Legislature

Lawmakers hope to shield communities impacted by state facility closures https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lawmakers-hope-to-shield-communities-impacted-by-state-facility-closures-1.2589962

American Legion offers monthly assistance to veterans in Marshall’s office https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200131/american-legion-offers-monthly-assistance-to-veterans-in-marshallrsquos-office

Administration

Pennsylvania on track to expand overtime pay eligibility https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-on-track-to-expand-overtime-pay-eligibility/

Residents sue Pennsylvania over closing of state centers for developmentally disabled https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/intellectually-disabled-polk-center-white-haven-lawsuit-20200131.html

Pennsylvania judge puts hold on state ‘ghost guns’ policy https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/ghost-guns-injunction-20200131.html

Wolf Dusts Off $4.5 Billion Infrastructure Plan https://www.wesa.fm/post/wolf-dusts-45-billion-infrastructure-plan

Gov. Wolf calls panel’s approval of OT pay eligibility an ‘important victory for thousands of workers’ https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/gov-wolf-calls-panels-approval-of-ot-pay-eligibility-an-important-victory-for-thousands-of-workers.html

Project grants ‘absolutely critical’ to Pa.’s economic growth: DCED secretary https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/project-grants-absolutely-critical-to-pas-economic-growth-dced-secretary.html

Pennsylvania rejects Trump’s new Medicaid offer https://www.witf.org/2020/02/01/pennsylvania-rejects-trumps-new-medicaid-offer/

Business

Painters rally and seek boycott of PPG brands https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2020/01/31/Painters-PPG-Plaza-Pittsburgh-boycott-rally-Glidden-Olympic/stories/202001310143

Farm Bureau members ratchet up “right-to-repair” pressure https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2020/02/01/Farm-Bureau-members-ratchet-up-right-to-repair-pressure/stories/202002010020

Stocks sink on fears virus outbreak will dent the economy https://triblive.com/news/wire-stories/stocks-sink-on-fears-virus-outbreak-will-dent-the-economy-2/

Crime/Punishment

In first court appearance, indicted Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson pleads not guilty https://whyy.org/articles/in-first-court-appearance-indicted-councilmember-kenyatta-johnson-pleads-not-guilty/

Accountant in Amish country charged with milking $60 million from his creamery and fellow Mennonite investors https://www.inquirer.com/business/trickling-springs-creamery-accountant-amish-mennonites-20200131.html

Alleged leader of ‘Operation Zombie’ gun-trafficking ring is detained in custody https://www.inquirer.com/news/operation-zombie-detention-hearings-camden-robert-crosley-yuri-lyubinskiy-20200131.html

Woman charged in Nalani Johnson kidnapping, death will stand trial https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/01/31/Nalani-Johnson-criminal-homicide-kidnapping-trial-Sharena-Nancy/stories/202001310150

Lawsuits allege ‘cruel and unusual punishment’ at SCI Mercer https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/01/Lawsuits-allege-cruel-and-unusual-punishment-at-SCI-Mercer/stories/202002020078

Accused gunman in Wilkinsburg mass shooting might not stand trial https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/attorneys-in-wilkinsburg-mass-shooting-case-allege-misconduct-seek-dismissal-of-charge/

Education

Philadelphia Archdiocese tells students returning from China to stay home over coronavirus fears https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus-archdiocese-high-schools-students-faculty-20200131.html

Why Philly parents lined up at 4 a.m. to get their kids into kindergarten https://www.inquirer.com/education/kindergarten-philadelphia-schools-line-lottery-greenfield-20200131.html

In Pa., less than 5% of teachers are people of color. The lack of diversity is hurting kids and schools https://whyy.org/articles/in-pa-less-than-5-of-teachers-are-people-of-color-the-lack-of-diversity-is-hurting-kids-and-schools/

Dickinson College students register complaints over school’s handling of sexual assault cases https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/dickinson-college-students-register-complaints-over-schools-handling-of-sexual-assault-complaints-sparked-by-one-victims-column-in-school-paper.html

Fracking has led to a ‘bust’ for Pennsylvania school district finances | Opinion https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/fracking-has-led-to-a-bust-for-pennsylvania-school-district-finances-opinion/

Northeast Intermediate to remain closed Monday; Scranton waits for elementary school air reports https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/northeast-intermediate-to-remain-closed-monday-scranton-waits-for-elementary-school-air-reports-1.2590071

Elections/Politics

The Iowa caucuses are almost here. The first votes of the 2020 election could clarify the race — or muddle it https://www.inquirer.com/news/2020-iowa-caucuses-stakes-20200201.html

Billionaire Bloomberg floods Democratic primary with cash https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/billionaire-bloomberg-floods-democratic-primary-with-cash/

Health

We’ve offered free therapy to black men. The response has been overwhelming. | Opinion https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/mental-health-black-community-therapy-philadelphia-20200201.html

Amid fears of coronavirus, a second wave of seasonal flu hits U.S. https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/01/amid-fears-of-coronavirus-a-second-wave-of-seasonal-flu-hits-us.html

Drones create hazards for police and medical helicopters in Pa., could result in criminal charges https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/drones-create-hazard-for-police-and-medical-helicopters-in-pa-could-result-in-criminal-charges.html

Surgical masks flying off shelves as fear of coronavirus spreads https://www.delcotimes.com/lifestyle/surgical-masks-flying-off-shelves-as-fear-of-coronavirus-spreads/article_b0ef86a5-133d-5aae-9c10-677d48fbb3d4.html

Local News

Luzerne County nonunion raises released (full list attached) https://www.timesleader.com/news/771297/luzerne-county-nonunion-raises-released

Event planned Monday to honor Mr. Peanut https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/event-planned-monday-to-honor-mr-peanut-1.2589954

Lake-Lehman board proposes exceeding state tax hike limit https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lake-lehman-board-proposes-exceeding-state-tax-hike-limit-1.2589905

Slate Belt poised to become the Lehigh Valley’s new hot spot for growth https://www.mcall.com/news/local/nazareth/mc-nws-slate-belt-population-increase-20200201-f3gdfmianbg6nibxqql2tnmkwi-story.html

Penn Highlands, local psychic medium forge paranormal partnership https://www.tribdem.com/news/penn-highlands-local-psychic-medium-forge-paranormal-partnership/article_9840535c-44b0-11ea-a6f9-df8fc1d8e02f.html

Royersford selling sewer system for $13 million https://www.timesherald.com/news/royersford-selling-sewer-system-for-million/article_7da4cb48-3ba1-5b8a-b384-35a8e8eb143d.html

Malvern Bank donates ATM fees to nonprofits https://www.delcotimes.com/business/malvern-bank-donates-atm-fees-to-nonprofits/article_ee0ef456-b271-59be-8d7d-3c766b318564.html

National News

Helicopter company involved in Kobe Bryant crash suspends operations, Lower Merion basketball plans tribute https://www.inquirer.com/news/kobe-bryant-dead-island-express-helicopters-lower-merion-basketball-20200131.html

Catholic leaders promised transparency about child abuse. They haven’t delivered. https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/catholic-leaders-promised-transparency-about-child-abuse-they-havent-delivered.html

Philly

Philadelphia Deputy Police Commissioner Joe Sullivan resigns https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-deputy-commissioner-joseph-sullivan-resigns-danielle-outlaw-20200131.html

When Philly’s water mains break, city offers little support for victimized businesses https://www.inquirer.com/news/water-main-breach-old-city-philadelphia-business-protection-20200131.html

South Philly block blasted by deadly explosion still feeling aftershocks https://whyy.org/articles/south-philly-block-blasted-by-deadly-explosion-still-experiencing-aftershocks/

Kobe Bryant and Philly: From hero to traitor to beloved https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/kobe-bryant-and-philly-from-hero-to-traitor-to-beloved/article_33bbc611-543f-55a1-81eb-02d0d9774a17.html

Philly Mayor Kenney names Black trans woman to head city’s Office of LGBT Affairs https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/philly-mayor-kenney-names-black-trans-woman-to-head-citys-office-of-lgbt-affairs/

Pa. ACLU asks Supreme Court to tell Philly to stop jailing people who can’t afford cash bail https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pa-aclu-asks-supreme-court-to-tell-philly-to-stop-jailing-people-who-cant-afford-cash-bail-friday-morning-coffee/

Pitt

Bottoms up: Fine wine and good spirits store coming to the produce terminal https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/01/31/Produce-Terminal-Strip-District-Fine-Wine-Good-Spirits-McCaffery/stories/202001310094

FBI warns Pittsburgh about millions of dollars in Valentine’s Day scams, catfishing https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/01/31/Pittsburgh-valentines-day-romance-scams-fraud-cybercrime-catfishing-FBI-dating-sites-apps/stories/202001310125

Doors Open Pittsburgh Expands With 13 Themed Tours in 2020 https://www.wesa.fm/post/doors-open-pittsburgh-expands-13-themed-tours-2020

State News

It’s Punxsutawney Phil’s turn, but real forecasters don’t see much winter in sight https://www.inquirer.com/weather/snow-philadelphia-weather-record-polar-vortex-climate-change-20200201.html

‘Don’t pick on us,’ Punxsutawney Phil’s ex-handler says after PETA calls for animatronic replacement https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/01/31/Punxsutawney-Phil-PETA-animatronic-groundhog-day/stories/202001310127

Pennsylvania seeks nearly $9 million fine against Verde Energy for ‘slamming’ customers and ‘egregious’ marketing violations https://www.inquirer.com/business/pennsylvania-puc-charges-verde-energy-deceptive-marketing-fine-20200131.html

Washington

Trump acquittal now likely Wednesday; Senate nixes witnesses https://whyy.org/articles/watch-listen-trumps-impeachment-trial-in-the-senate-013120/

Trump curbs immigration for 6 nations https://whyy.org/articles/trump-curbs-immigration-for-6-nations/

John Bolton faces potential legal battles in standoff with White House over his book https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/john-bolton-legal-battles-white-house-book-trump-impeachment-20200201.html

Pompeo pledges ongoing support for Ukraine in Kyiv visit https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/pompeo-visits-ukraine-pledges-aid-denies-trump-impeachment-charges-20200131.html

Trump loosens restrictions on use of landmines https://www.phillytrib.com/news/trump-loosens-restrictions-on-use-of-landmines/article_9fd18782-c0dc-584d-971b-f1a631cd8c88.html

World

U.S. bars foreigners coming from China for now over virus fear https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/02/01/U-S-bars-foreigners-coming-from-China-for-now-over-virus-fear/stories/202002020112

WHO says prepare for local virus outbreaks; China slams U.S. control https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/world-health-organization-who-virus-china-local-outbreaks-20200201.html

World briefs: Pompeo backs  Zelenskiy in Ukraine visit; Taliban carries out record high attacks; Aussie capital under threat from forest fire https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2020/02/01/World-briefs-Pompeo-backs-Zelenskiy-in-Ukraine-visit/stories/202002010033

Britain has formally left the EU. Now comes the hard part https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/02/britain-has-formally-left-the-eu-now-comes-the-hard-part.html