Legislature
Pa. redistricting will be different in 2021, but some say process needs major overhaul
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2021/01/04/Pennsylvania-redistricting-process-map-legislative-districts-reform/stories/202012310140
COVID-19 cancels pomp and circumstance surrounding Pa. lawmakers’ Swearing-in Day
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/covid-19-cancels-pomp-and-circumstance-surrounding-pa-lawmakers-swearing-in-day.html
Ziccarelli asks state Senate to overturn Brewster victory
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/ziccarelli-asks-state-senate-to-overturn-brewster-victory/
State Rep. Mike Reese dead at age 42
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/01/02/State-Rep-Mike-Reese-dead-at-age-42/stories/202101020027
‘Champion and leader’ Pa. Rep. Mike Reese mourned by colleagues
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/champion-and-leader-pa-rep-mike-reese-mourned-by-colleagues.html
‘It’s time to get Pa. rockin’ and rollin’ again’; Pa.’s House GOP leader looks ahead to new legislative session
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/its-time-to-get-pa-rockin-and-rollin-again-pas-house-gop-leader-looks-ahead-to-new-legislative-session.html
Editorial: Endless Pennsylvania Turnpike toll hikes must come to an end
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-endless-pennsylvania-turnpike-toll-hikes-must-come-to-an-end/article_e1b826b6-4c45-11eb-9633-4f2e50e2574e.html
Pa. Legislature likely to continue election charade in 2021 | Mark S. Singel
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/01/pa-legislature-likely-to-continue-election-charade-in-2021-mark-s-singel.html
In 2021, tell your lawmakers to put Pa.’s people first | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/in-2021-tell-your-lawmakers-to-put-pa-s-people-first-opinion/
With new year, a chance to alter Pa. governor’s powers, election process | Charlie Gerow
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/01/with-new-year-a-chance-to-alter-pa-governors-powers-election-process-charlie-gerow.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 tracking metrics improve as restrictions are set to ease
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2021/01/02/Pennsylvania-gov-Tom-Wolf-covid-19-mitigation-Uniontown-Hospital-wvu-medicine/stories/202101020026
Errors in covid data reveal unreliable tracking system for nursing homes
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/errors-in-covid-data-reveal-unreliable-tracking-system-for-nursing-homes/
109 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Sunday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/109-new-cases-of-covid-19-reported-in-luzerne-county-on-sunday/article_8dae9a2e-6a92-5658-8b1b-8eaad3c81c74.html
No new COVID-19 deaths reported in region Sunday
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/no-new-covid-19-deaths-reported-in-region-sunday/article_624c23cf-fdb6-59a9-a4cc-077e0e967fbc.html
Three Cabot senior homes fighting big COVID-19 outbreaks
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2021/01/03/Concordia-Lutheran-Ministries-Lund-Care-Center-covid-19-outbreak-butler-county/stories/202101020029
The fall resurgence of COVID was expected, but how did we get here?
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/the-fall-resurgence-of-covid-was-expected-but-how-did-we-get-here/article_39f41fe8-4aa1-11eb-8585-b71f68450bb6.html
Pandemic’s pain: In a ‘terrible’ year, many in line at food bank never thought they’d be there
https://www.witf.org/2021/01/02/pandemics-pain-in-a-terrible-year-many-in-line-at-food-bank-never-thought-theyd-be-there/
He thought he was over COVID-19, then had a stroke. Doctors are studying how to prevent more cases like his.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid19-stroke-blood-clots-prevent-blood-thinners-virtua-troy-randle-trial-pitt-20210104.html
Getting COVID-19 vaccines to rural Americans is harder than it looks. But there are ways to lift the barriers | Analysis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/getting-covid-19-vaccines-to-rural-americans-is-harder-than-it-looks-but-there-are-ways-to-lift-the-barriers-analysis/
Administration
DHS frontline workers are heroes | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/01/dhs-frontline-workers-are-heroes-opinion.html
Business
Restaurants, other businesses to reopen Monday morning as pandemic restrictions lifted
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/01/03/covid-19-coronavirus-mitigation-restrictions-pandemic-businesses-restaurants-casinos-gyms-reopen/stories/202101030141
What’s reopening Monday in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-reopenings-pennsylvania-philadelphia-20210103.html
Billionaire Carl Icahn has sold Pep Boys’ HQ. As the iconic company turns 100, what lies ahead?
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pep-boys-philadelphia-icahn-car-parts-garage-manny-moe-jack-future-fate-20210103.html
AFTER A DECADE OF WAITING FOR A SUCCESSOR TO TILL THE LAND, THIS FARM’S DAYS ARE NUMBERED
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/the-last-harvest/
Grocers: Help get wasted food to those who need it
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2021/01/03/Grocers-Help-get-wasted-food-to-those-who-need-it/stories/202012230028
Restaurant owners ready for return of indoor dining
https://www.timesleader.com/news/815061/restaurant-owners-ready-for-return-of-indoor-dining
Local restaurant faces challenges due to pandemic
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/local-restaurant-faces-challenges-due-to-pandemic/article_8d5b8f05-ab74-5614-aca7-52f30fe67acc.html
Restaurant owners welcome loosening of restrictions
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/restaurant-owners-welcome-loosening-of-restrictions/article_8064a180-bf46-512d-b8ba-a1d60b877284.html
Tammy’s Kitchen owner says restaurant shutdown was unfair
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/tammys-kitchen-owner-says-restaurant-shutdown-was-unfair/article_f6516274-9cd4-59f3-9bb5-c851068904c5.html
Minority-owned companies waited months for loans, data shows
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/01/minority-owned-companies-waited-months-for-loans-data-shows.html
Housing market expected to remain strong in 2021
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/housing-market-expected-to-remain-strong-in-2021/article_d3b31900-e072-54f6-b3db-9a29c1da62ef.html
Crime/Punishment
With in-person visits halted, Luzerne County will offer video chats to inmates for a fee
https://www.timesleader.com/news/815063/with-in-person-visits-halted-luzerne-county-will-offer-video-chats-to-inmates-for-a-fee
Education
Woman sues Gateway School District, claiming interracial marriage cost her athletic director job
https://triblive.com/local/monroeville/woman-sues-gateway-school-district-claiming-interracial-marriage-cost-her-athletic-director-job/
Reform PA cyber charter authorization, funding
https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/2021/01/04/op-ed-reform-pennsylvania-cyber-charter-authorization-funding/4061921001/
Elections/Politics
In extraordinary hour-long call, Trump pressures Georgia secretary of state to recalculate the vote in his favor
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/trump-pressures-georgia-secretary-election-votes-20210103.html
Georgia elections board member calls for probe into Trump’s call seeking to change results
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/donald-trump-georgia-election-phone-call-find-votes-change-result-investigation-20210104.html
Republicans call GOP plan to undo election for Trump a ‘strike at the foundation of our republic’
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2021/01/republicans-call-gop-plan-to-undo-election-for-trump-a-strike-at-the-foundation-of-our-republic.html
Gaming
Impact of Pennsylvania casino closures remains to be seen, though industry was surging this fiscal year
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/impact-of-pennsylvania-casino-closures-remains-to-be-seen-though-industry-was-surging-this-fiscal-year/
Health Care
Local nurses see big gains in new contracts
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local-nurses-see-big-gains-in-new-contracts/article_4392ae76-4aeb-11eb-ad32-57510544cc62.html
Local News
Federal spending bills could benefit stormwater, other projects in NEPA
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/federal-spending-bills-could-benefit-stormwater-other-projects-in-nepa/article_2efbf191-9aa6-5568-ade3-a4fbf07b19a8.html
Lackawanna County tidies up voter rolls
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/lackawanna-county-tidies-up-voter-rolls/article_c62364de-f655-586d-b80a-7184037c6cca.html
Two found dead after Chestnut Street fire in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/two-found-dead-after-chestnut-street-fire-in-reading/article_b7816a84-4dd9-11eb-a1bb-cb1042463b4f.html
‘Who will meet the needs of our most vulnerable citizens?’ Forced to cancel fundraisers, Lehigh Valley nonprofits struggle to meet demand for services
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-coronavirus-nonprofits-canceling-fundraisers-20210104-nmnfrsfp35b3jloaa2lxrtzfuy-story.html
Philly
A year without a commute for many in the Philadelphia region
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-commute-septa-traffic-covid-19-20210104.html
Report on Philly police handling of protests is like a crime scene with no fingerprints | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/police-protests-kenney-outlaw-philadelphia-investigation-rhynhart-20210104.html
Black homeowners refinance less and pay more for mortgages, new data reveals
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/black-homeowners-refinance-less-and-pay-more-for-mortgages-new-data-reveals/article_0ba777e6-d689-5f55-b939-3631dce2f5b5.html
Pitt
Decisions on police oversight, paid sick time awaiting Allegheny County Council
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/01/04/Allegheny-County-Council-paid-sick-time-bill-police-review-board-Patrick-Catena/stories/202101030156
ATV, dirt bike ‘ride-outs’ in Pittsburgh under scrutiny amid complaints
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/01/04/ATV-dirt-bike-ride-outs-Pittsburgh-Bike-Life-North-Side-complaints/stories/202012310152
Pittsburgh police search for vehicle after explosions in Lawrenceville, Hill District
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/01/03/explosion-in-Pittsburgh-Lawrenceville-3600-block-Penn-Avenue-IED-police/stories/202101030181
Pittsburgh’s longtime Parks and Public Works employee Mike Gable reflects on a half-century city career
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/01/04/Pittsburgh-s-longtime-Parks-and-Public-Works-employee-Mike-Gable-reflects-on-a-half-century-city-career/stories/202012310165
PPS hoping to get staff, students into schools sooner rather than later in 2021
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/04/PPS-staff-students-Pittsburgh-public-school-pandemic-covid-19-return-classroom-teaching/stories/202012310132
State News
More utility customers are in debt this year, and more are relying on unemployment to pay the bills
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2021/01/04/Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh-Utility-customers-in-debt-relying-unemployment-bill-paying/stories/202012310089
DEP to host virtual public hearing on PennEast Pipeline permit applications
https://www.timesleader.com/news/815082/dep-to-host-virtual-public-hearing-on-penneast-pipeline-permit-applications
More than 1,200 species and counting, free pocket field guide developed for Buffalo Creek watershed
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/more-than-1200-species-and-counting-free-pocket-field-guide-developed-for-buffalo-creek-watershed/
In the shadow of COVID-19, heroin and fentanyl continued to kill in 2020
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/in-the-shadow-of-covid-19-heroin-and-fentanyl-continued-to-kill-in-2020/article_64cbf0bc-c8ba-51e6-b112-089f59360455.html
21 for 2021: Pennsylvania people to watch in the new year and beyond.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/21-for-2021-pennsylvania-people-worth-your-attention-in-the-new-year-and-beyond.html
Puppy scams soar in Pennsylvania amid coronavirus pandemic
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-puppy-scams-20210102-obkiediclvcrfbjzyyh7edyfse-story.html
Pa. caps off a very strange year in alcohol sales
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/pa-caps-off-a-very-strange-year-in-alcohol-sales/
Washington
President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration to feature virtual, nationwide parade
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2021/01/04/Biden-inauguration-to-feature-virtual-nationwide-parade/stories/202101040051
Nancy Pelosi reelected speaker of the House, faces difficult 2021
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/01/nancy-pelosi-reelected-speaker-of-the-house-faces-difficult-2021.html