Legislature
Yudichak: Growth will fuel Pa.’s future
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/yudichak-growth-will-fuel-pa-s-future-1.2460395
State lawmakers seek more oversight for PIAA
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/snyder_county/state-lawmakers-seek-more-oversight-for-piaa/article_5676ccbc-d8e8-5268-9602-4eccd3d5567c.html
Challenges, solutions discussed at Senate hearing on robocalls in East Whiteland
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/challenges-solutions-discussed-at-senate-hearing-on-robocalls-in-east/article_625cedc4-4c11-11e9-b7e2-6395d72974c3.html
Sen. Muth sponsors pipeline safety legislation
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/sen-muth-sponsors-pipeline-safety-legislation/article_4b614d8c-4c0b-11e9-98ac-db8d88de7f41.html
Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to eliminate lead from Philadelphia schools faces opposition
https://www.philly.com/news/lead-poison-children-philadelphia-schools-governor-tom-wolf-pennsylvania-toxic-city-20190321.html
Philly state Rep. wants to give voters power to oust indicted Councilman Henon
https://whyy.org/articles/philly-stat-rep-wants-to-give-voters-power-to-oust-indicted-councilman-henon/?recip_id=561&list_id=5
State Sen. Bartolotta champions bill for technical schools
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190321/state-sen-bartolotta-champions-bill-for-technical-schools
Baker votes to OK tougher pension forfeiture law that closes Mellow loophole
https://www.timesleader.com/news/737307/baker-votes-to-ok-tougher-pension-forfeiture-law-that-closes-mellow-loophole
Bills will keep lead from robbing children’s potential | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/lead-paint-poisoning-city-council-tom-wolf-preemption-20190322.html
States like Pa. need better policy to encourage drone innovation | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/drone-remote-control-laws-20190321.html
Prominent Pa. CEOs: Inadequate school funding makes it harder for us to hire locally | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/todd-carmichael-la-colombe-education-schools-business-20190321.html
Pick reform instead of tax fantasy
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/pick-reform-instead-of-tax-fantasy-1.2460294
Citizens’ group drops open meetings lawsuit against legislative auditing panel, accepting a typo was to blame
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/citizens-group-drops-open-meetings-lawsuit-against-legislative-auditing-panel-accepting-a-typo-was-to-blame.html
PA Turnpike
PA Turnpike Commission ‘on the path to bankruptcy,’ auditor general says
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/turnpike-faces-financial-disaster-absent-legislative-action-depasquale-says/
Auditor General DePasquale says Pa. Turnpike facing ‘road to ruin’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/737326/auditor-general-depasquale-says-pa-turnpike-facing-road-to-ruin
Auditor general says debt-laden Pa. Turnpike Commission at ‘critical juncture’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/03/21/Auditor-general-Eugene-Depasquale-Pa-Turnpike-Commission-critical/stories/201903210116
Pa. Turnpike is on ‘road to ruin’, auditor general says; toll hikes driving people away
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/pa-turnpike-is-on-the-road-to-ruin-without-a-legislative-funding-fix-auditor-general-says.html
Pa. auditor general says turnpike commission on ‘road to ruin’
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190321/pa-auditor-general-says-turnpike-commission-on-road-to-ruin
Business
Competing for workers, U.S. Steel adds parental leave, gender reassignment coverage to benefits package
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2019/03/21/U-S-Steel-employee-benefits-parental-leave-transgender-health-care/stories/201903210036
Report indicates financial woes at former Franklin Mills mall
https://www.philly.com/real-estate/commercial/franklin-mills-philadelphia-mills-default-special-servicer-simon-property-group-20190322.html
Soon, you can buy CBD at CVS stores thanks to Curaleaf partnership
https://www.philly.com/business/weed/soon-you-can-buy-cbd-cvs-stores-thanks-curaleaf-partnership-20190321.html
Attorney general sues Fayette County furniture retailer over consumer complaints
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pa-attorney-general-files-lawsuit-against-fayette-county-furniture-retailer/
Reading Eagle CFO announces plan that would keep newspaper in local hands
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-eagle-cfo-working-on-plan-to-keep-newspaper-in-local-hands
Berks officials react to Reading Eagle bankruptcy
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-officials-react-to-reading-eagle-bankruptcy
Army moving to delay Chinook upgrades at Boeing plant
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/army-moving-to-delay-chinook-upgrades-at-boeing-plant/article_d81d7bd2-4c25-11e9-93af-ab669e375458.html
Crime/Punishment
Lackawanna County employee faces child porn charges, resigns
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-employee-faces-child-porn-charges-resigns-1.2460153
Lewisburg penitentiary to become medium-security institution; staff will be unaffected
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/lewisburg-penitentiary-to-become-medium-security-institution-staff-will-be-unaffected.html
Education
Solicitor: Crestwood bus issue near end; report to be released soon
https://www.timesleader.com/news/737360/solicitor-crestwood-bus-issue-near-end-report-to-be-released-soon
Four people apply for Scranton School Board vacancy
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/four-people-apply-for-scranton-school-board-vacancy-1.2460282
Abington Senior HS takes first place in national contest that requires endurance, smarts, and psyching out your opponent
https://www.philly.com/education/abington-high-chess-tournament-winners-20190321.html
School Safety: How School Construction Is Changing Due To Security Concerns
https://radio.wpsu.org/post/school-safety-how-school-construction-changing-due-security-concerns
Penn donor, billionaire Michael Steinhardt accused of sexual harassment
https://www.philly.com/education/michael-steinhardt-sexual-harassment-university-pennsylvania-hillel-20190321.html
Mumps outbreak at Temple: What to know about the contagious disease
https://www.philly.com/health/mumps-temple-outbreak-symptoms-vaccine-20190321.html
Case of mumps confirmed at West Chester University
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/case-of-mumps-confirmed-at-west-chester-university/article_2916719a-4c05-11e9-8cad-270aeb9b1b38.html
Four area colleges rank in top online MBA list
https://triblive.com/local/regional/four-area-colleges-rank-in-top-online-mba-list/
Keystone College hosts expert panel on juvenile justice
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/keystone-college-hosts-expert-panel-on-juvenile-justice-1.2460568
What are the best nursing programs in Pa.?
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/03/what-are-the-best-nursing-programs-in-pa.html
Elections/Politics
Joe Pittman, longtime aide to state. Sen. Don White, wins GOP nomination to replace him
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/joe-pittman-longtime-aide-to-state-sen-don-white-wins-gop-nomination-to-replace-him/
Health Care
Lack of contract keeps veterans from UPMC
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190322/lack-of-contract-keeps-veterans-from-upmc#
Local News
Questions abound over new voting machines
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/questions-abound-over-new-voting-machines-1.2460374
Listings released for Luzerne County’s April 25 tax auction
https://www.timesleader.com/news/737351/listings-released-for-luzerne-countys-april-25-tax-auction
Security matter: City police will guard W-B mosque
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/security-matter-city-police-will-guard-w-b-mosque-1.2460405
NZ mosque slayings prompt added security, plans for unity rally in Wilkes-Barre
https://www.timesleader.com/news/737339/nz-mosque-slayings-prompt-added-security-unity-rally-in-wilkes-barre
Wilkes-Barre restricting parking while buildings are razed
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-restricting-parking-while-buildings-are-razed-1.2460388
Nanticoke Fire Department set to unveil new fire truck
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/nanticoke-fire-department-set-to-unveil-new-fire-truck-1.2460371
Settlement reached in tax appeal of Electric City Parking Garage in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/settlement-reached-in-tax-appeal-of-electric-city-parking-garage-in-scranton-1.2460571
Appointments still available for free tax prep help
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/appointments-still-available-for-free-tax-prep-help-1.2460168
As recovery center tackles addiction on the Main Line, first responders struggle to get paid for increased calls
https://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/drug-addiction-recovery-center-devon-pa-main-line-emergency-calls-20190321.html
Harrison hosting ‘Too Toxic to Trash’ recycling collections in April
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/harrison-hosting-too-toxic-to-trash-recycling-collection-in-april/
West Reading preparing to roll out private parking lot system
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/west-reading-preparing-to-roll-out-private-parking-lot-system
Berks residents oppose plan to expand life of Rolling Hills Landfill
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-residents-oppose-plan-to-expand-life-of-rolling-hills-landfill
Editorial: Shuman sets great example for investment in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/shuman-sets-great-example-for-investment-in-reading
Sheriff’s sale of PPL Plaza in downtown Allentown pushed until April
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-biz-ppl-plaza-sheriff-sale-downtown-allentown-20190320-story.html
National News
Jimmy Carter is about to become the longest-living president in American history
https://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/jimmy-carter-president-longest-living-ronald-reagan-camp-david-plains-georgia-20190322.html
Facebook left millions of passwords readable by employees for years
https://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/facebook-user-passwords-readable-employees-security-researcher-20190321.html
New Jersey
New Jersey governor: Push to legalize pot is short on votes
https://www.philly.com/politics/new-jersey/new-jersey-governor-says-push-to-legalize-pot-short-on-votes-20190321.html
Philly
Tainted Philly police officers get re-assigned to the ‘last place’ they should be, critics say
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-police-department-misconduct-tainted-cops-corruption-homeland-security-center-20190322.html
Did ‘artificial intelligence’ spot petition fakes in City Council races? A judge will make the call. | Clout
https://www.philly.com/politics/clout/council-at-large-petition-challenges-devon-cade-allan-domb-nick-miccarelli-20190322.html
‘Johnny Doc’ blasts case against him and Councilman Henon in bid to have corruption charges thrown out
https://www.philly.com/news/john-dougherty-indictment-local-ibew-defese-20190321.html
Four Seasons Hotel begins massive recruitment in Philadelphia as hotel sector continues to grow
https://www.philly.com/business/hotels-philadelphia-four-seasons-loews-convention-jobs-20190321.html
$38 million of cocaine seized at Philadelphia port
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/38-million-of-cocaine-seized-at-philadelphia-port/
Rendell says Philly group near deal on home for supervised injection site
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/03/rendell-says-philly-group-near-deal-on-home-for-supervised-injection-site.php
Pitt
County Controller Chelsa Wagner holds campaign fundraiser a day after felony charges announced
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/03/21/County-Controller-Chelsa-Wagner-fundraiser-felony-charge-detroit/stories/201903210178
August Wilson Center restores ‘African American’ to its name
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2019/03/21/August-Wilson-center-restores-African-American-Pittsburgh-Downtown-name/stories/201903210099
Relative of late Ugandan dictator admits in Pittsburgh court to counterfeiting crimes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/03/21/Ryan-Gustafson-international-counterfeiting-Ugandan-dictator-relative-Pittsburgh-counterfeit-money/stories/201903210133
Backyard barnyards getting popular
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/03/21/Workshop-educate-benefits-and-pitfalls-of-raising-poultry-city-farmers/stories/201903210005
Pittsburgh Public Schools hosts symposium on LGBTQ, gender inclusivity
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/03/21/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-Evan-Wolfson-transgender-gay-students/stories/201903210118
Road to close as crane lifts 30,000-pound MRI scanner into Oakland research institute
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/road-to-close-as-crane-lifts-30000-pound-mri-scanner-into-oakland-research-institute/
Redistricting
Number of states using redistricting commissions growing
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/number-of-states-using-redistricting-commissions-growing-20190321.html
GOP redistricting edge moderated Democrats’ 2018 gains
https://www.philly.com/wires/ap/gop-redistricting-edge-moderated-democrats-gains-20190321.html
Rosfeld Trial
Rosfeld testifies in own defense in homicide trial
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/03/21/michael-rosfeld-testimony-trial-antwon-rose-east-pittsburgh-police-shooting-allegheny-county/stories/201903210131
Rosfeld: ‘I thought one of the suspects was pointing a gun at me’
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/rosfeld-i-thought-one-of-the-suspects-was-pointing-a-gun-at-me/
Rose family confident in prosecutors’ effort during Rosfeld trial
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/03/21/Rose-family-confident-in-prosecutors-effort-during-Rosfeld-trial/stories/201903210177
Rosfeld trial has Pittsburgh police beefing up security
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-police-to-beef-up-security/
What to expect on Day 4 of the Michael Rosfeld trial
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/what-to-expect-on-day-4-of-the-michael-rosfeld-trial/
State News
Unhealthy us: Luzerne is low in annual county health rankings
https://www.timesleader.com/news/737349/unhealthy-us-luzerne-is-low-in-annual-county-health-rankings
Economist: Consumer spending, growth will remain solid in NEPA
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/economist-consumer-spending-growth-will-remain-solid-in-nepa-1.2460326
Area govts share in LCB license fees
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/area-govts-share-in-lcb-license-fees-1.2460355
If Three Mile Island shuts down, counties could lose grant money
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/if-three-mile-island-shuts-down-counties-could-lose-grant-money.html
Big winners: 10 largest lottery jackpots in Pa. history
https://expo.pennlive.com/news/g66l-2019/03/0b60b3b5302735/big-winners-10-largest-lottery-jackpots-in-pa-history.html
In the Lehigh Valley, girls eager to be a part of Boy Scouts of America
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-boy-scouts-begin-accepting-girls-20190308-story.html
Transportation
Landslide mitigation a big chunk of PennDOT projects planned for 2019
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/03/21/Landslide-mitigation-PennDOT-projects-budget-planned-2019-Pittsburgh-Allegheny/stories/201903210123
Route 28 improvements, bridges, landslides all on PennDOT’s to-do list for 2019
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/route-28-improvements-bridges-landslides-all-on-penndots-to-do-list-for-2019/
Washington
Trump signs an executive order protecting free speech on college campuses
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/03/21/Trump-signs-executive-order-protect-free-speech-college-campuses-federal-funding/stories/201903210193
Criticism of McCain is message to Trump’s base, allies say
https://www.philly.com/politics/criticism-john-mccain-message-trump-base-20190322.html
Democrats say Kushner used WhatsApp to contact foreign leaders
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/democrats-say-kushner-used-whatsapp-to-contact-foreign-leaders-20190321.html
World News
China chemical plant blast kills 47, injures hundreds more
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2019/03/22/Death-toll-in-China-chemical-plant-explosion-rises-to-44/stories/201903220074