Legislature
‘It is disgraceful’: Residents of Western Pa. demand Democratic senator be seated
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/it-is-disgraceful-residents-of-western-pa-district-demand-incumbent-democratic-senator-be-seated.html
Town hall hosted by Sen. Judy Schwank focuses on COVID variants and vaccine
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/town-hall-hosted-by-sen-judy-schwank-focuses-on-covid-variants-and-vaccine/article_8d9fb2b8-5151-11eb-a4ae-6338ddc4ee08.html
GOP state senator at Capitol during attack urged to resign
https://www.timesleader.com/news/815549/gop-state-senator-at-capitol-during-attack-urged-to-resign
As Mastriano faces calls to resign, Senate GOP leaders say they have ‘no cause’ to make him
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/as-mastriano-faces-calls-to-resign-senate-gop-says-they-have-no-casue-to-make-him/
At Pa. Capitol, the doors were slammed shut Thursday, and you can thank the D.C. riot for that
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/at-the-pennsylvania-state-capitol-the-doors-were-slammed-shut-thursday-and-you-can-thank-wednesday-in-washington-for-that.html
Pa. Commonwealth Court declares Marsy’s Law unconstitutional, referendum votes invalid
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/01/07/marsys-law-pennsylvania-court-unconstitutional-ruling-amendment-votes-invalid-commonwealth/stories/202101070127
Argall: Wolf ‘our governor, not our king’
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/argall-wolf-our-governor-not-our-king/article_55cf6c32-883d-5a11-8227-9b043af34acc.html
Former Rep. Saccone resigns from St. Vincent after video from U.S. Capitol siege emerges
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/07/Trump-Biden-Capitol-St-Vincent-College-Rick-Saccone-professor-Lamb-congress-representative/stories/202101070152
Rick Saccone resigns from Saint Vincent faculty in wake of Capitol trip
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/saccone-resigns-from-svc-faculty-after-his-online-posts-about-d-c-trip-draw-flak/
Washington
Biden introduces Merrick Garland as his attorney general nominee for attorney general, names other cabinet picks
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/biden-nominates-merrick-garland-attorney-general-20210107.html
Pennsylvania Democrats push for Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump
https://www.inquirer.com/news/trump-25th-amendment-pennsylvania-democrats-20210107.html
Some Berks County congressional members call for invoking 25th Amendment to remove Trump
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/some-berks-county-congressional-members-call-for-invoking-25th-amendment-to-remove-trump/article_884f66da-5112-11eb-8420-53e49d801a04.html
Pennsylvania Republicans showed Trump’s grip on the party after the attack on the Capitol
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennslyvania-republicans-trump-capitol-attack-20210107.html
Trump and his allies tried to overturn Pennsylvania’s election results for two months. Here are the highlights.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-2020-election-lawsuits-timeline-20210107.html
Lawmakers openly discuss ousting Trump, possible impeachment; president pushes ‘seamless transition’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2021/01/07/Senior-officials-discuss-removing-Trump-under-25th-Amendment/stories/202101070103
‘If they were Black’ Philadelphia Black Lives Matter activists say police brutalized them, while a white Capitol mob was ‘met with grace.’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/a/insurrection-black-lives-matter-comparison-activists-philadelphia-20210107.html
‘What else could I do?’ NJ congressman helps clean up Capitol after ransacking
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/01/what-else-could-i-do-nj-congressman-helps-clean-up-capitol-after-ransacking.html
Baker, Toomey comment on riots, certification vote
https://www.timesleader.com/news/815591/baker-toomey-comment-on-riots-certification-vote
A Capitol Police officer dies from injuries sustained while responding to riots
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/01/08/Capitol-Police-officer-dies-Brian-Sicknick-Trump-riots-protests-deaths-storming/stories/202101080092
Capitol Police rejected offers of federal help to quell mob
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/01/08/Capitol-Police-rejected-offers-of-federal-help-to-quell-mob-1/stories/202101080103
He organized a bus of Trump supporters from Pa. for ‘the first day of the rest of our lives.’ He died in Washington.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/washington-protest-trump-capitol-pennsylvania-ben-philips-20210107.html
A Bucks County Trump supporter posted about a 1776-style revolution during Capitol riot. Then, he was arrested.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/capitol-riot-arrests-pennsylvania-new-jersey-trump-20210107.html
Philly Trump lawyer seeks to quit case, saying president used his services ‘to perpetrate a crime’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/trump-lawyer-resign-riot-capitol-jerome-marcus-paul-diamond-20210107.html
Ivanka Trump jump-starts stalled pandemic food program under congressional investigation
https://www.inquirer.com/news/hunger-ivanka-trump-president-trump-philabundance-share-usda-food-boxes-20210108.html
Education head Betsy DeVos quits, cites Trump rhetoric
https://triblive.com/news/world/education-head-betsy-devos-quits-cites-trump-rhetoric/
Rep. Brendan Boyle: I never imagined I’d live through an insurrection at the Capitol | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/news/capitol-insurrection-congress-representative-brendan-boyle-20210107.html
Bob Casey, Pat Toomey stand tall
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/editorial/bob-casey-pat-toomey-stand-tall/article_361868db-2b63-5fcd-9607-f7153934c3d9.html
Trump shouldn’t be allowed another day in the White House. But what about complicit Pa. lawmakers? | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/donald-trump-impeach-remove-25th-amendment-pennsylvania-gop-resign-20210107.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
State directs Susquehanna County hospital to stop vaccinating teachers, hospital leader says
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/state-directs-susquehanna-county-hospital-to-stop-vaccinating-teachers-hospital-leader-says/article_642c2c07-11bd-5cad-bbf5-2320eca086fa.html
Allegheny County reports 664 new COVID-19 cases as first new variant is found in Pennsylvania
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/01/07/Allegheny-County-reports-664-new-COVID-19-cases-as-first-new-variant-is-found-in-Pennsylvania/stories/202101070125
Westmoreland County reports similar number of covid deaths in 1st weeks of January, December
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-reports-similar-number-of-covid-deaths-in-1st-weeks-of-january-december/
More than 200 new COVID-19 cases, 7 deaths reported in county Thursday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/more-than-200-new-covid-19-cases-7-deaths-reported-in-county-thursday/article_fee7bdf1-7aa1-532c-957a-1ddd81fc935d.html
Number of positive COVID-19 cases in Scranton city ranks decreases over three weeks
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/number-of-positive-covid-19-cases-in-scranton-city-ranks-decreases-over-three-weeks/article_83520f48-22c0-5527-9e27-b14f91d32b48.html
Montgomery County records 24 new COVID-19 deaths; toll now at 1,052
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-records-24-new-covid-19-deaths-toll-now-at-1-052/article_8d84ffe9-4c79-5eb9-909a-88e0f4e9e62a.html
Excela Health prepares to administer 2nd dose of vaccine to its workers, Mutual Aid medics and EMTs
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/excela-health-prepares-to-administer-second-dose-of-vaccine-to-its-workers-mutual-aid-medics-and-emts/
COVID-19 vaccine distribution welcomed in Bucks, Montco nursing homes
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/01/08/bucks-montgomery-county-nursing-homes-covid-19-covid-vaccines-residents-staff/6552623002/
Are we at the beginning of the end of COVID-19? The tricky road to herd immunity, explained.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid19-herd-immunity-vaccine-infection-british-variant-20210108.html
Administration
Wolf activates National Guard
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wolf-activates-national-guard/article_a9171a54-8819-5527-b846-adc309753c53.html
Business
Industrial redux: Former Westinghouse Electric parking lot to become slag recycling venture
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/01/08/Westinghouse-Electric-Beemsterboer-East-Pittsburgh-Turtle-Creek-North-Versailles/stories/202101080070
Pennsylvania-based company manufactures air filtration system to combat covid-19
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-based-company-manufactures-air-filtration-system-to-combat-covid-19/
Crime/Punishment
Virus cases continue to spread at Westmoreland prison
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/virus-cases-continue-to-spread-at-westmoreland-prison/
Education
State recommends elementary students return to schools
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/07/pennsylvania-elementary-students-return-schools-recommendation-covid-19-health-safety-noe-ortega/stories/202101070123
State recommends return to in-person classes for elementary students
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/state-recommends-return-to-in-person-classes-for-elementary-students/article_18f14441-7b45-5ac5-8d08-8cd94da5be73.html
State changes COVID safety recommendation on in-person learning for elementary students
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/state-changes-covid-safety-recommendation-on-in-person-learning-for-elementary-students/article_9066f040-5108-11eb-bcc7-6f16803270c9.html
Pa. teachers union criticizes guidance calling for elementary students to go back to classrooms
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/01/pa-teachers-union-criticizes-guidance-calling-for-elementary-students-to-go-back-to-classrooms.html
Local superintendents approach new state recommendations with caution
https://www.timesleader.com/news/815573/local-superintendents-approach-new-state-recommendations-with-caution
‘A terrible thing happened’: How teachers are explaining the Capitol insurrection to students
https://www.inquirer.com/education/capitol-riot-philadelphia-teachers-trauma-history-20210107.html
Gateway school board member resigns after sending a text a job candidate called racist
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/01/07/Gateway-school-board-member-paul-caliari-resigns-text-message-lawsuit-korie-morton-rozier/stories/202101070148
Northeastern paid former principal year’s salary, unused days in separation agreement
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2021/01/07/northeastern-school-district-pays-scott-dorazio-years-pay-agreement/6588591002/
University of Scranton President issues personal statement on Capitol riot
https://www.timesleader.com/news/815594/university-of-scranton-president-issues-personal-statement-on-capitol-riot
NBA star Kyrie Irving pays off tuition for nine graduating seniors at Lincoln University
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/nba-star-kyrie-irving-pays-off-tuition-for-nine-graduating-seniors-at-lincoln-university/article_5b20eeb4-6710-53af-bfc0-13dedb372230.html
Elections/Politics
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is eyeing a run for Senate in 2022
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/john-fetterman-pennsylvania-2022-senate-race-20210108.html
Pa.’s court elections in 2021 are crucial for racial justice | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-judicial-elections-2020-courts-philadelphia-20210107.html
Local News
Locals react after pro-Trump rioters turn Capital into scene of political violence
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/locals-react-after-pro-trump-rioters-turn-capital-into-scene-of-political-violence/article_69b153b0-5121-5e8e-96c2-0bfdec5617e7.html
Berks County commissioners say there is no defense for siege on U.S. Capitol
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-commissioners-say-there-is-no-defense-for-siege-on-u-s-capitol/article_51d78712-50ff-11eb-9657-d3b7a5fddb1d.html
Reading lays out its plan for parks and recreation
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-lays-out-its-plan-for-parks-and-recreation/article_e2b8e5fc-5143-11eb-9cc2-b3a21d9c600e.html
3 municipalities jump to Western Berks Ambulance Association
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/3-municipalities-jump-to-western-berks-ambulance-association/article_acbb260e-5058-11eb-9bd0-b7fb2b8598aa.html
Delaware County officials paid $25,000 in ransom to hackers who infiltrated the county’s computer system
https://www.inquirer.com/news/delaware-county-cyberattack-ransom-payment-hackers-20210107.html
Burrell graduate is 57th woman ever to graduate from elite Army Ranger School
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/burrell-graduate-is-57th-woman-ever-to-graduate-from-elite-army-ranger-school/
Westmoreland landfill neighbors frustrated
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2021/01/07/rostraver-Westmoreland-landfill-neighbors-frustrated-shale-fracking-waste-radioactive-health-runoff/stories/202101070173
Residents, officials air mud, odor, health concerns about Rostraver landfill
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/residents-officials-air-mud-odor-health-concerns-about-rostraver-landfill/
New Jersey
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signs $14 billion business tax break bill into law
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/new-jersey-business-tax-break-phil-murphy-20210107.html
Philly
Philly DA Larry Krasner is ready for his close-up, just in time for reelection
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner-documentary-series-carlos-vega-20210108.html
Seth Curry tests positive for COVID-19, forcing Sixers to quarantine in New York hotel
https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/philadelphia-sixers-seth-curry-covid-19-doc-rivers-20210108.html
Pitt
Allegheny County issued first COVID fine — against Strip restaurant Savoy
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2021/01/08/Allegheny-County-health-department-Savoy-Strip-District-fines-Covid-19-pandemic/stories/202101070164
Pittsburgh officials to review Alcosan improvement plans
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-officials-to-review-alcosan-improvement-plans/
FNB to donate $200 to Pittsburgh food bank for each Penguins goal this season
https://triblive.com/sports/penguins/fnb-to-donate-200-to-pittsburgh-food-bank-for-each-penguins-goal-this-season/