Legislature
Western leadership numbers dropping in Pa. Legislature
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/02/16/Western-leadership-numbers-dropping-in-Pa-Legislature-Mike-Turzai-Joe-Scarnati/stories/202002140144
Turzai, Scarnati step down on top facing uncertain political waters
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/turzai-scarnati-step-down-on-top-facing-uncertain-political-waters/
With little oversight, asbestos issues challenge schools statewide
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/with-little-oversight-asbestos-issues-challenge-schools-statewide-1.2595847
Rough roads: Pennsylvania facing tough decisions on transportation funding
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/02/16/PennDOT-transportation-funding-Sen-Kim-Ward-Rep-Tim-Hennessy-Southwestern-Pennsylvania-Commission/stories/202002130160
PA educators: “Our students are hurting”
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200216/pa-educators-our-students-are-hurting
One year without Deana: The legacy of Deana Eckman will be saving other lives
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/one-year-without-deana-the-legacy-of-deana-eckman-will/article_b04cd5ce-5013-11ea-bf31-c3459a475c81.html
Pashinski to host committee hearing on community college affordability
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772874/pashinski-to-host-committee-hearing-on-community-college-affordability
Copy Wisconsin
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/copy-wisconsin-1.2595548
Administration
Fetterman talks sand, legal pot at Erie rally
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/02/16/Fetterman-talks-sand-legal-pot-at-Erie-rally/stories/202002160159
Schuylkill officials have mixed reaction to Wolf’s state police fee proposal
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-officials-have-mixed-reaction-to-wolf-s-state-police-fee-proposal-1.2595793
Business
Branding a legacy: Jim Boscov talks about leading his family’s iconic department store
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/branding-a-legacy-jim-boscov-talks-about-leading-his-family-s-iconic-department-store-1.2595564
Crime/Punishment
Killer loses attempt to overturn conviction in double-murder
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/killer-loses-attempt-to-overturn-conviction-in-double-murder-1.2595626
Education
“Veterans Day shouldn’t be the only day we recognize them”: Reading-Muhlenberg students serve those who served
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/veterans-day-shouldn-t-be-the-only-day-we-recognize/article_e9d27cb6-502e-11ea-9128-e35c8ec80e0e.html
Dwindling number of high school officials part of troubling nationwide trend
https://tribhssn.triblive.com/dwindling-number-of-high-school-officials-part-of-troubling-nationwide-trend/
Alvernia University awards tuition scholarships for prospective CollegeTowne students
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/alvernia-university-awards-tuition-scholarships-for-prospective-collegetowne-students/article_106bee66-5020-11ea-bc67-13e1c3dbafec.html
PSU makes it 8 straight
https://www.altoonamirror.com/sports/psu/game-coverage/2020/02/psu-makes-it-8-straight/
Elections/Politics
As Biden struggles, Klobuchar and Buttigieg vie for Minnesota moderates
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/biden-struggles-klobuchar-buttigieg-vie-minnesota-moderates-20200216.html
Mail-in voting to begin for Pa. primary
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/mail-in-voting-to-begin-for-pa-primary-1.2595689
New voting system, election laws for primary
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-voting-system-election-laws-for-primary-1.2595773
Health Care
UPMC and cleaning company settle bulk of mold death lawsuits
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/02/16/UPMC-and-cleaning-company-settle-bulk-of-mold-death-lawsuits/stories/202002140134
Prescription change: New rules lack flexibility, endanger patient health
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/02/16/Prescription-change-New-rules-lack-flexibility-endanger-patient-health/stories/202001110002
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
Carbondale officials implementing five-year plan to remain financially stable
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/carbondale-officials-implementing-five-year-plan-to-remain-financially-stable-1.2595800
Notre Dame football coach to address Friendly Sons
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/notre-dame-football-coach-to-address-friendly-sons-1.2595671
Lethal combo for ex-mayor
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/lethal-combo-for-ex-mayor-1.2595546
Late Jeannette policeman to be added to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/late-jeannette-policeman-to-be-added-to-national-law-enforcement-officers-memorial/
Center City Allentown residents say NIZ isn’t working for them
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-allentown-center-city-residents-niz-20200215-ewutnfv7pzfinhqyh5djkm7m5m-story.html
National News
AI algorithms intended to root out welfare fraud often end up punishing the poor instead | Analysis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/ai-algorithms-intended-to-root-out-welfare-fraud-often-end-up-punishing-the-poor-instead-analysis/
Philly
How it all went wrong when Larry Lavin mixed minor-league basketball and cocaine in West Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/larry-lavin-minor-league-basketball-cocaine-philadelphia-kings-continental-league-penn-20200216.html
Five injured in two shootings in another violent overnight in Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/shooting-philadelphia-kensington-police-20200215.html
5 Philly jazz sites besides the Coltrane House that need historical preservation | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-jazz-history-john-coltrane-sun-ra-arkestra-barbers-hall-20200216.html
Preserving John Coltrane’s house can help save Philly’s soul | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/john-coltrane-house-philadelphia-preservation-historical-20200216.html
Pitt
A 622-page climate change bill aims to transform industry. What does it mean for Pittsburgh?
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/02/16/Climate-change-bill-Green-New-Deal-Mike-Doyle-carbon/stories/202002160025
Port Authority will seek grants for remaining $27 million needed for Bus Rapid Transit
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/02/16/Port-Authority-Bus-Rapid-Transit-Downtown-Pittsburgh-Oakland-dedicated-bus-lanes/stories/202002200011
Celebrating the suffrage movement 100 years later
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/02/16/League-of-Women-Voters-of-Greater-Pittsburgh-Suffrage-Susan-B-Anthony-Heinz/stories/202002150028
5 years after nearly folding, Downtown Pittsburgh’s August Wilson Center on track for comeback
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/5-years-after-nearly-folding-downtown-pittsburghs-august-wilson-center-on-track-for-comeback/
Pitt continues to struggle, loses to Virginia Tech
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2020/02/15/Virginia-Tech-67-pitt-57-panthers-university-of-pittsburgh/stories/202002150054
Brian O’Neill: Walking through Pittsburgh, then and now
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/brian-oneill/2020/02/16/Walking-Bike-Pittsburgh-car-dependent-bicycling-commuting-census-scott-bricker-thomas-edison-roberto-clemente-bridge/stories/202002160032
Allegheny County Health Department’s Pulmonary Center closed during move
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-health-departments-pulmonary-center-closed-during-move-to-another-site/
State News
Finding the graves of prominent African-Americans
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/02/16/Finding-the-graves-of-prominent-African-Americans-Western-Pennsylvania/stories/202002140157
Chester’s Derrick Jones Jr. wins the NBA slam dunk contest on his 23rd birthday
https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/slam-dunk-contest-derrick-jones-jr-aaron-gordon-nba-all-star-weekend-chester-archbishop-carroll-20200216.html
Cause of medical marijuana shortage? Simple supply and demand, says dispensary exec.
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772884/cause-of-medical-marijuana-shortage-simple-supply-and-demand-says-dispensary-exec
Former WVW football standout makes case for organ donation as he awaits transplant
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772876/former-wvw-football-standout-makes-case-for-organ-donation-as-he-awaits-transplant
Editorial: Prosecutors right to take on vaping industry
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-prosecutors-right-to-take-on-vaping-industry/article_c4b0231c-4f4c-11ea-913b-6302c50cd96b.html
Transportation
Overhaul may be coming to four busy city roads
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/overhaul-may-be-coming-to-four-busy-city-roads-1.2595774
Proposed I-80 expansion nears final design
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200216/proposed-i-80-expansion-nears-final-design