Legislature
Chester County officials, lawmakers pitch in to help on vaccine front
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/chester-county-officials-lawmakers-pitch-in-to-help-on-vaccine-front/article_60767fb8-7f66-11eb-beb5-7beb1eeb395d.html
Pa. lawmakers receiving credible death threats: How Kenyatta, Sims face hate head-on
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/03/08/pa-lawmakers-receiving-credible-death-threats-kenyatta-sims/6841998002/
Guest Column: Redistricting delayed is representation denied
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/guest-column-redistricting-delayed-is-representation-denied/article_0023423a-7fad-11eb-bc6d-13d4f8daa231.html
The minimum wage was created during the Great Depression. We need to raise it during the Pandemic Recession | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/the-minimum-wage-was-created-during-the-great-depression-we-need-to-raise-it-during-the-pandemic-recession-opinion/
Job qualification: It’s who you know
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/03/07/Job-qualification-Its-who-you-know/stories/202103040089
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pa. Health Secretary says suburbs weren’t under-supplied with COVID-19 vaccine, but lawmakers still ‘frustrated’
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-pa-suburbs-health-supply-20210308.html
Southeast Pa. officials unsure why region lags behind in COVID vaccinations
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/southeast-pa-officials-unsure-why-region-lags-behind-in-covid-vaccinations/article_343f4380-7650-51b2-9ca0-bcef92cca117.html
Pa. counties at the front of vaccinations pack also face demand from residents
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/pa-counties-at-the-front-of-vaccinations-pack-also-face-demand-from-residents/article_c580fbf2-7c2f-11eb-94b0-bf1bd0927fc3.html
Messy suburban vaccine rollout: Does the Pa. Health Department have control of this situation or not? | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/covid-19-vaccine-supply-problems-suburban-philadelphia-pennsylvania-wolf-beam-20210306.html
‘When they don’t count us, we don’t count.’ LGBTQ leaders ask state health officials for more data on COVID-19 vaccinations
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/when-they-dont-count-us-we-dont-count-lgbtq-leaders-ask-state-health-officials-for-more-data-on-covid-19-vaccinations/
Fighting coronavirus was costly. Here’s how Bucks spent $109M in CARES Act funds.
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/03/01/bucks-county-details-its-109-million-cares-act-spending/6868021002/
Vaccines are bringing a sense of hopefulness to restless Pittsburgh-area residents
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2021/03/07/western-pa-vaccine-appointments-covid-19-cdc-guidelines/stories/202103030144
Pandemic weighs on mental health as people cope with anxiety, fears
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pandemic-weighs-on-mental-health-as-people-cope-with-anxiety-fears/
EMT: Pandemic “takes a toll on you”
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/emt-pandemic-takes-a-toll-on-you/article_1704293e-96d4-57b7-b074-db10acdc3683.html
Key indicators: Montgomery County’s COVID-19 outbreak, a year of ups and downs
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/key-indicators-montgomery-countys-covid-19-outbreak-a-year-of-ups-and-downs/article_a497746f-47ce-56be-88c1-a039b20777c1.html
Vigil honors those lost to COVID
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1013327/vigil-honors-those-lost-to-covid
COVID deaths an emotional toll on all
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/covid-deaths-an-emotional-toll-on-all/article_6ef5009c-bdab-592a-8ca8-4f5d25abf55d.html
Toll-free number for COVID-19 vaccine clinic goes live Monday morning
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/toll-free-number-for-covid-19-vaccine-clinic-goes-live-monday-morning/article_f0d94753-907e-5281-8b44-25aa703859ee.html
Lackawanna County reports fewest new COVID-19 cases since November
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/lackawanna-county-reports-fewest-new-covid-19-cases-since-november/article_96b1e028-c47c-5288-be9a-a7f3eaddd384.html
Beleaguered postal workers report a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, further delays
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/03/beleaguered-postal-workers-report-a-sharp-increase-in-covid-19-cases-further-delays.html
Offer incentives to vaccinate
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2021/03/08/Offer-incentives-to-vaccinate/stories/202103030086
When will you get your stimulus check and other questions about the stimulus package
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2021/03/08/stimulus-checks-unemployment-tax-rebates-covid-relief-bill/stories/202103080073
Business
Monday Update: Aluminum can plant expected to open by September in Olyphant
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/monday-update-aluminum-can-plant-expected-to-open-by-september-in-olyphant/article_75a41bc4-82b2-58fe-9774-913928cf09d0.html
COVID took devastating toll on small businesses in Delco
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/covid-took-devastating-toll-on-small-businesses-in-delco/article_65189ca2-7e05-11eb-b422-4785414556c2.html
Crime/Punishment
Homicide trial ordered in young Amish woman’s disappearance
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/linda-stoltzfoos-amish-woman-death-murder-trial-pennsylvania-20210307.html
Education
Charter schools take different approaches to re-opening as COVID case counts fall
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/07/Pittsburgh-charter-schools-reopening-COVID-19-cases-allegheny-count/stories/202103050164
How Catholic schools have kept open amid COVID
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2021/03/07/catholic-schools-pittsburgh-covid-19-reopening-education/stories/202103070040
Homeschooling parents unite in Vandergrift for program where kids can socialize — without computers
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/homeschooling-parents-unite-in-vandergrift-for-program-where-kids-can-socialize-without-computers/
School bells finally should start ringing
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/school-bells-finally-should-start-ringing/article_9922bd6b-b3ba-5d5b-9c27-a2ff99377fd9.html
2 DeSales grads, 1 student killed in fiery car crash in Upper Saucon. Another student is in critical condition
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-upper-saucon-fatal-crash-lanark-road-20210307-ochw7qs6xbazddaqlvcwzhwsge-story.html
Elections/Politics
Trump is gone, so Pennsylvania progressives are thinking local: ‘That’s where all the real stuff happens’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-progressive-activists-20210307.html
Real estate developer Jeff Bartos launches a Republican Senate campaign in Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/jeff-bartos-2022-pennsylvania-republican-senate-race-20210308.html
GOP chooses Lebanon County businessman to run for open Senate seat
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/03/gop-chooses-lebanon-county-businessman-to-run-for-open-senate-seat.html
Bucks County Republicans: The state of party politics post-Trump
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2021/03/08/bucks-gop-finds-republican-party-challengers-post-trump-endorses-candidates/4591319001/
Local News
Valerie Arkoosh became face and voice of Montgomery County public health guidance
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/valerie-arkoosh-became-face-and-voice-of-montgomery-county-public-health-guidance/article_1869a318-a76d-5bca-928a-0d8b7af82f9b.html
After grant rejections, Lower Burrell fire company secures $100,000-plus for special breathing equipment
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/after-grant-rejections-lower-burrell-fire-company-secures-100000-plus-for-special-breathing-equipment/
Excitement, emotion as ‘grand reopening’ of Mohegan Sun Arena approaches
https://www.timesleader.com/news/1007131/excitement-emotion-as-grand-reopening-of-mohegan-sun-arena-approaches
Center of Everything: Greater Hazleton residents, elected officials have different views about development
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/center-of-everything-greater-hazleton-residents-elected-officials-have-different-views-about-development/article_69219d4a-e342-5514-a4f0-560a7b47335a.html
National News
Bloody Sunday memorial honors late civil rights giants
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/bloody-sunday-memorial-honors-late-civil-rights-giants/article_d15579d5-6be6-5e9f-9cc9-caa727646abd.html
From the election to the coronavirus, misinformation campaign continues to target Latinos
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/03/from-the-election-to-the-coronavirus-misinformation-campaign-continues-to-target-latinos.html
Natural Gas
A Pennsylvania county went from bust to boom times with natural gas. Now, it’s nearly broke.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pa-greene-county-broke-tax-increase-gas-payouts-businesses-20210308.html
Philly
Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium receives a $25,000 donation on a frustrating day when it ran out of doses for a clinic
https://www.inquirer.com/news/black-doctors-covid-19-consortion-donation-20210307.html
Philadelphia businesses must do more to increase representation of women | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/women-workforce-unemployment-covid-pandemic-job-loss-20210308.html
Philly’s traffic choke points cost truckers time — and consumers money
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/transportaton-philadelphia-worst-truck-bottlenecks-schuylkill-vine-camden-motor-fuel-taxes-20210308.html
Free Library is understaffed, undervalued and budget cuts won’t help | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/free-library-philadelphia-budget-cuts-mayor-kenney-20210308.html
Live! casino in South Philly pushed a Chadds Ford newsletter to change its similar logo
https://www.inquirer.com/business/live-casino-philadelphia-chadds-ford-logo-trademark-20210308.html
Two killed, one in critical condition in three separate Sunday night shootings
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-shootings-homicide-car-jacking-olney-logan-southwest-police-20210308.html
At long last, Flyers fans return to the Wells Fargo Center
https://www.inquirer.com/news/flyers-fans-return-wells-fargo-center-covid-20210308.html
Once addicted to heroin, this minister is now helping others as one of Philly’s hunger fighters
https://www.inquirer.com/news/vito-baldini-small-things-philabundance-philly-food-distribution-20210306.html
Pitt
Pricey decision: Port Authority pondering when to replace light rail vehicles for $400-500 million
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/03/08/Port-Authority-light-rail-vehicles-T-train-75-replacements-500-million-pittsburgh/stories/202103070078
Pittsburgh’s booming real estate market was boosted by young buyers
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/bop/2021/03/08/Pittsburgh-s-booming-real-estate-market-was-boosted-by-young-buyers/stories/202103070004
Pitt reprimands men’s basketball coach Jeff Capel for criticism of officials
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2021/03/07/Pitt-Panthers-basketball-Jeff-Capel-ACC-reprimand-officials-Clemson-Tigers/stories/202103070237
Allegheny County Democratic Committee endorses Gainey for Pittsburgh mayor
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2021/03/07/Allegheny-County-Democratic-Committee-endorses-State-Rep-Ed-Gainey-for-Pittsburgh-mayor/stories/202103070209
Pressure to reopen schools continues to increase in Pittsburgh and elsewhere
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/07/reopen-schools-covid-19-pittsburgh-vaccinations/stories/202103070052
Kids teaching kids: Allderdice students launch K-5 tutoring service Children of Steel
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/goodness/2021/03/07/allderdice-students-children-tutoring-service-children-of-steel-goodness/stories/202102280006
Pittsburgh launches Opioid Overdose Dashboard
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-launches-opioid-overdose-dashboard/
Landlord group sues Pittsburgh, city council over eviction moratorium
https://triblive.com/local/landlord-group-sues-pittsburgh-city-council-over-eviction-moratorium/
Pittsburgh passed an eviction moratorium. Now its pols are quarreling over who gets credit | Analysis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pittsburgh-passed-an-eviction-moratorium-now-its-pols-are-quarreling-over-who-gets-credit-analysis/
State News
12 receive grants for conservation and research efforts in Pennsylvania
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2021/03/07/pennsylvania-conservation-natural-resources-research-grants-wild-resource/stories/202103070203
Elk and elk watchers have thrived despite coronavirus pandemic
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2021/03/07/Elk-and-elk-watchers-have-thrived-despite-coronavirus-pandemic-tourism/stories/202103070101
Red Cross blood drives plummeted because of COVID-19. A Montco teen and his mom came to the rescue.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/red-cross-blood-drive-peter-powerhouse-zucca-coronavirus-20210306.html
Report: Susquehanna contaminated with plastic
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/report-susquehanna-contaminated-with-plastic/article_44de43c1-efed-5538-9b3b-dc134eff7c87.html
Children won’t be detained at Berks immigration detention center, filing shows
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/politics/children-wont-be-detained-at-berks-immigration-detention-center-filing-shows/article_b9785398-a2e0-5105-9abd-ee7e21162fd8.html
50 states, 50 tax burdens: Here’s how Pa. ranked | The Numbers Racket
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/50-states-50-tax-burdens-heres-how-pa-ranked-the-numbers-racket/
Transportation
First construction contracts for Mon-Fayette Expressway should go to bid next year
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2021/03/07/Mon-Fayette-Expressway-Jefferson-Hills-Duquesne-West-Mifflin-Kennywood-Park-Pennsylvania-Turnpike/stories/202103070091