Legislature
Pa. Senate to swear in Jim Brewster to fill western Pa. seat
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/pa-senate-to-swear-in-jim-brewster-to-western-pa-senate-seat.html
Ziccarelli concedes, Brewster to be sworn in Wednesday morning
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/federal-court-denies-ziccarelli-request-brewster-wins-election/
In wake of federal court ruling, Corman says Sen. Jim Brewster will be seated Wednesday
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/judge-sides-with-democrats-in-45th-district-senate-race/
Sen. Doug Mastriano campaign spent thousands on buses ahead of D.C. insurrection
https://www.witf.org/2021/01/13/sen-doug-mastriano-campaign-spent-thousands-on-buses-ahead-of-d-c-insurrection/
Pa. House will hold special election to replace Rep. Mike Reese
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2021/01/12/Pennsylvania-House-special-election-replace-vacant-seat-death-Rep-Mike-Reese-westmoreland-somerset-primary/stories/202101120137
Special election set to fill Mike Reese’s state House seat
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/special-election-to-fill-reese-state-house-seat-set/
House GOP focuses on ways to kickstart the economy to make Pa. the ‘envy of the East’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/house-gop-focuses-on-ways-to-kickstart-the-economy-to-make-pa-the-envy-of-the-east.html
Blocking of media from Pa. Capitol event termed ‘miscommunication’ but raises concerns
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/blocking-of-media-from-pa-capitol-event-termed-miscommunication-but-raises-concerns.html
Reporters kept from Pa. Capitol press conference, Wolf admin cites ‘miscommunication’
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/reporters-kept-from-pa-capitol-press-conference-wolf-admin-cites-miscommunication/
Toohil, Kaufer named to House leadership positions
https://www.timesleader.com/news/816139/toohil-kaufer-named-to-house-leadership-positions
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pennsylvania officials give update on vaccine distribution
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-officials-give-update-on-vaccine-distribution/
Trump administration is trying to accelerate Operation Warp Speed, but you might not get your vaccine any sooner
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/trump-administration-changes-rules-for-releasing-administering-covid-19-vaccine-20210112.html
Essential workers, people 75 and up, and others will be vaccinated next in Philly, while indoor dining, colleges, and theaters can reopen
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-philly-vaccine-rollout-seniors-federal-azar-indoor-dining-20210113.html
‘We must show patience’: Pa. vaccine rollout faces criticism as unused doses pile up
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2021/01/12/when-can-get-covid-vaccine-pa-vaccine-rollout-faces-criticism-unused-doses-pile-up/6623782002/
Officials: UPMC ‘absolutely prepared’ to give more covid vaccinations
https://triblive.com/local/regional/officials-upmc-absolutely-prepared-to-give-more-covid-vaccinations/
County ready for vaccine distribution effort, says EMA director
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/county-ready-for-vaccine-distribution-effort-says-ema-director/article_bb96f920-4b23-5866-8a81-362ec8f1a0bf.html
LVHN setting up mass COVID-19 vaccination site at Dorney Park
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-lvhn-preparing-for-mass-vaccinations-at-dorney-park-20210113-biu2redlejd75cygv6lqtgwy5m-story.html
Pa. sets record for 7-day covid death total
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-sets-record-for-7-day-covid-death-total/
Allegheny County sees increase in new covid cases after days of decrease
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-sees-increase-in-new-covid-cases-after-days-of-decrease/
Westmoreland County reports 8 new covid deaths, most in a week
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-reports-8-new-covid-deaths-most-in-a-week/
115 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Tuesday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/115-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-county-on-tuesday/article_0862e229-0c32-5e48-b6f7-142ba1fed326.html
New COVID-19 cases remain down, but not deaths
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/new-covid-19-cases-remain-down-but-not-deaths/article_5dc014a5-5a46-59e8-89c3-05fd86289614.html
Berks County gets 338 more COVID cases in Pa. Department of Health report
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-gets-338-more-covid-cases-in-pa-department-of-health-report/article_aa39ad0e-5451-11eb-81d2-83e1dfc1031c.html
Addressing 11 common concerns about COVID-19 vaccines: Q&A
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/addressing-11-common-concerns-about-covid-19-vaccines-qa.html
Mistrust is well earned’: COVID-19 vaccine rollout must reach communities of color, leaders say
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/mistrust-is-well-earned-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-must-reach-communities-of-color-leaders-say.html
I received the COVID-19 vaccine, but I can’t let my guard down | Expert Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/health/expert-opinions/covid-19-vaccine-transmission-precautions-mask-social-distance-20210113.html
U.S. to require all arriving airline passengers to get COVID-19 test
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/airline-passengers-required-covid-19-test-20210112.html
COVID fears grow in Capitol as number of lawmakers testing positive rises to 3
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/01/covid-fears-grow-in-capitol-as-number-of-lawmakers-testing-positive-rises-to-3.html
Business
New Pa. websites promote restaurants and show violators of covid measures
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/new-pa-websites-show-restaurants-with-carryout-options-covid-violations/
Crime/Punishment
Pa. State Police resume tracking racial data during traffic stops in response to Spotlight PA report
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pa-state-police-traffic-stops-racial-profiling-data-collection-20210112.html
Pa. State Police try to identify racial disparities in policing
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-state-police-try-to-identify-racial-disparities-in-policing/
Police across Pa. say it is business as usual as more election protests loom
https://www.witf.org/2021/01/12/police-across-pa-say-it-is-business-as-usual-as-more-election-protests-loom/
Police arrest an election canvasser for killing a colleague in Chester
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nathan-thurmond-willis-election-murder-chester-kenny-mister-20210112.html
DA: Suspect in fatal shooting walked into store ‘armed and ready’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/816128/da-suspect-in-fatal-shooting-walked-into-store-armed-and-ready
Education
Former Scranton School District employees to receive preliminary hearing
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/former-scranton-school-district-employees-to-receive-preliminary-hearing/article_64fdd6ff-ead6-5a9e-8c9c-1cacf42e5f0a.html
Hampton ranked top high school in Pittsburgh area, 7th in state by U.S. News & World Report
https://triblive.com/local/hampton-ranked-top-high-school-in-pittsburgh-area-7th-in-state-by-u-s-news-world-report/
Western Pa. teachers grapple with current events lessons after Capitol riot
https://triblive.com/local/regional/western-pa-teachers-grapple-with-current-events-lessons-after-capitol-riot/
As pro-Trump mob storms U.S. Capitol, CMU institute honors election-denier
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/12/Carnegie-Mellon-U-S-Capitol-assault-Grenell-Trump-Skinner-Jahanian-insurrection-violence/stories/202101120125
Controversy over comments regarding election, Capitol attack rocks debate at Carnegie Mellon University
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/controversy-over-comments-regarding-election-capitol-attack-rocks-debate-at-carnegie-mellon-university/
Alvernia University breaks ground on Reading CollegeTowne project
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/alvernia-university-breaks-ground-on-reading-collegetowne-project/article_c1231f44-54f3-11eb-ad79-1f97bfc37591.html
Penn State announces testing requirement for all students returning to campuses
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/penn-state-announces-testing-requirement-for-all-students-returning-to-campuses.html
Local News
Space heater likely sparked fatal Carbondale fire
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/crime-emergencies/space-heater-likely-sparked-fatal-carbondale-fire/article_3cfb33a9-0e25-5b97-b982-700c6dcad296.html
Chris Kelly: Scavo caught on the wrong side of history with Trump
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/columnists/chris-kelly/chris-kelly-scavo-caught-on-the-wrong-side-of-history-with-trump/article_827f39f0-29fa-5a5b-82d3-a2cf06cf9ab1.html
Reading adds parking meters to loading zones and inks an agreement with parking authority
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-adds-parking-meters-to-loading-zones-and-inks-an-agreement-with-parking-authority/article_a766e2e8-5516-11eb-9cce-ebfb0a9c7447.html
Chester County officials offer assistance to those facing eviction
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/chester-county-officials-offer-assistance-to-those-facing-eviction/article_b37923f6-5517-11eb-8363-bbe8924a8da3.html
Confusion over vehicle registration fee; county says renew for one year
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/confusion-over-vehicle-registration-fee-county-says-renew-for-one-year/article_a12bf36c-e170-5d09-a70e-1f3ea1ded2b5.html
Luzerne County must fill both top election management positions
https://www.timesleader.com/news/816130/luzerne-county-must-fill-both-top-election-management-positions
Train station renovation in Wilkes-Barre expected to begin next month
https://www.timesleader.com/news/816137/train-station-renovation-in-wilkes-barre-expected-to-begin-next-month
Democratic Women to collect for food bank, family shelter
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/democratic-women-to-collect-for-food-bank-family-shelter/
Easton mayor warns trash must be cleaned or homeless encampment will be dismantled, advocate says there is no camp
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-easton-mayor-targets-homeless-camp-20210112-zlsjoi57ofhzzi25lseui6mh4a-story.html
Harrisburg mayor requires COVID-19 vaccine for all city employees
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/harrisburg-mayor-requires-covid-19-vaccine-for-all-city-employees.html
National News
U.S. carries out its 1st execution of female inmate since 1953, killing Lisa Montgomery
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/lisa-montgomery-execution-us-20210113.html
Michigan plans to charge ex-Gov. Rick Snyder in Flint water scandal
https://triblive.com/news/world/michigan-plans-to-charge-ex-gov-rick-snyder-in-flint-water-scandal/
Justices say women must obtain abortion pill in person
https://www.inquirer.com/health/abortion-pill-women-in-person-supreme-court-20210112.html
Philly
SEPTA to get $252 million in additional federal COVID-19 relief
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-covid-19-relief-funding-public-transportation-20210112.html
Philadelphia police take Det. Jennifer Gugger’s gun amid investigation of her attendance at the D.C. Trump rally
https://www.inquirer.com/news/jennifer-gugger-gun-taken-capitol-trump-pence-20210112.html
A federal court rejected the plan for a supervised injection site in Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/safehouse-third-circuit-decision-safe-injection-site-philadelphia-mcswain-20210112.html
From renting out Laundromats to giving away refrigerators, he’s making a difference in the lives of Black Philly moms | We The People
https://www.inquirer.com/news/sistatalkphl-adam-mcneil-helps-single-moms-philly-20210113.html
Police keep showing us who they are. Pay attention. It’s not good. | Helen Ubiñas
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/jennifer-gugger-capitol-riots-philadelphia-police-helen-ubinas-20210112.html
These are the current Philadelphia coronavirus guidelines
https://www.inquirer.com/philly-tips/philadelphia-coronavirus-guidelines-stores-restaurants-gyms-casinos-20201016.html
City health department inspectors receiving violent threats from businesses when enforcing COVID-19 protocols
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/city-health-department-inspectors-receiving-violent-threats-from-businesses-when-enforcing-covid-19-protocols/article_3a890489-9372-52d6-a203-01f2723f8e48.html
Pitt
‘Vertical farm’ in Braddock to serve as Pittsburgh Penguins official greens partner
https://triblive.com/sports/penguins/vertical-farm-in-braddock-to-serve-as-pittsburgh-penguins-official-greens-partner/
‘We need to be uniters,’ Pittsburgh council says in addressing Capitol insurrection
https://triblive.com/local/we-need-to-be-uniters-pittsburgh-council-says-in-addressing-capitol-insurrection/
Josh Gibson Foundation hosts Negro League Centennial webinar series
https://triblive.com/local/josh-gibson-foundation-hosts-negro-league-centennial-webinar-series/
State News
Editorial: Let’s make the most of virtual Farm Show
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-lets-make-the-most-of-virtual-farm-show/article_4977784c-542f-11eb-81d5-9f9cd61f4ae2.html
Washington
First it was ‘fraud,’ then they just didn’t like the rules: How Pa. Republicans justified trying to overturn an election
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-republicans-false-election-fraud-claims-20210113.html
House calls on Mike Pence to invoke 25th Amendment to oust Trump
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/donald-trump-violence-impeachment-comments-25th-amendment-20210112.html
Westmoreland Democrats call for GOP congressmen to step down
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-democrats-call-for-gop-congressmen-to-step-down/
Here’s how Berks County’s delegation will vote on impeachment of President Donald Trump
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/heres-how-berks-countys-delegation-will-vote-on-impeachment-of-president-donald-trump/article_f3ed9dac-54e7-11eb-9bea-a742ac846045.html
Montgomery County Rep. Madeleine Dean named impeachment manager as Trump on verge of 2nd impeachment
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/national/montgomery-county-rep-madeleine-dean-named-impeachment-manager-as-trump-on-verge-of-2nd-impeachment/article_e3a2da8e-e639-5b6b-9d77-bf9c67a09bad.html
Group of House Republicans, led by Pa. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, wants Trump censured
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/group-of-house-republicans-led-by-pa-rep-brian-fitzpatrick-wants-trump-censured/
Fitzpatrick introduces measure to censure, condemn Trump for D.C. riots
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/01/12/brian-fitzpatrick-censure-condemn-trump-capitol-insurrection/6640470002/
Corporations recoil from eight Pa. GOP vote ‘objectors,’ suspending their money
https://www.inquirer.com/news/corporate-campaign-pacs-comcast-trump-gop-republicans-pa-democrats-supend-donations-20210112.html
YouTube suspends Trump, blocking his account from uploading new videos for at least one week
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-suspended-youtube-social-media-20210113.html
Metal detectors installed at U.S. House floor entrance, angering some members: report
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/metal-detectors-installed-at-us-house-floor-entrance-angering-some-members-report.html
Excluding lawmakers, some from Pa., under 14th Amendment is no easy task
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/01/excluding-lawmakers-some-from-pa-under-14th-amendment-is-no-easy-task.html
Rep. Mikie Sherrill says Congress members gave ‘reconnaissance’ tours day before Capitol raid
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/12/mikie-sherrill-pro-trump-rioters-got-tour-congress-members/6648386002/
Hypocrites seek ‘unity’
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/editorial/hypocrites-seek-unity/article_48ad65db-3034-5c77-8474-918ce0597a98.html