Legislature
Jim Brewster looks forward after tight, tense Pa. Senate race: ‘At the end of the day, you’re supposed to shake hands’
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/jim-brewster-looks-forward-after-tight-tense-pa-senate-race-at-the-end-of-the-day-youre-supposed-to-shake-hands/
’Pennsylvania is a better place because of him’: Colleagues react to Sen. Dave Arnold’s passing
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/pennsylvania-is-a-better-place-because-of-him-colleagues-react-to-sen-dave-arnolds-passing.html
Pa. state Sen. David Arnold has died of brain cancer, officials announce
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-state-sen-david-arnold-has-died-of-brain-cancer-officials-announce/
‘It’s all about pulling the next one up:’ How women are helping women make inroads in Pa. politics
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/its-all-about-pulling-the-next-one-up-how-women-are-helping-women-make-inroads-in-pa-politics/
Rep. Summer Lee to introduce bill to end cash bail in Pennsylvania
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/rep-summer-lee-to-introduce-bill-to-end-cash-bail-in-pennsylvania/Content?oid=18744679
State senators file suit to overturn fracking ban in Delaware River Basin
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-senators-file-suit-to-overturn-fracking-ban-in-delaware-river-basin/article_7526b37e-4dff-5ce7-8b64-248ce54579c8.html
County leaders call for Pa. mail-in ballot reform
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/county-leaders-call-for-mail-in-ballot-reform/
Heed counties on election improvements
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/heed-counties-on-election-improvements/article_3d9d26fb-cd28-58ac-9550-37b105f8811b.html
COVID is fueling eviction crisis, but help is available
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/housing/covid-is-fueling-eviction-crisis-but-help-is-available/article_829f26ec-573b-11eb-916e-67e576b94272.html
Fact-checking a top Pa. Republican who said false election claims didn’t play ‘any role’ in the Capitol attack
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/jake-corman-false-election-claims-capitol-attack-fact-check-20210117.html
In Harrisburg and Trenton, ‘a collective sigh of relief’ as few pro-Trump loyalists show up following FBI warning
https://www.inquirer.com/news/state-capitals-armed-demonstrations-ahead-inauguration-harrisburg-trenton-20210117.html
After quiet Sunday at Pa. Capitol, police will maintain presence through this week
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/after-quiet-sunday-at-pa-capitol-police-will-maintain-presence-through-this-week.html
State Rep. Kaufer tests positive for COVID-19
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/state-rep-kaufer-tests-positive-for-covid-19/article_904208dd-a647-522d-8992-4d8effe5439e.html
Senator Mastriano should be held accountable | PennLive letters
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/01/senator-mastriano-should-be-held-accountable-pennlive-letters.html
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Frustration, anxiety and hope mark MLK Day for some in 2021
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/01/18/MLK-Day-2021-frustration-anxiety-hope-Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Pittsburgh/stories/202101170175
‘Listen to one another’: More work needs to be done to meet Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, local speakers say
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/01/17/MLK-Day-2021-Martin-Luther-King-Mass-Pittsburgh-Saint-Paul-Cathedral-Woodruff-Hawkins/stories/202101170168
Covid pandemic changes Day of Service
https://triblive.com/local/regional/covid-pandemic-changes-day-of-service/
Martin Luther King Jr. Day closes government offices, banks
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2021/01/17/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Day-closes-government-offices-banks/stories/202101170014
The unknown King
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2021/01/18/The-unknown-Martin-Luther-King-MLK-Unity/stories/202101150165
On Martin Luther King Day, remember the uncompromising politics of Black economist Sadie Alexander | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/mlk-day-2021-sadie-alexander-collective-university-of-pennsylvania-20210118.html
This MLK Day, Congress should remember Dr. King’s economic agenda | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/mlk-day-service-2000-checks-covid-relief-20210117.html
Editorial: King’s dream as relevant as ever today
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-kings-dream-as-relevant-as-ever-today/article_ecdf8d02-55c0-11eb-b716-4717a9c3e22d.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Welfare enrollment has fallen in Pennsylvania during the pandemic – why?
https://www.witf.org/2021/01/18/welfare-enrollment-has-fallen-in-pennsylvania-during-the-pandemic-why/
Pandemic exposes weakness in Pa. counties without health departments, like Westmoreland
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pandemic-exposes-weakness-in-pa-counties-without-health-departments-like-westmoreland/
COVID-19 deaths down in Northeast Pennsylvania
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-deaths-down-in-northeast-pennsylvania/article_e90c4cc8-b702-5b90-a0ca-fac1f49d771b.html
258 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Sunday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/258-new-cases-of-covid-19-reported-in-luzerne-county-on-sunday/article_7856bcd6-56b6-52f2-a789-7ab5420393ba.html
Coroner reports 8 more Berks COVID-19 deaths
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/coroner-reports-8-more-berks-covid-19-deaths/article_0b73e004-58d4-11eb-b8ab-6fa84d857134.html
Slow COVID-19 vaccination efforts need a booster shot | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/slow-vaccine-rollout-biden-funding-faster-20210118.html
‘Little old West Virginia’ emerges as national leader in COVID-19 vaccinations per capita
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2021/01/17/West-Virginia-COVID-19-coronavirus-vaccines-vaccinations-when-can-i-get-Griffith-and-Feil-Drug-Jim-Justice-pharmacies/stories/202101170164
Education
Over 2,000 Allentown School District homes to get free internet in partnership with T-Mobile
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-schools-hot-spots-20210118-22lcoduk4bbonlssqxcboncvr4-story.html
Kiski Area officials: State Education Department contradicts themselves with new school guidelines
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/kiski-area-officials-state-education-department-contradicts-themselves-with-new-school-guidelines/
Pa. student aid agency tucks its data center inside huge mine abandoned in 1950s
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/inside-iron-mountain.html
Prompted by complaints, Temple taps law firm to probe education college leadership
https://www.inquirer.com/education/temple-gregory-anderson-education-college-complaints-faculty-20210118.html
Elections/Politics
Three Amish-country pols have dumped the GOP with a courage lacking in Congress | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/republican-party-trump-dissent-lancaster-county-maria-panaritis-20210116.html
Suburban and college-educated voters help Biden win Pennsylvania
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/suburban-and-college-educated-voters-help-biden-win-pennsylvania/article_d69a2361-0284-5414-ae7b-e7ef56b15908.html
Local News
From Green Ridge to Washington D.C., Biden’s Scranton roots pave path to presidency
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/from-green-ridge-to-washington-d-c-bidens-scranton-roots-pave-path-to-presidency/article_9d4804ad-dd2a-544a-94a9-152130347842.html
Scranton’s North Washington Avenue a garden for political careers
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/scrantons-north-washington-avenue-a-garden-for-political-careers/article_074a2313-eb8d-515b-a915-d87d77c50ec7.html
Scranton officials may reduce entertainment license fee as pandemic prevents concerts, shows
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/scranton-officials-may-reduce-entertainment-license-fee-as-pandemic-prevents-concerts-shows/article_f723ac2d-25e4-517b-ba67-6d9d5cb64999.html
Swoyersville leaders backtrack on ordinance allowing pet dog killing
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/swoyersville-leaders-backtrack-on-ordinance-allowing-pet-dog-killing/article_41e07851-125b-5122-b473-e91fc51995bf.html
Efforts to collect delinquent fees pays off for Wilkes-Barre
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/efforts-to-collect-delinquent-fees-pays-off-for-wilkes-barre/article_1fe0fe13-7ad3-5564-b81a-012c47714115.html
Local recycling centers struggle with rising costs
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/local-recycling-centers-struggle-with-rising-costs/article_b1d67856-7e84-54f3-ba01-537634014f4a.html
Philly
Suspect in the shooting death of a man walking his dog in Brewerytown was freed on bail two weeks earlier
https://www.inquirer.com/news/davis-josephus-bail-milan-loncar-slaying-walking-dog-breweytown-philadelphia-police-20210118.html
Meeting the need: Schools find ways to serve up meals for kids amid the pandemic
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nj-education-schools-meals-pandemic-feeding-breakfast-lunch-free-20210117.html
Penn medical school is giving COVID-19 vaccine priority to employees who don’t see patients. Philly says that’s against the rules.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/penn-perelman-school-of-medicine-faculty-coronavirus-vaccine-prioritization-1b-20210118.html
Philly church rings bell 400 times as U.S. nears 400,000 COVID deaths
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-church-bells-deaths-philadelphia-st-peters-20210117.html
Pitt
Port Authority holding final round of public meetings for Oakland-Pittsburgh rapid transit system
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/01/18/Port-Authority-Bus-Rapid-Transit-pubic-meetings-Oakland-Downtown-Pittsburgh-Highland-Park-Squirrel-Hill-Greenfield-Wilkinsburg/stories/202101170020
Planning to attend Biden inauguration, Fitzgerald insists the time to unify is now
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/01/17/Allegheny-County-Executive-Rich-Fitzgerald-Biden-inauguration-insurrection-Capitol-Hill/stories/202101150173
Pittsburgh’s human relations commission names new director
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/01/16/Jam-Hammond-Pittsburgh-Commission-on-Human-Relations-Megan-Stanley-executive-director/stories/202101160041
Navy announces latest ship to be christened USS Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/navy-announces-latest-ship-to-be-christened-uss-pittsburgh/
Boy shot in back in Pittsburgh’s Beechview neighborhood
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-boy-shot/
1 man dead, 1 in critical condition in 2 Pittsburgh shootings; victim identified
https://triblive.com/local/one-man-dead-one-man-in-critical-condition-in-two-pittsburgh-shootings/
State News
Pennsylvania’s first game warden of color took an unlikely path to the outdoors
https://www.inquirer.com/news/game-commission-hunting-deer-diversity-fishing-20210118.html
Watch out for lanternfly egg masses, experts warn
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/watch-out-for-lanternfly-egg-masses-experts-warn/article_445a26fb-e924-5238-882d-ea1ae1848678.html
Report ranks states for racial integration and progress. How did Pa. do? | The Numbers Racket
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/report-ranks-states-for-racial-integration-and-progress-how-did-pa-do-the-numbers-racket/
Washington
Biden’s proposed $20 billion for transit should avoid major service cuts across the country
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/01/17/Biden-20-billion-transit-stimulus-American-Public-Transit-Asspociation-Port-Authority-SEPTA/stories/202101170096
Biden may cancel Keystone pipeline permit on first day
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2021/01/17/Biden-Keystone-XL-pipeline-plans-cancel-permit-first-day-in-office/stories/202101170180
FBI vetting National Guard troops in DC amid fears of insider attack
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/fbi-guard-troops-dc-insider-attack-inauguration-joe-biden-20210118.html
Pa. man’s Capitol selfies posted on Facebook lead to federal charges, authorities say
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/01/18/Pennsylvania-man-arrested-capitol-riot-Andrew-Wrigley/stories/202101180061
Trump prepares to offer clemency to more than 100 people in final hours in office
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-pardons-planned-before-presidency-ends-biden-20210118.html
Records: Trump allies behind rally that ignited Capitol riot
https://triblive.com/news/world/records-trump-allies-behind-rally-that-ignited-capitol-riot/
U.S. Rep. Scott Perry doubles down on being, well, Scott Perry, in a moment of riots and impeachment
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/us-rep-scott-perry-doubles-down-on-being-well-scott-perry-in-a-moment-of-riots-and-impeachment.html