Legislature
Top Pa. election official calls for end to ‘lies’ as GOP launches 2020 hearings
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/spl/pennsylvania-2020-election-hearings-boockvar-republicans-lies-reform-20210122.html
In first of 14 hearings, state reps question Boockvar about election guidance
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2021/01/21/election-hearings-Pennsylvania-House-Representatives-legislature-Boockvar/stories/202101210140
Pa. House panel begins look back at 2020 elections to see what changes need to be made
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/pa-house-panel-begins-look-back-at-2020-elections-to-see-what-changes-need-made.html
Pa. Secretary of State Boockvar implores state lawmakers to ‘stop the lies’ about the election
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pa-secretary-of-state-boockvar-implores-state-lawmakers-to-stop-the-lies-about-the-eleciton/
Use momentum for campaign finance reform
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/use-momentum-for-campaign-finance-reform/article_e1755fd8-cbdd-53df-bc41-925e1de7782d.html
Coronavirus death counts exceed one per day in Pa. prisons. Gov. Wolf needs to use all the tools he has. | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/coronavirus-pennsylvania-prison-deaths-20210122.html
Q&A: Meet Pennsylvania’s new public records czar
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/spl/pennsylvania-office-of-open-records-liz-wagenseller-20210121.html
He was a fighter”: Sen. Dave Arnold’s staff reflects on his public service legacy
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2021/01/21/late-senator-dave-arnolds-staff-reflects-his-legacy/4233487001/
Pa. State Sen. Tommy Tomlinson tests positive for COVID-19
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/01/21/bucks-sen-tommy-tomlinson-says-he-has-covid-19/6659403002/
Carroll to introduce election code bill
https://www.timesleader.com/news/817062/carroll-to-introduce-election-code-bill
Boback first woman to chair House veterans committee
https://www.timesleader.com/news/817066/boback-first-woman-to-chair-house-veterans-committee
Coronavirus – COVID-19
No phone hotlines, multiple websites, long lines: Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is confusing in Pa. and N.J.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-vaccine-eligibility-nj-pa-philadelphia-20210122.html
Health care facilities adapting to new COVID-19 vaccine guidelines
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/health-care-facilities-adapting-to-new-covid-19-vaccine-guidelines/article_a05418a6-2a0f-52b7-a30e-c4e387c93591.html
Pennsylvania hospitals: Not enough vaccine to go around
https://www.timesleader.com/news/817064/pennsylvania-hospitals-not-enough-vaccine-to-go-around
Pennsylvania tops 20,000 covid deaths
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-tops-20000-covid-deaths/
COVID-19 Update: Pa. tops 20,000 deaths; Allegheny County has more than 66,000 cases
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/01/21/COVID-19-Update-Allegheny-County-pennsylvania-pittsburgh-cases-deaths-data/stories/202101210119
COVID-19 spread may be easing as state deaths surpass 20,000
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-spread-may-be-easing-as-state-deaths-surpass-20-000/article_7de7850c-554f-5a5e-a019-6566310a8171.html
Westmoreland County adds 107 covid cases, 4 deaths
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-adds-107-covid-cases-4-deaths/
153 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Thursday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/153-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-county-on-thursday/article_d77db719-d71c-5a1b-b3e8-ef87507ffea9.html
Lackawanna County teachers begin receiving vaccines
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/lackawanna-county-teachers-begin-receiving-vaccines/article_36a0cd4f-9fa6-57d5-b6da-fff52318146d.html
3 Weis Markets locations in Berks kick off COVID vaccine program
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/3-weis-markets-locations-in-berks-kick-off-covid-vaccine-program/article_d353ef28-5c18-11eb-ada3-efaa9ac6ea03.html
Some grocers will pay workers to get vaccinated
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/some-grocers-will-pay-workers-to-get-vaccinated/article_3f50a089-f120-5e14-ab0f-0a909a89872c.html
Fayette County groups asked to register in preparation for expanded coronavirus vaccine access
https://triblive.com/local/regional/fayette-county-groups-asked-to-register-in-preparation-for-expanded-coronavirus-vaccine-access/
LVHN’s first COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Dorney Park fully booked in less than 24 hours
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/whitehall/mc-nws-whitehall-lvhn-vaccine-clinic-booked-20210121-dd5z2zzicfey5ors5xhm7dedxu-story.html
Does reopening schools cause COVID-19 to spread? It’s complicated | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/01/does-reopening-schools-cause-covid-19-to-spread-its-complicated-opinion.html
An illustrated guide to how the COVID-19 vaccines work
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/a/covid-19-coronavirus-vaccine-rna-science-20210122.html
Administration
Comments on carbon-cutting plan show industry divided over Pa.’s energy future
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2021/01/22/Regional-Greenhouse-Gas-Initiative-Pennsylvania-comments-Shell-BP-energy-carbon/stories/202101210141
Should Rachel Levine’s replacement be a physician? | Pro/Con
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/rachel-levine-replacement-pa-secretary-of-health-tom-wolf-coronavirus-20210121.html
While Dr. Rachel Levine inspired and enraged Pennsylvanians, her work caught President Biden’s eye
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/dr-rachel-levine-inspired-enraged-pennsylvanians-with-actions-that-led-biden-to-name-her-for-key-post.html
Business
Instacart to cut 1,900 jobs, including its only union roles
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2021/01/22/Instacart-to-cut-1900-jobs-including-its-only-union-roles/stories/202101220058
Plans on hold for proposed Aldi supermarket in Berks Kohl’s store
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/plans-are-on-hold-for-a-new-proposed-aldi-supermarket-in-berks-county-ask-the/article_0da3e0a8-5bff-11eb-ab29-6f566b48c482.html
Crime/Punishment
Pennsylvania men sold their friend heroin and abandoned him outside a Montco hospital to die of an overdose, DA says
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/ronald-shock-joshua-benner-ramon-morales-overdose-death-boyertown-20210121.html
FBI agents make arrest in Center City in high school stalking case
https://www.inquirer.com/business/richard-vague-fbi-raid-pennsylvania-banking-securities-secretary-wolf-20210121.html
FBI agents make arrest at home owned by Pa. banking secretary: Here’s the latest
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2021/01/21/why-fbi-agents-visited-home-pa-banking-secretary-richard-vague/4245754001/
Hamburg man verbally abusive, spit on employees in Berks liquor store over mask wearing, police said
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/hamburg-man-verbally-abusive-spit-on-employees-in-berks-liquor-store-over-mask-wearing-police/article_2e802142-5c2c-11eb-978c-4751f0e810f1.html
Education
Scranton parents outraged as students face long, potentially dangerous walks to school
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-parents-outraged-as-students-face-long-potentially-dangerous-walks-to-school/article_196c7dd9-e068-5eb9-925a-69aabcd20bcb.html
New Kensington-Arnold considers property tax increase to address ‘bleak’ financial picture
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-arnold-considers-property-tax-increase-to-address-bleak-financial-picture/
Elections/Politics
Party officials shaken after gunman targets Montgomery County Democratic Committee office
https://www.inquirer.com/news/montgomery-county-democrats-norristown-shooting-bullets-20210121.html
Vote-count standards needed
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/01/22/Vote-count-standards-needed/stories/202011200069
Local News
Scranton announces launch of updated city website
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-announces-launch-of-updated-city-website/article_b3ee66cf-bae1-50da-a853-a90abf933da2.html
4 Berks County nonprofits get grants from FirstEnergy Foundation
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/4-berks-county-nonprofits-get-grants-from-firstenergy-foundation/article_1576d174-5c35-11eb-8071-e7efc3b2a568.html
Chester County to overhaul purchasing after spending millions on faulty antibody testing program
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-19-antibody-testing-fiasco-prompts-chester-county-overhaul-procurement-systems-20210121.html
Bucks County Judge Alan Rubenstein faces new allegations of ‘abusive,’ ‘humiliating’ comments
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/01/22/bucks-county-judge-alan-rubenstein-sexist-comments-langhorne-woman/6464927002/
West Leechburg program to honor veterans with Main Street banners
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/west-leechburg-program-to-honor-veterans-with-main-street-banners/
Fox Chapel residents affected by ‘Squaw’ road name changes will be compensated
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/fox-chapel-residents-affected-by-squaw-road-name-changes-will-be-compensated/
Vandals damage Biden, Black Lives Matter signs in Greensburg
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/vandals-damage-biden-black-lives-matter-signs-in-greensburg/
Health problems keep Christina O’Brien from seeking 4th term as Westmoreland prothonotary
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/health-problems-keep-christina-obrien-from-seeking-4th-term-as-westmoreland-prothonotary/
Luzerne County Council Election Inquiry Committee wrapping up recommendations
https://www.timesleader.com/news/817056/luzerne-county-council-election-inquiry-committee-wrapping-up-recommendations
Wilkes-Barre reports 2020 budget deficit
https://www.timesleader.com/news/817072/wilkes-barre-reports-2020-budget-deficit
Opioid Crisis
As covid crisis deepens, opioid crisis continues in the background
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/as-covid-crisis-deepens-opioid-crisis-continues-in-the-background/
Philly
Get Philly’s kids back in classrooms as soon as possible, Kenney and City Council tell School District
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-board-hite-reopening-20210121.html
Retired Philly cops are probing for District Attorney Larry Krasner’s soft spots as he seeks reelection
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/district-attorney-larry-krasner-retired-philadelphia-police-poll-20210122.html
Father charged in accidental shooting death of 9-year-old girl in North Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/north-philadelphia-child-shot-blake-davis-20210122.html
Contractor with ties to Johnny Doc pleads guilty to tax fraud and defrauding union benefit fund
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/donald-gus-dougherty-guilty-plea-johnny-doc-union-fraud-20210121.html
He spent years on death row. Now, a former Philly boxer will be released from prison.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/anthony-fletcher-boxer-murder-death-row-release-larry-krasner-federal-court-appeal-20210121.html
Authorities investigate their handling of abuse complaints against ex-husband of murdered Northeast woman
https://www.inquirer.com/news/fox-chase-woman-shot-husband-warrant-philadelpia-police-20210122.html
Black-led project makes open call for submissions about 2020 George Floyd protests
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/black-led-project-makes-open-call-for-submissions-about-2020-george-floyd-protests/
Biden action on Liberian immigrants has community in Philly hopeful
https://www.witf.org/2021/01/22/biden-action-on-liberian-immigrants-has-community-in-philly-hopeful/
It’s time to treat gun violence like the public health emergency it is | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/gun-violence-covid-19-shot-philly-jenice-armstrong-20210121.html
Pitt
Protesters gather outside Pittsburgh mayor’s home as a result of ‘radical’ tweet
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/01/21/Pittsburgh-Mayor-Bill-Peduto-tweet-radical-right-left-protesters-police/stories/202101210169
Mayor Peduto, please stop equating Pittsburgh protesters with the “Radical Right”
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/mayor-peduto-please-stop-equating-pittsburgh-protesters-with-the-radical-right/Content?oid=18780489
Pittsburgh’s Peduto among mayors asking new administration for financial relief
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburghs-peduto-among-mayors-asking-new-administration-for-financial-relief/
Allegheny County judge apologizes for photo with husband dressed as Capitol rioter
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/01/21/allegheny-county-judge-kim-eaton-apologizes-photo-capitol-rioter-husband-costume/stories/202101210124
‘I’m not a white supremacist; you can quote me’: Pa judge pictured with husband dressed as ‘QAnon Shaman’ at Biden party
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/im-not-a-white-supremacist-you-can-quote-me-pa-judge-pictured-with-husband-dressed-as-qanon-shaman-at-biden-party.html
Port Authority hires Texas woman as its first director of diversity and inclusion
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/01/21/Port-Authority-new-director-diversity-and-inclusion-Fonda-Duse-human-resources/stories/202101210116
Port Authority making progress on missed trips, stranded passengers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/01/21/Port-Authority-missed-trips-sick-drivers-stranded-passengers/stories/202101210129
Questions, concerns raised after school board floats plan to extend PPS remote learning
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/21/PPS-pittsburgh-public-schools-plan-extend-remote-learning-questions-concerns-education/stories/202101210121
Peduto challenger Ed Gainey: Fewer words, more action needed from next mayor of Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/peduto-challenger-ed-gainey-fewer-words-more-action-needed-from-next-mayor-of-pittsburgh/
Pittsburgh company Astrobotic one step closer to 2021 moon mission
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-company-astrobotic-one-step-closer-to-2021-moon-mission/
State News
AG Shapiro warns some stimulus checks may be delayed
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2021/01/22/pennsylvania-federal-stimulus-checks-delayed-IRS-pandemic/stories/202101220098
PA AG warns that some COVID stimulus payments could be delayed. Here’s why
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2021/01/22/stimulus-payments-delayed/6661762002/
Need a rooting interest? All the Pitt, Penn State, WPIAL ties in the NFL’s championship weekend
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2021/01/22/Pitt-Penn-State-WPIAL-connections-to-AFC-NFC-Championship-games-Packers-Chiefs-Buccaneers-Bills-Jordan-Whitehead-LeSean-McCoy-Stefen-Wisniewski/stories/202101220075
Pa. hunting programs drawing the right kind of attention
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/01/22/Pa-hunting-programs-drawing-the-right-kind-of-attention/stories/202101190018
Wine mystery boxes offered through Pennsylvania-owned Fine Wine and Good Spirits website
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/wine-mystery-boxes-offered-through-pennsylvania-owned-fine-wine-and-good-spirits-website/
Handoffs at Auditor General, Office of Open Records, showed government at its best | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/handoffs-at-auditor-general-office-of-open-records-showed-government-at-its-best-opinion/
Appointees for Pa. Law Enforcement Citizen Advisory Commission hold first public meeting
https://www.witf.org/2021/01/21/appointees-for-pa-law-enforcement-citizen-advisory-commission-hold-first-public-meeting/
Washington
Biden to increase federal food benefits among executive actions aimed at stabilizing U.S. economy
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2021/01/22/Biden-federal-food-benefits-executive-actions-stabilizing-U-S-economy/stories/202101220097
Joe Biden revokes Donald Trump’s ‘1776 Commission’ report promoting ‘patriotic education’
https://www.inquirer.com/education/biden-revokes-trump-report-promoting-patriotic-education-20210121.html
Biden order keeps moratorium on some student loan payments
https://www.witf.org/2021/01/22/biden-order-keeps-moratorium-on-some-student-loan-payments/
Biden signs burst of executive orders tackling COVID-19, vows ‘help is on the way’
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-masks-joe-biden-20210121.html
Fact-checking Pat Toomey’s claim that families with ‘six-figure incomes’ would get thousands from Biden relief plan
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pat-toomey-biden-coronavirus-stimulus-checks-fact-check-20210121.html
President Biden picks former United Steelworkers safety official to lead OSHA
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2021/01/21/Joe-Biden-James-Frederick-United-Steelworkers-workplace-safety-official-OSHA-COVID-19-pittsburgh/stories/202101210107
The Harrisburg woman accused of stealing Nancy Pelosi’s laptop blames her ex-boyfriend for ‘overstated’ accusations
https://www.inquirer.com/news/riley-june-williams-nancy-pelosi-laptop-capitol-riot-russia-arrests-harrisburg-20210121.html
McConnell seeks to push Trump impeachment trial to February
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/mcconnell-trump-impeachment-trial-delay-february-20210122.html