Legislature
PSERS Being Sued By State Senator – ButlerRadio.com – Butler, PA
Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls keep going up, but not everyone is paying (wgal.com)
Lawmakers getting first-hand look at school staffing shortages – The Mercury (pottsmerc.com)
Pa. State Senator Mastriano subpoenaed by Jan. 6 committee (abc27.com)
Pa. Sen. Doug Mastriano subpoenaed by the Jan. 6 committee (ydr.com)
Jan. 6 panel subpoenas Sen. Doug Mastriano and others in fake Republican electors scheme | WITF
3 Chester County lawmakers want state approval for hospital deals (dailylocal.com)
Gov. Tom Wolf official pressed over fate of 3 elderly in Philadelphia | WITF
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Why some vaccinated people still get hospitalized with COVID-19 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
‘Downward trend’: COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases are dropping (poconorecord.com)
If you’re finding this stage of the pandemic especially confusing, you’re not alone | WITF
Business/Jobs
Large companies reverting to more normal operations as COVID wanes (abc27.com)
Pleasant Valley Education Association intends to pursue strike Feb. 28 (poconorecord.com)
Wall Street fears market jolt as inflation pinches low-income Americans (inquirer.com)
Avocado prices could spike as the U.S. suspends imports from Mexico (inquirer.com)
Crime/Punishment
The Editors: Philadelphia’s carjacking nightmare (broadandliberty.com)
Five facing charges for defrauding Pa. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program; AG (abc27.com)
Education
Middletown Area SD to implement clear backpack policy (abc27.com)
CVSD moves to mask-optional in most schools (abc27.com)
Youth mental health issues reach crisis levels during pandemic | ABC27
MER-L-ChildrenFirst-Diversity0215 (delcotimes.com)
Pitt-Johnstown students, faculty, staff compliant with vaccine mandate | Local News | tribdem.com
West Chester schools mull over not requiring masks – Daily Local
Enrollment of first-year Black medical students climbs to historic levels – pennlive.com
3 new board members named for Foundation for Reading Area Community College (readingeagle.com)
Elections/Politics
Paper Supply Shortages Could Imperil Primary Voting | PoliticsPA
Corman Moves Pieces Around the Campaign Chessboard | PoliticsPA
Oz, Barletta Show Strength in Trafalgar Poll | PoliticsPA
Environment
As Dover project faces opposition, solar power in PA & York County expand (ydr.com)
Climate Scientists Warn Of Rising Seas In U.S. : NPR
U.S. could see a century’s worth of sea rise in just 30 years | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Transportation
Erie County transportation group seeks input on infrastructure plan (goerie.com)
Weight limit for deteriorated bridge in Scranton fluctuates | News | thetimes-tribune.com
Health
‘Nurses Have Finally Learned What They’re Worth’ – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
State News
Registration for Pennsylvania State Police Sunny Day camp begins (poconorecord.com)
Pa. courts banned lifesaving addiction meds · Spotlight PA
Tinder Swindlers: Pennsylvania, U.S. see rise in romance scams | Today in Pa. – pennlive.com
DCNR says it needs $1.4 billion to address infrastructure needs at state parks | WITF
National News
Families of Sandy Hook victims reach $73 million settlement with Remington | WITF
Sarah Palin loses defamation case against NYT : NPR
Norway dominates the Beijing Winter Olympics medal count. Why is it so good? : NPR
House committee looking at NFL documents in Washington Commanders probe : NPR
Local News
Harrisburg city council passes $70 million budget for 2022 (abc27.com)
1 Vote Counts: Harrisburg organization emphasizes importance of voting (abc27.com)
Cost of gas prices increase in Erie and nationwide (goerie.com)
Bethlehem City Council approves 9-story building in South Side – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Arcadia’s Kelsey Koelzer first Black woman to coach NCAA hockey team (theintell.com)
Potholes pose problems for Berks drivers, road crews (readingeagle.com)
Pitt
Diocese of Pittsburgh to lift mask mandates for church and school at month’s end | TribLIVE.com
How architectural tools with a cosmic twist help strengthen old Pittsburgh homes | WITF
Westmoreland sheriff resumes walk-in applications for concealed carry gun permits | TribLIVE.com
Philly
Gordon Tomb: EPA rule threatens Trainer refinery (broadandliberty.com)
SEPTA’s Wayne Junction makeover is bringing change to Germantown (inquirer.com)
Philadelphia explores cryptocurrency with CityCoins (inquirer.com)
Philadelphia COVID updates: Vaccine mandate to end, masks to remain as cases drop (inquirer.com)
Washington
US lawmakers seek ways to develop workforce and address employment barriers | ABC27
Bipartisan USPS reform bill hits roadblock | ABC27
Senate GOP blocks key vote on Biden’s Fed nominees : NPR
Senate Republicans, led by Pat Toomey, stall critical vote on Fed nominees | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Trump-Russia investigator Durham accused of politicizing investigation : NPR
Dr. Robert Califf confirmed to again head the FDA : NPR
Biden orders release of Trump White House logs to Congress | TribLIVE.com
AP sources: White House seeks another $30B for COVID-19 battle | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette