Legislature
Monument planned on Pa. Capitol grounds to be nation’s first to honor expansion of voting rights
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/monument-planned-on-pa-capitol-grounds-to-be-nations-first-to-commemorate-the-15th-and-19th-amendments-to-us-constitution-that-expanded-voting-rights.html
‘Anything but certain’: County election chiefs warn lawmakers of potential hurdles in 2020 election reform
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/anything-but-certain-county-election-chiefs-warn-lawmakers-of-potential-hurdles-in-2020-election-reform/
Trick shots: Gun lovers want it both ways
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/trick-shots-gun-lovers-want-it-both-ways-1.2587972
Administration
Occupational therapists have a role to play in Wolf’s plan to fight mental illness. Here’s how | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/occupational-therapists-have-a-role-to-play-in-wolfs-plan-to-fight-mental-illness-heres-how-opinion/
Business
U.S. Steel to hold info sessions about Clairton, Braddock plant upgrades
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/u-s-steel-to-hold-info-sessions-about-clairton-braddock-plant-upgrades/
Crime/Punishment
Westmoreland lockup cashing in with online books, movies
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-lockup-cashing-in-with-on-line-books-movies/
Hunlock Township woman charged with illegally transferring firearm used in deadly shooting
https://www.timesleader.com/news/770887/hunlock-township-woman-charged-with-illegally-transferring-firearm-used-in-deadly-shooting
Education
Pa. superintendents join to demand charter school reform ahead of Wolf’s budget proposal
https://www.inquirer.com/education/pennsylvania-charter-school-law-reform-school-districts-tom-wolf-20200127.html
LEARN coalition calls for charter school reform across region
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/learn-coalition-calls-for-charter-school-reform-across-region/article_ae1a9962-0212-5656-a832-2bc776061644.html
Tests show lead, asbestos in Scranton schools
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/tests-show-lead-asbestos-in-scranton-schools-1.2588180
Consistent violence at Harrisburg schools prompts call to action for district parents
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/consistent-violence-at-harrisburg-schools-prompts-call-to-action-for-district-parents.html
Plum School District resumes classes after threat
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/01/28/Plum-schools-resumes-classes-for-students-after-threat/stories/202001280083
Carnegie Mellon tuition among the highest in the nation, inching higher
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/carnegie-mellon-tuition-among-the-highest-in-the-nation-inching-higher/
Carnegie Museum will partner with Pitt, Boston University to study climate-change effects
https://triblive.com/local/regional/carnegie-museum-will-partner-with-pitt-boston-university-to-study-climate-change-effects/
Wilkes University earns grant for Agnes Flood artifacts
https://www.timesleader.com/news/770892/wilkes-university-earns-grant-for-agnes-flood-artifacts
Marywood University, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine annoucne agreement to remove admissions obstacles
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/marywood-university-geisinger-commonwealth-school-of-medicine-annoucne-agreement-to-remove-admissions-obstacles-1.2588192
Elections/Politics
Mike Bloomberg is spending an unprecedented amount of money on Pennsylvania TV ads
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mike-bloomberg-2020-presidential-campaign-advertising-pennsylvania-20200128.html
Rep. Sheryl Delozier to seek a 7th term in the Pa. House of Representatives
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/rep-sheryl-delozier-to-seek-a-7th-term-in-the-pa-house-of-representatives.html
12 aspiring newcomers already pushing for your vote as Pennsylvania legislative election season opens
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-legislature-candidates-20200128-rfualrd3abfapjutnkc7ppcudy-htmlstory.html
Pennsylvania GOP endorses slate of statewide candidates
https://www.witf.org/2020/01/27/pennsylvania-gop-endorses-slate-of-statewide-candidates/
Can an Army veteran and firefighter turn a Trump-y W. Pa. House seat blue?
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/can-an-army-veteran-and-firefighter-turn-a-trump-y-seat-blue/
Gaydos announces re-election bid, says she ‘won’t back down’
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200127/gaydos-announces-re-election-bid-says-she-wont-back-down
Local News
Work ahead: Big projects on tap in Scranton by Pennsylvania American Water under miles of roads
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/work-ahead-big-projects-on-tap-in-scranton-by-pennsylvania-american-water-under-miles-of-roads-1.2588128
Scranton resident starts GoFundMe account for donations to fight city’s appeal of tax lawsuit
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-resident-starts-gofundme-account-for-donations-to-fight-city-s-appeal-of-tax-lawsuit-1.2588178
Jessup proposing to regulate truck traffic
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/jessup-proposing-to-regulate-truck-traffic-1.2588191
Berks County drug deaths soar in 2019 following dip the previous year
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-drug-deaths-soar-in-following-dip-the-previous/article_01209b50-412f-11ea-a1d3-1be00769ec7d.html
Opportunity House’s Souper Bowl tackles homelessness in Reading and Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/opportunity-house-s-souper-bowl-tackles-homelessness-in-reading-and/article_21b08360-415e-11ea-b1a1-9b6e34ef58ff.html
Bucks emergency squads get $1M in state grants
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200128/bucks-emergency-squads-get-1m-in-state-grants
New Garden opens $5 million state-of-the-art regional police facility
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/new-garden-opens-million-state-of-the-art-regional-police/article_24a9c384-414e-11ea-b388-3babbb811a0c.html
Brackenridge, Harrison and Tarentum continue joint planning effort
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/brackenridge-harrison-and-tarentum-continue-joint-planning-effort/
Latrobe eyes higher fees at waste transfer station
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/latrobe-eyes-higher-fees-at-waste-transfer-station/
Westmoreland Manor water system being tested after complaint filed with state
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-manor-water-system-being-tested-after-complaint-filed-with-state/
Developer to share plans for part of Radnor estate of late Campbell Soup heiress
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/dorrance-dodo-hamilton-wayne-radnor-estate-haverford-properties-20200128.html
Pedri wants $5 vehicle fee to stay
https://www.timesleader.com/news/770898/pedri-wants-5-vehicle-fee-to-stay
No vote tonight for proposed stormwater fee resolution
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/no-vote-tonight-for-proposed-stormwater-fee-resolution-1.2587968
Amid growing population, Hazleton sees increase in fire calls
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/amid-growing-population-hazleton-sees-increase-in-fire-calls-1.2588047
Hazleton City Authority reports fewer issues with freezes for city
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hazleton-city-authority-reports-fewer-issues-with-freezes-for-city-1.2587999
National News
National suicide rates rose 40% from 2000 to 2017, with blue-collar workers most at risk
https://www.inquirer.com/health/suicide-risk-mining-oil-study-20200127.html
‘We mourn seven heroes’: The Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy in 1986
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/01/we-mourn-seven-heroes-the-space-shuttle-challenger-tragedy-in-1986.html
Hemp prices plunge with CBD demand ‘much, much smaller’ than the supply
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/hemp-prices-plunge-with-cbd-demand-much-much-smaller-than-the-supply.html
New Jersey
Will New Jersey’s SALT deduction work-around help its small-business owners?
https://www.inquirer.com/business/taxes-new-jersey-state-local-salt-murphy-small-business-20200128.html
Philly
Philadelphia won the soda tax battle. But across the U.S., Big Soda is winning the war.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philadelphia-soda-tax-national-beverage-industry-20200128.html
Possible coronavirus case at Philadelphia’s Penn Charter School leads school to announce it will end Chinese exchange program
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus-philadelphia-student-screening-health-department-20200127.html
Teachers are refusing to enter a Philadelphia elementary school because of asbestos fears
https://www.inquirer.com/education/asbestos-philadelphia-school-elkin-20200127.html
Philly-area dads who coach their daughters: ‘Many of us can relate to Kobe the father’
https://www.inquirer.com/life/kobe-gianna-charles-howard-tim-leedy-father-daughter-coach-20200128.html
A future for the Route 15 trolley? | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-trolley-route-15-septa-modernization-20200128.html
Auschwitz survivors from Philly area return to death camp, 75 years after Red Army liberated them
https://www.inquirer.com/news/holocaust-nazi-poland-germany-krakow-auschwitz-zelensky-putin–20200127.html
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is engaged
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-mayor-jim-kenney-engaged-letty-santarelli-20200127.html
AK-47 that killed 2-year-old Nikolette Rivera in Kensington is recovered in Camden, officials say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/ak-47-recovered-shooting-nikolette-rivera-kensington-camden-20200127.html
Philadelphia Museum of Art plans anonymous hotline to report sexual harassment, discrimination
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/philadelphia-museum-of-art-policies-harrassment-discrimination-20200127.html
‘Johnny Doc’ ally who led Philly zoning board sentenced to more than a year in prison for nonprofit thefts
https://www.inquirer.com/news/james-moylan-sentencing-johnny-doc-dougherty-local-98-philly-zoning-board-20200127.html
I remember Jim Kenney dancing with the Mummers. Now he’s forgotten his South Philly roots. | Perspective
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/mummers-mayor-kenney-south-philly-safety-20200127.html
Rebuild could offer blueprint for more diverse Philadelphia construction industry | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-construction-minority-women-owned-business-rebuild-20200127.html
Pitt
Gondolas to work? Pittsburgh Parking Authority could have new focus in coming years, mayor says
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/01/27/Pittsburgh-Downtown-Parking-Authority-Gondolas-Incline-autonomous-vehicles-Bill-Peduto/stories/202001270098
Peduto pitches gondola connecting the Strip, Hill District, Oakland
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/peduto-pitches-gondola-connecting-the-strip-hill-district-oakland/
Alcosan wet weather overflows much bigger than previously known
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/01/27/Alcosan-wet-weather-overflows-bigger-than-previously-thought/stories/202001230142
Pittsburgh planning aid for sister city of Wuhan, China, stricken with coronavirus
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-planning-aid-for-sister-city-of-wuhan-china-stricken-with-coronavirus/
Kobe Bryant billboards pop up in Pittsburgh to honor former NBA star
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/01/27/Kobe-Bryant-billboard-pittsburgh-rt-28-helicopter-crash-death-lamar/stories/202001270123
‘Your name means everything’: Jeff Capel returns to Duke and a state with deep family roots
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2020/01/28/pitt-panthers-basketball-jeff-felton-jason-capel-duke-blue-devils-fayetteville-southern-pines-civil-rights/stories/202001280011
Man critically wounded in Brighton Heights shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/01/27/Police-investigating-shooting-Brighton-Heights-pittsburgh/stories/202001270125
U.S. Marshals in Philadelphia arrest suspect in Homewood double homicide
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/01/27/homewood-double-homicide-arrest-philadelphia-marshals-darryl-barnett/stories/202001270074
Portraits of Holocaust survivors serve as stark reminder
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/01/28/Portraits-of-Holocaust-survivors-in-Geneva/stories/202001270096
More speech, not less: City Council proposal takes wrong approach
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/01/28/More-speech-not-less-City-Council-proposal-takes-wrong-approach/stories/202001240064
Pittsburgh ranks as top city for football fans
https://triblive.com/sports/pittsburgh-ranks-as-top-city-for-football-fans/
State News
Leaky pipes, a multibillion dollar deal and a big philosophical question in the Aqua/Peoples merger
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2020/01/27/Aqua-Peoples-merger-leaky-pipes-natural-gas-drilling-pennsylvania/stories/202001260037
Climate change could shrink more than half of all wine regions. What will it mean for Pa., N.J. wineries?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/climate-change-warming-wine-grapes-pennsylvania-new-jersey-france-20200128.html
Winning jackpot ticket worth 2.39 million sold in Butler
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2020/01/27/Pennsylvania-lottery-jackpot-ticket-worth-million-sold-Butler-CoGos/stories/202001270082
Chester County, other suburbs can lead way on environmental issues | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-suburbs-2019-election-environmental-issues-20200127.html
Kingston nursing home sued over alleged abuse
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/kingston-nursing-home-sued-over-alleged-abuse-1.2587989
Kids count in next census
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/kids-count-in-next-census-1.2587974
State of craft beer in Pa: How long before the suds explosion goes flat?
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/01/state-of-craft-beer-in-pa-how-long-before-the-suds-explosion-goes-flat.html
Washington
Report: Pennsylvania’s Sen. Pat Toomey floated deal for each side to summon an impeachment witness
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-trump-impeachment-trial-pat-toomey-witnesses-20200128-ghra23zwebaovfcdu6jwmcewsq-story.html
As some senators weigh calling witnesses, Pa.’s Pat Toomey sends mixed signals
https://www.witf.org/2020/01/28/as-some-senators-weigh-calling-witnesses-pa-s-pat-toomey-sends-mixed-signals/
A Trump Super PAC launched a TV ad targeting Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey on impeachment
https://www.inquirer.com/news/trump-super-pac-ads-bob-casey-pennsylvania-20200127.html
Trump defense team questions Hunter Biden’s role in Ukraine amid intensifying push for witnesses
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/01/27/Trump-impeachment-trial-defense-team-Hunter-Biden-Ukraine-witnesses/stories/202001270129
Pompeo bars NPR reporter from his plane
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2020/01/27/Mary-Louise-Kelly-Pompeo-NPR-reporter-State-Department/stories/202001270134
World News
China counts 106 coronavirus deaths as the U.S. and others move to evacuate
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/01/28/coronavirus-China-death-toll-US-evacuation-virus-outbreak-cases/stories/202001280082