Legislature
Child sex abuse survivors in Pa. denied legal relief as emergency effort fails
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/catholic-clergy-abuse-pennsylvania-emergency-constitutional-amendment-fails-20210322.html
Emergency constitutional amendment fails for child sex abuse lawsuits
https://www.fox43.com/article/news/politics/emergency-constitutional-amendment-child-sex-abuse-lawsuits/521-fefd5d87-5e0c-4984-a212-67e835e6a4de
Pa. Senate leader nixes emergency amendment expanding window for child sex abuse victims
https://www.theintell.com/story/news/2021/03/22/senate-leader-says-no-vote-emergency-constitutional-amendment/4803997001/
Pittsburgh area police Facebook group leads to amplified calls for independent oversight
https://www.witf.org/2021/03/23/pittsburgh-area-police-facebook-group-leads-to-amplified-calls-for-independent-oversight/
Democrats step in to counter GOP fracking suit
https://buckscountyherald.com/democrats-step-in-to-counter-gop-fracking-suit-p7695-175.htm
House approves DA succession bill; not clear if Wolf will sign it before Salavantis resignation takes effect
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/house-approves-da-succession-bill-not-clear-if-wolf-will-sign-it-before-salavantis-resignation/article_5c246f19-2f49-5626-ad51-bccbe9c48331.html
Fate of Luzerne County DA vacancy in governor’s hands
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1119805/fate-of-luzerne-county-da-vacancy-in-governors-hands
Pa. House passes bill to loosen rules on substitute teachers
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/pa-house-passes-bill-to-loosen-rules-on-substitute-teachers.html
From lawyer to breaking glass ceilings: Pa. House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton is ‘going places’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/from-lawyer-to-breaking-glass-ceilings-pa-house-minority-leader-joanna-mcclinton-is-going-places.html
10 things to know about House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton: Zumba enthusiast, Eagles fan, former youth minister
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/10-things-to-know-about-house-democratic-leader-joanna-mcclinton-zumba-enthusiast-eagles-fan-former-youth-minister.html
Phasing out Pa.’s gas tax creates a new challenge: What comes next? | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/pennsylvania-gas-tax-penndot-vehicle-tom-wolf-20210323.html
Our Opinion: Gun waiting periods should be required in Pa.
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/editorial/our-opinion-gun-waiting-periods-should-be-required-in-pa/article_4f176799-9598-54db-aa20-11b36891acbd.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pennsylvania closing in on 1 million covid cases as numbers continue to creep upward
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pennsylvania-closing-in-on-1-million-covid-cases-as-numbers-continue-upward-trend/
State reports nearly 4,000 new virus cases
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/03/22/covid-19-coronavirus-allegheny-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-pandemic-hospitalization-vaccine/stories/202103220079
46 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Monday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/46-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-county-on-monday/article_145fa785-2a94-5b1d-b9b4-935e1a6dcb04.html
Berks remains among 25 counties where the risk of spreading COVID is substantial
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-remains-among-25-counties-where-the-risk-of-spreading-covid-is-substantial/article_80a36116-8b55-11eb-886a-fb8ced235c2a.html
Increasing cases pushes Chester County out of ‘low risk’ virus category
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/increasing-cases-pushes-chester-county-out-of-low-risk-virus-category/article_e817105c-8b2a-11eb-98ad-77d8c8ce2f71.html
‘An incentive for everyone to get fully vaccinated’: Pennsylvania eases indoor mask mandate for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-mask-order-eased-20210322-g2b4clgw5reljkadjbc6n76uca-story.html
Pa. updates mask guidance for fully vaccinated residents
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-updates-mask-guidance-for-fully-vaccinated-residents/
POTS is a mysterious disorder with a striking resemblance to long-haul COVID-19. Pandemic research may provide treatment clues for both.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/pots-covid-19-postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-long-covid-haulers-chronic-fatigue-20210323.html
U.S.: AstraZeneca may have used ‘outdated’ info in vaccine trial
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/03/23/US-AstraZeneca-may-have-used-outdated-information-vaccine-clinical-trial-covid-19/stories/202103230100
Germany extends its coronavirus lockdown until mid-April as variant leads to more cases
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/03/germany-extends-its-coronavirus-lockdown-until-mid-april-as-variant-leads-to-more-cases.html
Administration
Ballot questions should be clear, but two written by the Wolf administration don’t pass the test
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-2021-ballot-questions-disaster-declaration-wording-20210323.html
Pa. solar energy initiative to supply 50 percent of state government power by 2023
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-solar-energy-initiative-to-supply-50-percent-of-state-government-power-by-2023/
Business
Owners planning hotel at Montage Mountain Ski Resorts
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/owners-planning-hotel-at-montage-mountain-ski-resorts/article_78342468-ade9-5bc0-9f4c-327f7e5c2a5a.html
Berks restaurant and bar owner shares behind-the-scenes story of operating during COVID pandemic
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-restaurant-and-bar-owner-shares-behind-the-scenes-story-of-operating-during-covid-pandemic/article_5206376a-8741-11eb-9d26-177a2912efe1.html
Mack Trucks’ parent company Volvo to slow truck production amid semiconductor shortage
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-volvo-group-mack-grappling-with-semiconductor-shortage-20210322-wxnmgs5icjbczannyiildxmpri-story.html
To help Black developers, programs start with access to capital
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/business/to-help-black-developers-programs-start-with-access-to-capital/article_fd27dbb3-4c1c-5f41-9651-ebdd79facbea.html
Amusement parks brace for another season in the shadow of COVID-19: ‘We’re better prepared than ever’
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2021/03/amusement-parks-brace-for-another-season-in-the-shadow-of-covid-19-were-better-prepared-than-ever.html
Crime/Punishment
A former Delco child services caseworker got probation for coercing a client into sex work
https://www.inquirer.com/news/candace-talley-delaware-county-children-youth-services-prostitution-20210322.html
Education
For Hazleton Area students in distress, schools plan rescues
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/coronavirus/for-hazleton-area-students-in-distress-schools-plan-rescues/article_b662346f-a039-5421-998c-9d3685aae06f.html
Pa. high school girls compete in wrestling championship as efforts to sanction their sport
https://www.inquirer.com/photo/inq/pa-girls-wrestling-high-school-pictures-20210323.html
Almost 100 people come out to protest university consolidation plan involving Lock Haven: Report
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/almost-100-people-come-out-to-protest-university-consolidation-plan-involving-lock-haven-report.html
The NCAA women’s tournament landed in the spotlight for inequity | Mike Jensen
https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports/ncaa-women-gender-equity-muffet-mcgraw-20210323.html
Elections/Politics
Special election to replace former state Rep. Jeff Pyle to be May 18
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/special-election-to-replace-former-state-rep-jeff-pyle-to-be-may-18/
Former U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain is taking a step toward running for Pennsylvania governor next year
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/bill-mcswain-pac-pennsylvania-governor-race-20210322.html
Poll shows Barletta favored by GOP voters to run for governor
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1118318/poll-shows-barletta-favored-by-gop-voters-to-run-for-governor
Health Care
Court settlement pushes Highmark Health ‘profit’ to $1 billion for 2020
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2021/03/22/Court-settlement-pushes-Highmark-Health-profit-to-1-billion-for-2020/stories/202103220090
Highmark boasts $490M operating gain in 2020 — better than pre-pandemic
https://triblive.com/news/health-now/highmark-boasts-450m-operating-gain-in-2020-better-than-pre-pandemic/
Pa. residents will see expanded healthcare through the American Rescue Plan. Here’s how | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pa-residents-will-see-expanded-healthcare-through-the-american-rescue-plan-heres-how-opinion/
Local News
Scranton to assist city residents stressed by pandemic with housing costs
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/scranton-to-assist-city-residents-stressed-by-pandemic-with-housing-costs/article_abfeae4d-d994-5dc1-a22c-7fc66c9450f3.html
Popular festivals planning return after COVID cancellations last year
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/popular-festivals-planning-return-after-covid-cancellations-last-year/article_84e643e9-00e6-5f61-a657-8f7a9344af64.html
Reading Redevelopment Authority hiring of a solicitor raises concerns
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-redevelopment-authority-hiring-of-a-solicitor-raises-concerns/article_5d6c1498-88be-11eb-9525-73e0cd3c05fb.html
Honesdale police file labor complaint over staffing order
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/crime-emergencies/honesdale-police-file-labor-complaint-over-staffing-order/article_e25406cc-246a-5eb5-a69b-d02d5c6aa80f.html
Allentown Council members vow to wage ‘war on slumlords’; news conference leads to shouting match with Center City landlord
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-apartment-building-red-tagged-tenant-relocation-20210323-6aigsgjbafecnnqv5xius33uvq-story.html
York sewer plant sale: Inside the 3-year rate freeze & what it means for suburban customers
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2021/03/23/york-regional-sewer-authority-warns-residents-york-sewer-plant-sale/4770086001/
A cautionary tale
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/03/23/A-cautionary-tale-Greene-County-Pennsylvania/stories/202103100028
National News
Colorado marks latest mass tragedy after 10 killed
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/boulder-colorado-grocery-store-mass-shooting-20210323.html
Evanston, Ill., approves nation’s first reparations program for Black residents
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2021/03/23/Evanston-Illinois-approves-nation-s-first-reparations-program-Black-residents/stories/202103230102
USDA extends pandemic SNAP, child hunger benefits while federal officials assess food aid programs’ future
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2021/03/22/USDA-SNAP-benefits-PEBT-food-aid-nutritional-assistance-farmers-families/stories/202103220077
As issues ease a bit, states begin to debate improvements to ‘broken’ unemployment systems
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/03/as-issues-ease-states-begin-to-debate-improvements-to-broken-unemployment-systems.html
Philly
Mobile vaccine clinics ramp up efforts to reach Philly’s most vulnerable communities: ‘Let’s bring vaccine to them’
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/mobile-covid-vaccine-philadelphia-coronavirus-20210323.html
Shawn Bradley, once the Sixers’ gentle giant, now faces a tragic challenge | Mike Sielski
https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/shawn-bradley-sixers-paralyzed-bike-accident-20210322.html
Five charged with deed fraud involving North and West Philly properties
https://www.inquirer.com/news/deed-fraud-lance-felder-harris-bey-larry-krasner-donna-bullock-gentrification-20210322.html
Philadelphia should fund sidewalks like it funds streets | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-pedestrian-deaths-sidewalk-safety-vision-zero-20210322.html
House call heroes’ can get more people vaccinated in Philly and beyond | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/vaccines-philadelphia-pennsylvania-home-visits-appointments-20210322.html
Pitt
Article on local police officers prompts discussions about tightening social media policies
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2021/03/22/Pittsburgh-Area-Police-Breakroom-Facebook-page-posts-social-media-policy/stories/202103220112
Cops’ posts to Facebook group called Pittsburgh Area Police Breakroom show hostility, hate
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/facebook-pittsburgh-area-police-breakroom-20210322.html
Pittsburgh is among the top U.S. cities where buying a home beats renting
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2021/03/23/renting-vs-buying-home-Pittsburgh-real-estate-housing-market-Realtor-com/stories/202103230021
Some PPS parents want faster reopening of schools
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/22/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-reopening-calendar-parents-PPS-school-board/stories/202103220119
Sharpsburg’s Kayla Portis becomes borough’s first Black councilperson
https://triblive.com/local/fox-chapel/sharpsburgs-kayla-portis-becomes-boroughs-first-black-councilperson/
Bird-control company, Frick Building managers face animal cruelty charges
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/22/Bird-Control-Services-Frick-Building-Pittsburgh-animal-cruelty-charges-wild-birds-poison/stories/202103220121
Annual ‘Furry’ convention canceled in Pittsburgh for 2nd straight year
https://triblive.com/local/annual-furry-convention-canceled-in-pittsburgh-for-2nd-straight-year/
State News
State promising spring discounts for products sold at Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/drinks/2021/03/22/Pennsylvania-promising-spring-discounts-products-liquor-sold-Fine-Wine-Good-Spirits-stores/stories/202103220078
Washington
Evidence in Capitol attack investigation trending toward sedition charges, departing chief says
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/03/22/Evidence-in-Capitol-attack-investigation-trending-toward-sedition-charges-departing-chief-says/stories/202103220092
White House prepares massive infrastructure bill with universal pre-K, free community college, climate measures
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/infrastructure-universal-pre-k-free-community-college-20210322.html