News Digest :: February 25, 2022

Legislature

The Wolf Administration argues to keep mail-in balloting in Pennsylvania during appeal | WITF

Pa. lawmaker introduces property tax elimination plan that would hike retirement, sales, income levies – pennlive.com

Coronavirus – COVID-19

CDC to significantly ease pandemic mask guidelines Friday – WHYY

These Penn doctors still urge immediate COVID-19 testing for some patients. Here’s why. (inquirer.com)

Pa. officials address concerns about vaccination data | TribLIVE.com

COVID-19 death rates still high, even as new case counts plunge | Coronavirus | tribdem.com

Hong Kong’s new COVID cases top 10,000 in spiraling outbreak – Reading Eagle

Business/Jobs

Stocks are in turmoil as Russia invades Ukraine. Here are 4 things to know – WHYY

Used car industry in ‘unprecedented’ times as high demand, low inventory send prices soaring – pennlive.com

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to hit Americans in wallet at gas pump, analyst says | TribLIVE.com

Crime/Punishment

3 ex-cops convicted of rights violations in Floyd killing – WHYY

Jury set in trial of Amtrak engineer in fatal derailment – WHYY

Johnny Doc, convicted in one trial and waiting on two more, gets a big retirement party (inquirer.com)

Lincoln University stabbing: Nydira Smith arrested for the murder of Jawine Evans (inquirer.com)

Parents told teen to ‘suck it up’ when he asked for mental health help before school shooting, police testify – pennlive.com

The link between race and solitary confinement in Pennsylvania prisons | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

Education

Bucks school lunch debt relief programs set to expire – WHYY

Philly schools release staffing shortage plan – WHYY

The number of Philly teachers quitting midyear is up 200%, and staffing challenges are likely to continue (inquirer.com)

St. Joseph’s University to open residence hall for students with autism (inquirer.com)

City teachers report more disruptive student behaviors, even as data shows fewer violent incidents | 90.5 WESA

Some Sewickley Academy students say they are being silenced amid concerns about personnel moves | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Elections/Politics

Sharif Street won’t challenge Brendan Boyle for Congress in Philly (inquirer.com)

Republicans eye courts in Pennsylvania and other states as next political battlegrounds | WITF

Most Central Pennsylvania congressional reps condemn Ukraine attack; some criticize Biden administration | WITF

New Pennsylvania Congressional map means U.S. Rep. Fred Keller faces a competitive GOP primary | WITF

One more drops from the Republican field for Pennsylvania governor | WITF

New congressional map makes Swiss cheese of Swissvale, complicating Pittsburgh primary – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pennsylvania election officials argue against GOP bid to use old maps | 90.5 WESA

Editorial: New legislative map will bring changes to Berks (readingeagle.com)

Lehigh Valley congressional district changes in new Pa. map – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Transportation

New guides replace guards on the SEPTA system – WHYY

SEPTA will borrow $800 million to pay for projects like station repairs and trolley upgrades (inquirer.com)

Philadelphians have waited over a century for the Roosevelt Boulevard subway | Opinion (inquirer.com)

Tolling bridges may be best option to fund bridge replacements, PennDOT says | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Health

The prospects of Brandywine and Jennersville Hospitals took a hit as their buyer failed to post $1 million bond (inquirer.com)

More than one in four registered nurse positions went vacant, recent survey reports | WITF

Allegheny Health Network partners with labor union on new outpatient clinic | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State News

Amid Ukraine invasion, 20 Pa. National Guardsmen heading to Lithuania this month for ‘routine training’ – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pennsylvania led gas-producing states in production in 2021, report says | 90.5 WESA

PUC vote suspends UGI natural gas hike request, decision expected in October | Times Leader

National News

Florida House passes controversial measure dubbed the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill by critics – WHYY

D.C. trucker convoys: Here’s what we know about protesters from Pa. and N.J. (inquirer.com)

U.S. judges are narrowing voting protections. Some fear lasting damage | 90.5 WESA

Ukraine

Ukraine’s capital under threat as Russia presses invasion – WHYY

As Russia invades Ukraine, trepidation and resolve felt in Philly region – WHYY

‘Everyone is in a state of shock’: Local Ukrainians take action as ‘nightmare’ unfolds (inquirer.com)

Russia-Ukraine updates: Putin’s troops move into Kyiv as Biden set to meet with NATO (inquirer.com)

Putin has spurred unprecedented unity among NATO nations | Opinion (inquirer.com)

How to help children deal with news about Russia’s attack on Ukraine (inquirer.com)

In Ukraine, the road to war was paved by the failure of diplomacy and Putin’s visions of restoring Russia’s former glory | WITF

Why the U.S. keeps turning to sanctions despite their mixed record | WITF

‘These are human beings.’ How Pa.’s Ukrainian community is responding to Russian invasion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

‘I don’t want to die’: Ukrainian civilians flee as Russian invasion hits their homes – pennlive.com

Sean Penn in Ukraine, filming documentary about Russian attack – pennlive.com

Pittsburgh’s Ukrainian community ‘reeling’ from Russian invasion | 90.5 WESA

Advocates urge protections for Ukrainians in U.S. | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Hundreds arrested as shocked Russians protest Ukraine attack | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Local News

Couple killed inside Harrisburg home inspired, befriended many: ‘They were just a beautiful unit’ – pennlive.com

As another winter storm hits, know your deadline to clear sidewalks | News | citizensvoice.com

Chamber CEO: Region Needs to Better Retain College Graduates – Erie News Now | WICU and WSEE in Erie, PA

Johnstown firm introduces girls to engineering | Local News | tribdem.com

UPDATE: Coroner confirms two dead in small plane crash in Bucks County neighborhood – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Affordable housing crisis could get even worse, HUD secretary warns in Easton: ‘We should be ashamed’ – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Chester County earns national honor for performance management leadership – Daily Local

Horsham Fire Co. makes sensory kits to help those with autism at emergencies (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Pitt

Hazelwood Green, Pittsburgh’s largest development site, has a new lead developer | 90.5 WESA

Philly

Philadelphia may remove gendered language from city charter – On top of Philly news (billypenn.com)

AM Deli vandalized with white supremacist graffiti in South Philly (inquirer.com)

Washington

Bullies understand one language. The U.S., West must speak with one voice | Friday Morning Coffee – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

New U.S. sanctions on Russia target banks, high-tech imports – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Biden makes decision on Supreme Court nominee, sources say — with announcement as soon as Friday | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

House panel requests Trump WH records from National Archives – Reading Eagle

Biden, Europe waiting on key SWIFT sanction against Russia – Reading Eagle