News Digest :: April 23, 2021

Legislature

Lawmakers block governor’s pick for Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission over RGGI | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Pa. Senate GOP blocks utility commission appointments to protest Wolf’s climate change rule | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Op-Ed: GOP should focus on women’s health care, divisive theatrics (ydr.com)

Wolf administration and top lawmakers exchange jabs on future of Pennsylvania disaster declarations – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Newtown Township Gets $227K For Multi-Use Trail | Newtown, PA Patch

Berks Legislators Announce Act 13, MultiModal Grants | BCTV

Playground at West Chester’s Everhart Park to be upgraded | Local News | dailylocal.com

State awards $1.55 million in funding for 6 Berks County projects | Berks and Beyond | readingeagle.com

State awards millions in grants to Lehigh Valley infrastructure projects, including $2.9 million to replace lead pipes in Bethlehem – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Local projects to receive state funding | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Lower Makefield, Yardley and Newtown awarded multimodal transportation improvement grants | Newtown Area | buckslocalnews.com

IU13 gets $20K grant to bolster environmental curriculum | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Grants bring $516,000 to Greater Johnstown YMCA | News | tribdem.com

In search of bipartisanship, lawmakers work to trim the fat in Pa. House | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Support the Right to Repair Bill and save lives | PennLive letters – pennlive.com

Bill to prevent retail shutdowns in disasters passes House (apnews.com)

Pa. House passes bill that would keep stores open during a declared state of emergency | Today in Pa. – pennlive.com

PA Legislators grapple with future of police reform | WHP (local21news.com)

The Race Is On For Recreational Cannabis In Pennsylvania (bisnow.com)

Rep. John Joyce got the COVID-19 jab. And he opposes any government-backed document to prove it. | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Lawmakers at hearing at Longwood Gardens: Public gardens create jobs, help economy | Local News | dailylocal.com

Pa. congresswoman’s proposal would offer legal avenue for medical monitoring of PFAS exposure | StateImpact Pennsylvania (npr.org)

After Chauvin verdict, here’s the status of police reform proposals in Pennsylvania | WITF

Derek Chauvin case: The laws Philly and Pa. did and didn’t change after George Floyd’s murder (inquirer.com)

Raising dog license fee discussed during Luzerne County SPCA tour | News | citizensvoice.com

Officials: Without funding fix, dogs will suffer | Times Leader

Pa. Senate takes up bill to fix child crime investigations (audacy.com)

PA Senate Passes Bill To Remove Snow/Ice From Vehicles – WDAC

Western Pa. state senator pushes PennDOT on plans for tolling bridges (wtae.com)

Pennsylvania emergency management officials say legislative process too slow for disaster response | State | wfmz.com

 

Coronavirus – COVID-19

National

Biden Administration Looks For Help With Next Phase Of Pitching COVID Vaccines : NPR

What COVID vaccine should I get? What to know about Pfizer, Moderna, J&J (ydr.com)

UC And Cal State Systems To Require COVID-19 Vaccinations For In-Person Fall Classes : Coronavirus Updates : NPR

Vaccine Passports: Israel, Bahrain Reach Landmark Agreement : Coronavirus Updates : NPR

People With Severe COVID-19 Have More Long-Term Effects, Study Finds : Coronavirus Updates : NPR

Hospital Study Found Non-English Speaking Patients More Likely To Die From COVID : Shots – Health News : NPR

U.S. Issues More Than 115 ‘Do Not Travel’ Advisories, Citing Risks From COVID-19 : Coronavirus Updates : NPR

How Israel Persuaded Reluctant Ultra-Orthodox Jews To Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19 : NPR

The shock and reality of catching COVID-19 after being vaccinated (inquirer.com)

Study: COVID-19 raises risks for expectant mothers and babies | Coronavirus | phillytrib.com

As COVID-19 hospitalizations fall among U.S. senior citizens, attention turns to the youth – pennlive.com

Don’t put away your face masks. We may need them even as COVID-19 fades | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State

Gov. Wolf says Pa. faces ‘new reality’ — a lack of people who want COVID-19 vaccine – pennlive.com

Covid case numbers continue to decline in Pennsylvania | TribLIVE.com

As supply increases in PA, officials tackle vaccine hesitancy (poconorecord.com)

Pennsylvania doctors say Republicans aren’t getting vaccines (poconorecord.com)

Geisinger: Employee data shows COVID-19 vaccines effective | coronavirus | citizensvoice.com

Local

1,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Lancaster County | Health | lancasteronline.com

Lancaster County mass vaccination site to offer expanded same-day appointments | Health | lancasteronline.com

Responding to dip in demand, Lancaster’s mass vaccination site is taking walk-ins | WITF

LVHN, St. Luke’s say they have COVID-19 vaccination appointments available as demand eases – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Berks and Chester clinics have ample COVID vaccine available, experts say | Local News | readingeagle.com

13,000-plus doses of COVID vaccine coming to Berks County providers | Coronavirus | readingeagle.com

A Reading pharmacy will be holding weekly walk-up COVID vaccine clinics at a city church | Coronavirus | readingeagle.com

NEPA doing better than state in COVID-19 deaths this month | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

 

Business

Tax credits for Covid-19 vaccine paid time off: Here’s how they’ll work – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

MILLENNIAL MONEY: Changing the face of the cannabis industry | Business | dailylocal.com

Philly chamber launches program to boost Black-owned businesses | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pa. businesses receive extended deadline on state corporate taxes | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

110 Berks businesses received COVID relief grants; here’s who they are [Chart] | Berks and Beyond | readingeagle.com

Automation changes future job market, PA labor secretary tells Hazleton chamber | News | standardspeaker.com

Firm seeking rare earth elements in Hazleton gets $1.1 million grant | News | standardspeaker.com

Portal for Shuttered Venue Operators Grant will reopen Saturday | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Crime/Punishment

Scavo pleads not guilty, awaits trial on federal charges in Capitol riot | Crime-Emergency | thetimes-tribune.com

‘A weight lifted:’ Linda Stoltzfoos’ family prepares for funeral after body found 10 months after disappearance [update] | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Delaware County man faces trial for harassing Rep. Dean with lewd voicemail messages | News | delcotimes.com

Local cops undergo training to police themselves for bias | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Pa. Supreme Court denies appeal in Ashton slaying | Crime-emergencies | citizensvoice.com

 

Education

Partially vaccinated McCaskey High School students can return to full-time, in-person classes | Local News | lancasteronline.com

In the first full school year of COVID-19, Kane Area School District stayed in person | WITF

COVID-19 vaccines required by Lehigh University – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Temple’s business school sees virtual reality as future of online learning (inquirer.com)

University of Pittsburgh seeks dismissal of student refund claims for tuition, fees over COVID-19 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Philly schools committing $80m in classroom resources in new budget picture (inquirer.com)

Three percent tax hike proposed as LMSD budget nears $300 million mark | Mainlinetimes | mainlinemedianews.com

Philly principals talk winning Lindback award, improving their schools | Local News | phillytrib.com

Feds issue year-long extension of free food for school students | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Allentown School Board to purchase land downtown to replace 147-year-old Harrison-Morton Middle School – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

 

Elections/Politics

The 10 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2022 – WENY News

PA senate race heats up | Feature Stories | northcentralpa.com

Krueger Reappointed as HDCC Chair | PoliticsPA

Erie County Executive: Meet the 6 candidates in the race (goerie.com)

Pennsylvania 2022 elections show marijuana legalization going from fringe to front-runner (inquirer.com)

Giordano: May primary voters can curtail Gov. Wolf’s emergency powers (theintell.com)

How Does Ranked-Choice Voting Work in New York? – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

 

Environment

Environmentalists urge Pennsylvania to broaden pending methane rule | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Pennsylvania air pollution: See who got a failing grade in new report (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Joe Biden’s greenhouse gas emissions plan draws praise from environmentalists, wariness from Pa. natural gas industry (inquirer.com)

Biden’s climate goals deemed ‘unrealistic’ by some Pennsylvania businesses | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

United Mine Workers union comes out in support of transition to clean energy | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Guest Opinion: Support the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (timesonline.com)

 

Transportation

Hear shocked reactions that Mount Rose/I-83 construction might be ending (ydr.com)

Penn Street sinkhole repairs completed in Reading | Berks and Beyond | readingeagle.com

Port Authority to shutdown Mon Incline next week for inspection | TribLIVE.com

Advocates: Port Authority has ‘once in a generation’ chance to help low-income riders with reduced fares | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Health

Reading Hospital Foundation receives $320,694 grant to provide care to homeless patients | Berks and Beyond | readingeagle.com

Students from the Poconos recognized for fundraising efforts (poconorecord.com)

How parents can support a child who comes out as transgender: By conquering their own fears, following their child’s lead and tolerating ambiguity | Opinion | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Smart Talk: People with disabilities should be part of public health discussion | Smart Talk (witf.org)

Fatal overdoses among Black Philadelphians rose through COVID pandemic, new data show (inquirer.com)

During Pandemic, Fentanyl’s Spread Made Illicit Drug Use Far More Treacherous : Shots – Health News : NPR

 

State News

School employees, Pa. officials question state’s largest pension fund over charges, investments – pennlive.com

Casey, Toomey introduce legislation to name federal courthouse in Harrisburg after Judge Sylvia Rambo | The Sentinel: News | cumberlink.com

Dr. Rachel Levine is making history while working on Biden agenda (poconorecord.com)

Food stamp recipients to get boost | News | tribdem.com

Pa. Farm Show Complex, stuffed with millions of masks and other pandemic supplies, can’t host events – pennlive.com

Donate Life Month is a reminder that Pa. drivers can register as an organ donor – pennlive.com

 

National News

Asian American activists see more political participation from the AAPI community (inquirer.com)

Chauvin verdict is one step, but local and state leaders say more is needed | Local News | phillytrib.com

A philanthropic drive to aid Black women is gaining momentum | Across America | phillytrib.com

States Take Social Security Benefits Of Foster Care Children To Pay For Services : NPR

N.A.A.C.P. Leader Says ‘a Few Checks’ Can’t Fix Structural Racism – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

The lack of affordable housing is a crisis. What can be done about it? (inquirer.com)

GOP Arizona State Senator Rejects Controversial Voting Bill Pending Election Audit : NPR

Columbus Activists Call For Federal Probe Of Police After Ma’Khia Bryant Shooting : NPR

Oklahoma Grants Immunity To Motorists Who Unintentionally Harm Protesters : NPR

SUPREME COURT NOTEBOOK: David faces Goliaths over pipeline | PA Power and Policy | lancasteronline.com

Supreme Court OKs life in prison without parole for some juveniles convicted of murder | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Russian troops start pulling back from Ukrainian border | World News | lancasteronline.com

 

Local News

York County Food Bank wants its funding to stay at current levels (wgal.com)

Sen. Casey to hold drive-in town hall Friday in York County (yorkdispatch.com)

PEEC fundraiser ‘Tough as Trails’ slated for May (poconorecord.com)

Lancaster Conservancy acquire over 270 acres within the Susquehanna Riverlands (ydr.com)

Erie fires: Officials restock detector supply, launch giveaway (goerie.com)

Pia family donates land for new home Kennett Food Cupboard | Local News | dailylocal.com

East Lampeter supervisors approve emergency operations plan | Community News | lancasteronline.com

D.A., organizations observe Victims’ Rights’ Week | News | delcotimes.com

Chester County DA to Sunoco Pipeline: No more Mariner East nuisances, or else (inquirer.com)

Chester County District Attorney files civil action against Mariner East pipeline | Local News | delcotimes.com

Local mom offers hope to families with special needs children | Lifestyle | phillytrib.com

Doylestown Borough OKs relaxed marijuana penalty – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Upper Macungie Sheetz: Neighbors flood meeting to oppose township’s first Sheetz, but get a lesson in civics – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Poll: Allentown residents still positive about city, but many think it’s headed in the wrong direction – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

The Alburtis sewer station and the mystery of the mop head flusher – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Macungie police warn of caller impersonating an officer in phone scam – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Hand them over: Law enforcement collaborating on Saturday’s ‘Drug Take Back Day’ – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Hazle Twp. officials working to resolve trash removal delays | News | standardspeaker.com

Tamaqua to apply for flood mitigation grant | News | standardspeaker.com

Council, DA at odds over raises | News | citizensvoice.com

 

Pitt

American Lung Association gives Allegheny County an F for air quality, county officials push back on grade | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

August Wilson African American Cultural Center receives $1.3 million grant, announces artists for new residency program | Arts + Entertainment | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Michael Keaton partnering with developers to build Pittsburgh plant (timesonline.com)

Peduto pushes plan to make Pittsburgh carbon-neutral by 2050 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Beth Shalom and Pittsburgh leaders introduce new solar initiative (wtae.com)

 

Philly

Philadelphia Union move to make Subaru Park the first ‘zero-landfill’ stadium in MLS – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Many Philadelphia employers barred from marijuana testing new hires under City Council bill (inquirer.com)

Families of murdered Philadelphians know the hollow victory of justice | Helen Ubiñas (inquirer.com)

On 52nd Street, local shop owners feel relief while chains remain boarded | Business | phillytrib.com

City Council honors Free Library of Philadelphia’s first Black manager | Local News | phillytrib.com

City legislators grill Bilal over migrating sheriff’s sales online | Local News | phillytrib.com

Philly developer has big plans for Atlantic City’s Showboat – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

 

Washington

Republican Infrastructure Plan Outlines $568 Billion In Spending : NPR

Sen. Pat Toomey backs $568 billion infrastructure plan to counter President Biden’s $2 trillion proposal – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Democratic Senator Joe Manchin Faces Pressure From Unions To Back Infrastructure : NPR

In Rare Bipartisanship Moment, Senate Approves Asian American Hate Crimes Bill : NPR

Supreme Court cuts back FTC power to seek ill-gotten gains | TribLIVE.com

Dems’ ambitions narrow as political reality sets in – POLITICO

Biden to nominate ocean scientist Rick Spinrad to head NOAA – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

With help of billionaires, CEOs and union execs, Biden focuses on job creation during 2nd day of climate summit | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Biden Climate Summit Draws Bolder Pledges From World Leaders : NPR

DC statehood approved by House as Senate fight looms | PA Power and Policy | lancasteronline.com

Republican Sen. Tim Scott Will Deliver GOP Response To Biden Address : NPR

Biden’s USPS nominees face confirmation hearing as Democrats consider paths to oust DeJoy | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Analysis: How This Week’s Marijuana Banking Vote Changed From Earlier 2019 House Action | Marijuana Moment