Legislature

Democrats claim wins in Pennsylvania House special elections
https://www.tribdem.com/news/democrats-claim-wins-in-pennsylvania-house-special-elections/article_754926f8-4938-5ac5-a561-020e531ca827.html

Democrat Kosierowski claims victory in special election for 114th District seat
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/democrat-kosierowski-claims-victory-in-special-election-for-114th-district-seat-1.2456623

Pa. Sen. Santarsiero: DEP investigating Rockhill Quarry records
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190312/pa-sen-santarsiero-dep-investigating-rockhill-quarry-records

Killion responds to pipeline correspondence
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/killion-responds-to-pipeline-correspondence/article_5ec38300-4502-11e9-8182-4b615d0781b5.html

Time for another run at helping Pa. child sex abuse survivors | John Baer
https://www.philly.com/opinion/john-baer-child-sex-abuse-legislature-20190312.html

Your electricity bill could increase to rescue nuclear power plants | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/03/your-electricity-bill-could-increase-to-rescue-nuclear-power-plants-opinion.html

Woman accusing State Rep. Brian Ellis of sexual assault files complaint with House Republicans
https://www.philly.com/news/brian-ellis-sexual-assault-complaint-house-republicans-20190312.html

Woman accusing state lawmaker of sexual assault files complaint with Pa. House Republicans
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/woman-accusing-state-lawmaker-of-sexual-assault-files-complaint-with-pa-house-republicans.html

Lawyers say sexual assault claims against Pa. Rep. Brian Ellis are ‘just plain false’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/law-firm-denounce-sexual-assault-claims-against-pa-rep-brian-ellis-calls-them-just-plain-false.html

Business

New county order would speed up repairs to US Steel coke plant, curtail pollution
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/03/12/New-county-health-order-would-speed-up-repairs-to-US-Steel-coke-plant/stories/201903120151

County revises enforcement order, U.S. Steel to expedite repairs at Clairton Coke Works
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/county-revises-enforcement-order-u-s-steel-to-expedite-repairs-at-clairton-coke-works/

Dick’s Sporting Goods to continue to phase out hunting departments
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2019/03/12/Dick-s-Sporting-Goods-hunting-guns-replace-batting-cages/stories/201903120132

Dick’s to halt sales of rifles, ammo at 125 of its stores
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/dicks-to-halt-sales-of-rifles-ammo-at-125-of-its-stores/

Pa.-based Rite Aid’s top executives leave as 400 jobs are cut in wide shakeup
https://www.philly.com/business/drugs/pennsylvania-based-rite-aid-top-executives-leave-as-four-hundred-jobs-are-cut-in-wide-shakeup-20190312.html

Invisible Man Brewing coming to downtown Greensburg
https://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/invisible-man-brewing-coming-to-downtown-greensburg/

Unemployment sinks even farther, but that could be subject to change
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/unemployment-sinks-even-farther-but-that-could-be-subject-to-change-1.2456583

Berks unemployment rate down to 3.7 percent
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/berks-unemployment-rate-down-to-37-percent

Lehigh Valley unemployment appears to be lowest in nearly 18 years. These charts show the trend.
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2019/03/lehigh-valley-unemployment-appears-to-be-lowest-in-nearly-18-years-these-chart-shows-the-dip.html

Catholic Church

Former Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell sentenced to six years for child sex abuse
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/03/12/Australian-cardinal-george-pell-sentenced-to-prison-for-child-sex-abuse/stories/201903120164

Crime/Punishment

Lockdown lifted at SCI Somerset after ‘inmate-on-employee assault’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/03/12/SCI-Somerset-lockdown-inmate-on-employee-assault-pennsylvania-prisons/stories/201903120076

Man with five DUI convictions appears in court after fatal crash
https://www.philly.com/news/newtown-square-drunk-driving-homicide-strowhouer-delaware-county-20190312.html

Four inmates charged with peddling meth inside Luzerne County lockup
https://www.timesleader.com/news/736358/four-inmates-charged-with-peddling-meth-inside-correctional-facility

Cops seize 4K bags of heroin, 5 guns in shooting investigation
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cops-seize-4k-bags-of-heroin-5-guns-in-shooting-investigation-1.2456697

Education

Exeter School District installs cameras on buses
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/exeter-school-district-installs-cameras-on-buses

‘Disturbing’ James Bond Facebook meme spurs Highlands to ax would-be security firm
https://triblive.com/news/valley-news-dispatch/disturbing-facebook-meme-featuring-james-bond-spurs-district-to-ax-would-be-security-firm/

Swarthmore College basketball team has reached the Division III Final Four. How? Precisely. | Mike Jensen
https://www.philly.com/college-sports/swarthmore-college-ncaa-final-four-landry-kosmalski-20190312.html

Penn medical school scores well in U.S. News rankings
https://www.philly.com/health/usnews-penn-top-med-schools-perelman-20190312.html

Bloomsburg University announces cost increase
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/bloomsburg-university-announces-cost-increase-1.2456597

Penn State attorney in Sandusky case should get public censure, state board says
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/state-board-recommends-public-censure-for-penn-state-attorney-in-sandusky-case.html

Elections/Politics

Patricia Fritz announces bid for commissioner, while her former boss files to run again for Westmoreland sheriff
https://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/patricia-fritz-announces-bid-for-commissioner-while-her-former-boss-files-to-run-again-for-westmoreland-sheriff/

11-person field set for Luzerne County Council; incumbent Urban not running
https://www.timesleader.com/news/736374/11-person-field-set-for-luzerne-county-council-incumbent-urban-not-running

Lehigh Valley primary election: Here are your county and city candidates
https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-2019-candidates-20190312-story.html

Gaming

State board approves Churchill Downs to manage Lady Luck Casino in Farmington
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/state-board-approves-churchill-downs-to-manage-lady-luck-casino/article_0867f66f-2457-5c8e-ae13-4ec6b8bd6b41.html

Caernarvon Township approves Penn National mini-casino
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/caernarvon-approves-penn-national-mini-casino

We now know exactly what’s being sold in the Sands Bethlehem casino deal
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/2019/03/we-now-know-exactly-whats-being-sold-in-the-sands-bethlehem-casino-deal.html

Health Care

Geisinger, Highmark announce joint plans in region
https://www.timesleader.com/news/736449/geisinger-highmark-announce-joint-plans-in-region

Local News

Wilkes-Barre city council to consider street-sweeping deal with PennDOT
https://www.timesleader.com/news/736396/wilkes-barre-city-council-to-consider-street-sweeping-deal-with-penndot

Luzerne County Council praises Forty Fort’s plans for county sports complex
https://www.timesleader.com/news/736422/luzerne-county-council-praises-forty-forts-plans-for-county-sports-complex

LCTA board OKs negotiations for Murray Complex purchase
https://www.timesleader.com/news/736411/lcta-board-oks-negotiations-for-murray-complex-purchase

George addresses concerns over bagged parking meters in W-B
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/george-addresses-concerns-over-bagged-parking-meters-in-w-b-1.2456736

Ashley residents worried about playground plan
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ashley-residents-worried-about-playground-plan-1.2456718

GCMC lighting offer at Nay Aug Park illuminates neighborhood tension
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/gcmc-lighting-offer-at-nay-aug-park-illuminates-neighborhood-tension-1.2456649

First downtown parking kiosks installed in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/first-downtown-parking-kiosks-installed-in-scranton-1.2456518

Commissioners must lead on stormwater
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/commissioners-must-lead-on-stormwater-1.2456613

Settlement drops value of Valley Country Club
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/settlement-drops-value-of-valley-country-club-1.2456633

Solar farm could power Hunker Wastewater Treatment Plant
https://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/solar-farm-could-power-hunker-wastewater-treatment-plant/

Allegheny Township approves money for Tredway Trail expansion
https://triblive.com/news/valley-news-dispatch/allegheny-townships-approves-money-for-tredway-trail-expansion-seeks-bids-for-road-work/

Top Berks officials want meeting on constable system
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/top-berks-officials-want-meeting-on-constable-system

Berks district attorney and sheriff want constables off certain warrants
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-district-attorney-and-sheriff-want-constables-off-certain-warrants

Local developer reaches deal to save deteriorating Reading church
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/local-developer-reaches-deal-to-save-deteriorating-reading-church

Reading police to overhaul crossing guard program
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-police-to-overhaul-crossing-guard-program

Contractor removed from Harrisburg wall collapse lawsuit because of timing
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/contractor-who-worked-on-site-of-harrisburg-wall-collapse-removed-from-civil-lawsuit.html

Michael Rosfeld Trial

Michael Rosfeld trial: Nine jurors chosen, including three African Americans
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/michael-rosfeld-trial-antwon-rose/

Jury selection resumes for Michael Rosfeld trial
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/03/13/michael-rosfeld-antwon-rose-police-killing-east-pittsburgh-jury-selection-day-2/stories/201903130063

Mother of Antwon Rose II asks for peace during Rosfeld trial
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/03/12/Antwon-Rose-II-mother-asks-for-no-protests-during-Rosfeld-trial/stories/201903120135

National News

Ex-area college admissions dean: ‘Ethics be damned’ seems to be parental attitude for some
https://www.philly.com/news/admissions-campus-bribery-fbi-charges-20190312.html

Boeing 737 Max 8 pilots complained of suspected safety flaw months before Ethiopian Airlines crash
https://www.philly.com/business/boeing-max-pilots-complained-suspected-safety-flaw-20190312.html

Manafort returning to federal court for another sentencing
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/03/13/Manafort-returning-to-federal-court-for-sentencing-trump-campaign/stories/201903130077

California governor places moratorium on executions
https://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/death-penalty-moratorium-california-gavin-newsom-executive-order-20190313.html

New Mexico bill would create first state-run pot shops in U.S.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/new-mexico-bill-would-create-first-state-run-pot-shops-in-us.html

New Jersey

Why New Jersey may be closer than ever to legalizing recreational marijuana
https://www.philly.com/business/weed/new-jersey-marijuana-recreational-cannabis-adult-use-agreement-weed-20190312.html

Opioid Crisis

Is the opioid crisis over?
http://www.witf.org/smart-talk/2019/03/the-opioid-battlefield-is-changing.php

Philly

Philadelphia to launch low-interest loan program that will help residents fix aging homes
https://www.philly.com/real-estate/housing/philadelphia-home-improvement-loan-program-restore-repair-renew-credit-score-lenders-20190313.html

She left her all-boys school after coming out as trans. Now, she leads LGBTQ trainings there. | We the People
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia/transgender-students-philadelphia-boys-latin-20190313.html

Transit police strike ends after union and SEPTA reach deal
https://www.philly.com/news/septa-transit-police-strike-end-20190313.html

Petitions are in, and indicted Councilman Bobby Henon won’t have a Democratic challenger
https://www.philly.com/news/indicted-councilman-bobby-henon-unchallenged-largest-dem-field-for-at-large-seats-since–20190312.html

Kensington heroin camps mainly populated by Philadelphians, study on evictions finds
https://www.philly.com/health/kensington-homeless-encampments-cleared-drugs-opioid-crisis-study-philadelphia-20190312.html

The Manayunk Canal almost became the Manayunk Expressway. Here’s how it was saved.
https://www.philly.com/news/manayunk-canal-history-expressway-schuylkill-river-philadelphia-20190313.html

Philly port’s biggest marijuana bust: Hidden in a container of rice, worth about $2.5 million
https://www.philly.com/business/weed/weed-marijuana-barge-port-of-philadelphia-puerto-rico-rice-20190312.html

Here are the Boeing 737 Max 8 flights out of Philadelphia and what you need to know about them
https://www.philly.com/business/reschedule-boeing-max-southwest-american-airlines-ethiopia-20190312.html

West Philly art mystery solved: Lifelike sculptures left on vacant lot have a purpose
https://www.philly.com/news/seward-johnson-west-philadelphia-new-museum-20190312.html

Backhoe causes explosion at Philly 7-Eleven, police say
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia/gas-explosion-seven-eleven-north-philadelphia-20190312.html

Is Philadelphia properly funding its community college?
https://www.philly.com/news/community-college-philadelphia-city-council-funding-tuition-20190312.html

Soda tax-funded preK will drive Philadelphia’s future | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/soda-tax-philadelphia-pre-k-20190313.html

There’s more than enough food. Why are so many still hungry? | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/hunger-food-stamps-philabundance-pantries-editorial-20190313.html

These Philly schoolkids are striking Friday because ‘grown-ups’ have failed them on climate | Will Bunch
https://www.philly.com/opinion/us-youth-climate-strike-philadelphia-march-greta-thunberg-dianne-20190312.html

Pitt

Pittsburgh Council to amend gun legislation Wednesday, but no vote expected
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-council-to-amend-gun-legislation-wednesday-but-no-vote-expected/

No North Shore duplicate: Penguins see differences in their plan for former Civic Arena site
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/03/12/Penguins-Civic-Arena-Hill-District-North-Shore/stories/201903110030

City officials release road closures, urge safety ahead of St. Patrick’s Day parade
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/03/12/Pittsburgh-road-closures-safety-tip-St-Patricks-Day-parade-celebration-festivities/stories/201903120093

Pittsburgh bans open containers of alcohol in Market Square on St. Patrick’s Day
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-bans-open-containers-of-alcohol-in-market-square-on-st-patricks-day/

City, county candidates line up for May, November races
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/03/12/Candidate-slates-set-for-local-elections-as-May-primaries-approach/stories/201903120142

Leon Ford drops out of City Council race
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/03/12/Leon-Ford-drops-out-withdraws-Pittsburgh-City-Council-race-District-9-Ricky-Burgess/stories/201903120079

Ex-Pittsburgh cop admits to lying to FBI in bank robbery case
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/03/12/antoine-cain-pittsburgh-police-lying-fbi-bank-robbery-guilty-plea/stories/201903120117

Pittsburgh council votes unanimously to strengthen protections for pregnant workers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/03/12/Pittsburgh-council-votes-unanimously-protections-pregnancy-workplace-discrimination-pregnant-workers/stories/201903120119

Penguins fans big donors to city Public Safety following Tree of Life shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/03/12/Pittsburgh-Public-Safety-receives-200-000-in-donations-following-Tree-of-Life-shooting/stories/201903120129

B-PEP urges Wolf to fill Allegheny County court vacancy with African-American
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/b-pep-urges-wolf-to-fill-allegheny-county-court-vacancy-with-african-american/

‘Mac Miller’s Blue Slide Park’ appears in Apple, Bing map searches
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/mac-millers-blue-slide-park-earns-recognition-via-apple-bing-map-searches/

CCAC to open its doors to former Art Institute students
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/ccac-to-open-its-doors-to-former-art-institute-students/

Southwest Airlines, Pittsburgh’s top airline, to keep flying Boeing 737 Max 8
https://triblive.com/news/regional/southwest-airlines-pittsburghs-top-airline-to-keep-flying-boeing-737-max-8/

6th flu-related death reported in Allegheny County
https://triblive.com/news/pittsburgh-allegheny/6th-flu-related-death-reported-in-allegheny-county/

State News

Shapiro, 13 other state AGs reach deal on ‘no-poach’ agreements in fast food
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2019/03/12/Shapiro-no-poach-agreements-fast-food-Dunkin-Arby-s-Five-Guys-Little-Caesars/stories/201903120126

Pennsylvania opens investigation into gas liquids pipeline
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-opens-investigation-into-gas-liquids-pipeline/

Pennsylvania launches criminal investigation into Mariner East pipeline project
https://www.philly.com/business/energy/sunoco-mariner-east-pipeline-nd-criminal-investigation-20190312.html

Pennsylvania offers grants for fighting wildfires
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-offers-grants-for-fighting-wildfires/

Pa.’s open records law proving to be not burdensome to most government agencies, survey finds
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/pas-open-records-law-not-proving-to-be-burdensome-to-most-government-agencies-survey-finds.html

Transportation

Quakertown man finds it’s E-Z to be overcharged | Stu Bykofsky
https://www.philly.com/opinion/stu-bykofsky-ez-pass-transponder-tolls-20190312.html

Editorial: Improvements badly needed on I-78 in Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-improvements-badly-needed-on-i-78-in-berks

Washington

Senate rejection of Trump border emergency no longer certain
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/president-donald-trump-border-wall-emergency-republican-senators-veto-compromise-20190313.html

Berks members of Congress weigh in on new Dream Act
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/local-members-of-congress-weigh-in-on-new-dream-act