Legislature
Grace Packer’s death could bring system changes to save abused children
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/commission-would-probe-child-welfare-system
Real estate agents join the push for education funding in Pa.
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/04/real-estate-agents-join-the-push-for-education-funding-in-pa.php
Pa. lawmaker wants to bring back registration stickers
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/pa-lawmaker-wants-to-bring-back-registration-stickers.html
Turnpike, transit agencies begin push for broader state and local transit funding
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/04/07/Pennsylvania-Turnpike-Port-Authority-SEPTA-study-broader-state-and-local-funding/stories/201904020138
State House committee meets in Radnor for hearing on infrastructure
http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/mainlinetimes/state-house-committee-meets-in-radnor-for-hearing-on-infrastructure/article_0fb70514-57c4-11e9-bf97-47f3ec429134.html
Seniors probe Pashinski about REAL ID
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739386/seniors-probe-pashinski-about-real-id
The Briefing: Bill challenges sudden insurance changes
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/the-rundown-bill-challenges-suddeninsurance-changes
New voting security measures could disenfranchise voters with disabilities | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/voting-reform-pennsylvania-disability-access-20190407.html
ER contract points to fix
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/er-contract-points-to-fix-1.2467350
Pa. lawmakers to child-sex-abuse survivors: Take a number, have a seat | John Baer
https://www.philly.com/opinion/john-baer-child-sex-abuse-rozzi-window-legislature-20190408.html
Letter: Cybereducation bill offers strong proposal
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/letter-cybereducation-bill-offers-strong-proposal
Crime/Punishment
A sad parade: 26 people sentenced since January 2018 for causing someone’s death
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/a-sad-parade-26-people-sentenced-since-january-2018-for-causing-someones-death.html
Education
Transition fair showcase options for area students with disabilities
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/transition-fair-showcase-options-for-area-students-with-disabilities-1.2467408
Bloomsburg University, Dieruff High pipeline benefits both urban students and rural college
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-allentown-bloomsburg-husky-to-husky-pipeline-20190408-ra2u3lwp3zh5naytgqsdfecyty-story.html
Director of LCCC’s Hazleton Center to retire
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/director-of-lccc-s-hazleton-center-to-retire-1.2467364
Health Care
Out-of-network billing is a problem — but not a major one here
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/bop/2019/04/08/Out-of-network-billing-is-a-problem-but-not-much-of-one-here/stories/201903200130
St. Margaret Foundation provides sleep chairs for patients’ families
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/st-margaret-foundation-provides-sleep-chairs-for-patients-families/
Sick children treated by telemedicine more likely to be prescribed drugs: study
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/sick-children-treated-by-telemedicine-more-likely-to-be-prescribed-drugs-study.html
Local News
Luzerne County may hire lobbyist firm
https://www.timesleader.com/news/739577/luzerne-county-may-hire-lobbyist-firm
Crispell case referred to ethics commission
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/crispell-case-referred-to-ethics-commission-1.2467475
County council to weigh voting system options
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-council-to-weigh-voting-system-options-1.2467447
Pavilion installed at Back Mountain Trail access point
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/pavilion-installed-at-back-mountain-trail-access-point-1.2467460
Are times changing?: Interest in Mon Valley police merger a good sign
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/04/08/Police-force-merger-consolidation-Mon-Valley-Antown-Rose-Rankin-Ryan-Wooten/stories/201904080019
8 Westmoreland County towns to benefit from new blight demolition fund
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/8-westmoreland-county-towns-to-benefit-from-new-blight-demolition-fund/
A good deal for wheels in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/a-good-deal-for-wheels-in-reading
Reading mayoral candidates speak at LGBT Center of Greater Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-mayoral-candidates-speak-at-lgbt-center-of-greater-reading
Editorial: Loss of Easy Does It site a big setback for community
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/loss-of-easy-does-it-site-a-big-setback-for-community
Allentown rally calls for reforms to support immigrants
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-rally-for-immigrant-rights-20190407-ypk3o7zkuzfzjhqjhnemwydfmy-story.html
National News
Penn study finds genetic differences between heavy drinkers and alcoholics
https://www.philly.com/health/heavy-drinkers-alcoholics-genetic-penn-yale-20190408.html
Marijuana
Lieutenant governor’s marijuana legalization listening tour coming to Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/marijuana-legalization-listening-tour-coming-to-berks-county
Locals voice opinions on cannabis
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20190407/locals-voice-opinions-on-cannabis
Opioid Crisis
Pennsylvania’s war on opioid addiction to highlight national event
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvanias-war-on-opioid-addiction-to-highlight-national-event/
Bucks County Blitz addresses collateral damage of drug crisis
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190407/bucks-county-blitz-addresses-collateral-damage-of-drug-crisis
Philly
Rising hunger among the elderly could mean higher rates of malnutrition
https://www.philly.com/news/malnutrition-hunger-poverty-senior-citizen-aging-20190408.html
Kenyatta Johnson faces Lauren Vidas in race to represent Point Breeze, Philly’s second district
https://www.philly.com/news/lauren-vidas-20190408.html
Free Library adapts Parkway building to make room for events, workshops, meetings — and a few books, too | Inga Saffron
https://www.philly.com/real-estate/inga-saffron/philadelphia-free-library-expansion-wing-reinvention-parkway-teen-business-20190408.html
Through hip-hop and dance, this nonprofit teaches girls of color how to code — ‘It helped me build who I am’
https://www.philly.com/arts/stem-classes-philadelphia-coding-dancelogix-20190408.html
Man shot 17 times outside Philly nightclub; woman struck by getaway vehicle
https://www.philly.com/news/shooting-hush-nightclub-philadelphia–20190407.html
Health department warns of possible hepatitis A exposure at South Philly Acme
https://www.philly.com/news/hepatitis-a-acme-philadelphia-vaccine-20190406.html
Start-ups Leif, PeopleJoy say they help college grads tackle student loans
https://www.philly.com/news/leif-peoplejoy-student-loans-debt-startup-college-graduation-20190407.html
Pitt
‘We can overcome adversity’: Parkland, Tree of Life shooting survivors discuss community resilience and love
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/04/07/Parkland-Tree-of-Life-shooting-survivors-discussed-community-resilience-and-love/stories/201904070193
Pitt officially unveils new blue and yellow makeover plus panther logo
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2019/04/07/Pitt-reveals-new-blue-and-yellow-makeover-and-panther-logo/stories/201904070181
Incumbent Darlene Harris finds herself in familiar fight in city’s District 1 race
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/04/07/Darlene-Harris-Pittsburgh-city-council-District-1-race-Bobby-Wilson-Mark-Brentley-Sr/stories/201904070172
State News
Man, child, 8, dead after fire; 2nd child critically injured in Chester
https://www.philly.com/wires/ap/man-child-dead-after-fire-nd-child-critically-injured-chester-20190407.html
Harmar bald eagles suspected to have hatched an eaglet
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/harmar-bald-eagles-suspected-to-have-hatched-an-eaglet/
Supreme Court mulls rule change over malpractice suits, Pa. counties where filed
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/supreme-court-mulls-rule-change-over-malpractice-suits-pa-counties-where-filed/
Pennsylvania Real IDs slow so far
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/pennsylvania-real-ids-slow-so-far-1.2467529
Is Pennsylvania welcoming to immigrants? | Commentary
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/04/is-pennsylvania-welcoming-to-immigrants-commentary.html
The Rundown: State senate candidate has a good week, wins seat
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/state-senate-candidate-has-a-good-week-wins-seat
Restore Pennsylvania seeks to make waterways cleaner
http://www.sungazette.com/news/top-news/2019/04/restore-pennsylvania-seeks-to-make-waterways-cleaner/
Transportation
N.J. again cracking down on distracted driving. In Pa., not so much.
https://www.philly.com/news/distracted-driving-texting-phone-car-awareness-month-20190405.html
Passenger train from Scranton to NYC chugs forward
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/passenger-train-from-scranton-to-nyc-chugs-forward-1.2467473
Scranton wants 4-way stop signs at dangerous intersection
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-wants-4-way-stop-signs-at-dangerous-intersection-1.2467514
Washington
Homeland Security chief Nielsen resigns
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/04/07/Homeland-Security-Secretary-Kirstjen-Nielsen-resigning-President-Donald-Trump/stories/201904070187
Kevin McAleenan is taking over Homeland Security. Will he be ‘tough’ enough on immigration policy for Trump?
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/kevin-mcaleenan-homeland-security-kirstjen-nielsen-donald-trump-immigration-policy-mexico-border-20190408.html