News Digest :: April 5, 2022

Legislature

Lawmakers fail to override key elements of Wolf’s climate plan (abc27.com)

Attempt to block Pa. from joining multi-state climate initiative fails in Senate – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Wolf administration climate rule survives veto override attempt in Pa. Legislature | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pa. bill could ban domestic violence convicts from holding public office (abc27.com)

Legislation Proposed to Support Ukrainian Refugee Resettlement in Pennsylvania – PennWatch

State lawmakers host Pennsbury, Council Rock students in Harrisburg – thereporteronline

Guest Opinion: Fix Harrisburg by changing the rules (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Fair Districts PA chairwoman: It is time to fix Harrisburg (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

John Fetterman, Celeste Trusty outline initiative to digitize pardons process | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

Pennsylvania aims to reduce wait for clemency by years | WITF

Advocates again call on Pa. Senate to open two-year window for child sex abuse survivors – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Wolf vows special session if lawmaker’s child sexual abuse legislation isn’t passed – Delco Times

Fulton County commissioner ‘clarifies’ response to Senate committee investigating Pa. elections – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

More parking-protected bike lanes could be built under Pa. House proposal | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Coronavirus – COVID-19

China sends in military to help with Shanghai virus outbreak | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

CDC, under fire for COVID response, announces plans to revamp agency | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Philadelphia mask mandate could return as COVID cases start to rise (inquirer.com)

Anti-COVID-19 pills more available, but demand down | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

 

Business/Jobs

Why auto affordability concerns loom as costs rise, sales drop in Q1 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Rock Lititz brings stars like Justin Bieber and Beyonce to Lancaster County (inquirer.com)

 

Crime/Punishment

Pennsylvania’s broken ‘compassionate release’ law, by the numbers · Spotlight PA

Harrisburg getting help to fight homicides after 6 people killed while in the wrong place at the wrong time – pennlive.com

Supreme Court makes it easier to sue police over wrongful arrests | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Education

West Chester School District files motion to dismiss demand for board member removals in mask case (dailylocal.com)

$6 million gift to Malvern Prep to be used for pavilion – Daily Local

How Unity College managed to double its enrollment – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Parents Speak Out About Great Valley Transgender Secrecy Policy – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)

Want to fix Pennsylvania’s education system? Fund our preschools (goerie.com)

‘Abbott Elementary’ spotlighted the worst parts of Philadelphia’s broken school system (inquirer.com)

 

Elections/Politics

Elections set for Tuesday to fill former state House seats of Ed Gainey and Jake Wheatley | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pa. voter registration deadlines approaching (abc27.com)

Here’s why Democrat John Fetterman is touring in red PA counties (ydr.com)

PA governor candidate Lou Barletta is focusing on energy (ydr.com)

Lehigh County DA won’t prosecute 2020 election law violations – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

What do we know about Pennsylvania Senate candidates’ personal finances? | WITF

Progressive incumbent women were snubbed by Allegheny Co. Dem Committee. Does it matter? – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Special elections to determine Harrisburg replacements for Mayor Ed Gainey, Jake Wheatley | TribLIVE.com

Late ballots will be accepted from Luzerne County special election voters impacted by state glitch | Times Leader

Special election in 116th District set for Tuesday | News | standardspeaker.com

 

Environment

The climate cost of the war in Ukraine : NPR

The Clean Water Act at 50: A closer look at Pa.’s waterways | The Numbers Racket – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

 

Health

Nurses are raging and quitting after RaDonda Vaught verdict : Shots – Health News : NPR

Lawmakers must support mental health safety net [column] | Local Voices | lancasteronline.com

Report: Stigma against people living with addiction entrenched in Pa. | Tuesday Morning Coffee – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Telemedicine has been a pandemic benefit. Don’t let it recede with the virus. l Expert Opinion (inquirer.com)

 

State News

State Archive Research Room Reopens (abc27.com)

Pennsylvania tax revenues stronger than anticipated, $580 million above estimates | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Pennsylvania tax incentives to build more affordable housing on the horizon | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Smucker eschews funds for district projects in federal spending bill | PA Power and Policy | lancasteronline.com

Gov. Wolf calls on schools, communities to prepare to welcome Ukrainian refugees to Pennsylvania | WITF

Chesapeake Bay federal funding bump could be used to boost restoration efforts in Pa., bay advocacy group says – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission seeks marker nominations (delcotimes.com)

 

National News

Putin isn’t likely to face a war crimes trial, but courts have other options : NPR

A Russian oligarch’s $90 million yacht is seized as part of U.S. sanctions : NPR

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to brief top U.N. body on alleged Russian massacres (inquirer.com)

Hungary’s Orban and Serbia’s Vucic, pro-Putin leaders, win reelection : NPR

Kansas uses its historic rally to claim its fourth men’s NCAA basketball title : NPR

Credit card late fees are higher for Black and low-income cardholders, Fed says | Business | phillytrib.com

New congressional map approved in Maryland; 1st map dropped | WITF

Elon Musk to join Twitter board of directors (inquirer.com)

 

Local News

Insurance Firm Surprises WCASD Teacher — a Relentless Advocate for People with Disabilities — with Custom Bike (vista.today)

Morrisville parents pin newly-promoted son with grandfather’s gold oak leaves – thereporteronline

Adults, kids gather for Harrisburg gun violence town hall (abc27.com)

Harrisburg police getting help with gun violence investigations and prevention (abc27.com)

Midstate business honoring Lt. William Lebo (abc27.com)

Radnor to apply for grant money to clean up West Wayne Preserve site (mainlinemedianews.com)

Controversial gun show in Newtown canceled, but could return to NAC (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

City Council has appointed a former city councilman to fill the District 1 seat vacated when Brianna Tyson resigned last month. (readingeagle.com)

Schuylkill County fire companies faced with replacing costly gear damaged in crash on I-81 | News | standardspeaker.com

 

Pitt

Former Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto hired to lecture at Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Jim Rogers’ estate files federal lawsuit against City of Pittsburgh, police, paramedics | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

‘We got to have each other’s back,’ Mayor Ed Gainey tells Brookline meeting after string of Pittsburgh violence | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

U.S. Steel facility first steel mill in North America to win certification from ResponsibleSteel | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PNC Park getting enhancements in advance of Pirates’ season opener | TribLIVE.com

 

Philly

Philly’s contested wealth tax push, explained · Spotlight PA

Program for middle-schoolers tries to help them make a breakthrough | Local News | phillytrib.com

Education advocates weigh in on new Philly superintendent | Local News | phillytrib.com

Philly City Councilmember Allan Domb tries to spread word about unclaimed money – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

PGW’s Passyunk LNG venture with West Conshohocken developer is in trouble (inquirer.com)

Philadelphians have been waiting nearly 3 years for unarmed traffic enforcement. That’s too long. | Editorial (inquirer.com)

Lame duck Kenney takes no risks with his latest budget proposal | Editorial (inquirer.com)

 

Washington

Senators reach agreement on COVID-19 spending : NPR

Democratic, GOP Senate bargainers reach $10B COVID agreement – Daily Local

Murkowski, Romney back Jackson, all but assure confirmation | News | phillytrib.com

Biden-Obama: White House reunion to celebrate health law | News | phillytrib.com