Legislature
Pa. lawmaker wants to tie school district dollars to students’ return to the classroom
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/pa-lawmaker-wants-to-tie-school-district-dollars-to-students-return-to-the-classroom.html
State Rep. Mark Rozzi: Victims deserve justice. We are giving them a dual path.
https://www.timesonline.com/in-depth/opinion/columns/2021/03/30/mark-rozzi-jim-gregory-offer-pa-abuse-victims-path-justice/7016557002/
Rep. Donna Bullock: Unequal treatment will never yield equal justice
https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/columns/2021/03/30/dismantle-racial-and-gender-bias-pa-courts/4669287001/
Is this year the year that local police departments finally get radar? | Tuesday Morning Coffee
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/is-this-year-the-year-that-local-police-departments-finally-get-radar-tuesday-morning-coffee/
PA needs another “shot in the arm” with broadband access expansion | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/03/pa-needs-another-shot-in-the-arm-with-broadband-access-expansion-opinion.html
Test student on basic civics knowledge
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/test-student-on-basic-civics-knowledge/article_298db144-197c-5666-857f-0d9516e1cd6f.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pennsylvania surpasses 25,000 COVID-19 deaths
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/covid-19/2021/03/29/Allegheny-County-has-592-new-COVID-19-cases-in-48-hours/stories/202103290085
Rising covid cases in Pennsylvania not as steep as late 2020 surge
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/rising-covid-cases-in-pennsylvania-not-as-steep-as-late-2020-surge/
Despite vaccinations, virus keeps spreading in new surge
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/despite-vaccinations-virus-keeps-spreading-in-new-surge/article_46d45223-0cec-5b12-800c-6701fc54ffd3.html
35 Pa. counties have substantial spread of COVID-19; positive test rate rises for second week in a row
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/03/35-pa-counties-have-substantial-spread-of-covid-19-positive-test-rate-rises-for-second-week-in-a-row.html
Coronavirus positivity rate continues to surge in SE Pa.
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/coronavirus-positivity-rate-continues-to-surge-in-se-pa/article_c65e2cf2-8af8-5e69-8882-c4d2bda24565.html
Residents 60-plus can call hotline for vaccine appointment
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/residents-60-plus-can-call-hotline-for-vaccine-appointment/article_28a0030c-8b4a-5da4-81ec-c9acf50b0e2b.html
Fully vaccinated Berks senior living organization residents volunteer at COVID vaccine clinic
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/fully-vaccinated-berks-senior-living-organization-residents-volunteer-at-covid-vaccine-clinic/article_896b95cc-9085-11eb-8eeb-1f582d9b28dc.html
Chester County Health Department introduces new COVID-19 vaccine registration system, opens appointments
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/chester-county-health-department-introduces-new-covid-19-vaccine-registration-system-opens-appointments/article_e41cf746-90c0-11eb-9872-cf0be121fc1a.html
Westmoreland commissioners to host 2nd info session on covid-19 vaccine
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-commissioners-to-host-2nd-info-session-on-covid-19-vaccine/
A year full of lessons from COVID-19’s impact on older Pennsylvanians | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/a-year-full-of-lessons-from-covid-19s-impact-on-older-pennsylvanians-opinion/
Business
Rising lumber prices a pain in the pocketbook, push new house prices up $24,000
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/rising-lumber-prices-a-pain-in-the-pocketbook-pushes-new-house-prices-up-24000/
United Steelworkers set strike date at ATI facilities
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/united-steelworkers-set-strike-date-at-ati-facilities/
Idlewild sets opening date, hiring 600 workers
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/idlewild-sets-opening-date-hiring-600-workers/
Crime/Punishment
Collegeville woman charged with lying to police after her son killed her daughter, DA says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/daisy-vasquez-collegeville-shooting-20210329.html
Retaliatory shootings at an Upper Darby cemetery have neighbors on edge and police frustrated
https://www.inquirer.com/news/upper-darby-friends-southwestern-burial-ground-shooting-20210329.html
Luzerne County inmate died Sunday from suicide
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1167860/luzerne-county-inmate-died-sunday-from-suicide
More coronavirus cases reported at Westmoreland jail
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/more-coronavirus-cases-reported-at-westmoreland-jail/
Education
Pa. to get almost $5B in school aid from federal relief bill
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/29/Pa-to-get-almost-5B-in-school-aid-from-federal-relief-bill/stories/202103290109
Bucks schools fed millions of students during the pandemic. Is it a model for universal free lunch?
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/03/30/bucks-county-schools-deliver-millions-free-meals-pandemic/4752970001/
The racial achievement gap in suburban Philadelphia schools points to the broken Pa. school funding system. | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/public-schools-pennsylvania-racial-achievement-suburbs-funding-20210329.html
CMU election debate Zoombombed in ‘disgusting’ and ‘inhumane’ attack
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/29/Carnegie-Mellon-University-Zoom-Black-LGBTQ-Asian-race-firearm-Penn-State-hate/stories/202103290071
CCAC is planning for in-person fall
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/29/Community-College-of-Allegheny-County-CCAC-COVID-19-fall-classes-summer-sessions/stories/202103290121
State university system chancellor Greenstein would ax his own job if there’s no OK of merger rescue plan
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/03/30/State-university-system-chancellor-Greenstein-would-ax-his-own-job-if-there-s-no-OK-of-merger-rescue-plan/stories/202103270007
Misericorida, King’s and Wilkes not mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for students
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/misericorida-kings-and-wilkes-not-mandating-covid-19-vaccinations-for-students/article_0b3c079f-4543-5f14-834b-1e017dde983f.html
Elections/Politics
Pennsylvania’s 2022 U.S. Senate race: Who’s in, who’s out and what comes next
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pa-senate-race-2022-val-arkoosh-fetterman-kenyatta-20210329.html
Tony Norman: Voter suppression is ready for its close-up
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/tony-norman/2021/03/30/Voter-suppression-white-supremacy-Brian-Kemp-plantation-painting-egalitarian-mindset/stories/202103300007
Local News
Beautiful Blocks program continuing in Scranton, expanding to Carbondale
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/beautiful-blocks-program-continuing-in-scranton-expanding-to-carbondale/article_1838c601-3dc6-5784-9013-d3365423d27f.html
United Way of Berks announces new grants and strategies
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/united-way-of-berks-announces-new-grants-and-strategies/article_0cc5a168-90c4-11eb-bb3e-fb6ca69908ab.html
County hires new election director
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/county-hires-new-election-director/article_c5bfef61-8f86-5548-81fb-1cd6d0627119.html
Health care and city workers, animal advocates, bakers and more: Here are the women Morning Call readers nominated as difference-makers in the Lehigh Valley
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-women-20210330-ic5yhgllc5dtfpna6valcc3u5q-list.html
State College again defends how police handled incident that led to death of an autistic man
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/state-college-again-defends-how-police-handled-incident-that-led-to-death-of-an-autistic-man.html
National News
Buffalo Bills’ home gets new name: Highmark Stadium
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2021/03/29/highmark-stadium-buffalo-bills-nfl-new-york-football/stories/202103290135
Philly
Philly gun arrests are on a record pace, but convictions drop under DA Krasner
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-gun-arrests-2021-convictions-vufa-20210330.html
Philadelphia prison inmate being questioned in his cellmate’s sexual assault and death, source says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/inmate-death-prison-philadelphia-armani-faison-shawn-hawes–20210329.html
Friends and family mourn Oxford Circle boy gunned down last week
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philly-20210329.html
Man, 55, killed in North Philly shooting
https://www.inquirer.com/news/north-philadelphia-homicide-man-shot-20210330.html
Kimmel Center plans to reopen this fall with ‘Hamilton,’ and major arts groups back on stage
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/kimmel-center-reopening-2021-broadway-philadelphia-orchestra-hadestown-20210329.html
Advocates demand Philly make its vaccine rollout more inclusive of people with disabilities
https://www.inquirer.com/news/covid19-coronavirus-philadelphia-vaccine-disabilities-intellectual-developmental-autism-caregivers-priority-20210329.html
‘Fecal samples’: The next frontier in fighting West Philly gentrification?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/gentrification-fecal-sample-west-philadelphia-cancer-20210329.html
Eviction filings are at a historic low. Philly has 90 days to keep it that way. | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/eviction-moratorium-cdc-philadelphia-diversion-20210329.html
Philly Christian agency’s move to allow LGBTQ adoption should be nation’s blueprint | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/lgbtq-adoption-bethany-christian-services-catholic-religion-20210329.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh launches new website to assist crime victims
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2021/03/29/Pittsburgh-crime-Office-of-Victim-Assistance-victims-crimes-website-trauma/stories/202103290112
In major policy speech, Biden to lean on Pittsburgh industry and jobs to sell $4 trillion plan
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/03/29/Joe-Biden-Pittsburgh-infrastructure-proposal-United-Steelworkers-Conor-Lamb/stories/202103290090
Pittsburgh Public Schools police officers accused of checking in but not coming to work
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/29/pittsburgh-public-schools-PPS-police-officers-cops-accused-not-showing-up-coming-to-work/stories/202103290116
Man critically wounded in Hill District shooting; another shot hours before in Larimer
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/30/Man-critically-wounded-pittsburgh-Hill-District-Larimer-shootings/stories/202103300106
3 Pittsburghers accused of defrauding state’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/29/3-Pittsburghers-accused-defrauding-Pennsylvania-pandemic-Unemployment-Assistance-program-slade-oaks-brown/stories/202103290117
Easy come, easy go? Trustee goes after loan repayments made to county authority by bankrupt airline
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/03/30/OneJet-US-Bankruptcy-Court-Allegheny-County-Redevelopment-Authority-Rosemary-Crawford/stories/202103300005
Pittsburgh Public Schools prepare for students’ return to in-person classes
https://triblive.com/news/education-classroom/pittsburgh-public-schools-prepare-for-students-return-to-in-person-classes/
As Allegheny County judge offers remote court access, lawsuit could be dismissed
https://triblive.com/local/as-allegheny-county-judge-offers-remote-court-access-lawsuit-could-be-dismissed/
From a marina to floating patios, plan for reimagining Hazelwood riverfront set to be unveiled
https://triblive.com/local/meeting-set-to-detail-plans-for-riverfront-property-in-hazelwood/
Crack’d Egg asks court to allow maskless customers in restaurant
https://triblive.com/lifestyles/food-drink/crackd-egg-asks-court-to-allow-maskless-customers-in-restaurant/
State News
Honoring Pennsylvanians who served, sacrificed in Vietnam War
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1165014/dmva-honors-pennsylvanians-who-served-and-sacrificed-in-the-vietnam-war
Pa. court backs tossing $2.9M verdict against Bethany Children’s Home in wrongful-death case
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/pa-court-backs-tossing-2-9m-verdict-against-bethany-children-s-home-in-wrongful-death/article_25a6b100-90b4-11eb-abf6-5bc1c3102403.html
March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month | PennLive letters
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2021/03/march-is-national-developmental-disabilities-awareness-month-pennlive-letters.html
Wall of Faces project to honor Vietnam casualties nears completion; all Pennsylvania photos found
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/wall-of-faces-project-to-honor-vietnam-casualties-nears-completion-all-pennsylvania-photos-found/
11-year-old’s death in ‘drowning machine’ prompts investigation into lack of warning signs
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/11-year-olds-death-in-drowning-machine-prompts-investigation-into-lack-of-warning-signs.html
CDC extends eviction ban through June as 30% of Pa. households fall behind on rent
https://www.witf.org/2021/03/29/cdc-extends-eviction-ban-through-june-as-30-of-pa-households-fall-behind-on-rent/
A federal eviction ban has been extended until June. Here’s how to get help with rent payments in Pa.
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/a-federal-eviction-ban-has-been-extended-until-june-heres-how-to-get-help-with-rent-payments-in-pa/
Transportation
Tolls going up on several spans connecting NJ, Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/tolls-going-up-on-several-spans-connecting-nj-pennsylvania/
Washington
Rachel Levine’s appointment as assistant health secretary breaks barriers
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/03/30/Rachel-Levine-appointment-as-assistant-health-secretary-breaks-barriers-Pennsylvania-Health/stories/202103260050
U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb talks goals to reduce methane emissions from natural gas infrastructure
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/u-s-rep-conor-lamb-talks-goals-to-reduce-methane-emissions-from-natural-gas-infrastructure/