Legislature
Over Pa. health department concerns, bill introduced to create central COVID-19 vaccination registry
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2021/02/22/COVID-19-vaccine-registry-Pennsylvania-Department-of-Health-PA-Senate-Lindsey-Williams-Bizzarro/stories/202102220104
Amid partisan acrimony over pandemic, a bipartisan vaccine team says it’s hopeful for the future
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/amid-partisan-acrimony-over-pandemic-a-bipartisan-vaccine-team-says-its-hopeful-for-the-future/
Official gets an earful about COVID-19 business closures during Pa. budget hearing
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2021/02/22/PA-budget-hearing-Official-gets-an-earful-about-COVID/stories/202102220118
Saylor to DEP: What assurance do you have Pa. citizens ‘aren’t going to die like they did in Texas?’
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/saylor-to-dep-what-assurance-do-you-have-pa-citizens-arent-going-to-die-like-they-did-in-texas/
Pennsylvania judicial gerrymandering: We have more time to fight GOP scheme
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-pennsylvania-judicial-gerrymandering-muschick-20210223-u343msfl2jbyjk6ybw4tykn4mu-story.html
Work to reform vote-by-mail
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/02/23/Work-to-reform-vote-by-mail-Pennsylvania-Legislature/stories/202101300038
Pa.’s wildlife is dependent on us to save it
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2021/02/23/Pa-s-wildlife-is-dependent-on-us-to-save-it/stories/202102230023
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Wolf says state must do better with inoculations as Pa. reports 3,427 new cases
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/02/22/covid-19-coronavirus-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-allegheny-county-cases-deaths-vaccine-pandemic-health/stories/202102220072
UPMC website allows registration for covid-19 vaccine appointments
https://triblive.com/local/regional/upmc-website-allows-registration-for-covid-19-vaccine-appointments/
Rescheduling COVID-19 vaccinations, 2nd doses – what you need to know
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/rescheduling-covid-19-vaccinations-2nd-doses—what-you-need-to-know/article_15972198-4da1-5061-b428-4b87d3c5d17d.html
Allegheny County posts lowest new covid numbers since early November
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-posts-lowest-new-covid-numbers-since-early-november/
Westmoreland County adds fewest new covid cases since early October
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-adds-fewest-new-covid-cases-since-early-october/
Berks County adds 77 new COVID cases as number getting at least 1 dose of vaccine tops 37K
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-adds-77-new-covid-cases-as-number-getting-at-least-1-dose-of/article_b42e50bc-753a-11eb-9424-8bb8cfc9103e.html
Risk of COVID spread in Berks still ‘substantial,’ but 40% of Pa. counties out of worst category, report finds
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/risk-of-covid-spread-in-berks-still-substantial-but-40-of-pa-counties-out-of/article_b66f8b44-7525-11eb-b817-7b06832ab2bc.html
Westmoreland vaccine registry on hold
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-vaccine-registry-on-hold/
Lower Bucks Hospital to hold first public COVID vaccine clinic Tuesday
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/22/lower-bucks-hospital-public-vaccine-clinic-covid-pandemic-pfizer-moderna-bucks-county/4541676001/
Ashley, the face of PA’s latest crisis: Overdose deaths are spiking in pandemic
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2021/02/23/pennsylvania-lt-gov-john-fetterman-loses-friend-four-boys-lose-their-mom-overdose-pittsburgh/4488045001/
Maryland planning to unveil statewide COVID-19 vaccine appointment system
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/02/maryland-planning-to-unveil-statewide-covid-19-vaccine-appointment-system.html
Biden mourns 500,000 dead, balancing nation’s grief and hope
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-half-million-deaths-20210223.html
U.S. tops 500,000 coronavirus deaths, matching the toll of 3 wars
https://triblive.com/news/u-s-tops-500000-coronavirus-deaths-matching-the-toll-of-3-wars/
Administration
Gov. Wolf once again proposes a natural gas tax
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/gov-wolf-once-again-proposes-a-natural-gas-tax/article_b637b6fd-45d3-5a13-9209-2c0c56884c33.html
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf floats natural gas tax to pay for $3 billion pandemic recovery plan
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-pa-wolf-natural-gas-tax-workforce-development-20210222-k62parvnuzesbosck5oogcn2cu-story.html
Business
Biden is tweaking the PPP rules to reach the smallest companies
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/paycheck-protection-program-ppp-biden-changes-20210222.html
Frustrated business owners struggle with near-record February snow
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/frustrated-business-owners-struggle-with-near-record-february-snow/article_8b106b89-2b13-53e9-b689-6a2fecbf5175.html
Crime/Punishment
Mother in custody after 2 children found dead in their Ambridge home
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/02/22/woman-custody-arrested-two-people-dead-ambridge-Beaver-County-maplewood-avenue/stories/202102220114
4 arrested, 19 guns seized after Monroeville Gun Show surveillance
https://triblive.com/local/monroeville/4-arrested-19-guns-seized-after-monroeville-gun-show-surveillance/
Vaccinate prison staffs
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/vaccinate-prison-staffs/article_ef8ec221-043f-5089-8c60-e6137a2099c4.html
Penn State student reports sexual assault in East Halls, the 7th there since August
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/penn-state-student-reports-sexual-assault-in-east-halls-the-7th-there-since-august/
Delaware County teen accused of fatal shooting at East Norriton bowling alley in custody
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/delaware-county-teen-accused-of-fatal-shooting-at-east-norriton-bowling-alley-in-custody/article_0609a5a9-a1eb-589c-90fb-9d476f22d465.html
Education
Western Pa. school districts cope with teacher and staff shortages
https://triblive.com/local/regional/western-pa-school-districts-cope-with-teacher-and-staff-shortages/
Chester and Delaware Counties consider relaxing distance guidelines to teach more students in schools
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-schools-chester-delaware-counties-social-distancing-guidelines-20210223.html
Chester County Health Department changes guideline for expanded in-person education
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/chester-county-health-department-changes-guideline-for-expanded-in-person-education/article_54b00518-755d-11eb-a209-eb5c69ab7d2e.html
Milton Hershey School students playing key role to improve policing across Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2021/02/milton-hershey-school-students-playing-key-role-to-improve-policing-across-pa.html
As teachers and students return to classrooms, Scranton School Board to continue virtual meetings
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/as-teachers-and-students-return-to-classrooms-scranton-school-board-to-continue-virtual-meetings/article_49494085-9b07-54c3-ad85-6c7d0011171d.html
Donna Reed? Scranton never had that role
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/donna-reed-scranton-never-had-that-role/article_90f793e3-8b71-5572-a25c-2054ad42f376.html
IUP joins schools aiming for a fall reopening
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/22/indiana-University-Pennsylvania-State-System-fall-CoVID-19-classes-reopen-in-person-education/stories/202102220083
University of Scranton nabs $1.5 million grant for engineering program
https://www.timesleader.com/news/935157/university-of-scranton-nabs-1-5-million-grant-for-engineering-program
Area colleges, universities received Military Friendly designation
https://triblive.com/local/regional/area-colleges-universities-received-military-friendly-designation/
Elections/Politics
Tony Norman: Voters to Pa. GOP: Stop trying to steal our votes!
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/tony-norman/2021/02/23/voting-restrictions-Pennsylvania-disenfranchisement-Stop-the-Steal/stories/202102230017
Pennsylvania GOP to discuss ‘issues’ surrounding Trump’s impeachment trial
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2021/02/22/Pennsylvania-GOP-Republican-party-discuss-issues-surrounding-Trump-impeachment-trial-tabas/stories/202102220088
Supreme Court rejects US Rep. Mike Kelly’s election appeal; he calls ruling ‘astounding’
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/politics/2021/02/22/us-supreme-court-refuses-hear-us-rep-mike-kellys-voting-case/4538522001/
Health Care
Uninsured rate among young adults has plummeted in the last decade, report finds
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2021/02/23/uninsured-young-adults-plummeted-between-2011-2018/stories/202102230051
Money-losing Tower Health replaces CEO after sustaining big losses in Philly and suburban hospitals
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/tower-health-ceo-clint-matthews-replaced-board-member-20210222.html
Flu season historically mild in Pa. due to COVID protections, doctors say
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/flu-season-historically-mild-in-pa-due-to-covid-protections-doctors-say/article_f729b3c4-72ed-11eb-9a84-4bfe6deef4c1.html
Local News
People turned away from Leechburg food distribution because delivery truck a no-show
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/people-turned-away-from-leechburg-food-distribution-because-delivery-truck-a-no-show/
O’Hara seeking $770,000 from Allegheny County for stormwater upgrades
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/ohara-seeking-770000-from-allegheny-county-for-stormwater-upgrades/
Volunteer vaccine rides underway, litter clean-up highlighted by commission
https://www.timesleader.com/news/935159/volunteer-vaccine-rides-underway-litter-clean-up-highlighted-by-commission
National News
Southern Poverty Law Center: 160 Confederate symbols taken down in 2020
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2021/02/23/Southern-Poverty-160-Confederate-symbols-taken-down-in-2020/stories/202102230104
New Jersey
N.J. Gov. Murphy signs bills to legalize adult-use cannabis in the Garden State
https://www.inquirer.com/business/weed/new-jersey-marijuana-cannabis-legalization-industry-gov-murphy-signs-bills-20210222.html
Opioid Crisis
Need naloxone? Local recovery coalition will discreetly mail doses to combat opioid overdoses
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/need-naloxone-local-recovery-coalition-will-discreetly-mail-doses-to-combat-opioid-overdoses/article_c84a1849-625c-5eae-923a-101f19cbf561.html
Philly
‘Like Christmas morning’ as Philly teachers get first COVID-19 shots, but grief for nearly 45,000 deaths in Pa. and N.J.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-nj-deaths-philly-vaccine-equity-20210222.html
A GOP donor with a history of racist language gave $500,000 to a group opposing Philly DA Larry Krasner
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner-protect-police-timothy-mellon-20210222.html
Police seek witnesses in shooting of eight at Olney Transportation Center
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mass-shooting-broad-olney-transportation-center-philadelphia-gun-violence-20210222.html
Woman raped in Macy’s bathroom in Center City, police say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-center-city-macys-rape-bathroom-20210223.html
Better bus service could mean more opportunities for Philly residents, transit study finds
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-transit-bus-speed-reliability-climate-racial-equity-economic-mobility-trolleys-20210222.html
City Council’s budget should not be immune to scrutiny | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/city-council-philly-budget-transparency-clarke-kenney-20210223.html
Philly is failing to protect domestic violence victims | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/gladys-cordova-philadelphia-domestic-violence-pandemic-20210222.html
Keep MLK Drive closed to cars forever | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/martin-luther-king-drive-mlk-closed-pandemic-bikes-20210222.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh school district releases details, timetable for students’ return to the classroom
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/23/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-return-to-classroom-timetable-plans-categories-Anthony-Hamlet-COVID-19-vaccines/stories/202102220131
Pitt to unveil 2-step master plan, envisions ‘transformative academic facility’
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/02/23/University-of-Pittsburgh-master-plan-Oakland-Petersen-Events-Center-Posvar-Hall-Hillman-Library/stories/202102230085
PPS parents speak out against proposed school closures, restructuring
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/22/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-plan-building-closures-restructuring-PPS-district-parents/stories/202102220119
Pittsburgh receives favorable credit rating despite pandemic economic pressure
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/22/Pittsburgh-credit-rating-AA-minus-2020-SP-Global-Fitch-Ratings/stories/202102220091
Report under review by Pitt trustees will decide future fossil fuel investment
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/22/University-Pittsburgh-divest-divestment-fossil-fuel-Free-Pitt-environment-climate-change/stories/202102220065
North Hills teen shot in Pittsburgh’s Strip District Sunday dies Monday morning
https://triblive.com/local/north-hills/north-hills-teen-shot-in-pittsburghs-strip-district-sunday-dies-monday-morning/
Arrival of 7,000 Moderna covid vaccine doses will ease Allegheny County supply problems
https://triblive.com/local/arrival-of-7000-moderna-covid-vaccine-doses-will-ease-allegheny-county-supply-problems/
State News
Goodwill says it’s in urgent need of donations
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2021/02/22/Goodwill-of-Southwestern-Pennsylvania-is-in-urgent-need-of-donations/stories/202102220073
Amid policing backlash, Pa. State Police struggles to evolve: ‘This is a crisis’
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2021/02/amid-policing-backlash-pa-state-police-struggles-to-evolve-this-is-a-crisis.html
Pa. State Police program to improve minority relations results in better policing of police protests
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2021/02/pa-state-police-program-to-improve-minority-relations-results-in-better-policing-of-police-protests.html
Loss of online raffles, pandemic create ‘terrible struggle’ for financially strapped fire companies
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/loss-of-online-raffles-pandemic-creating-terrible-struggle-for-financially-strapped-fire-companies.html
Transportation
Truckers to fight PennDOT plan to charge bridge tolls in Pa.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/02/22/Pennsylvania-Motor-Truck-Association-PennDOT-bridge-tolls/stories/202102220120
New bridge tolls coming to NEPA as PennDOT seeks upgrades money
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-bridge-tolls-coming-to-nepa-as-penndot-seeks-upgrades-money/article_a67ed837-ea6e-5bf2-a7c6-4053681f71e1.html
Washington
Ga. legislator says the pro-LGBTQ Equality Act is an ‘attack’ on God, people of faith
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/02/ga-legislator-says-the-pro-lgbtq-equality-act-is-an-attack-on-god-people-of-faith.html
Rep. Madeleine Dean talks impeachment, possible Senate run and helping son through recovery
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/02/23/madeleine-dean-impeachment-possible-senate-run-son-recovery/4542707001/