Legislature
Pa. medical leave bill sees industry, advocacy support
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200130/pa-medical-leave-bill-sees-industry-advocacy-support
Charter school funding: Time for lawmakers to fix flawed system
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/01/31/Charter-school-funding-Time-for-lawmakers-to-fix-flawed-system/stories/202001040026
Administration
Gov. Tom Wolf has awarded $1 billion in economic developments grants. Did your community get one?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/gov-tom-wolf-has-awarded-1-billion-in-economic-developments-grants-did-your-community-get-one.html
Business
Painters’ union calls for consumers to boycott PPG brands including Glidden, Olympic
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2020/01/30/PPG-paints-boycott-painters-union-gig-economy-wages-Pittsburgh-wages-glidden-olympic/stories/202001300153
Sheetz Christmas campaign collects $700K for children’s charity
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/sheetz-christmas-campaign-collects-700k-for-childrens-charity/
Mack launches medium-duty truck line, will invest $13 million in new manufacturing plant in Virginia
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-mack-trucks-launches-medium-duty-trucks-roanoke-valley-virginia-20200130-qjprra3c45ecli34cboewzrooy-story.html
Crime/Punishment
Boy, 14, sought in shooting death of 79-year-old man in Chester
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/chester-shooting-death-zhafir-tinsley-jones-robert-womack-20200130.html
Rahmael Holt’s mother convicted of hindering son’s arrest after he killed Brian Shaw
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/rahmael-holts-mother-convicted-of-hindering-sons-arrest-after-killing-new-kensington-officer/
Former local newscaster Renick arrested again
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/former-local-newscaster-renick-arrested-again-1.2589475
Education
Four Scranton schools to close today in asbestos probe
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/four-scranton-schools-to-close-today-in-asbestos-probe-1.2589362
Lead, asbestos contamination shuts down Pennsylvania schools
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/lead-asbestos-contamination-shuts-down-pennsylvania-schools/
Pa. education officials look to increase the number of teachers of color in classrooms
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/pa-education-officials-look-to-increase-the-number-of-teachers-of-color-in-classrooms.html
Gateway School District explores methods toward racial equity in schools
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/gateway-school-district-equity-efforts-presented/
Pa. high school football player with spinal cord injury making progress: report
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/pa-high-school-football-player-with-spinal-cord-injury-making-progress-report.html
Grant will help Wilkes preserve Agnes flood history
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/grant-will-help-wilkes-preserve-agnes-flood-history-1.2589532
New pollinator and bird garden will expand Penn State arboretum by 60 percent
https://www.witf.org/2020/01/31/new-pollinator-and-bird-garden-will-expand-penn-state-arboretum-by-60-percent/
Elections/Politics
Daylin Leach’s reelection prospects just got a boost as Montco Democrats failed to pick an opponent
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/daylin-leach-primary-montgomery-county-democrats-endorsement-20200131.html
Two Vets for Trump groups split in local congressional race
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/two-vets-for-trump-groups-split-in-local-congressional-race-1.2589647
Laflin man running for state House seat
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/laflin-man-running-for-state-house-seat-1.2589468
Certified public manager to run for Pa. House seat representing part of Dauphin County
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/certified-public-manager-to-run-for-pa-house-seat-representing-part-of-dauphin-county.html
How Pennsylvania will make or break Donald Trump’s re-election bid
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-presidential-election-where-to-watch-20200131-3q6pcx4jc5dsblbgw257r45dsm-story.html
Northampton County Election Commission Board says no to electronic poll books
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-northampton-county-election-commission-20200131-5f5mjqjgi5crbl5eb37zd4axbq-story.html
For 2020 election, states debate who’s allowed to vote | Analysis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/for-2020-election-states-debate-whos-allowed-to-vote-analysis/
Health Care
Berks County physicians prepare for coronavirus, though the risk is low
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-physicians-prepare-for-coronavirus-though-the-risk-is/article_e38b9cec-42ab-11ea-a00a-a3893f5816f7.html
FBI raids Ellwood City Medical Center
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200130/fbi-raids-ellwood-city-medical-center/1
Local News
Developer heralds new Scranton Counseling Center in South Side
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/developer-heralds-new-scranton-counseling-center-in-south-side-1.2589464
Dozens of projects, programs and organizations awarded Lackawanna County arts and culture grants
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/dozens-of-projects-programs-and-organizations-awarded-lackawanna-county-arts-and-culture-grants-1.2589381
Point-in-time count provides key data on area homeless
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/point-in-time-count-provides-key-data-on-area-homeless-1.2589447
Air tax hike alternatives
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/air-tax-hike-alternatives-1.2589449
Building housing Canal Street Pub and other businesses in Reading condemned after fire
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/building-housing-canal-street-pub-and-other-businesses-in-reading/article_d2004654-439a-11ea-ad57-0738e940a932.html
Opportunity House clients graduate from workforce development program
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/opportunity-house-clients-graduate-from-workforce-development-program/article_9bfa78fe-43b3-11ea-a339-575b0fa65ebe.html
Gina Cerilli says Doug Chew contradicts position on bidding Westmoreland County contracts
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/cerilli-says-chew-contradicts-position-on-competitively-bidding-contracts/
County begins treating Westmoreland Manor water sources
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/county-begins-treating-westmoreland-manor-water-sources/
Unity eyes zoning changes for windmills, barns, Route 981 development
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/unity-eyes-zoning-changes-for-windmills-barns-route-981-development/
Wilkes-Barre council halfway to approving Mayor Brown’s 2020 budget
https://www.timesleader.com/news/771194/wilkes-barre-council-halfway-to-approving-mayor-browns-2020-budget
New budget gets Wilkes-Barre council’s approval on first reading
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-budget-gets-wilkes-barre-council-s-approval-on-first-reading-1.2589533
Luzerne Foundation gathers to remember Rusty Flack, celebrate donors
https://www.timesleader.com/news/771189/luzerne-foundation-gathers-to-remember-rusty-flack-celebrate-donors
Wilkes-Barre council wants to track blight progress
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-council-wants-to-track-blight-progress-1.2589528
Study to assess parking concerns of community stakeholders in Hazleton
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/study-to-assess-parking-concerns-of-community-stakeholders-in-hazleton-1.2589500
Group planning to transform ex-Bishop McDevitt campus draws praise during community meeting
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/group-planning-to-transform-ex-bishop-mcdevitt-campus-draws-praise-during-community-meeting.html
City’s finances not so robust
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2020/01/citys-finances-not-so-robust/
National News
Three state AGs file lawsuit demanding addition of Equal Rights Amendment to Constitution
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/state-attorneys-general-file-lawsuits-era-constitution-20200130.html
Philly
Philadelphia School District will spend at least $14 million to address asbestos crisis
https://www.inquirer.com/news/school-board-asbestos-principals-union-contracts-20200131.html
Advocates rally to get Philadelphia School District to publicize mental health resources for students
https://www.inquirer.com/health/philadelphia-school-district-mental-health-resources-latinas-20200131.html
When Philly’s water mains break, city offers little support for victimized businesses
https://www.inquirer.com/news/water-main-breach-old-city-philadelphia-business-protection-20200131.html
Kenyatta Johnson has new sway over zoning powers — which the feds just accused him of abusing
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/kenyatta-johnson-zoning-indictment-philadelphia-city-council-rules-committee-20200130.html
South Philly nonprofit exec pleads not guilty to bribing City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson
https://www.inquirer.com/news/abdur-rahim-islam-kenyatta-johnson-federal-indictment-corruption-kenny-gamble-20200130.html
Newly revealed restrictions challenge redevelopment of bankrupt Philly refinery’s land
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pes-philadelphia-refinery-bankruptcy-auction-deed-restriction-20200130.html
Philadelphia-area universities move to restrict China travel due to coronavirus
https://www.inquirer.com/education/coronavirus-university-of-pennsylvania-rutgers-temple-study-abroad-20200130.html
Philadelphia police gather to mark 50th anniversary of city’s only unsolved cop murder
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-officer-frederick-cione-murder-unsolved-50-years-20200130.html
Philadelphia to change nickname to City of Sisterly Love for 2020
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-city-of-sisterly-love-2020-20200130.html
4-year-old boy fatally shot himself by accident in his North Philadelphia home, police believe
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/4-year-old-boy-shot-killed-philadelphia-violence-20200130.html
Pitt
Violent crime dips in Pittsburgh in 2019 amid decline in homicides, but trouble spots remain
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/01/30/pittsburgh-crime-statistics-2019-homicide-violent-property-theft-rates/stories/202001300130
Some bumps, but overall violent crime continues to fall in Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/some-bumps-but-overall-violent-crime-continues-to-fall-in-pittsburgh/
Attorney for family of slain toddler calls for Zappala’s resignation
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/01/30/wilkinsburg-mass-shooting-witness-district-attorney-stephen-zappalla-marcus-white-jr-jameela-tyler/stories/202001300150
Pittsburgh Promise hopes coaches in schools will boost eligibility
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/01/30/Pittsburgh-Promise-hopes-coaches-in-schools-will-boost-eligibility/stories/202001290134
Washington County officer reported missing last week found dead in South Side
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/washington/2020/01/30/Washington-County-missing-man-found-dead-South-Side/stories/202001300119
New streets, bike lanes open at Hazelwood Green as development takes shape
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/new-streets-bike-lanes-open-at-hazelwood-green-as-development-takes-shape/
Pittsburgh school for the blind facing teacher shortage
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-school-for-the-blind-facing-teacher-shortage/
State News
Selling an existing home and paying for a new one continue to stress out Pa. buyers
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/homebuyer-stress-pa-association-realtors-survey-20200131.html
Residents sue Pennsylvania over closing of state hospitals for developmentally disabled
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/intellectually-disabled-polk-center-white-haven-lawsuit-20200131.html
Report finds Pa.’s emergency radio system upgrade still on budget
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/01/30/Pennsylvania-state-police-emergency-radio-system-upgrade-budget/stories/202001300143
Pa. commission finds probable cause of racism, sexism in Grandview Golf Club incident
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/watchdog/2020/01/30/racism-probable-cause-found-case-911-called-black-women-golfers-grandview-york/2856918001/
‘Grandview Five’ case headed to mediation, parties say
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2020/01/30/grandview-five-case-headed-mediation-parties-say/2856191001/
Lower Valley emergency responders receive state gaming fund grants
https://foxchapel.triblive.com/lower-valley-emergency-responders-receive-state-gaming-fund-grants/
We can’t forget the victims of gun violence. Here’s how you can honor them | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/paforward/we-cant-forget-the-victims-of-gun-violence-heres-how-you-can-honor-them-opinion/
Washington
In Senate vote on witnesses, disagreement over what a ‘fair trial’ means in Trump impeachment
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/01/30/trump-impeachment-senate-witnesses-trial-schiff-biden-cipollone/stories/202001300190
A Parnas recording shows the access he and Fruman had to Trump at a Mar-a-Lago donor event
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/01/30/Lev-Parnas-video-shows-Fruman-Trump/stories/202001300192
Rand Paul’s failed bid to get the whistleblower’s name read aloud divides senators
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/01/30/Rand-Paul-Chief-Justice-Roberts-read-whistleblower-impeachment-trial-Senate/stories/202001300193
Cartwright takes aim at bullying
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cartwright-takes-aim-at-bullying-1.2589438
Houlahan: Lack of women in STEM community
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/houlahan-lack-of-women-in-stem-community/article_eb692a94-4371-11ea-a428-6f8e149705be.html