Legislature

The State of Black Pennsylvania report shows positive, negative trends over decade (abc27.com)

Pa. teachers should make at least $60K annually, education official tells Senate committee (inquirer.com)

Senate panel schedules Norfolk Southern subpoena | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Pennsylvania may join ban on using cell phones behind the wheel | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Proposed legislation would ban use of phones while driving in Pennsylvania (abc27.com)

Lawmakers push bill to crack down on phone use while driving – pennlive.com

PA House elects first female speaker after resignation · Spotlight PA

For McClinton, a historic speaker’s election – and a historic challenge | Wednesday Morning Coffee – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Rozzi resigns; historic vote lifts McClinton to House speaker | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Joanna McClinton becomes first female House Speaker after Mark Rozzi resigns – City & State Pennsylvania (cityandstatepa.com)

McClinton voted Pa. speaker; first Black woman to win post | State & Region | phillytrib.com

Joanna McClinton named Pennsylvania House Speaker after Rozzi steps down (abc27.com)

Pa. House elects Joanna McClinton as the first Black woman to serve as speaker – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Who is Joanna McClinton? Inside rise as Pa.’s first female House speaker (inquirer.com)

McClinton rises to Pa. House speakership, first woman to hold role | News | tribdem.com

Joanna McClinton voted Pa. House speaker (mcall.com)

It’s a ‘new day’ in Harrisburg as Joanna McClinton becomes the first woman elected Speaker of the Pa. House | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Delaware County state Rep. Joanna McClinton named House speaker, a first for a Black woman (delcotimes.com)

Rozzi out, McClinton voted Pa. speaker; first Black woman to win post | National | standardspeaker.com

Mark Rozzi steps down, Joanna McClinton elected Speaker of the House (broadandliberty.com)

After Close Call at Christmas, Senators Discuss Strengthening PA Power Grid – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)

Lawmakers Propose 4-Day Work Week Legislation (politicspa.com)

Pennsylvania lawmakers pushing four day workweek program (abc27.com)

Pennsylvania lawmaker pushing to make Daylight Saving Time permanent (abc27.com)

Pennsylvania lawmaker proposes bill to prevent catalytic converter thefts (abc27.com)

Pa. Senate swears in new Republican member – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Sen. Comitta secures funding for after-school career development programs – Daily Local

Rep. Merski and lawmakers support funding to repair Pa. schools (goerie.com)

Rep. Kristin Marcell: We need to act to keep the Capitol safe from the accused sexual harasser (broadandliberty.com)

Lehigh Valley drag performers, LGBTQ+ advocates decry legislative efforts to ban performances (mcall.com)

 

Business/Jobs

Remote work boost employment rate for individuals with a disability – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

QVC, HSN parent Qurate lays off 400 as part of turnaround plan – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Is American manufacturing poised for a comeback? It’s the trillion-dollar question – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

West Shore shopping centers struggle to fill storefronts, but the news isn’t all bad – pennlive.com

Penn residents union effort raises questions of whether movement can expand to more doctors (inquirer.com)

 

COVID-19

Lab leak theory of pandemic resurfaces but evidence points to animal spillover : Goats and Soda : NPR

U.S. agencies sow confusion over ‘lab leak’ theory of covid origins | TribLIVE.com

China dismisses FBI statement on COVID-19 lab leak theory | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Crime/Punishment

Pennsylvania unseals search warrant in Idaho killings | WITF

McKeesport gives police $3K bonuses in aftermath of Sean Sluganski’s death | TribLIVE.com

 

Education

Conservative justices are skeptical of Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan : NPR

Supreme Court seems ready to sink student loan forgiveness | Business | standardspeaker.com

Pa. State System proposes $56.5 million in scholarships to alleviate teacher shortage crisis | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Temple Health posts $103M operating loss for first half of FY2023 – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Program aims to educate children about Pennsylvania history (abc27.com)

Community members address ‘After School Satan Club’ at Saucon Valley school board meeting | Lehigh Valley Regional News | wfmz.com

North Carolina man charged with Saucon Valley threats (mcall.com)

The important part of school funding that gets ignored | Opinion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

White House Historical Association president speaks at Neumann (delcotimes.com)

SDL Acting Superintendent on track to receive superintendent credentials by July 1 | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Central Bucks faced over 300 claims in equal pay lawsuit class action (phillyburbs.com)

Agreement not yet reached for electric buses in Scranton, West could get new elevator | Education | thetimes-tribune.com

Bethlehem superintendent personnel investigation concludes (mcall.com)

Since COVID, teachers have been told to ‘coddle’ students. It’s time to stop. | Opinion (inquirer.com)

The College of Physicians starts Philadelphia mentorship program for young Black men who want to be doctors. (inquirer.com)

 

Elections/Politics

Former felons seem set to regain voting rights in more states : NPR

Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson: Chicago mayoral runoff | WBEZ Chicago

Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff | Across America | phillytrib.com

Is fraud evidence needed for PA recount requests? · Spotlight PA

Pa. judges offer conflicting opinions on whether fraud evidence is needed for recount requests | WITF

Pennsylvania residents polled; pessimistic about energy prices (phillyburbs.com)

Hard-right does about-face on mail-in voting after middling midterm (phillyburbs.com)

Cherelle Parker’s latest pitch: ‘Cherelle Parker wants to be Philly’s next mayor’ – City & State Pennsylvania (cityandstatepa.com)

Montco GOP May Face Messy Leadership Fight Wednesday – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)

Philadelphia’s next mayor must realize crime, quality of life and jobs are interconnected – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

 

Environment

Climate change in Pa.: The flood-prone Susquehanna River watershed poses a widespread challenge | StateImpact Pennsylvania (npr.org)

Why were you live determines how well environmental laws protect your health | Opinion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

St. John’s Denka plant sued by DOJ over cancer-causing emissions | WWNO

More tropical storms will turn into major hurricanes in the Northeast (inquirer.com)

 

Transportation

Ohio senators ready rail safety bill after fiery crash | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Railroads urged to examine track detectors after Ohio crash | WITF

New bill would lower threshold for labeling trains ‘high-hazard’ | WITF

Pa.’s Deluzio, California’s Khanna look to beef up regs for toxic trains – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

PHL airport receives $30M in federal funding for terminal renovations – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

 

Gun Safety

North Philly gun violence activists ask for $100M and vow to work together | Local News | phillytrib.com

Philly officials announce GVI results, a city-run initiative to reduce gun violence (inquirer.com)

Temple students protest campus safety problems in the wake of an officer’s killing (inquirer.com)

Tell the Times-News how gun violence affects the Erie community (goerie.com)

 

Health

DHS is ready to help Pennsylvanians with Medicaid changes (goerie.com)

Health resource center opens in Beaver County for those impacted by train derailment | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Study: LGBTQ+ youth are less likely to feel depressed with parental support : NPR

Are doctors in Texas afraid to say ‘abortion?’ : Shots – Health News : NPR

Protections against surprise billing didn’t stop a huge hospital bill. Why not? : Shots – Health News : NPR

York to hold Narcan distribution event every month (abc27.com)

1 in 4 Black transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide in past year, survey finds | Health | phillytrib.com

Investigation continues in Montgomery County of some THC gummies laced with fentanyl (mainlinemedianews.com)

LVHN expands Reilly Children’s Hospital (mcall.com)

Penn Medicine had a small profit, Jefferson broke even, and Temple Health lost money at end of 2022 (inquirer.com)

 

State News

Pennsylvania to end expanded SNAP benefits today – CBS Pittsburgh (cbsnews.com)

Pandemic food assistance that helped reduce hunger has ended : Shots – Health News : NPR

Emergency SNAP benefits allotment is ending after three years (inquirer.com)

Pa. opens health center near Ohio train crash site · Spotlight PA

Casey returns to the Senate after cancer surgery | ABC27

Sen. Bob Casey returns to work as Sen. John Fetterman continues treatment (inquirer.com)

UGI to decrease natural gas costs in Pennsylvania (abc27.com)

UGI customers to finally see drop in natural gas rates | Business | citizensvoice.com

Lehigh Valley customers should see an 8% decrease in natural gas prices, UGA says (mcall.com)

Biden’s pick for U.S. archivist, a Pa. native, caught up in controversy over missing presidential documents – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pa. Broadband Authority seeks public input on community engagement – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pennsylvania Game Commission considers American marten reintroduction (ydr.com)

Mark Houck of Bucks County returns to Planned Parenthood clinic (phillyburbs.com)

Judge rules electronic skill game machines are legal | News | citizensvoice.com

Editorial: Pa. counties need authority to boost tourism | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

National News

Nigeria’s presidential elections: Bola Tinubu declared the winner : NPR

Rupert Murdoch is under scrutiny for his media empire. It’s not the first time : NPR

Kobe Bryant family settles photo lawsuit for $28.5 million : NPR

Disney World’s special status dealt another blow by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis : NPR

Jury in double murder trial hears from final witnesses, heads to crime scene Wednesday – pennlive.com

Murphy unveils $53.1B budget, renewing property tax rebates (inquirer.com)

A fiery Greece train collision kills dozens and injures more than 80 : NPR

U.K.’s tomato shortages are blamed on Brexit, war in Ukraine, climate change : NPR

 

Local News

York to host third Special Olympics Pennsylvania Indoor Winter Games (abc27.com)

A group in York wants to honor 800 people buried with no gravestones | WITF

A Reading-based company has revived plans for the Cuffs Run project (ydr.com)

City leaders tout exiting Act 47, outline future projects | News | tribdem.com

Somerset commissioners investing $3 million in money market trust | News | tribdem.com

Martic supervisors approve regional comprehensive plan | Community News | lancasteronline.com

East Donegal supervisors hear proposal for conservation project at Riverfront Park | Community News | lancasteronline.com

Scranton may establish environmental advisory council | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Guidelines restrict who addresses Hazleton Area board | Education | standardspeaker.com

Hazleton City Council finalizes labor and equipment fees | News | standardspeaker.com

Helping Harvest struggles with rising costs and falling support as demand remains (readingeagle.com)

Penn Street shop owner wants more action, less talk about downtown progress (readingeagle.com)

Wehr’s Dam repairs finally completed in South Whitehall (mcall.com)

Vote on 6-story South Side Bethlehem apartment building delayed (mcall.com)

 

Pitt

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is investing big in Downtown (nextpittsburgh.com)

City controller: Pittsburgh hasn’t launched team of social workers to help police despite $5M budget – CBS Pittsburgh (cbsnews.com)

As construction begins on Atlanta’s “Cop City,” Pittsburghers are concerned about an allegedly similar local project | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Pgh Bike Jam blocks traffic in protest of critical bicycle collision | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Historically mild February leaves Pittsburgh region with barely a trace of snow | TribLIVE.com

District classes to be canceled or held virtually as Belle Vernon hosts young student’s funeral | TribLIVE.com

Next at bat on the North Shore: A 305-unit apartment building overlooking PNC Park | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh’s next generation wants to bring ‘a fresh perspective’ to city hall | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

City Council has passed a controversial Oakland rezoning plan | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Why an AT&T SportsNet collapse could change how Pirates and Penguins do business forever | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bakery Square blues: Philips to sublease more than 70,000 square feet of its office space | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Allegheny County seeks juvenile detention option to replace closed Shuman Center | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Philly

Philly City Council is proposing a new public safety director role. Is it a needed change, or a power grab? (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia anchor institutions redirect over $37M in contract revenue to minority firms – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

A senior-specific PHA high-rise gives spectacular Philly views and a chance to age in place | Local News | phillytrib.com

New Philly housing report shows downtown is heading in a ‘very positive’ direction | Local News | phillytrib.com

‘We stand united’: Philadelphia area participants take buses bound for Ukraine rally in D.C. (mainlinemedianews.com)

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center adds solar array (delcotimes.com)

Philadelphia Flower Show 2023 returns to the Convention Center. Will crowds follow? (inquirer.com)

Bobby Henon sentencing: Ex-Philly City Councilmember faces possible prison term (inquirer.com)

SEPTA is adding buses powered by hydrogen fuel cells (inquirer.com)

Not just for ‘the white guy in Lycra’: E-bikes are gaining popularity in Philly’s low-income communities of color (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia winter weather 2022-23 one of warmest on record (inquirer.com)

 

Washington

Biden taps Julie Su for labor secretary amid push by Asian Americans : NPR

How the judge who could ban the abortion pill won confirmation in the U.S. Senate – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Supreme Court: Delaware could owe $400M after taking unclaimed MoneyGrams (inquirer.com)