Legislature
State lawmaker proposes bill to compel UPMC, Highmark to play nice
http://www.witf.org/news/2019/02/state-lawmaker-proposes-bill-to-compel-upmc-highmark-to-play-nice.php
Pa. lawmaker seeks co-sponsors for ‘any willing insurer’ legislation to push Highmark, UPMC together
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/02/06/Jay-Costa-legislation-UPMC-Highmark-any-willing-insurer-Senate-health/stories/201902060122
County Council: What will you do about Clairton pollution? Health Dept: Enforcement coming.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/02/06/County-Council-members-question-health-department-on-Clairton-Coke-Plant-fire/stories/201902060153
County officials meet with health department, discuss Clairton Coke Works fire
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14585594-74/health-department-officials-meet-with-allegheny-county-officials-to-discuss-clairton-coke
Should all Pa. towns pay for police protection?: Q&A with Rep. Mike Sturla
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/should-all-pa-towns-pay-for-police-protections-qa-with-mike-sturla.html
Snyder introduces bill to allow early voting
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/snyder-introduces-bill-to-allow-early-voting/article_88dc13f2-2a25-11e9-afa5-d3e998c1fb71.html
Ward helps propose health bill
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/02/ward-helps-propose-health-bill/
Pa. weighs up to $30 million a year in tax breaks for historic preservation projects
https://www.philly.com/news/historic-preservation-tax-credit-pennsylvania-caps–20190206.html
Vote for state to help pay for machines
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/vote-for-state-to-help-pay-for-machines-1.2442473
Our view: Work together for good of Pennsylvania
https://www.goerie.com/opinion/20190207/our-view-work-together-for-good-of-pennsylvania
Administration
Governor: Initiative will help communities deal with blight removal, reuse
https://www.tribdem.com/news/watch-videos-governor-initiative-will-help-communities-deal-with-blight/article_ab84d7ee-2977-11e9-86d9-2f3612b5551d.html
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman to kick off pot legalization listening tour next week: ‘I want it to be an open exchange’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/lt-gov-john-fetterman-to-kick-off-pot-legalization-listening-tour-next-week-i-want-it-to-be-an-open-exchange.html
Mechanicsburg to be third stop in Lt. Gov. Fetterman’s marijuana legalization ‘listening tour’
https://cumberlink.com/news/local/mechanicsburg-to-be-third-stop-in-lt-gov-fetterman-s/article_19d42255-5e1f-5c40-a723-c4ca7a2ac983.html
Budget
Community Colleges want more from state budget
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/02/06/Community-Colleges-want-more-from-state-budget/stories/201902060143
County election officials say Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget falls short for new voting machines
https://www.philly.com/politics/pennsylvania/pa-gov-tom-wolf-budget-voting-machines-paper-trail-funding-20190206.html
How much would your school district get to boost minimum pay for teachers? Use this database
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/how-much-would-your-school-district-get-to-boost-minimum-pay-for-teachers-use-this-database.html
Under Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan, one Pa. school district would receive $693,000 to raise teacher salaries
https://papost.org/2019/02/07/under-gov-tom-wolfs-plan-one-pa-school-district-would-receive-693000-to-raise-teacher-salaries/
Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed state police fee plan could spur municipalities to pay up
https://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-wolf-budget-state-police-fee-20190205-story.html
The bills Lehigh Valley towns face for state police coverage under new budget plan
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/expo/news/g66l-2019/02/78f18302e8669/the-bills-lehigh-valley-towns-face-for-state-police-coverage-under-new-budget-plan.html
Economics professors pan minimum wage hike proposal
https://www.meadvilletribune.com/news/economics-professors-pan-minimum-wage-hike-proposal/article_e3799a26-2a59-11e9-909c-43dc9e58efd6.html
Redistricting/Gerrymandering
Wilkes students take second place in Draw the Lines competition
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-students-take-second-place-in-draw-the-lines-competition-1.2442458
Penn State Class And State High Student Win Redistricting Contest
http://radio.wpsu.org/post/penn-state-class-and-state-high-student-win-redistricting-contest
Business
Century III Mall deemed ‘unsafe & uninhabitable structure’ until sprinkler system fixed
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2019/02/06/Century-III-Mall-unsafe-uninhabitable-structure-west-mifflin-borough/stories/201902060142
Century III Mall deemed ‘unsafe and uninhabitable’
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14585219-74/century-iii-mall-deemed-unsafe-and-uninhabitable
Aramark abruptly postpones quarterly employee town hall meeting amid bonus controversy
https://www.philly.com/business/aramark-foss-bonuses-quarterly-meeting-postponed-20190207.html
General Carbide expanding, adding new jobs
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14585624-74/general-carbide-expanding-adding-new-jobs
Music Go Round will reopen in new location after tornado
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/music-go-round-will-reopen-in-new-location-after-tornado-1.2442418
Sugar Notch business approved for $1.4 million loan
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/sugar-notch-business-approved-for-1-4-million-loan-1.2442419
Bowl-O-Rama site in Exeter sold for Sheetz, other businesses
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/bowl-o-rama-site-sold-for-multi-tenant-development
Crime/Punishment
Johnstown pain clinic owner indicted in one of Pa.’s largest suboxone conspiracies
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/02/06/stephen-shaner-suboxone-conspiracy-pain-clinic-johnstown-pennsylvania-sks-associates-indicted-opioid/stories/201902060140
Police stop cocaine delivery
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/police-stop-cocaine-delivery-1.2442492
Two Reading men charged in wheel-theft ring that hit dozens of neighborhoods throughout Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/two-reading-men-charged-with-stealing-rims-tires-off-12-cars-over-a-year-long-span-throughout-berks
Education
Second grand jury report finds questionable hiring, conflicts with Penn Hills solicitor
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2019/02/06/Second-grand-jury-report-finds-questionable-hiring-conflicts-with-Penn-Hills-solicitor/stories/201902050161
Penn Hills school board president alleges pay-to-play in grand jury report response
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2019/02/05/Penn-Hills-school-board-president-alleges-pay-to-play-in-grand-jury-report-response/stories/201902050133
Town hall meeting being planned to discuss Penn Hills School District, grand jury report
https://triblive.com/local/pennhills/14586373-74/town-hall-meeting-being-planned-to-discuss-penn-hills-school-district-grand
Plum school board member criticized for Facebook post
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/02/06/Plum-school-board-member-Brian-Wisniewski-criticized-Facebook-repost-anti-Muslim/stories/201902060130
Plum residents not buying school board member post was ‘accidental’
https://triblive.com/local/plum/14584640-74/plum-residents-not-buying-school-board-member-post-was-accidental
Hanover Area board could face lawsuit
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/hanover-area-board-could-face-lawsuit-1.2442538
Former Pike County superintendent chosen to lead recovery in Scranton School District
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/former-pike-county-superintendent-chosen-to-lead-recovery-in-scranton-school-district-1.2442397
Judge questions why Scranton School District has not tried to recoup losses
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/judge-questions-why-scranton-school-district-has-not-tried-to-recoup-losses-1.2442298
Milton Hershey School seeks to hold family of girl who hanged herself liable for her death
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/milton-hershey-school-seeks-to-hold-family-of-girl-who-hanged-herself-liable-for-her-death.html
In Penn State-Tim Piazza frat hazing, a love affair with bullying that must end | Maria Panaritis
https://www.philly.com/news/columnists/penn-state-timothy-piazza-hazing-death-fraternity-lawsuit-settlement-bullying-maria-panaritis-20190207.html
Elections/Politics
How a blue wave and red response deepened the state’s political divisions
https://www.philly.com/politics/inq/pennsylvania-polarization-election-results-democrats-republicans-trends-map-20190207.html
Gaming
Pennsylvania casino fined $250K for over serving patron, who later ran over and killed a jogger
https://www.philly.com/business/pgcb-fines-mount-airy-casino-k-alcohol-policy-violation-drunk-driver-fatality-20190206.html
Health Care
Lehigh Valley Health Network proposes medical complex in Hazle, Butler townships
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/lehigh-valley-health-network-proposes-medical-complex-in-hazle-butler-townships-1.2442498
Local News
Public demonstration of paper-trail voting machine options set for Feb. 27
https://www.timesleader.com/news/732642/public-demonstration-of-paper-trail-voting-machine-options-set-for-feb-27
Communications director Genello leaving Scranton diocese; WBRE’s Deabill hired
https://www.timesleader.com/news/732675/communications-director-genello-leaving-scranton-diocese-wbres-deabill-hired
City defends disciplining police union officials
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/city-defends-disciplining-police-union-officials-1.2442541
Election board seeks new member; must be a Democrat
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election-board-seeks-new-member-must-be-a-democrat-1.2442535
Twice-fired officer looking for new police job
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/twice-fired-officer-looking-for-new-police-job-1.2442537
Hanover Twp. ambulance association receives loan
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/hanover-twp-ambulance-association-receives-loan-1.2442462
Razings remaking Scranton Lace landscape
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/razings-remaking-scranton-lace-landscape-1.2442618
Options available for free tax-prep help
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/options-available-for-free-tax-prep-help-1.2442602
Tie vote sinks proposed Dollar General in East Union Twp.
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/tie-vote-sinks-proposed-dollar-general-in-east-union-twp-1.2442520
Lackawanna County Commissioner Jerry Notarianni picks a running mate
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-commissioner-jerry-notarianni-picks-a-running-mate-1.2442295
Developer plans to transform vacant Greensburg bank into startup hub
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14587029-74/developer-plans-to-transform-vacant-greensburg-bank-into-startup-hub
Hearing set for proposed Harmar food pantry, worship site
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14584890-74/hearing-set-for-food-pantry-worship-site-proposed-in-harmar
Tarentum considering public shaming of tax deadbeats
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14584140-74/tarentum-considering-public-shaming-of-tax-deadbeats
Development group pitches plan to save Fairgrounds Square site
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/development-group-pitches-plan-to-save-fairgrounds-square-site
Richland boy with autism wins battle with borough over ducks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/richland-boy-with-autism-wins-battle-with-borough-over-ducks
It makes a huge difference’: Record $369K in tourism-related grants handed out
https://www.tribdem.com/news/watch-video-it-makes-a-huge-difference-record-k-in/article_db4fbe76-2a80-11e9-b203-db10c649b3a6.html
Amity amends medical marijuana ordinance
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/amity-amends-medical-marijuana-ordinance
National News
Crisis escalates in Virginia; top 3 Democrats under fire
https://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/virginia-democrats-scandal-blackface-ralph-northam-justin-fairfax-mark-herring-sexual-assault-20190206.html
Some workers still unpaid after government shutdown, dread what’s next
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/some-workers-still-unpaid-after-government-shutdown-dread-whats-next.html
New Jersey
New Jersey governor calls for DRBC ban on fracking, water withdrawals and wastewater discharges
http://buckscountyherald.com/new-jersey-governor-calls-for-drbc-ban-on-fracking-water-withdrawals-and-p908-175.htm
Philly
Sources: Pa. Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty received union-paid benefits in Local 98 case
https://www.philly.com/news/kevin-dougherty-ibew-local-indictment-johnny-doc-pennsylvania-supreme-court-20190207.html
Go ahead, cross in the middle of the block — if you dare | Inga Saffron
https://www.philly.com/real-estate/inga-saffron/philadelphia-mid-block-crosswalks-streets-transportation-safety-walkable-cities-20190207.html
Running club chases down theft suspect in University City
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia/running-club-chase-theft-suspect-annenberg-philadelphia-20190206.html
SEPTA unveils plow for snow-susceptible Norristown High Speed Line
https://www.philly.com/transportation/septa-nhsl-snow-plow-track-vehicle-norristown-high-speed-line-20190206.html
Here are free Philly-area tax filing sites for those earning less than $55K
https://www.philly.com/business/irs-vita-freefile-taxes-campaign-working-families-united-way-20190206.html
A new kind of pharmacy will combat food insecurity for children | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/food-insecurity-philadelphia-chop-20190207.html
Alan Butkovitz: Was Mayor Kenney really blind to soda tax motivations? | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/johnny-doc-mayor-kenney-soda-tax-20190206.html
Uneven Play: Most Philadelphia public schools don’t have playgrounds. That’s slowly changing.
https://whyy.org/articles/uneven-play-most-philadelphia-public-schools-dont-have-playgrounds-thats-slowly-changing/
Pitt
Local leaders highlight need for Career and Technical Education to address ‘workforce gap’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/02/06/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-career-technical-education-students-Peduto-Fitzgerald-jobs/stories/201902060127
Pittsburgh council approves $80K settlement for mishandled SWAT raid
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/02/06/Pittsburgh-settlement-SWAT-raid-Tabatha-Werkmeister-Brighton-Heights-duplex-wrong-address/stories/201902060108
Green Book steered African-American motorists toward the Hill, not Downtown
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/02/07/Green-Book-Pittsburgh-Hill-film-Jim-Crow-black-motorists-hotels-Wylie-Centre/stories/201902100009
Pittsburgh native takes part in first ever all-women flyover
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/02/06/first-all-women-flyover-cmdr-leslie-mintz-navy-pittsburgh-jet-pilot-captain-rosemary-mariner-funeral/stories/201902060132
Port Authority work progresses at Wood Street T station
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/02/06/Port-Authority-Wood-Street-T-station-Pittsburgh-light-rail-renovations/stories/201902060125
Direct line to the top: Mayor Bill Peduto excels at Twitter communication
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/02/07/Direct-line-to-the-top-Mayor-Bill-Peduto-excels-at-Twitter-communication/stories/201902070022
Penguins to begin construction at Civic Arena site by fall
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14585578-74/penguins-to-begin-construction-at-civic-arena-site-by-fall
2 houses in Arlington section of Pittsburgh evacuated because of mudslide
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14586554-74/two-houses-evacuated-by-mudslide-in-arlington-section-of-pittsburgh
Man killed in O’Hara tree accident remembered for his work ethic, love of life
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14584994-74/man-killed-in-ohara-tree-accident-remembered-for-his-work-ethic-love
Port Authority sends $3M bill to Norfolk Southern for August derailment costs
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14584819-74/port-authority-sends-3m-bill-to-norfolk-southern-for-august-derailment-costs
State News
How craft beer preserves history and draws tourists to small-town Pennsylvania
https://www.philly.com/news/beer-craft-ipa-historic-cider-brewery-yards-20190207.html
Pa. children deserve better than Andrew Wheeler in the EPA | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/andrew-wheeler-epa-senate-vote-pollution-20190206.html
Report gives Pennsylvania ‘F’ grades on tobacco
https://www.timesleader.com/news/732710/report-gives-pennsylvania-f-grades-on-tobacco
Scams abound at tax time
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14585285-74/scams-abound-at-tax-time
Pa. board recommends medical marijuana for anxiety, Tourette syndrome
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14584734-74/state-board-recommends-medical-marijuana-for-anxiety-tourette-syndrome
Pa. boy falsely reports being lured by ‘man wearing Patriots’ hat’
https://www.pennlive.com/daily-buzz/2019/02/pa-boy-falsely-reports-being-lured-by-man-wearing-patriots-hat.html
Erie native appointed to state post
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190206/erie-native-appointed-to-state-post
Transportation
Pothole Patrol: Drivers paying a price for warmer weather
https://www.timesleader.com/news/732666/pothole-patrol-drivers-paying-a-price-for-warmer-weather
Washington
Warren struggles to move past Native American controversy
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/elizabeth-warren-american-indian-heritage-massachusetts-pocahontas-20190207.html
Casey, Toomey, Cartwright, Meuser differ on Trump’s State of Union
https://www.timesleader.com/news/732687/casey-toomey-cartwright-meuser-differ-on-trumps-state-of-union