News Digest :: March 6, 2023

Legislature

Lawmakers Introduce PlanCon Legislation – MyChesCo

State of Black Pennsylvania Report: A Comprehensive Overview of Black Pennsylvanians Growth and Progress – MyChesCo

Senator Santarsiero Calls for the Passage of Statute of Limitation Window Changes for Childhood Victims of Sexual Abuse – MyChesCo

State, community leaders speak out against faith-based vandalism in Philadelphia – 6abc Philadelphia

Pa. lawmakers propose legalizing marijuana, selling it through state liquor stores. Marty Flynn proposes growing for personal use | State | thetimes-tribune.com

A look at other marijuana proposals in Pa. beyond legalization (yahoo.com)

Senate bill would continue to reduce state police funding from Motor License Fund | TribLIVE.com

Online access to Pa. Senate spending remains, but a Democrat proposes expanded transparency – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pennsylvania school funding: Democrats propose $3.1 billion spending boost to narrow educational gaps | PhillyVoice

Historic education funding increase pitched by Philadelphia-area senator – Chalkbeat Philadelphia

Pa. Democrats propose $3 billion ‘down payment’ for public schools after judge’s ruling | 90.5 WESA

Pa. Democrats propose $3 billion in new funding for schools – WHYY

$3.1 Billion Proposal to Fund Pennsylvania’s Education System – MyChesCo

Comitta and Otten Elected Co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Legislative Climate Caucus – MyChesCo

Larry Shifflet, Tony Williams and others talk infrastructure, transportation and the built environment – City & State Pennsylvania (cityandstatepa.com)

It’s Time to Remove Cost Barriers to Early Breast Cancer Detection | The Valley Ledger | Its All About The Lehigh Valley

Telehealth access in Pennsylvania could change this year, thanks to the new House Democrat majority (inquirer.com)

Proposal would stop Pennsylvania employers from requiring applicants’ salary history – CBS Pittsburgh (cbsnews.com)

Shapiro To Propose Tax Credit For Frontline Personnel (politicspa.com)

What to expect from PA Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first budget · Spotlight PA

Promises will turn into policy proposals in Shapiro’s inaugural budget – pennlive.com

Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers his first budget address this week. Here’s what to expect – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

What to Watch: Shapiro Will Pitch First Budget as Governor – NBC10 Philadelphia (nbcphiladelphia.com)

Guest commentary: Latino health a pressing issue for Pennsylvania (mainlinemedianews.com)

Letter to editor: To Gov. Shapiro — Time is now to invest in Pa. students – Mainline Media News

Senate GOP outlines 2023-24 priorities ahead of state budget address | Five for the Weekend – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pa. House Dems call on Congress, feds to toughen regs on toxic trains | Monday Morning Coffee – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Reps. Joe Adams, Jonathan Fritz to host Concealed Carry seminar (poconorecord.com)

PA lawmaker, a House Democrat, accused of sexual harassment (phillyburbs.com)

Embattled Pennsylvania State Rep. Mike Zabel won’t resign amid sexual harassment claims (abc27.com)

Pa. lawmaker accused of sexual harassment says he won’t resign, will seek treatment for ‘illness’ (inquirer.com)

Bethlehem Parking Authority gets grant for 2 electric vehicles | Lehigh Valley Regional News | wfmz.com

West Chester student earns praise for status as national chess champion – Daily Local

Pennsylvania Senators Present $400,000 State Grant to Child Guidance Resource Center – MyChesCo

Ground News – Senator Collett Announces $100,000 for Hedwig House Community Health Initiative

 

Business/Jobs

GasBuddy: Prices dip less than a penny in Philly market, upturn likely coming (delcotimes.com)

Majority of business leaders back minimum wage hike, but there’s a catch – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Most Pennsylvania business owners like their prospects for strong 2023 – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

26 Philadelphia-area companies on Inc. ranking of fastest-growing Northeast firms – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Funko to send $30M+ worth of products to the dump eliminate excess inventory – CBS Pittsburgh (cbsnews.com)

Factory Manufacturing Inc. will manufacture powdered drinks, supplements and energy/protein bars in the Lehigh Valley (mcall.com)

 

COVID-19

COVID-19 cases remain flat in Erie County while hospitalizations rise (goerie.com)

 

Crime/Punishment

Sextortion crimes on rise as online threat can be deadly (phillyburbs.com)

Name of second inmate to die at Bucks County jail released. (phillyburbs.com)

Trump supporters in Philadelphia weapons case get parole (dailylocal.com)

 

Education

Proposal targets math deficits for K-5 students | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Faculty union rally draws big crowd outside trustees’ meeting | University Times | University of Pittsburgh

Allentown’s acting school superintendent could become the permanent superintendent as early as this week | Lehigh Valley Regional News | wfmz.com

Point Park part-time faculty reach three-year contract – Pittsburgh Union Progress

New report shows biggest challenges for Pennsylvania schools include mental health, staffing and finances (readingeagle.com)

Allentown School Board to take superintendent vote (mcall.com)

Philly schools to offer digital mental health services to high school students – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Temple faculty still deciding on ‘no confidence’ vote | Local News | phillytrib.com

Cancelling student debt would help level the educational playing field. That’s why some people hate it. | Opinion (inquirer.com)

Manufacturing apprenticeships a boon to students, employers | TribLIVE.com

 

Elections/Politics

National

In Selma, Biden says right to vote remains under assault – Daily Local

This year’s Selma Bridge Crossing is an opportunity for community restoration. : NPR

N.H. governor says party has moved on, Trump will not be 2024 nominee – Delco Times

The MAGA-fication of North Idaho College – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis readies for a run for president : NPR

Former President Donald Trump closes the curtain on CPAC 2023 in DC : NPR

Sen. Tim Scott is a different kind of Republican who could reshape the 2024 election : NPR

Marianne Williamson begins longshot 2024 challenge to Biden (dailylocal.com)

Nebraska’s nonpartisan, one-house Legislature works just fine. Don’t change it | Opinion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Trump and DeSantis are giving Putin reason to believe he can win in Ukraine (inquirer.com)

Biden reelection bid faces resistance from some Democrats | TribLIVE.com

Statewide

Ron DeSantis to speak in Harrisburg at leadership conference (abc27.com)

Black women’s political gains due experience, knowledge and skill, observers say | Elections | phillytrib.com

State, county and local Democratic candidates attend meet and greet | | standardspeaker.com

District/Local

Summer Time: W.Pa. progressive Rep. Summer Lee is ready to take on tough fights in Congress – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Judges don’t agree on rules for ballot recounting; conflicting decisions may send issue to top Pa. court | PA Power and Policy | lancasteronline.com

Nascimento Named New Montco GOP Chairman – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)

John Weinstein wins endorsement from party leaders in bid for Allegheny County’s highest office – Pittsburgh Union Progress

A split decision by Allegheny County Democrats points to competitive primary elections ahead | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Tuesday last day for candidates to get on primary election ballot | News | citizensvoice.com

 

Environment

A treaty to protect the world’s oceans has been agreed after a decade of talks : NPR

Seven tips to figure out what’s a real climate solution : NPR

Snow a no-show for traditionally wintry cities (abc27.com)

Pennsylvania ranks near bottom of states in renewable energy generation | StateImpact Pennsylvania (npr.org)

 

Transportation

Law enforcement is asking for the public to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day sensibly and safely this year (delcotimes.com)

Latest Ohio derailment poses no public risk, officials say (abc27.com)

Why the humble city bus is the key to improving U.S. public transit | Opinion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

 

Gun Safety

City releases gun violence program study results | Local News | phillytrib.com

Unified Erie keeping focus on youth as teen gun violence remains high (goerie.com)

Michigan State shooting: I teach at Berkey Hall. This is what I learned (ydr.com)

Five people were killed in seven shootings across Philly in an eight-hour span this weekend (inquirer.com)

 

Health

FDA has new power to hold drugmakers accountable : Shots – Health News : NPR

Study: Diabetes and obesity are on the rise in young Americans : NPR

As climate changes, climate anxiety rises in youth – CBS Pittsburgh (cbsnews.com)

Admiral Rachel Levine discusses the national opioid epidemic in talk at Kutztown University (mainlinemedianews.com)

Fentanyl Crisis Hits the Delaware Valley Hard – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)

Central Pa. hospital rated among best in U.S., yet state inspections raise alarms: How can it be? – pennlive.com

Lehigh Valley Health Network makes masks optional in some areas of hospitals, facilities (mcall.com)

Study finds community-led prevention approach reduces opioid overdose deaths in Pa. counties – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Abortion clinics that cross state borders are not always welcome on the other side (inquirer.com)

Immigration activists try to stop Allentown hospital from sending comatose woman out of the country (inquirer.com)

Philly’s health chief backs restricting xylazine, the animal tranquilizer in city opioids (inquirer.com)

Gene therapy for rare disease: New Penn-CHOP center to tackle childhood epilepsies (inquirer.com)

 

State News

Pennsylvania townships warned to fully fund pension obligations | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Biggest exports from Pennsylvania | ABC27

Pennsylvania one of the states seeing most robocalls (abc27.com)

Customers can meet one-on-one with PPL rep to discuss billing | Lehigh Valley Regional News | wfmz.com

Despite years of complaints filed about mom, kids stay with her – until little boy drowns – pennlive.com

Judge unseals feds’ response to suit seeking Rep. Perry search warrant (ydr.com)

 

National News

Child poverty dropped to a record low last year. A new report shows how to keep it that way – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Garland supports effort to hold Russia accountable for war crimes. : NPR

33 Iditarod sled dog race mushers to trek across Alaska (delcotimes.com)

Fox News says loss in $1.6 billion defamation case would harm all media : NPR

Rupert Murdoch said the quiet part about Fox News out loud | Dick Polman – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

U.S. EEOC sues Exxon after 5 nooses discovered at Louisiana complex : NPR

Russia’s foreign minister gets laughed at over Ukraine remarks in New Delhi : NPR

U.S. allies South Korea and Japan move closer to resolve forced labor feud : NPR

 

Local News

Surprise driver’s license suspensions in Lancaster County are disrupting lives, but it’s not the first time in PA | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Buckingham: Froehlich Farm mulching violates preservation deal (phillyburbs.com)

Chester County gives TikTok the heave-ho – Daily Local

Chester County adopts formal remote work policy – Daily Local

City Council amends 2023 budget to correct imbalance in capital improvement fund (readingeagle.com)

Can Hellertown and Lower Saucon solve their disputes? (mcall.com)

New Hope again tables action promoting structural conformity | The Bucks County Herald

Lawrence, Gale authorize Montgomery County contract package totaling $1.75M (mainlinemedianews.com)

Gettysburg Tour Center demolished, new center planned in its place (ydr.com)

Luzerne County Council members continue reviewing American Rescue Plan award options | Times Leader

Luzerne County will be offering home rehabilitation grants to income-eligible property owners | Times Leader

Plains Twp. neighborhood rises up against nearby warehouse development proposal | News | citizensvoice.com

Pittston celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with parade, partying | News | citizensvoice.com

Larger liquid fuels allocations announced for Hazleton Area communities in 2023 | News | standardspeaker.com

Educator, Steamtown Marathon founder Bill King settles in as Scranton City Council President | News Engine | standardspeaker.com

 

Pitt

Noncompete agreements snag Pittsburgh area hairstylists as FTC weighs ban | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Editorial: Where is Pittsburgh’s long-awaited Community Safety program? | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Mon Incline reopens after 7 months of upgrades | TribLIVE.com

Set for this year, Bushy Run seeks long-term approval of battle reenactment | TribLIVE.com

Power still out from high winds for nearly 2,000 homes in Westmoreland, Fayette counties | TribLIVE.com

Pittsburgh looks to expand Allegheny River Greenway to include landslide-prone properties | TribLIVE.com

 

Philly

Philadelphia Parking Authority cracks down on cars with no license plates and obscured VINs (inquirer.com)

Developers behind the 76ers arena sit on multiple boards at Penn. The students want them gone. (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia Flower Show 2023 readies return to Pennsylvania Convention Center – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

City celebrates $6.9 million renovation of the Dell Music Center | Entertainment | phillytrib.com

Darrell Clarke, Philadelphia City Council president, shaped development in Philly (inquirer.com)

Building 21 school parents in Philadelphia object to Strawberry Mansion plan (inquirer.com)

Philly is getting better street lights, free WiFi as part of the city’s budgeting for racial equity plan. (inquirer.com)

What to know about installing solar panels in Philadelphia as energy bills increase (inquirer.com)

 

Washington

Joe Biden heading to Philadelphia to unveil budget proposal (inquirer.com)

DOJ’s KleptoCapture task force goes after Kremlin-aligned elites. : NPR