Legislature

‘Not without cost’: Child care providers struggling under COVID, state aid cuts
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/26/pennsylvania-bucks-montgomery-county-child-care-centers-state-aid-covid/4493656001/

Amid lawsuits, Delaware River Basin Commission makes fracking ban permanent
https://www.inquirer.com/business/fracking-ban-delaware-river-permanent-drbc-20210225.html

DRBC ban matter of public interest
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/drbc-ban-matter-of-public-interest/article_1f5e9996-a820-52cb-afbb-b7d134294c6a.html

Public asked to push Pennsylvania legislators for dog license fee hike
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/public-asked-to-help-push-state-legislators-for-dog-license-fee-increase/

Baker voices concerns about Wolf’s bridge-tolling plan
https://www.timesleader.com/news/947848/baker-voices-concerns-about-wolfs-bridge-tolling-plan

Proposed bridge tolls could be the end of the road for the Pa. bus industry | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/proposed-bridge-tolls-could-be-the-end-of-the-road-for-the-pa-bus-industry-opinion.html

GOP lawmakers use hearing to ask whether Pa.’s nursing home order ‘contributed’ to COVID-19 deaths
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/gop-lawmakers-use-hearing-to-ask-whether-pas-nursing-home-order-contributed-to-covid-19-deaths.html

House lawmakers grill health department leaders over Pa.’s coronavirus vaccine rollout
https://www.witf.org/2021/02/25/house-lawmakers-grill-health-department-leaders-over-pa-s-coronavirus-vaccine-rollout/

Liability shields should not be free passes
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/02/26/Liability-shields-should-not-be-free-passes/stories/202102220058

Editorial: Citizen advocacy needed to push Pa. lawmakers to fair school funding
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-citizen-advocacy-needed-to-push-pa-lawmakers-to-fair-school-funding/article_d5df6c33-f5d1-5e17-90e0-d802a1b202ed.html

Judicial remap amendment is on hold – for now. The risk remains | Mark O’Keefe
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/judicial-remap-amendment-is-on-hold-for-now-the-risk-remains-mark-okeefe/

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Most kids and teens can’t get the COVID-19 vaccine. So why did Pa. send thousands of doses to pediatricians?
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-doses-pennsylvania-pediatricians-geriatricians-20210225.html

Local mass vaccination clinic postponed because of vaccine shortage
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/local-mass-vaccination-clinic-postponed-because-of-vaccine-shortage/article_6fdf7010-0791-5f78-8dab-34edf3f6cbf2.html

Pa. distribution of COVID vaccine frustrates Berks officials
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/pa-distribution-of-covid-vaccine-frustrates-berks-officials/article_bd3e3956-7774-11eb-8753-cb59753bc4d1.html

Chester County officials at ‘a 10’ in frustration over vaccine program
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/chester-county-officials-at-a-10-in-frustration-over-vaccine-program/article_fb390020-77aa-11eb-a929-f76febbcded3.html

New Kensington CVS among 6 in state getting limited covid vaccine shots
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-cvs-among-6-in-state-getting-limited-covid-vaccine-shots/

Westmoreland County adds fewer than 100 daily covid cases for 3 weeks
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-adds-fewer-than-100-daily-covid-cases-for-3-weeks/

68 new COVID cases for Berks as long-term average goes below 100 for first time in months
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/68-new-covid-cases-for-berks-as-long-term-average-goes-below-100-for-first/article_64990bc4-775f-11eb-a36a-73e375febbef.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

Allentown and Bethlehem health bureaus to work with Meals on Wheels to bring COVID vaccine to homebound seniors
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-meals-wheels-health-bureaus-vaccines-20210225-glum6nxurbcd3alwo73jytgn6u-story.html

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport may offer COVID-19 testing to passengers
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/wilkes-barre-scranton-international-airport-may-offer-covid-19-testing-to-passengers/article_89dfbd7a-2f6d-5d2f-a1a6-20e1d1352c0f.html

Kudos to the state for increasing nursing home vaccinations, but it must do much more to protect seniors | PennLive Editorial
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/kudos-to-the-state-for-increasing-nursing-home-vaccinations-but-it-must-do-much-more-to-protect-seniors-pennlive-editorial.html

FDA approves storing Pfizer vaccine at standard temperature, alleviating storage, delivery issues
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/02/fda-approves-storing-pfizer-vaccine-at-standard-temperature-alleviating-storage-delivery-issues.html

Studies suggest people with COVID-19 antibodies may only need one dose of vaccine
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/02/studies-suggest-people-with-covid-19-antibodies-may-only-need-one-dose-of-vaccine.html

‘Self-employed’ PPP winners have been largely white-collar. New Biden rules aim to change that.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/ppp-self-employed-biden-brokers-lawyers-unemployment-coronavirus-20210226.html

House to vote on stimulus bill; arbiter says minimum wage hike a no-go
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2021/02/26/House-vote-virus-relief-bill-stimulus-checks-minimum-wage-hike/stories/202102260120

Cartwright advocates for $1.9T American Rescue Plan
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/cartwright-advocates-for-1-9t-american-rescue-plan/article_153eea40-b91b-56e9-986c-f03266988b48.html

Administration

Gov. Wolf puts critic back on $60 billion pension board
https://www.inquirer.com/news/torsella-psers-garrity-muth-20210225.html

Fact-checking Gov. Tom Wolf’s statement that Pa. is the only state without a natural gas severance tax
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-natural-gas-severance-tax-fact-check-20210225.html

Business

New breweries, expansions in central Pa. on the horizon in 2021 and beyond
https://www.pennlive.com/food/2021/02/new-breweries-expansions-in-central-pa-on-the-horizon-in-2021-and-beyond.html

Crime/Punishment

Lehigh County Jail population decreased at height of pandemic, but advocate sees troubling year-end surge
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-lehigh-county-jail-population-decreased-pandemic-20210225-6l4ju5imyfhuhgnssdyq4btyku-story.html

Education

Penn touts 2.8% tuition hike as lowest percentage increase in more than 50 years
https://www.inquirer.com/education/university-of-pennsylvania-tuition-increase-20210225.html

Penn State aims to return to full in-person instruction for fall semester; here’s the plan
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/penn-state-aiming-to-return-to-full-in-person-instruction-for-the-fall-semester-heres-the-plan/

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

Murray plans run for Scranton mayor
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/murray-plans-run-for-scranton-mayor/article_134d6ccf-e244-50d0-a26e-8ed055cf6b37.html

Berks officials provide no details on proposal for Berks County Residential Center
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-officials-provide-no-details-on-proposal-for-berks-county-residential-center/article_b2ba8c88-779b-11eb-a8c9-6fb3f6324b31.html

Biden immigration plan raises hopes for those in Berks seeking path to citizenship
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/biden-immigration-plan-raises-hopes-for-those-in-berks-seeking-path-to-citizenship/article_620b5666-6a1f-11eb-adbf-a78530de3946.html

Fired Reading solicitor claims mayor improperly removed her from office
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/fired-reading-solicitor-claims-mayor-improperly-removed-her-from-office/article_d9e9b0ec-7712-11eb-afa4-2f7e6c5e1cc8.html

Westmoreland hospitality grants capped at $20,000
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-hospitality-grants-capped-at-20000/

Radle to step down from Luzerne County GOP post in wake of Urban appointment
https://www.timesleader.com/news/945528/radle-to-step-down-from-luzerne-county-gop-post-in-wake-of-urban-appointment

County council might declare election board seats vacant; could lead to litigation
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/county-council-might-declare-election-board-seats-vacant-could-lead-to-litigation/article_38df82af-1316-5dfb-aec2-ad1d42e057ad.html

Our Opinion: Stunt politics on the election board
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/editorial/our-opinion-stunt-politics-on-the-election-board/article_57e8ee70-2193-55cd-9d36-dd15f41207d6.html

Carbon County leaders don’t support I-80 tolls
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/carbon-county-leaders-dont-support-i-80-tolls/article_b8dfd9b3-12d0-5b31-bf88-a2aa27154203.html

National News

U.S. bombs facilities in Syria used by Iran-backed militia
https://triblive.com/news/world/u-s-bombs-facilities-in-syria-used-by-iran-back-militia/

Philly

As new troubles surround Sheriff’s Office, Philly should abolish row offices | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-sheriff-rochelle-bilal-row-office-abolish-20210226.html

More must be done to help Black and brown Philadelphians in debt | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/debt-eviction-foreclosure-pew-community-legal-services-20210226.html

A Philly ShopRite magnate goes shopping — for the mayor’s race
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/jeff-brown-2023-philadelphia-mayor-race-20210226.html

Tony Brown, longtime popular radio personality, dies at 75
https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/tony-brown-radio-personality-wdas-obit-obituary-20210225.html

Philly-based group launches $3M initiative to develop Black teachers
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philly-based-group-launches-3m-initiative-develop-black-teachers-20210225.html

A dispute with Amazon forced this family-owned shipping company to retool its mission — and business took off
https://www.inquirer.com/life/shipmate-fulfillment-frankford-valu-plus-antar-family-business-20210225.html

Transformational changes at Museum of Art will debut May 7 with two major exhibitions in new galleries
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/philadelphia-museum-of-art-reopening-construction-20210226.html

Philly students won’t return Monday, but a reopening decision is days away
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-school-district-reopen-hite-pft-20210225.html

Philly schools postpone return to in-person learning for Pre-K through 2nd grade students
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philly-schools-postpone-return-to-in-person-learning-for-pre-k-through-2nd-grade-students/article_ea5c4ad9-fc40-5f73-a249-99e74c199f49.html

A staffer in the Philly DA’s Office shot a sex worker in self-defense but lied to investigators, state prosecutors say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/devonte-douglass-district-attorney-shooting-prostitution-vernon-harris-20210225.html

In fretting over schools, politicians are ignoring our biggest asset | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/national-tutoring-corps-black-educators-teacher-pipeline-20210225.html

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

SEPTA board OKs spending federal COVID-19 aid on the King of Prussia rail line
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-pandemic-relief-federal-king-of-prussia-rail-20210225.html

Pitt

Port Authority unveils plan that includes light-rail, busway extensions
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/02/25/Port-Authority-unveils-plan-that-includes-light-rail-busway-extensions/stories/202102250166

As its members struggle, Pittsburgh’s Hispanic chamber works to connect with new round of PPP funding
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2021/02/26/Hispanic-Chamber-PPP-Pittsburgh-small-businesses-COVID-19-pandemic/stories/202102260071

Riverlife proposes parks in Strip District, West End to complete Pittsburgh trail system
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/02/25/Riverlife-Strip-District-West-End-trail-system-new-parks-Pittsburgh/stories/202102250111

Blank masks for bus drivers
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/02/26/Blank-masks-for-bus-drivers/stories/202102090072

Wabtec ready to move into airport’s new Neighborhood 91 manufacturing hub
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/02/26/Wabtec-additive-manufaturing-Pittsburgh-International-Airport-Neighborhood-91/stories/202102260100

Man shot in the chest in Wilkinsburg
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/02/26/Man-shot-in-the-chest-Wilkinsburg-montier/stories/202102260122

Ex-Pitt football player says he never knew about concussion lawsuit, withdraws claim
https://triblive.com/sports/plaintiff-says-he-never-knew-about-pitt-concussion-lawsuit-withdraws-claim/

Giant Eagle to hold mass vaccination clinic at Heinz Field
https://triblive.com/local/giant-eagle-to-hold-mass-vaccination-clinic-at-heinz-field/

TSA catches 5th gun this month at Pittsburgh International Airport
https://triblive.com/local/tsa-catches-5th-gun-this-month-at-pittsburgh-international-airport/

State News

Low-income women have to appear in person to get WIC benefits. Advocates say that increases their COVID-19 risk.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/wic-pennsylvania-coronavirus-risk-ebt-20210226.html

DEP collects $497,000 in penalties from Sunoco for violations in Lebanon County along Mariner East 2 pipeline
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/dep-collects-497-000-in-penalties-from-sunoco-for-violations-in-lebanon-county-along-mariner/article_4542e38a-7796-11eb-92e2-8f37305e6544.html

Transportation

As Berks thaws, PennDOT and municipal road crews repair potholes
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/as-berks-thaws-penndot-and-municipal-road-crews-repair-potholes/article_f47df28c-779f-11eb-9610-634deb66943b.html

Washington

Levine defends record combating COVID-19, takes heat for vaccine rollout and nursing home deaths
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/02/25/Rachel-Levine-Pennsylvania-health-secretary-COVID-19-nursing-homes-Senate-confirmation-hearing/stories/202102250117

In questioning Rachel Levine, a trans woman, Rand Paul compares gender affirmation therapy to human rights violation
https://www.inquirer.com/news/rand-paul-transgender-rachel-levine-confirmation-20210225.html

Sen. Rand Paul criticized for comments during hearing for Rachel Levine’s confirmation
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/sen-rand-paul-criticized-for-comments-during-hearing-for-rachel-levines-confirmation/

Pa.’s Levine endures transphobic tirade from Rand Paul during Senate confirmation hearing
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-s-levine-endures-transphobic-tirade-from-rand-paul-during-senate-confirmation-hearing/

Levine questioned on missing Pa. nursing home data in federal confirmation hearing
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/rachel-levine-pennsylvania-nursing-homes-data-joe-biden-senate-confirmation-20210225.html

House passes Equality Act, prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/house-equality-act-discrimination-20210225.html

Should Biden raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour? | Pro/Con
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/15-dollar-minimum-wage-pro-con-20210226.html