Legislature

Pa. lawmakers urge sweeping reform after Delco youth facility closure
https://www.inquirer.com/news/lima-delaware-county-juvenile-detention-center-abuse-justice-task-force-20210323.html

Officials call for swift action on Lima detention facility
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/officials-call-for-swift-action-on-lima-detention-facility/article_bf9f6392-8c18-11eb-8395-972afda0862c.html

Pennsylvania lawmakers look to limit redistricting chair’s political ties
https://www.witf.org/2021/03/24/pennsylvania-lawmakers-look-to-limit-redistricting-chairs-political-ties/

Pa. House bill would give repeat DUI offenders harsher penalties
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/pa-house-panel-advances-bill-toughening-penalty-on-repeat-dui-offenders.html

Bill advances to ban handheld devices while driving in Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/bill-advances-to-ban-hand-held-devices-while-driving-in-pa.html

Bill giving municipal police use of radar speeds through Pa. House committee
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/bill-giving-municipal-police-use-of-radar-speeds-through-pa-house-committee/article_f69e9b22-8b48-11eb-b1b9-0b747a06e117.html

Radar for municipal police in Pennsylvania: ‘It’s time to get this done,’ chief says
https://www.goerie.com/story/news/2021/03/24/radar-pennsylvania-municipal-police-its-time-get-done-chief-says-legislative-bill/6955907002/

Burnt out and beleaguered, county elections officials ask lawmakers for help ahead of this year’s election season
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/burnt-out-and-beleaguered-county-elections-officials-ask-lawmakers-for-help-ahead-of-this-years-election-season/

Westmoreland official tells Pa. election committee tighter deadlines needed to apply for mail-in ballots
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/03/23/Pennsylvania-mail-in-ballots-deadline-Douglas-Chew-commissioner-Westmoreland-County/stories/202103230171

Westmoreland commissioner says county voters want end to no-excuse mail-in ballots, another disputes that
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1125478/wolfs-move-means-sanguedolce-becomes-luzerne-county-da

Gun control advocates, including mother from Butler, stress their priorities
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2021/03/23/gun-control-advocates-2021-PA-legislation-violence-guns-Denise-Marks-Butler-CeaseFirePA/stories/202103230149

Pennsylvania leaders want to pass these gun-control laws. What happens next
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2021/03/24/gun-control-laws-pennsylvania-legislature-shootings/6969403002/

I’m a member of the ‘Mass Shooting Generation.’ Pa. lawmakers need to pass tougher background checks on gun purchases | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/im-a-member-of-the-mass-shooting-generation-its-past-time-for-pa-lawmakers-to-pass-tougher-background-checks-on-gun-purchases/

She’s a hunter from rural Pa. who supports gun reform. Will lawmakers finally listen? | Wednesday Morning Coffee
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/shes-a-hunter-from-rural-pa-who-supports-gun-reform-will-lawmakers-finally-listen-wednesday-morning-coffee/

Rally will call for Halcovage resignation; Argall will talk to Senate lawyers
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/rally-will-call-for-halcovage-resignation-argall-will-talk-to-senate-lawyers/article_6813393b-8fe0-514d-9b17-ce588875a6ab.html

Sen. Mike Regan suffers injuries, undergoes surgery after motorcycle crash
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/crime/2021/03/23/sen-mike-regan-undergoes-surgery-after-sunday-motorcycle-crash-york-county/6965328002/

Yudichak wants state to promote tax credits tied to natural gas production
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/yudichak-wants-state-to-promote-tax-credits-tied-to-natural-gas-production/article_2115d3dd-dae8-5108-8454-8002b5d2aedc.html

Limiting governor’s powers is foolish
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/editorial/limiting-governors-powers-is-foolish/article_62ddb8a9-b7e4-519a-8e18-48d5faafa3f5.html

Let’s finalize the RGGI rule now | PennLive letters
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/03/lets-finalize-the-rggi-rule-now-pennlive-letters.html

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Philadelphia parents of kids with disabilities aren’t eligible for the vaccine. But they would be if they lived elsewhere in Pa.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid19-coronavirus-unpaid-caregiver-vaccine-eligible-philadelphia-pennsylvania-20210324.html

Local pharmacies cut off from COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/local-pharmacies-cut-off-from-covid-19-vaccine/article_bf6db481-3ed3-5e03-a720-3d8fa7045c26.html

Vaccination allotments increase in Delco
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/vaccination-allotments-increase-in-delco/article_23578b92-8c1b-11eb-af3a-7b35d8503d25.html

COVID-19 is again rising fast in North Jersey, the Shore, and the Poconos
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-nj-pa-poconos-new-cases-rising-20210323.html

Allegheny County and state seeing rise in new cases
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/03/23/covid-19-coronavirus-cases-pennsylvania-allegheny-deaths-data-vaccine-pandemic-rise/stories/202103230127

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania see covid hospitalizations go up again
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/allegheny-county-pennsylvania-see-covid-hospitalizations-go-up-again/

COVID-19 cases back on the rise, but deaths decline
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-cases-back-on-the-rise-but-deaths-decline/article_2c301b8b-9af6-5b97-8bed-2771ba78c144.html

Berks County gets 148 more COVID cases in Pa. health department report
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-gets-148-more-covid-cases-in-pa-health-department-report/article_2289720c-8bcb-11eb-a5f3-9330329b87b3.html

Editorial: Be careful out there — COVID positivity rates are on the rise
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-be-careful-out-there—-covid-positivity-rates-are-on-the-rise/article_4b142d14-2ae5-57f0-96d9-b82332f73488.html

Sources: Wright Center improperly billing for office visits for COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/sources-wright-center-improperly-billing-for-office-visits-for-covid-19-vaccine/article_4959515b-5e95-5af2-959f-30868edd74e7.html

Getting vaccinated is hard. It’s even harder without internet, family or transportation.
https://www.theintell.com/story/news/2021/03/24/bucks-county-strike-team-breaks-barriers-vaccine-most-vulnerable-covid-vaccines/6968612002/

Families of COVID victims will soon be able to apply for federal reimbursement for funeral expenses
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/families-of-covid-victims-will-soon-be-able-to-apply-for-federal-reimbursement-for-funeral/article_01bb05aa-8b2f-11eb-a6fc-9b0add037f52.html

Sick of pandemic precautions? So were Americans in 1918. Here’s what happened when they eased up.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-1918-flu-pandemic-social-distancing-masks-20210324.html

Treasury secretary and Federal Reserve chair say more is needed to promote recovery from the pandemic
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/janet-yellen-jerome-powell-stimulus-recovery-20210323.html

Hong Kong halts use of Pfizer vaccine, cites defective lids
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/covid-19/2021/03/24/Hong-Kong-halts-use-of-Pfizer-covid-vaccine-cites-defective-lids/stories/202103240089

Administration

Wolf’s human services secretary leaving; replacement chosen
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2021/03/23/Pennsylvania-Department-of-Human-Services-Secretary-Teresa-Miller-nominee-Meg-Snead/stories/202103230174

Snead nominated to lead Pa. Department of Human Services
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1125618/snead-nominated-to-lead-pa-department-of-human-services

Pa. Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller is resigning
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/pa-human-services-secretary-teresa-miller-is-resigning.html

Business

As thousands of unemployment claims expire, Pa. residents refile, wait on federal benefits
https://www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/spl/pa-unemployment-jobs-labor-claims-labor-and-industry-20210324.html

More help for the jobless
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/03/24/More-help-for-the-jobless-Pennsylvania-Unemployment/stories/202103170071

Businesses can now get money for some health costs, but there are downsides
https://www.inquirer.com/news/health-insurance-small-business-cobra-stimulus-american-resuce-20210324.html

As a small biz owner, paying $15/hour is my moral obligation | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/15-dollar-minimum-wage-pennsylvania-20210323.html

Crime/Punishment

Former Chester County sheriff enters no-contest plea in theft from K-9 unit
https://www.inquirer.com/news/carolyn-bunny-welsh-k9-overtime-theft-plea-20210323.html

Education

After a year of pandemic ‘learning losses,’ here’s how schools plan to help kids catch up
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/after-a-year-of-pandemic-learning-losses-heres-how-schools-plan-to-help-kids-catch-up.html

More than 100,000 educators in Pa. vaccinated through state initiative
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/more-than-100000-educators-vaccinated-through-pa-initiative-so-far/

Penn State recommends COVID-19 testing for all students in 3 more dorms, as cases continue to rise
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/24/Penn-State-COVID-19-testing-students-in-3-more-dorms-cases-rise/stories/202103240091

Albright College plans to build an innovation hub in northeast Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/education/albright-college-plans-to-build-an-innovation-hub-in-northeast-reading/article_e0c384fe-8bcd-11eb-a7f5-f70d7208727f.html

Cal U offers tuition discounts to Westmoreland Community College grads
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/cal-u-offers-tuition-discounts-to-westmoreland-community-college-grads/

Elections/Politics

Lackawanna County commissioner eyes Republican nomination for vacant state Senate seat
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/lackawanna-county-commissioner-eyes-republican-nomination-for-vacant-state-senate-seat/article_873e7633-4872-58c1-b376-938e12aba562.html

Pennsylvania had more poll workers than it could handle last year. Where’d they go?
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-poll-workers-20210323.html

Armstrong County commissioner throws hat in the ring for former state Rep. Pyle’s seat
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/armstrong-county-commissioner-throws-hat-in-the-ring-for-former-state-rep-pyles-seat/

Local News

Industrial plans for golf course nixed
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/industrial-plans-for-golf-course-nixed/article_abdd027e-7889-5372-8194-08c15d6de804.html

New Scranton clerical union contract increases wages
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-scranton-clerical-union-contract-increases-wages/article_a6966dc4-e627-5643-8b7d-45392f0eb5db.html

Reading names coordinator for downtown initiative
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/reading-names-coordinator-for-downtown-initiative/article_84496e50-8c2c-11eb-8c17-3fd9499d412e.html

Reading youth commission finally up and running
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-youth-commission-finally-up-and-running/article_166fea0a-8b76-11eb-8fef-3f19fbd46913.html

Hyde Park canoe launch grows into river recreation gem
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/hyde-park-canoe-launch-grows-into-river-recreation-gem/

Wolf’s move means Sanguedolce becomes Luzerne County DA
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1125478/wolfs-move-means-sanguedolce-becomes-luzerne-county-da

DA dispute settled after Wolf, county council actions
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/da-dispute-settled-after-wolf-county-council-actions/article_c9a52e01-a125-58ce-a8f3-b57f67fc9798.html

Changes to Hempfield’s EMS underway, Rescue 14 to close next week
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/changes-to-hempfields-ems-underway-rescue-14-to-close-next-week/

COVID-19 caused Lehigh Valley housing prices to skyrocket. Planners worry what this will mean for low- and middle-income families.
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-lehigh-valley-housing-shortage-skyrocket-costs-20210323-c3xsqrxqefgffcna3forgzjpfe-story.html

Good Shepherd is exempt from Allentown’s business privilege tax in most cases, appellate court reiterates
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-good-shepherd-business-privilege-tax-appellate-court-ruling-20210323-jei46pmmfragfacsf4tpdqjdcq-story.html

National News

Suspect in Colorado mass shooting is a 21-year-old man who bought assault rifle six days earlier, authorities say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/boulder-colorado-grocery-store-mass-shooting-20210323.html

Philly

Why a Free Library staff diversity training ‘missed the mark’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/free-library-diversity-training-20210324.html

Kensington protests closing of SEPTA’s Somerset El station, a lifeline for a battered neighborhood
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-somerset-kensington-closed-drug-abuse-homelessness-crime-20210323.html

Philly is canceling thousands of improperly made vaccine appointments at Convention Center
https://www.witf.org/2021/03/23/philly-is-canceling-thousands-of-improperly-made-vaccine-appointments-at-convention-center/

Report: Black women account for 73% of Philadelphia’s pregnancy-related deaths
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/report-black-women-account-for-73-of-philadelphias-pregnancy-related-deaths/article_d234ad10-d4e5-548e-80fe-fdd6b672d330.html

Philadelphia’s city payroll system’s errors can leave some with hefty bills
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philadelphias-city-payroll-systems-errors-can-leave-some-with-hefty-bills/article_2dd91f0d-bc14-5ae3-a91c-33635928f776.html

Antique doors stolen off their hinges from Spring Garden apartment building
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/door-theft-philadelphia-spring-garden-20210323.html

Another $1 billion for GoPuff as out-of-town capital floods Philly firms
https://www.inquirer.com/business/gopuff-softbank-funds-capital-temple-university-heart-disease-amazon-20210323.html

New labs and offices to rise at Navy Yard as part of recently chosen team’s first $400M phase of development
https://www.inquirer.com/business/ensemble-mosaic-navy-yard-life-science-buildings-redevelopment-20210323.html

Philly parks are already underfunded. What will more cuts do? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-parks-and-rec-budget-cuts-20210323.html

Philadelphia sets April 30 as date to possibly ease some coronavirus restrictions
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/coronavirus/philadelphia-sets-april-30-as-date-to-possibly-ease-some-coronavirus-restrictions/article_def81385-2319-5da9-a81e-e8f39dacab1e.html

Pitt

Oakland apartment project gains approval after developer, Family House reach deal
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/03/23/Oakland-CA-Ventures-Forbes-Avenue-Family-House-Planning-Commission-Pittsburgh/stories/202103230181

All PPS students to have chance to return to classroom by May 3
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/23/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-reopening-students-in-classroom-May-3-COVID-19-pandemic/stories/202103230176

VA Pittsburgh drops age requirement for veteran vaccinations
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2021/03/23/veterans-affairs-VA-Pittsburgh-drops-age-requirement-vaccinations/stories/202103230145

Allegheny County Council cancels meeting due to COVID-19 ‘outbreak’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/03/23/Allegheny-County-Council-meeting-postponed-COVID-19-outbreak/stories/202103230177

Ownership of alligators, crocodiles and red-eared slider turtles banned in Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/03/23/pittsburgh-reptile-pets-ownership-bill-alligator-crocodile-red-eared-slider-turtle-pets-banned/stories/202103230137

Westinghouse Academy will host first in-person debate between Pittsburgh mayoral candidates
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/03/23/Westinghouse-Academy-will-host-first-in-person-debate-between-Pittsburgh-mayoral-candidates/stories/202103230132

In Pittsburgh, a push to prioritize restaurant, hospitality workers for covid vaccines
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-council-restaurant-workers-should-be-eligible-for-the-covid-vaccines/

Pittsburgh residents ask officials to support campaign to cut national defense spending
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-residents-ask-officials-to-support-campaign-to-cut-national-defense-spending/

Legendary Fallingwater cook Elsie Henderson dies at 107
https://triblive.com/local/regional/legendary-fallingwater-cook-elsie-henderson-dead-at-107/

Women’s Board of Pittsburgh raises $90,000 for children’s programs
https://triblive.com/local/fox-chapel/womens-board-of-pittsburgh-raises-90000-for-childrens-programs/

State News

I-83 South Bridge virtual public meeting/comment period will end March 29: PennDOT
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/i-83-south-bridge-virtual-public-meetingcomment-period-will-end-march-29-penndot.html

Transportation

At the gate: Airlines authorize more spending on airport modernization as cost increases
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/03/23/Pittsburgh-International-Airport-airlines-modernization-Findlay/stories/202103230120

Washington

I’m a Trump Republican. Here’s why I went to Joe Biden’s White House | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/03/im-a-trump-republican-heres-why-i-went-to-joe-bidens-white-house-opinion.html