Legislature
Pa. Senate officials scrub details from financial records, raising alarm among open records advocates
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/03/05/Pa-Senate-officials-scrub-details-from-financial-records-raising-alarm-among-open-records-advocates/stories/202003040134
Pass bill, end gerrymander
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/pass-bill-end-gerrymander-1.2603423
Legislative ‘pow-wow’: Monroe County’s economic outlook
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200304/legislative-pow-wow-monroe-countys-economic-outlook
Administration
Gov. Tom Wolf stops by Kutztown University to pitch new scholarship plan for state system students
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/gov-tom-wolf-stops-by-kutztown-university-to-pitch-new/article_14da7132-5e3c-11ea-89e6-73db4f1163b8.html
Gov. Wolf visits ESU for input on proposed scholarships
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200304/gov-wolf-visits-esu-for-input-on-proposed-scholarships
Business
Health care jobs in high demand at job fair
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/health-care-jobs-in-high-demand-at-job-fair-1.2603418
Lehigh Valley Top Workplaces 2020 revealed: See the complete winner’s list
https://www.mcall.com/business/top-workplaces/mc-biz-lehigh-valley-top-workplaces-20200305-uisjnthtnnhnvjryw5sssgtmge-story.html
I’m a home care worker. My work matters to me. But I’m still struggling to meet basic needs | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/im-a-home-care-worker-my-work-matters-to-me-but-im-still-struggling-to-meet-basic-needs-opinion/
Coronavirus
House passes emergency spending bill to combat COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/03/04/Bob-Casey-Pennsylvania-Congress-emergency-spending-bill-prevention-COVID-19-coronavirus-spread/stories/202003040123
Coronavirus testing now offered with a doctor’s approval, CDC says
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/03/04/coronavirus-testing-Pence-Trump-Obama-US/stories/202003040175
Pa. state lab can now test for coronavirus, but its capability is limited
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/pennsylvania-coronavirus-testing-state-labs-20200303.html
Pennsylvania can test for coronavirus in state laboratory in Exton
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/pennsylvania-can-test-for-coronavirus-in-state-laboratory-in-exton/article_034781ae-5e4f-11ea-8eec-13c77c27044b.html
No coronavirus for the Philadelphia patient, but now there’s another possible case
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-philadelphia-negative-test-20200304.html
Agencies gearing up to counter outbreak
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2020/03/agencies-gearing-up-to-counter-outbreak/
Erie hospitals prepare for coronavirus
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200305/erie-hospitals-prepare-for-coronavirus
Delaware County officials are ‘ready’ for coronavirus
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/delaware-county-officials-are-ready-for-coronavirus/article_bb09fe54-5e84-11ea-8408-971f628f34cd.html
CMU halts all international travel until further notice for students, faculty, staff
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/03/04/CMU-COVID-19-coronavirus-international-travel-study-abroad-Carnegie-Mellon/stories/202003040176
Arcadia, Penn State, Rutgers shut down all spring break study-abroad trips due to coronavirus
https://www.inquirer.com/education/coronavirus-arcadia-university-shuts-down-study-abroad-spring-break-20200304.html
Coronavirus fears boost hand sanitizer sales across NEPA
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus-fears-boost-hand-sanitizer-sales-across-nepa-1.2603537
N.J. announces ‘first presumptive positive’ coronavirus case in state — in Bergen County
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-new-jersey-positive-murphy-cdc-20200305.html
Coronavirus is spreading, but no telling how many people have it | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-cases-worldwide-us-research-20200304.html
Crime/Punishment
Jury deliberates late into night in trial of woman accused of aiding Holt after Officer Shaw killing
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/jury-begins-deliberations-in-trial-of-woman-accused-of-helping-rahmael-holt-after-officer-shaw-killing/
Police respond to reported Wilkes-Barre shooting
https://www.timesleader.com/news/775111/police-respond-to-wilkes-barre-shooting
Killing of teen in Allentown was over robbery of gun, police say
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-allentown-three-charged-with-robbing-killing-teen-20200304-y5p2pjx7qfgkpheftodux62q4u-story.html
Not just a city problem: Gang activity increases in Harrisburg’s suburbs
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/03/not-just-a-city-problem-gang-activity-increases-in-harrisburgs-suburbs.html
Education
Fox Chapel superintendent accused of intimidating community members
https://foxchapel.triblive.com/fox-chapel-superintendent-accused-of-intimidating-community-members/
Nonbinary student, parent sue Bethlehem school district, IU 20 over misuse of pronouns, name
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-bethlehem-schools-colonial-intermediate-gender-dysphoria-20200304-orq5t67cknhgliv7vcptkfp2hy-story.html
Chester Upland recovery plan discussed at hearing
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/chester-upland-recovery-plan-discussed-at-hearing/article_cfc093c0-5e62-11ea-a8a7-df3006c0f714.html
It was a mistake for HACC to end mental health counseling | PennLive letters
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/03/it-was-a-mistake-for-hacc-to-end-mental-health-counseling-pennlive-letters.html
Hemp fields coming to Cheyney University
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/hemp-fields-coming-to-cheyney-university/article_fca149ed-4ac6-543c-a4a0-d7affa79a1de.html
Elections/Politics
After Super Tuesday, how are Pennsylvania Democrats viewing the narrowing presidential field?
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-democrats-narrowing-presidential-field-biden-sanders-20200305-chgzpw6w4vf7zc3yz67d7rej4q-story.html
Pa. voter trends: Republicans switching parties in reliably red counties and more
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/03/05/election-2020-republicans-switching-parties-red-parts-pennsylvania/4901908002/
Trump is about to troll Joe Biden in his hometown — and in a part of Pa. where Democrats are on defense
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/donald-trump-fox-news-town-hall-scranton-20200305.html
Trump likely to face tough questions at Scranton town hall
https://www.timesleader.com/news/775085/trump-likely-to-face-tough-questions-at-scranton-town-hall
Biden’s surge no malarkey
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/biden-s-surge-no-malarkey-1.2603425
Secret Service changing Biden protection plans after rally scare
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/03/04/Secret-Service-changing-Biden-protection-plans-after-rally-scare/stories/202003040177
Jonah Goldberg: California’s primary shows why early voting is a bad idea
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2020/03/05/Jonah-Goldberg-California-primary-shows-early-voting-bad-idea/stories/202003050039
Hearing set to determine candidate’s status
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/hearing-set-to-determine-candidate-s-status-1.2603469
Local News
Lackawanna County commissioners award contract for Gateway Center roof replacement
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-commissioners-award-contract-for-gateway-center-roof-replacement-1.2603395
Businesses in Scranton deal with Trump’s arrival
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/businesses-in-scranton-deal-with-trump-s-arrival-1.2603408
St. Patrick’s Day Parade dignitaries announced
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/st-patrick-s-day-parade-dignitaries-announced-1.2603558
Greenfield Twp. Supervisor receiving benefits amid federal charges
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/greenfield-twp-supervisor-receving-benefits-amid-federal-charges-1.2603527
2 die in house fire on Schuylkill Avenue in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/die-in-house-fire-on-schuylkill-avenue-in-reading/article_1d1e42ac-5e86-11ea-8b04-638f218de32d.html
Reading hopes to use local contractors for sidewalk replacement program
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-hopes-to-use-local-contractors-for-sidewalk-replacement-program/article_3843738c-5da9-11ea-b39c-5f3f706bd2c8.html
Commissioners: Safe injection sites not welcome in Bucks
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200304/commissioners-safe-injection-sites-not-welcome-in-bucks
Grand jury seeks financial records of former Chester County sheriff questioned for overtime spending
https://www.inquirer.com/news/carolyn-bunny-welsh-chester-county-sheriff-grand-jury-overtime-20200304.html
Arnold Palmer stamp sales off to brisk start at Latrobe post office
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/palmer-stamp-sales-get-off-to-brisk-start-at-latrobe-post-office/
Firearms safety, gun rights seminar coming to Hempfield church
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/firearms-safety-gun-rights-seminar-coming-to-hempfield-church/
Luzerne County councilman questions lobbyist payment
https://www.timesleader.com/news/775124/luzerne-county-councilman-questions-lobbyist-payment
Nominations sought for Distinctive Women program
https://www.timesleader.com/news/775122/nominations-sought-for-distinctive-women-program
Schuylkill County shows off new voting machines
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-county-shows-off-new-voting-machines-1.2603512
Allentown’s NIZ authority approves financing for Grand Plaza, Neuweiler redevelopment projects
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-niz-neuweiler-ppl-plaza-financing-20200305-lbi7yf3cyfbzdpevj6qd4uc274-story.html
National News
Farmer suicide deaths alarm rural communities
https://stories.usatodaynetwork.com/seedsofdespair/home/site/timesonline.com
Philly
Philly Mayor Jim Kenney wants to keep hiking spending in his new $5.2B budget plan
https://www.inquirer.com/news/jim-kenney-budget-taxes-philadelphia-20200305.html
In Mayor Jim Kenney’s budget, $1.9 million designated for new traffic enforcement officers
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/traffic-public-safety-enforcement-officers-mayor-jim-kenney-budget-proposal-20200305.html
Mayor Jim Kenney’s budget would make community college free for thousands of Philadelphians
https://www.inquirer.com/education/community-college-philadelphia-scholarship-kenney-budget-20200305.html
Philly may almost double the budget for its elections office because of a new Pa. law and expected increase in 2020 turnout
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philadelphia-mayor-jim-kenney-budget-city-commissioners-20200305.html
Philadelphia prisons investigating 4 overdoses, including 3 deaths, in custody
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-prison-drug-overdose-fentanyl-heroin-deaths-20200304.html
5 people have now been shot this week in a 3-block section of West Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/double-shooting-west-philadelphia-police-sunnyside-academy-girard-avenue-54thstreet-violence-20200304.html
Man killed in North Philly shooting
https://www.inquirer.com/news/north-philadelphia-shooting-homicide-man-shot-dead-beechwood-20200305.html
Lyft: In top markets, Philly claims highest percentage of rides that start or end in low-income areas
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/lyft-philadelphia-report-rideshare-septa-cars-20200304.html
Too many black babies are born out of wedlock. An antiviolence activist wants to change that. | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/news/marriabe-black-wedding-philly-jenice-armstrong-20200304.html
Philly has its corrupt government officials. Let’s ‘name and fame’ the honest ones. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-corruption-government-reform-integrity-20200305.html
What’s at stake for Philadelphia’s cultural institutions goes beyond brick and mortar | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/jewish-museum-philadelphia-bankruptcy-cultural-organizations-money-challenges-20200305.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh planning to spend millions on computer system upgrades
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-planning-to-spent-millions-on-computer-system-upgrades/
Councilman Kraus, Pittsburgh Zoo spar over proposed reptile regulations
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/03/04/Kraus-Pittsburgh-Zoo-reptile-crocodilian-gharial-red-eared-slider-turtles-regulations-ordinance-darlane-harris/stories/202003040129
Allegheny County selects new health department director
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/03/04/Allegheny-County-set-to-name-new-health-department-director-rich-fitzgerald/stories/202003040111
Allegheny County Health Department names new director
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-health-department-names-new-director/
Nellie Bly to join Franco, George Washington at airport
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/03/04/Nellie-Bly-Pittsburgh-International-Airport-statue-memorial-Franco-Harris-George-Washington/stories/202003040138
Retiree’s $82,000 seized by feds at airport to be returned, but lawsuit continues
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/03/04/Retiree-s-82-000-seized-by-feds-at-airport-to-be-returned-but-lawsuit-continues/stories/202003040116
Garden wall collapses at Mattress Factory museum
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2020/03/04/Garden-wall-collapses-at-Mattress-Factory-museum/stories/202003040137
G-7 foreign ministers meeting coming to Pittsburgh ahead of summit
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/03/04/Pittsburgh-to-host-G-7-foreign-ministers-meeting-ahead-of-summit-mike-pompeo/stories/202003040105
No longer golden: Strip District McDonald’s to be razed
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/03/04/Strip-District-McDonalds-Penn-Avenue-Kamin-Primanti/stories/202003040076
Pitt clinches fourth consecutive losing season with loss to Georgia Tech
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2020/03/04/Pitt-clinches-fourth-consecutive-losing-season-loss-Georgia-Tech/stories/202003040178
Texas company licenses Pitt gene therapy that could cure diabetes
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/03/04/University-of-Pittsburgh-George-Gittes-diabetes-gene-therapy-diabetes-Genprex/stories/202003030094
Scholarship push: Pittsburgh Promise looks to expand eligibility
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/03/05/Pittsburgh-Promise-scholarship-push-expand-eligibility/stories/202002010018
State News
Spotted lanternfly lands in Western Pa.; Allegheny, Beaver on list of quarantined counties
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-beaver-added-to-spotted-lanternfly-quarantine-list-of-pennsylvania-counties/
Lanternfly eggs must be destroyed, officials say
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lanternfly-eggs-must-be-destroyed-officials-say-1.2603523
Invasive spotted lanternfly reaches 7 more midstate counties
https://www.witf.org/2020/03/04/invasive-spotted-lanternfly-reaches-7-more-midstate-counties/
Are lawsuits against Juul from Pennsylvania and other states good for public health? | Pro/Con
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/juul-lawsuits-investigation-youth-marketing-harm-reduction-20200304.html
Museums in Westmoreland, Allegheny receive operating grants
https://triblive.com/local/regional/museums-in-westmoreland-allegheny-receive-operating-grants/
Pennsylvania State Police loosens ban on trooper arm tattoos
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-state-police-loosens-ban-on-trooper-arm-tattoos/
Pa.’s second lady brings census promotion tour to city
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/pa-s-second-lady-brings-census-promotion-tour-to-city-1.2603485
What census mapping can tell us about the Keystone State | The Numbers Racket
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/what-census-mapping-can-tell-us-about-the-keystone-state-the-numbers-racket/
U.S. Census director makes a stop in State College to encourage participation
https://www.witf.org/2020/03/05/u-s-census-director-makes-a-stop-in-state-college-to-encourage-participation/
Census 2020: Make sure you stand up and get counted | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/census-2020-make-sure-you-stand-up-and-get-counted-opinion/
Transportation
Pennsylvania drivers 40th in the nation in gas consumption
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-drivers-40th-in-the-nation-in-gas-consumption/
Interstate 78 drivers beware: Automated ticketing for speeding in work zones starts Monday
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/interstate-drivers-beware-automated-ticketing-for-speeding-in-work-zones/article_f7ff170e-5d76-11ea-8f79-136c599f86d0.html
Washington
Supreme Court divided in first big abortion case of Trump era
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/supreme-court-abortion-case-louisiana-20200304.html