded in Perry South shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/24/Pittsburgh-shooting-Brightridge-Street-800-block-Perry-South-man-critical/stories/202103240174
2 Pittsburgh eaglets hatch same day; 3rd eaglet a possibility
https://triblive.com/local/two-pittsburgh-eaglets-hatch-same-day-third-eaglet-a-possibility/
Former Pitt employee charged with stealing over 13,000 masks at start of pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/former-pitt-employee-charged-with-stealing-over-13000-masks-at-start-of-pandemic/
Washington
Biden taps VP Kamala Harris to handle border crisis
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/immigration-children-mexico-border-white-house-20210324.html
Women’s soccer stars team with Bidens to promote ‘Equal Pay Day’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/womens-soccer-stars-team-with-bidens-to-promote-equal-pay-day.html
U.S. Senate confirms former Pa. Health Secretary Rachel Levine, a transgender doctor, for key post
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/rachel-levine-confirmed-assistant-health-secretary-20210324.html
U.S. Senate confirms Rachel Levine as assistant health secretary, despite Pat Toomey voting against her
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-pat-toomey-rachel-levine-assistant-health-secretary-biden-20210324-62mcy4b7x5f5lm75xqg6kud6e4-story.html
LGBTQ groups mobilize against bill sponsored by Pa. Rep. Kelly targeting same-sex adoptions
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/lgbtq-groups-mobilize-against-bill-sponsored-by-pa-rep-kelly-targeting-same-sex-adoptions/
How long, oh Lord?
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/03/25/How-long-oh-Lord-Mass-Shooting-Gun-Control-Boulder-Colorado-Atlana/stories/202103250054