Legislature
Pennsylvania State Senators working on bill to legalize cannabis for adult-use
https://local21news.com/news/local/pennsylvania-state-senators-propose
Editorial: Pipeline protesters take their case to Harrisburg
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/editorial-pipeline-protesters-take-their-case-to-harrisburg/article_b0a5408c-497b-11e9-b66a-cf0f25f617f6.html
E-scooter law picks up speed
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190319/e-scooter-law-picks-up-speed
House moves Janus-enforcing bill, but a veto likely looms
https://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/03/house-moves-janus-enforcing-bill-but-a-veto-likely-looms.php
Save Three Mile Island? What a difference 40 years makes
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/save-three-mile-island-what-a-difference-40-years-makes.html
Can Pennsylvania’s energy market survive without Three Mile Island?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/can-pennsylvanias-energy-market-survive-without-three-mile-island.html
Butler County state legislator resigns following accusations of sexual assault
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/03/18/Butler-County-state-legislator-resigns-following-accusations-of-sexual-assault/stories/201903180127
Pennsylvania lawmaker Brian Ellis facing sex assault claim quits House
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-lawmaker-brian-ellis-facing-sex-assault-claim-quits-house/
Pa. lawmaker accused of sexually assaulting a woman resigns state House seat
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/state-rep-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-a-woman-turns-in-his-resignation-from-his-house-seat.html
Miccarelli lands top job at Community Transit
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/miccarelli-lands-top-job-at-community-transit/article_cbbcc534-49c6-11e9-8213-875eaaad6b44.html
Administration
Your View: Restore Pennsylvania program will help fund critical infrastructure projects
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-restore-pennsylvania-wolf-20190315-story.html
Business
Talks between Wabtec and union in Erie continue
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190319/talks-between-wabtec-and-union-in-erie-continue
Crime/Punishment
Pa. inmate gets more prison for filing false liens against Pittsburgh judges
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/03/18/pittsburgh-federal-judges-false-liens-clarence-hoffert-sentence-prison/stories/201903180117
Pennsylvania prisons will go tobacco-free as of July 1
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/03/18/Pennsylvania-prisons-jails-going-tobacco-free-smoking-cigarettes-July-1-health/stories/201903180085
Pennsylvania pediatrician’s victims tell of lives destroyed at sentencing
https://www.philly.com/crime/pennsylvania-pediatrician-sexual-assault-sentencing-20190318.html
Westmoreland inmates reach record detox level in February
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-inmates-reach-record-detox-level-in-february/
Suspect in Wilkes-Barre shooting spree arrested
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/suspect-in-wilkes-barre-shooting-spree-arrested-1.2459045
Derry Township constable ordered to stand trial on theft, extortion accusations
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/derry-township-constable-ordered-to-stand-trial-on-theft-extortion-accusations/
Fire company treasurer accused of stealing faces new charges
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/fire-company-treasurer-accused-of-stealing-faces-new-charges-1.2458957
Education
Highlands to publish names of tax delinquents
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/highlands-to-publish-names-of-tax-delinquents/
New Freeport senior elective could set up students for $40K-plus job at Oberg
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-senior-elective-at-could-set-up-students-for-40000-plus-job-at-oberg/
Brazil resigns as Scranton School District chief operations officer
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/brazil-resigns-as-scranton-school-district-chief-operations-officer-1.2458898
End contract to prove there is one
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/end-contract-to-prove-there-is-one-1.2458917
Reading School District and I-LEAD continue to battle over the school’s charter
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-school-district-and-i-lead-continue-to-battle-of-the-schools-charter
Police arrest Bethel Park teen for online threats to school, principal
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/03/18/xavier-cisneros-bethel-park-school-shooting-fbi-online-threats-4chan-8chan/stories/201903180120
Workshops to inform parents about student vaping ‘epidemic’
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/workshops-to-inform-parents-about-student-vaping-epidemic/
Villanova, Drexel, Penn earn bids to women’s postseason NIT
https://www.philly.com/college-sports/womens-nit-drexel-villanova-penn-20190319.html
Temple basketball alum: Fran Dunphy’s got more coaching left in him | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/fran-dunphy-temple-retirement-penn-march-madness-ncaa-tournament-basketball-20190319.html
Cheyney trustees fined for missing financial disclosures and back dated filings
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/cheyney-trustees-fined-for-missing-financial-disclosures-and-back-dated-filings/
Mansfield University’s next president comes from a senior adviser post at the U.S. Department of Education
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/mansfield-universitys-next-president-comes-from-a-senior-adviser-post-at-the-us-department-of-education.html
Lafayette becomes first Lehigh Valley college to pledge ‘carbon neutrality’
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/easton/mc-nws-easton-lafayette-climate-action-plan-20190315-story.html
Elections/Politics
Luzerne behind many Pa. counties on voting machine upgrades
https://www.timesleader.com/news/737055/luzerne-behind-many-pa-counties-on-voting-machine-upgrades
Which counties in Pa. will you find the least amount of political tolerance?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/which-counties-in-pa-will-you-find-the-least-amount-of-political-tolerance.html
Gaming
As March Madness arrives, so does hint of more sports betting addiction
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/lifestyle/2019/03/18/Sports-betting-Pittsburgh-problem-gambling-compulsive-March-Madness-wagers/stories/201903180016
Legal sports bets steady as Pennsylvania sports books prep for March Madness
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/legal-sports-bets-steady-as-pennsylvania-sports-books-prep-for-march-madness/
Mohegan Sun Pocono CEO talks jobs, but no timetable for sportsbook opening
https://www.timesleader.com/news/737038/mohegan-sun-pocono-ceo-talks-jobs-but-no-timetable-for-sportsbook-opening
Health Care
UPMC alleges AG Shapiro is promoting the interests of Highmark, not the public
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/upmc-alleges-ag-shapiro-is-promoting-the-interests-of-highmark-not-the-public/
Local News
Hazle Twp. family seeks help acquiring wheelchair-accessible van
https://www.timesleader.com/news/737063/hazle-twp-family-seeks-help-acquiring-wheelchair-accessible-van
Nanticoke’s oldest tree coming down
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/nanticoke-s-oldest-tree-coming-down-1.2459035
Scranton council acts on seeking state grant for City Hall renovation
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-council-acts-on-seeking-state-grant-for-city-hall-renovation-1.2459055
Scranton Fire Department’s chaplain has a new vision for the ceremonial post
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-fire-department-s-chaplain-has-a-new-vision-for-the-ceremonial-post-1.2459022
Reading City Council briefed on City Hall posts, filled and vacant
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-city-council-briefed-on-city-hall-posts-filled-and-vacant
National News
Warner Bros.’ chief Tsujihara steps down amid a sexual-misconduct scandal
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/movies/2019/03/18/Warner-Bros-CEO-Kevin-Tsujihara-stepping-down-sexual-misconduct-allegations/stories/201903180153
Natural Gas
Appeals court keeps alive Pa. attorney general’s case over landowner gas royalty payments
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/03/18/Marcellus-Shale-natural-gas-royalty-Chesapeake-attorney-general-Commonwealth-court-Pennsylvania/stories/201903180103
Low turnout for session on proposed compressor station
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/low-turnout-for-session-on-proposed-compressor-station-1.2459028
New Jersey
N.J. lawmakers advance bill to legalize recreational marijuana
https://www.philly.com/politics/new-jersey/marijuana-legalize-recreational-new-jersey-legislature-committees-20190319.html
Referee in Buena wrestler dreadlocks controversy alleges ‘emotional distress’ and character defamation
https://www.philly.com/news/new-jersey/andrew-johnson-wrestler-hair-dreadlocks-cut-buena-new-jersey-civil-rights-probes-20190319.html
New Jersey ban will force shops to accept cash; municipal parking lots, car rentals exempted
https://www.philly.com/business/new-jersey-cashless-store-ban-amazon-philadelphia-20190318.html
Philly
Sen. Williams running for mayor because ‘the problems of the city are significant and huge’
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/sen-williams-running-for-mayor-because-the-problems-of-the/article_3c9a2b24-95f6-51d6-b3c3-804974a8d2ae.html
Where is the city’s centralized process for handling sexual misconduct claims? | Rebecca Rhynhart
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-government-sexual-harassment-kenney-rebecca-rhynhart-20190318.html
City Council mulls anti-poverty legislation; advocates for poor, disabled say it’s not enough
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/city-council-mulls-anti-poverty-legislation-advocates-for-poor-disabled/article_88b7cd3c-951b-5968-983f-20c47b4e05ce.html
Slain Rite Aid manager’s widow: DA’s Office led her to believe ‘no option’ but life in prison for killer
https://www.philly.com/news/district-attorney-larry-krasner-death-penalty-christopher-kennedy-rite-aid-manager-michael-richardson-wife-speaks-20190318.html
A big day for Philly’s Women’s Opportunities Resource Center — and small, diverse business owners
https://www.philly.com/news/wells-fargo-worc-philadelphia-small-business-20190318.html
Chaka Fattah loses bid to have U.S. Supreme Court consider his appeal
https://www.philly.com/news/chaka-fattah-congress-supreme-court-sentence-corruption-20190318.html
Another day, another soda tax battle — this time in City Council | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/soda-tax-philadelphia-city-council-prek-kenney-sanchez-20190318.html
Pitt
Port Authority’s project to link Oakland and Downtown gets another favorable federal review
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/03/18/Port-Authority-Bus-Rapid-Transit-Oakland-Pittsburgh-Federal-Transit-Administration-electric-buses/stories/201903180122
PWSA customers in Pittsburgh may experience discolored water
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pwsa-to-begin-flushing-water-hydrants-in-preparation-for-the-addition-of-lead-inhibitor/
Pitt, with the help of T-Pain, to introduce its new look April 7
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2019/03/18/pitt-panthers-athletics-nike-script-t-pain-heather-lyke-blue-yellow/stories/201903180123
Naming rights deal at Science Center keeps Fab Lab maker space growing
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/science/2019/03/18/Carnegie-Science-Center-Fab-Lab-BNY-Mellon-naming-rights-pittsburgh/stories/201903180116
Tree of Life supports Christchurch victims with donation page
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/tree-of-life-supports-christchurch-victims-with-donation-page/
On Transit Worker Appreciation Day, advocates call for steady funding amid impending crisis
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/on-transit-worker-appreciation-day-advocates-call-for-steady-funding-amid-impending-crisis/Content?oid=14172933
Rosfeld Trial
Michael Rosfeld judge OKs drive-by details but not Antwon Rose II’s alleged armed robbery role
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/03/18/michael-rosfeld-antwon-rose-police-shooting-bicket-trial-evidence-armed-robbery-driveby/stories/201903180091
‘I just have to do it’: Antwon Rose’s mother braces for trial
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/03/19/Antwon-Rose-s-mother-bracing-for-Michael-Rosfeld-trial/stories/201903180141
Groups, businesses in Allegheny County call for police accountability in shooting of Antwon Rose II
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/03/18/Allegheny-County-groups-call-police-accountability-pittsburgh-shooting-Antwon-Rose-michael-rosfeld-trial/stories/201903180114
Port Authority to detour 20 bus routes around courthouse for Rosfeld trial
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/03/18/Port-Authority-to-detour-20-bus-routes-around-courthouse-for-Rosfeld-trial/stories/201903180133
Pitt law prof. David Harris on what to look for during the trial of Michael Rosfeld
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pitt-law-prof-david-harris-on-what-to-look-for-during-the-trial-of-michael-rosfeld/
State News
Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania celebrates 100th birthday
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/goodwill-of-southwestern-pennsylvania-celebrates-100th-birthday/
Pipe trades apprentices to compete at Latrobe Industrial Park
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pipe-trades-apprentices-to-compete-at-latrobe-industrial-park/
State lets woman use cannabis, but her employer found out and fired her, lawsuit claims
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-lets-woman-use-cannabis-but-her-employer-found-out-and-fired-her-lawsuit-claims-1.2459124
Lyme disease cases on rise
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/lyme-disease-cases-on-rise-1.2458926
Berks County again in middle of state health rankings
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-again-in-middle-of-state-health-rankings
Just how healthy is the Lehigh Valley? New rankings are out for all 67 Pa. counties
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/2019/03/just-how-healthy-is-the-lehigh-valley-new-rankings-are-out-for-all-67-pa-counties.html
State police sued over bulldozer death of Reading man
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/state-police-sued-over-bulldozer-death-of-berks-man
Editorial: Get ready to continue lanternfly fight
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-get-ready-to-continue-lanternfly-fight
A central Pa. woman says a 1970s eviction for being gay motivated her push for nondiscrimination ordinance in Harrisburg
https://papost.org/2019/03/18/a-central-pa-woman-says-a-1970s-eviction-for-being-gay-motivated-her-push-for-nondiscrimination-ordinance-in-harrisburg/
Transportation
Construction on Reading’s Penn Street Bridge is 76 percent complete
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/penn-street-bridge-76-percent-complete
Washington
Trump’s response to New Zealand massacre highlights his combative history with Muslims
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/trump-response-new-zealand-mosque-shootings-combative-history-muslims-20190319.html
Candidate O’Rourke to visit State College Tuesday
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/03/18/Candidate-O-Rourke-to-visit-State-College/stories/201903180135
Cory Booker criticizes ‘senators bragging about their pot use’
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/cory-booker-criticizes-candidates-bragging-about-marijuana-use-20190319.html
Nunes accuses Twitter, users of defamation and negligence in $250M lawsuit
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/devin-nunes-california-suing-twitter-users-accounts-defamation-negligence-20190319.html
Iowa Rep. Steve King posts meme saying red states have ‘8 trillion bullets’ in event of civil war
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/steve-king-iowa-republican-meme-trillion-bullets-civil-war-red-blue-states-20190319.html