Legislature
Pennsylvania’s shrinking delegation will mean hard decisions | Pennsylvania State News | lancasteronline.com
A careful consideration of Castle Doctrine: Not ‘a license to kill’ (poconorecord.com)
Wolf’s COVID-19 disaster declaration authority permits crucial food assistance for Pa. | Teresa Miller | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Proposed amendments to the Pa. constitution giving the legislature power to declare disasters could affect food aid (inquirer.com)
Why do we pay Pa. lawmakers $24 per hour for sleeping and eating? | Editorial (inquirer.com)
Pennsylvania Republicans go big on culture wars while Biden pushes big spending (inquirer.com)
Transphobic sports ban attempts to solve a problem that doesn’t exist | Opinion (inquirer.com)
And then I guess we banter…with Sen. Katie Muth by Sisters of the Night Caucus • A podcast on Anchor
Coronavirus – COVID-19
With Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine on pause, the consequences could ripple worldwide.
Nearly Half of Republicans Say They Don’t Want a Covid-19 Vaccine – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
As COVID continues to surge in Pennsylvania, what are we doing wrong? | Coronavirus | delcotimes.com
The most popular Johnson & Johnson vaccine story on Facebook? A conspiracy theorist posted it | WITF
More COVID shutdowns unlikely in Pennsylvania and other states, despite CDC suggestion | WITF
Hostility, frustrations mount at vaccine sites, Montgomery County urges calm (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
Bucks County COVID-19 Vaccine data tracks number of vaccinations (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
‘Just takes off’: Warden says Cambria County Prison seeing third wave of COVID-19 cases | News | tribdem.com
What is a COVID-19 vaccine passport, and will I need one? | Business | delcotimes.com
Underserved communities bear brunt of paused Johnson & Johnson rollout | Coronavirus | phillytrib.com
With J&J vaccine paused, Montgomery County vaccine rollout continues with Pfizer shots | News | mainlinemedianews.com
Delco postpones mass vaccination at prison as J&J shots put on hold | Coronavirus | delcotimes.com
Monroe County COVID-19 Vaccine data tracks number of vaccinations (poconorecord.com)
Beaver County COVID-19 Vaccine data tracks number of vaccinations (timesonline.com)
Wright Center to resume COVID-19 vaccinations, makes office visit optional | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com (thetimes-tribune.com)
Berks mushroom company workers get COVID vaccines through mobile clinic | Local News | readingeagle.com
Philadelphia ZIP codes again lead in new COVID-19 cases as Pa. grapples with vaccinations – pennlive.com
Uber, PayPal, other big companies offer vaccine transportation help | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
CDC study argues for keeping the middle seat vacant on flights, but airlines aren’t listening – pennlive.com
Pennsylvania’s vaccine provider map not always accurate | coronavirus | citizensvoice.com
UPMC opens Pittsburgh Mills covid vaccine clinic to walk-ins | TribLIVE.com
Allegheny Health Network opens clinic to treat covid long-haulers | TribLIVE.com
More than half of Allegheny County’s population is partially vaccinated, officials say | TribLIVE.com
Lab’s 3-month data delay leads to abnormally high daily covid total in Allegheny County | TribLIVE.com
Philly’s biggest COVID-19 vaccination clinic will get more doses in response to the J&J pause (inquirer.com)
Today’s UPMC drive-up vaccine clinic at Pittsburgh Mills accepting walk-ins; AHN slots open in Squirrel Hill | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (post-gazette.com)
Business
Bucks County to award CHIRP grants to hospitality industry (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
Philadelphia’s HipCityVeg commits to $15 minimum wage for restaurant workers – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)
Golden Corral franchisee in NC files nearly $50M restaurant bankruptcy – Triangle Business Journal (bizjournals.com)
Amazon to open ‘last mile’ delivery station in Mount Joy this fall, create 100+ jobs | Local Business | lancasteronline.com
Johnstown council explores giving businesses breaks on amusement taxes due to COVID-19 | Coronavirus | tribdem.com
Amazon unionization vote was a referendum on automation — and it’s not over yet | Opinion (inquirer.com)
How restaurant wages, menus, and more should change after COVID-19 | Opinion (inquirer.com)
Building trades opposed to RGGI plan | Business | observer-reporter.com (observer-reporter.com)
Crime/Punishment
Warminster denies release of settlement with ex-cop accused of sex crimes (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
Quarryville men arrested by federal agents Wednesday for transportation of undocumented workers to mushroom farms [update] | Local News | lancasteronline.com
Delaware County continues to move forward with prison deprivatization | News | delcotimes.com
Zachary Rehl, Philadelphia Proud Boys leader, enters not guilty plea (ydr.com)
Berks DA to update investigation into fatal shooting by police officer | Crime | readingeagle.com
Education
Central Bucks BOE adopts modified quarantine plan for schools (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
Central Bucks superintendent Dr. John J. Kopicki has resigned (buckscountyherald.com)
Students flocked to cyber-charter schools this year. So did district revenue and federal relief funds | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Lehigh Valley colleges weigh COVID-19 vaccine mandates for students as Pa. officials urge inoculations before summer break – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Scranton teachers authorize union to call strike | Education | thetimes-tribune.com (thetimes-tribune.com)
Scranton opens enrollment for cyber program | Education | thetimes-tribune.com (thetimes-tribune.com)
Heads of Pennsylvania universities grilled over minority representation among faculty | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com
Albright College gets $500,000 grant to expand access to computer science and STEM education | Local News | readingeagle.com
Elections/Politics
Filing a mail-in ballot in Pennsylvania? Follow these tips first (timesonline.com)
Democratic state senate candidate Doc Clements calls for civility (ydr.com)
Ed Krebs: Residents want independent representing 48th Senate District (ydr.com)
Christopher Gebhard hopes to fill ‘void of leadership’ in senate race (ydr.com)
Libertarian Tim McMaster seeks state senate seat in special election (ydr.com)
Merck’s CEO, Philly-area law firms and Wharton professors take the lead in opposing voting restrictions (inquirer.com)
In First Broadcast Debate, Peduto Fends Off Attacks, As Rivals Sometimes Clash | 90.5 WESA
Barsoum appointed director of Chester County Voter Services | Local News | dailylocal.com
Allegheny County election officials outline plans ahead of May primary | WITF
Perry To Attend House Freedom Fund Fundraiser Featuring Trump | PoliticsPA
‘Voteswagon’ stops in Lehigh Valley on tour campaigning for fair redistricting process in Pennsylvania – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Carbon County poll workers get raise | Election | standardspeaker.com
Four drop boxes approved for primary; poll workers sought | Election | citizensvoice.com
Pitt law professor Jerry Dickinson will run for seat held by Rep. Mike Doyle in 2022 | TribLIVE.com
Big-business pushback against voting measures gains momentum | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (post-gazette.com)
Pennsylvania Senate race runs through Mar-a-Lago (theworldnews.net)
The Pennsylvania Side of the Street: A Candidate’s Quest for Legalization – Insider NJ
Transportation
Older drivers and Public Safety: Preserve their independence by improving public transit | Ray E. Landis | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Keystone Road Bridge closes indefinitely | News | thetimes-tribune.com (thetimes-tribune.com)
Lackawanna County pulls out of proposed LCTA/COLTS consolidation talks | News | thetimes-tribune.com (thetimes-tribune.com)
Health
PA nurses fight for patient limits to ensure quality care (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
Bucks plans to open new mental-health facility this summer (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
‘Key to the future’: Conemaugh breaks ground on new building at Memorial hospital | News | tribdem.com
State News
Tax Day: Understanding The Extended Tax Deadline In Pennsylvania – CBS Pittsburgh (cbslocal.com)
Op-Ed: Before raising the wage, raise reimbursements, says EMS group (goerie.com)
Ridge: Federal government neglecting America’s first responders (goerie.com)
Marijuana fest kicks off march for legalization in Harrisburg (poconorecord.com)
Chesapeake Energy’s settlement doesn’t far enough. This chronic polluter must be shut down | Opinion | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
A better unemployment system is on track to launch in June. Expect some hiccups. | WITF
Former U.S. postal union leader orchestrated overtime kickback scheme at Allentown Post Office, indictment alleges – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Editorial: Keeping a community intact when ‘gentrification’ beckons | TribLIVE.com
Everyone has a role to play in protecting Pennsylvania’s children | Opinion – pennlive.com
National News
How New Mexico Became the State With the Highest Rate of Full Vaccinations – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Fed survey: Economy rebounding, helped by stimulus, vaccines | Nation & World Business | lancasteronline.com
Former Minnesota cop charged in shooting of Daunte Wright | Across America | phillytrib.com
Officials say Olympic cancellation, no fans still an option | News | tribdem.com
Bernie Madoff dead: Ponzi scheme architect, 82, dies in prison (ydr.com)
Op-Ed: How will we remember George Floyd? (theintell.com)
WHO official: Europe has surpassed 1 million COVID-19 deaths | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (post-gazette.com)
Local News
Allentown mayoral candidates discuss what they would do with federal stimulus money | Lehigh Valley Regional News | wfmz.com
Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office moves concealed carry permit applications online | Local News | lancasteronline.com
Miss Pennsylvania USA, Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA pageants returning to Johnstown | News | tribdem.com
Public input sought on Montgomery County Cross County Trail | News | pottsmerc.com
Burlington County teen: A worsening environment impacts the poor, people of color (theintell.com)
Area nonprofits encouraged to apply for Duquesne Light microgrants (timesonline.com)
How International Recycling Group wants to change Erie plastic recycling (timesonline.com)
Tire collections available in Findlay and New Sewickley townships (timesonline.com)
New leadership along the Main Line as officials announce several municipal changes over the past week | Mainlinesuburbanlife | mainlinemedianews.com
Schuylkill County commissioner resists calls to resign over sexual harassment allegations | WITF
Allentown looks to hire homeless services coordinator, considers permanent housing initiatives with ‘game-changing’ federal stimulus – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Lehigh Valley postal audit blames late mail on these reasons – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
County tax claim bureau files 2,639 liens against delinquent Scranton properties | News | thetimes-tribune.com (thetimes-tribune.com)
Demonstrators gather in solidarity at Justice for Black Lives event in Scranton | News | thetimes-tribune.com (thetimes-tribune.com)
Chester County seniors eligible to apply for tax rebate program | | phoenixvillenews.com
Reading officials push for repeal of state fireworks law | Local News | readingeagle.com
Pitt
The city of Pittsburgh’s 2021 first round street paving schedule is here | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)
Parking app used In Pittsburgh experiences data breach | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (post-gazette.com)
Pittsburgh can expect economic boost from Senior Olympics in 2023 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (post-gazette.com)
Hillman Foundation provides $7 million to arts and culture groups for pandemic recovery | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (post-gazette.com)
Shale attraction: Company that supplies parts to oil and gas operators expands into Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (post-gazette.com)
Philly
Philly Council unveils anti-violence ‘agenda’ – WHYY
5 things to know about Philadelphia’s proposed FY22 budget – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)
Kenney’s proposed 2021 budget would cut taxes and raise spending — but not for police | Local News | phillytrib.com
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s budget proposal uses stimulus to cut taxes, restore spending (inquirer.com)
‘Cops are still killing us’: 150 protesters in Philly demand justice for Daunte Wright | Local News | phillytrib.com
Bridge Development Partners seeking more industrial investments in Philadelphia – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)
Maggiano’s in Philadelphia hit with $184K in labor violations | PhillyVoice
Washington
Rep. Conor Lamb, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick Tour Southern U.S. Border As Part Of Congressional Delegation – CBS Pittsburgh (cbslocal.com)
Meuser visits facilities at Texas border | News | standardspeaker.com
Fitzpatrick & Delgado Launch Bipartisan Delaware River Watershed Caucus | Press Releases | Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (house.gov)
Ag. Sect’y Vilsack keys in on food insecurity, nutrition in budget request; Pa. other states impacted | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Rep. Lloyd Smucker quietly leaves bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus | PA Power and Policy | lancasteronline.com
Senators should have to speak on Senate floor to use the filibuster | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (post-gazette.com)
House panel advances bill to study reparations in historic vote | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (post-gazette.com)
As Senate advances bill on hate crimes targeting Asian Americans, Biden names liaison to community | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (post-gazette.com)
Capitol Chatter: A First Quarter Analysis Of Congressional Tweets – Hamilton Place Strategies
