Legislature
Officials announce anti-poverty proposals on anniversary of King’s death
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/04/04/Officials-mark-anniversary-of-King-s-death-announce-anti-poverty-proposals/stories/201904040097
Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy remembered in Scranton as officials issue call to combat poverty
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/martin-luther-king-jr-s-legacy-remembered-in-scranton-as-officials-issue-call-to-combat-poverty-1.2466271
Democratic senators commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. by turning attention to Pa. poverty
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/democratic-senators-commemorate-martin-luther-king-jr-by-turning-attention/article_1811ddd5-4d5c-5cfa-9282-eabd3f301e29.html
Reading event helps launch statewide effort to act, honor legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-event-helps-launch-statewide-effort-to-act-honor-legacy-of-martin-luther-king-jr
Local lawmakers lobby for nuclear bill
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/local-lawmakers-lobby-for-nuclear-bill-1.2466422
Senate bill provides help to struggling nuclear plants
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190404/senate-bill-provides-help-to-struggling-nuclear-plants
State Senate version of nuclear subsidy bill introduced
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2019/04/04/state-senate-version-nuclear-subsidy-bill-introduced/3365270002/
Pennsylvanians could vote by mail under bill from state Rep. Rob Matzie
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190404/pennsylvanians-could-vote-by-mail-under-bill-from-state-rep-rob-matzie
Pa. House to again consider child sex abuse bills
https://www.philly.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-house-to-again-consider-child-sex-abuse-bills-20190404.html
Pipeline bills partial fix
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/pipeline-bills-partial-fix-1.2466296
Toll ruling buys time
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/toll-ruling-buys-time-1.2466294
Business
U.S. Steel: The desulfurization system damaged in December fire up and running again
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/04/04/US-Steel-Clairton-coke-works-desulfurization-system-fire-repaired-working-emissions-pollution/stories/201904040101
U.S. Steel: Equipment damaged in Clairton Coke Works fire repaired
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/equipment-damaged-in-dec-24-clairton-coke-works-fire-repaired/
Mariner East: Sunoco proposes $200K fine, ‘remaining life’ study of leaky 88-year-old pipeline
https://www.philly.com/business/energy/puc-fines-sunoco-studies-remaining-life-of-aging-mariner-east-pipeline-20190404.html
Judge rejects FirstEnergy’s plan to get rid of environmental liabilities in subsidiary’s bankruptcy
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/04/04/Judge-rejects-FirstEnergy-s-plan-to-get-rid-of-environmental-liabilities-in-subsidiary-bankuptcy/stories/201904040157
Sheetz to replace Memorial Highway store with upgraded location, including indoor seating
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739285/sheetz-to-replace-memorial-highway-store-with-upgraded-location-including-indoor-seating
Crime/Punishment
AR-15 rifle used to kill ex-wife at Main Line Wawa was legally purchased, authorities said
https://www.philly.com/news/wawa-shooting-assault-rifle-gun-legal-purchase-custody-dispute-main-line-20190404.html
Education
ACLU threatens legal action against McKeesport Area schools over formation of black student organization
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/04/04/McKeesport-Area-High-School-Black-Student-Union-ACLU-threatening-legal-action/stories/201904040108
Glen Mills Schools appeals Pennsylvania’s emergency removal order over abuse allegations
https://www.philly.com/news/glen-mills-schools-appeal-emergency-removal-order-pennsylvania-abuse-students-20190404.html
Glen Mills appeals emergency removal action by Pa.
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/glen-mills-appeals-emergency-removal-action-by-pa/article_686f3102-5721-11e9-88b8-c77f6e0a87af.html
Taxpayer challenging Wilkes-Barre Area School District’s land purchase for new school
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739299/taxpayer-challenging-wilkes-barre-area-school-districts-land-purchase-for-new-school
Dallas grads offered choice on gown color
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/dallas-grads-offered-choice-on-gown-color-1.2466408
Carbondale Area School District forms police department
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/carbondale-area-school-district-forms-police-department-1.2466555
Pa. State System universities to craft their own tuition rates every two years
https://www.philly.com/education/board-of-governors-pennsylvania-state-system-higher-education-tuition-college-enrollment-20190404.html
State System allows universities to set their own tuition rates
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/04/04/State-System-of-Higher-Education-PASSHE-tuition-financial-aid-scholarships-Pennsylvania-college/stories/201904040094
Pennsylvania state universities freed to set tuition
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-state-universities-freed-to-set-tuition/
New state university plan lets students know tuition earlier; State System schools get to set own rates
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/new-tuition-system-lets-students-know-earlier-what-they-will-pay-to-attend-a-state-university.html
IUP student Adrianna Branin wins Biden award for halting assault
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/04/05/Adrianna-Branin-Indiana-University-Pennsylvania-IUP-student-Joe-Biden-courage-award/stories/201904050058
Mumps outbreak at Temple: What to know about the contagious disease
https://www.philly.com/health/mumps-temple-outbreak-symptoms-vaccine-20190321.html
Bridging education to action: Wilkes University holds opioid awareness walk
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739295/bridging-education-to-action-wilkes-university-holds-opioid-awareness-walk
13-county autism collaborative center opens at University of Scranton
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739276/13-county-autism-collaborative-center-opens-at-university-of-scranton
University of Scranton tapped for autism center headquarters
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/university-of-scranton-tapped-for-autism-center-headquarters-1.2466280
Gaming
Casinos are still a bad bet in Pa. | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/casino-philadelphia-revenue-gambling-addiction-20190405.html
Health Care
Pennsylvania flu hospitalizations up 62% in 2018
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-flu-hospitalizations-up-62-percent-in-2018-report-says/
Villanova prof contracted sepsis and needed an amputation — and her health plan wouldn’t pay
https://www.philly.com/health/obamacare-skimpy-health-plan-villanova-professor-20190405.html
Study challenges health benefits of moderate drinking
https://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/alcohol-moderate-drinking-stroke-high-blood-pressure-study-china-20190404.html
Issue of surprise ER bills fixed at Scranton hospital
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/issue-of-surprise-er-bills-fixed-at-scranton-hospital-1.2466385
Local News
Residents bring in legal counsel to fight stormwater fee
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/residents-bring-in-legal-counsel-to-fight-stormwater-fee-1.2466430
Family Service Association honors award winners at Spring Fling event
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739305/family-service-association-honors-award-winners-at-spring-fling-event
Joe Biden secretly visits Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/joe-biden-secretly-visits-scranton-1.2466243
Lackawanna County Prison guard acquitted of sexual abuse gets job back
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-prison-guard-acquitted-of-sexual-abuse-gets-job-back-1.2466330
Big changes ahead for Nay Aug Park in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/big-changes-ahead-for-nay-aug-park-in-scranton-1.2466567
Water fight underway over wells, pump
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/water-fight-underway-over-wells-pump-1.2466362
HCA ratifies contract, union workers get raises
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hca-ratifies-contract-union-workers-get-raises-1.2466374
‘Unholy alliance’: Aqua sues to block $60 million Chester bailout as it pursues hostile takeover
https://www.philly.com/business/aqua-suit-blocks-chester-water-authority-bailout-impoverished-city-20190404.html
Cheswick approves police merger with Springdale Township
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/cheswick-approves-police-merger-with-springdale-township/
Commissioners confirm the process of selling Berks Heim has ended
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/commissioners-confirm-the-process-of-selling-berks-heim-has-ended
Birdsboro reservoir dam repairs to resume
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/birdsboro-reservoir-dam-repairs-to-resume
Oral arguments heard in Vaughn Spencer’s hearing in Philadelphia
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/oral-arguments-heard-in-spencer-hearing-in-philadelphia
Editorial: Jazz Fest a reminder of great possibilities for Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/jazz-fest-a-reminder-of-great-possibilities-for-berks
Allentown Syrian group backs mayor, says now is not the time to raise the flag
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-syrian-flag-raising-opposition-20190404-73pq6yjyqrggzoxu2mxqd64swi-story.html
Marijuana
Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana market growing
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvanias-medical-marijuana-market-growing/
Natural Gas
Small Indiana County community assessed legal fees in injection well dispute
https://triblive.com/local/regional/small-indiana-county-community-assessed-legal-fees-in-injection-well-dispute/
New Jersey
N.J. canceled a vote on legal weed. Now there’s a battle over how to fix the bill.
https://www.philly.com/news/new-jersey/weed-legalization-bill-new-jersey-marijuana-cannabis-governor-phil-murphy-20190405.html
Opioid Crisis
After first year, opioid info sharing system touts successes
https://www.philly.com/wires/ap/after-first-year-opioid-info-sharing-system-touts-successes-20190404.html-2
Philly
This Philadelphia police inspector was accused of sexual harassment. Now he heads the SVU.
https://www.philly.com/news/anthony-washington-philadelphia-police-sexual-harassment-special-victims-unit-svu-20190405.html
30 Philadelphia women created ‘America’s First Animal Shelter.’ At last, they get their due.
https://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/womens-animal-center-bensalem-anniversary-20190405.html
Freedom Seder’s 50th anniversary to be celebrated in a Philly mosque to point up the rise of Islamophobia
https://www.philly.com/news/freedom-seder-mosque-masjidullah-william-barber-arthur-waskow–20190405.html
Philly developers start cashing in on Trump tax break, as ‘opportunity zone’-funded projects advance
https://www.philly.com/real-estate/commercial/opportunity-zones-philadelphia-brewerytown-kensington-germantown-sage-pnc-20190405.html
2 wounded in Kingsessing shooting
https://www.philly.com/news/shooting-kingsessing-philadelphia-20190404.html
Philly sees concerning increase in new HIV cases driven by opioid epidemic
https://www.philly.com/health/opioids-hiv-aids-increase-philadelphia-iv-drug-users-prep-20190404.html
2018 Philadelphia Award goes to the founder of Coded by Kids
https://www.philly.com/business/small-business/philadelphia-award-sylvester-mobley-coded-by-kids-20190404.html
Proposed CCP contract is ‘a victory under the circumstances we’re living in,’ says union
https://www.philly.com/news/community-college-philadelphia-contract-strike-union-faculty-20190404.html
Why criminalize students and control schools with a metal detectors mandate? | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-schools-metal-detectors-policing-20190404.html
School safety requires strong security like metal detectors | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-schools-metal-detectors-safety-20190404.html
Pitt
State slaps fine on Pittsburgh nursing home for veterans
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/aging-edge/2019/04/04/Pennsylvania-Health-Department-fine-Southwestern-Veterans-home-bedsore/stories/201904040105
Hays Woods takes steps toward becoming city park
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/04/04/Hays-Woods-Corey-O-Connor-Kara-Smith-Hays-bald-eagles/stories/201904040106
Baldwin Borough man killed while saving woman in path of train ‘a hero’
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/04/05/Man-killed-train-hero-Conlan-Onder-Norfolk-Southern-South-Side-pittsburgh-baldwin/stories/201904040174
PNC Park apparently drops the ball, runs out of hot dog buns on ‘Buc Night’
https://triblive.com/sports/pnc-park-apparently-drops-the-ball-runs-out-of-buns-on-buc-night/
Marshall postal facility to reopen
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/marshall-postal-facility-to-reopen/
Paul Muschick: Q&A with Pittsburgh Mayor about city’s new gun control legislation
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-pittsburgh-assault-weapon-ban-bill-peduto-muschick-20190405-cpveeqkxgjauvkgjwqcd7a4jwy-story.html
Redistricting
Creating a fairer map: Redistricting Reform panel kicks off public input tour
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/04/creating-a-fairer-map-redistricting-reform-panel-kicks-off-public-input-tour.php
State News
State proposal could accelerate riverfront trail development along Allegheny River
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/04/04/State-proposal-could-accelerate-riverfront-trail-development-allegheny-river/stories/201904040005
Report: Pennsylvania largest net exporter of electricity in U.S.
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/report-pennsylvania-largest-net-exporter-of-electricity-in-u-s/
Working on your tax return? Here’s how much taxes cost you in Pennsylvania
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/working-on-your-tax-return-heres-how-much-taxes-cost-you-in-pennsylvania.html
Pa. dairy farm ‘appalled’ by gruesome video showing workers abusing cows
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/staff-fired-at-central-pa-farm-after-undercover-investigation-shows-abuse.html
Life-changing program: Adaptive equipment grants mobility, gives voice to special-needs kids
https://www.timesonline.com/entertainmentlife/20190405/life-changing-program-adaptive-equipment-grants-mobility-gives-voice-to-special-needs-kids
Senators’ visit highlights trio of upcoming events on chemical contamination
https://www.theintell.com/news/20190405/senators-visit-highlights-trio-of-upcoming-events-on-chemical-contamination
Transportation
Judge dismisses truckers’ federal lawsuit challenging Pa. Turnpike tolls
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/04/04/Pennsylvania-Turnpike-federal-lawsuit-dismissed-tolls-truckers-organization-Port-Authority/stories/201904040090
PennDOT to replace Route 372 span on Bridge Street in Christiana
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/penndot-to-replace-route-span-on-bridge-street-in-christiana/article_cab794ca-5795-11e9-b5a9-3bb1ae5400fd.html
Washington
Cartwright announces $1.6M for Maternal and Family Health Services
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739269/cartwright-announces-1-6m-for-maternal-and-family-health-services