Legislature
Democrat Pam Iovino wins Pa. Senate seat
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/04/02/special-election-37th-District-Pennsylvania-Senate-seat-pam-iovino-raja-Allegheny-Washington-county/stories/201904020058
D. Raja concedes, Democrat Pam Iovino takes 37th state Senate seat
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/democrat-pam-iovino-takes-early-lead-in-tight-race-for-37th-senate-seat/
Iovino’s win in 37th State Senatorial marks historic night for Washington County
https://observer-reporter.com/news/election/iovino-s-win-in-th-state-senatorial-marks-historic-night/article_c58d938a-55a3-11e9-845d-0fcd82fb2645.html
Bellwether election in Pittsburgh suburb won by Democrat
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/04/bellwether-election-in-pittsburgh-suburb-won-by-democrat.php
Costa leads MLK legacy call to action
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/costa-leads-mlk-legacy-call-to-action/
Mine reclamation project begins in Swoyersville
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739139/mine-reclamation-project-begins-in-swoyersville
Reclaiming history: Work begins at Swoyersville coal waste site
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/reclaiming-history-work-begins-at-swoyersville-coal-waste-site-1.2465569
New district office for 112th district constituents
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-district-office-for-112th-district-constituents-1.2465611
Rapper Meek Mill, Pa. lawmakers urge probation law changes
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/rapper-meek-mill-pa-lawmakers-urge-probation-law-changes.html
Meek Mill highlights press conference on parole reform
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/meek-mill-highlights-press-conference-on-parole-reform/article_ef750d16-2e6f-5af5-88e7-1fb93846e041.html
State Sen. Leach fires back at Lower Merion school officials
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/state-sen-leach-fires-back-at-lower-merion-school-officials/article_62b8ff2f-c543-508a-bdf7-09734987bafd.html
Pa. House Speaker Mike Turzai compares pro-abortion rights advocates to Nazis
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/pa-house-speaker-mike-turzai-compares-abortion-advocates-to-nazis/Content?oid=14442821
Mental health the topic as Pa. Democrats discuss policies
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/education/2019/04/02/mental-health-topic-pa-democrats-discuss-policies/3335103002/
Business
Border Concepts plans distribution center in CenterPoint West in Pittston Twp.
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739105/border-concepts-plans-distribution-center-in-centerpoint-west-in-pittston-twp
Westmoreland activist points to military as beacon of equal pay for women
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-activist-points-to-military-as-beacon-of-equal-pay-for-women/
Reading Eagle Company sale plan approved
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-eagle-company-sale-plan-approved
Berks unemployment rate down to 3.6%
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/berks-unemployment-rate-down-to-36
Shell leaves trade group over climate change
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190402/shell-leaves-trade-group-over-climate-change
Crime/Punishment
3 frat brothers get jail in Piazza hazing death at Penn State
https://www.philly.com/news/tim-piazza-hazing-penn-state-jail-20190403.html
Penn State fraternity brothers sentenced to prison, house arrest over death of pledge: reports
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/penn-state-beta-theta-pi-brothers-sentenced-to-prison-house-arrest-reports.html
McKeesport bus driver snagged by state’s Child Predator Unit for alleged explicit messages
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/mckeesport-bus-driver-snagged-by-states-child-predator-unit-for-alleged-explicit-messages/
Pottstown teen charged with attempted murder after shooting classmate, Chester County DA says
https://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/raul-castro-attempted-murder-pottstown-chester-county-20190402.html
Education
Glen Mills laying off 250 after students are removed because of abuse probe
https://www.philly.com/news/glen-mills-schools-firing-staff-abuse-investigation-20190402.html
VFMA parents sue to bring back school president and replace trustee chair
https://www.philly.com/news/valleyforge-military-academy-lawsuit-lord-english-20190402.html
Plum School District officials proclaim high school graduation issue resolved
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/plum-school-district-officials-proclaim-high-school-graduation-issue-resolved/
Scranton School District agrees to settlement with ‘the Skip’
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-school-district-agrees-to-settlement-with-the-skip-1.2465323
Our view: More minority teachers are needed in Erie
https://www.goerie.com/opinion/20190403/our-view-more-minority-teachers-are-needed-in-erie
Hanover solicitor says district ‘will be made whole’ in bus overpayment issue
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739125/hanover-solicitor-says-district-will-be-made-whole-in-bus-overpayment-issue
Temple University to ban tobacco on campus
https://www.philly.com/education/temple-university-tobacco-free-campus-cigarettes-smoking-20190402.html
Aaron McKie, Temple’s new coach, is as Philly as it gets | Mike Jensen
https://www.philly.com/college-sports/temple/aaron-mckie-temple-basketball-coach-announcement-fran-dunphy-sixers-20190402.html
Gannon University takes slow, steady approach to enrollment
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190403/gannon-university-takes-slow-steady-approach-to-enrollment
Gaming
Sports betting revenue misses estimates in Pa., most other states
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/sports-betting-revenue-misses-estimates-in-pa-most-other-states.html
Health Care
Penn researchers report some success in fight against pancreatic cancer
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/04/02/Penn-researchers-report-some-success-in-fight-against-pancreatic-cancer/stories/201904020134
Trump-backed ACA repeal unwise for PA, auditor says
http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/04/trump-backed-aca-repeal-unwise-for-pa-auditor-says.php
Local News
Lehman Twp. resident trying to raise $45K to challenge stormwater fee
https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/739088/lehman-twp-resident-trying-to-raise-45k-to-challenge-stormwater-fee
West Pittston picks engineer for flood study
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/west-pittston-picks-engineer-for-flood-study-1.2465572
Taxpayer coalition for Greater Wilkes-Barre area to meet Wednesday
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739115/taxpayer-coalition-for-greater-wilkes-barre-area-to-meet-wednesday
Graffiti mars city
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/graffiti-mars-city-1.2465445
County seeks proposals for 911 digital communication system
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-seeks-proposals-for-911-digital-communication-system-1.2465442
Costs and interest make up nearly 43% of Scranton delinquent trash fees
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/costs-and-interest-make-up-nearly-43-of-scranton-delinquent-trash-fees-1.2465670
Lackawanna County chief of staff, brother owe $60,000 in delinquent taxes and Scranton garbage fees
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-chief-of-staff-brother-owe-60-000-in-delinquent-taxes-and-scranton-garbage-fees-1.2465426
City provides no incentive to pay fee
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/city-provides-no-incentive-to-pay-fee-1.2465504
Carbon issues resolved with Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County drinking water
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/carbon-issues-resolved-with-municipal-authority-of-westmoreland-county-drinking-water/
Export shifts federal grant priorities to address failing retaining wall
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/export-shifts-federal-grant-priorities-to-address-failing-retaining-wall/
Lower Burrell mayor with 2 donated lungs now sets sights on a new kidney
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/lower-burrell-mayor-with-two-donated-lungs-now-sets-sights-on-a-new-kidney/
New ‘utility compatible’ trees to be planted along Hulton Road in Oakmont
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-utility-compatible-trees-to-be-planted-along-hulton-road-in-oakmont/
Tarentum Council considers bids for waterline replacement on West 8th
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tarentum-council-considers-bids-for-waterline-replacement-on-west-8th/
Reading Mayor Wally Scott won’t fill vacancies until after the primary
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-mayor-wally-scott-wont-fill-vacancies-until-after-the-primary
Berks Heim sale off the table for 5 years
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-heim-sale-off-the-table-for-5-years
Editorial: Berks has plenty of work to do on public health
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-has-plenty-of-work-to-do-to-improve-public-health
LVHN subsidiary becomes third nonprofit to sue Allentown, challenges nearly $1 million tax bill
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-lvhn-sues-allentown-taxes-20190402-2nwb6czosjemdku7n4dtkabylm-story.html
RiverWise gets grant for river community planning
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190401/riverwise-gets-grant-for-river-community-planning
Three Chesco residents settle pipeline lawsuit
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/three-chesco-residents-settle-pipeline-lawsuit/article_20e0d8ee-5583-11e9-9227-cffb53577e86.html
National News
U.S. women’s soccer players get sponsor money to fix World Cup bonus pay gap
https://www.philly.com/soccer/uswnt-luna-bar-world-cup-bonus-equal-pay-20190402.html
Lori Lightfoot will be Chicago’s 1st black, female mayor
https://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/lori-lightfoot-chicago-mayor-first-black-woman-openly-gay-runoff-election-20190403.html
Some fear making pollution regulations voluntary could damage Ohio River water quality
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/04/02/Voluntary-regulations-could-damage-Ohio-River-water-quality-speakers-fear/stories/201904010131
New Jersey
New study of N.J. bail overhaul shows fewer people in jail
https://www.philly.com/news/new-jersey/new-study-nj-bail-overhaul-shows-fewer-people-jail-20190402.html
New Jersey vote shouldn’t end aid-in-dying debate | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/assisted-suicide-new-jersey-not-yet-dead-compassion-choices-20190403.html
Opioid Crisis
After Purdue opioid settlement, more Pennsylvania counties want out of Delaware County court
https://www.philly.com/business/opioid-pennsylvania-purdue-philadelphia-lehigh-bensalem-20190402.html
Philly
Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez asks authorities to prevent fraud by primary opponent
https://www.philly.com/news/politics-20190402.html
How bad is the pollen allergy season in Philadelphia going to be?
https://www.philly.com/health/allergies-symptoms-spring-pollen-count-philadelphia-treatments-medicine-20190403.html
How congestion pricing might come to Philadelphia’s streets
https://www.philly.com/transportation/congestion-pricing-new-york-philadelphia-traffic-20190402.html
After more than 17 hours, CCP talks suspended; set to resume later Wednesday morning
https://www.philly.com/education/community-college-strike-faculty-philadelphia-20190402.html
Philly’s labor women group calls out AFL-CIO for its endorsement of Sheriff Jewell Williams
https://www.philly.com/news/jewell-williams-sexual-harassment-union-endorsement-afl-cio-cluw-20190402.html
Is anyone surprised that Philly’s broken Democratic machine endorsed an accused serial sexual harasser? | Mike Newall
https://www.philly.com/opinion/bob-brady-jewell-williams-election-philadelphia-democratic-city-committee-primary-20190402.html
ER doctors at Philly-area hospitals quietly win back-pay dispute with Prime Healthcare
https://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/prime-healthcare-philadelphia-hospitals-lower-bucks-roxborough-suburban-community-20190402.html
Class, like race, shouldn’t decide who gets a voice in the opioid debate | Solomon Jones
https://www.philly.com/opinion/safe-injection-sites-kensingston-residents-20190403.html
Pitt
Scientists, activists equate air pollution to the opioid epidemic in plea to city council
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/04/02/Scientists-activists-and-county-health-officials-discuss-air-pollution-with-city-council-members/stories/201904020132
Pittsburgh jobless rate hits lowest point since the early 1970s
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2019/04/02/Pittsburgh-low-jobless-unemployment-rate-workers-employers-hiring-business/stories/201904020086
PWSA adds lead-reducing chemical to city water
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/04/02/Pittsburgh-applying-anti-corrosion-additive-lead-water-lines-PWSA/stories/201904020073
Group’s second conference looks to shift from talk to action on inequities
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2019/04/02/AASP-conference-shines-racial-inequities-school-policies-African-American-youth/stories/201904020074
Pittsburgh approves gun-control bills; opponents threaten suit against city
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/04/02/Pittsburgh-city-council-final-vote-gun-control-bills-assault-weapons/stories/201904020089
Pittsburgh City Council approves controversial gun ban
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-city-council-approves-controversial-gun-ban/
Caliente Pizza owner brews up a new craft beer week
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pizza-owner-brews-up-a-new-craft-beer-week/
2 flu deaths reported in Allegheny County, increasing season total to 12
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/2-flu-deaths-reported-in-allegheny-county-total-now-12/
State News
Pa. township fighting oil and gas wastewater well ordered to pay $103,000 in legal fees
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/04/02/Grant-oil-and-gas-wastewater-disposal-well-Pennsylvania-General-Energy-attorney-fees/stories/201904020119
Spare no effort: Investigators must get to the bottom of cancer scare
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/04/03/Ewing-sarcoma-cancer-investigation-Washington-Westmoreland-Canon-McMillan-school-cecil-pennsylvania/stories/201904030049
Pennsylvania’s top-polling Democrat for president has problems (beyond what you’re thinking) | John Baer
https://www.philly.com/opinion/john-baer-biden-pennsylvania-poll-women-touchy-primary-democrats-20190402.html
FDA excoriates a chain of suburban Philadelphia pain clinics for ‘egregious’ claims about CBD
https://www.philly.com/business/cbd-fda-cannabidiol-public-hearing-warning-letters-20190402.html
Columbia Gas announces possible rate decrease
https://triblive.com/local/regional/columbia-gas-announces-possible-rate-decrease/
Lackawanna County helps state take stock of ticks
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-helps-state-take-stock-of-ticks-1.2465669
Industrial hemp, a hot commodity, sparks the interest of more than 100 PA growers
https://www.readingeagle.com/berks-country/article/new-crop-on-the-block
Apple Trees Are Dying, And Researchers Don’t Know Why
https://radio.wpsu.org/post/apple-trees-are-dying-and-researchers-dont-know-why
State, county report shows agencies missed ‘red flags’ with Grace Packer
https://www.theintell.com/news/20190402/state-county-report-shows-agencies-missed-red-flags-with-grace-packer
Transportation
Pa. PUC: Uber should improve its background check system for drivers
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2019/04/02/uber-background-checks-pennsylvania-pittsburgh-lyft-puc-public-utility-commission-safety/stories/201904020012
State cracking on down on work zone speeders
https://www.tribdem.com/news/state-cracking-on-down-on-work-zone-speeders/article_4ee573d6-8758-5f82-b6f5-ca8fbdab5c14.html
Washington
GOP tries to force vote on infants surviving abortions
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/gop-tries-to-force-vote-on-infants-surviving-abortions-20190402.html