Legislature

City school board may endorse bills on charter reform
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/02/19/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-board-charter-reform-bills-may-be-endorsed/stories/202002200099

‘Shame on us’ Labor & Industry secretary says of Pa.’s stalled minimum wage
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/shame-on-us-labor-industry-secretary-says-of-pa-s-stalled-minimum-wage/

Fight over medical malpractice in Pa. rages as report fails to settle the dispute
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/02/20/new-report-medical-malpractice-pa-insurance-supreme-court-ruling-2003/stories/202002190131

With dozens of Pa. lawmakers heading for the exits, do Democrats have the edge in 2020?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-lawmakers-retirements-resignations-2020-20200219.html

Proposed Nalani Johnson Rule would allow Amber Alerts to go out within minutes of abduction
https://pennhills.triblive.com/proposed-nalani-johnson-rule-would-allow-amber-alerts-to-go-out-within-minutes-of-abduction/

Pa. corrections officers sound the alarm about dangers lurking behind prison fences: ‘We need to make it safer’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/pa-corrections-officers-sound-the-alarm-about-dangers-lurking-behind-prison-fences-we-need-to-make-it-safer.html

Saddled with vacancies, parole board says it’s struggling to keep up with growing backlog
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/saddled-with-vacancies-parole-board-says-its-struggling-to-keep-up-with-growing-backlog/

Pipeline construction can continue after appeals court ruling
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/pipeline-construction-can-continue-after-appeals-court-ruling/article_3bc6e394-5341-11ea-81f0-8ff51af2d5ec.html

Business

Disastrous day for Fort Washington-based Nutrisystem’s parent company
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nutrisystem-tivity-ceo-tramuto-departs-20200220.html

Food shopping trends prompt Giant Eagle to trim overnight hours at some locations
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/food-shopping-trends-prompt-giant-eagle-to-trim-overnight-hours-at-some-locations/

Crime/Punishment

Pennsylvania prison suicides are at an all-time high. Families blame ‘reprehensible’ mental-health care.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/graterford-prison-suicide-pennsylvania-lawsuits-correct-care-solutions-mhm-20200220.html

A Montgomery County ‘pill mill’ doctor traded cash for opioids. Now he’s heading to federal prison.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/montgomery-county-pill-mill-opioids-spiro-kassis-20200219.html

Education

Frustrated Scranton parents want asbestos test results, plan to hold forum on Northeast
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/frustrated-scranton-parents-want-asbestos-test-results-plan-to-hold-forum-on-northeast-1.2597118

Educators invited to join Latrobe discussion of problems faced by children born into addiction
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/educators-invited-to-join-latrobe-discussion-of-problems-faced-by-children-born-into-addiction/

Proposed student-equity policy presented to Reading School Board
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/proposed-student-equity-policy-presented-to-reading-school-board/article_c05442b2-535c-11ea-aa50-2f6b1985a73a.html

‘He never gets sad’: Connor has ‘Childhood Alzheimer’s,’ and his little buddies are his rock | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/sanfilippo-syndrome-childhood-alzheimers-connor-dobbyn-elementary-school-west-vincent-pennsylvania-20200220.html

Johnson College, library enter partnership
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/johnson-college-library-enter-partnership-1.2597377

Elections/Politics

Bloomberg, Sanders face foes’ ire at Democrats’ Nevada debate
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/02/19/Nevada-debate-underway-Bloomberg-expecting-fierce-attacks/stories/202002190176

Takeaways from the Democratic debate: Bloomberg, Sanders under fierce attack; Warren the fighter returns
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/democratic-presidential-debates-bloomberg-trump-las-vegas-20200220.html

Fitzgerald, Davis pledge as Biden delegates; Wagner, Pa.’s second lady line up for Warren
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/02/19/Rich-Fitzgerald-Austin-Davis-Giselle-Fetterman-chelsa-wagner-Biden-Warren-presidential-election-delegates/stories/202002190108

Pennsylvania primary ballot finalized for presidential races, Congress, state legislature
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-primary-ballot-finalized-for-presidential-races-congress-state-legislature/

Here’s who is running for state House and Senate seats representing central Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/heres-who-is-running-for-pa-house-and-senate-seats-representing-the-midstate.html

Robinson campaign spokesman accuses Neff of ‘dishonesty’
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200219/robinson-campaign-spokesman-accuses-neff-of-dishonesty

Musto plans to appeal state’s decision to reject election petition
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/musto-plans-to-appeal-state-s-decision-to-reject-election-petition-1.2597185

Conducting elections and counting ballots have changed in Berks County and Pennsylvania; here are things you need to know
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/conducting-elections-and-counting-ballots-have-changed-in-berks-county/article_a84f60dc-529b-11ea-af9a-c3a35ffa4452.html

When it comes to Pennsylvania politics, we should be addicted to hope | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/when-it-comes-to-pennsylvania-politics-we-should-be-addicted-to-hope-john-baer.html

Gaming

Sports gaming sets a record
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/sports-gaming-sets-a-record-1.2597208

Health Care

Hospital ERs overflow with patients who have nowhere to go next
https://www.inquirer.com/health/expert-opinions/emergency-rooms-wait-times-boarders-20200220.html

See how flu season is affecting each county in Pennsylvania
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-hea-flu-map-2020-20200131-3u6gqhaiubexjautvsh4zsvalu-htmlstory.html

3 more Allegheny County residents die from flu, bringing total to 10
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/3-more-allegheny-county-residents-die-from-the-flu-bringing-total-to-10/

Local News

Lackawanna County’s bond rating drops due to diminishing surplus reserves, underfunded pensions
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-s-bond-rating-drops-due-to-diminishing-surplus-reserves-underfunded-pensions-1.2597161

Scranton parking operator ends 2019 with higher than budgeted revenue
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-parking-operator-ends-2019-with-higher-than-budgeted-revenue-1.2597171

Taste of Berks highlights the county’s food producers and vendors
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/taste-of-berks-highlights-the-county-s-food-producers-and/article_c81e9684-5378-11ea-9ff6-dbd2e8775756.html

Plan to sell properties in downtown Reading hits a small bump
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/plan-to-sell-properties-in-downtown-reading-hits-a-small/article_4f1721be-535c-11ea-bf86-271d896c4592.html

Reading Police Communications Center to undergo renovations and move to the Berks County Courthouse
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-police-communications-center-to-undergo-renovations-and-move-to/article_9df5428c-5340-11ea-a719-6376795141f5.html

Officials consider using Leechburg stormwater system to help with potential runoff from turf field
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/officials-consider-using-leechburg-stormwater-system-to-help-with-potential-runoff-from-turf-field/

Penn Township considers flood relief plan
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/penn-township-considers-flood-relief-plan/

Westmoreland Manor receives clean bill of (water) health after Legionnaires’ discovery
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-manor-receives-clean-bill-of-water-health-after-legionnaires-discovery/

Pittston Twp. swears in first female police chief
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/pittston-twp-swears-in-first-female-police-chief-1.2597267

Local Little League district bars all teams from using Astros nickname
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/local-little-league-district-bars-all-teams-from-using-astros-nickname-1.2597264

$13M in grants awarded locally
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/13m-in-grants-awarded-locally-1.2597296

City survey remains open
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/city-survey-remains-open-1.2597298

Greater Hazleton Joint Sewer Authority prepares $26M incinerator for use
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/greater-hazleton-joint-sewer-authority-prepares-26m-incinerator-for-use-1.2597224

Lehigh County’s ‘little sheriff’ dies after battle with terminal brain disease
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-little-sheriff-kaleb-holder-dies-20200219-jcx2djdcafg4zk7srggfhqaq6a-story.html

Housing Authority of Monroe County receives $700K in HUD funds
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200219/housing-authority-of-monroe-county-receives-700k-in-hud-funds

National News

Coronavirus doesn’t change this Fed president’s upbeat outlook for the U.S. economy
https://www.inquirer.com/business/loretta-mester-cleveland-fed-gdp-forecast-wharton-20200219.html

Philly

Philly’s soda tax is supposed to ‘Rebuild’ parks and rec centers. It’s been a slow start.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-soda-tax-rebuild-20200220.html

Philadelphia DA’s Office says it won’t call controversial witness in clergy sex-abuse retrial
https://www.inquirer.com/news/william-lynn-philadelphia-archdiocese-retrial-billy-doe-testimony-20200219.html

Philadelphia leaders renew efforts to enforce law to protect immigrants from fraud
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-immigrants-fraud-notario-scam-council-ana-molina-20200220.html

Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Lisa Gartner wins prestigious Polk Award for exposing abuse at Glen Mills Schools
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-inquirer-polk-award-lisa-gartner-glen-mills-schools-20200219.html

Four people wounded, two critically, in Philadelphia shooting
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/quadruple-shooting-11th-thompson-north-philadelphia-malachy-20200219.html

‘We’re bringing the village together’: In Philly’s Germantown, residents air gun violence concerns
https://www.penncapital-star.com/paforward/were-bringing-the-village-together-in-phillys-germantown-residents-air-gun-violence-concerns/

In Philly, progressive candidates slug it out with Democratic incumbents
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/in-philly-progressive-candidates-slug-it-out-with-democratic-incumbents/

Acme will replace Fresh Grocer in University City, Penn says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/fresh-grocer-west-philly-penn-acme-20200219.html

Philly can become less anti-business by looking at the courts | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-business-lawsuits-court-of-common-pleas-20200219.html

Pitt

Allegheny County Dems chair fires back at critics over endorsements
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/02/19/Allegheny-County-Democratic-Committee-endorsed-candidates-party-chairwoman/stories/202002190162

Allegheny County Democratic Committee chair responds to criticism over endorsements
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-democratic-committee-chair-responds-to-criticism-over-endorsements/

Allegheny County Democratic chair says members were just wearing Trump hats as a joke
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/allegheny-county-democratic-chair-says-members-were-just-wearing-trump-hats-as-a-joke/Content?oid=16791547

From bass to glass: Developer proposes 21-story office tower at site of Strip building with the smiling fish sign
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/02/19/JMC-Holdings-New-Federal-Cold-Storage-Robert-Wholey-Co-Strip-District-fish-sign/stories/202002190139

Pittsburgh transit users have among shortest commuting times, studies say
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/02/19/Pittsburgh-shortest-commute-moovit-report-transportation/stories/202002190105

Former Westinghouse principal investigated after altercation in new role with district
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/02/19/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-Westinghouse-former-principal/stories/202002190170

City council in favor of 2020 Housing Opportunity Fund allocation
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/19/Pittsburgh-City-Council-2020-Housing-Opportunity-Fund-allocation/stories/202002190129

Pittsburgh Council members propose $60 million bond for affordable housing
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-council-members-propose-60-million-bond-for-affordable-housing/

There could be a high-tech solution to stopping potholes from eating your tires
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2020/02/19/RoadBotics-RoadWay-potholes-road-infrastructure-machine-learning-smartphone/stories/202002060109

Residents urged to weigh in on future of Neville Island’s former Shenango coke plant
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/residents-urged-to-weigh-in-on-future-of-neville-islands-former-shenango-coke-works/

Liberty Bridge, Andy Warhol Bridge cited as among top 19 in U.S.
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/liberty-bridge-andy-warhol-bridge-cited-as-among-top-19-in-u-s/

Disabled, mentally ill can find help during Pittsburgh convention center event
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/disabled-mentally-ill-can-find-help-during-pittsburgh-convention-center-event/

Learning how to use opportunity zones in Pittsburgh
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/19/learning-how-to-use-opportunity-zones-in-pittsburgh/

State News

Pa. nursing home chain to pay $15 million to settle claims of unnecessary rehab
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/19/Pennsylvania-nursing-home-chain-Guardian-Eleder-Care-settlelemnt-claims-unnecessary-rehab/stories/202002190121

Western Pa. nursing home chain reaches $15.4M settlement for inappropriate therapy
https://triblive.com/local/regional/western-pa-nursing-home-chain-reaches-15-4m-settlement-for-inappropriate-therapy/

Harrisburg diocese first to seek bankruptcy
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/02/19/Harrisburg-diocese-bankruptcy-first-seek-sexual-abuse/stories/202002190161

Harrisburg becomes first Pennsylvania Roman Catholic diocese to declare bankruptcy
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/19/harrisburg-becomes-first-pennsylvania-roman-catholic-diocese-to-declare-bankruptcy/

Harrisburg diocese bankruptcy: Here’s what that means for parishioners, churches, schools
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/02/19/harrisburg-diocese-bankruptcy-what-happen-churches-schools/4812215002/

Even with 10,000 solar industry jobs in Pa. and N.J., the region lags behind, report says
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/solar-jobs-pennsylvania-new-jersey-20200219.html

Opponents of the Berks County migrant detention center are trying a new way to shut it down
https://www.inquirer.com/news/berks-detention-center-dhs-immigrant-immigration-asylum-20200219.html

Sandusky prosecutor and former Penn State lawyer disciplined
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/2020/02/19/Sandusky-prosecutor-and-former-Penn-State-lawyer-disciplined/stories/202002190163

Aftershocks of Sandusky case continue, derailing career of prosecutor Frank Fina
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/sandusky-prosecutor-latest-casualty-of-sordid-sex-abuse-scandal-in-frank-finas-license-suspension-people-see-a-prosecutor-blinded-by-successes.html

Skunk cabbage, daffodils provide an early sign of spring
https://triblive.com/local/regional/skunk-cabbage-daffodils-provide-an-early-sign-of-spring/

State Humane Society director tours animal shelters, praises group for advocacy
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-humane-society-director-tours-animal-shelters-praises-group-for-advocacy-1.2597281

Pa. mail carrier sues U.S. Postal Service over Sunday work shifts
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-mail-carrier-sues-u-s-postal-service-over-sunday-work-shifts/

Immigration benefits state
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/immigration-benefits-state-1.2597163

As cost of living rises, Pennsylvanians fight to make ends meet
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200219/as-cost-of-living-rises-pennsylvanians-fight-to-make-ends-meet

Transportation

Roundabout being considered along Route 356 in Buffalo Township
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/roundabout-being-considered-along-route-356-in-buffalo-township/

Washington

Sen. Casey looks to boost future outlook for nation’s children
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2020/02/19/Sen-Casey-launches-plan-aimed-at-boosting-future-outlook-for-nation-s-impoverished-children/stories/202002190146

In Bakersfield, Trump OKs more California water for Valley farmers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/02/19/Trump-Bakersfield-California-water-farmers-Valley/stories/202002190185

Toomey ‘pushes back’ on Dems’ efforts to ban fracking
https://www.timesleader.com/top-stories/773302/toomey-pushes-back-on-dems-efforts-to-ban-fracking

Toomey talks up effort to protect fracking
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/toomey-talks-up-effort-to-protect-fracking-1.2597274