News Digest :: March 9, 2023

Legislature

Pa. senator gives birth in office, forces new paradigm (audacy.com)

Republicans and Democrats Across Pennsylvania Are Praising Governor Josh Shapiro’s Commonsense Budget – US Politics Today – EIN Presswire (einnews.com)

‘Public Defenders Day’ bill introduced by House Dems. (abc27.com)

Pennsylvania lawmaker introduces “Do Not Sell Firearm Registry” bill (abc27.com)

Michelle Henry confirmed by State Senate to serve as Pennsylvania Attorney General (abc27.com)

PA Senate Confirms Michelle Henry as Attorney General – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)

Senate confirms new Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner (abc27.com)

Pa. Senate votes to confirm Henry as attorney general, Paris as police commissioner – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Senate OKs Shapiro picks for attorney general, PSP chief | Times Leader

Bipartisan Bill Could Ban Cellphone Usage Behind Wheel in the Keystone State (montco.today)

Pa. Senate approves bill banning TikTok on state devices, networks – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

PA Senate unanimously approves TikTok ban on state devices | WHP (local21news.com)

Pa. Senate committee advances emergency response proposals – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

State Senate passes resolution to allow 2%, whole milk in schools | Local News | ncnewsonline.com

Pa. House bill would boost accountability on hospital shutdowns | Thursday Morning Coffee – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

PA Could Eliminate Listing A Person’s Sex On Birth Certificates | Pittsburgh, PA Patch

Pa. lawmaker resigns after multiple allegations of sexual harassment | Pennsylvania News | wfmz.com

Pennsylvania Rep. Zabel to resign amid sexual harassment allegations (abc27.com)

Pa. Rep. Mike Zabel resigns under growing pressure from sexual harassment accusers – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

PA lawmaker accused of sexual harassment will resign · Spotlight PA

McClinton Announces House Committee Chairs (politicspa.com)

Paul Davis: Pennsylvania Senator Mike Regan calls for mandatory death sentence for cop killers (broadandliberty.com)

Shapiro highlights investments to support law enforcement (abc27.com)

Reaction to PA Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget (phillyburbs.com)

A Pittsburgh-area teacher had a good excuse for skipping school: She was one of Gov. Shapiro’s special guests | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Josh Shapiro focuses on education, county programs in Pa. budget address | WITF

Shapiro reveals $44.4 billion budget, pitches investment in education | fox43.com

Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled a $44.4 billion budget ‘packed with commonsense solutions’ | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Shapiro shoots for the possible in first Pa. budget as GOP sees common ground – pennlive.com

With grant, Centennial to bolster school safety efforts | The Bucks County Herald

In the wake of a police officer’s death, Temple receives a $1.7 million state grant for its police department (inquirer.com)

Michael & Nancy Pia Foundation to partner with The Garage on new maker space | Chester County Press

Gather Place, a former African Methodist Episcopal church, receives $50,000 grant from state | The Bucks County Herald

Pennsylvania Legislature’s spending, surplus jumped last year, report says | WITF

How much do state government workers make? More are seeing $200K+ pay – pennlive.com

 

Business/Jobs

Comcast executive on Biden’s Export Council says Philadelphia can make ‘huge impact’ on international trade – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

High rate may undermine Shapiro’s weed tax bounty | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Get rid of Allan Block, striking workers and supporters tell C-SPAN – Pittsburgh Union Progress

Here’s how the FTC’s proposed ban on non-compete clauses would help workers | Opinion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

FTC extends deadline for public comment on noncompete agreements | Local Business | lancasteronline.com

 

COVID-19

As COVID protections end, patients classified as ‘medically needy’ fear new barriers to care – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

State’s COVID-19 levels dropping, Cambria jumps | News | tribdem.com

US to relax COVID testing for travelers from China (dailylocal.com)

 

Crime/Punishment

Competency reviews in PA are trapping people in jails · Spotlight PA

PA competency proceedings typically involve minor crimes · Spotlight PA

Lawyers for Amish farmer charged with selling guns without a license claim law vague, 1st, 2nd Amendment violations | Local News | lancasteronline.com

 

Education

Pa. school funding advocates say Josh Shapiro budget falls short (dailylocal.com)

Advocacy group says higher ed funding in Shapiro’s proposed budget shows ‘appalling neglect’ | TribLIVE.com

West Chester University and University of Delaware launch quantum science program – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Report: Pennsylvania’s career and technical education investment lags | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Jaded with education, more Americans are skipping college | ABC27

Simon Gratz closed for asbestos inspection, second school to close this week | Local News | phillytrib.com

Simon Gratz High School Mastery Charter is closed due to asbestos (inquirer.com)

Pitt students petition university to cancel “transphobic” speaker events | LGBTQ | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Upper Bucks Technical School OK in dismissal of ex-director John J. Sweda (phillyburbs.com)

Without grad students, the classroom has changed for the worse, some Temple undergraduates say (inquirer.com)

Wyoming Valley West School Board tables Schuyler sale due to late offer | Times Leader

Public weighs in on potential Abington Heights High School upgrades | Education | thetimes-tribune.com

Higher education needs a serious overhaul, and it doesn’t take a degree to understand why | Social Views – pennlive.com

Carol Birks offered $250,000 salary to serve as Allentown superintendent until 2027; school board will vote on contract Thursday (mcall.com)

 

Elections/Politics

Michigan Democrats Move on Right-to-Work, Gay Rights and Guns – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Freedom House report says global freedom and democracy declines may be slowing : NPR

Court records show political pressure behind Fox programming | News | tribdem.com

Jeremy Baker: Meet the Republican who gave Dems the House — and blocked voter ID (broadandliberty.com)

Lancaster County to pilot electronic poll books in May primary at six locations | PA Power and Policy | lancasteronline.com

McKeesport politicians harassed and retaliated against a school bus company and owner over political support, lawsuit claims | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

How to get a mail ballot to vote in the 2023 election in Philadelphia (inquirer.com)

 

Environment

Clean air watchdogs call on the EPA to challenge Clairton plant’s operating permit | WITF

 

Transportation

Norfolk Southern CEO pledges Pennsylvania visit | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

There are about three train derailments per day. They usually aren’t disasters : NPR

The CEO of Norfolk Southern railroad will face questions over the disaster. : NPR

Hearing on East Palestine train derailment in Washington D.C. by U.S. Senate committee (abc27.com)

Norfolk Southern CEO to offer apology and $20 million before Congress Thursday – pennlive.com

‘Deeply sorry’ Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw is appearing at a Senate hearing on East Palestine | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wrong way: Driver impairment, lack of awareness key elements in deadly crashes | TribLIVE.com

 

Gun Safety

‘A way out’: Gun violence survivor teams up with juvenile justice program to offer boys a second chance | Local News | phillytrib.com

 

Health

Temple Health and Masimo enter into ‘innovation collaboration’ – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Jefferson University to offer master’s, graduate certificate in health professions education starting fall 2023 (inquirer.com)

Texas teens lose easy birth control access from federal Title X clinics : Shots – Health News : NPR

Fighting fentanyl: As deaths mount, can harm reduction be a way forward? | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Editorial: UPMC settlement doesn’t end health system’s woes | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Two more eyedrop brands recalled due to risks, FDA says (inquirer.com)

 

State News

Cloistered at Walter Reed, Fetterman Runs His Senate Operation From Afar – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

This is the time for Pennsylvanians to pipe up on lead removal | Opinion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation boom persists, data shows | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Hemlocks to Hellbenders podcast highlights, parks, forests across Pa. (ydr.com)

Change proposed to Pennsylvania deer hunting season calendar (abc27.com)

Back with a vengeance: 2023 expected to be a ‘bug’ year with spotted lanternflies – CBS Pittsburgh (cbsnews.com)

Pennsylvania Lottery urges those with gambling problems to seek help (goerie.com)

I live near East Palestine. After the derailment, my head aches with anxiety and vinyl chloride. (inquirer.com)

Central Pa. officials paint bleak picture of unmet mental health needs, fear ‘catastrophic’ result – pennlive.com

John Fetterman’s Wife Gisele Seen Fighting Fire in East Pittsburgh (people.com)

 

National News

Homeownership gap between Black, white Americans continues to widen – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

How to avoid the daylight saving time hangover : Shots – Health News : NPR

Russia hits multiple cities across Ukraine, some with hypersonic missiles : NPR

Russian missile barrage slams into cities across Ukraine | News | tribdem.com

In Moldova, Russian propaganda spans TV to Telegram and TikTok : NPR

Medical tourism in Mexico is rising among Americans : NPR

Louisville police routinely violate civil rights, U.S. Attorney General says (lpm.org)

Feds: Louisville police had pattern of violating rights | Across America | phillytrib.com

Tyre Nichols death spurs Justice Department police review | Across America | phillytrib.com

Jimmy Carter’s work for women’s rights is a lasting centerpiece of his legacy | Georgia Public Broadcasting (gpb.org)

Police try to stop International Women’s Day protests in Pakistan : Goats and Soda : NPR

 

Local News

Kinetic by Windstream is now offering high-speed broadband internet in the Morgantown region (dailylocal.com)

Firm hired for Johnstown’s Main Street project | News | tribdem.com

Here are the candidates who filed paperwork for the Lancaster home rule study commission | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Erie’s Luther Memorial Church welcomes gay pastor (goerie.com)

Plans in the works to rehabilitate New Hope-Lambertville Bridge. (phillyburbs.com)

More than a game: Special athletes compete alongside peers | The Bucks County Herald

Co-founder of Yardley Borough company helping to lead Burlington Island cleanup | The Bucks County Herald

VIA’s Neighbors in Need campaign supports Bucks County Housing Group’s summer program for kids | The Bucks County Herald

Maria Rieders named Heritage Conservancy’s new board chair | The Bucks County Herald

Luzerne County 911 managers taking calls due to staff shortage | Times Leader

DAMA, arena board urge Luzerne County Council to award full Rescue Plan funding | News | citizensvoice.com

Real estate academy eyed for former state representative’s office in downtown Hazleton | News | standardspeaker.com

Twin Valley School Board member running for Berks commissioner (readingeagle.com)

Reading Redevelopment Authority to increase focus on blight (readingeagle.com)

Allentown homes have a lead paint problem. Here’s how the city is working to fix it (mcall.com)

 

Pitt

‘Pittsburgh is the place to be:’ Public safety prepared for St. Patrick’s Day Parade – CBS Pittsburgh (cbsnews.com)

Pittsburgh officials prepare for St. Patrick’s Day parade, celebration | TribLIVE.com

Councilman Reverend Ricky Burgess reportedly not running for re-election – CBS Pittsburgh (cbsnews.com)

Pittsburgh City Councilman Ricky Burgess isn’t running for re-election, and a new name is in the county executive race | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Erin McClelland drops out of Allegheny County executive race; Burgess not running for Pittsburgh council | TribLIVE.com

New petition revives Highland Park residents’ 30-year plea to silence police gun range | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

URA to consider land sale for new $4.2 million Veterans Place building in Larimer | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Downtown Pittsburgh landmark to get $3 million in facade work – pennlive.com

 

Philly

Medical malpractice lawsuits rise in Philadelphia after Pennsylvania Supreme Court rule change (inquirer.com)

Philly plans to cap the Vine Street Expressway to reconnect Chinatown (inquirer.com)

As Darrell L. Clarke steps aside, an era ends with an opportunity for a reboot | Editorial (inquirer.com)

Black, Latino residents around Philly offered help buying first home (inquirer.com)

A new visitor center to open at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, between the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps and Rocky statue (inquirer.com)

‘Granny flat’ proposal denied for iconic Venturi House in Philly (inquirer.com)

 

Washington

Biden Will Release Dead-on-Arrival Budget, Picking Fight With GOP – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Joe Biden in Philadelphia: Time, road closures, budget details (inquirer.com)

Biden to unveil 2024 budget proposal in Philadelphia | Southeastern Pennsylvania | wfmz.com

Biden budget aims to cut deficits nearly $3T over 10 years (inquirer.com)

Biden is using his budget as a cudgel in the debt ceiling fight — and for 2024 : NPR

Senate Clears Bill to Block D.C. Crime Law, Sending It to Biden After Reversal – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Congress overturns D.C. crime bill with President Biden’s help : NPR

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell hospitalized after fall (abc27.com)

U.S. Senate panel probes how crypto mining increases energy consumption – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Jill Biden calls on men to support women fighting for rights (dailylocal.com)