Legislature
Elections officials from Lehigh County, elsewhere tell lawmakers of problems with Pennsylvania’s aging electronic voter system
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-committee-elections-meeting2-20210128-jcawvzi2wjbl3kqfziis6yxwmi-story.html
Local legislators join call for restoring Pa. child care funding
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/local-legislators-join-call-for-restoring-pa-child-care-funding/article_b5240b11-6109-5009-a3e5-a2784981ee41.html
‘Upskirt’ felony bill moves through Pa. House Judiciary Committee
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/01/29/pennsylvania-upskirting-felony-charge-bill-bucks-county-pa-staats-labs/4290689001/
Emergency power belongs with governor
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/emergency-power-belongs-with-governor/article_97925b4e-93cb-57e2-a20e-7ee7aa646679.html
Stand in support of fair and independent judges | PennLive letters
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/01/stand-in-support-of-fair-and-independent-judges-pennlive-letters.html
Tony Norman: Welcome to Trumpsylvania (formerly Pennsyltucky)
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/tony-norman/2021/01/29/Pennsylvania-Senate-Republicans-Twitter-suspension-Big-Lie-Trump-Capitol-treason/stories/202101290044
WITF is connecting these lawmakers to their actions on the election-fraud lie. Here’s why
https://www.witf.org/2021/01/28/witf-is-connecting-these-lawmakers-to-their-actions-on-the-election-fraud-lie-heres-why/
New state board kicks off ‘nuts and bolts’ review of Pa.’s election laws
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/new-state-board-nuts-and-bolts-review-of-pa-s-election-laws/
Toohil urges health department to remove Kadima nursing home residents
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/toohil-urges-health-department-to-remove-kadima-nursing-home-residents/article_19fa9656-0aa5-5173-8072-d287da1de373.html
Former Rep. Frank Dermody’s soft landing places him in $145K state government post
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/01/28/Former-Rep-Frank-Dermody-s-soft-landing-places-him-in-145K-state-government-post/stories/202101280141
Frank Dermody lost state House election but lands $145,000/year gambling board job
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/frank-dermody-lost-state-house-election-but-lands-plum-appointment-to-gambling-board/
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Could a centralized vaccine sign-up ease Pa.’s rollout pains? Here’s the answer.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/pa-covid-vaccine-availability-frustration-statewide-signup-explainer-20210128.html
Is your hospital going to give COVID-19 vaccine to patients? Look for your hospital here.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-shots-hospitals-patients-20210129.html
Private COVID-19 testing company sets up shop in Lackawanna County
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/private-covid-19-testing-company-sets-up-shop-in-lackawanna-county/article_1c65288f-603e-55e6-ac72-3bb063c97432.html
PA sees increased daily COVID-19 case count due to backlog
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/coronavirus/2021/01/28/doh-states-covid-19-case-count-increase-due-backlog/6699680002/
Reliance on technology for COVID vaccine appointments poses challenges for some
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/reliance-on-technology-for-covid-vaccine-appointments-poses-challenges-for-some/article_e5783ba8-6174-11eb-bc0b-d3ee0d1ca7e2.html
Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem to serve as COVID-19 vaccination site
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-wind-creek-bethlehem-event-center-mass-covid-vaccination-site-20210128-sljm2eovazd2haszusqss2mcfi-story.html
COVID-19 update: Allegheny County reports 135 deaths, blames state backlog
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/01/28/COVID-19-coronavirus-allegheny-county-pennsylvania-pittsburgh-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-surge/stories/202101280140
County’s COVID-19 daily case count tops 100
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/countys-covid-19-daily-case-count-tops-100/article_0471432e-f7df-5fc2-b84d-cc78b7356e0f.html
Long-term COVID-19 case trends looking better for state, region
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/long-term-covid-19-case-trends-looking-better-for-state-region/article_fff42d5f-ea9e-56b5-ad08-f6902a82e97b.html
Grieving during a pandemic: Denied chance to have funeral after daughter’s death, mother finds strength in meeting other bereaved parents
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/east-penn/mc-prem-nws-macungie-mom-grief-20210129-jc4aikyvhneq7be2mgwkwvbg5e-story.html
Administration
Wolf focuses on economic comeback, bipartisan progress, transparency in ’21 agenda
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/wolf-focuses-on-covid-comeback-bipartisan-progress-and-transparency-in-2021-agenda/
Minimum wage, marijuana and pandemic recovery among Gov. Wolf’s not-so-new lawmaking priorities
https://www.witf.org/2021/01/28/minimum-wage-marijuana-and-pandemic-recovery-among-gov-wolfs-not-so-new-lawmaking-priorities/
Weed, ethics and a natural gas tax: Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2021 plan for Pennsylvania, explained
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/weed-ethics-and-a-natural-gas-tax-gov-tom-wolfs-2021-plan-for-pennsylvania-explained/
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman sees marijuana, LGBTQ flags removed from Capitol office
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/lt-gov-john-fetterman-sees-marijuana-lgbtq-flags-removed-from-capitol-office.html
Business
Controversial trading app Robinhood takes center stage in GameStop saga
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2021/01/29/Controversial-trading-app-Robinhood-GameStop-stocks-wall-street/stories/202101290116
GameStop staff making $11 an hour find day traders tone-deaf
https://www.pennlive.com/business/2021/01/gamestop-staff-making-11-an-hour-find-day-traders-tone-deaf.html
General Motors to eliminate gasoline and diesel cars and SUVs by 2035
https://www.inquirer.com/cars/general-motors-electric-vehicles-climate-change-20210129.html
GM hopes to eliminate gas vehicles, have all-electric portfolio by 2040
https://triblive.com/news/wire-stories/gm-hopes-to-eliminate-gas-vehicles-have-all-electric-portfolio-by-2040/
Lawsuit: Subway’s tuna is not actually tuna, but a ‘mixture of various concoctions’
https://triblive.com/news/world/lawsuit-subways-tuna-is-not-actually-tuna-but-a-mixture-of-various-concoctions/
ATI reports $1.12B loss in last 3 months of 2020; advances layoff, cost-cutting plans
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/ati-reports-1-12b-loss-in-last-three-months-of-2020-more-layoffs-looming/
Frack check: Debunking natural gas pipeline claims made in a recent Energy Transfer commercial
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/frack-check-debunking-natural-gas-pipeline-claims-made-in-a-recent-energy-transfer-commercial/Content?oid=18815038
Crime/Punishment
2 dead, 3 injured in shooting outside Club Erotica in McKees Rocks
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/01/29/Shooting-at-Club-Erotica-injures-three/stories/202101290113
Feds move to forfeit nearly $600k seized in Mercer traffic stop
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/01/28/Feds-move-to-forfeit-nearly-600k-seized-in-Mercer-traffic-stop/stories/202101280174
Prison guards, inmates lack vaccine access as COVID-19 rages at SCI Forest
https://www.witf.org/2021/01/28/prison-guards-inmates-lack-vaccine-access-as-covid-19-rages-at-sci-forest/
Education
Reading School District explains how students will return to classrooms
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/education/reading-school-district-explains-how-students-will-return-to-classrooms-poll/article_cfea688a-610e-11eb-8695-0f92252ad082.html
Sem chided over alleged racist symbol
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/education/sem-chided-over-alleged-racist-symbol/article_2dec2e08-599b-5605-842a-8e65811510ec.html
Southmoreland School District investigating teacher in connection with racist post
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/southmoreland-school-district-investigating-teacher-in-connection-with-racist-post/
Plan in works to save sports programs at Pa. state universities being merged
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/28/State-System-Higher-Educatoin-sports-PSAC-NCAA-athletics-football-basketball-baseball-hockey/stories/202101270153
Health Care
Biden opens ‘Obamacare’ window for uninsured as COVID-19 rages
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2021/01/28/joe-Biden-reopen-federal-ACA-affordable-care-act-insurance-marketplace-three-months-extension/stories/202101280150
Local News
Shelters continue serving homeless as pandemic, winter weather rages
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/shelters-continue-serving-homeless-as-pandemic-winter-weather-rages/article_29387e8d-f33c-532f-addb-524c9dd8b52d.html
New sexual abuse lawsuit filed against Diocese of Scranton
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-sexual-abuse-lawsuit-filed-against-diocese-of-scranton/article_d129f443-85d8-5c2d-a519-107822be6164.html
1 dead after fire at Kittanning apartment building
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/1-person-dead-in-overnight-fire-at-apartment-building-in-kittanning/
Black America: A reality check | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/01/black-america-a-reality-check-opinion.html
Municipal taxes increased in 14 Luzerne County municipalities this year
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/municipal-taxes-increased-in-14-luzerne-county-municipalities-this-year/article_6f2a568f-0fb7-5bf1-b16b-3c106e370def.html
Luzerne County Election Inquiry Committee focuses on dead voters
https://www.timesleader.com/news/817794/luzerne-county-election-inquiry-committee-focuses-on-dead-voters
Shouting match mars Wilkes-Barre City Council meeting
https://www.timesleader.com/news/817781/shouting-match-mars-wilkes-barre-city-council-meeting
90 Luzerne County residents volunteer to provide elderly vaccine transport
https://www.timesleader.com/news/817808/90-luzerne-county-residents-volunteer-to-provide-elderly-vaccine-transport
Keystone Mission holds first 2021 food distribution
https://www.timesleader.com/news/817810/keystone-mission-holds-first-2021-food-distribution
National News
What U.S. can learn from Germany’s response to far-right infiltration of its military | Trudy Rubin
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/germany-extremists-us-military-biden-lloyd-austin-20210128.html
Gun-toting West Virginia man with 20 rounds of ammo arrested near the Capitol building
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/01/gun-toting-west-virginia-man-with-20-rounds-of-ammo-arrested-near-the-capitol-building.html
Philly
We demand answers,’ Council members say as Philly Fighting COVID CEO admits taking vaccine dose
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philly-fighting-covid-19-vaccine-coronavirus-doroshin-today-20210129.html
Most Philly kids off track on reading; school board grills Hite
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-school-district-board-reading-hite-20210129.html
Philly police commissioner defends department’s response to protests following critical report and says she won’t resign
https://www.inquirer.com/news/police-commissioner-danielle-outlaw-responds-controller-report-protests-20210128.html
Philly will consider establishing a public bank in an effort to boost Black-owned businesses
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/public-bank-philadelphia-council-derek-green-20210128.html
Philadelphia International Airport CEO looks for more pandemic funds on Capitol Hill
https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-international-airport-federal-funding-congress-biden-coronavirus-pandemic-20210129.html
Philadelphia urged to use vacant land to curb shortages of affordable housing and food
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/vacant-land-philadelphia-affordable-housing-community-garden-20210128.html
This Philadelphia filmmaker produced a love letter to her brother, shot and killed in June | Helen Ubiñas
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/5-shorts-philadelphia-homicides-allen-taylor-helen-ubinas-20210128.html
Renee Chenault Fattah: CBS3 exec’s comments about Ukee Washington don’t surprise me | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/cbs3-la-times-racism-ukee-washington-renee-chenault-fattah-tv-news-20210128.html
A sneak peek at the new documentary on Philly DA Larry Krasner: ‘We’re here because we’re different’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/philly-da-documentary-pbs-larry-krasner-20210129.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh leaders encouraged by Biden memo to correct Black housing inequities
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-leaders-encouraged-by-biden-memo-to-correct-black-housing-inequities/
Allegheny Conference charts recovery after pandemic year, announces first female chair
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-conference-charts-recovery-after-pandemic-year-announces-first-female-chair/
Crack’d Egg owner plans to continue ignoring COVID-19 rules
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/01/28/crackd-egg-kimberly-waigand-covid-19-violations-allegheny-county-health-department-brentwood/stories/202101280158
Crack’d Egg restaurant owner tells judge she will never require masks
https://triblive.com/local/south-hills/crackd-egg-restaurant-owner-tells-judge-she-will-never-require-mask/
New hydroelectric facility on Ohio River to power county government operations
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2021/01/28/Allegheny-County-government-hydroelectric-generation-Emsworth-Locks-Dams-Ohio-River-Rye-Development/stories/202101280159
Allegheny County inks 35-year deal to use hydropower generated in Emsworth for government buildings
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-inks-35-year-deal-to-use-hydropower-generated-in-emsworth-for-government-buildings/
PBS Kids, Fred Rogers Productions making ‘Alma’s Way’
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv-radio/2021/01/29/Almas-Way-new-show-pbs-kids-fred-rogers-productions-daniel-tiger-sonia-manzano/stories/202101290078
Stamp honoring August Wilson will be dedicated today through virtual ceremony
https://triblive.com/aande/theater-arts/stamp-honoring-august-wilson-will-be-dedicated-today-through-virtual-ceremony/
St. Patrick ran the snakes out of Ireland but can’t march coronavirus out of Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/holidays/2021/01/28/Pittsburgh-St-Patricks-Day-Parade-2021-coronavirus-COVID-19/stories/202101280200
No permit granted for 2021 Pittsburgh Marathon, P3R says — but virtual option is offered
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pittsburgh-marathon/2021/01/28/Pittsburgh-Marathon-2021-registration-virtual-race-P3R-COVID-19/stories/202101280191
Fastest bird alive and owls caught by wildlife specialists at Pittsburgh International Airport
https://triblive.com/local/fastest-bird-alive-and-owls-caught-by-wildlife-specialists-at-pittsburgh-international-airport/
Pitt sues former wrestling coach, claims he manufactured discrimination lawsuit
https://triblive.com/sports/pitt-sues-former-wrestling-coach-claims-he-manufactured-discrimination-lawsuit/
State News
Pain of natural gas price drop spreads to Pa. agencies, communities
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2021/01/29/natural-gas-price-royalties-shale-permits-impact-fees-Pennsylvania-DEP-DCNR/stories/202101280165
Shale advocate David Spigelmyer leaving the Marcellus Shale Coalition
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2021/01/28/Shale-advocate-David-Spigelmyer-leaving-the-Marcellus-Shale-Coalition/stories/202101280168
Boosting confidence in the state police
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/01/29/Boosting-confidence-in-the-state-police-Pennsylvania-Race-Data/stories/202101280037
One-stop shopping: There’s now one website to buy hunting, fishing and boating licenses
https://triblive.com/local/regional/one-stop-shopping-theres-now-one-website-to-buy-hunting-fishing-and-boating-licenses/
I’m leaving as Pa.’s victim advocate, but the work never ends | Jennifer Storm
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/im-leaving-as-pa-s-victim-advocate-but-the-work-never-ends-jennifer-storm/
One more smooth hand-off in Pa. politics | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/one-more-smooth-hand-off-in-pa-politics-opinion/
Washington
Flip in control of U.S. Senate may give both of Pa.’s members more clout, in different ways
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/flip-in-control-of-us-senate-may-give-both-of-pas-members-more-clout-in-different-ways.html