Legislature
Two state senators push to host MLB All-Star Game
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2021/04/02/Two-state-senators-push-to-host-MLB-All-Star-Game/stories/202104020137
With MLB All-Star Game leaving Georgia, lawmakers in Pa. suggest PNC Park as replacement site
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2021/04/with-mlb-all-star-game-leaving-georgia-lawmakers-in-pa-suggest-pnc-park-as-replacement-site.html
From Hong Kong to Sydney, San Francisco to Zurich, the staff at Pennsylvania’s largest pension fund have run up big travel bills
https://www.inquirer.com/business/psers-pension-teachers-travel-expenses-sers-public-school-trips-cost-20210403.html
Pa. cannabis legalization remains unlikely as neighboring states go for it
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-cannabis-legalization-remains-unlikely-as-neighboring-states-go-for-it/
What’s in a name? Seven top state officials lead under ‘acting’ label; await Senate confirmation
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/whats-in-a-name-seven-top-state-officials-lead-under-acting-label/
Vaccine passports are latest flash point in COVID politics in Pa. and across the country
https://www.witf.org/2021/04/05/vaccine-passports-are-latest-flash-point-in-covid-politics-in-pa-and-across-the-country/
State needs to prioritize water pollution programs, advocacy report says
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2021/04/04/PennFuture-report-water-pollution-control-Pennsylvania-streams-rivers-Chesapeake-Bay/stories/202104040222
Here’s how Pa.’s clean energy businesses are poised to grow a local energy economy | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/heres-how-pa-s-clean-energy-businesses-are-poised-to-grow-a-local-energy-economy-opinion/
Pennsylvania election law reforms won’t be ready for primary
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2021/04/04/joe-biden-primary-elections-state-governments-pennsylvania-elections/stories/202104040042
Rep. Vitali: Pa. environmental protection must be strengthened
https://www.dailylocal.com/opinion/rep-vitali-pa-environmental-protection-must-be-strengthened/article_f648fe02-dded-58ee-b1a4-9b8ced6968fd.html
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro: Voting rights attacks are happening nationwide – and they are coming to Pa.
https://www.goerie.com/story/opinion/columns/2021/04/05/voting-rights-attacks-happening-nationwide-and-coming-pa/7052768002/
The legislature must act now to bring child predators to justice | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/04/the-legislature-must-act-now-to-bring-child-predators-to-justice-opinion.html
Let local police wield radar guns for speed enforcement
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/04/04/Let-local-police-wield-radar-guns-for-speed-enforcement/stories/202103190053
The Biden infrastructure plan would rescue Pennsylvania roads and transit | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/biden-infrastructure-plan-pennsylvania-turnpike-transportation-20210403.html
Wolf’s actions are too little, too late. Now you decide.
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/opinion/columns/2021/04/03/wolfs-actions-too-little-too-late-now-you-decide/4827936001/
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pennsylvania ramps up vaccinations – moves into Phase 1B on Monday
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/04/05/Pennsylvania-vaccinations-move-into-next-phase-1B-where-to-get-covid-vaccine/stories/202104050055
Pa. is finally expanding vaccine eligibility. But perceptions of a rocky rollout linger
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-covid-vaccine-rollout-eligibility-wolf-20210404.html
Delaware County sees infusion of vaccines
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/delaware-county-sees-infusion-of-vaccines/article_17b39faa-93d3-11eb-9f8e-33609826da97.html
Pa. weekly report shows increasing cases and a positivity rate of 14.2% for Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/pa-weekly-report-shows-increasing-cases-and-a-positivity-rate-of-14-2-for-berks/article_d3d04a94-9414-11eb-b4d2-b37701ecfb44.html
New COVID-19 cases, deaths drop in region, state
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/new-covid-19-cases-deaths-drop-in-region-state/article_1ea54f1b-0993-5b54-8c0c-60ef40afd7f2.html
98 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Sunday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/98-new-cases-of-covid-19-reported-in-luzerne-county-on-sunday/article_07a2ba83-6a3f-57de-8976-1b772c37d3a7.html
Epidemiologist warns of covid-19 variant’s effect on kids
https://triblive.com/news/epidemiologist-warns-of-covid-19-variants-effect-on-kids/
A 4th COVID-19 surge may be starting. How bad could it get?
https://www.witf.org/2021/04/05/a-4th-covid-19-surge-may-be-starting-how-bad-could-it-get-2/
Business
Restrictions lifted: Pa. restaurants, bars optimistic as 75% capacity starts today
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2021/04/04/Pittsburgh-bars-restaurants-Commonwealth-resume-bar-service/stories/202104040140
At long last, Pennsylvania’s suburbs welcomed people to belly up to the bar
https://www.inquirer.com/news/covid-19-coronavirus-pennsylvania-bars-restrictions-lifted-20210404.html
Gov. Wolf’s increase in indoor capacity limit doesn’t mean much for Pittsburgh gyms
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/recreation/2021/04/05/pittsburgh-gyms-mecka-fitness-tom-wolf-arsenal-strength-urban-elements-exercise-warehouse-sweat-pgh/stories/202104040093
Restaurants seeing resurgence as restrictions loosened
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/restaurants-seeing-resurgence-as-restrictions-loosened/
Increased capacity a positive step for local businesses
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/increased-capacity-a-positive-step-for-local-businesses/article_10b2a625-ed11-5ea3-8b44-d053f8e7e93b.html
Front Lines barbershop opens in Berks with a focus on serving veterans and first responders
https://www.readingeagle.com/local-news/front-lines-barbershop-opens-in-berks-with-a-focus-on-serving-veterans-and-first-responders/article_26609a7a-9316-11eb-b656-4f37f3a2b660.html
Maryland hotel exec and Swiss billionaire make fully financed $680 million bid for Tribune Publishing
https://www.mcall.com/business/ct-biz-rival-tribune-bid-bainum-wyss-financed-20210405-nc2m4qpr7vhn3czrhndyibzgua-story.html
Casinos
Casino plan wins key approval in Shippensburg Township
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/04/casino-plan-wins-key-approval-in-shippensburg-township.html
Crime/Punishment
Police: Woman hospitalized after WB shooting
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1204419/police-woman-hospitalized-after-wb-shooting
A familiar face takes over the leadership post at Berks County Prison
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/a-familiar-face-takes-over-the-leadership-post-at-berks-county-prison/article_73bbf060-9223-11eb-a6c5-cff27c438a1c.html
‘Another year of loss’: Recent violence prompts examination of shootings in the Poconos
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/local/2021/04/02/shooting-gun-violence-poconos-ceasefirepa-district-attorney-michael-mancuso-mayor-michael-penn/7053450002/
Education
State report identifies biggest areas of frustration for school administrators in Pennsylvania
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/state-report-identifies-biggest-areas-of-frustration-for-school-administrators-in-pennsylvania/article_7e895e0e-8cb7-11eb-a421-b7ce659e4157.html
Pennsylvania will study the impact of COVID on learning and teaching
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/pennsylvania-will-study-the-impact-of-covid-on-learning-and-teaching/article_797ca6d2-8ccb-11eb-9466-ab0d0022b03b.html
Report: Pa.’s underfunding undermines academic achievement for suburban students of color
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/report-pa-s-underfunding-undermines-academic-achievement-for-suburban-students-of-color/article_9c62939b-c2fa-5371-9904-1962dd565d83.html
Failing grades spiked this year at Lehigh Valley schools grappling with pandemic learning. Now efforts turn to remediation
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-prem-nws-covid-students-fail-classes-20210404-djlc7ozzjrh6ziuypq35vpwfeu-story.html
High schools find ways to keep musicals going during pandemic
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2021/04/05/High-school-musicals-streaming-2021-South-Park-Westinghouse-Arts-Penn-Trafford-Pine-Richland-Knoch-Beaver-County-Christian/stories/202103220086
Is the PA’s Safe2Say school threat system being ‘weaponized’? Officials say false reports happen, but are rare.
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/04/05/pennsylvania-safe-2-say-system-working-despite-false-reports-law-enforcement-says/4771631001/
School funding suit gets new tentative trial date
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/school-funding-suit-gets-new-tentative-trial-date/article_2282520c-93f4-11eb-b637-c74e756ce00c.html
More students are majoring in political science and running for public office
https://www.inquirer.com/education/villanova-political-science-majors-elected-office-generationz-20210404.html
Pa. universities recommend COVID-19 vaccinations for students but not ready to require them, yet
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/04/pa-universities-recommend-covid-19-vaccinations-for-students-but-not-ready-to-require-them-yet.html
Elections/Politics
Former Hazleton mayor Lou Barletta tops poll of possible GOP gubernatorial candidates
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/former-hazleton-mayor-lou-barletta-tops-poll-of-possible-gop-gubernatorial-candidates/article_9ac58c4d-0e08-5ec6-a683-b40a6c38febc.html
Health Care
Smartphones, iPads and ‘webside manner’: Adapting quickly to virtual medicine in COVID-19 times
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/bop/2021/04/05/Telemedicine-virtual-doctor-visits-COVID-19-pandemic-telehealth-UPMC-AHN-Excela/stories/202104040011
Cardiology group rates Regional’s heart procedure as top notch
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cardiology-group-rates-regionals-heart-procedure-as-top-notch/article_9f3b0f7f-cddc-582f-ad63-7add4a14538b.html
Local News
Scranton Democrats, Cognetti, finally on same Paige
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/columnists/roderick-random/scranton-democrats-cognetti-finally-on-same-paige/article_c0531c0c-b831-5c74-9cc7-36668cb9b96c.html
Campground called Copacabana proposed for mountain in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/campground-called-copacabana-proposed-for-mountain-in-scranton/article_3837f4e7-becf-5d2f-8bcb-3426252761b8.html
Bucks County to hold its first online sheriff sales
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/04/04/bucks-county-hold-first-online-sheriff-sales-properties/4850090001/
Wyoming Valley Levee gaps to be addressed this year
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1198874/wyoming-valley-levee-gaps-to-be-addressed-this-year
Municipalities grapple with surging costs to recycle; price more than to haul garbage
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/municipalities-grapple-with-surging-costs-to-recycle-price-more-than-to-haul-garbage/article_216b4ed5-4b18-55c2-8f94-03a5e33926a9.html
Purchase offer submitted for 27 Luzerne County-owned parcels
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1207406/purchase-offer-submitted-for-27-luzerne-county-owned-parcels
Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival canceled for 2nd year
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-arts-heritage-festival-canceled-for-second-year/
Phillipsburg police officer killed in off-duty crash
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-phillipsburg-officer-killed-crash-20210404-gghb2lahxzbg7gid5go3d4miwa-story.html
National News
Mass shootings destroy lives and perpetuate institutional racism against Black and Brown Americans | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/mass-shootings-destroy-lives-and-perpetuate-institutional-racism-against-black-and-brown-americans-opinion/
In moving All-Star game from Georgia, MLB honors civil rights legacy of Hank Aaron | Will Bunch
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/mlb-all-star-game-georgia-voting-hank-aaron-20210404.html
Confederate symbols prove difficult to remove in many states
https://www.witf.org/2021/04/04/confederate-symbols-prove-difficult-to-remove-in-many-states/
Pressure mounts on corporations to denounce GOP voting bills
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/pressure-mounts-on-corporations-to-denounce-gop-voting-bills/article_5f77a442-94f7-11eb-97f4-67af218deef3.html
Philly
City and Philly Fighting COVID coordinated for months before scandal that was blamed on ‘acting in a hurry,’ emails show
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/philly-fighting-covid-vaccine-leaked-emails-20210405.html
Testing how navigable SEPTA is, with glasses that see what riders see
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-wayfinding-signage-directions-navigation-mfl-bsl-trolleys-buses-20210405.html
Housing advocates see denser buildings as an answer to affordability. But not all density is good density.
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/inga-saffron/philadelphia-density-spruce-hill-olde-richmond-gangandeep-lakhmna-architecture-fecal-matter-eviction-scale-west-20210405.html
City commissioner donates water to Jackson, Mississippi residents
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/city-commissioner-donates-water-to-jackson-mississippi-residents/article_60b1ffbd-e483-5af3-a6f6-f9a178028512.html
The reality of Philadelphia’s gun-violence epidemic crashes a virtual hearing | Helen Ubiñas
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/philadelphia-guns-violence-endangered-kind-john-solomon-kenyatta-johnson-helen-ubinas-20210402.html
My childhood was so tinged with racism I couldn’t even recognize it | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/anti-asian-racism-hate-crimes-philadelphia-pennsylvania-20210403.html
Pitt
What fans can expect at PNC Park when gates open for the first time since 2019
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2021/04/05/pittsburgh-pirates-opening-day-covid-19-protocols-masks-concessions/stories/202104020091
As restaurant restrictions ease, customers happily return to their favorite spots
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2021/04/04/pittsburgh-restaurants-open-covid-dine-in-pa-restaurant-bar-reopening-restrictions/stories/202104040225
Land bank fails to fight blight
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/land-bank-fails-to-fight-blight-homewood-larimer-beltzhoover-perrysouth-vacant-property/
Recent targeted shootings bring back memories of similar killings in Pittsburgh area
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2021/04/02/Recent-targeted-shootings-bring-back-memories-of-similar-killings-in-Pittsburgh-area/stories/202104020135
After delays, new Troy Hill bridge expected to reopen by the end of April
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/04/05/Pittsburgh-Troy-Hill-new-bridge-Lowrie-Street-Rialto-Street-traffic/stories/202104010156
5-year anniversary: Rescued puppies galore at Paws Across Pittsburgh in Tarentum
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/five-year-anniversary-rescued-puppies-galore-at-paws-across-pittsburgh-on-saturday-in-tarentum/
AlphaLab Health, Pittsburgh’s newest business accelerator, takes flight
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/bop/2021/04/05/AlphaLab-Health-Pittsburgh-life-sciences-startup-accelerator-highmark-allegheny-health-network-upmc/stories/202103180177
Man shot on Pittsburgh’s North Side
https://triblive.com/local/man-shot-on-pittsburghs-north-side/
Woman in critical condition following shooting in Pittsburgh’s Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood
https://triblive.com/local/woman-in-critical-condition-following-shooing-in-pittsburghs-lincoln-lemington-neighborhood/
Pittsburgh schools set to reopen after a year of COVID, criticism, challenge
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/04/04/Pittsburgh-public-schools-set-reopen-after-year-challenge-criticism-covid-19-classrooms-in-person/stories/202104040040
Today is 12th anniversary of killing of three police officers in Stanton Heights
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/04/04/12th-anniversary-april-4-killing-three-police-officers-Stanton-Heights-eric-kelly-paul-sciullo-stephen-mayhle/stories/202104040209
Larry E. Davis | Renowned Pitt social work dean
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/obituaries/2021/04/04/Larry-E-Davis-Renowned-Pitt-social-work-dean/stories/202104040137
County Executive Rich Fitzgerald vetoed paid sick leave for the right reason; any bill must withstand legal challenges
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/04/05/County-Executive-Rich-Fitzgerald-vetoed-paid-sick-leave-for-the-right-reason-any-bill-must-withstand-legal-challenges/stories/202103310076
State News
A man ahead of his time: Sen. John Heinz remembered 30 years after tragic death
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/a-man-ahead-of-his-time-sen-john-heinz-remembered-30-years-after-tragic-death/
‘We feel a sense of freedom’: Easter Sunday brings worshipers out in person and in hope
https://www.inquirer.com/news/easter-church-covid-19-coronavirus-20210404.html
Proposed PECO rate hike would increase residential bills by nearly 10%
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/proposed-peco-rate-hike-would-increase-residential-bills-by-nearly-10/article_86404388-95ae-11eb-981a-f3ba0232c6ef.html
Transportation
Pandemic accelerating shift toward electric vehicles
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/04/04/Pandemic-accelerating-shift-toward-electric-vehicles/stories/202104040070
Washington
Republicans say they’ll support infrastructure plan, but only if the cost comes down two-thirds
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/04/republicans-say-theyll-support-infrastructure-plan-but-only-if-the-cost-comes-down-two-thirds.html