Legislature
Kathy Boockvar to resign as Pa.’s secretary of state over amendment issue
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2021/02/01/Kathy-Boockvar-pennsylvania-resign-Secretary-of-State-amendment-advertise-sexual-abuse/stories/202102010077
There’s another path for survivors of clergy sex abuse to get justice. It faces an uphill climb in the legislature.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-clergy-abuse-lawsuit-window-bill-constitutional-amendment-senate-20210201.html
‘Just sick over it’: Clergy sexual abuse victims, their advocates lament error that derailed Pa. amendment
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/just-sick-over-it-backers-lament-bureaucratic-bungle-that-sinks-constitutional-amendment-to-open-courts-to-old-clergy-sexual-abuse-cases/
Top Pa. election official Boockvar to step down after error delays sex abuse reform
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/top-pa-election-official-boockvar-to-step-down-after-error-delays-sex-abuse-reform/
State Rep. Mark Rozzi ‘devastated’ after state agency fails to advertise constitutional amendment for sex abuse victims
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/politics/state-rep-mark-rozzi-devastated-after-state-agency-fails-to-advertise-constitutional-amendment-for-sex/article_4712bf08-64ab-11eb-9c8e-eb674d46df14.html
Tearing down the digital divide
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/02/02/Tearing-down-the-digital-divide-Pennsylvania-Internet-Access/stories/202101260016
Pa. could enforce death penalty when Gov. Wolf leaves office | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/death-penalty-moratorium-pennsylvania-governor-wolf-capital-punishment-20210201.html
Russ Diamond is unmasked as one of the problems | PennLive letters
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/russ-diamond-is-unmasked-as-one-of-the-problems-pennlive-letters.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pa. has administered more than 1 million vaccine doses
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-has-administered-more-than-1-million-vaccine-doses/
Demand crashes site for vaccine registrations as Washington Health System launches online sign-up
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2021/02/02/Washington-Health-System-COVID-vaccine-registration-UPMC-Highmark-AHN/stories/202102010134
Pharmacies soon will offer COVID-19 vaccines to seniors in Philadelphia. No options yet for the homebound.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines-philadelphia-rite-aid-shoprite-seniors-75-20210201.html
2nd Allegheny County vaccination clinic could open in Ross Township by March 1
https://triblive.com/local/north-hills/2nd-allegheny-county-vaccination-clinic-could-open-in-ross-township-by-march-1/
The pandemic is exacerbating a shortage of child therapist
https://www.inquirer.com/news/children-teenagers-psychiatry-psychology-covid-19-mental-health-insurance-20210202.html
New diabetes cases linked to COVID-19
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-diabetes-20210202.html
The COVID-19 vaccine does not cause infertility, as social media myths are claiming
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-19-myth-vaccine-causes-infertility-20210201.html
Patients booking multiple COVID-19 shots creating scheduling issues
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/patients-booking-multiple-covid-19-shots-creating-scheduling-issues/article_fff63309-e9f0-5d94-be9e-a74853b5bf1a.html
Geisinger vaccinations to be delayed due to snow today
https://www.timesleader.com/news/818214/geisinger-vaccinations-to-be-delayed-due-to-snow-today
Allegheny County saw nearly 40% drop in new covid cases in January
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-saw-nearly-40-drop-in-new-covid-cases-in-january/
69 new COVID-19 cases reported in county
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/69-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-county/article_bbf7e740-2d8d-5130-88f9-5f66e20e552a.html
Luzerne County COVID-19 case total up, positivity rate down
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/luzerne-county-covid-19-case-total-up-positivity-rate-down/article_01b6f56e-ca86-5133-9208-6a8968ee1311.html
Berks County adds 136 COVID cases and 2 deaths, according to state
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-adds-136-covid-cases-and-2-deaths-according-to-state/article_0e011856-64a9-11eb-a9f9-5715af1d1191.html
Administration
Governor declares disaster emergency as snowstorm pummels central, eastern Pa.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2021/02/02/Governor-declares-disaster-emergency-snow-storm-pennsylvania-pittsburgh/stories/202102010143
Gov. Wolf declares ‘disaster emergency’ due to winter storm
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/gov-wolf-declares-disaster-emergency-due-to-winter-storm.html
State updates unemployment programs set up for pandemic assistance
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2021/02/01/Pennsylvania-updates-unemployment-programs-set-up-pandemic-assistance-covid-19-jobs/stories/202102010135
Budget
Snow delays Pa. governor’s budget address a day
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2021/02/snow-delays-pa-governors-budget-address-a-day.html
This budget season, lawmakers have to put underserved students first | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/this-budget-season-lawmakers-have-to-put-underserved-students-first-opinion/
Business
Small investors in the Pittsburgh area cash in on GameStop rally
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2021/02/02/GameStop-stock-price-share-rally-small-investors-cash-in/stories/202102020032
Fraudsters are using fake social media accounts to scam Pennsylvania jobless workers
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pennsylvania-unemployment-benefits-scam-facebooklabor-industry-department-20210201.html
Greensburg area man’s frustration ends; finally gets unemployment benefits
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-area-mans-frustration-ends-finally-gets-unemployment-benefits/
Crime/Punishment
Police: 3 dead in Plains Township murder-suicide
https://www.timesleader.com/news/818103/police-3-dead-in-plains-township-murder-suicide
Education
Allentown School District superintendent Thomas Parker resigning
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-allentown-school-district-superintendent-parker-resigning-20210202-y2isaqwjmvbilfmlk47ggwch34-story.html
Scranton school directors to discuss possible return to classrooms
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-directors-to-discuss-possible-return-to-classrooms/article_e8aaa494-373b-51ea-8e57-ca754669b209.html
‘Black History is American History’: Pa. schools urged to adopt anti-racist curricula
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/02/pa-schools-challenged-adopt-anti-racist-curricula/6652936002/
South Allegheny school district seeks injunction against transportation provider
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/01/South-Allegheny-school-district-emergency-injunction-against-transportation-provider-sun-coach-lines-llc/stories/202102010093
Cheyney to honor legendary coach John Chaney
https://www.phillytrib.com/sports/cheyney-to-honor-legendary-coach-john-chaney/article_cb6a2ab2-8c70-5a65-8355-87b9317614e9.html
Villanova University sees a spike in new virus cases and warns students it may consider all-virtual instruction
https://www.inquirer.com/news/villanova-university-coronavirus-cases-spike-20210201.html
Chestnut Hill College president to retire after 30 years in the job
https://www.inquirer.com/news/chestnut-hill-college-president-retire-carol-jean-vale-20210201.html
Elections/Politics
Pennsylvania got through the 2020 election. Now for the hard work of building a new election system.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-2021-election-administration-mail-ballots-20210202.html
Luzerne County election turnover continues with resignation of board chair
https://www.timesleader.com/news/818210/luzerne-county-election-turnover-continues-with-resignation-of-board-chair
Local News
Scranton tabbed as premier place to work remotely
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/scranton-tabbed-as-premier-place-to-work-remotely/article_155b0472-8cb5-59c7-bd1f-8059b90160de.html
Inaugural Scranton Ice Festival aims to boost business downtown
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/inaugural-scranton-ice-festival-aims-to-boost-business-downtown/article_2d177efb-6044-57bd-af1d-157cd3311a9f.html
Consider alternate side parking
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/consider-alternate-side-parking/article_ab10f176-fa2d-5e1d-b89c-faa173f6a838.html
Reading Area Water Authority dealing with multiple water main breaks in the city
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/reading-area-water-authority-dealing-with-multiple-water-main-breaks-in-the-city-map/article_d51b8d86-64a9-11eb-86e8-ef1d98b0e1db.html
Reading hopes to solve panhandling problem downtown
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-hopes-to-solve-panhandling-problem-downtown/article_2e197668-64f1-11eb-9267-f3eb25762e52.html
Ex-Plum star, NFL punter Pat McAfee gives Nesbit’s Lanes fundraiser big boost
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/fundraiser-for-nesbits-lanes-in-plum-exceeds-its-goal-with-help-from-nfl-alum/
Nonprofit veterans group wants to pitch in, in Hazleton
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/nonprofit-veterans-group-wants-to-pitch-in-in-hazleton/article_2d205e4e-e4c4-54d7-b64c-d73f07ed2e3f.html
National News
‘There’s no end to this’: Mail slowdown continues under Trump-era honcho
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/theres-no-end-to-this-mail-slowdown-continues-under-trump-era-honcho.html
Maj. Gen. Charles C. Rogers: A legacy of Black history | Charles D. Allen
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/maj-gen-charles-c-rogers-a-legacy-of-black-history-charles-d-allen/
Philly
City Council proposes new vaccine rollout oversight amid Philly Fighting COVID fiasco: ‘This will never happen again’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-coronavirus-vaccine-philly-fighting-covid-black-doctors-consortium-city-council-20210201.html
‘Why are you silencing us?’ New Philly school board public comment policy draws ire
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-school-board-public-district-20210201.html
Marathon snow and sleet storm to continue into Tuesday, with lingering impact on roads, services, and schools
https://www.inquirer.com/weather/philadelphia-snow-sleet-how-much-trash-roads-schools-weather-forecast-20210202.html
Broad Street Run postponed again due to COVID-19
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/broad-street-run-2020-date-philadelphia-postponed-coronavirus-covid-19-20210201.html
Philly leaders lied for decades about school safety. Why should teachers trust them during a pandemic? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/school-reopening-philadelphia-february-hybrid-virtual-learning-20210201.html
Pitt
PPS proposes school closures as district seeks significant changes in footprint
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/01/pittsburgh-public-schools-district-PPS-reorganization-footprint-changes-board-closures/stories/202102010118
Pittsburgh Public Schools eyes closure of 7 schools as it reassess footprint
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-public-schools-eyes-closure-of-7-schools-as-it-reassess-footprint/
Hill District cafe launched amid revitalization effort
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/01/Hill-District-cafe-launched-amid-revitalization-effort/stories/202102010090
Juneteenth could be paid holiday for city employees
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/01/Juneteenth-june-19-pittsburgh-holiday-observance-city-employees-slavery-end-black-history-month/stories/202102010084
Peduto bill to be introduced making Juneteenth a Pittsburgh holiday
https://triblive.com/local/peduto-bill-to-be-introduced-making-juneteenth-a-pittsburgh-holiday/
Police arrest suspect after bomb threat called in for Federal Building in Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/02/02/moorhead-federal-building-downtown-pittsburgh-arrest-bomb-threat/stories/202102020092
Port Authority wins national award for tool that helps riders determine how crowded a bus is
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/02/01/Port-Authority-Room2Ride-national-award-COVID-19-crowded-buses/stories/202102010121
Pittsburgh ranks 19th-worst city for bed bugs
https://triblive.com/lifestyles/more-lifestyles/pittsburgh-ranks-19th-worst-city-for-bed-bugs/
State News
Beaver County veteran will be honorary captain at Super Bowl LV
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2021/02/02/James-Martin-Center-Township-Wounded-Warrior-Marines-Super-Bowl-2021/stories/202102020044
Punxsutawney Phil says there will be 6 more weeks of winter
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/not-snow-nor-pandemic-keeps-punxsutawney-phil-from-his-job/
Shenango River named Pennsylvania River of the Year
https://triblive.com/local/regional/shenango-river-named-river-of-the-year-buffalo-creek-comes-in-3rd-loyalhanna-creek-4thshenango-river-named-river-of-the-year-buffalo-creek-comes-in-3rd-loyalhanna-creek-4th/
Transportation
McGinley elected chairman of Bi-County Airport Board
https://www.timesleader.com/news/818207/mcginley-elected-chairman-of-bi-county-airport-board
Maskless travelers will be barred from LANTA, Allentown airport under new CDC order
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-biz-biden-mask-order-lanta-lvia-20210201-xecffdjqlfa25kfyduifauht44-story.html
PennDOT begins to lift travel restrictions on central Pa. highways
https://www.pennlive.com/weather/2021/02/penndot-begins-to-lift-travel-restrictions-on-central-pa-highways.html
Washington
Pa. Republicans are stumped by Trump’s pick of Bruce Castor for his impeachment defense. Others see a ‘natural choice.’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/bruce-castor-trump-impeachment-senate-trial-cosby-20210201.html
Biden unwilling to settle for a fraction of the $1.9 trillion in federal stimulus he is seeking
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/stimulus-talks-update-congress-senate-biden-20210201.html