Legislature

Pennsylvania legislators look to expand film tax credit by almost 80% | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Gov. Wolf Approves Bill Streamlining Medical Licensing Requirements – MyChesCo

Bucks County to receive funds to improve security in schools and religious institutions | The Bucks County Herald

The Lehigh Valley received $4.1 million from the state for infrastructure upgrades, here’s what it will be used for – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Two projects in Pittston, Hanover Twp. get $1 million infrastructure grants | News | citizensvoice.com

Pennsylvania needs rental assistance and eviction diversion programs, activists and lawmakers say | WITF

Here’s what Pa. lawmakers could do if they really wanted to protect women and girls | Opinion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

 

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Justice Department to appeal recent mask ruling : NPR

Justice Dept. to appeal order voiding travel mask mandate (abc27.com)

Majority of Americans want masks for travelers: AP-NORC poll (delcotimes.com)

 

Business/Jobs

Jackpot: Pa’s casino revenue hit an all-time high in March | Thursday Morning Coffee – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Employees at an Atlanta mall become the first retail Apple workers to unionize : NPR

Erie secondhand stores expect uptick in business as inflation rises (goerie.com)

Postal Service delivers on a promise to fill jobs | News | citizensvoice.com

 

Crime/Punishment

To successfully use Pennsylvania’s ‘compassionate release’ law, he had to choose to die | WITF

 

Education

Educators discuss Gov. Wolf’s plan to increase Pre-K access – WHYY

Editorial: Teachers need a tax break | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Navient settles squabble with activist investor Sherborne Investors – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Hawaii has a $10,000 fix for its special education teacher shortage : NPR

Will Central Bucks School District allow performance of “Rent”? | The Bucks County Herald

Can After School Satan Club sue Northern York School District? (ydr.com)

With an increased potential for cyber threats from Russia, Penn State sharpens its security | WITF

2 Pennsylvania universities with 6 sets of sports teams: NCAA gives OK to merger | WITF

School funding case gets July 26 date for oral arguments on legal issues | Crime-emergencies | citizensvoice.com

Scranton School Board majority’s plan to change law firms prompts transparency concerns | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Mid Valley planning estimated $14M worth of academic, athletic upgrades | Education | thetimes-tribune.com

 

Elections/Politics

Incumbents challenged in push to shape parties · Spotlight PA

What to know about the Republican Senate race in Pennsylvania : NPR

How to watch the Democratic Pennsylvania U.S. Senate debate (abc27.com)

SHARRY: We Know Where Republicans Stand on Immigration. What Do Democrats Stand For? – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)

Khalil: ‘Being a voice for the voiceless’ (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Editorial: Make a point of taking part in May primary (dailylocal.com)

In the weird and wacky Pa. GOP race to be governor nominee, are debates useful? | John Baer – pennlive.com

 

Environment

Renewable energy deserves bigger push | | republicanherald.com

Over 137 million Americans live in areas with poor air quality, report finds : NPR

Lancaster County air quality fails in annual report; here’s what that means | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Bat researchers look for answers to White Nose Syndrome (ydr.com)

EPA is watching Pa.’s Chesapeake Bay clean-up efforts | Smart Talk (witf.org)

28 orgs call on DEP to ‘strengthen’ proposed PFAS rule ahead of April 27 deadline – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

We need to end our reliance on synthetic fertilizer. This is how | Opinion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

 

Transportation

$53 million secured for Route 219’s final design | News | tribdem.com

All aboard: Montgomery County holds public hearing on proposed passenger rail authority (pottsmerc.com)

 

Health

States rush to revise their abortion laws as a major U.S. Supreme Court decision nears – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Editorial: Awareness to organ donation will save lives (dailylocal.com)

Delaware County Council passes emergency ordinance regarding hospital and medical services in light of potential Crozer changes (delcotimes.com)

Pa.’s most unhealthy county launches program to boost resident health | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

State News

Despite its setbacks, carbon capture may come to Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Houlahan’s annual ‘State of the Sixth’ touches on economy, Ukraine (dailylocal.com)

Congressman Evans to introduce plan to fight gun violence | Local News | phillytrib.com

Marijuana is legal in NJ, but PA residents should play it safe (poconorecord.com)

Poll finds voters want federal Rescue Plan money to beef up Pennsylvania state parks and forests – pennlive.com

 

National News

Putin tries to claim Mariupol win but won’t storm holdout : NPR

Janet Yellen, other leaders walk out of G20 meeting as Russia speaks : NPR

Texas border bridge lost $1 billion during governor’s slowdown : NPR

Syracuse police officers are under scrutiny after video went viral : NPR

Michelle Obama’s brother, sister-in-law sue school for alleged racial bias : NPR

Gazan Militants and Israeli Air Force Exchange Fire – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

McDonald’s, Burger King food packaging was found to have cancer-causing ‘forever chemicals.’ Now the lawsuits are rolling in: report – pennlive.com

Disney stance in ‘Don’t Say Gay’ fight is a reminder that culture wars are more about money than morality | Solomon Jones (inquirer.com)

Florida Senate passes bill to end Disney self-government | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

10% of U.S. kids don’t get enough to eat, and it could get worse. Here’s why, experts say | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

New Jersey’s revised sex education standards are controversial. Here’s why. (inquirer.com)

 

Local News

PHOTO GALLERY | ‘Epitome of a public servant’: Hope Chief Hassen remembered as hometown hero | Local News | tribdem.com

Eco-Fest and climate march planned for Saturday in Pottstown (dailylocal.com)

City Council rejects home security reimbursement for Erie’s mayor (goerie.com)

Iconic building on Penn Street will not be demolished (readingeagle.com)

West Reading: No discussion of Franklin Manor (readingeagle.com)

Fountain Hill residents ask council to reopen pool – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Fidelity Bank moving headquarters to Scranton Electric Building | Business | thetimes-tribune.com

 

Pitt

City Council puts 3-week hold on bill to regulate short-term rentals in Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh exile-in-residence artist to receive international freedom award | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Meet four Pittsburgh residents changing the city through media, art and activism – City & State Pennsylvania (cityandstatepa.com)

Pittsburgh area gets first passing air pollution grade; still ranks among worst nationwide | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Pittsburghers for Public Transit “condemns” end of Port Authority’s mask mandate | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

More than 100 gather to pray for peace in wake of Pittsburgh’s Airbnb shooting | TribLIVE.com

Mentor works to counsel, support teens following Pittsburgh Airbnb shooting | TribLIVE.com

 

Philly

Philly PD introduces first-ever diversity, equity, and inclusion chief | Local News | phillytrib.com

Philly’s transit cops try a new approach to address safety concerns on trains : NPR

Racist Remarks, Financial Disputes Result in Briarcliffe Fire Company’s Demise – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)

Historic Germantown Boys and Girls club undergoes $15 million transformation | Local News | phillytrib.com

Jay Wright resigns as Villanova coach, Neptune takes over | WITF

Judge declares mistrial in federal bribery trial of Philly Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Activists are rushing to raise money as gun violence surges. They can’t wait for City Hall anymore. | Helen Ubiñas (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia’s gun violence crisis through the eyes of those experiencing it (inquirer.com)

After months stuck on a merchant ship docked in Philly, Ukrainian sailors finally touch land (inquirer.com)

The clock is ticking to save John Coltrane’s Strawberry Mansion home | Opinion (inquirer.com)

 

Washington

Biden administration releases plan to combat record drug overdose deaths : NPR

Pot shop robberies are fueling calls for a U.S. banking bill : NPR

Biden to send additional military aid to Ukraine (abc27.com)

If Biden’s Plan Is Like a ‘New Deal,’ Why Don’t Voters Care? – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

McConnell and McCarthy’s Jan. 6 Fury at Trump Faded by February – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Many say Biden not tough enough on Russia: AP-NORC poll | TribLIVE.com