Legislature
Pot legalization bill draws bipartisan support in Pa. for the first time
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pot-legalization-bill-draws-bipartisan-support-in-pa-for-the-first-time.html
For the first time, legal weed gets Republican senate support in Pa.
https://www.inquirer.com/business/weed/marijuana-weed-legal-pennsylvania-fetterman-senate-20210224.html
Senators reveal bipartisan plan to legalize weed, expunge records in Pennsylvania
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/senators-reveal-bipartisan-plan-to-legalize-weed-expunge-records-in-pennsylvania/
Census data delay could push back redrawing of Pa. legislative districts, 2022 primary
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2021/02/24/pa-census-data-delay-redistricting-pennsylvania-2022-primary/stories/202102240131
Opponents of gerrymandering are recruiting a citizen army as Pennsylvania’s 2022 redistricting approaches
https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-pa-redistricting-reform-preparation-20210225-dvhuxvx5cbcl7o63hl7fxamz5q-story.html
Experts: Parts of redistricting process can still happen without census data
https://www.witf.org/2021/02/24/experts-parts-of-redistricting-process-can-still-happen-without-census-data/
Pa. Legislature looks for path forward on redistricting, reapportionment, following census data delays
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-legislature-looks-for-path-forward-on-redistricting-reapportionment-following-census-data-delays/
Pa. National Guard could assist in COVID-19 vaccination distribution
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-national-guard-could-assist-in-covid-19-vaccination-distribution.html
Republicans say Gov. Wolf is trying to sabotage ballot question on emergency declarations
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2021/02/24/Republicans-Governor-Wolf-pennsylvania-legislature-ballot-question-emergency-powers/stories/202102240130
Pa. GOP leaders accuse Wolf of setting up ballot questions on emergency powers for failure: ‘This wasn’t a mistake’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-gop-leaders-accuse-wolf-of-setting-up-ballot-questions-on-emergency-powers-for-failure-this-wasnt-a-mistake.html
GOP lawmakers accuse Wolf admin of trying to fix results of ballot question limiting governors’ emergency powers
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/gop-lawmakers-accuse-wolf-admin-of-trying-to-fix-results-of-ballot-questioning-limiting-governors-emergency-powers/
Pa. GOP leaders blast Wolf administration’s ballot question language as ‘clearly slanted’
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2021/02/24/pa-emergency-declaration-ballot-question-language/4575355001/
‘Tom Wolf Toll Bridge’? Pa. lawmaker proposes to rename I-83 bridge after governor
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/tom-wolf-toll-bridge-pa-lawmaker-proposes-to-rename-i-83-bridge-after-governor.html
Bill to rename Eighth Street Bridge for fallen PennDOT worker passes in Senate
https://www.timesleader.com/news/942368/bill-to-rename-eighth-street-bridge-for-fallen-penndot-worker-passes-in-senate
Rep. Warren looks to help boroughs in new role
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/25/rep-perry-warren-looks-help-boroughs-new-role/4558666001/
Former state Rep. Kevin Haggerty arrested on credit card fraud charges
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/crime-emergencies/former-state-rep-kevin-haggerty-arrested-on-credit-card-fraud-charges/article_cb4870b5-d91c-5fbe-a20c-25ca4b829f77.html
Employers are fleeing California, and not coming to Pennsylvania | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/employers-are-fleeing-california-and-not-coming-to-pennsylvania-opinion.html
Pa. once had a near-miss with Texas-sized deregulation. We have to remember our history and be on guard | Ray E. Landis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pa-once-had-a-near-miss-with-texas-sized-deregulation-we-have-to-remember-our-history-and-be-on-guard-ray-e-landis/
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pa. tops 2 million vaccinations; Guard may join effort
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/02/24/COVID-19-Allegheny-County-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-data-cases-deaths-2/stories/202102240122
Volunteer-run website aims to help people in Pa. schedule COVID-19 vaccines
https://www.witf.org/2021/02/24/volunteer-run-website-aims-to-help-people-in-pa-schedule-covid-19-vaccines/
Pa and N.J. averaging lowest new case numbers since November
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-nj-philly-cases-drop-vaccine-stimulus-bill-20210224.html
Allegheny County officials ask for vigilance as 3 cases of UK variant identified
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-co-officials-ask-for-vigilance-as-3-cases-of-uk-variant-identified/
Allegheny County reports 24 new covid deaths, 250 more cases
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-reports-24-new-covid-deaths-250-more-cases/
Montgomery County reports 14 coronavirus deaths, 125 new positive cases of virus
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-reports-14-coronavirus-deaths-125-new-positive-cases-of-virus/article_86f77c6e-91ae-5bab-9b8e-c73560efca51.html
Local providers receive over 14,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses this week
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/local-providers-receive-over-14-000-covid-19-vaccine-doses-this-week/article_15ea8074-214c-52db-8a1e-97c9ebceee00.html
AHN covid vaccination clinic targets marginalized patients in New Kensington
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/ahn-covid-vaccination-clinic-targets-marginalized-patients-in-new-kensington/
WellSpan Health and York County announce plans to open mass COVID vaccination site in York
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2021/02/24/wellspan-health-and-york-county-announce-plans-open-mass-covid-vaccination-sight/6804202002/
State DOH rebukes Geisinger over employees’ kin skipping vaccine line
https://www.standardspeaker.com/state-doh-rebukes-geisinger-over-employees-kin-skipping-vaccine-line/article_259a9a31-7e8e-5778-9505-59f64cdff0b3.html
Pa.’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout is climbing to ‘meh’ | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pas-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-is-climbing-to-meh-john-baer.html
A call to nursing homes to be part of Wolf’s vaccination task force | PennLive letters
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/a-call-to-nursing-homes-to-be-part-of-wolfs-vaccination-task-force-pennlive-letters.html
Business
New coronavirus grants for small Pa. businesses aim for inclusivity, but can’t track success
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pa-coronavirus-restaurant-grant-relief-small-businesses-inclusion-access-20210225.html
Peco parent Exelon plans to separate into two firms: ‘Our customers expect us to continuously innovate’
https://www.inquirer.com/business/exelon-peco-parent-spinoff-generation-assets-20210224.html
Clinton County beef processing company with 350 employees says DEP order has forced it to close
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/clinton-county-beef-processing-company-with-350-employees-says-dep-order-has-forced-it-to-close.html
Crime/Punishment
A Delco man stormed the Capitol, feds say, telling his ex only ‘a moron’ would doubt the election was stolen. She turned him in.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/capitol-arrests-richard-michetti-rachel-genco-philadelphia-insurrection-20210225.html
Chester man shot his son to death during an argument over a car, police say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/chester-shooting-adolphus-smith-murder-20210224.html
17-year-old boy shot to death in north Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/crime/17-year-old-boy-shot-to-death-in-north-reading/article_aec9bf24-7690-11eb-ad04-2bd78c7f6d5f.html
Berks County Prison Board votes to move forward with planning for new prison
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-prison-board-votes-to-move-forward-with-planning-for-new-prison/article_7c6d6dea-76af-11eb-807c-833b29eef452.html
Police officer charged with assault
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/police-officer-charged-with-assault/article_eb34a8fc-76ef-11eb-b12b-5f384421e000.html
Education
Lehigh Valley schools reopening status: Which ones have in-person learning 5 days a week?
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-schools-instructional-models-20210224-b44ekfehfzdglb74bs5vq5jonm-story.html
Scranton School District ‘pleased’ with local revenue during pandemic
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-district-pleased-with-local-revenue-during-pandemic/article_2c426bf7-390d-5256-859e-84b26d259513.html
Marywood takes classes all virtual because of COVID-19 spike
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/marywood-takes-classes-all-virtual-because-of-covid-19-spike/article_4481d973-e2e9-5495-a4ed-28df57b0f50d.html
Home of Science Research Institute at Albright College getting a high-tech makeover
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/home-of-science-research-institute-at-albright-college-getting-a-high-tech-makeover/article_f6af7df6-76d6-11eb-9eb0-27a43455d090.html
Elections/Politics
Pa. Republicans met Wednesday night to censure Pat Toomey, but came away with nothing
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-republican-party-pat-toomey-censure-20210224.html
Mail voting withstood challenges
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/02/25/Mail-voting-withstood-challenges/stories/202102240087
Supreme court ends charade, and excuses
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/supreme-court-ends-charade-and-excuses/article_054c20ae-67e4-5390-aeab-6916844dadfc.html
Health Care
Amid COVID-19 pandemic, flu has disappeared in the U.S.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/02/25/Amid-COVID-19-pandemic-flu-has-disappeared-in-the-US/stories/202102250099
WB General nurse anesthetists unanimously approve union representation
https://www.timesleader.com/news/942373/wb-general-nurse-anesthetists-unanimously-approve-union-representation
Lehigh Valley Health Network celebrates milestone, names hospital
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/lehigh-valley-health-network-celebrates-milestone-names-hospital/article_dc2032b8-e578-59d0-8daa-8d437cc95e4d.html
Local News
Scranton hopes murals make city an arts destination
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-hopes-murals-make-city-an-arts-destination/article_0479125e-1453-5446-a53d-6928616e5e24.html
End in sight for Jermyn’s Rushbrook Creek project
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/end-in-sight-for-jermyns-rushbrook-creek-project/article_b8f71c01-256c-5e43-8cf7-004e1fedbc3c.html
Reading Area Water Authority defends the city’s aging water system
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-area-water-authority-defends-the-citys-aging-water-system/article_a39506aa-6e42-11eb-acf5-1332e2434ebd.html
Berks County sends out property tax bills early due to mail delivery delays
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-sends-out-property-tax-bills-early-due-to-mail-delivery-delays/article_4628b886-76d5-11eb-9624-536c81bea08a.html
Editorial: Bernville rescue shows value of local fire companies
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-bernville-rescue-shows-value-of-local-fire-companies/article_3593cac8-76bd-11eb-931d-17a5ffa62308.html
Apollo to hold in-person council meeting at new location; vacancy ordinance to be considered
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/apollo-to-hold-in-person-council-meeting-at-new-location-vacancy-ordinance-to-be-considered/
GOP members name Urban Election Board chair despite charter prohibition
https://www.timesleader.com/news/942378/gop-members-name-urban-election-board-chair-despite-charter-prohibition-2
Councilman Stephen J. Urban appointed chair of election board; solicitor says that violates charter
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/councilman-stephen-j-urban-appointed-chair-of-election-board-solicitor-says-that-violates-charter/article_511aab88-aa22-5c69-bff2-a824845e8538.html
State oversight board repeals rejection of Harrisburg’s 5-year financial plan
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/state-oversight-board-repeals-rejection-of-harrisburgs-5-year-financial-plan.html
Philly
Philly Black doctors clinic outpaced the city in vaccinating Black residents, but group says there’s ‘room for improvement’
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/philadelphia-coronavirus-vaccine-black-doctors-covid-consortium-20210225.html
A West Philly man will be charged with raping a woman in the Center City Macy’s bathroom, police say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/rape-center-city-macys-bathroom-market-street-20210224.html
Man on bike fatally hit by SEPTA bus in Northeast Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/northeast-philadelphia-septa-bus-accident-man-struck-20210225.html
Does the Philly school board’s public comment policy break the law? ACLU, board disagree.
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-board-public-participation-aclu-20210224.html
Military will staff coronavirus vaccine center in Philadelphia starting next week
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/across_america/military-will-staff-coronavirus-vaccine-center-in-philadelphia-starting-next-week/article_eec3a28a-497d-5447-a95e-2bb54cee4171.html
Promises of equity for Philly’s schools aren’t worth as much as actual money | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-school-funding-equity-child-poverty-20210224.html
Financial institutions should repair their trust gap with Black communities | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/investment-wealth-stocks-racial-gap-black-americans-philadelphia-20210224.html
The clock is ticking on solving a 5-year-old Philadelphia homicide | Helen Ubiñas
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/philadelphia-homicide-police-yullio-robbins-guns-gun-violence-unsolved-helen-ubinas-20210224.html
Pitt
Judge rejects Port Authority’s stay request in ‘Black Lives Matter’ masks case
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/02/24/Port-Authority-transit-employees-Black-Lives-Matter-masks-appeal-3rd-Circuit-court/stories/202102240167
Federal judge denies Port Authority request for stay pending appeal on Black Lives Matter masks
https://triblive.com/local/federal-judge-denies-port-authority-request-for-stay-pending-appeal-on-black-lives-matter-masks/
Pittsburgh City Council gives nod to eviction moratorium, expects amendments next week
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/24/Pittsburgh-eviction-moratorium-bill-COVID-19-landlords-City-Council-recommendation/stories/202102240145
Citywide eviction moratorium proposal nears adoption by Pittsburgh Council
https://triblive.com/local/citywide-eviction-moratorium-proposal-nears-adoption-by-pittsburgh-council/
Over 160 tune in for meeting on new bike lanes proposed for Squirrel Hill, Shadyside
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/24/Pittsburgh-bike-lanes-infrastructure-MoveForwardPGH-Shadyside-Squirrel-Hill-transportation-projects/stories/202102240166
Omega Carter G. Woodson Academy highlights Black history education
https://triblive.com/local/omega-carter-g-woodson-academy-highlights-black-history-education/
Pittsburgh honors West Mifflin mother and daughter for saving stranger’s life
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/02/24/Tanikka-Pinnix-Layla-Gooden-Day-pittsburgh-outstanding-citizens/stories/202102240150
Cashing in: Retailer Dollar General to open smaller DGX store Downtown
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/02/25/Dollar-General-DGX-Downtown-Pittsburgh-Wood-Street/stories/202102250060
Netflix series ‘Archive 81’ filming Downtown
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv-radio/2021/02/24/netflix-horror-series-archive-81-filming-downtown-boulevard-of-the-allies/stories/202102240133
Remember when alligators roamed the city? Pittsburgh council members haven’t forgotten
https://triblive.com/local/remember-when-alligators-roamed-the-city-pittsburgh-council-members-havent-forgotten-about-it/
State News
Pennsylvania rye used to be famous. Can its reputation be revived?
https://www.inquirer.com/food/rye-whiskey-pennsylvania-20210224.html
Think you aren’t vulnerable to a Texas-sized electric bill? Here’s how to check.
https://www.inquirer.com/business/variable-electric-rates-texas-pjm-peco-pseg-20210225.html
Bonds, scars remain 30 years after missile struck Hempfield’s 14th Quartermaster unit in Gulf War
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/bonds-scars-remain-30-years-after-missile-struck-hempfields-14th-quartermaster-unit-in-gulf-war/
‘It’s with me every day’: 30 years later, missile attack that killed 13 Pittsburgh-area reservists haunts survivor
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2021/02/25/14th-Quartermaster-Detachment-memorial-30th-anniversary-Gulf-War-Scud-missile-attack/stories/202102240159
Cambria County native new director of Pa. Game Commission Southwest Region
https://triblive.com/local/regional/cambria-county-native-named-director-of-pa-game-commissions-southwest-region/
Small pet turtles linked to Pennsylvania salmonella outbreak
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/small-pet-turtles-linked-to-pennsylvania-salmonella-outbreak/
Transportation
Pennsylvania ranks 17th in U.S. in switching to electric vehicles
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/pennsylvania-ranks-17th-in-u-s-in-switching-to-electric-vehicles/article_00d31d12-7540-11eb-8220-f3bca0502cdc.html
Washington
Rep. John Joyce gets White House’s ear as Biden orders review of critical U.S. supply chains
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2021/02/24/Joe-Biden-John-Joyce-secure-supply-chains-PPP-healthcare-COVID-19-automotive/stories/202102240111
Chief: Capitol Police were warned of violence before riot
https://triblive.com/news/world/chief-capitol-police-were-warned-of-violence-before-riot/