Legislature

Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf, lawmakers form joint COVID-19 vaccine task force
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-gov-tom-wolf-lawmakers-form-joint-covid-19-vaccine-task-force.html

COVID-19 Update: Wolf creates vaccine task force with state legislators on board
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/02/09/covid-19-coronavirus-cases-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-allegheny-county-cases-deaths-data-vaccine-pandemic-health/stories/202102090116

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf says new bipartisan task force will tackle state’s troubled COVID-19 vaccine rollout
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-vaccine-task-force-20210209-rddeahus4becpglqghciz5wjfe-story.html

PA legislators to Wolf: Give more reprieves to inmates vulnerable to COVID-19. His response.
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2021/02/10/pennsylvania-inmates-release-covid-19/4455476001/

State System’s Daniel Greenstein faces General Assembly questions about academics, dorm vacancies
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/09/State-System-state-owned-universities-Pennsylvania-Greenstein-merger-facuty-APSCUF-college-faculty/stories/202102090141

Cutting college cost by 25% through redesign of Pa. state universities attracts lawmakers’ attention
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/cutting-college-cost-by-25-through-redesign-of-pa-state-universities-attracts-lawmakers-attention.html

Gov. Wolf outlines plan to raise Pa.’s minimum wage to $15 by 2027
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/gov-wolf-outlines-plan-to-raise-pa-s-minimum-wage-to-15-by-2027/

Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf again seeks a higher minimum wage, and he faces strong opposition again
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-gov-tom-wolf-again-seeks-a-higher-minimum-wage-and-he-faces-strong-opposition-again.html

Why Wolf faces bipartisan opposition to natural gas severance tax in southwestern PA
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/09/pa-natural-gas-severance-tax-wolf/4440578001/

Pennsylvania mail-in ballot registry isn’t as permanent as the word implies
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-mail-in-ballot-registry-isnt-as-permanent-as-the-word-implies/

Report finds Pennsylvania falls short in auto safety laws
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/transportation/report-finds-pennsylvania-falls-short-in-auto-safety-laws/article_b3b700de-6653-11eb-bc56-433fda2728f8.html

Pa. has a chance to reform our struggling schools. Will the legislature let it happen? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-budget-charter-school-reform-education-20210209.html

Don’t let sore losers restrict vote
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/dont-let-sore-losers-restrict-vote/article_35bdc556-2be2-5405-8d40-160649099ba3.html

Longtime lawmaker Hasay mourned, praised
https://www.timesleader.com/news/847075/longtime-lawmaker-hasay-mourned-praised

Freshman legislator, first responders work together to aid stricken Capitol Police officer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/freshman-legislator-first-responders-work-together-to-aid-stricken-capitol-police-officer.html

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Pennsylvania tool lets you know when it’s your turn to get covid vaccine
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-tool-lets-you-know-when-its-your-turn-to-get-covid-vaccine/

New Pennsylvania tool informs people of vaccine eligibility
https://www.timesleader.com/news/849185/new-pennsylvania-tool-informs-people-of-vaccine-eligibility

New online COVID-19 tool screens for vaccine eligibility
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/new-online-covid-19-tool-screens-for-vaccine-eligibility/article_3b3e27a8-1349-5e4f-bc33-709d8a7cfdb3.html

Search for COVID-19 vaccines frustrates seekers and providers
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/search-for-covid-19-vaccines-frustrates-seekers-and-providers/article_a328f00c-f583-5ae3-900d-bf95c80d545a.html

A Dose of Hope
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/a/coronavirus-health-care-workers-inside-philadelphia-hospitals-20210210.html

Nearly 500 more Berks County residents start or complete COVID vaccinations
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/nearly-500-more-berks-county-residents-start-or-complete-covid-vaccinations/article_3939f694-6acd-11eb-b12e-43761aab0efd.html

COVID-19 shots available by appointment only from Wilkes-Barre Health Dept.
https://www.timesleader.com/news/846847/covid-19-shots-available-by-appointment-only-from-wilkes-barre-health-dept

Giant Eagle pharmacies hope for more covid vaccine supply to meet ‘unprecedented’ demand
https://triblive.com/local/giant-eagle-pharmacies-hope-for-more-covid-vaccine-supply-to-meet-unprecedented-demand/

Pa. reports 4,088 additional covid cases, 149 deaths
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-reports-4088-additional-covid-cases-149-deaths/

Allegheny County adds most newly reported covid cases in over 2 weeks
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-reports-most-newly-reported-covid-cases-in-over-2-weeks/

Administration

The Wolf administration won’t appeal a state court ruling that tossed victim-rights law overwhelmingly supported by voters
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/marsys-law-pennsylvania-victim-rights-wolf-appeal-20210209.html

A plan for Pa. is needed, not a wish list
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/02/10/A-plan-for-Pa-is-needed-not-a-wish-list/stories/202102060008

Crime/Punishment

Driver who killed 3 on Thanksgiving in 2016 should be resentenced to life imprisonment, Pa. court rules
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/02/09/driver-killed-family-thanksgiving-2016-crash-resentence-life-prison-demetrius-coleman-north-versailles/stories/202102090157

ACLU and 81 other advocacy groups call on Biden to end federal executions
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/stop-federal-executions-aclu-biden-20210209.html

Education

Keystone Oaks teachers set to end work stoppage despite no contract agreement
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/09/Keystone-Oaks-school-teachers-work-stoppage-strike-no-contract-agreement-labor-union/stories/202102090127

Jill Biden promises free access to community college
https://www.inquirer.com/education/jill-biden-community-college-free-access-20210209.html

With ‘luck’ and ‘God’s grace,’ University of Scranton names new president
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/with-luck-and-gods-grace-university-of-scranton-names-new-president/article_eecd35e6-9541-5500-b543-1e7e33cfff8d.html

Elections/Politics

John Fetterman addresses 2013 incident in which he pulled a gun on a man who turned out to be an unarmed Black jogger
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/john-fetterman-2013-braddock-shotgun-incident-20210209.html

Health Care

Gateway Health Plan adopts ‘concierge medicine for the masses’
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2021/02/10/Gateway-Health-Plan-empower360-glenn-Pomerantz-Zane-Gates-altoona-greensburg-highmark/stories/202102090145

Many supposed breast cancer risk genes don’t raise risk, studies find
https://www.inquirer.com/health/which-breast-cancer-genes-really-matter-penn-mayo-clinic-study-surprises-20210210.html

Allegheny Health Network adjusts visiting policy, other hospitals still have limits
https://triblive.com/local/regional/allegheny-health-network-adjusts-visiting-policy-other-hospitals-still-have-limits/

Local News

Scranton likely to lower dog license fee, takes step to address flooding in Keyser Valley
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-likely-to-lower-dog-license-fee-takes-step-to-address-flooding-in-keyser-valley/article_30db18b4-845e-51cb-b096-293560b8beb1.html

Reading Parking Authority to lower meter rates for six months because of COVID pandemic
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/reading-parking-authority-to-lower-meter-rates-for-six-months-because-of-covid-pandemic/article_3eefec32-6aec-11eb-a7c0-17af11f0ee75.html

Tenants of West Reading apartments face imminent eviction if owner fails to fix dozens of safety issues
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/tenants-of-west-reading-apartments-face-imminent-eviction-if-owner-fails-to-fix-dozens-of/article_bc61f142-6b0a-11eb-a1ba-f741c603b98a.html

Luzerne County keeping elected tax collectors
https://www.timesleader.com/news/849162/luzerne-county-keeping-elected-tax-collectors

Salavantis to resign as DA to run for county judge
https://www.timesleader.com/news/846285/salavantis-to-resign-as-da-to-run-for-county-judge

Delmont councilman removed from vice president position
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/delmont-councilman-removed-from-vice-president-position/

National News

Democrats called to save the Postal Service, but now they’re in power and struggling to help the failing agency
https://www.inquirer.com/news/usps-package-delays-2021-republicans-democrats-biden-20210210.html

Capitol riot prompts a reckoning over extremism in the ranks
https://www.witf.org/2021/02/10/capitol-riot-prompts-a-reckoning-over-extremism-in-the-ranks/

Natural Gas

Public input blocked on shale gas wastewater permitting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2021/02/10/Public-participation-blocked-on-shale-gas-wastewater-permitting/stories/202102090149

Philly

Philly teachers don’t report to school buildings for a second day; teacher vaccinations expected to start Feb. 22
Philadelphia teacher coronavirus vaccinations to start Feb. 22 as teachers don’t report to school district buildings for second day (inquirer.com)

Philly restaurants can expand indoor dining if they boost ventilation. Critics call the plan ‘unclear’ and ‘unenforceable.’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-philly-restaurants-indoor-dining-ventilation-pa-nj-vaccine-20210210.html

Comcast, NextFab are giving grant money, accelerator spots to Philly small businesses
https://www.inquirer.com/business/comcast/comcast-rise-small-business-grants-nextfab-artisans-accelerator-philadelphia-chester-20210210.html

Packer Park neighbors are fighting Parx and Chickie’s & Pete’s over plan to relocate the Turf Club
https://www.inquirer.com/news/parx-casino-turf-club-chickies-petes-gambling-south-philadelphia-packer-park-neighbors-angry-20210210.html

Accused of 6 murders, Philly man spent 25 years on death row. Now, his record is cleared.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-conviction-integrity-christopher-williams-exoneree-20210210.html

High-profile Philly lawyer Chuck Peruto is challenging DA Larry Krasner as a Republican
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/chuck-peruto-larry-krasner-philadelphia-district-attorney-election-20210209.html

At 23, South Philly’s Quil Lemons becomes the youngest photographer to shoot a Vanity Fair cover
https://www.inquirer.com/news/billie-eilish-vanity-fair-cover-quil-lemons-photographer-20210210.html

With seven killed in 24 hours, Philly confronts a startling rise in homicides
https://www.inquirer.com/news/murder-philadelphia-spike-homicide-investigation-20210209.html

‘Absolutely grueling’: 7 people fatally shot in Philly in less than 24 hours
https://www.witf.org/2021/02/10/absolutely-grueling-7-people-fatally-shot-in-philly-in-less-than-24-hours/

Outlaw calls lack of witnesses a ‘problem’ after violent 24 hours leaves 7 dead
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/outlaw-calls-lack-of-witnesses-a-problem-after-violent-24-hours-leaves-7-dead/article_3d6d7094-c162-5723-82e7-2e1e96125650.html

Philly residents have to go online to sign up for the coronavirus vaccine. But what about people who can’t?
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/philadelphia-coronavirus-vaccine-registration-website-language-20210209.html

Philly police contract fight is on: FOP seeks 5% ‘accountability’ bonus for body cam use
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-contract-discipline-reform-accountability-20210209.html

Philly receives $2.3 million grant to continue working to reduce its jail population
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-macarthur-grant-reduce-jail-population-criminal-justice-20210209.html

American Airlines warns of more than 1,000 possible furloughs in Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/business/american-airlines-1000-worker-furloughs-philadelphia-international-airport-coronavirus-20210209.html

How basic engineering concepts could help solve Philly vaccination problems | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-vaccine-distribution-philadelphia-engineering-20210209.html

Pitt

A ‘fortress’: Family House, others oppose 300-unit apartment complex on Forbes Ave. in Oakland
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/02/10/Family-House-CA-Ventures-Forbes-Avenue-apartment-building-Oakland-Planning-Development-pittsburgh/stories/202102100053

Jail headcount down, Allegheny County lands more money to erode ‘unnecessary incarceration’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/02/09/John-D-Catherine-T-MacArthur-Foundation-Allegheny-County-Jail-grant-Kim-Berkeley-Clark/stories/202102090168

City Council confirms 17 members to Pittsburgh’s new LGBTQIA+ Commission
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/09/Pittsburgh-City-Council-confirms-17-members-LGBTQIA-commission-bill-peduto/stories/202102090131

Pittsburgh’s new LGBTQIA+ Commission a ‘strong and impressive’ group
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburghs-new-lgbtqia-commission-a-strong-and-impressive-group/

Story of pioneering Pittsburgh Black reporter inspires new documentary
https://triblive.com/aande/movies-tv/story-of-pioneering-black-reporter-inspires-new-documentary/

1 man dead, 2 firefighters injured in house fire in Pittsburgh’s Allentown
https://triblive.com/local/1-man-dead-2-firefighters-injured-in-house-fire-in-pittsburghs-allentown/

Pitt graduate Marty Schottenheimer, coach of 4 NFL teams and winner of 200 games, dies at 77
https://triblive.com/sports/marty-schottenheimer-coach-of-4-nfl-teams-and-winner-of-200-games-dies-at-77/

State News

The Flint indictments are a reminder of Pa.’s failure to protect children from lead poisoning | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/flint-indictments-lead-poisoning-remediation-philadelphia-pennsylvania-20210209.html

Commonwealth Court establishes presence on Twitter
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/commonwealth-court-establishes-presence-on-twitter/

Attorney general decides not to charge Schuylkill commissioner
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/attorney-general-decides-not-to-charge-schuylkill-commissioner/article_2cf24a76-f35f-5491-9542-0f669a4b0249.html

Pa. State Trooper dies while on duty after medical emergency
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-state-trooper-dies-while-on-duty-after-medical-emergnecy.html

Transportation

Dooker’s Hollow Bridge implosion delayed
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/02/09/Dooker-s-Hollow-Bridge-implosion-delayed-east-pittsburgh-traffic/stories/202102090188

Arnold Palmer airport 5-year plan envisions added fire truck, possible terminal expansion
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/arnold-palmer-airport-5-year-plan-envisions-added-fire-truck-possible-terminal-expansion/

Washington

Bruce Castor had a big spotlight to open Trump’s impeachment defense. It didn’t go well.
ttps://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/02/10/Bruce-Castor-impeachment-trump-defense-lawyer-philadelphia/stories/202102100093