News Digest :: March 23, 2019

Legislature

Democratic state senators propose student loan debt relief

https://www.witf.org/news/2019/03/democratic-senators-propose-student-loan-debt-relief.php

Lehigh Valley legislators got an earful on the rapid rise in robocalls

https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-the-fight-against-robocalls-ramps-up-20190322-story.html

Killion joins pipeline fight; looks to intervene in ‘Safety 7’ complaint

https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/killion-joins-pipeline-fight-looks-to-intervene-in-safety-complaint/article_a3f5f516-472d-58df-a479-4b8f47f2f374.html

Group rallies at Sen. Killion’s office to boost low-wage workers

https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/group-rallies-at-sen-killion-s-office-to-boost-low/article_2f090232-4cde-11e9-b191-b79beca70115.html

Argell target of roast

https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/argell-target-of-roast-1.2460830

Cook to open new district and satellite offices

https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/cook-to-open-new-district-and-satellite-offices/article_85cc4c4e-4bff-11e9-9f16-9b6a94558625.html

Pa. Senate fires security officer who alleged sexual harassment

https://www.philly.com/news/pa-senate-sexual-harassment-security-fired-20190322.html

Challenges, solutions discussed at Pa. Senate hearing on robocalls

https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/local/challenges-solutions-discussed-at-pa-senate-hearing-on-robocalls/article_db5c1ced-b587-5b31-9062-3927bfce4db7.html

Rep. Toohil recognized by group focused on victims’ rights

https://www.timesleader.com/news/737436/local-briefs-rep-toohil-recognized-by-group-focused-on-victims-rights

Editorial: Press for new prison reforms

https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/press-for-new-prison-reforms-1.2460274

Legal weed update: Lawmakers eye another Pennsylvania bill, as N.J. vote is set

https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2019/03/legal-weed-update-lawmakers-eye-another-pennsylvania-bill-as-nj-vote-is-set.html

Will a bipartisan slate of technical education bills actually do anything?

https://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/03/will-a-bipartisan-slate-of-technical-education-bills-actually-do-anything.php

State

Pennsylvania jobless rate drops to lowest rate on record

https://www.readingeagle.com/ap/article/pennsylvania-jobless-rate-drops-to-lowest-rate-on-record

Editorial: Act 44 taking its toll on turnpike

https://triblive.com/opinion/editorial-act-44-taking-its-toll-on-turnpike/

Business

Canadian cannabis giant buys Pa.-based hemp company

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/03/canadian-cannabis-giant-buys-pennsylvania-based-hemp-company.html

A company’s move into this Palmer warehouse is expected to create ‘significant amount’ of jobs

https://expo.lehighvalleylive.com/news/g66l-2019/03/48fca7434b1143/a-companys-move-into-this-palmer-warehouse-is-expected-to-create-significant-amount-of-jobs.html

Transportation

Minor snow shuts down I-83 on a regular basis. How would it handle a mass evacuation?

https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2019/03/21/three-mile-island-interstate-83-handle-mass-evacuation-snow/3214562002/

3 PennDOT projects slated for busy routes in northeastern Lancaster County open for bids soon

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/penndot-projects-slated-for-busy-routes-in-northeastern-lancaster-county/article_be73d98a-4ccd-11e9-a976-5bb95c150725.html

Crime/Punishment

Former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kane is disbarred

https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/former-pennsylvania-attorney-general-kane-is-disbarred

Schuylkill Co. drug task force investigation leads to 3 arrests

https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-co-drug-task-force-investigation-leads-to-3-arrests-1.2460812

4 arrested in alleged prostitution, human trafficking ring in Monroeville, Murrysville

https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/4-arrested-in-alleged-prostitution-human-trafficking-ring-in-monroeville-murrysville/

Man facing prison, fine for leading $2 million counterfeit money ring

https://triblive.com/local/regional/man-facing-prison-fine-for-leading-counterfeit-money/

When an ambulance is used like a taxi, 911 callers can face criminal charges

https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/2019/03/when-an-ambulance-is-used-like-a-taxi-911-callers-can-face-criminal-charges.html

Pittsburgh

White cop cleared in fatal shooting of black teenager

https://www.delcotimes.com/news/national/white-cop-cleared-in-fatal-shooting-of-black-teenager/article_86322060-f826-59f7-8c48-5b778b62b474.html

Not guilty verdict in Michael Rosfeld trial sparks demonstrations in Downtown, East Liberty

https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/what-to-expect-on-day-4-of-the-michael-rosfeld-trial/

Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner to be arraigned Monday in Detroit

https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-controller-chelsa-wagner-to-have-video-arraignment-on-detroit-charges/

Local

Lancaster zoning board approves antenna sites, rejecting city’s case against them

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-zoning-board-approves-antenna-sites-rejecting-city-s-case/article_2dd4ff86-4cea-11e9-bd9b-1b01840bf125.html

Sandy Hook mother discusses school safety at symposium

https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/sandy-hook-mother-discusses-school-safety-at-symposium/article_fd246ff4-4cab-11e9-ad1c-a3370fb8f126.html

North Huntingdon OKs fire tax credit deal with Irwin, but with a hitch

https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/north-huntingdon-oks-fire-tax-credit-deal-with-irwin-but-with-a-hitch/

Pottstown’s PDIDA board resigns en masse

https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/pottstown-s-pdida-board-resigns-en-masse/article_02885ff8-4cc7-11e9-ae0a-8f907dd6f29c.html

Lackawanna County not in great shape when it comes to health

https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-not-in-great-shape-when-it-comes-to-health-1.2460963

National

These 12 fruits, vegetables contain the most pesticide contamination: report

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/these-fruits-vegetables-contain-the-most-pesticide-contamination-report/article_1db90c1e-4cea-11e9-ac00-ff83ab348d3c.html

Government sets a record with a $234 billion deficit in February

https://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/government-record-deficit-february-20190323.html