Legislature

Amid objections, Senate GOP bottles up Bucks lawmaker’s resolution honoring Pa.’s LGBTQ youth
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/amid-objections-senate-gop-bottles-up-bucks-lawmakers-resolution-honoring-pa-s-lgbtq-youth/

Senate committee gives green light to sheltered bike lanes
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/senate-committee-gives-green-light-to-sheltered-bike-lanes/

State House passes bill to abolish ‘fail first’ approach for stage IV cancer patients
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/02/05/PA-sate-House-passes-bill-to-abolish-fail-first-approach-for-stage-IV-cancer-patients/stories/202002050138

Local officials say paying for state police would be tough pill to swallow
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/local-officials-say-paying-for-state-police-would-be-tough-pill-to-swallow/

What would a fair service for state police services look like? | The Numbers Racket
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/what-would-a-fair-service-for-state-police-services-look-like-the-numbers-racket/

Bill potentially allocating billions in subsidies to future petrochemical facilities clears Pa. legislature
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/bill-potentially-allocating-billions-in-subsidies-to-future-petrochemical-facilities-clears-pa-legislature/Content?oid=16698819

‘Viva la Republica Dominicana!’ Capitol celebrates Dominican Independence
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/viva-la-republica-dominicana-capitol-celebrates-dominican-independence/

No gas tax, but more gas subsidies
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/no-gas-tax-but-more-gas-subsidies-1.2591731

PA and NJ efforts could chip away at gun crime | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philly-camden-illegal-gun-trafficking-targeted-new-pa-nj-initiative-20200206.html

Pa.’s primary problem? We’re still too late to have a say for POTUS. Will lawmakers finally change it? | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pa-s-primary-problem-were-still-too-late-to-have-a-say-for-potus-will-lawmakers-finally-change-it-opinion/

Administration

Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf’s charter school reforms re-ignites firestorm with advocates, parents
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/pa-gov-tom-wolfs-charter-school-reforms-re-ignites-firestorm-with-advocates-parents.html

Gov. Wolf says he will veto plan for a natural gas manufacturing tax credit
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2020/02/gov-wolf-says-he-will-veto-plan-for-a-natural-gas-manufacturing-tax-credit.html

Wolf pushes back on Trump’s State of the Union criticism: ‘There was some posturing going on there.’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/wolf-pushes-back-on-trumps-state-of-the-union-criticism-there-was-some-posturing-going-on-there.html

Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf takes college scholarship program on the road
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/pa-gov-tom-wolf-takes-college-scholarship-program-on-the-road.html

Budget

#PaBudget 2020: Wolf, lawmakers need to shore up Medicaid funding | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pabudget-2020-wolf-lawmakers-need-to-shore-up-medicaid-funding-opinion/

Crime/Punishment

Wilkinsburg suspect’s letters from jail read to jurors
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/05/wilkinsburg-mass-shooting-trial-day-3-cheron-shelton-guns-ammunition-blood/stories/202002050130

Bucks County’s ‘Straw Hat Bandit’ robbed 19 banks to pay his bills. His latest haul? More than 70 years in prison.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/straw-hat-bandit-richard-boyle-sentencing-philadelphia-bank-robbery-bucks-county-20200205.html

Officials investigating shots fired at undercover officers in New Kensington
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/undercover-officers-fired-upon-in-new-kensington/

Drug agents targeted fentanyl suppliers in Tuesday raids
https://www.timesleader.com/news/771869/drug-agents-targeted-fentanyl-suppliers-in-tuesday-raids

In Pa. jails, women are paying more than double for the same tampons they’d get on the outside.
https://papost.org/2020/02/05/in-pa-jails-women-are-paying-more-than-double-for-the-same-tampons-theyd-get-on-the-outside/

Education

Scranton School District announces plan for Northeast Intermediate students
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-school-district-announces-plan-for-northeast-intermediate-students-1.2591699

Scranton teachers organizing one-day strike
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-teachers-organizing-one-day-strike-1.2591715

Scranton schools help out Northeast Intermediate
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-schools-help-out-northeast-intermediate-1.2591655

Superintendent: No coronavirus at Crestwood
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/superintendent-no-coronavirus-at-crestwood-1.2591787

Money available for student buses to Flight 93 Memorial
https://triblive.com/local/regional/money-available-for-student-buses-to-flight-93-memorial/

State denies request to hold hearing on new high school in Wilkes-Barre
https://www.timesleader.com/news/771938/state-denies-request-to-hold-hearing-on-new-high-school-in-wilkes-barre

State hearing set over funding for W-B Area high school project
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/state-hearing-set-over-funding-for-w-b-area-high-school-project-1.2591774

Slippery Rock cancels Chinese New Year celebration
https://triblive.com/local/regional/slippery-rock-cancels-chinese-new-year-celebration/

Lafayette student being evaluated for coronavirus after trip to China
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/easton/mc-nws-easton-lafayette-student-hospitalized-20200205-3426gwpilzfyfasy7dhqfr2cem-story.html

Elections/Politics

The Trump impeachment trial is over. What does it mean for Pennsylvania in 2020?
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/trump-impeachment-trial-pennsylvania-2020-election-20200205.html

The Iowa caucus was chaotic garbage. Why not let Pennsylvanians vote first instead? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/iowa-caucus-disaster-results-app-primaries-pennsylvania-20200205.html

Running for second term, AG Shapiro talks issues facing Pennsylvania
https://www.timesleader.com/news/771934/running-for-second-term-ag-shapiro-talks-issues-facing-pennsylvania

Rep. Barry Jozwiak seeking third term in state House 5th District
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/politics/rep-barry-jozwiak-seeking-third-term-in-state-house-th/article_ef6fad08-4785-11ea-9e3e-db1b3ea3a163.html

Local News

Lackawanna County plans to save $4.5 million by refinancing old debt
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-plans-to-save-4-5-million-by-refinancing-old-debt-1.2591638

Scranton expects to lose Right-to-Know Law request for former fire chief’s self-audit
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-expects-to-lose-right-to-know-law-request-for-former-fire-chief-s-self-audit-1.2591913

Roundtable: NEPA’s housing stock is old and crumbling, and most people can’t afford renovations
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/roundtable-nepa-s-housing-stock-is-old-and-crumbling-and-most-people-can-t-afford-renovations-1.2591658

Chermak defends tax hike vote
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/chermak-defends-tax-hike-vote-1.2591662

Clarks Green vote moves senior center closer to reopening
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/clarks-green-vote-moves-senior-center-closer-to-reopening-1.2591761

Protecting arboretum grounds at Reading Public Museum takes center stage after recent vandalism
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/protecting-arboretum-grounds-at-reading-public-museum-takes-center-stage/article_d118ca74-4834-11ea-ae74-7fd01c486cff.html

Angelica Creek Trail in Reading closed until at least the summer
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/angelica-creek-trail-in-reading-closed-until-at-least-the/article_5f27e5b2-478f-11ea-bb56-6ff27c9d65b2.html

Alsace residents address, get some answers, to concerns about quarry reclamation
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/alsace-residents-address-get-some-answers-to-concerns-about-quarry/article_c7191ec8-485e-11ea-aa5c-53f0e4e67cfa.html

Council takes first steps to deprivatize prison
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/council-takes-first-steps-to-deprivatize-prison/article_70c7124a-4850-11ea-ad22-3f9131fc60f4.html

125-acre Goddard Park in West Grove an oasis for dogs
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/acre-goddard-park-in-west-grove-an-oasis-for-dogs/article_2668985c-4834-11ea-a073-67342bc4136c.html

Editorial: Upgrades to county 911 system are not going to be cheap
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/editorial-upgrades-to-county-system-are-not-going-to-be/article_3fd076c8-481d-11ea-a262-5bd4a1de265d.html

Former Goshen Fire Co. chief honored for serving community
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/former-goshen-fire-co-chief-honored-for-serving-community/article_7dc5b00a-4797-11ea-b7d5-8f81e3c8e3c9.html

Tarentum ‘Depot’ projects gets state grant for basement, foundation work
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tarentum-depot-projects-gets-state-grant-for-basement-foundation-work/

Greensburg considers eliminating compliance bond for construction projects
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-considers-eliminating-compliance-bond-for-construction-projects/

AG report: Tilbury Relief Association inappropriately disbursed $28,500 to fire company
https://www.timesleader.com/news/771932/ag-report-fire-company-inappropriately-disbursed-28500

Surveillance camera database underway in Wilkes-Barre effective elsewhere
https://www.timesleader.com/news/771918/surveillance-camera-database-underway-in-wilkes-barre-effective-elsewhere

Schulkill commissioners approve grant match for transportation projects
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schulkill-commissioners-approve-grant-match-for-transportation-projects-1.2591714

State College to hold first Pride Parade this summer
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/06/state-college-to-hold-first-pride-parade-this-summer/

Philly

As reports of asbestos in Philly schools pile up, teachers union calls for ‘rapid-response’ team in the district
https://www.inquirer.com/education/asbestos-philadelphia-school-hopkinson-pft-union-weingarten-hite-20200205.html

From her days as a rookie in Oakland, Philly’s new police commissioner has met the insular and testosterone-filled culture of policing with ambition, confidence and determination.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/a/danielle-outlaw-oakland-philadelphia-police-commissioner-20200206.html

In Philly, $39 million in clergy-abuse payouts so far — about $215,000 per damaged life | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/clergy-abuse-pa-reparations-program-archdiocese-of-philadelphia-maria-panaritis-20200206.html

EPA reminds bankruptcy court: Philly refinery owes it millions
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/pes-philly-refinery-bankruptcy-epa-rins-energy-credits-20200205.html

Protesters chant ‘Trump is guilty’ as they march through Center City
https://www.inquirer.com/news/trump-impeachment-protest-dilworth-park-philadelphia-rally-20200206.html

Mayor Kenney makes pick for long-vacant SEPTA board seat representing Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-board-philadelphia-vacant-mayor-kenney-20200205.html

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos personally funding ‘opportunity scholarship’ for Philly girl cited by President Trump
https://www.inquirer.com/news/betsy-devos-scholarship-state-of-the-union-janiyah-davis-school-choice-20200205.html

Vice President Mike Pence pushes school choice during visit to Catholic elementary in West Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mike-pence-philadelphia-school-choice-trump-st-francis-20200205.html

Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to Philly school doesn’t reflect St. Francis de Sales’ congregation | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pence-visit-philadelphia-st-francis-de-sales-school-20200205.html

During impeachment, visitors to Philly’s historic district have looked to the past to connect with politics
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/impeachment-trial-donald-trump-senate-vote-independence-hall-philadelphia-20200205.html

City Council has unique chance to green Philly, starting with infrastructure | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-green-new-deal-city-council-stormwater-infrastructure-20200205.html

Teen gun violence prevention advocate left Trump’s State of the Union address unimpressed | Helen Ubiñas
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/trump-state-of-the-union-address-2020-gun-violence-mkiyah-martin-bob-casey-20200205.html

Pitt

Riders discuss accessibility, bus stop elimination at Port Authority meeting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/02/05/Port-Authority-meeting-Riders-accessibility-bus-stop-elimination-Larimer/stories/202002050184

Pittsburgh council gives preliminary approval for $50 million in borrowing
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-council-gives-preliminary-approval-for-50-million-in-borrowing/

Pittsburgh Council scraps plan to split park tax money evenly among council districts
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-council-scraps-plan-to-split-park-tax-money-evenly-among-council-districts/

Complaint: Reassigned Allegheny County judge referred to black juror as ‘Aunt Jemima’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/05/Allegheny-County-judge-Mark-Tranquilli-reassgined-juror-common-pleas/stories/202002050189

Man in critical condition after Hill District Z-Trip shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/05/Man-shot-critical-condition-z-trip-Hill-District/stories/202002050185

CMU apologizes for excluding historically black communities from tourist map
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/02/05/Carnegie-Mellon-map-homewood-Hill-District-Lincoln-Lemington-garfield-race-admissions-Pittsburgh/stories/202002050132

County Council to again consider independent police review board
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/02/04/County-Council-to-again-consider-independent-police-review-board/stories/202002040145

Mayor Peduto announces the passing of his mother, Eva
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/05/Mayor-Peduto-announces-the-passing-of-his-mother-Eva/stories/202002050181

Pittsburgh NAACP hires new executive director
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/05/Pittsburgh-NAACP-new-executive-director-kellie-ware-seabron-city-council/stories/202002050156

Taylor C. Noakes: Pittsburgh should adapt, not overhaul its transit system
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2020/02/06/Taylor-C-Noakes-Pittsburgh-should-adapt-not-overhaul-its-transit-system/stories/202002060032

Rolling Stones tour stops in Pittsburgh this summer
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/rolling-stones-tour-stops-in-pittsburgh-this-summer/

Allegheny County records 2 more flu-related deaths
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-records-2-more-flu-related-deaths/

State News

A group that championed Pa.’s lobbying law was fined $19,900 for breaking it
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-lobbying-law-ethics-commission-fine-common-cause-20200206.html

Friends of Flight 93 announces new leadership
https://triblive.com/local/regional/friends-of-flight-93-announces-new-leadership/

Study: Pa. roads average 1,030 litter items per mile
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/study-pa-roads-have-average-of-1030-litter-items-per-mile/

Groundhog Day 2020 sets attendance record in Punxsutawney
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/groundhog-day-2020-sets-attendance-record-in-punxsutawney/

Legal games of skill create a lot of winners in Pennsylvania | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/02/legal-games-of-skill-create-a-lot-of-winners-in-pennsylvania-opinion.html

Transportation

Hazleton bus ads spread public safety tips
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hazleton-bus-ads-spread-public-safety-tips-1.2591709

Washington

Sen. Mitt Romney breaks with GOP, votes to convict President Donald Trump
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/mitt-romney-vote-against-donald-trump-impeachment-20200205.html

NEPA’s D.C. delegation weighs in on Trump verdict
https://www.timesleader.com/news/771915/nepas-d-c-delegation-weighs-in-on-trump-verdict

Republicans take victory lap after Trump’s impeachment acquittal
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/02/05/trump-impeachment-Republicans-acquittal-Reschenthaler-toomey-romney/stories/202002050175

Pa. Republicans rejoice in President Trump’s acquittal on impeachment charges, ‘failed political hit job’
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pa-republicans-rejoice-in-president-trumps-acquittal-on-impeachment-charges-failed-political-hit-job/

Degrading impeachment
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/02/05/Degrading-impeachment-Donald-Trump-politics-enmity/stories/202002050164

Pat Toomey failed ‘true test of morals’ with Trump impeachment votes | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pat-toomey-pennsylvania-senator-impeachment-trump-20200205.html