Legislature
Two housing bills advance in Harrisburg
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/03/09/Two-housing-bills-legislation-affordable-first-time-buyers-benefit-advance-Pennsylvania/stories/202003060149
Most Pa. House committee leaders who steer legislation have no opposition in this year’s elections. Here’s why that matters.
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-uncontested-races-20200309-dtrc4moznncelbbdyyszulw4bu-story.html
Dan Asti: Pa. lawmakers should embrace PBM reform to lower prescription drug costs
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2020/03/09/Dan-Asti-Pa-lawmakers-should-embrace-PBM-reform-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs/stories/202003090011
Business
Comcast has done it again: Unlisted phone numbers of 200,000 customers posted online
https://www.inquirer.com/business/comcast/comcast-unlisted-phone-number-xfinity-ecolisting-20200309.html
Juul Labs sought to court AGs as teen vaping surged
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/03/09/Juul-Labs-sought-to-court-AGs-as-teen-vaping-surged-PA-Shapiro/stories/202003090068
Giant Eagle offers ‘Scan Pay & Go’ at New Kensington store
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/giant-eagle-offers-scan-pay-go-at-new-kensington-store/
Coronavirus
Pa. confirms 2 new presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, bringing state total to 6
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/03/08/coronavirus-Pennsylvania-cases-Montgomery-County-two-new-six-total-COVID-19/stories/202003080176
2 more presumed positive cases of coronavirus in Montgomery County
https://triblive.com/local/2-more-presumed-positive-cases-of-the-coronavirus-in-montgomery-county/
UPDATE: There are now four cases of coronavirus in Montgomery County; commissioners sign emergency declaration
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-montgomery-county-coronavirus-emergency-declaration-20200308-rf6jti3655ectb6xuzmzqdkdlq-story.html
2 new coronavirus cases in Montco; emergency declaration set; Germantown Academy closed
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/new-coronavirus-cases-in-montco-emergency-declaration-set-germantown-academy/article_56e464e2-9310-57a9-b6f5-3e434329676d.html
Delco officials will meet with school, municipal officials to talk coronavirus plan
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/delco-officals-will-meet-with-school-municipal-officials-to-talk/article_99740040-615f-11ea-889d-8beac2e247a6.html
Philly-area schools grapple with coronavirus, closing, cleaning, reopening, and canceling trips
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-fears-germantown-academy-closed-malvern-prep-20200309.html
Philadelphia-area manufacturers are bracing for coronavirus, but several surveyed urged, ‘Don’t panic’
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-dont-panic-gehr-usa-kreischer-miller-wayne-automation-plastics-20200309.html
Pittsburgh-area Costco stores yank free food samples
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pittsburgh-area-costco-stores-yank-free-samples/
Berks County nursing homes prepare for coronavirus
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-nursing-homes-prepare-for-coronavirus/article_abe77ece-5ef7-11ea-b544-e7fde4700c1e.html
Coronavirus patient’s presence at CPAC prompts Camp Hill’s Jeffrey Lord to isolate himself until mid-March
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/03/coronavirus-patients-presence-at-cpac-prompts-camp-hills-jeffrey-lord-to-isolate-himself-until-mid-march.html
Sen. Ted Cruz, Rep. Paul Gosar self-quarantine after contact with coronavirus patient
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/ted-cruz-paul-gosar-coronavirus-self-quarantine-congress-20200309.html
Missouri father of a woman with COVID-19 violated a self-quarantine
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/03/09/The-father-of-a-woman-with-coronavirus-violated-a-self-quarantine-to-take-another-daughter-to-a-school-function-COVID-19/stories/202003090069
California public venues, schools close to stop coronavirus spread
https://triblive.com/news/california-public-venues-schools-close-to-stop-coronavirus-spread/
Crime/Punishment
Police: Officer shot, killed man after report of stabbing
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/police-officer-shot-killed-man-after-report-of-stabbing/
Commissioners debate pushing off Berks County Prison construction, potential costs
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/commissioners-debate-pushing-off-berks-county-prison-construction-potential-costs/article_c536616a-5fce-11ea-b4bb-fb8766d1b994.html
Erie crime reduction plan stalled, awaiting federal OK
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200309/erie-crime-reduction-plan-stalled-awaiting-federal-ok
Erie County denied temporary PFAs at highest rate in Pa.
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200308/erie-county-denied-temporary-pfas-at-highest-rate-in-pa
Education
2019 H.S. performance score rankings for Allegheny, Westmoreland, Alle-Kiski Valley
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/2019-h-s-performance-score-rankings-for-allegheny-westmoreland-alle-kiski-valley/
Penn-Trafford middle schools claim county lead in building performance results
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/penn-trafford-middle-schools-claim-county-lead-in-building-performance-results/
Community responds: Sto-Rox schools needed paper; donations poured in
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/03/09/Community-responds-Sto-Rox-schools-needed-paper-donations-poured-in/stories/202002210070
Elections/Politics
Pennsylvania’s Monroe County could play an important role in the presidential outcome | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/monroe-county-pennsylvania-2020-presidential-election-20200309.html
Bernie Sanders calls Joe Biden ‘my friend,’ then attacks
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/bernie-sanders-joe-biden-friend-attack-20200308.html
Kamala Harris endorses Biden; Jesse Jackson backs Sanders
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/sen-kamala-harris-endorses-biden-president-20200308.html
How old is too old to be president? Whoever wins in 2020 will be the oldest ever
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/03/how-old-is-too-old-to-be-president-whoever-wins-in-2020-will-be-the-oldest-ever.html-2
United on the big questions, progressive Pa. House, Senate hopefuls stress the subtle differences
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/united-on-the-big-questions-progressive-pa-house-senate-hopefuls-stress-the-subtle-differences/
With an eye on 2020 and beyond, progressive grassroots activists join forces in Philly
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/with-eye-on-2020-and-beyond-progressive-grassroots-activists-join-forces-in-philly/
Candidates for 58th state House seat preparing for special, general elections
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/candidates-for-58th-state-house-seat-preparing-for-special-general-elections/
Local News
Class-action lawsuit challenging Scranton trash fee enters fourth year
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/class-action-lawsuit-challenging-scranton-trash-fee-enters-fourth-year-1.2605425
Monday Update: Big Boy restoration progressing at Steamtown
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/monday-update-big-boy-restoration-progressing-at-steamtown-1.2605394
Jessup landowner sues borough over lost $3.5 million warehouse deal
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/jessup-landowner-sues-borough-over-lost-3-5-million-warehouse-deal-1.2605423
Charl-Mont sad metaphor
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/charl-mont-sad-metaphor-1.2605170
Chance for better roads
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/chance-for-better-roads-1.2604663
Allegheny Township expected to join multitown specialized police emergency unit
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/allegheny-township-expected-to-join-multitown-specialized-police-emergency-unit/
Community care homes an option for White Haven Center residents
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/community-care-homes-an-option-for-white-haven-center-residents-1.2605362
Cori’s Place offers people with disabilities chance to learn life skills
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cori-s-place-offers-people-with-disabilities-chance-to-learn-life-skills-1.2605372
Luzerne County contemplating canoe/kayak access at River Common complex
https://www.timesleader.com/news/775541/luzerne-county-contemplating-canoe-kayak-access-at-river-common-complex
Union contract among agenda items to come before county council
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/union-contract-among-agenda-items-to-come-before-county-council-1.2605288
Hazleton officials seeks to hike wage taxes for nonresidents
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hazleton-officials-seeks-to-hike-wage-taxes-for-nonresidents-1.2605243
Carbon Co. seniors voice concerns over Shared Ride program
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/carbon-co-seniors-voice-concerns-over-shared-ride-program-1.2604991
National News
As Supreme Court considers abortion, light more candles for Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s health | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/supreme-court-abortion-ginsberg-louisiana-june-medical-services-editorial-20200309.html
Natural Gas
Washington County residents say their neighbor is noisy, disruptive and a pollutor. Their neighbor is a compressor station, and it’s a quarter-mile away.
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/smith-township-compressor-station-three-brothers/
Philly
NAACP calls for The Inquirer to apologize to Philly’s Sheriff’s Office
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-naacp-sheriff-rochelle-bilal-inquirer-20200308.html
Relocation is not an option for Philly supervised injection site | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/opioids-safe-injection-site-philadephia-safehouse-20200309.html
A new book celebrates Philadelphia’s Black women leaders
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/a-new-book-celebrates-philadelphias-black-women-leaders/
South Philly refinery’s wealth never flowed to neighborhood, students learn on tour
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/south-philadelphia-refinery-acorn-penn-germantown-friends-20200309.html
Pitt
Whether or not businesses are ready, Pittsburgh sick time ordinance ready to begin
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2020/03/08/Pittsburgh-sick-time-ordinance-businesses-workplace-impact/stories/202003080018
Obama Academy’s parents, students concerned over proposed budget cuts
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/03/09/Obama-Academy-parents-students-concerned-proposed-budget-cuts-enrollment-size/stories/202003020112
Out of tune? Some promoters question need for new music venue at former Civic Arena site
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/03/09/Live-Nation-Pittsburgh-Penguins-Stage-AE-North-Shore-Civic-Arena-Hill-District-AEG/stories/202003090022
Pittsburgh airport officials concerned about Real ID numbers 6 months from deadline
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pittsburgh-airport-officials-concerned-about-real-id-numbers-6-months-from-deadline/
University of Pittsburgh named in national report for improving financial aid practices
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/university-of-pittsburgh-named-in-national-report-for-improving-financial-aid-practices/
State News
Dozens of townships and counties in N.J. and Pa. are becoming ‘sanctuaries’ for gun owners
https://www.inquirer.com/news/guns-nra-sanctuary-firearms-red-flag-laws-cape-may-20200309.html
Woman, juvenile dead after truck and buggy crash in Venango County
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/03/08/buggy-accident-log-truck-crash-Venango-County-multiple-people/stories/202003080182
On Pa.’s Charter Day, Titanic survivors’ descendants preserve stories
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/on-pa-s-charter-day-titanic-survivors-descendants-preserve-stories-1.2605386
Jews begin most joyous holiday tonight
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/jews-begin-most-joyous-holiday-tonight-1.2605392
What an accurate census means — and how an inaccurate count will affect Berks Count
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/what-an-accurate-census-means—-and-how/article_d6c25d66-5d86-11ea-adf2-47f013f54e97.html
Fatal fire in Cumberland County: Firefighter killed by roof collapse; woman was trapped inside
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/03/firefighter-killed-in-roof-collapse-resident-trapped-inside-cumberland-county-blaze.html
ICE not likely to stop making courthouse arrests even after Northampton County order, legal experts say
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-immigration-enforcement-in-courthouses-20200308-j33yh7bvnzffxpzryifnxuiboq-story.html
Hunters: Culling not answer to CWD
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2020/03/hunters-culling-not-answer-to-cwd/
Transportation
Spring must be near, as construction season begins for PennDOT
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/03/08/PennDOT-Route-30-Rodi-Road-construction-projects-North-Versailles-Wilkins-Forest-Hills/stories/202003080103
4-month bridge project detouring traffic on Rodi Road in Wilkins
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/4-month-bridge-project-detouring-traffic-on-rodi-road-in-wilkins/
Wheels are in motion to improve roadways for a biking and walking commuters in Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/wheels-are-in-motion-to-improve-roadways-for-a-biking/article_ac750f54-6006-11ea-b1dd-e34e7b9bd5fe.html
Pa. enforcing work zone speed limits electronically
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200308/pa-enforcing-work-zone-speed-limits-electronically
Washington
True costs: Airbnbs should advertise the full nightly rate
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/03/09/True-costs-Airbnbs-should-advertise-the-full-nightly-rate/stories/202001180012