Legislature

‘What is the plan?’ Senate panel airs frustrations with vaccine rollout
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/what-is-the-plan-senate-panel-airs-frustrations-with-vaccine-rollout/

The answers to PA vaccine rollout: Why is it taking so long? How will it get better?
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2021/02/04/pas-state-senators-interrogate-health-leaders-vaccine-rollout-in-pennsylvania-alison-beam-pharmacies/4377224001/

Lawmakers react to Pennsylvania’s vaccine rollout
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lawmakers-react-to-pennsylvanias-vaccine-rollout/article_b20c6992-7330-5d39-8fb1-7021642078ab.html

Local lawmakers weigh in on state’s vaccine roll out
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/local-lawmakers-weigh-in-on-states-vaccine-roll-out/article_70417701-c02f-5133-bff2-bffbae87d6a5.html

As Pa.’s vaccine rollout stumbles, House will vote on whether to turn it over to National Guard
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/as-pa-s-vaccine-rollout-stumbles-house-will-vote-on-whether-to-turn-it-over-to-national-guard/

Frustration with Pennsylvania COVID-19 vaccine rollout spills out at hearing, but LVHN approach offers a bright spot
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-vaccine-state-feb4-20210204-j62anhjmirhvjciwg4zctfnoxq-story.html

Could Pa. voters see a ballot question to aid abuse victims this spring? ‘It’s absolutely doable,’ lawmaker says
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-rep-jim-gregory-talks-about-a-ballot-question-to-aid-abuse-victims-this-spring-its-absolutely-doable.html

Pa. House leaders plan emergency fix on abuse lawsuits after filing error
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2021/02/04/Lawmakers-emergency-amendment-harrisburg-sex-abuse-lawsuits-Catholic-grand-jury/stories/202102040148

Pa. House moves to get legal relief for clergy abuse victims back on spring ballot
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-clergy-abuse-victims-emergency-constitutional-amendment-20210204.html

Pa. House agrees to fast-track legislation to salvage sex abuse reform; Senate still uncommitted
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/lawmakers-agree-to-fast-track-legislation-to-salvage-sex-abuse-reform/

Justice delayed shouldn’t be justice denied for victims of childhood sexual abuse by priests | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/pennsylvania-clergy-abuse-lawsuit-window-constitutional-amendment-senate-kathy-boockvar-resigns-20210204.html

As COVID-19 cases mount at Lehigh County Jail, officials beg Pennsylvania leaders for assistance
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-lehigh-county-jail-urges-vaccines-20210204-m3v3iiqrjrf7tkhoxxg6dve3ge-story.html

Should Pa. elect judges based on geography? | Pro/Con
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/appellate-court-elections-pennsylvania-judicial-gerrymandering-20210204.html

How some Pa. lawmakers score a ‘golden parachute’ to pad their pensions
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-gaming-control-board-salary-pension-former-lawmakers-20210205.html

State agencies as golden parachutes
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/state-agencies-as-golden-parachutes/article_3209bc00-4dcf-53c1-9a66-a1ba15acdc18.html

Coronavirus – COVID-19

COVID-19 rollout could have gone more smoothly, official say
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-rollout-could-have-gone-more-smoothly-official-say/article_f4ccf24a-ced9-5f21-9d09-9b34a5aa9a8c.html

In race for COVID-19 vaccinations, older residents in rural Pa. face tough obstacles
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/pennsylvania-coronavirus-rural-older-people-phase-1a-vaccinations-cvs-riteaid-20210205.html

Montco, Chesco, and other counties got thousands fewer vaccine doses than expected this week
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-montco-chesco-allegheny-delivery-pa-doses-20210205.html

About 6 percent of Berks Countians have received at least 1 dose of the COVID vaccine
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/about-6-percent-of-berks-countians-have-received-at-least-1-dose-of-the-covid/article_0760a800-66e2-11eb-a630-032401507b70.html

Montgomery County records 3 coronavirus deaths, 274 positive cases over 2-day period
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-records-3-coronavirus-deaths-274-positive-cases-over-2-day-period/article_37398cfb-ed27-52ab-bd9f-e9ebd4397733.html

Lackawanna nursing homes awarded $1.5 million for COVID-19 mitigation efforts
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/lackawanna-nursing-homes-awarded-1-5-million-for-covid-19-mitigation-efforts/article_b483fdf1-a038-559a-8514-359ef4fb464e.html

Ban on new residents, fine among possible outcome of care facility probe
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/ban-on-new-residents-fine-among-possible-outcome-of-care-facility-probe/article_b7365d54-0368-5a53-9f09-b472fc148dcf.html

Local nursing homes receive funding based on COVID-19 death, infection rates
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/local-nursing-homes-receive-funding-based-on-covid-19-death-infection-rates/article_bceb9e30-7091-5e1c-beb4-7c39e1c4fed3.html

COVID-19 Update: Pa. reports 3,370 cases, 146 deaths
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/02/04/covid-19-coronavirus-pennsylvania-allegheny-county-pittsburgh-cases-data-deaths-vaccines-health-department/stories/202102040122

Westmoreland County crosses 25,000 mark for covid cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-crosses-25000-mark-for-covid-cases/

This Manhattan family went to rural Pennsylvania to escape COVID-19. Will they stay?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/city-living-rural-covid-eagles-mere-pandemic-urbanism-density-20210204.html

Some local Sam’s Club pharmacies to begin offering covid-19 vaccines
https://triblive.com/local/regional/some-local-sams-club-pharmacies-to-begin-offering-covid-19-vaccines/

Johnson & Johnson asks U.S. regulators to OK its one-shot covid-19 vaccine
https://triblive.com/news/world/johnson-johnson-asks-u-s-regulators-to-ok-its-one-shot-covid-19-vaccine/

Basketball great Bill Russell says ‘This is one shot I won’t block’ while receiving COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/02/basketball-great-bill-russell-says-this-is-one-shot-i-wont-block-while-receiving-covid-19-vaccine.html

Administration

Wolf proposes $1.3B investment in education with funding reforms, new spending
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/02/04/pennsylvania-tom-Wolf-proposes-1-billion-investment-education-schools-funding-reforms-new-spending/stories/202102040151

Gov. Wolf defends funding plan for public education
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/wolf-defends-funding-plan-for-public-education/

Wolf rejects ‘tax increase’ label for education budget plan
https://www.timesleader.com/news/819684/wolf-rejects-tax-increase-label-for-education-budget-plan

Reading School District superintendent and others encouraged by Gov. Tom Wolf’s bold education budget
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/reading-school-district-superintendent-and-others-encouraged-by-gov-tom-wolfs-bold-education-budget/article_48e7791e-66f3-11eb-a3c8-2b357f7136e3.html

Gov. Wolf must collaborate to deliver shots in arm for seniors | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/02/gov-wolf-must-collaborate-to-deliver-shots-in-arm-for-seniors-opinion.html

Business

How private employers in Berks are handling the COVID vaccine
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/how-private-employers-in-berks-are-handling-the-covid-vaccine/article_0a4885fa-649f-11eb-a48c-1b8d87263669.html

Amtrak will pay employees to get coronavirus vaccine
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/amtrak-employee-bonuses-coronavirus-vaccine-transportation-20210205.html

U.S. unemployment claims fell to 779,000 last week, but job cuts grind on
https://www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/unemployment-numbers-coronavirus-united-states-20210204.html

City Brewing in Latrobe to lose Iron City account, as Pittsburgh Brewing plans to build its own plant
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/city-brewing-in-latrobe-to-lose-iron-city-account-as-pittsburgh-brewing-plans-to-build-its-own-plant/

Berks restaurant can’t sell alcohol because of COVID violations, authorities say
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-restaurant-cant-sell-alcohol-because-of-covid-violations-authorities-say/article_f446be62-6713-11eb-b8de-a360083fe3b7.html

Crime/Punishment

Kentucky man accused of participating in U.S. Capitol riot arrested in Uniontown
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/02/04/peter-schwartz-us-capitol-riots-arrest-uniontown-kentucky/stories/202102040169

Report: FBI raids Mercer County home of suspected U.S. Capitol rioter
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/02/04/Report-FBI-raids-Mercer-County-home-suspected-US-Capitol-rioter-Rachel-Powell/stories/202102040156

Family launches online petition to make Verona police cars more identifiable
https://triblive.com/local/penn-hills/family-launches-petition-to-change-decals-on-verona-police-car-to-show-community-support/

Authorities investigating fatal shooting of 10-year-old boy in Edwardsville
https://www.timesleader.com/news/818542/authorities-investigating-fatal-shooting-of-10-year-old-boy-in-edwardsville

Keeping up with the K-9s
https://www.timesleader.com/news/819682/keeping-up-with-the-k-9s

Tipsters feel their calls for help were ignored before parents were charged with ‘unspeakable’ child abuse
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/tipsters-tried-to-draw-attention-to-parents-charged-with-unspeakable-child-abuse-but-felt-ignored.html

Authorities find tractor-trailer filled with $2.7 million in drugs in Upper Macungie, Bucks DA says
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-california-allentown-heroin-ring-bucks-bust-20210204-vuow4lddxrdm5ay76c2alafahq-story.html

Education

Black Lives Matter Movement goes to school to teach students about social justice
https://www.inquirer.com/education/nj-education-black-lives-matter-schools-week-black-history-20210204.html

The student debt crisis hits Black borrowers hardest. These Philadelphia debtors say Biden’s plan to tackle it isn’t enough.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-student-debt-cancellation-racial-justice-biden-20210205.html

Plans for Pa. university mergers continue, but all schools will keep their names — and sports teams, if the NCAA approves
https://www.inquirer.com/education/state-system-universities-merger-integrationsports-20210204.html

Pa. state universities open up another retirement incentive to thin its workforce
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/pa-state-universities-open-up-another-retirement-incentive-to-thin-its-workforce.html

Elections/Politics

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman files statement of candidacy for possible U.S. Senate run
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/lt-gov-john-fetterman-files-statement-of-candidacy-for-u-s-senate-seat/

Health Care

Be sure to be insured
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/02/05/Be-sure-to-be-insured/stories/202102050039

Nurses sue two central Pa. health systems over secretive ‘non-poach’ worker recruitment agreement
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/nurses-sue-two-central-pa-health-systems-over-secretive-non-poach-worker-recruitment-agreement.html

Berks Heim receives 4-star rating from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-heim-receives-4-star-rating-from-centers-for-medicare-and-medicaid-services/article_98adbbbe-670e-11eb-8c8c-a7e6e342ffd6.html

Local News

First-come, first-served: Free food to be distributed Saturdays in Leechburg
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/first-come-first-served-free-food-to-be-distributed-saturdays-in-leechburg/

Bucks County moves to preserve Bedminster farm
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/02/05/bucks-county-moves-preserve-bedminster-farm/4390582001/

Critical blood shortage impacting Luzerne County, state and nation
https://www.timesleader.com/news/819680/critical-blood-shortage-impacting-luzerne-county-state-and-nation

National News

New Mexico State Police say officer shot, killed on highway
https://triblive.com/news/world/new-mexico-state-police-say-officer-shot-killed-on-highway/

Philly

The city says it can’t answer some questions about Philly Fighting COVID amid an investigation. That’s not true.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philly-fighting-covid-kenney-transparency-20210205.html

Black Philadelphia renters face eviction at more than twice the rate of white renters
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/black-renters-eviction-white-tenants-philadelphia-reinvestment-fund-20210204.html

The money race between Philly DA Larry Krasner and challenger Carlos Vega kicks into high gear
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/money-race-between-philly-da-larry-krasner-challenger-carlos-vega-kicks-into-high-gear-20210205.html

Ya Fav Trashman is spotlighting Black-owned restaurants and bakeries in February. Here’s what he recommends.
https://www.inquirer.com/food/ya-fav-trashman-instagram-star-black-owned-restaurants-february-history-month-20210204.html

14 Philly Black-owned businesses to support right now
https://www.inquirer.com/philly-tips/black-owned-businesses-philadelphia-20210204.html

GSK gifts over $1 million to local nonprofits for STEM education
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/gsk-gifts-over-1-million-to-local-nonprofits-for-stem-education/article_7dba053c-0b1b-5687-9147-c5e49ddc8c01.html

Philadelphians need third-round stimulus payments to be issued smoothly this time | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/stimulus-payments-third-round-checks-philadelphia-pennsylvania-20210205.html

As hate crimes surge, Philly Holocaust Memorial is reinvented with an antiracist mission
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-holocaust-remembrance-foundation-anti-racist-anti-semitism-20210204.html

Philly teachers’ union says it’s ‘not safe’ to reopen schools, city to appoint mediator. Will teachers return?
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopening-pft-jerry-jordan-20210204.html

Pitt

Probe underway after scammers intercept some calls to 2-1-1 vaccine line in Allegheny County
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/02/04/211-COVID-vaccine-Pittsburgh-hacked-Allegheny-County-United-Way/stories/202102040181

Scams, high demand shut down Allegheny County phone lines for vaccine appointments
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-residents-can-call-211-for-limited-number-of-covid-vaccine-appointments/

Demand overloads Allegheny vaccine phone lines
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/covid-19-meds/2021/02/04/Allegheny-County-seniors-vaccination-appointments-phone-call-registrations-monroeville/stories/202102040126

Judge blocks developer’s bid to demolish old Froggy’s restaurant, two other buildings Downtown
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/02/04/Froggy-s-Market-Street-First-Avenue-Common-Pleas-Court-Joseph-James-Troiani-Group-Downtown-History-Landmarks/stories/202102040160

County police Superintendent Coleman McDonough to retire in March
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/02/04/County-police-Superintendent-Coleman-McDonough-retire-March-christopher-kearns/stories/202102040139

Carnegie Museum of Art’s new deputy director resigns after 1 month
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2021/02/04/Deputy-director-Ronald-Lee-Newman-quits-Carnegie-Museum-of-Art-August-Wilson-center/stories/202102040116

State News

Pennsylvania will get nearly $26 million from McKinsey opioid settlement
https://www.inquirer.com/business/mckinsey-opioid-settlement-purdue-oxycontin-pennsylvania-overdose-20210204.html

Transportation

Berks County Commissioners give support to committee for passenger rail service project
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/02/berks-county-commissioners-give-support-to-committee-for-passenger-rail-service-project.html

PennDOT to launch pilot jobs program in Chester County next week
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/penndot-to-launch-pilot-jobs-program-in-chester-county-next-week/article_5009c879-2e6e-5613-baea-a5aaaf4ce711.html

Washington

Senate approves budget bill, paving the way for Biden’s coronavirus relief package
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2021/02/05/Senate-approves-budget-bill-Biden-economic-virus-relief-plan-stimulus/stories/202102050115

Democrat-led House, drawing a line, removes Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from committees
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/marjorie-taylor-greene-house-vote-20210204.html

As GOP splits over Trump, Reschenthaler says ex-president deserves ‘at least one Nobel Peace Prize’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/02/04/Republicans-Congress-Guy-Reschenthaler-Donald-Trump-Marjorie-Taylor-Greene-Liz-Cheney/stories/202102040024

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Bucks County sponsors bill to protect Arctic National Refuge, which Trump sought to open for drilling
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-drilling-brian-fitzpatrick-congress-20210204.html