Legislature
Democrats recommend veterinarian to vie for open Senate seat
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/democrats-recommend-veterinarian-to-vie-for-open-senate-seat.html
Local Democrats choose Flynn to run for state Senate seat
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/local-democrats-choose-flynn-to-run-for-state-senate-seat/article_e09fb2c2-bd91-5c63-8c9d-af952987b226.html
K. Leroy Irvis, Pa.’s first Black House speaker, blazed trails and battled discrimination | Column
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/03/k-leroy-irvis-pas-first-black-house-speaker-blazed-trails-and-battled-discrimination-column.html
Lackawanna County case set precedent for filling DA vacancy
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lackawanna-county-case-set-precedent-for-filling-da-vacancy/article_2b1968ee-9473-593f-8aa2-70300b30a536.html
Local medical hemp business selling ‘Delta 8,’ but what is it?
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1055587/local-medical-hemp-business-selling-delta-8-but-what-is-it
Redistricting, explained: What it is, how it works, and how Pa. politicians get to draw their own maps
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/redistricting-explained-what-it-is-and-now-pa-politicians-get-to-draw-their-own-maps/
During height of coronavirus pandemic, Pa. lawmakers still cashed in big on meals, lodging
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pa-coronavirus-lawmakers-legislature-expenses-highest-paid-united-states-20210315.html
Pa. House spends $445,000 for two meeting rooms, but conservatives said it was needed
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/pa-house-spends-445000-for-two-meeting-rooms-but-conservatives-said-it-was-needed.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
‘She saved his life’: Pa. professor has helped more than 200 people find COVID-19 vaccine appointments
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/she-saved-his-life-pa-professor-has-helped-more-than-200-people-find-covid-19-vaccine-appointments.html
‘Reverberation of grief’: Covid losses take toll on Western Pennsylvania residents, communities
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/reverberation-of-grief-covid-losses-take-toll-on-western-pennsylvania-residents-communities/
‘Absolutely beautiful’: West Penn Hospital staff gave Harrison man 2nd goodbye with dying mother
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/absolutely-beautiful-west-penn-hospital-staff-gave-harrison-man-2nd-goodbye-with-dying-mother/
COVID-19 Pandemic: Survivors struggle as scientists race to solve mystery
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1062245/covid-19-pandemicsurvivors-struggle-as-scientists-race-to-solve-mystery
Fauci says vaccine hesitancy among Republicans poses a big risk: ‘I just don’t get it,’ he says
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/03/fauci-says-vaccine-hesitancy-among-republicans-poses-a-big-risk-i-just-dont-get-it-he-says.html
73 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Sunday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/73-new-cases-of-covid-19-reported-in-luzerne-county-on-sunday/article_2ff84ccb-4f8a-538f-a78d-0c71772ca639.html
Daily COVID-19 cases drop slightly in region
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/daily-covid-19-cases-drop-slightly-in-region/article_59262e90-22c4-5088-b40e-8759c8ff9b90.html
Administration
As bridge toll debate heats up, Wolf pitches ditching Pa. gas tax | Monday Morning Coffee
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/as-bridge-toll-debate-heats-up-wolf-pitches-ditching-pa-gas-tax-monday-morning-coffee/
Business
As auto repair goes high tech, top technicians can earn over $100K
https://www.inquirer.com/business/auto-car-repairs-jobs-training-salary-bmw-20210313.html
Job or kids? One in three working moms forced to choose as pandemic enters Year Two.
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pandemic-working-moms-children-career-burnout-child-care-school-20210314.html
North Country Brewing owner contends Pa. officials unfairly targeted restaurants during pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/regional/north-country-brewing-owner-contends-pa-officials-targeted-restaurants-destroying-consumer-confidence/
Westmoreland County hospitality grant program opens Monday
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-hospitality-grant-program-opens-monday/
Crime/Punishment
Judge empties Delaware County Juvenile Justice Center after allegations of rampant abuse
https://www.inquirer.com/news/delaware-county-juvenile-justice-center-abuse-allegations-closed-20210313.html
Pa. cheerleader’s mom accused of making ‘deepfakes’ of rivals
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-cheerleaders-mom-accused-of-making-deepfakes-of-rivals/
Education
Billions of stimulus dollars are coming to Pa. and N.J. schools to help get them open again
https://www.inquirer.com/education/stimulus-package-pennsylvania-new-jersey-schools-20210314.html
Luzerne County school districts getting $130 million in coronavirus relief
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/luzerne-county-school-districts-getting-130-million-in-coronavirus-relief/article_773a334a-749b-5b2a-a416-0942242a6996.html
Students, educators face growing achievement gap in NEPA
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/students-educators-face-growing-achievement-gap-in-nepa/article_acea3e9e-4a23-55a0-bd2c-d2262886531e.html
Delaware County launches effort to ‘redesign and rethink’ mental health services for school-age children
https://www.witf.org/2021/03/14/delaware-county-aunches-effort-to-redesign-and-rethink-mental-health-services-for-school-age-children/
Discrimination in Pa. schools ‘off the charts’: What’s being done to protect students?
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/03/15/discrimination-pa-schools-off-charts-kids-fight-racism/4673821001/
What we lost: Pa. school students are anxious, depressed and falling behind during COVID-19
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/what-we-lost-pa-school-students-are-anxious-depressed-and-falling-behind-during-covid-19.html
The coronavirus pandemic pushed many Lehigh Valley parents to another alternative: homeschooling
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-homeschooling-covid-lehigh-valley-20210315-yxib3hwjbjd2jd3anehfclt5ha-story.html
Cabrini cuts staff, programs, as coronavirus pandemic and competition take toll
https://www.inquirer.com/education/cabrini-university-cuts-staff-programs-pandemic-20210315.html
Widener apologizes for ‘unprofessional’ remarks by nursing professors in video
https://www.inquirer.com/education/widener-professor-nursing-video-unprofessional-20210314.html
Health Care
Philadelphia-area mental health crisis centers and hospitals grapple with shortage of inpatient beds
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/philadelphia-area-mental-health-crisis-centers-hospitals-grapple-with-shortage-inpatient-beds-20210315.html
Local News
Scranton legislation would lower entertainment license fee paid by vendors
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/scranton-legislation-would-lower-entertainment-license-fee-paid-by-vendors/article_91fedc57-90a1-5a48-88f8-b9bb16e7c58f.html
Lehigh Valley LGBT center, synagogues receive grants to guard against hate crimes
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-pa-bradbury-sullivan-lgbt-hate-crime-security-20210315-ndlvk7h53zdlvjkdlk4zf7s33u-story.html
CASA volunteer Pollard exemplifies passion and commitment for program
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1055790/casa-volunteer-pollard-exemplifies-passion-and-commitment-for-program
Opioid Crisis
As overdose deaths rise, federal aid targets expansion of access to drug treatment and medications
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/03/14/Biden-Congress-opioid-heroin-fentanyl-cocaine-meth-overdose-deaths-treatment/stories/202103070047
Philly
Restaurant owners are cutting deals and feeling optimistic about a pandemic recovery
https://www.inquirer.com/food/restaurants/philadelphia-restaurant-recovery-year-of-pandemic-20210315.html
NYC residents move to Philly during the pandemic and co-living becomes more popular
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/coliving-common-philadelphia-coronavirus-moving-20210315.html
More Black-owned businesses survived Philly’s lockdown than researchers expected
https://www.witf.org/2021/03/15/more-black-owned-businesses-survived-phillys-lockdown-than-researchers-expected/
Ben Simmons, Sixers dunk San Antonio Spurs in front of 3,071 fans at Wells Fargo Center
https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/76ers-spurs-ben-simmons-fans-20210315.html
A nurse and mother was shot and killed at a Lansdale intersection. Months later, her family and police still seek answers.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/ebony-pack-murder-lansdale-montgomery-county-20210314.html
Philly-area home buyers will likely have more choices this spring, but competition will stay fierce
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/philadelphia-real-estate-market-home-sales-2021-20210313.html
State AG’s Office says North Philadelphia lockout illegal, violates coronavirus eviction moratorium
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-eviction-case-attorney-general-shapiro-20210313.html
Pitt
Allegheny County’s rent and utility relief program is now accepting applications
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2021/03/15/Allegheny-County-s-rent-and-utility-relief-program-accepting-applications-Monday/stories/202103120133
SPECIAL REPORT | Pain, loss, courage: One year of COVID-19 in Pittsburgh
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/year-of-covid-19-pandemic-healthcare-workers-vaccines-special-report/
Tree of Life to hold service of remembrance, healing and renewal on Thursday
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2021/03/12/Tree-of-Life-to-hold-service-of-remembrance-healing-and-renewal-Thursday-March-18/stories/202103120142
UPMC, Penguins hosting vaccination clinic Monday at PPG Paints Arena
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/03/14/UPMC-Penguins-hosting-vaccination-clinic-Monday-morning-PPG-Paints-Arena/stories/202103140234
Port Authority drops bus layover site in Oakland after neighborhood opposition
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/03/14/Port-Authority-Bus-Rapid-Traffic-Oakland-Oakcliffe-layover-lot-eliminated-craft-avenue-allies/stories/202103120145
Who should pick the city’s new public art?
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/03/15/Who-should-pick-the-city-s-new-public-art/stories/202103050092
Pittsburgh Parks & Rec reaches food distribution milestone during pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-parks-rec-reaches-food-distribution-milestone-during-pandemic/
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to benefit from 2nd Feed the Need Radiothon
https://triblive.com/local/greater-pittsburgh-community-food-bank-to-benefit-from-2nd-feed-the-need-radiothon/
About 3,500 high-risk people return to PNC Park to receive 2nd covid vaccine shot
https://triblive.com/local/about-3500-high-risk-patients-receive-2nd-covid-19-vaccine-at-pnc-park/
State News
Influx of stimulus money to give communities in Western Pa. fiscal breathing room
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2021/03/15/Influx-stimulus-money-local-governments-municipalities-pennsylvania/stories/202103120091
Child care needs support
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2021/03/15/Child-care-needs-support/stories/202102200037
Partisan Pa. websites masquerading as local news threaten trust in journalism, new report finds
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pa-news-partisan-republican-democrat-newsguard-lenfest-outlets-trust-credibility-20210315.html
A first: Bald eagles nesting at U.S. Steel plant along Monongahela River in West Mifflin
https://triblive.com/local/a-first-bald-eagles-nesting-at-u-s-steel-plant-along-monongahela-river-in-west-mifflin/
Cicadas set to emerge for first time in 17 years
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cicadas-set-to-emerge-for-first-time-in-17-years/article_3f632fea-0cc8-5f3c-a263-e7c498d57c65.html
Three NEPA counties added to state’s spotted lanternfly list
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/three-nepa-counties-added-to-states-spotted-lanternfly-list/article_0d61ec1b-ef12-5bb7-8e6d-f3dbf2c92008.html
National Park Service expands protected historic battlefields in Pennsylvania by 73 acres
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/national-park-service-expands-protected-historic-battlefields-in-pennsylvania-by-73-acres/
Dark events prove need for sunshine
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/dark-events-prove-need-for-sunshine/article_6f5193d3-bcd3-58e0-9198-ff3023eeb154.html
Pennsylvania’s largest pension system investigates possible $25 million error
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/pennsylvanias-largest-pension-system-investigates-possible-25-million-error.html
Monthly checks to flow to Pa. children, families under tax credit tweak in new federal stimulus
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/monthly-checks-to-flow-to-pa-children-families-under-tax-credit-tweak-in-new-federal-stimulus/
Report ranks the best states for women | The Numbers Racket
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/report-ranks-the-best-states-for-women-the-numbers-racket/
Growing concerns: Farmers in Bucks facing racism, land costs and affordable health care
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/03/15/bucks-county-farmers-confront-racism-healthcare-obstacles/6910745002/
PUC creates safeguards to help households, small businesses with past-due utility bills
https://www.dailylocal.com/business/puc-creates-safeguards-to-help-households-small-businesses-with-past-due-utility-bills/article_3db23645-c580-5c7f-a69a-0583b3982879.html
Transportation
In Pennsylvania, gas prices sped up much faster than traffic rebounded
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2021/03/15/Gas-prices-increase-Pennsylvania-remote-work-jobs/stories/202103140055
Transportation agencies during COVID: crushing financial cuts, uncertain future
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/03/14/COVID-19-Port-Authority-PennDOT-Pennsylvania-Turnpike-financial-cuts/stories/202103140017
New push on for Rt. 61 funds in Schuylkill County
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/new-push-on-for-rt-61-funds-in-schuylkill-county/article_4a198845-fa4e-55f1-8956-8d9d0b62ff55.html
Washington
Biden, Harris and others to promote $1.9 trillion relief plan’s benefits in nationwide tour
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/covid-19/2021/03/15/Biden-Harris-promote-relief-plan-benefits-stimulus-pandemic-covid/stories/202103150065
Nancy Pelosi pledges swift work on major infrastructure package
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/nancy-pelosi-infrastructure-package-roads-bridges-20210314.html