Legislature
Voters may never again get to choose Pa.’s lieutenant governor candidates
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-lieutenant-governor-election-constitutional-amendment-political-parties-20210223.html
Lawmakers unhappy about tolls reminded of law they passed
https://www.timesleader.com/news/937688/lawmakers-unhappy-about-tolls-reminded-of-law-they-passed
We were counting on plans that never materialized:’ PennDOT details funding problems and possible fixes
https://www.witf.org/2021/02/23/we-were-counting-on-plans-that-never-materialized-penndot-details-funding-problems-and-possible-fixes/
State lawmakers unhappy about PennDOT’s plan for bridge tolls
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/02/23/pennsylvania-Lawmakers-unhappy-bridge-tolls-highways-i-79-route-50-bridgeville/stories/202102230163
PennDOT’s plan to toll bridges, including 1 in Berks, questioned by lawmakers
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/penndots-plan-to-toll-bridges-including-1-in-berks-questioned-by-lawmakers/article_9928bfb4-7611-11eb-95d9-fff8994bd22b.html
Safe bridges have a price
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/editorial/safe-bridges-have-a-price/article_922daf5e-f0a9-5294-b553-e567f49de421.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pa. nearly done vaccinating long-term care homes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/02/23/Pennsylvania-covid-vaccine-nursing-home-vaccinations-milestone-first-second-dose-CVS-Walgreens/stories/202102230155
Officials: More than 500 Pa. nursing homes have received 2nd covid vaccine doses
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/officials-more-than-pa-600-nursing-homes-have-received-2nd-covid-vaccine-doses/
2 million vaccinated across Pa., more than 300K in long-term care
https://www.timesleader.com/news/937702/2-million-vaccinated-across-pa-more-than-300k-in-long-term-care
Wolf touts ‘milestone’ in COVID-19 vaccinations at nursing homes, but acknowledges gaps in reaching some group facilities
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/wolf-touts-milestone-in-nursing-home-covid-19-vaccinations-but-acknowledges-gaps-in-reaching-some-seniors.html
Wolf: Centralized registration for vaccines could come when supply grows
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/wolf-centralized-registration-for-vaccines-could-come-when-supply-grows/
COVID-19 vaccinations complete at all Pa. nursing homes
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccinations-complete-at-all-pa-nursing-homes/article_8b77ec0c-89ba-5b05-a53e-fe75ca5e1337.html
Pennsylvania’s Moderna COVID-19 vaccine supply problems being fixed, but next phase of rollout remains a mystery
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-wolf-vaccine-feb23-20210223-xcr6tdkqtfbrflepfdszbhsaue-story.html
Allegheny County reports 1 new death, Pa. reports 97
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/02/23/COVID-19-coronavirus-allegheny-county-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-vaccinations/stories/202102230120
50 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Tuesday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/50-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-county-on-tuesday/article_11003448-9199-5b37-82ff-9c3dde92a319.html
75 new COVID cases for Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/75-new-covid-cases-for-berks-county/article_2bf2e912-75ce-11eb-9d75-6348ed303e8f.html
Regional COVID-19 deaths spike, but trends remain better
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/regional-covid-19-deaths-spike-but-trends-remain-better/article_3ee3aef6-193c-5af3-a5e2-ceb721a6179d.html
A year of COVID-19: Two weeks to flatten the curve became 365 days of frustration in Pa.
https://www.timesonline.com/in-depth/news/2021/02/24/pa-covid-19-one-year-later-pennsylvania/6755872002/
Vaccine company execs tell lawmakers they can deliver 140M doses over next 5 weeks
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/02/23/Lawmakers-Congress-Pfizer-Moderna-manufacturers-COVID-19-vaccine-variants/stories/202102230119
House Democrats prepare changes to coronavirus relief package
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/house-democrats-prepare-changes-to-coronavirus-relief-package/
Business
Poconos ski resorts see their best season in years amid COVID-19 escapes, lots of snow
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/pennsylvania-poconos-ski-season-camelback-shawnee-blue-mountain-20210224.html
Grocery stores struggling to keep cat food in stock
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/grocery-stores-struggling-to-keep-cat-food-in-stock/article_185da152-42e5-591f-a2dc-f16ca82f2d3d.html
ATI, Steelworkers continue talks as extended contract’s end nears
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/ati-steelworkers-continue-talks-as-extended-contracts-end-nears/
Home Depot rides pandemic to a nearly 20 percent increase in revenue
https://www.pennlive.com/business/2021/02/home-depot-rides-pandemic-to-a-nearly-20-percent-increase-in-revenue.html
Crime/Punishment
An 18-year-old gunned down another teen in a marijuana deal turned fatal, Chester police say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/anthony-jordan-chester-shooting-murder-marijuana-drug-deal-20210223.html
Lansdale teen charged with attempted murder after stabbing his siblings at a playground, DA says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nathan-serrano-stabbing-montgomery-county-20210223.html
Patient stabs doctor at Pennsylvania Hospital
https://www.inquirer.com/news/penn-medicine-pennsylvania-hospital-doctor-stabbed-violence-police-arrest-philadelphia-20210223.html
Wilkes-Barre Police training with body cameras
https://www.timesleader.com/news/936071/wilkes-barre-police-training-with-body-cameras
Berks County Gang Task Force gets a new focus in response to increase in violence
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/crime/berks-county-gang-task-force-gets-a-new-focus-in-response-to-increase-in-violence/article_c714132a-75ed-11eb-9439-036accd19763.html
We must provide a path to success for Pennsylvanians re-entering society | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/we-must-provide-a-path-to-success-for-pennsylvanians-re-entering-society-opinion.html
Man shot to death in north Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/man-shot-to-death-in-north-reading/article_aec9bf24-7690-11eb-ad04-2bd78c7f6d5f.html
Man shot to death by Catasauqua police battled mental health issues and encounter should not have ended in ‘death sentence,’ family says
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-catasauqua-ryan-shirey-family-speaks-20210223-hvhyrwhmlzdczapibg6x5wsz4a-story.html
Could Bucks police use martial arts as alternative to lethal force? It’s an option, DA says.
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/23/bucks-da-police-consider-martial-arts-alternative-lethal-force/4512313001/
Education
Pa. says it will allow public schools to postpone standardized tests until fall
https://www.witf.org/2021/02/23/pa-says-it-will-allow-public-schools-to-postpone-standardized-tests-until-fall/
Scranton School Board cites staffing shortage, ventilation issues in delaying teacher return
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-board-cites-staffing-shortage-ventilation-issues-in-delaying-teacher-return/article_0f08215d-83b1-51c6-a00b-f1d67756270f.html
Rutgers, Penn take steps to confront ties to slavery on their campuses
https://www.inquirer.com/news/rutgers-penn-slavery-justice-reckoning-20210223.html
Point Park cuts 17 faculty, citing pandemic
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/23/Point-Park-University-pandemic-faculty-layoffs-tenure-labor-union-Pittsburgh-Hennigan-search/stories/202102230138
Misericordia appoints new president
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/education/misericordia-appoints-new-president/article_99044d14-446d-504a-8f8f-a3eb6e7eda8d.html
Elections/Politics
We have to defeat the myth of the stolen election. We risk destroying our democracy if we don’t | Bruce Ledewitz
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/we-have-to-crush-the-myth-of-the-stolen-election-we-risk-destroying-our-democracy-if-we-dont-bruce-ledewitz/
Local News
City Council considers revised Portnoff pact for delinquent Scranton trash fee collection
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/city-council-considers-revised-portnoff-pact-for-delinquent-scranton-trash-fee-collection/article_ea200fb3-09cc-5435-a7e0-6de37427dfde.html
Sewage treatment plant in Scranton replacing odor control system
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/sewage-treatment-plant-in-scranton-replacing-odor-control-system/article_67ff82e7-030f-54f8-a015-90c4525d95ac.html
Reading mayor fires city solicitor
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-mayor-fires-city-solicitor/article_b38c68f0-7612-11eb-8933-7bdc9f3c4bac.html
Black seniors in Berks reflect on experiences of racism
https://www.readingeagle.com/living/black-seniors-in-berks-reflect-on-experiences-of-racism/article_d8d61d7e-720f-11eb-9ba4-fb0607e25b1e.html
COVID made it harder for Reading to help renters facing eviction
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/covid-made-it-harder-for-reading-to-help-renters-facing-eviction/article_0c7897fa-730b-11eb-bcda-efa3c8577699.html
Beaver County LGBTQ+ group holds vigil for siblings killed in Ambridge shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/west/2021/02/23/Ambridge-PA-shooting-Jasmine-Cannady-and-Jeffery-Bright-community-vigil/stories/202102230173
Wendel Post Office closes; residents told to get mail 5 miles away in Manor
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/wendel-post-office-closes-residents-told-to-get-mail-5-miles-away-in-manor/
HCA awaits decision about doubling Lehigh River allotment
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hca-awaits-decision-about-doubling-lehigh-river-allotment/article_878612e9-3d25-5663-9496-a94bbc73cfbd.html
National News
No charges against police officers involved in Daniel Prude’s death
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/daniel-prude-rochester-officers-not-charged-20210224.html
Federal judge bans enforcement of Biden’s 100-day deportation pause
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/02/24/Judge-bans-enforcement-of-Biden-s-100-day-deportation-pause/stories/202102240099
Top board leaders resign ahead of legislative questioning into deadly Texas power outages
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/02/top-board-leaders-resign-ahead-of-legislative-questioning-into-deadly-texas-power-outages.html
Philly
Three top staffers accuse Sheriff Rochelle Bilal of abuse and retaliation in recent lawsuits
https://www.inquirer.com/news/rochelle-bilal-philadelphia-sheriff-whistleblower-lawsuits-20210224.html
SEPTA intends to spend $40M in federal COVID-19 relief on proposed King of Prussia line
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-transportation-pandemic-relief-king-of-prussia-rail-extension-20210223.html
Philadelphia Inquirer gets $10M in federal Paycheck Protection Program coronavirus relief
https://www.inquirer.com/business/inquirer-ppp-loan-newsroom-coronavirus-loan-20210224.html
Advocates rally as Philly-area immigrant faces deportation despite new Biden enforcement guidelines
https://www.inquirer.com/news/undocumented-immigrants-deportation-ice-biden-trump-immigration-new-guidance-20210223.html
Philly hosted the pope and a Super Bowl parade. Why can’t we figure out the vaccinations? | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/vaccine-covid-coronavirus-vaccinations-philly-jenice-armstrong-20210223.html
Vaccine racial gap persists in Philadelphia more than 2 months after launch
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/vaccine-racial-gap-persists-in-philadelphia-more-than-2-months-after-launch/article_d25bc17d-de10-5b9d-92f1-0a76555f4180.html
Phillies fans may return to Citizens Bank Park as city relaxes some COVID-19 restrictions
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-phillies-fans-philly-pa-restrictions-schools-vaccine-20210224.html
Saudi group buys old Northeastern Hospital in Port Richmond
https://www.inquirer.com/news/northeastern-hospital-port-richmond-sale-bg-arbah-hampshire-20210223.html
Girl, 15, in critical condition after double shooting in West Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/west-philadelphia-girl-shot-20210223.html
I’m an 80-year-old essential worker. Why is it so hard for me to get vaccinated? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/domestic-essential-workers-vaccine-philadelphia-clinics-20210223.html
Pitt
Neighborhood opposition continues to delay Oakland apartment project
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/02/24/Oakland-apartment-project-CA-Ventures-Family-House-Forbes-Avenue-pittsburgh/stories/202102230169
Allegheny County Council urges centralized approach to COVID-19 vaccinations
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/02/23/Allegheny-County-Council-COVID-19-vaccinations-registry-Liv-Bennett-Tom-Duerr-PA-DOH/stories/202102230162
Pittsburgh’s city controller says new technology to blame for snow removal woes
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/23/Pittsburgh-city-controller-Michael-Lamb-new-technology-issues-GPS-spreader-blame-snow-removal/stories/202102230127
Teachers union surprised by Pittsburgh schools reopening plans
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/23/Teacher-s-union-surprised-by-PPS-reopening-plans/stories/202102230123
Senate confirms Pittsburgh native Tom Vilsack for 2nd stint as USDA secretary
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/02/23/Tom-Vilsack-confirmed-Senate-Agriculture-Secretary-food-insecurity-pandemic/stories/202102230147
Pittsburgh City Council introduces local eviction moratorium
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/23/Pittsburgh-City-Council-introduces-local-eviction-moratorium-covid-19/stories/202102230122
Officials moving forward with ban on evictions in Pittsburgh during covid pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/officials-moving-forward-with-ban-on-evictions-in-pittsburgh-during-covid-pandemic/
Pittsburgh officials change language of hairstyle law to remove protection for beards
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-officials-change-language-of-hairstyle-law-to-remove-protection-for-beards/
Ed Gainey floats plan to resume battle with UPMC as mayoral candidates tout endorsements
https://triblive.com/local/ed-gainey-floats-plan-to-resume-battle-with-upmc-as-mayoral-candidates-tout-endorsements/
Nearly 40 inmates at Allegheny County Jail test positive for covid
https://triblive.com/local/nearly-40-inmates-at-allegheny-county-jail-test-positive-for-covid/
Pittsburgh maintains strong credit rating, though agencies offer split outlooks
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-maintains-strong-credit-rating-though-agencies-offer-split-outlooks/
State News
Temps fall, but Western Pa. power plants, gas lines built to operate during big chills
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/temps-fall-but-western-pa-power-plants-gas-lines-built-to-operate-during-big-chills/
End of an era: PSP Troop P begins move from Wyoming to Hanover Twp.
https://www.timesleader.com/news/937692/end-of-an-era-psp-troop-p-begins-move-from-wyoming-to-hanover-twp
Virtual Pennsylvania birthday celebration to be held by Historical & Museum Commission
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/virtual-pennsylvania-birthday-celebration-to-be-held-by-historical-museum-commission/
Transportation
Prepare for age of EVs
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/prepare-for-age-of-evs/article_e2145e25-b4d2-529c-a017-6e68e19f50df.html
Seven spots in Pa., including one in Harrisburg area, on list of top 100 truck bottlenecks
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/seven-spots-in-pa-including-one-in-harrisburg-area-on-list-of-top-100-truck-bottlenecks.html