Legislature
University leaders look to the state to help them achieve their tuition freeze goal
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/university-leaders-look-to-the-state-to-help-them-achieve-their-tuition-freeze-goal.html
Secretary: Turnpike could be headed for “catastrophic” reckoning
http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/02/secretary-pa-turnpike-could-be-headed-for-catastrophic-reckoning.php
Q&A examining Obamacare’s costs in dollars and politics in Pennsylvania
https://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pennsylvania-obamacare-costs-aca-20190226-story.html
Berks lawmaker Mark Rozzi hoped for more from Catholic abuse summit, but says progress was made
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/rozzi-hoped-for-more-from-catholic-abuse-summit-but-says-progress-was-made
West Chester pastor is Senate Chaplin for a day
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/west-chester-pastor-is-senate-chaplin-for-a-day/article_621c936c-39f3-11e9-9e51-db34025c91ad.html
Proposed bill would help give all Pennsylvanians a fighting chance | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/02/bill-would-help-gives-all-pennsylvanians-a-fighting-chance.html
Fix state law, local ethics regulations
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/fix-state-law-local-ethics-regulations-1.2450560
Minimum Wage
Sen. Casey backs $15 minimum wage by 2024
https://www.timesleader.com/news/734580/sen-casey-backs-15-minimum-wage-by-2024
Minimum wage proposals gaining support at state and federal level
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/minimum-wage-proposals-gaining-support-at-state-and-federal-level/
Business
Iron Horse movie Bistro set to open within days
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/iron-horse-movie-bistro-set-to-open-within-days-1.2450499
Hundreds strike Erie’s Wabtec plant
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190226/hundreds-strike-eries-wabtec-plant
Energy Transfer Partners CEO admits ‘mistakes’ were made in Pa. pipeline project
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/energy-transfer-partners-ceo-admits-mistakes-were-made-in-pa/article_76a044ea-39f9-11e9-99f5-ef9400f35bc3.html
Crime/Punishment
Inside a cramped Bucks County apartment, 5 family members dead in murder-suicide pact, survivors say
https://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/murder-bucks-county-morrisville-pa-suicide-plan-homicide-probable-cause-affidavit-20190226.html
1 arrested, 1 sought in W-B drive-by
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/1-arrested-1-sought-in-w-b-drive-by-1.2450692
Education
6 people, including Muhlenberg student, reportedly face charges in Monday’s basketball chaos at York
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/article/york-security-team-praised-for-ensuring-muhlenbergs-safety
Recovery officer to approve Scranton School Board resignation
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/recovery-officer-to-approve-scranton-school-board-resignation-1.2450555
Cakes, accreditation, new bookstore deal and repairs at LCCC trustee meeting
https://www.timesleader.com/news/734602/cakes-accreditation-new-bookstore-deal-and-repairs-at-lccc-trustee-meeting
$700K needed to fix LCCC mold problem
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/700k-needed-to-fix-lccc-mold-problem-1.2450687
4 state-owned Pennsylvania universities add degree programs
https://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/4-state-owned-universities-add-degree-programs/
Former chaplain alleges wrongful termination by Albright College
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/ex-chaplain-alleges-wrongful-termination-by-albright
CCBC appoints new president
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190226/ccbc-appoints-new-president
Elections/Politics
Westmoreland GOP commissioner candidates accuse county Democrats of hijacking conservative message
https://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/westmoreland-gop-commissioner-candidates-accuse-county-democrats-of-hijacking-conservative-message/
Gaming
Rivers Casino’s sports book has big plans for March Madness
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/marchmadness/2019/02/26/rivers-casino-sports-book-march-madness-event-events-center/stories/201902250006
Health Care
Some employees furloughed at W-B General Hospital
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/some-employees-furloughed-at-w-b-general-hospital-1.2450676
Local News
Proposed Dollar General rejected by Luzerne County Council; new member sworn in
https://www.timesleader.com/news/734592/proposed-dollar-general-rejected-by-luzerne-county-council-new-member-sworn-in
WB Mayor George says he’s running for second term to finish what he’s started
https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/734595/wb-mayor-george-says-hes-running-for-second-term-to-finish-what-hes-started
Final 2018 statistics show 169 overdose deaths in Luzerne County
https://www.timesleader.com/news/734590/final-2018-statistics-show-169-overdose-deaths-in-luzerne-county
Mountain Top police departments receive ‘Stop the Bleed’ training, kits
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/mountain-top-police-departments-receive-stop-the-bleed-training-kits-1.2450680
Firm to share streetlight plans with council today
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/firm-to-share-streetlight-plans-with-council-today-1.2450592
Fran Pantuso tapped as new Lackawanna County commissioners’ chief of staff
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/fran-pantuso-tapped-as-new-lackawanna-county-commissioners-chief-of-staff-1.2450343
Scranton parking meters may get replaced by payment kiosks this year
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-parking-meters-may-get-replaced-by-payment-kiosks-this-year-1.2450604
Carbondale YMCA to receive nearly $200,000 from state for renovations
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/carbondale-ymca-to-receive-nearly-200-000-from-state-for-renovations-1.2450556
Court fight brews over firefighter, ambulance funding in Jefferson Twp.
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/court-fight-brews-over-firefighter-ambulance-funding-in-jefferson-twp-1.2450790
Gilpin supervisors ask Diebold to resign as constable
https://triblive.com/news/valley-news-dispatch/gilpin-supervisors-ask-diebold-to-resign-as-constable/
No home of their own
https://special.readingeagle.com/no-home-of-their-own/
Berks foreclosures were down again in 2018
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/berks-foreclosures-were-down-again-in-2018
Editorial: Reading has a chance to build momentum
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-reading-has-a-chance-to-build-momentum
Racial unrest in York County prompts political action
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2019/02/26/racial-unrest-york-county-prompts-political-action/2949753002/
Failing stormwater culvert finally being replaced after flooding, ground collapses in Slate Belt
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/slate-belt/index.ssf/2019/02/construction_to_begin_on_faili.html
Marijuana
Fetterman announces marijuana listening tour stop in Greensburg
https://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/fetterman-announces-marijuana-listening-tour-stop-in-greensburg/
‘Listening tour’ stop over legalization of marijuana sparks up debate in Richland Township
https://www.tribdem.com/news/listening-tour-stop-over-legalization-of-marijuana-sparks-up-debate/article_3464e0a4-3a3f-11e9-a964-577b86dc8958.html
National News
HHS docs show thousands of alleged incidents of sexual abuse against unaccompanied minors
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/02/26/thousands-unaccompanied-migrant-children-allegedly-sexually-abused-US-custody/stories/201902260184
United Methodists reject opening to rites for gays
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/02/26/United-Methodist-conference-reject-opening-rites-gays/stories/201902260144
Western Pennsylvania weighs in as Methodists uphold church LGBTQ bans
https://triblive.com/news/regional/western-pennsylvania-watches-weighs-in-as-methodists-uphold-church-lgbt-bans/
Natural Gas
Route modifications push one mile of PennEast pipeline into Monroe County
https://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-penn-east-route-modifications-20190226-story.html
Opioid Crisis
State and local partnership remains critical in Pa. opioid fight | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/02/state-and-local-partnership-remains-critical-in-opioid-fight-opinion.html
Philly
The primary election issue most Philly voters have never heard of: councilmanic prerogative
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia/councilmanic-prerogative-city-council-darrell-clarke-development-kenyatta-johnson-gentrification-building-primary-20190227.html
Delay of game: More time needed for next North Shore project
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/02/26/North-Shore-Continental-Steelers-Pirates-Hyatt-Place-PNC-Park/stories/201902260082
A Mexican immigrant artist found ‘paradise’ in the West Philly punk scene. Now, he’s giving up his oddball American dream.
https://www.philly.com/news/brujo-de-la-mancha-immigrant-trump-canada-20190226.html
SEPTA gives its bus network map an upgrade
https://www.philly.com/transportation/bus-map-septa-routes-redesign-philadelphia-20190227.html
Philadelphia history trove sought by Drexel includes untold wonders — Abe Lincoln’s ‘disguise’ hat, for one
https://www.philly.com/news/drexel-philadelphia-history-museum-collection-20190226.html
Philly looks to replace embattled chief assessor amid outcry over property assessments
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia/opa-michael-piper-chief-assessment-officer-kenney-assessments-clarke-20190226.html
Rapist central to Philly’s sanctuary city fight gets 21 months more for immigration violations
https://www.philly.com/news/juan-ramon-vasquez-undocumented-sanctuary-city-honduras-trump-kenney-20190226.html
Community College of Philadelphia faculty inch closer to strike by mid-March
https://www.philly.com/news/community-college-strike-faculty-philadelphia-negotiations-20190226.html
Dilworth Park doesn’t need a Starbucks | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/starbucks-dilworth-park-philadelphia-center-city-district-20190226.html
Pitt
Local officials spent thousands in campaign funds on restaurants and bars last year
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/02/26/elections-campaign-finance-bill-peduto-chelsa-wagner-John-weinstein-bruce-kraus-meals-dining/stories/201902210177
Picklesburgh is looking like the real dill, but voting continues
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/food/2019/02/26/Picklesburgh-Best-Specialty-Food-Festival-USA-Today-10Best-poll-vote/stories/201902260125
Pa. charter board overturns Pittsburgh Public Schools, approves new charter school
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/02/26/Pennsylvania-charter-schools-Pittsburgh-Public-Catalyst-Academy-appeal-decision/stories/201902260155
Proposed charter school in East Liberty wins appeal fight against Pittsburgh Public Schools
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/proposed-charter-school-in-east-liberty-wins-appeal-fight-against-pittsburgh-public-schools/
Another flu death reported in Allegheny County
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/02/26/flu-death-county-Allegheny-shots-complications-health/stories/201902260175
Proposal: Elevate city protections for pregnant workers, partners
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/02/26/Pittsburgh-city-councilwoman-Erika-Strassburger-legislation-protections-pregnant-workers/stories/201902260119
Pittsburgh ordinance would expand protection for pregnancy discrimination
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-ordinance-would-expand-protection-for-pregnancy-discrimination/
3rd man in bar brawl with Pittsburgh cops files lawsuit, alleges violation of federal organized crime laws
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/3rd-man-in-bar-brawl-with-pittsburgh-cops-files-lawsuit-alleges-violation-of-federal-organized-crime-laws/
Pa. Supreme Court rejects FOP appeal on police pay
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/02/26/Pennsylvania-Supreme-Court-Pittsburgh-police-FOP-arbitration-appeal/stories/201902260169
Pa. Supreme Court denies Pittsburgh FOP appeal of 2014 police contract
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/pa-supreme-court-denies-pittsburgh-fop-appeal-of-2014-police-contract/
State News
Pennsylvania officially abolished slavery in 1780. But many black Pennsylvanians were in bondage long after that.
https://www.philly.com/news/black-history-month-pennsylvania-gradual-abolition-slavery-indenture-emancipation-20190227.html
More manpower arrives, this time from Alabama, to help utility companies restore power
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/02/27/Manpower-arrives-Alabama-power-outages-pittsburgh-allegheny-county-duquesne-light-west-penn/stories/201902270087
Washington County residents warned about scam involving Social Security
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/washington/2019/02/26/Washington-County-residents-warned-phone-scam-Social-Security-numbers/stories/201902260128
State Supreme Court to hear Armstrong County woman’s restitution appeal
https://triblive.com/news/valley-news-dispatch/state-supreme-court-to-hear-armstrong-county-womans-restitution-appeal/
Pennsylvania prepares to start issuing Real IDs
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc–nws-pa-real-ids-20190226-story.html
The cost of rain: More towns ask property owners to pay for stormwater plans
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/the-cost-of-rain-more-townships-boroughs-asking-property-owners-to-pay-for-stormwater-plans.html
Central Pa. Volunteer Firefighters Get Help From The State, But Some Say They Could Use More
https://radio.wpsu.org/post/central-pa-volunteer-firefighters-get-help-state-some-say-they-could-use-more
A town found the source of its contaminated wells: road salt. What’s being done about it?
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/2019/02/a-town-found-the-source-of-its-contaminated-wells-road-salt-whats-being-done-about-it.html
Transportation
LCTA hears from student advisory council
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lcta-hears-from-student-advisory-council-1.2450689
LCTA bus driver honored for helping resident in need
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lcta-bus-driver-honored-for-helping-resident-in-need-1.2450682
Bieber Tourways accused of violating Americans with Disabilities Act
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/bieber-tourways-accused-of-violating-americans-with-disabilities-act
Lehigh Valley International Airport looks to add upscale hotel
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-nws-lvia-requests-hotel-bids-20190225-story.html
Washington
Michael Cohen to testify Trump knew about WikiLeaks dump of Democratic emails
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/michael-cohen-opening-statement-trump-knew-wikileaks-emails-lying-20190227.html
How Democrats are challenging Trump’s national emergency declaration
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/trump-national-emergency-wall-democrats-block-challenge-immigration-20190226.html
Bill co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb helping vets pursue STEM careers passes House
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190226/bill-co-sponsored-by-us-rep-conor-lamb-helping-vets-pursue-stem-careers-passes-house