Legislature

Pa. House vote signals support for child sex abuse window in bill form
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2021/04/06/pa-legislature-constitutions-statutes-lawsuits-sexual-abuse-by-clergy/stories/202104070081

Pennsylvania House advances new initiative to allow past victims of child sex abuse to sue their abusers
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-new-victims-abuse-20210406-jbd3nh4gyra2nd4j5idqqvclsa-story.html

Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center says education funding desperately needs an overhaul
https://www.readingeagle.com/local-news/pennsylvania-budget-and-policy-center-says-education-funding-desperately-needs-an-overhaul/article_855357c6-9702-11eb-bf6c-9b30a8d3505d.html

Krasner, Philly Dems rally for Pa. school funding boost as way to curb gun violence
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/krasner-philly-dems-rally-for-pa-school-funding-boost-as-way-to-curb-gun-violence/article_2443eb39-935e-588e-bdc6-3956a867d3ec.html

Killing the Chesapeake: Report says it will cost Pa. $521 million a year to save the bay
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2021/04/07/advocates-say-itll-cost-pa-521-million-year-save-chesapeake-bay/7103671002/

Pa. House passes bill to use technology to crack down on repeat DUI offenders
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/04/pa-house-passes-bill-to-use-technology-to-crack-down-on-repeat-dui-offenders.html

Pittsburgh supports Philadelphia in lawsuit against state Firearm Preemption Laws
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-supports-philadelphia-in-lawsuit-against-state-firearm-preemption-laws/

Sports bill discriminatory
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/sports-bill-discriminatory/article_a24cf6bd-51bd-5d5a-81e2-a964e593b3c4.html

Pa. should expand automated speed enforcement, not the use of police radar | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/automated-speed-enforcement-philadelphia-transportation-drivers-20210406.html

Bill moves forward to rename section of Route 981 in honor of late Rep. Reese of Mt. Pleasant Township
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/bill-moves-forward-to-rename-section-of-route-981-in-honor-of-late-rep-reese/

Metcalfe brags about owning the libs. What legislating and feeding raccoons have in common | Wednesday Morning Coffee
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/metcalfe-brags-about-owning-the-libs-what-legislating-and-feeding-raccoons-have-in-common-wednesday-morning-coffee/

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Pa. concerned testing down while new cases rise
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/04/06/covid-19-coronavirus-pennsylvania-allegheny-cases-deaths-surge-pandemic-vaccine-health/stories/202104060114

Pennsylvania’s push for vaccine equity has been a challenge
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/pennsylvanias-push-for-vaccine-equity-has-been-a-challenge/

Nearly half of new U.S. virus infections are in just 5 states, including Pa.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2021/04/06/Nearly-half-of-new-U-S-virus-infections-are-in-just-5-states-including-Pa/stories/202104060147

More transmissible coronavirus variants on the rise in Pa. and N.J., as case counts keep going up
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid19-variants-cases-vaccines-20210406.html

Philadelphia joins Pa., N.J. in opening COVID-19 vaccination to all adults by April 19, by Biden’s request
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/vaccine-eligible-philadelphia-april-adults-fema-clinic-20210406.html

Pa., Allegheny County covid hospitalizations up more than 20% week to week
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pa-allegheny-county-covid-hospitalizations-up-more-than-20-week-to-week/

NEPA sees highest COVID-19 case total in more than two months
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/nepa-sees-highest-covid-19-case-total-in-more-than-two-months/article_36f0621b-1832-5a6a-93e7-c269fdc4d174.html

Montgomery County reports 225 coronavirus cases, more hospitalizations as virus surge continues
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-reports-225-coronavirus-cases-more-hospitalizations-as-virus-surge-continues/article_c97e5004-3c9d-5b5a-ba5e-104e399c31a3.html

Berks native uses word of mouth to build COVID vaccine appointment scheduling network
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-native-uses-word-of-mouth-to-build-covid-vaccine-appointment-scheduling-network/article_3b60e638-96cb-11eb-82b6-4b4b77889ce1.html

Administration

Pennsylvanians owe a debt of gratitude’: Wolf salutes grocery employees as pandemic heroes
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvanians-owe-a-debt-of-gratitude-wolf-salutes-grocery-employees-as-pandemic-heroes/

Business

Trulieve Cannabis buys Keystone Shops for $60 million, latest deal in Pa. land rush for weed retailers
https://www.inquirer.com/business/weed/trulieve-cannabis-keystone-dispensaries-pennsylvania-recreational-terravida-20210407.html

U.S. job openings in February reached the highest rate on record
https://www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/job-openings-united-states-february-record-20210406.html

Feds set aside $29 billion to help restaurants, bars — even food trucks. Chains can’t apply.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/help-restaurants-federal-aid-stimulus-20210406.html

Jushi begins expansion project in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/jushi-begins-expansion-project-in-scranton/article_6a053f4b-e0d4-5b2d-b9dc-4ddd26ac8fe9.html

Topps, the trading card and candy company, is going public
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/topps-the-trading-card-and-candy-company-is-going-public/article_eea4e887-9e73-50bf-964c-0156f4050b68.html

Sheetz in running for USA Today’s best regional fast food chain
https://triblive.com/local/regional/sheetz-in-running-for-usa-todays-best-regional-fast-food-chain/

Fear of law changes keep gun sales soaring in Pennsylvania
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/04/fear-of-law-changes-keep-gun-sales-soaring-in-pennsylvania.html

Area convenience chains plan to hire thousands of new employees
https://www.dailylocal.com/business/area-convenience-chains-plan-to-hire-thousands-of-new-employees/article_4ca54cfb-2838-59a5-aa01-cd11dd3f2a1f.html

Crime/Punishment

Body of missing Upper Darby woman found in Southwest Philadelphia; boyfriend still missing
https://www.inquirer.com/news/dianna-brice-upper-darby-body-found-20210406.html

Distracted driving citations decreased in Pa. in 2020 during the pandemic
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/distracted-driving-citations-decreased-in-pa-in-2020-during-the-pandemic/article_d03b324d-172b-561d-9913-e145c15b9a43.html

New Northampton County training program will help police officers recognize and address implicit bias
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-northampton-county-bias-training-police-20210406-75n4ozpnmzaazesekancsu3yty-story.html

Education

‘We can safely reopen schools’: In Philly school visit, U.S. education secretary vows help
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopening-help-miguel-cardona-20210406.html

Education Secretary visits Delco to encourage in-person classes
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/education-secretary-visits-delco-to-encourage-in-person-classes/article_c9210556-972b-11eb-8e48-c33ab07bd0b4.html

Pa. says some in-person classes are OK regardless of COVID community spread rating
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/pa-says-some-in-person-classes-are-ok-regardless-of-covid-community-spread-rating/article_ef492d54-9649-11eb-b5f2-37c88f94f388.html

New Kensington-Arnold’s new superintendent eager to get started
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-arnold-expected-to-hire-new-superintendent/

More than 100 Westmont students quarantining
https://www.tribdem.com/news/more-than-100-westmont-students-quarantining/article_8221402c-9702-11eb-9108-4fa296590b09.html

Student loans canceled for students who attended schools operated by Education Corp. of America
https://triblive.com/local/regional/student-loans-cancelled-for-students-who-attended-schools-operated-by-education-corp-of-america/

Elections/Politics

Pennsylvania once led in suppressing the Black vote | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/04/pennsylvania-once-led-in-suppressing-the-black-vote-opinion.html

Health Care

Class-action lawsuit contending Highmark failed to pay overtime to nurses reviewing insurance coverage
https://triblive.com/news/health-now/class-action-lawsuit-contending-highmark-failed-to-pay-overtime-to-nurses-reviewing-insurance-coverage/

Despite COVID-19, many wealthy hospitals nationally had a banner year thanks to federal bailout
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/04/despite-covid-19-many-wealthy-hospitals-nationally-had-a-banner-year-thanks-to-federal-bailout.html

Local News

City grant program aims to help existing businesses, attract new ones
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/city-grant-program-aims-to-help-existing-businesses-attract-new-ones/article_a642d72c-2875-53e9-8542-c8fc2fe93c4f.html

Reading funeral home will host seminars on recouping COVID funeral costs from FEMA
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/reading-funeral-home-will-host-seminars-on-recouping-covid-funeral-costs-from-fema/article_ee4b615e-96fa-11eb-9d2a-7732d16b371b.html

Bucks League of Women Voters hosts virtual roundtable on county food insecurity
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/04/07/bucks-league-women-voters-hosts-roundtable-county-food-insecurity/7067966002/

Aspinwall seeking more than $215,000 in grants for townwide upgrades
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/aspinwall-seeking-more-than-215000-in-grants-for-townwide-upgrades/

Luzerne County officials to visit suggested White Haven tourism bureau site
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1219307/luzerne-county-officials-to-visit-suggested-white-haven-tourism-bureau-site

Utilities to pave 22 streets in Wilkes-Barre
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1219349/utilities-to-pave-22-streets-in-wilkes-barre

Hazleton mayor looks for guidance for federal COVID-19 relief funds
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hazleton-mayor-looks-for-guidance-for-federal-covid-19-relief-funds/article_288bb182-2b0a-5023-9a93-21f9fdec810c.html

City eyes grants for traffic signal improvements
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/city-eyes-grants-for-traffic-signal-improvements/article_eafec222-70d7-58d5-b516-9731e839898a.html

National News

Arkansas lawmakers enact transgender youth treatment ban
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2021/04/06/Arkansas-transgender-governor-veto-ban-youth-gender-health-care-treatment/stories/202104060168

Gene Therapy: Ohio joins Pennsylvania with ‘stand-your-ground’ law, also known as ‘make my day’
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/gene-collier-columns/2021/04/07/guns-mass-shootings-Ohio-stand-your-ground-Pennsylvania/stories/202104070038

Navy medic, after shooting 2 U.S. sailors, is killed on Md. Base
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/04/navy-medic-after-shooting-2-us-sailors-is-killed-on-md-base.html

A brief history of how racism shaped interstate highways
https://www.witf.org/2021/04/07/a-brief-history-of-how-racism-shaped-interstate-highways/

Why sports remain hostile territory for LGBTQ Americans | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/why-sports-remain-hostile-territory-for-lgbtq-americans-opinion/

Putting a knee on George Floyd’s neck was not part of department training: officer
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/04/putting-a-knee-on-george-floyds-neck-was-not-part-of-department-training-officer.html

Philly

Philly woman sues a top city prosecutor and 9 police officers over alleged road rage incident on Kelly Drive
https://www.inquirer.com/news/khasandra-franklin-anthony-voci-philadelphia-police-road-rage-larry-krasner-20210406.html

Philly Councilmember Mark Squilla and Italian American groups sue Mayor Kenney for renaming Columbus Day
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/mark-squilla-jim-kenney-philadelphia-columbus-day-lawsuit-20210406.html

Conspiracy Land
https://www.inquirer.com/news/a/qanon-conspiracy-theory-trump-voting-philadelphia-20210407.html

Trying to buy a house in the Philly region’s hot market? Prepare for battle.
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/tips-for-buying-house-philadelphia-sellers-market-20210407.html

House explodes in Northeast Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/house-explosion-philadelphia-northeast-mayfair-20210406.html

Man arrested after alleged racial incident in Chinatown
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-assault-chinatown-anti-asian-violence-20210407.html

Why I stopped believing in ‘putting my head down’ and assimilating as an Asian American | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/news/asian-americans-immigrants-assimilation-silence-20210406.html

Bilal reconsiders permanently shifting sheriff’s sales online
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/bilal-reconsiders-permanently-shifting-sheriffs-sales-online/article_c889778d-cc61-54e3-8be4-4316fc4fe9d8.html

Pitt

Allegheny County election officials say primaries should go smoothly
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/04/06/may-2021-primary-election-allegheny-county-elections-pa-voting/stories/202104060151

U.S. Rep. DeFazio, powerful infrastructure-panel chair, meets with Pittsburgh business leaders
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/04/06/Peter-DeFazio-Conor-Lamb-Matt-Smith-Chamber-of-Commerce-business-infrastructure/stories/202104060016

A moment ‘to be bold’: Pittsburgh zoning measure requiring affordable housing advances
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/04/06/Lawrenceville-Pittsburgh-Planning-Commission-inclusionary-zoning-overlay-district-affordable-housing-SouthSide-Works/stories/202104060160

Is there a crisis of ‘forced mass displacement’ of Black Pittsburghers? Residents, council divided on answer
https://triblive.com/local/is-there-a-crisis-of-forced-mass-displacement-of-black-pittsburghers-residents-council-divided-on-answer/

Worrisome trend at Pitt continues as commencement nears
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/04/06/University-Pittsburgh-COVID-19-commencement-shelter-in-place-Pitt-infections-testing/stories/202104060119

Port Authority opens registration for public meetings on proposed fare changes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/04/06/Port-Authority-Allegheny-County-fare-changes-public-hearings-q-and-a-session-registration-open/stories/202104060149

Years after conviction, former county councilman McCullough headed to prison
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/04/06/charles-mccullough-allegheny-county-councilman-arrested-taken-custody-theft/stories/202104060106

Obituary: Thomas McCants bolstered health care to the underserved in Western Pa.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/obituaries/2021/04/06/Thomas-McCants-upmc-st-margaret-hospital-administrator-health-underserved-obituary/stories/202104060146

Pittsburgh City Council OKs amendment to clarify eviction moratorium, make it enforceable
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/04/06/Pittsburgh-City-Council-approves-amendment-eviction-moratorium-enforceable-landlords-fines/stories/202104060125

Pittsburgh council passes revised ban on evictions
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-council-passed-revised-ban-on-evictions/

Port Authority must maintain as well as expand
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/04/07/Port-Authority-must-maintain-as-well-as-expand-Pittsburgh-Transportation-Public-Transit/stories/202103160047

Planning commission recommends Lawrenceville zoning program to slow gentrification
https://triblive.com/local/planning-commission-recommends-lawrenceville-zoning-program-to-slow-gentrification/

Sex workers in Pittsburgh discuss local impact of damaging anti-trafficking law FOSTA-SESTA
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/sex-workers-in-pittsburgh-discuss-local-impact-of-damaging-anti-trafficking-law-fosta-sesta/Content?oid=19226930

Support sought for purchase of Brilliant Line rail corridor for bike/ped trail from Aspinwall to Pittsburgh’s East End
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/support-sought-for-purchase-of-brilliant-line-rail-corridor-for-bike-ped-trail-from-aspinwall-to-pittsburghs-east-end/

State News

Pa.’s largest pension fund admits for the first time that it’s under federal investigation
https://www.inquirer.com/business/psers-pa-pension-teachers-probe-investigation-20210407.html

Columbia Gas rate hikes prompt the question: Where is the balance between consumers and investors?
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2021/04/07/Columbia-Gas-NiSource-rate-hikes-consumers-investors/stories/202104070074

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan touts American Rescue Plan during tour of Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/u-s-rep-chrissy-houlahan-touts-american-rescue-plan-during-tour-of-berks/article_980efada-96dc-11eb-9448-0f223261fd60.html

Three Mile Island decommissioning panel meets for first time Wednesday
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/04/three-mile-island-decommissioning-panel-meets-for-first-time-wednesday.html

Transportation

U.S. forecasts highest summer fuel prices since 2018
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2021/04/07/summer-fuel-prices-2021-highest-since-2018-US-gas-forecast/stories/202104070068

Washington

U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings dies at 84; was impeached as judge
https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/us-rep-alcee-hastings-florida-dies-20210406.html