Legislature

Blake tackles hot topics at legislative breakfast
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/blake-tackles-hot-topics-at-legislative-breakfast-1.2595349

Local officials rally for ‘common-sense’ gun reform
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local-officials-rally-for-common-sense-gun-reform/article_3e394fba-4f93-11ea-abc7-3b88cce80b21.html

Paul Muschick: Why it looks like Pennsylvania will be stuck with gerrymandered voting districts for another decade
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-gerrymandering-redistricting-pennsylvania-muschick-20200214-ppnzd4np2ncifcgbihgv6weoue-story.html

Sara Innamorato: Trump ‘sold out Southwestern Pennsylvania’ with recent trade deal
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/sara-innamorato-trump-sold-out-southwestern-pennsylvania-with-recent-trade-deal/Content?oid=16756761

Administration

Gov. Tom Wolf’s move to end horse race subsidy is a good bet | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/race-horse-gambling-pennsylvania-scholarships-editorial-20200215.html

Tom Wolf’s scholarship proposal targets low- and middle-income students at Pa. state schools
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/wolfs-scholarship-proposal-targets-low-and-middle-income-students-at-state-schools/

Wolf’s support for petrochemicals raises climate worries as Pa. tries to cut carbon emissions
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/wolfs-support-for-petrochemicals-raises-climate-worries-as-pa-tries-to-cut-carbon-emissions.html

Pa. Lt. Gov. Fetterman told to apologize to blocked Twitter users or else he’ll be sued
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/pa-lt-gov-fetterman-told-to-apologize-to-blocked-twitter-users-or-else-hell-be-sued.html

Business

Are days of the late-night grocery run numbered?
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2020/02/15/24-hours-open-grocery-stores-giant-eagle-walmart-online-shopping/stories/202002140109

Golden Technologies expands to Laflin
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/golden-technologies-expands-to-laflin-1.2595354

Crime/Punishment

Jury finds Cheron Shelton not guilty of Wilkinsburg mass slaying
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/14/Jury-finds-Shelton-of-Wilkinsburg-mass-slaying/stories/202002140113

Jury acquits accused gunman nearly 4 years after Wilkinsburg backyard massacre
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/cheron-shelton-found-not-guilty-in-2016-wilkinsburg-mass-shooting/

One person shot during armed robbery near IUP
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/02/14/IUP-shooting-ski-masks-men-Indiana-University-of-Pennsylvania/stories/202002140163

Wideman brothers join Judge Manning, others for criminal justice forum
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/14/Robert-john-edgar-wideman-prison-second-degree-murder-manning-wecht/stories/202002140127

Killer teen’s murder sentence upheld on appeal
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/killer-teen-s-murder-sentence-upheld-on-appeal-1.2595295

‘Fully loaded’ gun recovered from Scranton man killed in Baltimore shooting
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/fully-loaded-gun-recovered-from-scranton-man-killed-in-baltimore-shooting-1.2595464

Family argument over phone bill sparks murder in quiet Stroud Township neighborhood
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200214/family-argument-over-phone-bill-sparks-murder-in-quiet-stroud-township-neighborhood

Education

The new Miss West Chester University picked homelessness as her platform. She knows it firsthand.
https://www.inquirer.com/education/west-chester-student-homeless–20200216.html

Elections/Politics

3 Dems vying for Dinniman’s seat; primary races set in 160th, 9th Pa. Senate
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/dems-vying-for-dinniman-s-seat-primary-races-set-in/article_ec7143c8-4f64-11ea-a080-339f26a838f8.html

Turn Pa. Blue is the monster that Trump has awakened in Pennsylvania | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/news/columnists/turn-pa-blue-trump-pennsylvania-democrats-suburban-women-maria-panaritis-20200215.html

Pa. congressmen in vulnerable seats having some success in fundraising
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/pa-congressmen-in-vulnerable-seats-having-some-success-in-fundraising.html

Casey: Better days ahead for Biden
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/casey-better-days-ahead-for-biden-1.2595556

Health Care

Geisinger announces $80 million cancer center expansion
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772757/geisinger-announces-80-million-cancer-center-expansion

Geisinger announces $80M plan to expand cancer center
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/geisinger-announces-80m-plan-to-expand-cancer-center-1.2595416

Berks County flu cases increase 34% from previous week, health officials say
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-flu-cases-increase-from-previous-week-health-officials/article_d9be028c-4f5c-11ea-8d2f-b338750b6c9b.html

Local News

Lackawanna County Prison guards cleared of sex abuse allegations reamin on paid leave
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-prison-guards-cleared-of-sex-abuse-allegations-reamin-on-paid-leave-1.2595517

Jointly hire local landfill inspectors
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/jointly-hire-local-landfill-inspectors-1.2595311

Last call for candidates for open seat on Cheswick Council
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/last-call-for-candidates-for-open-seat-on-cheswick-borough-council/

YWCA Westmoreland to teach business skills to ‘makers’
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/ywca-westmoreland-to-teach-business-skills-to-makers/

West Deer police officer sues utility after witnessing electrocution
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/west-deer-police-officer-sues-utility-after-witnessing-electrocution/

Bucks library has a new look to its logo
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200215/bucks-library-has-new-look-to-its-logo

National News

ICE plans to deploy more resources in sanctuary cities
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/02/15/ICE-plans-to-deploy-more-resources-in-sanctuary-cities/stories/202002160129

Alaska court allows group to gather signatures to recall governor, a Scranton native
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/alaska-court-allows-group-to-gather-signatures-to-recall-governor-a-scranton-native-1.2595269

Philly

Asbestos delays students’ return to Feltonville school
https://www.inquirer.com/news/asbestos-barton-sullivan-close-philadelphia-school-20200215.html

Philadelphia’s Free Library is no longer charging late fines for overdue books
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-free-library-book-fines-overdue-remove-late-20200214.html

Cash-strapped Historical Society of Pennsylvania is selling off parts of its collection
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/historical-society-of-pennsylvania-george-washington-medals-auction-deaccession-20200215.html

What happens when renters with disabilities need support animals? Officials seek to ease landlord-tenant clashes.
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/emotional-support-animal-service-hud-guide-20200215.html

Philly’s Catholic archdiocese paid a six-figure clergy sex-abuse settlement. Then the accuser’s lawyer admitted he identified the wrong priest.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mitchell-garabedian-clergy-sex-abuse-archdiocese-philadelphia-john-bradley-20200215.html

Longtime South Philly residents are hopeful after refinery sale: ‘I could dance all over the street.’
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/south-philadelphia-oil-refinery-explosion-sale-pes-hilco-pollution-environment-20200214.html

Trump insisted no troops were seriously injured in Iraq, but a Philly vet’s final words show the true cost of war | Helen Ubiñas
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/us-military-injuries-iran-ptsd-michael-corey-hadley-20200214.html

Philly’s new Catholic archbishop might represent historic change. But Nelson Pérez relishes being a priest to the people he’s met along the way.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/a/philadelphia-archbishop-nelson-perez-profile-catholic-church-20200214.html

Police shoot teen who allegedly had a gun in North Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/police-shooting-robbery-critical-somerset-28th-north-philadelphia-20200215.html

Philly police: Cop’s body camera caught his punch on apparently overdosing man who died
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-punch-28-year-old-man-overdose-died-logan-20200214.html

Philly touts its low rate of homelessness, but who isn’t counted tells a larger story | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-homelessness-rate-services-point-in-time-20200214.html

City notified about potential closing of West Philly Mercy Hospital’s inpatient facility
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/14/city-notified-about-potential-closing-of-west-philly-mercy-hospitals-inpatient-facility/

Attorney in Kenyatta Johnson case accuses U.S. Attorney of ‘conflict of interest’
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/attorney-in-kenyatta-johnson-case-accuses-u-s-attorney-of/article_58aa32e4-6ae4-52fa-a77a-0255e1f9bdd6.html

Pitt

Renovation of historic Centre Avenue YMCA into affordable housing set to begin
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/02/14/Historic-Centre-Avenue-YMCA-Pittsburgh-Hill-District-renovation-affordable-housing/stories/202002140124

Officials planning $7.4 million renovation of historic Pittsburgh YMCA building
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/officials-planning-7-4-million-renovation-of-historic-pittsburgh-ymca-building/

Central Catholic to drug test students as part of new health initiative
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/02/14/Central-Catholic-drug-test-students-health-initiative-pittsburgh-schools/stories/202002140145

Central Catholic, Pittsburgh Diocese announce random drug testing
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/central-catholic-and-pittsburgh-diocese-announce-random-drug-testing/

Gun found on kindergarten student at North Side elementary school
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/14/Gun-found-on-kindergarten-student-at-North-Side-elementary-school-pittsburgh-public-schools/stories/202002140123

Black lawyers condemn alleged racist remarks by Allegheny County judge, asks DA to review prior cases
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/black-lawyers-condemn-alleged-racist-remarks-by-allegheny-county-judge-asks-da-to-review-prior-cases/

State News

What happens when Pa.’s rural EMS systems need to be rescued?
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2020/02/16/EMS-Union-City-Fayette-McCandless-insurance-911-first-responders-calls/stories/202002160001

Prosecutor fights child welfare agency over drug testing him
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/02/14/David-J-Russo-Greene-County-fights-Children-and-Youth-Services-Fayette-County-drug-testing-district-attorney-in-southwestern-Pennsylvania/stories/202002140119

Due process delayed: Tolling orders put pipeline opponents in ‘legal limbo’
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/02/15/Due-process-delayed-Tolling-orders-put-pipeline-opponents-in-legal-limbo/stories/202001300046

Dam in the Abingtons among three in region on state to-do list
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/dam-in-the-abingtons-among-three-in-region-on-state-to-do-list-1.2595240

Pennsylvania has the most premature deaths caused by air pollution of any state
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/pennsylvania-has-the-most-premature-deaths-caused-by-air-pollution-of-any-state/Content?oid=16757374

Transportation

UGI to reimburse drivers for flat tires on Route 222 in Maidencreek Township
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/ugi-to-reimburse-drivers-for-flat-tires-on-route-in/article_717175c6-4f41-11ea-826f-cf40f43af3e9.html

Amity Township intersection safety concerns discussed
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/amity-township-intersection-safety-concerns-discussed/article_589ab8d2-4f3c-11ea-9a27-dfbc4c7ad637.html

Washington

Casey’s proposal offers protections for children
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/casey-s-proposal-offers-protections-for-children-1.2595412

Cartwright revives transit proposal to save money
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cartwright-revives-transit-proposal-to-save-money-1.2595293

Trump-Barr rift grows as Justice Department backs off McCabe
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-william-barr-rift-justice-department-andrew-mccabe-20200215.html

Lamb: Western Pennsylvanians feel ‘betrayed’ by fracking ban legislation
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/02/14/Conor-Lamb-fracking-ban-Bernie-Sanders-Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez/stories/202002140146

World News

China reveals 143 new deaths, but reports significant drop in new coronavirus cases
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2020/02/15/China-reveals-143-new-deaths-but-reports-significant-drop-in-new-coronavirus-cases/stories/202002160128

France announces first death in Europe of coronavirus patient
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/france-first-death-europe-coronavirus-20200215.html