Legislature
PennDOT faces big costs and dwindling resources
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/25/penndot-faces-big-costs-and-dwindling-resources/
Local lawmakers turn to experts to find solution to opioid crisis
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local-lawmakers-turn-to-experts-to-find-solution-to-opioid/article_ead4bf4e-57f8-11ea-8a04-5b8256b08fd4.html
House panel holds hearing on soaring costs of prescription drugs
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/house-panel-holds-hearing-on-soaring-costs-of-prescription-drugs/article_8abd0036-5801-11ea-93c9-0f5ba940c6fe.html
Democrat Roni Green wins special election to Pa. House from West Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/special-election-190th-district-west-philadelphia-roni-green-movita-johnson-harrell-20200226.html
PA Dental Association supports greater freedom for people to choose their dentist
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/02/pa-dental-association-supports-greater-freedom-for-people-to-choose-their-dentist-pennlive-letters.html
We demand property tax reform
https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/2020/02/25/we-demand-property-tax-reform/4872657002/
I covered Pa. Senate Prez Joe Scarnati for 20 years. Here’s what I learned | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/i-covered-pa-senate-prez-joe-scarnati-for-20-years-heres-what-i-learned-opinion/
Pa. House Speaker Mike Turzai: Banning fracking would destroy Pennsylvania’s economy | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/fracking-ban-2020-democrats-pennsylvania-shell-plant-20200225.html
Administration
At Adams County farm, warnings about Gov. Wolf’s proposed $200 million cut to the race horse industry
https://papost.org/2020/02/26/at-adams-county-farm-warnings-about-gov-wolfs-proposed-200-million-cut-to-the-race-horse-industry-hes-destroying-families-in-pa/
Business
Juul faces 39-state investigation of e-cigarette marketing to teens
https://www.inquirer.com/health/juul-investigation-marketing-children-20200225.html
Discount retailer reboots plans for former Toys R Us
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/discount-retailer-reboots-plans-for-former-toys-r-us-1.2599456
Crime/Punishment
Protesters call on Pennsylvania AG to ‘show mercy’ and commute more life sentences
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-life-prison-josh-shapiro-john-fetterman-20200225.html
Protesters want Shapiro to approve more commutations
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/25/attorney-general-Pa-Josh-Shapiro-protest-commutation/stories/202002250140
Less than 2 weeks after Wilkinsburg acquittal, Cheron Shelton indicted on federal gun charge
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/25/Cheron-Shelton-indicted-federal-gun-charge-Wilkinsburg-massacre-investigation/stories/202002250157
Judge rejects U.S. motion to impose deadline on Bowers defense, sets conference for summer
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/25/Judge-rejects-motion-impose-deadline-Robert-Bowers-defense-Tree-of-Life-massacre/stories/202002250127
Gun plea reveals near-miss in Allentown ‘gang war,’ police officers likely stopped mass shooting at house party
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-allentown-gang-war-gun-plea-20200225-m72gkftl2jgw3gsfqwv5jtu2hi-story.html
Education
More than half of Pa. school nurses stock the overdose reversal drug naloxone, Penn study finds
https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/opioidoverdose-drug-schools-nurses-naloxone-penn-20200226.html
Scranton School District seeks parents for environmental task force
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-school-district-seeks-parents-for-environmental-task-force-1.2599651
Threat leads to increased police presence Wednesday at Kiski Area High School
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/threat-leads-to-increased-police-presence-wednesday-at-kiski-area-high-school/
Saved by the bell? Phone call confusion scuttles state board’s vote on Reading charter school
https://www.penncapital-star.com/uncategorized/saved-by-the-bell-phone-call-confusion-scuttles-state-boards-vote-on-reading-charter-school/
Vincentian Academy to close at end of school year
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/02/25/Vincentian-Academy-closing-end-of-school-year-2020-catholic-sisters-charity-nazareth/stories/202002250111
Editorial: School threats are no longer considered ‘kid stuff’
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/editorial-school-threats-are-no-longer-considered-kid-stuff/article_fb9d6aae-57d2-11ea-bb3c-eb1cb1ab9906.html
Hot Pockets heir gets 5 months in prison for college admissions scandal
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/25/Hot-Pockets-heiress-sentenced-5-months-prison-college-admissions-scandal-scam/stories/202002250186
As the coronavirus spreads to Europe, so does concern on local college campuses
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-college-milan-students-villanova-temple-lehigh-20200225.html
Reading planners recommend approval of Alvernia University zoning accommodations
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-planners-recommend-approval-of-alvernia-university-zoning-accommodations/article_f7984608-5814-11ea-958b-5fec351c2c57.html
Pa. state universities: Faculty cuts are possible if early retirement offer doesn’t hit target
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/pa-state-universities-faculty-cuts-are-possible-if-early-retirement-offer-doesnt-hit-target.html
Elections/Politics
Sanders, Bloomberg take heat from Democratic rivals in crucial debate
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/02/25/Democratic-debate-South-Carolina-Feb-25-2020/stories/202002250170
Democratic women in a Pennsylvania swing county are united — in anxiety and fatigue
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/northampton-county-pa-2020-women-20200225.html
In politically divided Pennsylvania, little-noticed new voters could have a big impact
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pa-immigrants-eligible-voters-2020-20200225.html
Disinformation and hacking could threaten 2020 elections, former U.S. attorney warns
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/disinformation-and-hacking-could-threaten-2020-elections-former-u-s-attorney-warns/
Congressional candidate files challenge against fellow Republican
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/congressional-candidate-files-challenge-against-fellow-republican-1.2599860
Tom Brier, Eugene DePasquale square off in race to challenge U.S. Rep. Scott Perry this fall
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/02/democratic-rivals-tom-brier-eugene-depasquale-square-off-in-race-to-challenge-us-rep-scott-perry-this-fall.html
Brier pitches change, DePasquale experience to flip 10th Congressional District seat blue
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/brier-pitches-change-depasquale-experience-to-flip-10th-congressional-district-seat-blue/
Despite differences, Bucks Democratic hopefuls agree on this: defeating Fitzpatrick
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/26/despite-differences-bucks-democratic-hopefuls-agree-on-this-defeating-fitzpatrick/
58th District candidate Prah gets backing of SEIU
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/58th-district-candidate-prah-gets-backing-of-seiu/
Your Call: How secure are Pennsylvania elections after the 2016 hack attempt? Are local voting machines vulnerable?
https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-your-call-pennsylvania-election-day-cyber-security-20200226-mu7tueu3nrdxnhmqictocym26u-story.html
Health Care
Coronavirus will spread in the U.S., CDC warns, and there might not be enough testing capacity to detect it
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus-pandemic-cdc-flawed-test-pcr-undetected-cases-20200225.html
Local News
Scranton council hires law firm employing former councilwoman
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-council-hires-law-firm-employing-former-councilwoman-1.2599872
Scranton residents, city in court over delinquent trash fees
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-residents-city-in-court-over-delinquent-trash-fees-1.2599790
Scott Twp. supervisors vote to repeal cemetery ordinance
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scott-twp-supervisors-vote-to-repeal-cemetery-ordinance-1.2600001
Timlin defends attending installation Mass in Philly
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/timlin-defends-attending-installation-mass-in-philly-1.2599889
Reading seeks answers about horse racing on Skyline Drive
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-seeks-answers-about-horse-racing-on-skyline-drive/article_c25165fe-582f-11ea-9a13-bf4903b24e31.html
Reading Housing Authority getting $900,000 more federal grant funding than expected
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-housing-authority-getting-more-federal-grant-funding-than-expected/article_5d147d62-5815-11ea-ba09-c31013f807c5.html
South Heidelberg Township will have $1.3 million of roadwork in 2020
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/south-heidelberg-township-will-have-million-of-roadwork-in/article_5124c792-5814-11ea-9b92-efa614fd92f7.html
Humane Pennsylvania asks Mount Penn to use its facilities as a free animal clinic
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/humane-pennsylvania-asks-mount-penn-to-use-its-facilities-as/article_2c9d682e-5815-11ea-bbf2-877609c2569a.html
What’s making tenants sick at Ardmore’s new luxury apartments?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-luxury-apartments-mold-issue-one-ardmore-supreme-court-20200226.html
Wesley Family Services’ $18.2M complex in New Kensington on target to open Aug. 1
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/wesley-family-services-18-2-million-housing-office-complex-in-new-ken-on-target-to-open-aug-1/
Latrobe considers charging new recycling fees at solid waste station
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/latrobe-looks-into-charging-new-recycling-fees-at-solid-waste-station-mainly-to-non-residents/
$5 Luzerne County vehicle fee will end Dec. 31, 2021, council decides
https://www.timesleader.com/news/774178/5-luzerne-county-vehicle-fee-will-end-dec-31-2021-council-decides
County vehicle fee will end by end of 2021
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-vehicle-fee-will-end-by-end-of-2021-1.2599886
Wilkes-Barre Mayor Brown to host meeting of local mayors at City Hall
https://www.timesleader.com/news/774215/wilkes-barre-mayor-brown-to-host-meeting-of-local-mayors-at-city-hall
Brown seeing results in effort to advertise city-owned properties
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/brown-seeing-results-in-effort-to-advertise-city-owned-properties-1.2599858
Luzerne County government ‘evolving,’ manager says
https://www.timesleader.com/news/774202/luzerne-county-government-evolving-manager-says
Pedri: Technology helped county succeed
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/pedri-technology-helped-county-succeed-1.2599874
Ex-Harveys Lake employee sues borough council president
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ex-harveys-lake-employee-sues-borough-council-president-1.2599881
Labor group won’t participate in Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade after quarrel that started with elderly man hit by candy
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-st-patricks-day-parade-labor-wont-participate-20200225-mm2jgv6ybzfn5ihqvqltwls43m-story.html
Natural Gas
Cost of drilling: DEP raises permit fees to cover regulatory services
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/02/26/Drilling-cost-environmental-protection-permit-fees-regulatory-services/stories/202001250020
Philly
South Philadelphia to become site of nation’s first supervised-injection facility next week, organizers say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-supervised-injection-site-opening-federal-ruling-20200225.html
Nonprofit Safehouse says it will open injection site in Philadelphia
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/02/26/Nonprofit-says-it-will-open-injection-site-in-Philadelphia-overdose-McHugh-Safehouse/stories/202002260100
Philly’s finances might not be strong enough to ride out severe recession, officials, watchdog warn
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/phillys-finances-might-not-be-strong-enough-to-ride-out-severe-recession-officials-watchdog-warn/
Expect more apartments around Philadelphia to offer smart-home technology
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/smart-home-technology-apartment-philadelphia-20200226.html
Philly teachers need more support and respect to stay in their jobs | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-schools-teacher-recruitment-retention-training-20200225.html
Why do Philadelphia Flower Show tickets cost as much as 40% more this year?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-flower-show-ticket-prices-why-so-expensive-20200226.html
Philly City Councilmember Helen Gym has endorsed Bernie Sanders
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/helen-gym-endorses-bernie-sanders-20200226.html
Arrest made in Philly shooting deaths of pregnant woman and her unborn child
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/pregnant-woman-unborn-baby-killed-shooting-arrest-razique-bumpus-20200225.html
As coronavirus melts markets, Philly CEOs feel the pinch to business
https://www.inquirer.com/business/coronavirus-business-impact-philadelphia-ceos-20200224.html
Muggers got just $7 from this Center City nonprofit founder. She could’ve helped them get jobs that pay way more. | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/news/menzfit-rhonda-willingham-mugged-jenice-armstrong-20200225.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh’s bond rating bumps up from stable to positive
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-receives-bond-rating-boost-from-stable-to-positive/
Hazelwood Green lands tenant promising an ‘innovation hub’
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/02/25/Innovation-Lab-Hazeiwood-Green-GSVlabs-Almono-roundhouse/stories/202002250128
Allegheny County sued over maintenance of voter rolls
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/02/25/Allegheny-County-voter-rolls-maintenance-lawsuit-voting-registration-act/stories/202002250168
City planning commission wants more details on proposal for North Shore ‘Pirates Plaza’
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/02/25/Pittsburgh-planning-commission-Pirates-Plaza-Continental-Real-Estate-North-Shore/stories/202002250164
Man injured in East HIlls shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/26/Man-injured-in-East-HIlls-shooting-Frankstown-Road/stories/202002260101
Science Center seeks $30,000 to update miniature railroad
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/25/Carnegie-Science-Center-Buhl-miniature-railroad-and-village/stories/202002250132
Legionnaires’ case prompts cautious county to test water
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/25/Legionnaires-case-prompts-cautious-county-to-test-water/stories/202002250116
Kraus aims to replace Harris’ reptile ordinance, ban pet alligators
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/25/Councilman-Kraus-Harris-reptile-crocodile-alligator-snake-regulations-pittsburgh/stories/202002250115
Pittsburgh ordinance would ban ownership of crocodiles, alligators and turtles
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-ordinance-would-ban-ownership-of-crocodiles-alligators-and-turtles/
Pittsburgh airport to phase out using boarding passes at security checkpoints
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-airport-to-phase-out-using-boarding-passes-at-security-checkpoints/
Wilkinsburg public safety forum attracts large crowd
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/25/Wilkinsburg-safety-forum-mass-shooting/stories/202002250175
State News
Pennsylvania is already much cleaner without new carbon taxes | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/02/pennsylvania-is-already-much-cleaner-without-new-carbon-taxes-opinion.html
Steve Chronister calls for investigation into ‘corrupt’ Pa. Human Relations Commission
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/02/25/grandview-golf-case-steve-chronister-wants-whistleblower-protected/4865115002/
Transportation
Express route to efficiency
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/express-route-to-efficiency-1.2599777
Work on I-83/Mount Rose Avenue could extend into 2021, PennDOT says
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/02/25/interstate-83-mount-rose-project-could-extend-2021-penndot-cherry-hill-tutor-perini/4871613002/
Washington
Casey: Resources diverted to ‘Russian propaganda, political smears’
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200225/casey-resources-diverted-to-rsquorussian-propaganda-political-smearsrsquo