Legislature
Frustration over lawmakers not wearing masks brings Pa. House action to a short halt
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/frustration-over-mask-less-members-brings-the-pa-house-action-to-a-short-halt.html
Reinventing Pa. state government: House panel looks at merging eight agencies into four
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/reinventing-pa-state-government-house-panel-looks-at-merging-eight-agencies-into-four.html
Town hall focuses on PA election system’s triumphs, challenges
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/town-hall-focuses-on-pa-election-systems-triumphs-challenges/article_5ca3355e-82ca-51aa-8594-2c46c7a96584.html
Judicial districts are a bad idea
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/01/27/Judicial-districts-are-a-bad-idea-Pennsylvania-Legislature/stories/202101150067
Corporate action on insurrection could encourage Philadelphia and Pa. reforms on ethics | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/insurrection-corporate-giving-pacs-lobbying-loopholes-philadelphia-20210127.html
State Rep. George Dunbar elected caucus chair
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/state-rep-george-dunbar-elected-caucus-chair/
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Wolf blames feds for short supply of COVID-19 vaccines
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/wolf-blames-feds-for-short-supply-of-covid-19-vaccines/article_5f098cc8-51ac-534d-9617-33bf1f806f1b.html
Wolf frustrated with covid vaccine supply in Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/local/wolf-pleads-with-biden-for-more-covid-vaccine-for-pennsylvania/
Gov. Wolf acknowledges Pa. in ‘middle of pack’ for COVID-19 vaccination, says it’s not good enough
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/wolf-acknowledges-pa-in-middle-of-pack-for-covid-19-vaccination-says-its-not-good-enough.html
Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf says state needs millions more COVID-19 vaccine doses from federal government just to complete current phase: ‘A big concern’ for all states
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-wolf-vaccine-jan26-20210126-c723jsdwxvg2pdnja5ogzx6w3q-story.html
Amid vaccine shortage complaints in Philly and elsewhere, Biden promises a ‘wartime effort’ and doses for 300 million
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-vaccine-shortage-philadelphia-pa-nj-biden-covid19-cases-20210127.html
We will catch up’: Pa. officials urge patience as vaccinations lag and deaths climb
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/01/26/COVID-19-Update-Allegheny-County-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-data-cases-deaths-3/stories/202101260129
Vaccine doses coming to Pa. hospitals ‘don’t match up’ to increased demand, health leaders say
https://triblive.com/local/regional/vaccine-doses-coming-to-hospitals-dont-match-up-to-increased-demand-health-leaders-say/
Biden administration to boost vaccine supply to states amid shortages
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/01/26/Biden-administration-to-boost-vaccine-supply-amid-shortages/stories/202101260160
Allegheny County’s most recent vaccination appointments filled for age 65 and older
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/allegheny-county-sets-more-vaccination-dates-for-age-65-and-older/
New Allegheny County covid case averages compare to November numbers
https://triblive.com/local/new-allegheny-county-covid-case-averages-compare-to-november-numbers/
Westmoreland County sees lowest number of new reported covid cases since October
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-sees-lowest-number-of-new-reported-covid-cases-since-october/
91 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Tuesday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/91-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-county-on-tuesday/article_451a9713-23c7-5c11-be6e-99611d6dde66.html
Montgomery County records 8 more coronavirus deaths; death toll reaches 1,125
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-records-8-more-coronavirus-deaths-death-toll-reaches-1-125/article_087645cb-f543-5484-a840-05c8b5fc9e48.html
Luzerne County had 9th highest rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations in spring
https://www.timesleader.com/news/817582/luzerne-county-had-9th-highest-rate-of-covid-19-hospitalizations-in-spring
January becomes the worst month for COVID in Berks County with 172 deaths
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/january-becomes-the-worst-month-for-covid-in-berks-county-with-172-deaths/article_584ab01a-5fcd-11eb-9833-1fec63919710.html
Westmoreland creates website for vaccine info
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/westmoreland-creates-website-for-vaccine-info/
Scranton police and firefighters receive vaccinations, but some decline
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/scranton-police-and-firefighters-receive-vaccinations-but-some-decline/article_90441c15-2669-58d4-b0f2-2945e13e9a72.html
Employee claims all but one resident of Kadima nursing home has COVID-19
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/coronavirus/employee-claims-all-but-one-resident-of-kadima-nursing-home-has-covid-19/article_21aa2c3b-28b2-5509-8cb9-ca60e40776f4.html
COVID-19 much deadlier than regular flu for Pa. patients, new report finds
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/covid-19-much-deadlier-than-regular-flu-for-pa-patients-new-report-finds.html
Some health experts say two masks are better than one
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/some-health-experts-say-two-masks-are-better-than-one/article_5693b4e8-9950-59a3-9e80-b73c3e5d8d70.html
Business
Pandemic drives business support for paid leave, study finds
https://www.inquirer.com/business/paid-leave-coronavirus-workers-20210127.html
Crime/Punishment
School guard charged with sex assault on underage student in Delco
https://www.inquirer.com/news/delaware-county-william-penn-sex-crime-arrest-security-guard-student-20210127.html
Education
CDC study: Schools mostly safe to open with proper precautions
https://triblive.com/news/health-now/cdc-study-schools-mostly-safe-to-open-with-proper-precautions/
‘I’m on my own’: Teachers, schools struggle amid ongoing COVID-19 crisis
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/01/im-on-my-own-teachers-schools-struggle-amid-ongoing-covid-19-crisis.html
Students use social media to share stories of racism at central Pa. high school, demand change
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/students-use-social-media-to-share-stories-of-racism-at-central-pa-high-school-demand-change.html
Chris Kelly: Frustrated mom and scrambling school district doing best they can
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/columnists/chris-kelly/chris-kelly-frustrated-mom-and-scrambling-school-district-doing-best-they-can/article_453984dc-c8ef-567b-bb7e-984db45ddde0.html
Liberty boys basketball team suspended for three days for violating mask rules
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-bethlehem-liberty-suspension-20210126-n2m75rdknbc7fc2m3ibrapw5c4-story.html
Netflix founder gives $3 million to Robert Morris University for minority scholarships
https://triblive.com/local/regional/netflix-founder-gives-3-million-to-robert-morris-university-for-minority-scholarships/
Health Care
Pa. overdose deaths likely to increase because of pandemic disruption
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-overdose-deaths-likely-to-increase-because-of-pandemic-disruption/
Berks County drug deaths in 2020 eclipse record set in previous yea
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-drug-deaths-in-2020-eclipse-record-set-in-previous-year-chart/article_0b13a87a-5ff9-11eb-ae34-6b93261d2b2b.html
Local News
Scranton gets $50,000 grant from Appalachian Regional Commission for economic development plan
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-gets-50-000-grant-from-appalachian-regional-commission-for-economic-development-plan/article_afaddbbc-04e0-5d36-8199-5d24fe9ac943.html
Allentown firm to conduct comprehensive Nay Aug Park pool study
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/allentown-firm-to-conduct-comprehensive-nay-aug-park-pool-study/article_6f6a74bc-ead7-529b-b03f-955bb7de1e7f.html
Reading Parking Authority selects new leadership
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/reading-parking-authority-selects-new-leadership/article_51b0c822-6034-11eb-9fdd-57a099318ecf.html
Berks County commissioners approve buying electronic poll books
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-commissioners-approve-buying-electronic-poll-books/article_904b1d00-5fec-11eb-95ad-9b919f32aedf.html
Taxes rising in 13 Luzerne County municipalities
https://www.timesleader.com/news/817594/taxes-rising-in-13-luzerne-county-municipalities
Insurance for LCTA board members raises questions
https://www.timesleader.com/news/817571/insurance-for-lcta-board-members-raises-questions
County council OKs tax break for massive Hazleton commercial project
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-council-oks-tax-break-for-massive-hazleton-commercial-project/article_f8768b13-9d4b-5d46-baaa-7aafe5a9656c.html
National News
Pursuing racial parity in home appraisals
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/racial-bias-real-estate-appraisal-20210127.html
Philly
City Council wants answers as questions build over Philly Fighting COVID partnership, handling of vaccines
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/philly-fighting-covid-coronavirus-vaccine-clinic-city-council-resolution-20210127.html
Legal observers sue Philly police, alleging brutality at Walter Wallace Jr. protests
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-walter-wallace-protests-lawsuit-brutality-legal-observers-20210127.html
A Philly private school got COVID-19 vaccines for its teachers. Then its clinic was canceled.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/covid-vaccine-schools-pennsylvania-springside-chestnut-hill-philadelphia-20210127.html
An appeals court upheld a campaign finance conviction for Bob Brady’s onetime political guru
https://www.inquirer.com/news/ken-smukler-conviction-upheld-bob-brady-20210126.html
As he faces a reelection challenge, Philly DA Larry Krasner will release a memoir
https://www.inquirer.com/news/larry-krasner-philadelphia-reelection-memoir-book-20210126.html
What’s actually in Philly Fighting COVID’s privacy policy?
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/coronavirus/what-s-actually-in-philly-fighting-covid-s-privacy-policy/article_e0e6d1f8-1946-5be4-80aa-67bf5773f5ad.html
Pitt
Pandemic-battered Downtown Wyndham Grand Hotel could be sold, owner says
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/01/27/Wyndham-Grand-Pittsburgh-Kiran-Patel-Hilton-Hotel-COVID-19/stories/202101270087
Allegheny County meets all federal air quality standards for first time
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2021/01/26/allegheny-County-meets-federal-air-quality-controls-standards-pollution/stories/202101260152
All Allegheny County air quality monitors meet federal standards, a first in 2 decades
https://triblive.com/local/all-allegheny-county-air-quality-monitors-meet-federal-standards-a-first-in-two-decades/
Allegheny County Council votes down hazard pay push for jail officers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/01/26/Allegheny-County-Council-hazard-pay-corrections-officers-jail/stories/202101260167
Pittsburgh Planning Commission approves Alcosan, Mt. Washington school projects
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-planning-commission-approves-alcosan-mt-washington-school-projects/
Pittsburgh officials condemn Jan. 6 Capitol attack
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-officials-condemn-jan-6-capitol-attack/
State News
Twenty Chester County Devereux staffers allegedly harmed children — or kept quiet about the abuse — since 2018. The company says it’s continuing its reforms.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/inq/devereux-behavioral-health-dhs-child-abuse-20210127.html
Ways to detect, deter, and stop abuse at licensed childcare facilities
https://www.inquirer.com/news/preventing-abuse-childcare-facilities-20210127.html
Bantam Jeep Festival set to return; State awards organizers $40,000 for new Butler site
https://triblive.com/local/regional/bantam-jeep-festival-set-to-return-state-awards-organizers-40000-for-new-butler-site/
Pa. receives bad grades for tobacco prevention, especially among kids
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/pa-receives-bad-grades-for-tobacco-prevention-especially-among-kids.html
Transportation
Study: Teen drivers and speeding continue to be a deadly combination
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/01/26/teen-drivers-speeding-high-death-rate-Governors-Highway-Safety-Association-PennDOT/stories/202101260171
PennDOT official alerts Berks County of plan to toll bridges and roads
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/transportation/penndot-official-alerts-berks-county-of-plan-to-toll-bridges-and-roads/article_70da075e-5d00-11eb-93ee-0ff668f9533f.html
PennDOT plans to toll major interstate bridges in need of repairs. Will Lehigh Valley motorists be affected?
https://www.mcall.com/business/transportation/mc-biz-penndot-bridge-toll-plan-20210127-unxa27druvdbbehkgr53kndoy4-story.html
Washington
For immigrants, relief and hope with new administration
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2021/01/27/immigrants-in-Pittsburgh-Biden-US-Muslim-Hispanic-African-immigration-refugees/stories/202101260027
Pa. Rep. Madeleine Dean on prosecuting Trump’s impeachment trial and why he can still be convicted
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/madeleine-dean-trump-impeachment-trial-manager-interview-20210126.html
GOP largely votes against holding Trump impeachment trial
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/senate-rejects-motion-trump-impeacement-dismissal-20210126.html
A federal judge has barred Biden from enforcing a 100-day deportation ban
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/joe-biden-deportation-ban-judge-texas-20210126.html
Lawyer says Pelosi laptop hasn’t been recovered from Pennsylvania suspect
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/lawyer-says-pelosi-laptop-hasnt-been-recovered-from-pennsylvania-suspect/
Scott Perry should go
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/scott-perry-should-go/article_7bb95bc6-3207-575c-974d-3d8fc567b0da.html