Legislature
Suburban Philly lawmakers demand answers on vaccine rollout after state officials abruptly reschedule meeting
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-rollout-sepa-counties-doh-call-coronavirus-20210304.html
Boback meets with stakeholders to discuss legislative priorities
https://www.timesleader.com/news/993735/boback-meets-with-stakeholders-to-discuss-legislative-priorities
Legislature’s bagful of narrow interests
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/editorial/legislatures-bagful-of-narrow-interests/article_7cba3a0f-2bdd-54c9-a38b-c716858cf925.html
Pennsylvania’s backward sentencing policies
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2021/03/05/Pennsylvania-s-backward-sentencing-policies/stories/202103050025
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pa. won’t soon follow Texas, Mississippi in lifting mask mandate, COVID-19 business restrictions
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2021/03/04/pa-mask-mandate-state-holding-firm-covid-19-mask-mandate-unlike-texas-mississippi/6921205002/
A year later, defeating COVID-19 proves to be an evolutionary war with more battles to come
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/a/covid-evolution-vaccines-variant-pandemic-20210305.html
Pennsylvania’s longest year: How the COVID-19 crisis changed our way of life
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-one-year-anniversary-20210305-djaozxrrpve6fmkurardvft3le-htmlstory.html
Mass clinics and mobile vaccine sites: How Pa. plans to vaccinate school employees against COVID-19
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/mass-clinics-and-mobile-vaccine-sites-how-pa-plans-to-vaccinate-school-employees-against-covid-19/
How vaccine clinics will work for Pa. teachers
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/how-vaccine-clinics-will-work-for-pa-teachers/
‘Good news for our schools,’ Montgomery County official praises plan to vaccinate teachers
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/good-news-for-our-schools-montgomery-county-official-praises-plan-to-vaccinate-teachers/article_1532cee0-9beb-5705-b295-931aee09ea3f.html
Where’s the COVID vaccine? These 11 Pennsylvania counties got more than half of doses in last 2 weeks
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2021/03/04/pennsylvania-sends-more-than-half-covid-vaccine-doses-11-counties/4579302001/
Work underway to get COVID shots to school, child care center workers, Pa. says
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/work-underway-to-get-covid-shots-to-school-child-care-center-workers-pa-says/article_112128c8-7d09-11eb-8ab3-87963ea98421.html
Berks officials reveal potential location of community COVID vaccination center
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-officials-reveal-potential-location-of-community-covid-vaccination-center/article_351f65c6-7c4d-11eb-9169-f3650a922360.html
Pennsylvania reports 50 covid deaths, cases rise, hospitalizations fall
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-reports-50-covid-deaths-cases-rise-hospitalizations-fall/
Region sees 12 more deaths from COVID-19
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/region-sees-12-more-deaths-from-covid-19/article_11e798d1-90ed-527a-9c3f-06b4a61f74e9.html
Luzerne County ranks high in state for vaccine distribution
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/luzerne-county-ranks-high-in-state-for-vaccine-distribution/article_cecc396e-8163-5506-866d-db140d4df68a.html
Medical consortium: If offered a vaccine, take the one available first
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/03/04/western-pennsyylvania-pittsburgh-Medical-consortium-safest-vaccine-take-the-one-available-first/stories/202103040154
Westmoreland County covid cases, deaths, hospitalizations remain stable
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-covid-cases-deaths-hospitalizations-remain-stable/
Berks County registers 189 COVID cases in unusual spike
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-registers-189-covid-cases-in-unusual-spike/article_3c427774-7ce0-11eb-92c1-6fe66ea0bad4.html
Got questions about Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine? We have answers
https://www.witf.org/2021/03/05/got-questions-about-johnson-johnsons-covid-19-vaccine-we-have-answers/
The website Findashot.org may be a better way to get a COVID-19 vaccine appointment
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/vaccine-covid-finder-wharton-app-cdc-cvs-walgreens-20210304.html
Why COVID-19 vaccination has become an issue for some who oppose abortion
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-and-anti-abortion-ethical-qualms-20210305.html
Scranton Bishop gives faithful green light on vaccines
https://www.timesleader.com/news/993218/scranton-bishop-gives-faithful-green-light-on-vaccines
Scranton bishop encourages COVID vaccines
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/scranton-bishop-encourages-covid-vaccines/article_801c800e-f1d8-5875-9fd7-8785f6d3d143.html
Catholics: Have a clear conscience with vaccine
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2021/03/05/Catholics-Have-a-clear-conscience-with-vaccine/stories/202103050095
Business
A business owner’s guide to Pa.’s next wave of COVID-19 relief grants
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/a-business-owners-guide-to-pas-next-wave-of-covid-19-relief-grants.html
Could bartenders, waiters and others from displaced businesses help struggling manufacturers fill jobs? Speaker at Pa. workforce briefing thinks so
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-wolf-back-to-work-pa-20210304-th552avfljdilbjptzhc7ojol4-story.html
Crime/Punishment
Mercer County woman indicted in U.S. Capitol riot case
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/04/Mercer-County-Rachel-powell-bullhorn-lady-indicted-US-Capitol-riot-case-washington/stories/202103040162
Off-duty Allentown policeman charged with putting handgun to the head of Berks man
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/off-duty-allentown-policeman-charged-with-putting-handgun-to-the-head-of-berks-man/article_13d81ff8-7d0a-11eb-895b-fb5aab12a3c9.html
Allentown police officer removed from duty after pointing loaded gun at man’s head during domestic dispute, officials say
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-allentown-police-officer-charges-20210304-rtyra2akgjel5lgohbe7iwhcka-story.html
Two shot at funeral for shooting victim
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/two-shot-at-funeral-for-shooting-victim/article_a42b4d64-7d32-11eb-8a93-f70e82a6e53a.html
Education
Chester Upland School District says millions of dollars are missing. The DA has launched a probe.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/chester-upland-school-district-investigation-delaware-county-20210304.html
Luzerne County Head Start re-opening 20 classrooms
https://www.timesleader.com/news/994497/luzerne-county-head-start-re-opening-20-classrooms
After submitting resignation, Gilmartin decides to stay president of Scranton School Board
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/after-submitting-resignation-gilmartin-decides-to-stay-president-of-scranton-school-board/article_3b099edd-95a1-5023-a36e-f8d1e7c87da3.html
Shippensburg University president leaving to take over Wisconsin university
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/shippensburg-university-president-leaving-to-take-over-helm-at-wisconsin-university.html
Elections/Politics
Open 48th Senatorial District seat draws interest from 13 candidates
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/open-48th-senatorial-district-seat-draws-interest-from-13-candidates.html
Democratic Party will commit extra resources to help Rep. Susan Wild in 2022
https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws–20210304-xr6ukiejfvavjho3a2gg6fibxi-story.html
Health Care
Pa. reports slower flu season due to mitigation measures
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/03/04/covid-cornavirus-pennsylvania-allegheny-county-cases-deaths-vaccine-flu-data/stories/202103040151
Local News
Reading Parking Authority embarks on project to expand off-street parking
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-parking-authority-embarks-on-project-to-expand-off-street-parking/article_b8b2dd7a-7d09-11eb-8369-3ff12071e4b9.html
Berks County denies Reading Eagle request seeking details about residential center proposal
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-denies-reading-eagle-request-seeking-details-about-residential-center-proposal/article_1ee35788-7cf0-11eb-b10b-7356746db9fd.html
Report: Berks detention center may reopen as women-only migrant facility
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/report-berks-detention-center-may-reopen-as-women-only-migrant-facility/
New Kensington’s Knead Cafe to receive $25K grant from Northwestern Mutual
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensingtons-knead-cafe-to-receive-25k-grant-from-northwestern-mutual/
Tarentum approves buying police SUV, policies on rifles, cameras
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tarentum-approves-buying-police-suv-policies-on-rifles-cameras/
$3.5M in grant funding to be available to county hospitality businesses
https://www.timesleader.com/news/994520/3-5m-in-grant-funding-to-be-available-to-county-hospitality-businesses
Allentown City Council urges Lehigh County to do more to stop COVID-19 contagion in jail
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-lehigh-jail-covid-resolution-20210304-ojelp3wwarbnfbmx6fo62vrq6a-story.html
National News
Cuomo aides rewrote nursing home report to hide higher death toll
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2021/03/04/Cuomo-aides-rewrote-nursing-home-report-to-hide-higher-death-toll/stories/202103040184
GOP state lawmakers using Biden’s arrival as reason to push hard to nullify federal gun limits
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/03/gop-state-lawmakers-using-bidens-arrival-as-reason-to-push-hard-to-nullify-federal-gun-limits.html
Philly
9,000 Philly teachers have been vaccinated and thousands more are eligible as some schools prepare to open Monday
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-school-district-vaccine-reopen-20210304.html
Fires and demolitions threaten Strawberry Mansion block where historic John Coltrane house struggles for survival | Inga Saffron
https://www.inquirer.com/columnists/john-coltrane-house-demolition-strawberry-mansion-historic-preservation-black-history-alliance-jazz-20210305.html
Philadelphia nonprofit home-care firm pays $2.1 million in back wages for overtime
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/good-family-home-services-2-million-back-wages-settlement-20210305.html
Philly District Attorney Larry Krasner’s rival tries to pick off a big group behind his win
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/district-attorney-larry-krasner-carlos-vega-reclaim-philadelphia-20210305.html
PhilaPort breaks ground on new $42 million distribution center
https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-port-distribution-center-warehouse-shipping-logistics-jobs-20210305.html
Philly school board unanimously rejects five new charter schools
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-school-district-board-charter-applications-20210305.html
City Council passes bill to reform vaccine transparency after Philly Fighting COVID scandal
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philly-fighting-covid-city-council-vaccine-bill-20210304.html
Philadelphia’s City Council urges U.S. Congress to designate Juneteenth as a national holiday
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philadelphias-city-council-urges-u-s-congress-to-designate-juneteenth-as-a-national-holiday/article_1ebb4b12-ac39-54cf-a439-68d626e979f8.html
Philly’s small businesses face hurdles in winning contracts
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-contracts-small-business-drexel-university-20210304.html
Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium’s 24-hour clinic is not a feel-good story | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-vaccine-philadelphia-black-residents-24-hour-clinics-20210304.html
Should local election boards be nonpartisan? | Pro/Con
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/board-of-elections-democrat-republican-independent-city-commissioners-vote-20210304.html
Philly city leaders need to support this crucial deportation defense program. Here’s why | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/philly-city-leaders-need-to-support-this-crucial-deportation-defense-program-heres-why-opinion/
Pitt
Giant Eagle, Steelers extend dates for Heinz Field vaccination clinic
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2021/03/05/Giant-Eagle-Steelers-extend-dates-Heinz-Field-vaccination-clinic-COVID-19-health-pittsburgh/stories/202103050073
Giant Eagle extends Heinz Field covid vaccine clinic
https://triblive.com/local/giant-eagle-extends-heinz-field-covid-vaccine-clinic/
Just under half of eligible Allegheny County Jail workers received COVID vaccine, deputy warden says
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/04/Allegheny-County-Jail-COVID-19-vaccine-employees/stories/202103040178
Allegheny County Jail administration defends covid-19 testing policy
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-jail-administration-defends-covid-19-testing-policy/
One Chatham Center contractor walks off job after not being paid
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/03/05/One-Chatham-Center-MOC-Uptown-Core-Realty/stories/202103050093
Pittsburgh comedians, clubs laughing through the pain during pandemic
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2021/03/05/comedians-arcade-comedy-steel-city-improv-burning-bridges-aaron-kleiber-day-bracey-steve-hofstetter/stories/202102150002
Pittsburgh Public Safety promotes firefighters, EMS personnel
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-public-safety-promotes-firefighters-ems-personnel/
Mayor Bill Peduto, challenger Tony Moreno agree to run civil campaign; Ed Gainey silent on issue
https://triblive.com/local/mayor-bill-peduto-challenger-tony-moreno-agree-to-run-civil-campaign-ed-gainey-silent-on-issue/
State News
50 years later, an historic act of civil disobedience in Delco is finally getting its due | Will Bunch
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/fbi-burglary-1971-media-pa-50th-anniversary-20210305.html
Practical steps to cut the biggest parts of home energy use
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/save-cut-energy-costs-philadelphia-heating-insulation-20210304.html
Billions of cicadas are about to emerge from the ground
https://www.readingeagle.com/living/billions-of-cicadas-are-about-to-emerge-from-the-ground/article_16ac4934-7c51-11eb-b3dc-dbdc81ce6191.html
PLCB’s semiannual return in licensing fees to local communities tops $1.5M
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/plcbs-semiannual-return-in-licensing-fees-to-local-communities-tops-15m.html
Transportation
Road deaths spiked 8% in 2020 despite 13% drop in miles driven, National Safety Council reports
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/03/04/Road-deaths-8-increase-National-Safety-Council-less-driving/stories/202103040135
Interstate 80 toll proposal adds costs for local companies
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/interstate-80-toll-proposal-adds-costs-for-local-companies/article_94f11281-05f4-5ff5-911f-f6d47fd3f6ec.html
Not so surprisingly, PA Turnpike comes in as most expensive toll road in the world, study finds
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/03/03/pa-turnpike-tolls-most-expensive/6902492002/
Washington
Senate votes to debate Democrats’ $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-19-stimulus-bill-senate-begins-debate-20210304.html
Senate Democrats will end weekly $400 COVID-19 unemployment in August, not September
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/03/senate-democrats-will-end-weekly-400-covid-19-unemployment-in-august-not-september.html