Legislature
Tube City Center opens in former McKeesport Daily News building
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2019/02/12/Tube-City-Center-opens-in-McKeesport/stories/201902140013
Senate bill aims for Sunday hunting
https://www.tribdem.com/sports/senate-bill-aims-for-sunday-hunting/article_1a663c97-c3aa-5729-8aa0-49ac09a6e911.html
How long could it take police to get to a school shooting? Response times boost argument to arm teachers
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/can-long-police-response-times-provide-the-winning-argument-for-armed-teachers-in-pa.html
Pa. hands out money to boost school safety, but districts struggle to find the right ways to prevent shootings
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/pa-hands-out-money-to-boost-school-safety-but-districts-struggle-to-find-the-right-ways-to-prevent-shootings.html
Could a tax on video games help prevent school shootings? One Pa. lawmaker hopes so.
https://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/video-game-tax-pennsylvania-school-shooting-safety-20190213.html
State police fee overdue
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/state-police-fee-overdue-1.2444716
Abraham Lincoln never let criticism get in the way of the good of the country | Mike Folmer
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/02/abraham-lincoln-never-let-criticism-get-in-the-way-of-the-good-of-the-country-miker-folmer.html
Administration
Paying their fair share: Wolf rightly seeks revenue for infrastructure, police
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/02/13/Paying-their-fair-share-Tom-Wolf-rightly-seeks-revenue-for-infrastructure-police/stories/201902130029
Pa.’s statewide pot tour: Exercise in democracy or puffed-up political show? | John Baer
https://www.philly.com/news/columnists/john-baer-fetterman-marijuana-tour-statewide-20190212.html
Business
New facilities could add 750 jobs to region
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/new-facilities-could-add-750-jobs-to-region-1.2444844
New Oakmont Bakery’s opening week successful for the shop, hectic for borough and school district officials
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14607118-74/new-oakmont-bakerys-opening-week-successful-for-the-shop-hectic-for-borough
Dominion plans to reduce methane emissions 50 percent by 2029
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14607436-74/dominion-plans-to-reduce-methane-emissions-50-percent-by-2029
State attorney general’s office sues Scranton business accused of deceptive conduct
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-attorney-general-s-office-sues-scranton-business-accused-of-deceptive-conduct-1.2444727
Catholic Church
Harrisburg becomes 5th Pennsylvania diocese to open fund for abuse survivors
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14606209-74/harrisburg-becomes-fifth-pennsylvania-diocese-to-open-fund-for-abuse-survivors
‘They are angry’: Harrisburg Diocese Catholics bring questions to session about clergy sex abuse
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/harrisburg-diocese-catholics-bring-anger-questions-to-latest-session-with-church-leader.html
Fund for clergy sex abuse victims: Will it bring healing or protect the Catholic church?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/victims-fund-will-it-bring-healing-to-victims-or-insulate-and-protect-the-church.html
Crime/Punishment
Thief steals rare books, including a limited-edition ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ from Chester County book barn
https://www.philly.com/news/books-stolen-west-chester-pa-baldwins-to-kill-a-mockingbird-20190212.html
Ex-fire company treasurer charged with theft waives hearing
https://www.timesleader.com/news/733304/ex-fire-company-treasurer-charged-with-theft-waives-hearing
2 Scranton women found shot in W-B
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/2-scranton-women-found-shot-in-w-b-1.2444874
Education
Why are there so many superintendents in Pennsylvania? Here are four reasons
https://papost.org/2019/02/13/why-are-there-so-many-superintendents-in-pennsylvania-here-are-four-reasons/
State’s charter appeals board still run by Corbett appointees
https://whyy.org/articles/states-charter-appeals-board-still-run-by-corbett-appointees/
New Kensington-Arnold district, teachers’ union making progress on contract
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14606264-74/teachers-union-superintendent-optimistic-about-new-kensington-arnold-contract-negotiations
What happened to W-B Area education charity organization?
https://www.timesleader.com/news/733274/what-happened-to-w-b-area-education-charity-organization
Aliquippa, Hopewell Area to benefit from $1 million in STEM grants
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190212/aliquippa-hopewell-area-to-benefit-from-1-million-in-stem-grants
Parents oppose Richmond Elementary closure
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/parents-oppose-richmond-elementary-closure
Kutztown Middle School students find what’s cool about manufacturing
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/kutztown-middle-school-students-find-whats-cool-about-manufacturing
Trump, $1M and walls around an elementary school? Wilkinsburg School Board agenda raises questions
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/02/12/wilkinsburg-school-board-wall-agenda-report-donald-trump-michael-johnson-turner-elementary/stories/201902120105
Proposed rule could limit college response to off-campus sex assaults
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/rule-could-limit-college-response-to-off-campus-sex-assaults.html
Penn State alumni trustees attack Freeh investigation of Sandusky scandal
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/02/12/Penn-State-alumni-trustees-attack-Freeh-investigation-of-Sandusky-scandal/stories/201902120165
Penn State alumni trustees: Freeh report on Sandusky case ‘unreliable and misleading,’ harmed school
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/penn-state-alumni-trustees-rebuttal-to-freeh-report-is-published-sees-a-search-for-facts-to-fit-a-conclusion.html
Pennsylvania university system pledges to transform amid struggles
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14606071-74/pennsylvania-university-system-pledges-to-transform-amid-struggles
Elections/Politics
Dems nominate Friedenberg for Marino seat
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/dems-nominate-friedenberg-for-marino-seat-1.2444806
Tom Marino’s election opponent picked by Dems to fill 12th District vacancy
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/dems_give_losing_candidate_in.html
Health Care
Dispute surfaces over state role in Medicare Advantage members’ access to UPMC
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/02/12/UPMC-Medicare-Advantage-Highmark-attorney-general-Josh-Shapiro-Paul-Mango-CMS/stories/201902120132
Penn health system sued by technician fired during breast cancer treatment
https://www.philly.com/health/penn-hospital-health-system-sued-breast-cancer-treatment-20190212.html
Local News
New Luzerne County coroner sought
https://www.timesleader.com/news/733272/new-luzerne-county-coroner-sought
Wyoming fire chief resigns less than month after getting job
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wyoming-fire-chief-resigns-less-than-month-after-getting-job-1.2444812
Taylor volunteer firefighters could see tax credits as early as 2020
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/taylor-volunteer-firefighters-could-see-tax-credits-as-early-as-2020-1.2444911
Scranton Tomorrow organization is busy in the downtown
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-tomorrow-organization-is-busy-in-the-downtown-1.2444915
George Kelly faced county inquiry
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/george-kelly-faced-county-inquiry-1.2444909
Editorial: Government dysfunction gets worse in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/government-dysfunction-only-getting-worse-in-reading
Use meter parking around PPL Center on event nights? Prepare to pay more
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-arena-zone-parking-increase-20190208-story.html
New task force to define Devon Center
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/new-task-force-to-define-devon-center/article_e8d8dd14-2f0f-11e9-86ac-3f2e05e19ea7.html
National News
More women using pot during pregnancy and breastfeeding, despite warnings and unknowns
https://www.philly.com/health/weed-pregnancy-moms-marijuana-pot-cannabis-child-development-20190213.html
Police: NYC detective killed by friendly fire
https://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/new-york-police-detective-killed-sergeant-wounded-armed-robbery-queens-cell-phone-store-20190213.html
Minnesota governor sides with environmentalists on pipeline
https://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/minnesota-governor-sides-with-environmentalists-pipeline-20190212.html
Philly
Days after city and state watchdogs criticize process, decision on Philly’s new voting machines hits road bump
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia/philly-new-voting-machines-city-commissioners-depasquale-rhynhart-20190212.html
Philly’s foster care system comes under fire at three-hour hearing on child abuse reporting rules
https://www.philly.com/news/david-oh-child-abuse-hearing-dhs-city-council-philadelphia-20190212.html
Adult education classes in Philly: Study toilet repair, blacksmithing, or serial killers
https://www.philly.com/things-to-do/adult-education-classes-plumbing-fixing-toilets-blacksmith-funeral-philadelphia-20190213.html
PPA — and its board chair — needs to get booted | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/parking-authority-ppa-dougherty-henon-indictment-ashdale-editorial-20190213.html
If you support marijuana legalization, you should support safe injection sites | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/marijuana-dispensary-federal-law-safe-injection-site-lawsuit-philadelphia-20190212.html
Pitt
Speakers say crime could increase under Pittsburgh gun ban
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14607040-74/speakers-say-crime-could-increase-under-pittsburgh-gun-ban
Controversial Penn Plaza redevelopment gets final go-ahead
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/02/12/Controversial-Penn-Plaza-redevelopment-wins-approval/stories/201902120162
Pittsburgh Planning Commission approves Penn Plaza redevelopment
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14606808-74/pittsburgh-planning-commission-approves-penn-plaza-redevelopment
Celebrate Black History Month with a taste of Africa
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/food/2019/02/13/A-taste-of-Africa-for-Black-History-Month-story-tellers/stories/201902080140
City may use DEP funding to distribute free recycling bins
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/02/12/City-DEP-free-recycling-bins-blue-bags-mayor-peduto-pennsylvania-resources-council/stories/201902120100
Pittsburgh getting $350K grant to buy recycling bins
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14605634-74/pittsburgh-getting-350000-grant-to-purchase-recycling-bins
Starzl documentary to premiere at Science Center’s Rangos Cinema
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14605471-74/starzl-documentary-to-premiere-at-science-centers-rangos-cinema
Pittsburgh Council confirms mayor’s choice to head city technology department
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14605361-74/pittsburgh-council-confirms-mayors-choice-to-head-city-technology-department
State News
‘Like a police car sitting on the corner’: Governments turning to external tip lines to deter and stop wrongdoing
https://www.philly.com/news/fraud-tipline-hotline-dixon-waste-abuse-trappe-20190213.html
Bald eagles of Hays deliver first egg of 2019
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/02/12/Bald-eagles-deliver-first-egg-of-2019/stories/201902120160
140K pre-verify for REAL ID, PennDOT says
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14605608-74/140k-pre-verify-for-real-id-penndot-says
Court hears arguments over medical marijuana applications
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/court-hears-arguments-over-medical-marijuana-applications.html
Skier dies after fall at Pennsylvania resort
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/skier-dies-after-fall-at-pennsylvania-resort.html
Deer culling delay only temporary
http://www.altoonamirror.com/opinion/editorials/2019/02/deer-culling-delay-only-temporary/
Transportation
Parkway East, West among the most congested U.S. roads, study finds
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14605453-74/parkway-east-and-west-among-the-most-congested-roads-in-the-country
Winter woes: Commercial vehicle ban causes headaches for truck drivers
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/winter-woes-commercial-vehicle-ban-causes-headaches-for-truck-drivers-1.2444819
Bieber customers with unused tickets now have options for refunds
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/bieber-customers-with-unused-tickets-now-have-options-for-refunds
Washington
The Senate Intel chair slams ex-Trump fixer Cohen as House Democrats staff up their probes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/02/12/Senate-Intelligence-Committee-House-Judiciary-investigation-President-Trump/stories/201902120174
Ex-congressman Marino cites health for resigning
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/02/12/congressman-Tom-Marino-pennsylvania-cites-health-for-resigning/stories/201902120087