Legislature
Judge grants senators’ motion to intervene in fracking case
https://buckscountyherald.com/judge-grants-senators-motion-to-intervene-in-fracking-case-p7860-175.htm
Pennsylvania can’t wait on Congress to solve its problem of abandoned oil and gas wells | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/04/pennsylvania-cant-wait-on-congress-to-solve-its-problem-of-abandoned-oil-and-gas-wells-opinion.html
Plug gas wells, and gas policy
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/plug-gas-wells-and-gas-policy/article_c61cad6e-6d40-55e4-91bc-122166d9088e.html
Editorial: It’s time for Pennsylvania to raise minimum wage
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-its-time-for-pennsylvania-to-raise-minimum-wage/article_73f27a2c-915b-11eb-99d1-0360dd0db3e1.html
Rep. Williams appointed to Chester County Industrial Development Authority Board
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/rep-williams-appointed-to-chester-county-industrial-development-authority-board/article_92ed0036-93aa-11eb-922b-4b6818b9c59a.html
Schuylkill commissioner chairman Hetherington asks Halcovage to resign; state legislators to meet on impeachment
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-commissioner-chairman-hetherington-asks-halcovage-to-resign-state-legislators-to-meet-on-impeachment/article_43819456-cb7f-5b2f-927b-01926a5254c6.html
2 state lawmakers are reopening their district office in Hamburg
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/2-state-lawmakers-are-reopening-their-district-office-in-hamburg/article_589ba540-9319-11eb-a49e-87eea489f5da.html
Rep. Mercuri launches initiatives to address covid’s impact on business, mental wellness
https://triblive.com/local/north-hills/rep-mercuri-launches-initiatives-to-address-covids-impact-on-business-mental-wellness/
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pennsylvania saw upswing in covid cases, hospitalizations in March
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pennsylvania-saw-upswing-in-covid-cases-hospitalizations-in-march/
Pharmacy chain says vaccine appointments available in Westmoreland, 4 other counties
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/04/01/Mainline-Pharmacy-group-vaccination-clinics-appointments-available-COVID-Westmoreland-pittsburgh-area/stories/202104010158
‘Hang on and do what works’: Excela’s top doctor talks vaccines, safety as covid restrictions are set to ease
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/hang-on-and-do-what-works-excelas-top-doctor-talks-vaccines-safety-as-covid-restrictions-are-set-to-ease/
More than 4,200 COVID vaccine shots given in Berks County in 1 day
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/more-than-4-200-covid-vaccine-shots-given-in-berks-county-in-1-day/article_a2926e38-92db-11eb-b366-bb27ddd03c69.html
Berks Community Health Center partners with The Giorgi Companies to vaccinate essential workers
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-community-health-center-partners-with-the-giorgi-companies-to-vaccinate-essential-workers/article_b08e6f2e-92f3-11eb-8fba-332d5fe064e0.html
UPMC St. Margaret Harmar Outpatient Center opens covid-19 vaccine clinic, doles out 600 doses a day
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/upmc-st-margaret-harmar-outpatient-center-opens-covid-19-vaccine-clinic-doles-out-600-doses-a-day/
Pa. reports 3,893 cases, 27 deaths
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/04/01/covid-19-coronavirus-pennsylvania-allegheny-county-pittsburgh-cases-deaths-vaccine-data-health/stories/202104010138
Pennsylvania and region still reporting plenty of new COVID-19 cases
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/pennsylvania-and-region-still-reporting-plenty-of-new-covid-19-cases/article_a7b0eb69-b1f5-56b5-9106-130fa54b7e27.html
Kansas joins 17 other states without a mask mandate: ‘The numbers don’t support’ one, a legislator says
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/04/kansas-joins-17-other-states-without-a-mask-mandate-the-numbers-dont-support-one-a-legislator-says.html
When can kids get the COVID-19 vaccine? A pediatrician answers 5 questions parents are asking | Analysis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/when-can-kids-get-the-covid-19-vaccine-a-pediatrician-answers-5-questions-parents-are-asking-analysis/
Business
Pennsylvania to lift telework mandate this weekend
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-to-lift-telework-mandate-this-weekend/
Crime/Punishment
Former Chester County teacher sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting student at boarding school
https://www.inquirer.com/news/church-farm-school-marc-spera-chester-county-20210401.html
Prison study unveils savings through deprivatization
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/prison-study-unveils-savings-through-deprivatization/article_692d9792-92ec-11eb-a454-0f2f6ea9a528.html
Education
Schools keep closing even as districts move to fully reopening; community spread, not more in-person education, is to blame, experts say
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-lehigh-valley-school-closures-20210401-skzt63dbiff5bh3iqon7xfpi4i-story.html
LCCC not requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for students
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/education/lccc-not-requiring-covid-19-vaccinations-for-students/article_ca2832d5-9b6e-5d67-add9-bb96143df352.html
Elections/Politics
Sen. Sharif Street is running for U.S. Senate
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/sen-sharif-street-is-running-for-u-s-senate/article_7bc99796-f880-57e6-813d-e7d0e5038563.html
John Fetterman raises massive $3.9 million in first three months of his Pa. Senate campaign
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/john-fetterman-pennsylvania-senate-fundraising-20210401.html
Fetterman raises nearly $4 million, announces new endorsements
https://www.witf.org/2021/04/01/fetterman-raises-nearly-4-million-announces-new-endorsements/
Poll: Most Pa. voters don’t believe American democracy is working for all | Friday Morning Coffee
https://www.penncapital-star.com/featured/voting-rights-advocates-air-worries-about-onslaught-of-new-state-election-laws/
Health Care
Great project for mental health care
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/great-project-for-mental-health-care/article_f27a72e2-b0c6-5ff1-abef-90cc389ba900.html
Local News
Council OK’s Scranton police chief appointment despite code concerns
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/council-oks-scranton-police-chief-appointment-despite-code-concerns/article_db1171c1-c5e5-5590-b05a-de589a3070c7.html
Lackawanna County seeking local artwork to beautify government center
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-seeking-local-artwork-to-beautify-government-center/article_cf2116ac-04a7-5721-9330-81b4bbaee74c.html
Inundated Berks rental assistance program temporarily stops accepting applications
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/inundated-berks-rental-assistance-program-temporarily-stops-accepting-applications/article_1bf045f8-9335-11eb-896d-c3706b58b817.html
Berks commissioner offers details about federal plan for Residential Center
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-commissioner-offers-details-about-federal-plan-for-residential-center/article_6ac18aa8-92fd-11eb-92df-f3d5c362f1ca.html
Money saved on repaving Fifth Avenue to help Arnold pay for fixing Richmond Street
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/money-saved-on-repaving-fifth-avenue-to-help-arnold-pay-for-fixing-richmond-street/
Study proposes increasing building heights in one portion of South Side Bethlehem, decreasing them in another
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-bethlehem-south-side-planning-update-20210402-xlxpvun67bh45eb7gdqrt33r3q-story.html
CEO of the ‘new PPL’ says Allentown, Lehigh Valley remain its focal point as energy giant prepares for massive change
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-newsmaker-ppl-ceo-vincent-sorgi-20210401-qave66n4afaq5kacqynvn2k2ja-story.html
Luzerne County DA vacancy litigation to be withdrawn
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1184259/luzerne-county-da-vacancy-litigation-to-be-withdrawn
Pierogi, Kielbasa, Tomato festivals all set for 2021 return
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1187099/pierogi-kielbasa-tomato-festivals-all-set-for-2021-return
York County prison warden to take over as director of 6 Human Services agencies
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/04/york-county-prison-warden-to-take-over-as-director-of-human-services.html
The last Roar: Erie’s signature Roar on the Shore motorcycle rally will not return
https://www.goerie.com/story/news/2021/04/01/eries-roar-shore-motorcycle-rally-has-been-canceled-good/4839465001/
Next phase of Chem-Fab superfund site cleanup to begin in Doylestown
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/04/01/chem-fab-superfund-groundwater-treatment-cleanup-begins-doylestown/7044860002/
National News
7 Texas officers are fired in death of Black man restrained in jail
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/04/02/Allen-Texas-police-officers-fired-death-Black-man-restrained-jail-marvin-scott/stories/202104020084
New GOP-led voting restrictions move forward in Texas
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/texas-voting-restrictions-bill-republicans-20210401.html
Why are there so few Black American players in MLB 74 years after Jackie Robinson took the field? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/baseball-black-african-american-players-jackie-robinson-20210401.html
Marijuana is legal in New York state: What you need to know about possession, growing, business
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/04/marijuana-is-legal-in-new-york-state-what-you-need-to-know-about-possession-growing-business.html
Derek Chauvin’s former supervisor testifies restraint should have ended much sooner
https://www.witf.org/2021/04/02/derek-chauvins-former-supervisor-testifies-restraint-should-have-ended-much-sooner/
Philly
Philly is trying to bridge vaccine gaps by targeting hard-hit neighborhoods. Finally, activists and experts say.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-covid-vaccine-zip-codes-20210402.html
Family of Walter Wallace Jr. sues Philadelphia police officers who fatally shot him
https://www.inquirer.com/news/walter-wallace-jr-lawsuit-philadelphia-officers-wrongful-death-20210401.html
Family of Walter Wallace Jr. is suing the two Philly police officers who killed him
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/family-of-walter-wallace-jr-is-suing-the-two-philly-police-officers-who-killed-him/article_2662eaea-93ad-11eb-bc2c-972cf1df97a3.html
Philadelphia police inspector is accused of beating a man and will be fired, commissioner says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/james-smith-patrick-danielle-outlaw-police-assault-arrested-20210401.html
Philly’s Democratic Party rebuffs DA Larry Krasner’s bid for an endorsement
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner-carlos-vega-protect-our-police-pac-20210401.html
City Democratic DA primary heats up as Vega accuses Krasner of going soft on crime
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/city-democratic-da-primary-heats-up-as-vega-accuses-krasner-of-going-soft-on-crime/article_32930055-8f37-5726-af11-b9f8f5a46fd9.html
Philly prisons announce security changes after a man was murdered on the grounds
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philly-prisons-announce-security-changes-after-a-man-was-murdered-on-the-grounds/article_26f3a76d-af32-5316-87ac-e6e1e0d7385c.html
Philly will move to next vaccine phase Monday, expanding eligibility as cases rise
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/philadelphia-covid-vaccine-eligibility-1c-pa-nj-coronavirus-cases-20210401.html
As Netflix’s ‘Concrete Cowboy’ premieres, two Philly riding groups could benefit
https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/concrete-cowboy-fletcher-street-gofundme-20210402.html
SEPTA will reopen troubled Somerset El Station in Kensington on Monday
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-somerset-kensington-closed-opioid-abuse-homelessness-crime-20210401.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh and PWSA raise concerns over proposed Plum shale gas well
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2021/04/01/pittsburgh-pwsa-concerns-proposed-plum-injection-well-wastewater-fracking-pucketa-creek-allegheny-river-environment/stories/202104010165
System glitch forces Allegheny County Health Department to re-send some vaccine appointment emails
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/04/02/Allegheny-County-health-department-new-vaccination-site-emails-appointments-doses-covid-19/stories/202104020085
Glitch halts Allegheny County’s appointments for second covid vaccine dose
https://triblive.com/local/email-glitch-stops-allegheny-county-health-dept-appointments-for-second-covid-vaccine-dose/
Allegheny County new vaccine registration site open to the public
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/04/01/Allegheny-County-covid-19-vaccine-registration-website-open-public-vaccination-health-phase-1A-1B-1C/stories/202104010175
Allegheny County’s new vaccine registration system opens
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-countys-new-vaccine-registration-system-is-open/
A silver lining? Despite expected surge, commercial assessment appeals lag behind last year’s
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/04/02/Allegheny-County-property-assessment-appeals-Rivers-Casino/stories/202104020062
Allegheny County Health Department urged to tighten, enforce air pollution standards
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2021/04/01/allegheny-county-air-quality-health-department-pollution-control-pittsburgh-clairton-coke-works-health/stories/202104010173
Security agents catch 10th gun this year at Pittsburgh airport
https://triblive.com/local/security-agents-catch-10th-gun-this-year-at-pittsburgh-airport/
State News
Poorest Pennsylvanians to receive retroactive food stamp benefits thanks to local attorneys
https://www.inquirer.com/news/food-stamps-snap-benefits-usda-community-legal-services-biden-20210401.html
Philadelphia is poised and ready for Biden’s Civilian Climate Corps | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/biden-infrastructure-civilian-climate-corps-philadelphia-20210401.html
How much is your town slated to get from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan?
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/how-much-is-your-town-slated-to-get-from-the-1-9t-american-rescue-plan/
Anglers in Berks County and across Pa. asked to help unravel mysterious beauty of trout
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/environment/anglers-in-berks-county-and-across-pa-asked-to-help-unravel-mysterious-beauty-of-trout/article_a11e598c-9190-11eb-8daa-f39584fd751f.html
Transportation
Amtrak unveils proposed new route from Reading to Philadelphia
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/amtrak-unveils-proposed-new-route-from-reading-to-philadelphia/article_d7bc98ce-9310-11eb-8cb4-b37f1b8cd674.html
Is passenger rail returning to Allentown? Planned Amtrak service would connect Lehigh Valley to New York City
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-amtrak-plans-allentown-to-new-york-city-connection-20210401-pwk26ln23zhknfahhld3gte7fa-story.html
Pa. would see several new and enhanced train service under Amtrak’s 2035 vision plan
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/pa-would-see-several-new-and-enhanced-train-service-under-amtraks-2035-vision-plan/Content?oid=19194792
Amtrak vows grand expansion in Northeast under Biden’s infrastructure plan. Check the proposed routes
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/politics/albany/2021/04/01/amtrak-expansion-northeast-routes-bidens-infrastructure-plan/4833287001/
Biden’s Amtrak bet excites Pa. officials, but much could derail efforts
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/bidens-amtrak-bet-excites-pa-officials-but-much-could-derail-efforts/
Washington
Schumer pushes Senate for ‘full legalization’ of marijuana as states leap ahead on their own
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/04/schumer-pushes-senate-for-full-legalization-of-marijuana-as-states-leap-ahead-on-their-own.html
U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans proposes $63 billion plan to bolster housing and stabilize communities
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/u-s-rep-dwight-evans-proposes-63-billion-plan-to-bolster-housing-and-stabilize-communities/article_427b0cff-21c8-5cac-9fc7-b5875cd7af1d.html
Voting rights advocates air worries about onslaught of new state election laws
https://www.penncapital-star.com/featured/voting-rights-advocates-air-worries-about-onslaught-of-new-state-election-laws/