Legislature
State Senate panel moves quickly on child abuse survivors bill
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2021/01/25/child-abuse-survivors-PA-Senate-Judiciary-Committee-constitutional-amendment/stories/202101250116
Statute of limitations reform takes another step in Pa. legislature
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/statute-of-limitations-reform-takes-another-step-in-pa-legislature.html
With Sen. Baker as chairwoman, Pa. Senate Judiciary Committee approves seven bills
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/with-sen-baker-as-chairwoman-pa-senate-judiciary-committee-approves-seven-bills/article_7eda6647-14fd-5520-a3f5-c9f1a9110ca7.html
Pgh. Dem lawmakers call out Wolf over Pa.’s vaccine roll out, ask for more direct communication to residents
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/pgh-dems-call-out-wolf-over-pa-s-vaccine-roll-out-ask-for-more-direct-communication-to-residents/
PennDOT plans to toll major Pa. bridges, but truckers and lawmakers want to put on brakes
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/penndot-plans-to-toll-major-pa-bridges-but-truckers-and-lawmakers-want-to-put-on-brakes.html
Johnstown lawmaker scores big win in fight with Pa. liquor board. But the fight continues | Mark O’Keefe
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/johnstown-lawmaker-scores-big-win-in-fight-with-pa-liquor-board-but-the-fight-continues-mark-okeefe/
Misguided constitutional amendment is bad for our democracy
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2021/01/26/Misguided-constitutional-amendment-is-bad-for-our-democracy/stories/202101250078
Special election date set to fill seat left vacant by Sen. Dave Arnold’s death
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/special-election-date-set-to-fill-seat-left-vacant-by-sen-dave-arnolds-death.html
Meet Pa. Senate GOP leader Kim Ward, the first woman to hold that post: ‘I have to do a good job’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/meet-pa-senate-gop-leader-kim-ward-the-first-woman-to-hold-that-post-i-have-to-do-a-good-job.html
10 things to know about Senate GOP leader Kim Ward: Shoe collector, gambler, music fan who made Pa. history
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/10-things-to-know-about-senate-gop-leader-kim-ward-shoe-collector-gambler-music-fan-who-made-pa-history.html
Perry and Mastriano have not upheld military honor and conduct | PennLive letters
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/01/perry-and-mastriano-have-not-upheld-military-honor-and-conduct-pennlive-letters.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
COVID-19 Update: As Pa. cases decline, did state avoid post-holiday surge?
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/01/25/covid-19-coronavirus-pennsylvania-allegheny-county-pittsburgh-cases-deaths-vaccine-doses-health-data-pandemic/stories/202101250070
Covid contact tracing still challenging in Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/covid-contact-tracing-still-challenging-in-pennsylvania/
Bucks County opens vaccine hotline to reach those without internet, as online registration continues
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/01/26/without-internet-access-many-need-help-accessing-covid-19-vaccine/6698346002/
Coronavirus positivity rate continues downward trend in Montgomery County, six neighboring counties
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/coronavirus-positivity-rate-continues-downward-trend-in-montgomery-county-six-neighboring-counties/article_eafe576e-ac37-5ec5-a261-5e8b24e7d927.html
New coronavirus cases continue to decline in Allegheny County
https://triblive.com/local/new-coronavirus-cases-continue-to-decline-in-allegheny-county/
70 new COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/70-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-luzerne-county/article_128e92ae-989f-51d3-97be-ccca62caeb54.html
Weekend new COVID-19 cases continue decline, but not regional death toll
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/weekend-new-covid-19-cases-continue-decline-but-not-regional-death-toll/article_286da1f5-4978-51c8-8789-0e146a332d42.html
New Jersey launched a vaccine hotline. Four hours later, 58,000 calls had flooded in.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-nj-philly-vaccine-hotline-deaths-surge-20210125.html
Minnesota case marks 1st detection of Brazil covid variant
https://triblive.com/news/minnesota-case-marks-1st-detection-of-brazil-covid-variant/
Biden raises vaccination target to 1.5 million shots a day, extends travel bans
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/01/26/Biden-raises-daily-vaccination-target-extends-travel-bans-pandemic/stories/202101260111
Administration
Pennsylvania’s health secretary nominee isn’t a physician. Why that doesn’t matter.
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-pennsylvania-health-secretary-alison-beam-muschick-20210126-jbgoqhjlhjgrva7drioazqzsxm-story.html
Budget
No pomp, zero circumstance: Wolf will deliver virtual budget address
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/no-pomp-zero-circumstance-wolf-will-deliver-virtual-budget-address/
With budget season approaching, Wolf, lawmakers must fully fund Pa.’s community colleges | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/with-budget-season-approaching-wolf-lawmakers-must-fully-fund-pa-s-community-colleges-opinion/
Business
Biden’s ‘Buy American’ provisions could spur factory orders in the Pittsburgh region
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/01/26/Biden-Buy-American-provisions-spur-factories-manufacturingPittsburgh-region-Covid-19/stories/202101250072
ShopRite shuts pharmacies up and down the East Coast, sending customers to CVS
https://www.inquirer.com/business/phillydeals/shoprite-cvs-pharmacies-shutdown-walmart-aetna-drug-stores-20210125.html
Pandemic destroyed 225M jobs worldwide, but billionaires got richer, reports find
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2021/01/26/coronavirus-pandemic-jobs-worlds-richest/stories/202101260055
New Kensington approves liquor license transfer for Crossbar Grill
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-approves-liquor-license-transfer-for-crossbar-grill/
Crime/Punishment
Pregnant woman shot, man injured in crash on Route 65
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/01/26/Pregnant-woman-shot-man-injured-in-crash-on-Route-65-Emsworth-Leetsdale/stories/202101260105
Family of four found dead in murder-suicide in Chester County, police say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/west-whiteland-murder-suicide-family-exton-chester-county-20210125.html
Harrisburg police post policies online, including how and when they can use force
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/harrisburg-police-post-policies-online-including-how-and-when-they-can-use-force.html
Education
With COVID-19 metrics improving, in-person learning returning to more area schools
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/with-covid-19-metrics-improving-in-person-learning-returning-to-more-area-schools/article_ca1f983b-dbe4-5318-8d5a-7d4eb496e5e7.html
Walk zones for Scranton schools follow policy, part of larger transportation review, officials say
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/walk-zones-for-scranton-schools-follow-policy-part-of-larger-transportation-review-officials-say/article_5063d446-c614-5df4-b711-702bb983dc2b.html
Duquesne University asked to bring back professor fired for using racial slur in class
https://triblive.com/news/education-classroom/duquesne-university-asked-to-bring-back-professor-fired-for-using-racial-slur-during-class/
Elections/Politics
Supreme Court set to decide in Feb. whether to hear Rep. Mike Kelly’s election case
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/supreme-court-set-to-decide-in-feb-whether-to-hear-rep-mike-kellys-election-case/
Watchdog probing whether Justice Department officials tried to overturn the election
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/justice-department-investigation-overturn-election-20210125.html
Health Care
Reading man is first recipient of liver transplant at Tower Health Transplant Institute
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-man-is-first-recipient-of-liver-transplant-at-tower-health-transplant-institute/article_0ae16f18-598c-11eb-a748-ff2c6fba7c80.html
Local News
Cognetti says city’s progress means she deserves reelection
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/cognetti-says-citys-progress-means-she-deserves-reelection/article_66f18149-bf21-5c0b-aca0-1fa1796ed6a8.html
Chermak pitches budget study commission, surprising majority Lackawanna County Commissioners
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/chermak-pitches-budget-study-commission-surprising-majority-lackawanna-county-commissioners/article_e3b1bf92-b375-5d6e-b0a6-4efcd45471e9.html
Schuylkill River Trail section to close for the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Route 724
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/environment/schuylkill-river-trail-section-to-close-for-the-construction-of-a-pedestrian-bridge-over-route/article_68d768c4-5f2d-11eb-af95-effa26f14442.html
Reading Downtown Improvement District board holds its last meeting
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/reading-downtown-improvement-district-board-holds-its-last-meeting/article_88a046aa-5f3f-11eb-893f-335683d185ff.html
Reading City Council approves another round of parking ordinances
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-city-council-approves-another-round-of-parking-ordinances/article_44eda9cc-5f74-11eb-818e-f344b95a764d.html
Proposed Luzerne County tax collector raise package altered
https://www.timesleader.com/news/817478/proposed-luzerne-county-tax-collector-raise-package-altered
Sugarloaf Twp. farm joins county preservation program
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/sugarloaf-twp-farm-joins-county-preservation-program/article_0aa15a76-6c7c-58e4-ab76-9b17685334ba.html
Tax break for massive Hazleton project on county council agenda
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/tax-break-for-massive-hazleton-project-on-county-council-agenda/article_0b1d0aa2-5b1c-59eb-b985-38d2c2122afb.html
Proposed ballot questions on Luzerne County charter amendments up for vote Tuesday
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/proposed-ballot-questions-on-luzerne-county-charter-amendments-up-for-vote-tuesday/article_d59f8f4c-255c-57c5-b69d-23dddd4e4299.html
Latrobe bond refinancing could help repair parking garage, replace trash compactor
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/latrobe-bond-refinancing-could-help-repair-parking-garage-replace-trash-compactor/
New administrator named at Westmoreland Manor
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/new-administrator-named-at-westmoreland-manor/
Lehigh County Authority to provide financial assistance to some customers facing water, sewer shutoffs for unpaid bills
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-lca-water-sewer-bill-customer-relief-20210125-mzglxqm4d5davkh6kept6jjc5m-story.html
National News
DACA recipients are now eligible for federally insured mortgages
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/daca-mortgage-fha-immigrants-hud-trump-20210126.html
Philly
City drops Philly Fighting COVID as vaccination partner after it failed to disclose for-profit arm
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/philly-fighting-covid-vaccine-city-partnership-20210125.html
Philly police now take two-thirds of gunshot victims to the ER, and that saves lives, Penn study finds
https://www.inquirer.com/health/gunshot-police-scoop-and-run-trauma-penn-study-20210126.html
Without commuters, what will happen to SEPTA Regional Rail?
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-regional-rail-covid-19-ridership-20210126.html
SEPTA’s Chestnut Hill West Line has been suspended for months, and there’s no timeline on a return
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-chestnut-hill-west-regional-rail-suspension-20210126.html
Kenney had plans. Then the pandemic hit. Can he avoid lame-duck status and get Philly ‘back on track’?
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philadelphia-mayor-jim-kenney-coronavirus-police-protests-budget-20210125.html
Gamble and Huff celebrate the 50th year of Philadelphia International Records defining Philly sound
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-international-records-gamble-huff-ojays-teddy-pendergrass-love-train-20210125.html
How three Philly groups are raising mental health awareness in immigrant communities
https://www.inquirer.com/health/mental-health-immigrant-community-philadelphia-20210126.html
Pa. underwrites a $100 million ‘big-ticket’ Phila. sewer plant upgrade
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pennsylvania-philadelphia-water-department-sewer-loan-upgrade-northeast-plant-20210126.html
Checks are being stolen from Postal Service mailboxes, raising concerns about the blue boxes’ security
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/mail-theft-check-fraud-philadelphia-usps-postal-service-20210126.html
‘You’re already political’: Post Trump, Philly kids talk civics, school reopening and what’s next
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-schools-civics-reopening-gym-schmidt-20210126.html
Philly’s beloved Catholic schools are slowly dying. It doesn’t have to be this way. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/st-gabriel-closing-south-philly-catholic-schools-independence-mission-network-20210125.html
Philly transportation needs a universal way to measure racial equity | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/septa-transportation-racial-equity-underserved-communities-20210125.html
Philly should abolish the City Commissioners Office | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/city-commissioners-al-schmidt-lisa-deeley-omar-sabir-philadelphia-elections-20210125.html
Biden needs cities like Philadelphia to help him undo ICE’s culture of fear | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/biden-immigration-ice-sanctuary-cities-first-100-days-20210125.html
Philadelphia’s overdose crisis hangs in the balance of conflicting city, state, and federal officials | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/safehouse-philadelphia-opioid-epidemic-pennsylvania-treatment-20210125.html
As students return to dorms after COVID spike, Philly colleges implement rapid testing
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/coronavirus/as-students-return-to-dorms-after-covid-spike-philly-colleges-implement-rapid-testing/article_8d9f6f0e-f994-5da6-8443-b6219fe26d02.html
Pitt
Rift appears between parents, staff before Pittsburgh Public Schools reopening vote
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/25/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-reopening-PPS-school-board-members-vote-parents/stories/202101250145
The place to be: Oakland emerging as the city’s latest development hot spot
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/01/26/Oakland-Walnut-Capital-life-sciences-Wexford-SciTech-Pittsburgh-Athletic-Association-UPMC/stories/202101250134
Former Catholic school on Mt. Washington poised to become loft apartments
https://triblive.com/local/former-catholic-school-on-mt-washington-poised-to-become-loft-apartments/
State News
Postal Service trying to catch up on late deliveries
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/01/25/USPS-delays-Pittsburgh-late-delivery-letters-packages-Postal-Service/stories/202101250128
Pa. rent and property tax rebate applications now online
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2021/01/25/Pennsylvania-rent-and-property-tax-rebate-applications-now-online/stories/202101250085
Keystone State Games will return in 2021
https://www.timesleader.com/sports/817429/keystone-state-games-will-return-in-2021-2
Pennsylvania sets early start, statewide schedule for trout season
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-sets-early-start-statewide-schedule-for-trout-season/
State must meet duty on recovery homes
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/state-must-meet-duty-on-recovery-homes/article_d4ceb494-2005-59fe-b600-72029e11e670.html
Washington
Pa. Congressman Scott Perry acknowledges introducing Trump to lawyer at the center of election plot
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/scott-perry-trump-georgia-election-results-20210125.html
Latest Trump election revelation leaves U.S. Rep. Scott Perry at the center of controversy – again
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/latest-trump-election-revelation-leaves-us-rep-scott-perry-at-the-center-of-controversy-again.html
What’s next for U.S. Rep. Scott Perry? How he became embroiled in bid to overturn Trump’s loss
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/26/pa-rep-scott-perry-trump-congress-georgia-whats-next/4255639001/
Janet Yellen wins Senate approval as first female treasury secretary
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/janet-yellen-wins-senate-approval-as-treasury-secretary/