Legislature

A rough vaccine rollout has even Democrats turning on Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-vaccine-rollout-tom-wolf-democrats-20210310.html

Local legislators call on state to open mass-vaccination sites
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/local-legislators-call-on-state-to-open-mass-vaccination-sites/article_554b7730-522e-5e6f-8977-1b883fcfe501.html

Focus on state parks at Pa. Senate budget hearing
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2021/03/09/Pennsylvania-state-park-system-Senate-Appropriations-Committee-budget-hearing-parks-infrastructure/stories/202103090154

Pittsburgh officials add their support to national $15 minimum wage
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-officials-add-their-support-to-national-15-minimum-wage/

U.S. aid to Pa. draws GOP warning to use it for 1-time costs
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/u-s-aid-to-pa-draws-gop-warning-to-use-it-for-1-time-costs/

What the federal stimulus package means for Pa.’s local governments
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/what-the-federal-stimulus-package-means-for-pa-s-local-governments/

What’s the COVID-19 relief package mean for Pa.? What you need to know
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/03/10/covid-19-relief-package-pennsylvania/6926878002/

Egged on by pandemic-closed offices, lawmakers and media mull changes to Pa.’s open records law
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/egged-on-by-pandemic-closed-offices-lawmakers-and-media-mull-changes-to-pa-s-open-records-law/

Welcome to the 2021 Pa. budget hearings: New and big problems. The same tired conversation | Ray E. Landis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/welcome-to-the-2021-pa-budget-hearings-new-and-big-problems-the-same-tired-conversation-ray-e-landis/

Royalty deal shames state Legislature
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/royalty-deal-shames-state-legislature/article_693bf708-cb36-577a-9f32-88480fbde2dd.html

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Montco group behind a mall drive-through vaccine site has stopped giving first doses as it struggles to secure shots from Pa.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/15toknow-vaccine-king-of-prussia-mall-coronavirus-second-dose-pennsylvania-20210310.html

Federally funded health clinics are getting COVID-19 vaccines to more people of color
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/health-clinics-philadelphia-vaccine-covid-waits-delays-race-20210310.html

Last March, essential workers told us their stories of fear. Here’s how they’re coping as the pandemic persists.
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/a/essential-workers-philadelphia-coronavirus-year-later-20210310.html

COVID-19, one year later: Pandemic leaves trauma, questions for Pennsylvania nursing homes
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2021/03/09/covid-19-pandemic-nursing-homes-personal-care-pennsylvania/6798154002/

Hanover Area super: Walmart wants to host vaccine clinic for county residents
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/coronavirus/hanover-area-super-walmart-wants-to-host-vaccine-clinic-for-county-residents/article_2d07caef-0f8a-51b5-b33e-2b30e7295a88.html

Allegheny, Westmoreland counties see largest increase in covid cases in month
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/allegheny-westmoreland-counties-see-largest-increase-in-covid-cases-in-month/

Montgomery County reports 98 daily new coronavirus cases, one more death
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-reports-98-daily-new-coronavirus-cases-one-more-death/article_9c101ffb-dd46-5a59-b427-f75b1fcce347.html

Pa. stats show another 400-plus Berks residents complete COVID vaccination
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/pa-stats-show-another-400-plus-berks-residents-complete-covid-vaccination/article_4a070f74-80cc-11eb-8540-879990e56e6d.html

COVID-19, a year later: Our children
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/covid-19-a-year-later-our-children/article_b17f62a7-d0a7-553e-98c8-f2c3496310e1.html

Editorial: State must stop shortchanging Berks County on COVID vaccine
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-state-must-stop-shortchanging-berks-county-on-covid-vaccine/article_d10211ac-810a-11eb-a5f7-f7f852b55a7c.html

Md. governor eases COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, keeps mask mandate in place
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/md-governor-eases-covid-19-restrictions-on-businesses-keeps-mask-mandate-in-place.html

Administration

Gov. Wolf indicates Pa. restaurants and bars can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
https://www.pennlive.com/food/2021/03/gov-wolf-indicates-pa-restaurants-and-bars-can-celebrate-st-patricks-day.html

Business

What sole proprietors and freelancers need to know about scoring PPP loans
https://www.inquirer.com/business/small-business/what-solo-entrepreneurs-freelancers-need-know-about-getting-ppp-loan-20210310.html

Crime/Punishment

Villanova University student arrested for alleged sexual assault
https://www.inquirer.com/news/iyanu-solomon-sexual-assault-villanova-university-20210309.html

Her uncle, an inmate at Camp Hill prison, had been hospitalized with COVID-19. She had no idea
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/her-uncle-an-inmate-at-camp-hill-prison-had-been-hospitalized-with-covid-19-she-had-no-idea.html

Education

When are the kids going back to class? Bucks County educators eye return of students
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/03/09/bucks-school-districts-eyeing-return-students-full-time-instruction-schools/4626928001/

USDA announces free school meals for children through summer
https://www.inquirer.com/education/usda-free-school-meals-summer-20210309.html

Drexel is going to the men’s NCAA Tournament for the first time in 25 years
https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports/drexel/ncaa-tournament-drexel-basketball-20210310.html

Elections/Politics

Pa. audit confirms Biden got more votes than Trump, but can’t tell us much else
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pa-election-results-risk-limiting-audit-results-limitations-20210310.html

Lehigh County Republicans will hold censure vote on Sen. Pat Toomey
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-lehigh-county-toomey-censure-vote-20210309-z5cho5hbjbdnrmel45jw2uoiya-story.html

Local News

Veterans center takes helm of Marywood South campus
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/veterans-center-takes-helm-of-marywood-south-campus/article_c5ab5d6d-93ae-594d-ba35-f2a63f720f4f.html

Berks nonprofit opens center for veterans and first responders in need in Scranton
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-nonprofit-opens-center-for-veterans-and-first-responders-in-need-in-scranton/article_ea7d24ea-810b-11eb-9420-6325705bc03c.html

Hoping to attract businesses, Reading reauthorizes Pennsylvania’s economic enterprise zone
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/hoping-to-attract-businesses-reading-reauthorizes-pennsylvanias-economic-enterprise-zone/article_d2fa36bc-8117-11eb-898e-dbc003d705ee.html

Reading’s City Council stops short of confirming the acting solicitor
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/readings-city-council-stops-short-of-confirming-the-acting-solicitor/article_55a4b6ea-807e-11eb-9c5c-170349ad74c4.html

$2.2M in improvements planned at Northmoreland Park in Allegheny Township
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/2-2m-in-improvements-planned-at-northmoreland-park-in-allegheny-township/

Salavantis: County council has forced litigation by declaring her DA seat vacant
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1030319/salavantis-county-council-has-forced-litigation-by-declaring-her-da-seat-vacant

Rental assistance now available for eligible Luzerne County renters
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1030253/rental-assistance-now-available-for-eligible-luzerne-county-renters

National News

Arkansas governor signs near-total abortion ban into law
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/arkansas-abortion-bill-roe-wade-20210309.html

How urban planning and housing policy helped create ‘food apartheid’ in US cities | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/03/how-urban-planning-and-housing-policy-helped-create-food-apartheid-in-us-cities-opinion.html

Philly

Philly students could attend school this summer and stay hybrid in the fall, the superintendent says
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopen-hybrid-20210309.html

She helps Philly kids through adoption and parole and just discovered her own storied family history | We The People
https://www.inquirer.com/news/tulleesha-burbage-knowlington-philadelphia-history-20210310.html

Philadelphia COVID-19 vaccine registration can finally keep out line jumpers, officials say
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/philadelphia-fema-prepmod-software-link-eligible-covid-vaccine-appointment-20210309.html

Immigrant family to leave Philly church sanctuary as ICE says they’re ‘not a priority’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/ice-sanctuary-biden-trump-enforcement-church-carmela-hernandez-20210309.html

Movita Johnson-Harrell became an activist after gun violence took her son. Now she’s lost a second one. | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/movita-johnson-harrell-dont-gun-violence-philadelphia-jenice-armstrong-20210309.html

A park that welcomes homeless people, partially designed by homeless people, will be a Philly first
https://www.inquirer.com/news/homelessness-philadelphia-parks-sunday-breakfast-rescue-mission-encampment-20210310.html

Philly’s FDR Park to get $4.5 million for new visitor center, event space, café, and playground
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/philadelphia-fdr-park-renovations-visitor-center-20210309.html

Philly L&I approves demolition of Chestnut Street properties that preservationists had tried to protect
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/chestnut-st-demolition-jewelers-row-philadelphia-20210309.html

If L.A. can defund its school police, so can Philadelphia | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/school-police-defund-los-angeles-philadelphia-20210309.html

Rebecca Rhynhart is cruising to reelection. Can she be Philly mayor next?
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/rebecca-rhynhart-philadelphia-controller-campaign-mayor-20210309.html

Pitt

Thousands of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County teachers to receive vaccinations this week
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/09/COVID-vaccine-for-teachers-Pittsburgh-Allegheny-County-PA-coronavirus-vaccines/stories/202103090140

Giant Eagle to offer covid vaccine clinic for Pittsburgh Public Schools teachers, staff
https://triblive.com/local/giant-eagle-to-offer-covid-vaccine-clinic-for-pittsburgh-public-schools-teachers-staff/

It’s official: Mayor Peduto will face three primary challengers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/03/09/Deadline-passes-allegheny-county-pittsburgh-local-candidates-file-nominating-petitions-mayoral-race/stories/202103090159

Allegheny County Council passes paid sick leave bill
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/03/09/Allegheny-County-paid-sick-leave-bill/stories/202103090164

Better late than never: Last Crawford Square houses to be built some 20 years after the first
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/03/10/Crawford-Square-Hill-District-URA-Bridging-the-Gap-Development/stories/202103100092

Funding will help Allegheny County prevent childhood traumas that lead to drug use
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2021/03/09/Allegheny-County-awarded-funding-childhood-trauma-adverse-substance-abuse-drugs-health/stories/202103090158

Couple sue Penn Hills police on excessive force claim
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/09/barbara-thompkins-eric-klavon-lawsuit-Penn-Hills-police-excessive-force-claim/stories/202103090136

Three people shot in the North Side
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/09/North-Side-shooting-East-Allegheny-Ohio-Street-Suismon-multiple-victims-Pittsburgh/stories/202103090168

WQED, local groups to host youth mental health virtual event
https://triblive.com/local/regional/wqed-local-groups-to-host-youth-mental-health-virtual-event/

Pittsburgh Controller’s Office signs on to end use of racially derogatory acronym in annual reports
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-controllers-office-signs-on-to-end-use-of-racially-derogatory-acronym-in-annual-reports/

Pittsburgh working to iron out how eviction ban will be enforced as lawsuit against it proceeds
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-working-to-iron-out-how-eviction-ban-will-be-enforced-as-lawsuit-against-it-proceeds/

State News

Shapiro announces crackdown on telefunding operation
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/09/Pennsylvania-Attorney-General-Josh-Shapiro-Associated-Community-Services-telefunding-scam/stories/202103090122

SNAP applications can now be made by phone
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2021/03/09/SNAP-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-applications-made-over-phone-Pennsylvania-Human-Services/stories/202103090146

As food insecurity continues for millions, Pa. now taking SNAP applications by phone
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/as-food-insecurity-continues-for-millions-pa-now-taking-snap-applications-by-phone/

Women’s History Month: Facts and figures
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/womens-history-month-facts-and-figures/

Gearing up: What you need to get started in trout fishing in Pennsylvania
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2021/03/gearing-up-what-you-need-to-get-started-in-trout-fishing-in-pennsylvania.html

Transportation

Dangerous by design? Group urges road improvements to reduce pedestrian deaths
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/03/09/Smart-Growth-America-pedestrian-deaths-better-design-45-increase/stories/202103090165

Pa. transit riders need a commitment to fare relief and full service with their funding | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pa-transit-riders-need-a-commitment-to-fare-relief-and-full-service-with-their-funding-opinion/

Washington

Leaning on tax credits, Democrats hope to stem child poverty by delivering income stream to families
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/03/10/COVID-19-relief-bill-stimulus-expansion-child-tax-credit-parents/stories/202103100017

House set to vote Wednesday on landmark $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2021/03/10/House-vote-COVID-19-virus-relief-bill-biden-stimulus-checks-pandemic-US-economy/stories/202103100118

Stimulus bill poised to send $1,400 checks to millions who were left out of the first payments
https://www.inquirer.com/news/stimulus-checks-adult-dependents-20210309.html