Legislature
New Pa. GOP leader pushes transparency reforms despite party’s past reluctance, obstruction
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/jake-corman-pennsylvania-senate-transparency-campaign-finance-track-record-20210112.html
Court postpones ruling in Brewster-Ziccarelli election ballots case; decision expected Tuesday
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/01/11/Federal-judge-ballots-Pennsylvania-45th-Senate-district-Brewster-Ziccarelli-GOP-case-postpone/stories/202101110083
Judge expects decision on Tuesday in Ziccarelli-Brewster race
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/judge-expects-tuesday-decision-in-ziccarelli-brewster-race/
Schuylkill County Democratic committee chair asks for voting fraud accusation retraction
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-county-democratic-committee-chair-asks-for-voting-fraud-accusation-retraction/article_4181d6cb-c3c1-59f1-9ee4-9f6ee114677b.html
Security presence increased at Pennsylvania Capitol
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2021/01/11/Police-security-Pennsylvania-state-capitol-harrisburg-legislature-protests-donald-trump-supporters/stories/202101110112
Fiedler to chair new progressive panel as House Democratic makeover continues
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/fiedler-to-chair-new-progressive-panel-as-house-democratic-makeover-continues/
Crisis further reveals charter funding absurdity
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/crisis-further-reveals-charter-funding-absurdity/article_bda76460-d9d0-5fca-9152-a42a9a133d57.html
Tony Norman | GOP: ‘Don’t blame us; we’re just standing here’
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/tony-norman/2021/01/12/personal-responsibility-impeachment-insurrection-Saccone-Mastriano-Wild-Toomey-Trump/stories/202101120029
Coronavirus – COVID-19
COVID-19 Update: Levine says vaccines may ‘soon’ move to Phase 1B
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/01/11/covid-19-coronavirus-pennsylvania-allegheny-county-pittsburgh-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-vaccine-health/stories/202101110090
Pa. health secretary says ‘it’s a misconception’ that covid vaccines are sitting dormant
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-health-secretary-says-its-a-misconception-that-covid-vaccines-are-sitting-dormant/
Levine promises plenty of notice for mass vaccinations
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/levine-promises-plenty-of-notice-for-mass-vaccinations/article_5d19ccab-9761-5b53-a3a1-07540e7857aa.html
Criticizing the feds, Pa. and N.J. are opening vaccine sites, increasing shots, still waiting for more supply
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-nj-philly-vaccine-distribution-south-jersey-rowan-murphy-20210111.html
Next phase of Pa. vaccine distribution to be announced soon
https://www.timesleader.com/news/816008/next-phase-of-pa-vaccine-distribution-to-be-announced-soon
Berks County’s school nurses in line for COVID vaccine
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-countys-school-nurses-in-line-for-covid-vaccine/article_a76778b6-5421-11eb-884c-9f2fd86dd818.html
When is it your turn to get the COVID vaccine?
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/when-is-it-your-turn-to-get-the-covid-vaccine/article_49b2d628-5428-11eb-aedb-674fa2a0c244.html
All 67 Pennsylvania counties still have substantial risk of community spread of COVID
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/all-67-pennsylvania-counties-still-have-substantial-risk-of-community-spread-of-covid/article_0bdcc530-5427-11eb-8621-b719925db975.html
Pennsylvania reports nearly 13K more covid cases, 186 deaths in 2 days
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-reports-nearly-13k-more-covid-cases-186-deaths-in-2-days/
Allegheny County’s covid count up nearly 900 in 2 days
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-countys-covid-count-up-nearly-900-in-2-days/
COVID-19 death toll hits 500 in Luzerne County
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/covid-19-death-toll-hits-500-in-luzerne-county/article_6ae462de-a5b6-5c05-a43f-0c7446d1a13e.html
Excela Health seeing fewer covid hospitalizations, though number remains high
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/excela-health-seeing-fewer-covid-hospitalizations-though-number-remains-high-in-westmoreland/
Ignoring covid side effects could be deadly, doctors and patients — including Westmoreland Commissioner Kertes — are finding
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/ignoring-symptoms-after-even-mild-covid-cases-could-be-deadly-doctors-and-patients-including-westmoreland-commissioner-kertes-are-finding/
The answer to all your key questions about the COVID-19 vaccines
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/the-answer-to-all-your-key-questions-about-the-covid-19-vaccines/article_a9fb9d00-d2d0-58bb-8290-564c7ff4fa57.html
Another lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19 after Capitol lockdown
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/01/another-lawmaker-tests-positive-for-covid-19-after-capitol-lockdown.html
Criticism grows of GOP lawmakers, including Pa.’s Perry, who refused masks while sheltering during Capitol riot
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/criticism-grows-of-gop-lawmakers-including-pa-s-perry-who-refused-masks-while-sheltering-during-capitol-riot/
Business
Delaware County DA is charging a contractor with misclassifying its workers
https://www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/worker-misclassification-criminal-case-pennsylvania-jack-stollsteimer-20210111.html
USA Pork Packers receives $1M grant for expansion
https://www.timesleader.com/news/816021/usa-pork-packers-receives-1m-grant-for-expansion
‘Level up’: Equity investors boost Pa.’s entrepreneurs of color during pandemic
https://www.witf.org/2021/01/12/level-up-equity-investors-boost-pa-s-entrepreneurs-of-color-during-pandemic/
Education
Petition calls for firing Central Pa. teacher shown in video rallying in support of President Trump
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2021/01/petition-calls-for-firing-teacher-shown-in-video-rallying-in-support-of-president-trump.html
La Salle University president leaving for Ohio job
https://www.inquirer.com/education/lasalle-university-colleen-hanycz-xavier-leave-president-20210111.html
Penn cancels classes of professor who used Nazi rhetoric, gesture during virtual conference
https://www.inquirer.com/news/university-of-pennsylvania-nazi-professor-conference-20210110.html
Elections/Politics
Republicans in Pa., elsewhere change party affiliation after riot at U.S. Capitol
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/01/republicans-in-pa-elsewhere-change-party-affiliation-after-riot-at-us-capitol.html
Daniels announces run for Congress in 8th District
https://www.timesleader.com/news/816010/daniels-announces-run-for-congress-in-8th-district
Health Care
Pa. Attorney General drops opposition to Jefferson-Einstein deal
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/pennsylvania-attorney-general-drops-opposition-jefferson-einstein-merger-20210112.html
Local News
Council set to discuss first step toward potential LCTA/COLTS merger
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/council-set-to-discuss-first-step-toward-potential-lcta-colts-merger/article_726e08df-7390-55ad-ae13-64e4d978d5e4.html
Reading City Council votes again to end the Downtown Improvement District
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/reading-city-council-votes-again-to-end-the-downtown-improvement-district/article_5badf8da-5478-11eb-a388-4f27fec0afc4.html
Kotecki, Shaw nonprofits lead drive to fill bare shelves at Lower Burrell food bank
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/kotecki-and-shaw-nonprofits-lead-food-drive-to-fill-bare-shelves-at-local-food-bank/
Leechburg property taxes to go up by less than 1% this year
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/leechburg-property-taxes-to-go-up-by-less-that-1-this-year/
Mining heritage events move online this month
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/mining-heritage-events-move-online-this-month/article_0f5c0ea5-b6e4-5a64-8810-c1a44fda36df.html
Grant-funded retrofits allow storm water ponds to ‘do more of the heavy lifting’
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/grant-funded-retrofits-allow-storm-water-ponds-to-do-more-of-the-heavy-lifting/
Continued emotional stressors driving unprecedented demand for mental health services
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/01/12/emotion-overload-drives-demand-mental-health-services-amid-social-economic-and-political-unrest/6587363002/
National News
FBI warns of plans for nationwide armed protests next week
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2021/01/11/FBI-warning-armed-protests-riots-Harrisburg-police-security-Joe-Biden-inauguration-Washington-DC-state-capitals/stories/202101110114
New York City considers ending contracts with Trump that bring his company $17M a year
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/01/11/New-York-City-Donald-Trump-business-contracts-consider-ending-NYC-Mayor-Bill-de-Blasio-Signature-Bank/stories/202101110150
1st U.S. execution of female inmate in 67 years halted
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2021/01/12/1st-US-execution-of-female-inmate-in-67-years-halted/stories/202101120094
New Jersey
To settle a lawsuit, a Florida gun company will stop selling large-capacity magazines in N.J.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey-attorney-general-gurbir-grewal-florida-ammunition-company-elite-aluminum-settlement-20210111.html
Philly
The Philly detective reassigned for going to Trump’s D.C. rally called Pence a ‘traitor’ after he condemned the violence and an officer’s death
https://www.inquirer.com/news/jennifer-gugger-philadelphia-police-capitol-riots-20210111.html
Amid rising gun crime in Philly, DA Larry Krasner blasts low bail
https://www.inquirer.com/news/larry-krasner-homicide-police-department-district-attorney–20210112.html
Philly Republican Al Schmidt won’t run for reelection in 2023 — but he’s not ‘capitulating to the psychological terrorists’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philadelphia-city-commissioner-al-schmidt-reelection-trump-20210111.html
Pitt
First National Bank may get $4M more in state aid for new headquarters at former arena site
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/01/12/First-National-Bank-headquarters-Civic-Arena-Hill-District-Pittsburgh-Penguins/stories/202101120075
Gov. Wolf offers support for FNB project at Civic Arena site
https://triblive.com/local/gov-wolf-offers-support-for-fnb-project-at-civic-arena-site/
Port Authority driver pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Pitt student’s death
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/01/11/pittsburgh-university-shavonne-james-barbara-como-death-killed-port-authority-bus-crash-oakland/stories/202101110091
Port Authority to close McKeesport Transportation Center for a year for expansion
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/01/11/Port-Authority-McKeesport-Transportation-Center-expand-parking-close-for-a-year-Tedesco-Excavating-Paving/stories/202101110107
PPS pushes student, staff return date into February
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/11/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-board-meeting-coronavirus-COVID-19-students-staff-February-2021/stories/202101110144
Pitt delays students’ return to campus for spring semester
https://triblive.com/news/education-classroom/pitt-delays-students-return-to-camps-for-spring-semester/
State News
Incoming Office of Open Records director looks forward to advancing its transparency mission
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2021/01/11/Incoming-Office-of-Open-Records-director-looks-forward-to-advancing-its-transparency-mission/stories/202101110130
Incoming Office of Open Records director looks forward to advancing its transparency mission
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/pas-incoming-office-of-open-records-director-looks-forward-to-advancing-its-transparency-mission.html
Gab, a Pennsylvania-based social network, is the new online hub for the far-right fringe
https://www.inquirer.com/news/gab-social-network-pennsylvania-right-wing-attack-us-capitol-20210111.html
After Twitter temporarily suspends former Republican Congressman Lou Barletta’s account, he says he’s ‘not buying’ the reason why
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/lou-barletta-donald-trump-twitter-suspended-suspension-20210111.html
Washington
Casey wants consequences for Congress members as pressure mounts to oust Trump
https://triblive.com/local/regional/casey-wants-consequences-for-congress-members-as-pressure-mounts-to-oust-trump/
Cartwright, Casey back second impeachment; Meuser, Keller warn of division
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/cartwright-casey-back-second-impeachment-meuser-keller-warn-of-division/article_e5b401fa-563d-5069-935b-6ba3b03634e6.html
Mike Kelly calls Capitol storming ‘deplorable’ while doubling down on objections to election
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/01/11/House-impeachment-vote-Donald-Trump-Guy-Reschenthaler-Mike-Kelly-Capitol-protest-election/stories/202101110093
Where Pa. and N.J. members of Congress stand on impeaching Trump after the Capitol attack
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/trump-impeachment-capitol-attack-pa-nj-lawmakers-20210111.html
Chad Wolf, director of Dept. of Homeland Security — charged with securing inauguration — abruptly resigns
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/chad-wolf-homeland-security-secretary-resigns-20210112.html
NFL coach Bill Belichick won’t accept Presidential Medal of Freedom
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/bill-belichick-presidential-medal-freedom-wont-accept-20210112.html
Scott Perry tried to take away the votes of thousands of Pa. residents. They deserve an explanation | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/scott-perry-tried-to-take-away-the-votes-of-thousands-of-pa-residents-they-deserve-an-explanation-opinion/