Legislature

Pa. House lawmaker wants to end ‘honor system’ that allows agencies to hide contracts
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-contracts-transparency-portal-20200211.html

Bill creating 1st time homebuyers savings accounts approved by Senate
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/bill-creating-1st-time-homebuyers-savings-accounts-approved-by-senate-1.2592548

ReadingFilmFest gets $25,000 grant from Pennsylvania
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/readingfilmfest-gets-grant-from-pennsylvania/article_8ccaa480-4ceb-11ea-9bab-e31b3594b033.html

Boyce: Pipeline leak would present ‘extreme hazard’ to county
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/boyce-pipeline-leak-would-present-extreme-hazard-to-county/article_dbeed712-4d17-11ea-bbe9-db0bd24a725e.html

Sainato: Grant to combat opioid use disorder in inmates
https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/sainato-grant-to-combat-opioid-use-disorder-in-inmates/article_e02f83f4-1510-563f-bd0d-d92c81abf8ad.html

Legislative sleepwalking
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/legislative-sleepwalking-1.2593978

Administration

Wolf’s budget earmarks $5M in aid to communities hit by prison, residential center shutdowns
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/wolfs-budget-earmarks-5m-in-aid-to-communities-hit-by-prison-residential-center-shutdowns/

Here’s how much your Lehigh Valley town would start paying to fund Pennsylvania State Police (from 80 cents to $80 per person)
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-pa-state-police-funding-budget-proposal-20200211-3wpzgbcvn5gptcxmtqeiwilt7m-story.html

Business

Cheap shale gas menaces coal miner Consol even overseas
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2020/02/11/shale-gas-coal-prices-Consol-exports-market-power-plants-utilities/stories/202002110118

Big U.S. Steel property in Bucks County is for sale, seeks massive development
https://www.inquirer.com/business/fairless-works-us-steel-sale-developer-20200211.html

Love or hate Giant’s Marty, more robots are coming to supermarkets near you
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/02/love-or-hate-giants-marty-more-robots-are-coming-to-a-supermarket-near-you.html

Glatfelter moving HQ, about 50 employees from York City to North Carolina
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2020/02/11/glatfelter-moving-hq-york-city-north-carolina/4721819002/

Crime/Punishment

Wilkinsburg jury asks two questions before ending full day of deliberations
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/11/wilklinsburg-mass-shooting-trial-jury-questions-deliberation-Cheron-Shelton/stories/202002110122

Transgender Pa. prison inmate sues Corrections Dept., claiming they were denied proper healthcare
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/transgender-pa-prison-inmate-sues-corrections-dept-claiming-they-were-denied-proper-healthcare/

Opioid-replacement treatment available for Montgomery County prisoners
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200211/opioid-replacement-treatment-available-for-montgomery-county-prisoners

Education

Map: Pa. education officials hit the road to hear input on new science standards
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/map-pa-education-officials-hit-the-road-to-hear-input-on-new-science-standards/

Scranton school employees, retirees considering medical attention for possible asbestos exposure
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-school-employees-retirees-considering-medical-attention-for-possible-asbestos-exposure-1.2593926

Scranton teachers postpone strike, trip to Harrisburg
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-teachers-postpone-strike-trip-to-harrisburg-1.2593951

A 6-year-old pointed a finger gun at her teacher and said ‘I shoot you.’ Her school called the cops.
https://www.inquirer.com/education/valley-forge-elementary-student-teacher-shooting-threat-chester-county-pa-20200211.html

SHINE hosts family resource event at Wilkes
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772505/shine-hosts-family-resource-event-at-wilkes

Highlands appealing Heights Plaza assessment reduction
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/highlands-appealing-heights-plaza-assessment-reduction/

Penn State suspends Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity over ‘serious misconduct’ allegations
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/penn-state-suspends-delta-kappa-epsilon-fraternity-over-serious-misconduct-allegations/

Elections/Politics

Sanders wins a narrow victory over Buttigieg in New Hampshire as Klobuchar claims 3rd
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/02/11/New-Hampshire-primary-Democratic-2020-Sanders-Buttigieg-Klobuchar-Warren-Biden/stories/202002110178

6 takeaways from the New Hampshire primary and Bernie Sanders’ win
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/12/6-takeaways-from-the-new-hampshire-primary-and-bernie-sanders-win/

New Hampshire culls Dem field: Yang drops out, others next?
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/02/new-hampshire-culls-dem-field-yang-drops-out-others-next.html

Political ads with same actress attacks Democrats, including Cartwright
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/political-ads-with-same-actress-attacks-democrats-including-cartwright-1.2594008

List of congressmen, districts attacked in political ads
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/list-of-congressmen-districts-attacked-in-political-ads-1.2594009

Carlisle school board member announces run for 31st Senatorial District seat
https://cumberlink.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/carlisle-school-board-member-announces-run-for-st-senatorial-district/article_a05382c9-db59-5325-bc49-da4d2b8243e2.html

Pennsylvanians can now apply online to vote by mail, without an excuse
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/11/pennsylvanians-can-now-apply-online-to-vote-by-mail-without-an-excuse/

Gaming

GM hired for soon-to-be Hempfield mini casino
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/gm-hired-for-soon-to-be-hempfield-mini-casino/

Health Care

Flu deaths climb to 47 in Pennsylvania this season
https://triblive.com/local/regional/flu-deaths-climb-to-47-in-pennsylvania-this-season/

St. Luke’s likely buying Easton Hospital, documents suggest
https://www.mcall.com/health/mc-hea-easton-hospital-sold-20200212-i5jtteomqralpil6ktu5oiimsq-story.html

The Affordable Care Act is helping women of color in Pa. Now it’s at risk | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/the-affordable-care-act-is-helping-women-of-color-in-pa-now-its-at-risk-opinion/

Local News

Scranton City Council wants update from Basalyga on Electric City Garage repairs
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-council-wants-update-from-basalyga-on-electric-city-garage-repairs-1.2593996

Chris Kelly: Bond’s squatting days officially over
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/chris-kelly-bond-s-squatting-days-officially-over-1.2594080

DeNaples may close Scranton Municipal Golf Course for warehouses
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/denaples-may-close-scranton-municipal-golf-course-for-warehouses-1.2593714

Dunmore councilwoman calls for more realistic budgets as town faces nearly $20M in debt
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/dunmore-councilwoman-calls-for-more-realistic-budgets-as-town-faces-nearly-20m-in-debt-1.2593992

Reading introduces boosted salary ranges for public works, community development directors
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-introduces-boosted-salary-ranges-for-public-works-community-development/article_ce22a9ec-4cf9-11ea-b651-cff832628510.html

Improvement District hopes to restore vandalized Reading mural
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/improvement-district-hopes-to-restore-vandalized-reading-mural/article_c2bf16a2-4d18-11ea-a209-7b15af1dfe9e.html

Wyomissing to implement expanded recycling in March
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/wyomissing-to-implement-expanded-recycling-in-march/article_88b37ffc-4d40-11ea-b8b8-639a47ddda78.html

Chester may move on sale of water authority – again
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/chester-may-move-on-sale-of-water-authority–/article_e614aa10-4d3e-11ea-b2b3-17f3b4419285.html

Allegheny Township approves cell tower near Blair Farm
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/allegheny-township-approves-cell-tower-near-blair-farm/

Latrobe police schedule 2 more community outreach events
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/latrobe-police-schedule-2-more-community-outreach-events/

County council authorizes legal action against stormwater fee
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-council-authorizes-legal-action-against-stormwater-fee-1.2594106

Vehicle fee decision postponed, stormwater fee resolution passes
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772516/vehicle-fee-decision-postponed-stormwater-fee-resolution-passes

Wilkes-Barre Mayor Brown’s budget set for second and final vote
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772514/wilkes-barre-mayor-browns-budget-set-for-second-and-final-vote

Vigil marks 16th anniversary of Phylicia Thomas’ disappearance
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772508/vigil-marks-16th-anniversary-of-phylicia-thomas-disappearance

Developer plans to convert downtown Wilkes-Barre building into apartments
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/developer-plans-to-convert-downtown-wilkes-barre-building-into-apartments-1.2594005

Harrisburg police extending an olive branch, but after that will ‘do what needs to be done’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/harrisburg-police-extending-an-olive-branch-but-after-that-will-do-what-needs-to-be-done.html

New Jersey

What you need to know about the Trump administration’s immigration lawsuit against New Jersey
https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey-trump-lawsuit-immigrant-trust-directive-gurbir-grewal-department-justice-20200211.html

New Jersey wants to recoup $400,000 in tax credits from the Philadelphia 76ers
https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-76ers-tax-credits-camden-eda-fee-20200211.html

Opioid Crisis

Overdose deaths spike by 50 percent
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200212/overdose-deaths-spike-by-50-percent

Philly

Philly is already a pro-business city, Mayor Jim Kenney tells Chamber of Commerce
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/jim-kenney-philadelphia-chamber-of-commerce-20200211.html

Mayor Jim Kenney urges leaders to change Philadelphia’s anti-business narrative
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/mayor-jim-kenney-urges-leaders-to-change-philadelphia-s-anti/article_e43d21f0-7db0-5777-b3a1-df3d75866085.html

The fate of the troubled Philadelphia oil refinery is fracturing Democratic politics
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-energy-solutions-refinery-politics-20200212.html

Philly refinery auction’s first collateral damage: A $120 million biogas plant
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/philly-refinery-pes-renewable-gas-plans-scrapped-20200211.html

At 81, she became a stand-up comic. Seven years later, she’s still slaying Philly crowds. | We The People
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/natalie-levant-stand-up-comedian-88-philadelphia-20200212.html

‘We’re supposed to be Democrats’: Black Trump supporters in Philly on why they back the president
https://www.inquirer.com/news/black-voters-donald-trump-philadelphia-pennsylvania-2020-20200212.html

Philadelphia public defenders vote to unionize
https://www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/philadelphia-public-defenders-unionize-uaw-20200211.html

Man shot his brother and father in Philly home; police say shooter thought they were ‘possessed’
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/family-members-killed-double-shooting-philadelphia-west-oak-lane-20200211.html

Inside a Philadelphia lab, scientists race to design a coronavirus vaccine
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus-vaccine-wistar-inovio-dna-20200211.html

Pitt

Allegheny County Council bans conversion therapy
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/02/11/Allegheny-County-Council-bans-conversion-therapy/stories/202002110169

Allegheny County Council votes to ban conversion therapy
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-council-votes-to-ban-conversion-therapy/

Parks Conservancy disagrees with Peduto administration’s bill to establish tax
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/11/Pittsburgh-parks-conservancy-peduto-burgess-tax/stories/202002110119

Pittsburgh Council proposes another plan for spending park tax money
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-council-proposes-another-plan-for-spending-park-tax-money/

Allegheny County Board of Elections addresses concerns before state primary
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/02/11/Allegheny-County-Board-of-Elections-Pennsylvania-primary/stories/202002110156

Allegheny County to roll out $400K marketing campaign ahead of new voting system, laws
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-to-roll-out-400k-marketing-campaign-ahead-of-new-voting-machines-laws/

U.S. attorney’s office in Pittsburgh will review materials between Giuliani and Justice Dept.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/11/Scott-Brady-Pittsburgh-US-Attorney-review-materials-Rudy-Giuliani-Justice-Department-Donald-Trump/stories/202002110117

Pittsburgh law that forbids discrimination against Section 8 voucher holders weighed by Commonwealth Court
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/11/Section-8-voucher-Pittsburgh-law-discrimination-housing-Commonwealth-Court/stories/202002110020

‘She was a light to everyone,’ says cousin of 3-year-old shot and killed in Beltzhoover
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/11/Chassity-Clancy-was-a-light-to-everyone-says-cousin-of-3-year-old-shot-and-killed-in-Beltzhoover/stories/202002110089

Port Authority’s BRT project remains highly rated by federal agency
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/02/11/Port-Authority-Federal-Transit-Administration-Bus-Rapid-Transit-high-rating-Downtown-Pittsburgh-Oakland/stories/202002110103

Bus stops matter: Port Authority should improve consolidation process
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/02/12/Pittsburgh-port-authority-bus-stops-consolidation-process/stories/202001300074

Man working on power lines in Bloomfield left dangling after pole snaps
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/man-working-on-power-lines-in-bloomfield-left-dangling-after-pole-snaps/

Pitt to host coronavirus panel discussion Wednesday evening
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pitt-to-host-coronavirus-panel-discussion-on-wednesday/

Pittsburgh, former police officer battling in court over termination
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-and-former-police-officer-battling-in-court-over-termination/

Brett Keisel to hold final ‘Shear Da Beard’ event for UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/brett-keisel-to-hold-final-shear-da-beard-event-for-upmc-childrens-hospital-of-pittsburgh/

Bloomfield community group wants ShurSave development to maintain a grocery store and include equity measures
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/bloomfield-community-group-wants-shursave-development-to-maintain-a-grocery-store-and-include-equity-measures/Content?oid=16736595

State News

Pennsylvania hemp farmers look to future at conference
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-hemp-farmers-look-to-future-at-conference/

There’s a new ‘Trump Store’ in the suburbs for supporters who wouldn’t ‘dare wear one of these shirts’ in Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/president-donald-trump-mike-domanico-shirts-mugs-merchandise-bensalem-store-20200211.html

Army Corps to get $7.7 million to upgrade Upper Ohio River locks and dams
https://triblive.com/local/regional/army-corps-to-get-7-7-million-to-upgrade-upper-ohio-river-locks-and-dams/

New state fund will underwrite counseling for victims with old sexual abuse claims
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/new-state-fund-will-underwrite-counseling-for-victims-with-old-sexual-abuse-calims/

Berks County farmer is on a quest to turn milk into yogurt cartons
https://www.readingeagle.com/berks-country/berks-county-farmer-is-on-a-quest-to-turn-milk/article_04cf8e98-485d-11ea-9e0d-b7417eda66ed.html

Photo of Carnival-clad Gisele Fetterman sparks conversation online
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/photo-of-carnival-clad-gisele-fetterman-sparks-conversation-draws-comparison-to-racy-melania-trump-pics.html

Gisele Fetterman, 2nd Lady of Pa., to visit city March 6
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/gisele-fetterman-2nd-lady-of-pa-to-visit-city-march-6-1.2594012

Dog owners urged to vaccinate pets against deadly parvovirus
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200212/dog-owners-urged-to-vaccinate-pets-against-deadly-parvovirus

Transportation

Blawnox intersection site of yet another violent encounter between train and truck
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2020/02/11/Train-strikes-tractor-trailer-in-Blawnox/stories/202002110107

PennDOT plans traffic restrictions in West Deer
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/penndot-plans-traffic-restrictions-in-west-deer/

Washington

It’s time for bipartisan support in combating climate change and rebuilding infrastructure | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/congress-democrat-republican-infrastructure-climate-change-20200212.html

As construction hums at locks and dams projects, Trump budget zeroes out new funding
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/02/11/locks-dams-Lower-Mon-Upper-Ohio-Trump-budget/stories/202002110085