Legislature

Pa. Gov. Wolf urges GOP leaders to move on $145M plan to aid small businesses: ‘We have this money’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/pa-gov-wolf-urges-gop-leaders-to-move-on-145m-plan-to-aid-small-businesses-we-have-this-money.html

Wolf, legislative GOP not talking as $145M relief plan for small businesses languishes
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/wolf-legislative-gop-not-talking-as-145m-relief-plan-for-small-businesses-languishes/

Gov. Wolf urges Republicans in General Assembly to free up $145M for small business relief
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2021/01/14/wolf-urges-gop-support-145-million-pennsylvania-small-businesses/4163198001/

Redistricting will be the definitive political fight of 2021 in Pennsylvania. Here’s how it’ll work.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-redistricting-gerrymandering-2021-explainer-20210115.html

Mullery reintroduces bill to fight blight, revitalize communities
https://www.timesleader.com/news/816346/mullery-reintroduces-bill-to-fight-blight-revitalize-communities

Sharif Street ponders running for the U.S. Senate — and lessons learned from talking about manure
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/sharif-street-john-fetterman-pennsylvania-2022-senate-race-20210115.html

Pennsylvania lawmakers at Capitol work amid heavy security as Gov. Wolf schedules 2-day closure of complex, activates National Guard
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-lawmakers-capitol-security-20210114-yrnmwznycvdtvlkqzmjov56gom-story.html

Corman talks transparency, yet again
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/corman-talks-transparency-yet-again/article_0dbe25bf-3630-5b68-a323-1b783ff10d70.html

State capitals are preparing for unrest after far-right threats, and residents are dreading it: ‘I feel like I’ve been held hostage’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/state-capitols-threats-security-armed-protests-harrisburg-trenton-pa-nj-trump-20210114.html

Police outline plans to protect Pa. Capitol, including street closures, National Guard, air surveillance
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/police-outline-plans-to-protect-pa-capitol-including-street-closures-national-guard-air-surveillance.html

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Gov. Wolf: Pa. will soon unveil plans to vaccinate older people
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/wolf-pa-will-soon-unveil-plans-to-vaccinate-older-people/

Pa. residents 65+ eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations sooner
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/pa-residents-65-eligible-for-covid-19-vaccinations-sooner/article_cf12a9e2-ec54-5b61-af8f-46166b009372.html

Temporary waiver will allow qualified pharmacists to order, administer covid vaccines
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/temporary-waiver-will-allow-qualified-pharmacists-to-order-administer-covid-vaccines/

Pennsylvania records 313 additional covid deaths, 7,175 more cases
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-records-313-additional-covid-deaths-7175-more-cases/

238 new COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County on Thursday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/238-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-luzerne-county-on-thursday/article_4a3a01a7-3368-5bc6-a2c3-959c3f21548a.html

Westmoreland County adds 14 covid deaths
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-adds-14-covid-deaths/

More than 1,100 COVID vaccinations complete in Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/more-than-1-100-covid-vaccinations-complete-in-berks-county/article_fc115f90-5605-11eb-a810-bf60a46ec275.html

Highlighting lessons learned, Berks officials review their response to COVID
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/highlighting-lessons-learned-berks-officials-review-their-response-to-covid/article_f2779444-55bb-11eb-a584-e76d742f3868.html

COVID-19 cases increasing in kids, teens, and young adults, CDC study finds
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-children-covid-teens-adolescents-school-reopening-20210115.html

VA Pittsburgh to offer walk-up covid vaccinations to eligible veterans
https://triblive.com/local/regional/va-pittsburgh-to-offer-walk-up-covid-vaccinations-to-eligible-veterans-on-saturday-monday/

COVID-19 vaccines starting to reach Philly area’s intellectually disabled community
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/covid-19-vaccines-intellectually-developmentally-disabled-pennsylvania-new-jersey-20210114.html

Pandemic pay continues for contracted nurses but not most Westmoreland County employees
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pandemic-pay-continues-for-contracted-nurses-but-not-most-westmoreland-county-employees/

Signs of the COVID times
https://www.inquirer.com/photo/inq/coronavirus-philadelphia-pictures-20210115.html

Biden unveils a $1.9 trillion plan to stem the coronavirus and steady the economy
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/joe-biden-coronavirus-covid-19-plan-rollout-speech-20210114.html

How the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting another epidemic among teens: STDs | Expert Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/health/expert-opinions/sexually-transmitted-disease-epidemic-teens-pandemic-20210115.html

Pennsylvanians want to know why more people are being vaccinated in other states while we wait | PennLive Editorial
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/01/pennsylvanians-want-to-know-why-more-people-are-being-vaccinated-in-other-states-while-we-wait-pennlive-editorial.html

Business

U.S. weekly unemployment claims jump to 965,000 as coronavirus takes toll
https://www.inquirer.com/business/us-unemployment-weekly-report-965000-highest-since-august-20210114.html

Five Berks County restaurants ordered to close by the state for violating COVID restrictions
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/five-berks-county-restaurants-ordered-to-close-by-the-state-for-violating-covid-restrictions/article_40907ef6-568a-11eb-afce-2bff1561e85a.html

Dozens of licensed restaurants, bars and clubs in Pa. cited for violating COVID orders
https://www.pennlive.com/food/2021/01/dozens-of-licensed-restaurants-bars-and-clubs-in-pa-cited-for-violating-covid-orders.html

Crime/Punishment

Rankin shooting sends father, son to hospitals
https://triblive.com/local/rankin-shooting-sends-father-son-to-hospitals/

More than $45 million worth of illegal drugs seized by Pa. troopers in 2020
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/more-than-45-million-worth-of-illegal-drugs-seized-by-troopers-in-2020/

Delco prison gets new interim warden
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/delco-prison-gets-new-interim-warden/article_32072e90-56b0-11eb-8ba0-275dba9b0c18.html

Education

Scranton School District to wait for vaccines before starting in-person instruction
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-district-to-wait-for-vaccines-before-starting-in-person-instruction/article_3fd9b811-01e5-5f1c-93cb-d9e5c000edc2.html

School districts anticipate four times as much pandemic relief money
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/education/school-districts-anticipate-four-times-as-much-pandemic-relief-money/article_7039bc1a-9652-541b-b80a-a37d01712bca.html

Bucks County schools find ways to honor MLK in pandemic
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/01/15/bucks-county-schools-finding-ways-honor-mlk-despite-pandemic/4146780001/

Temple University professor and media icon Bryan Monroe dies suddenly at 55
https://www.inquirer.com/education/bryan-monroe-temple-media-professor-cnn-20210114.html

Elections/Politics

A former Philly insurance executive is eyeing a run for Pennsylvania governor
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/daniel-hilferty-pennsylvania-2022-governor-race-20210114.html

Fetterman fundraising off Luzerne County voter fraud case; Lt. Gov. selling “My dude in Forty Fort” shirts
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/fetterman-fundraising-off-luzerne-county-voter-fraud-case-lt-gov-selling-my-dude-in-forty/article_870aa3df-c471-5fcd-8d85-69670e96ae1d.html

Luzerne County Election Inquiry Committee starts drafting recommendations
https://www.timesleader.com/news/816348/luzerne-county-election-inquiry-committee-starts-drafting-recommendations

Health Care

Affordable Care Act open enrollment ends Friday in Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/pennsylvania-open-enrollment-aca-ends-friday-20210115.html

Local News

NBC’s Peacock awards ‘biggest Dundie in the world’ to Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/nbcs-peacock-awards-biggest-dundie-in-the-world-to-scranton/article_97596c30-602d-5d3d-ae46-d4b312cc1f2b.html

Inauguration events planned in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/inauguration-events-planned-in-scranton/article_30f46e10-959d-55e2-a6e1-54e40c2f9d0e.html

Biden picks Scranton woman as DNC treasurer
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/biden-picks-scranton-woman-as-dnc-treasurer/article_23ee3692-a667-53a3-b21c-a64372d5a2e5.html

Rediscover Scranton initiative aims to retain, attract workers and families
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/rediscover-scranton-initiative-aims-to-retain-attract-workers-and-families/article_de9c64d7-c3ce-5401-91f4-52a906c85c5f.html

Berks County Community Foundation awards $141,300 to 7 programs to improve residents’ health
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-community-foundation-awards-141-300-to-7-programs-to-improve-residents-health/article_bc8be01c-567c-11eb-bed3-63a39180dab2.html

‘Hindsight really is 2020’: Area experts provide outlook for the economy
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/hindsight-really-is-2020-area-experts-provide-outlook-for-the-economy/article_a3c8aadb-3353-5689-99ca-ec905bd42dfd.html

Upper Darby receives $1 million grant for new community center
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/upper-darby-receives-1-million-grant-for-new-community-center/article_47beea1a-56bb-11eb-8e5a-6797ad58e2dd.html

In reaction to budget veto Wilkes-Barre City Council lowering fees it raised
https://www.timesleader.com/news/816314/in-reaction-to-budget-veto-wilkes-barre-city-council-lowering-fees-it-raised

County council candidate says he never entered Capitol during protest
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-council-candidate-says-he-never-entered-capitol-during-protest/article_3d89fab5-aac7-52a2-86a1-4824bf1df85b.html

Easton native Michael LaRosa appointed top spokesperson for first lady Jill Biden
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-man-jill-biden-press-secretary-20210115-uk6uns5q7jfllexq5h6dge75ay-story.html

Philly

Undaunted by the pandemic, Philadelphia’s second casino is set to finally open its doors
https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-stadium-casino-cordish-live-opening-soon-20210115.html

How low-income people are spending their $600 pandemic stimulus payments
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pandemic-600-stimulus-checks-earned-income-tax-credit-poverty-20210115.html

A decade after wrongful arrests by rogue Philly police, fight for compensation drags on
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-misconduct-officer-jeffrey-walker-narcotics-field-unit-civil-rights-20210114.html

‘He was the kindest person in the entire world. This is so screwed up,’ sister of slain dog walker says
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/brewerytown-fatal-shooting-milan-loncar-temple-university-graduate-20210114.html

Philly athletes missing college opportunities as lost seasons keep recruiters away
https://www.inquirer.com/high-school-sports/pennsylvania/philadelphia-high-school-sports-recruiting-coronavirus-20210115.html

This developer has a plan to save the Painted Bride’s mosaic. The neighborhood wants to stop him.
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/inga-saffron/painted-bride-isaiah-zagar-mosaic-mural-architecture-old-city-philadelphia-franklin-bridge-north-inga-saffron-20210115.html

Virginia men arrested for gun offenses during Philly vote count face new election-interference charges
https://www.inquirer.com/news/joshua-macias-antonio-lamotta-qanon-philadelphia-election-charges-20210115.html

Some Philly students will likely return to in-person learning in February, superintendent says
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-return-to-school-hite-special-education-20210114.html

Philadelphia school district opening six specialized regional centers for special needs students
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philadelphia-school-district-opening-six-specialized-regional-centers-for-special-needs-students/article_ec2a56e7-cd31-580d-b9a8-6b671a39d0de.html

Pitt

Peduto makes it official, seeks 3rd term as Pittsburgh’s mayor
https://triblive.com/local/bill-peduto-makes-it-official-hes-seeking-a-3rd-term-as-pittsburghs-mayor/

Pirates, medical partners could ‘potentially utilize’ PNC Park as a covid-19 vaccination center
https://triblive.com/sports/pirates-medical-partners-could-potentially-utilize-pnc-park-as-a-covid-19-vaccination-center/

Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb names new deputy
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-controller-michael-lamb-names-new-deputy/

State News

Joanne Rogers, widow of Mister Rogers, dies at 92
https://triblive.com/local/joanne-rogers-widow-of-mister-rogers-dies-at-92/

577-acre farm in Chester County to become public nature preserve
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/chester-county-pennsylvania-conservation-nature-preserve-glenroy-farm-20210112.html

Buffalo Creek and Loyalhanna looking for votes for Pa. River of the Year
https://triblive.com/local/regional/buffalo-creek-and-loyalhanna-looking-for-votes-for-pa-river-of-the-year/

Fayette County was already struggling. Now the pandemic could break it | Mark O’Keefe
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/fayette-county-was-already-struggling-now-the-pandemic-could-break-it-mark-okeefe/

Washington

Overwhelming opposition to Capitol attacks, majority support for preventing Trump from serving again, poll finds
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/capitol-attack-americans-opposed-donald-trump-removal-20210115.html

Pa.’s Scanlon says she saw tour groups in the Capitol before attack
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-s-scanlon-says-she-saw-tour-groups-in-the-capitol-before-attack/

Rep. Scanlon saw Capitol tour before attack; panic button wasn’t attached in her office
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/rep-scanlon-saw-capitol-tour-before-attack-panic-button-wasnt-attached-in-her-office/article_f2d0847a-56a9-11eb-96bb-572f6e31b6b6.html

Charges: Retired Pa. firefighter threw extinguisher at Capitol Police
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/charges-retired-pa-firefighter-threw-extinguisher-at-capitol-police/

Brian Fitzpatrick’s infuriating ‘no’ vote on impeachment shows a total lack of political courage | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/brian-fitzpatrick-impeachment-vote-pennsylvania-20210114.html