News Digest :: February 24, 2022

Legislature

Pennsylvania now has a new Congressional map – WHYY

Pa. State Police push back on call for independent investigations when troopers kill, injure – WHYY

National report card gives Pa. a C-plus for its medical marijuana law | Thursday Morning Coffee – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

To spend or save? Wolf, Legislature begin budget talks with different views on Pa.’s fiscal future – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

The GOP showed us who they are with challenge to Pa. House map | Opinion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Is omicron leading us closer to herd immunity against COVID-19? (inquirer.com)

Pa. touts high covid vaccine rate using questionable data | TribLIVE.com

U.S. vaccination drive is bottoming out as omicron subsides | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

95% of Pennsylvania adults are at least partially vaccinated against COVID-19 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Business/Jobs

Report: Atlantic City casino smoking ban may cost 2,500 jobs – WHYY

Crypto companies build lobbying army to influence New York’s rules (inquirer.com)

Why most American bank accounts look great right now, despite everything (inquirer.com)

How the U.S. benefits when China turns its back on Bitcoin | 90.5 WESA

Stocks sink, oil prices jump as markets reel from Russia’s attack on Ukraine | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Crime/Punishment

Prosecutors in charge of Trump criminal probe have resigned – WHYY

Philadelphia woman arrested in deadly Lincoln University stabbing (inquirer.com)

Pa. mayor’s wife accused of faking stomach cancer to garner headlines and rake-in donations – pennlive.com

‘Reckless’ Amish buggy driver accused of DUI tells Pa. cops he ‘had a couple beers’ – pennlive.com

Education

A landmark Philadelphia School District board resolution could help get its 18-year-olds to register to vote (inquirer.com)

Susquehanna Twp. School District reverses decision to change mascot – pennlive.com

State test scores to be published next week, says Pa. education secretary – pennlive.com

‘Hamilton’ performer inspires, energizes, educates Valley High drama students | TribLIVE.com

Highlands School District, teachers union ratify new contract | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PIAA Shifting State Championship Sites for Three Fall Sports – Erie News Now | WICU and WSEE in Erie, PA

Esports, gaming tech convention aiming to show more opportunities to area students | News | tribdem.com

Twin Valley School Board won’t consider changing likeness of Native American as district symbol (readingeagle.com)

Houlahan holds town hall on education – Daily Local

Elections/Politics

Pennsylvania congressional redistricting map 2022: Better for Democrats or Republicans? (inquirer.com)

Sharif Street faces decision to run for Congress against Brendan Boyle in Pa. (inquirer.com)

Corman asks for investigation of GOP gov rival Mastriano’s campaign finances – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

New map leads to GOP incumbents Keller, Meuser vying for congressional seat – pennlive.com

Court’s Congressional map pick keeps south central Pa. House districts largely intact – pennlive.com

ER physician launches bid for swing-seat district in North Hills | 90.5 WESA

Bhavini Patel ramps up Congressional bid to replace Mike Doyle | 90.5 WESA

New congressional districts bring change for Pittsburgh-area voters, candidates | TribLIVE.com

Luzerne County will continue providing both Spanish and English ballots | Times Leader

What the new Pennsylvania congressional map means for Berks (readingeagle.com)

Lehigh Valley congressional map changes: See it – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Montgomery County OK’s $1.8M in election-related contracts (pottsmerc.com)

Environment

Carbon pollution from Pa. power plants is rising — and it’s not just a pandemic bounce | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Transportation

SEPTA Center City concourse locked gates and stairwells confuse and trap riders (inquirer.com)

Postal Service seals deal for gasoline trucks, rejects call for electric vehicles – pennlive.com

Vehicle restrictions planned for several Pa. roadways with approach of Thursday’s storm: PennDOT – pennlive.com

Health

Wolf admin directs federal grant dollars to services for pregnant Pennsylvanians with addiction – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Harrisburg-raised pediatrician shows path to diversity in medicine can lead right back home – pennlive.com

COVID-19 may cause some people to develop long-term cardiovascular complications, study suggests – pennlive.com

State News

Wawa vs. Sheetz: Ultimate Pa. convenience store taste-test – On top of Philly news (billypenn.com)

PA VETConnect outreach program earns Pillars of Excellence Award – pennlive.com

Pennsylvania truck convoy protest fizzles out to a few vehicles | TribLIVE.com

PennDOT and PA State Police Raise Awareness About Speeding and O – Erie News Now | WICU and WSEE in Erie, PA

National News

As wildfires worsen globally, governments unprepared, UN warns – WHYY

After Hurricane Ida, some families are still homeless and in hotels six months later (inquirer.com)

Maryland to put recreational marijuana bill on November ballot – pennlive.com

The Emancipator abolition newspaper revived: ‘It’s anti-racism, every day, on purpose’ – pennlive.com

Local News

Ice storm warning issued in parts of Westmoreland, Fayette | TribLIVE.com

Rep. Susan Wild, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk talk inflation, labor shortage, affordable housing at joint town hall – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Delaware County expects smooth transition with county prison April 6 (delcotimes.com)

Pitt

Pittsburgh passes ‘Go’: City to get its own new edition of Monopoly | 90.5 WESA

City Council wants to fix Pittsburgh’s roads and bridges, but where will the money come from? | 90.5 WESA

$2.5M in repairs proposed for Pittsburgh’s 30th Street Bridge | TribLIVE.com

Tree of Life survivors continue healing process through tattoo therapy | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh City Council will vote to open the books on status of city’s tunnels and bridges | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Philly

The biggest Black children’s book fair just got bigger – WHYY

Philly Peace Park robbed, but won’t press charges – WHYY

Phila. FOP suit could reverse ban on some car stops – WHYY

Philadelphia weather forecast has sleet, freezing rain (inquirer.com)

Two Philly restauranteurs debate: Was lifting the vax mandate for eateries a good call? | Pro/Con (inquirer.com)

Six Philadelphians reflect on Black History Month and their hopes for the future | Opinion (inquirer.com)

Philly City Council plans to revise its redistricting plan to address ‘prison gerrymandering’ (inquirer.com)

Washington

NATO: Russia wages war on Ukraine; Europe peace shattered – WHYY

Ukrainian lawmakers approve nationwide state of emergency – WHYY

Russia attacks Ukraine, Biden vows ‘consequences’ for Putin and Moscow (inquirer.com)

Lithuania declares state of emergency after Ukraine attacked | News | tribdem.com

Before any U.S. troops are sent to Ukraine, some in Congress want a say – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

The U.S. looks to replace a derogatory name used hundreds of times on federal lands – WHYY

U.S. drops name of Trump’s ‘China Initiative’ after criticism of anti-Asian bias (inquirer.com)

Impending Iran nuclear deal alarms Israel | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette