Legislature

Why does Pa. have the most U.S. Capitol siege arrests? Dems point to GOP lawmakers’ rhetoric
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/02/22/why-does-pa-have-most-u-s-capitol-arrests-some-point-gop-rhetoric/4493639001/

Restoring survivors’ rights to pursue justice empowers them to change the narrative of abuse | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/restoring-survivors-rights-to-pursue-justice-empowers-them-to-change-the-narrative-of-abuse-opinionn/

State should move against gun traffickers
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/state-should-move-against-gun-traffickers/article_ff269a6a-226a-5d4d-af5a-68c41eb09a24.html

Editorial: Legislature can’t be held harmless anymore
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-legislature-cant-be-held-harmless-anymore/article_66b16dcc-c395-5a33-8d38-60f0f141d5df.html

State Rep. Tarah Toohil announces run for Luzerne County judge
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/state-rep-tarah-toohil-announces-run-for-luzerne-county-judge/article_ffad5b8d-c4a7-5e42-9832-69e24ef74d05.html

Coronavirus – COVID-19

SPECIAL REPORT | COVID is cutting a deadly swath through personal care homes
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/21/COVID-19-surges-Pennsylvania-personal-care-homes-pandemic-pittsburgh/stories/202102210034

Vaccine priority rules emerge as potential ‘obstacle’ as people forced to wait their turn
https://triblive.com/local/regional/vaccine-priority-rules-emerge-as-potential-obstacle-as-people-forced-to-wait-their-turn/

Westmoreland pharmacist ‘absolutely’ wants to play bigger role in doling out covid vaccine
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-pharmacist-absolutely-wants-to-play-bigger-role-in-doling-out-covid-vaccine/

Pharmacist drives through winter storm to vaccinate homebound Donegal woman
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pharmacist-drives-through-winter-storm-to-vaccinate-homebound-donegal-woman/

Delco expands COVID vaccine call center after deluge of calls
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/delco-expands-covid-vaccine-call-center-after-deluge-of-calls/article_0f0b004a-7205-11eb-b0d5-733d27c8c181.html

Pa. flunks on watchdog group’s COVID-19 testing report card | The Numbers Racket
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/pas-covid-19-testing-report-card-the-numbers-racket/

Use of ‘lifesaving’ experimental COVID treatment expanding in Lehigh Valley and beyond
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-monoclonal-miners-20210221-yon7bhz2jrguhcpie6wmdh7tt4-story.html

Misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine is killing Black and Brown people | PennLive Editorial
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/misinformation-about-the-covid-19-vaccine-is-killing-black-and-brown-people-pennlive-editorial.html

Nursing homes still deserve better, a year into the pandemic | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/nursing-homes-covid-19-deaths-pennsylvania-regulations-20210222.html

Lessons from New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and . . . Mars | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/lessons-from-new-york-pennsylvania-texas-and-mars-opinion.html

Berks coroner reports 2 more COVID-19 deaths
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-coroner-reports-2-more-covid-19-deaths/article_4830ae2e-746c-11eb-8b4f-ab76e9877aaa.html

President Biden to mark nation crossing 500,000 COVID-19 deaths
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-19-500000-deaths-joe-biden-20210222.html

Administration

Wolf administration’s COVID orders have the power of law, legal experts say
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/wolf-administrations-covid-orders-have-the-power-of-law-legal-experts-say/article_c93d148c-6bcd-11eb-a403-73c6c5a89c7f.html

Business

‘This is my little Vail’: Snowy weather helps the Pittsburgh region’s ski resorts thrive
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2021/02/22/snow-weather-ski-resorts-thrive-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-seven-springs-hidden-valley/stories/202102210225

What’s happening with Maroni’s? Here’s why the West Scranton pizza institution is up for sale
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/whats-happening-with-maronis-heres-why-the-west-scranton-pizza-institution-is-up-for-sale/article_99934a7b-adb6-52cb-aa1c-b52dfe2dd30b.html

Crime/Punishment

A baby was beaten to death in her Delaware County home last month, and no one has been arrested.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/toddler-death-delaware-county-liaziah-thomas-jack-stollsteimer-chester-city-homicide-blunt-force-trauma-20210222.html

UPDATE: Upper Darby suspect in East Norriton bowling alley shooting turns self in
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/update-upper-darby-suspect-in-east-norriton-bowling-alley-shooting-turns-self-in/article_3eec6c05-73b4-5010-8acc-d609f089f007.html

17-year-old suspect sought in fatal bowling alley shooting in Montgomery County
https://www.inquirer.com/news/police-seek-shooter-bowling-alley-murder-east-norriton-philadelphia-20210221.html

Cop from central Pennsylvania the latest to be charged in attack on U.S. Capitol
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-cop-arrested-capitol-riot-20210220.html

Education

Scranton teachers want proof of air quality, ventilation before returning to classrooms
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-teachers-want-proof-of-air-quality-ventilation-before-returning-to-classrooms/article_1157d8c9-e207-54b0-b4de-e67a36546804.html

How bad bets with Wall Street cost two Pa. public school systems and a hospital millions of dollars
https://www.inquirer.com/business/swaps-upper-merion-colonial-grand-view-20210220.html

Penn State Thon raises more than $10 million to combat pediatric cancer
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2021/02/22/Penn-State-Thon-raises-more-than-10-million-to-combat-pediatric-cancer/stories/202102220061

How Biden got it wrong about Penn, the Ivies, student debt, and America’s ‘college problem’ | Will Bunch
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/biden-position-on-student-debt-cancellation-20210221.html

Penn State president retires in 2022, successor to be sought
https://www.witf.org/2021/02/22/penn-state-president-retires-in-2022-successor-to-be-sought/

Elections/Politics

Almost 19,000 Pennsylvania voters have left the Republican Party since the Capitol attack
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-republicans-voter-registration-trump-capitol-attack-20210222.html

Democrats hold walk-through signing event
https://www.timesleader.com/news/928370/democrats-hold-walk-through-signing-event

Trump House creator Leslie Rossi says she is ‘humbled’ at receiving GOP nod for open state House seat
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/trump-house-creator-leslie-rossi-says-she-is-humbled-at-receiving-gop-nod-for-open-state-house-seat/

Medalis praised for the way she ran county elections
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/medalis-praised-for-the-way-she-ran-county-elections/article_45d8067e-3db3-5c83-95a4-3ccabfe27ade.html

Health Care

COVID-19 led to a drop in heart surgery, with grim consequences
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/heart-surgery-decrease-pandemic-philadelphia-20210222.html

Monday Update: State health insurance program seeks new customers again
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/monday-update-state-health-insurance-program-seeks-new-customers-again/article_ea6d8974-f2bc-5cf1-903f-8fa4817d77a2.html

Where is the flu? Pennsylvania cases plummet during COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-flu-season-20210222-7wpg4oqz5jazbmrdxldhpaqxqa-story.html

Local News

Biden street name committee takes shape
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/biden-street-name-committee-takes-shape/article_d470915f-2704-57c1-8627-d3868df6d969.html

Development plans in Berks County: 176 apartment plan in Lower Heidelberg Township, 85-acre industrial development in Upper Tulpehocken Township and more
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/development-plans-in-berks-county-176-apartment-plan-in-lower-heidelberg-township-85-acre-industrial/article_3b7603c8-6d73-11eb-8b0b-ab419f380404.html

Virtual Black History Month program to focus on Black Civil War soldiers from Chester County
https://www.dailylocal.com/lifestyle/virtual-black-history-month-program-to-focus-on-black-civil-war-soldiers-from-chester-county/article_47e1ec28-d56c-5353-9ef1-460a6d344ccc.html

Method to choose new DA still unclear
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/method-to-choose-new-da-still-unclear/article_3cef2e59-647f-56de-a412-8db08dab522e.html

Advocates say Wilkes-Barre officials are endangering feral cats
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/advocates-say-wilkes-barre-officials-are-endangering-feral-cats/article_7baa27d9-6c99-5240-a446-004568d42761.html

National News

Boeing calls for global grounding of 777s after engine failure
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/02/21/Boeing-777-engine-failure-United-Airlines-grounds-777s-FAA-orders-inspections-Denver/stories/202102210231

The music world’s awakening to women and Black composers will be game-changing | Peter Dobrin
https://www.inquirer.com/news/black-composers-classical-music-representation-repertoire-20210221.html

Working remotely? Some cities, states will pay you to move in.
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/cash-for-remote-workers-relocating-pandemic-20210222.html

Philly

For Philly hospitals, phone calls more effective than digital platforms at registering seniors for COVID-19 vaccines
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/vaccination-hospital-temple-penn-philadelphia-hesitancy-covid-digital-20210221.html

Philly readies for new neighbors as Biden plans to resettle more of the world’s most vulnerable people
https://www.inquirer.com/news/refugees-resettlement-nationalities-service-center-hias-pa-biden-trump-20210221.html

Penn Museum has hired its first Black director, who pivoted from physics to antiquities
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/penn-museum-christopher-woods-oriental-institute-20210221.html

Teachers, students, parents, and Dr. Hite told us what safe schools during COVID-19 looks like to them | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-schools-return-coronavirus-dr-hite-20210219.html

Pitt

With hike, community group takes steps to help Hazelwood’s Greenway and its surroundings
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2021/02/22/Hazelwood-Greenway-greenspace-Initiative-hike-information-tour-improvements-trees-species/stories/202102220026

Tech programs continue at Pittsburgh schools despite remote learning limitations
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/22/CTE-programs-career-technical-vocational-Pitttsburgh-public-schools-PPS-continue-remote-learning-limitations/stories/202102220009

Some took federal help. Some didn’t. All had to adapt.
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/block-project/index.php

MoveForwardPGH to meet Wednesday to discuss plans for new bike lanes in the city
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/22/Pittsburgh-bike-lanes-transportation-infrastructure-Shadyside-Squirrel-Hill-MoveForwardPGH/stories/202102170150

Talk Minority Action Group honors four in Black community
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/20/Talk-Minority-Action-Group-Black-community-Jesse-McLean-Pressley-Ridge-Randall-Taylor/stories/202102200055

Port Authority to unveil where transit should expand in next 25 years
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/02/21/Port-Authority-25-year-plan-NEXTransit-Pittsburgh-International-Airport/stories/202102210064

Race against yourself
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/02/22/Race-against-yourself-Pittsburgh-Marathon/stories/202102050042

Police: Shooting in Strip District prompts partial shutdown of Penn Avenue
https://triblive.com/local/police-shooting-in-strip-district-causes-partial-shutdown-of-penn-avenue/

Online class teaches about the role of Black soldiers in Civil War
https://triblive.com/local/online-class-teaches-about-the-role-of-black-soldiers-in-civil-war/

Pgh advocates gather 65K signatures for no-knock warrant ban and solitary confinement limit ballot initiatives
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/pgh-advocates-gather-65k-signatures-for-no-knock-warrant-ban-and-solitary-confinement-limit-ballot-initiatives/

State News

Advocates want Pa.’s carbon rules to embrace combined heat and power
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2021/02/21/Pennsylvania-RGGI-CO2-combined-heat-and-power-Shell-Vicinity/stories/202102170129

PA American Water sues manufacturers of toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2021/02/19/PA-American-Water-sues-manufacturers-of-toxic-PFAS-forever-chemicals/stories/202102190179

It’s coyote-killing season in Pennsylvania. Are the hunts barbaric or necessary population control?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coyote-hunt-pennsylvania-game-commission-20210220.html

Pa. utilities urge a resumption of shutoffs as pandemic subsides and unpaid bills soar
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pennsylvania-utilities-shutoff-ban-coronavirus-covid-20210220.html

Pa. must strive to maintain strong energy policies
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2021/02/21/Pa-must-strive-to-maintain-strong-energy-policies/stories/202102190134

State commission begins stocking fish ahead of trout season
https://triblive.com/local/regional/state-commission-begins-stocking-fish-ahead-of-trout-season/

Fracking puts Pa. at an energy crossroads. It’s time to pick a direction. | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/fracking-pennsylvania-marcellus-shale-rggi-wolf-natural-gas-20210221.html

Pennsylvania AG: State can’t file N.Y.-style Amazon lawsuit
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/business/pennsylvania-ag-state-can-t-file-n-y–style-amazon-lawsuit/article_ef0933c9-ea74-5870-9a13-ef6d804c7a45.html

Wilson grad Chris Finch reportedly set to be named head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/wilson-grad-chris-finch-reportedly-set-to-be-named-head-coach-of-the-minnesota-timberwolves/article_41719fc6-eb5e-5643-858d-0d69d65c8554.html

Hate and extremist groups emboldened across Pa. last year
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/hate-and-extremist-groups-emboldened-across-pa-last-year.html

Transportation

PennDOT begins task of selling the importance of bridge tolls
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/02/21/PennDOT-bridge-tolls-bridge-replacement-Interstate-79-Interstate-80/stories/202102210141

Washington

Roads, transit and tech: How Buttigieg plans to localize the federal transportation agenda
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/02/22/Midwestern-mayors-federal-transportation-agenda-Pete-Buttigieg-Marcia-Fudge-housing/stories/202102140017