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February 15th Playbook

Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey voted to convict former President Donald Trump on the charge of “incitement of insurrection” over the January 6 riots in Washington D.C. Here is the Playbook. 

Casey and Toomey Vote to Convict Trump: Although the Senate ultimately voted to acquit former President Donald Trump, Sen. Pat Toomey was one of seven Republicans who voted “guilty” in the impeachment trial.

February 12th Ups and Downs: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s Senate launch doesn’t go exactly as planned, a couple of Montgomery County officials take part in the impeachment trial, plus an Allegheny County native is selected to serve as an acting member in President Biden’s administration. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania may need to delay 2022 primary, lawmaker says
AP: Pennsylvania orders vaccine providers to speed up the shots 
AP: Toomey among 7 Republicans who voted to convict Trump 
AP: Wolf commutes life sentences for 13 jailed on murder charges 
AP: FBI accuses Pennsylvania man of being in Capitol during riot
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Scranton Democratic state Sen. John Blake set to resign office for job with Cartwright
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Eyeing efficiency, Pa. announces change in the way it distributes COVID-19 vaccines to providers
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Missing data could compound vaccine rollout issues in Pa.’s Black, Hispanic communities
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Census delay in releasing population data throws states, Pa.’s May primary into question
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa.’s Toomey, Casey vote to convict Trump for Capitol insurrection; Senate votes to acquit
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Black History Month in Pa. | Five for the Weekend 
Inquirer: Democrats had a brutal 2020 in Pennsylvania besides Biden. Now they’re charting a path forward.
Inquirer: Pat Toomey cites Trump’s ‘betrayal of the Constitution’ in breaking with GOP on impeachment
Inquirer: Pennsylvania is limiting who administers the COVID-19 vaccine. Doctors’ groups say that’s a bad move.
Inquirer: A push to grant driver’s licenses to undocumented people is underway in Pennsylvania
Inquirer: Undocumented immigrants who help police can be at risk for deportation. A Pa. lawyer is trying to stop it.
Patriot News: Pa. Sen. Pat Toomey explains why he voted to find Trump guilty in impeachment trial
Patriot News: ‘He invited them. He incited them.’ Pa. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. explains vote to convict Trump in impeachment trial
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf proposes paying anyone wrongly convicted $50K for every year spent in prison 
Patriot News: Pa. will weed out slow COVID-19 vaccine providers, also require phone scheduling 
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf grants clemency to 13 people sentenced to life 
Patriot News: Pa.’s second-degree murder charge is outdated, unfair: report 
Spotlight PA: The most frequently asked questions about Pa.’s frustrating vaccine rollout
Spotlight PA: WATCH: A live reader Q&A on Pa.’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution and the latest variants
Morning Call: Pa. Sen. Pat Toomey breaks with Republicans to vote for Trump’s conviction
Morning Call: Pennsylvania residents urged to report unemployment fraud, irregularities ahead of tax season 
USA Today: Why Sen. Pat Toomey voted in favor of Trump’s impeachment
York Daily Record: PA’s Dept of Health on vaccines: ‘We have heard you, and we are taking bold, decisive action’ 
WITF: Toomey On Guilty Vote: Trump Urged Mob To March On Capitol To Prevent Election Certification
PLSReporter: Wolf Administration orders faster distribution of COVID vaccines
The Times Leader: Capitol Roundup: Community-based solutions helping Pennsylvanians 65-plus to access vaccine
Fox News: Firearm violence in Philadelphia almost doubles after COVID-19 lockdown measures: report
Express Times: Toomey votes to convict Trump, bucking mostly party-line acquittal in 2nd impeachment trial
StateImpactPA: State parks opening more campsites to pets, after surge of people visited in 2020
Post-Gazette: How a federal program built to reward anti-COVID-19 efforts doled out millions of dollars to some of the most troubled nursing homes in Pennsylvania
National Journal: The Democrats’ diversity test
The Hill: Philly GOP commissioner cites election threats, urges McConnell to vote his ‘conscience’ 
The Hill: Toomey on Trump vote: ‘His betrayal of the Constitution’ required conviction 
The Hill: Nation’s oldest juvenile offender released after 68 years
Politico: Party leaders rip Republicans who voted to convict Trump
WESA: Report: Life Sentences Create ‘Larger, Older, Sicker, More Expensive’ Prison Population
KYW Newsradio: Sen. Toomey says he voted to convict Trump based on evidence, but legal experts say acquittal was foregone partisan conclusion
KYW Newsradio: Pa. makes some changes in hopes of speeding up struggling vaccine distribution system
Erie Times-News: Some Pa. providers won’t receive promised vaccine
Erie Times-News: New Pa. law provides free IDs for homeless citizens
Erie Times-News: Pa. still hopes to vaccinate general public by summer
Erie Times-News: 26 states have plans to vaccinate teachers, but not Pa.
Erie Times-News: Why Sen. Pat Toomey voted in favor of Trump’s impeachment
Erie Times-News: Roll Call: Senate acquits Trump at impeachment
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Senate confirmations could be contentious for Wolf cabinet appointees
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Toomey on vote to convict Trump: ‘He urged that mob to march on the Capitol’
Philly Voice: Late-arriving Census Bureau data could delay Pennsylvania’s 2022 primary election
KDKA: Pa. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Says 2013 Incident Involving Black Jogger Won’t Affect Senate Campaign
KDKA: Pa. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Says Life Without Parole Isn’t Justified In Cases Of 2nd-Degree Murder 
KDKA: Republican Senator Pat Toomey Voted To Convict Former President Donald Trump
Real Clear Politics: PA Suburbs Signal a National ‘Eds-and-Meds’ Realignment  

Philadelphia  
Inquirer: Trump’s Philly lawyers won the impeachment trial. But they’re facing a backlash at home.
Inquirer: From laughs over ‘Philly-delphia’ to vandalism at home, Trump lawyer Michael van der Veen draws backlash 
Inquirer: As Biden offers more emergency funds, activists say Philly should reopen COVID hotels for the homeless   
Inquirer: Philly is in talks with FEMA for a mass vaccination site at the Pennsylvania Convention Center  
Inquirer: Philly DA’s handling of an exoneration sparked outrage from a federal judge 
Inquirer: Philadelphians want protected bike lanes and pedestrian safety on Spring Garden Street 
Inquirer: Philadelphia green-lights plans for first-ever tiny-house village for homeless
Inquirer: Seeking a safer haven from COVID-19, demonstrators seek to restore hotel rooms for the homeless
Inquirer: Sen. Pat Toomey voted to convict Trump | Morning Newsletter
Billy Penn: 26-day hunger strike ends after activist extracts Kenney promise to act on gun violence 
Billy Penn: Trump impeachment lawyer from Philly mispronounces ‘Philadelphia’
Philadelphia Magazine: The First White House Was Right Here in Philly
KYW Newsradio: Book examines the history and contemporary role of Philadelphia’s public defenders
Philly Voice: Philly region lawmakers vote to convict Trump as Senate acquits former president in impeachment trial  
Philly Voice: Philly’s COVID-19 restrictions linked to city’s alarming rise in gun violence, Temple study finds

SEPA
Daily Local News: VOICES OF INEQUITY: Report shows how Pa. policy harms underfunded schools
Daily Local News: Chester County getting 5,700 doses of vaccine next week
KYW Newsradio: Chester County launches programs to boost manufacturing industry
Bucks County Courier Times: Local Democrats host online town hall with Bucks County officials
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks commissioners, staff donate to foster kids

Pittsburgh 
Tribune Review: Wolf signed commutations for 13 people, including 3 from Allegheny County
Tribune Review: Allison Park attorney seeks to become Allegheny County judge  
Tribune Review: Allegheny County adds 306 new coronavirus cases, 3 deaths
Pittsburgh Business Times: Regional consumer confidence continues to trend ‘very low,’ new report from Allegheny Conference on Community Development finds
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh’s economic recovery faces plenty of ‘wild cards’, weighs on leisure and hospitality industry
WESA: Vaccination Rates Vary Among First Responders
KDKA: Trump Lawyer Bruce Castor Appears To Confuse Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger With Georgia Secretary Of State Brad Raffensperger
KDKA: Pittsburgh Penguins Ask State To Allow Fans Into PPG Paints Arena At 25% Capacity
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 306 New Cases, Bringing County Total To 73,005
City Paper: As Allegheny County finally meets clean air standards, environmentalists are concerned the victory could be short lived 
Post-Gazette: Business group’s report claims region’s air is getting cleaner, faster
Post-Gazette: Zubik condemns use of Christian symbols by Capitol rioters
Post-Gazette: Trump attorney seems to confuse Steelers’ Roethlisberger with Ga. Secretary of State Raffensperger at impeachment trial
Post-Gazette: Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission tool identifies potential transportation centers in 10-county region
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 update: Slots for Castle Shannon vaccination clinic taken in minutes; more opening Tuesday

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Claysville man announces campaign for magistrate
Observer-Reporter: New UC program assists those who lost multiple jobs
Observer-Reporter: Health leaders talk about COVID-19 vaccine
Observer-Reporter: New COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania hit three-and-a-half-month low
Observer-Reporter: Gov. Wolf orders COVID-19 vaccine providers to move quickly
Observer-Reporter: Man accused of pepper spraying police in Capitol attack to stand trial on federal charges
Observer-Reporter: Officials in Washington, Greene counties rethinking regional health department concept
Beaver County Times: PA mom outs son for involvement in Capitol riot
Beaver County Times: On vaccines, PA leader: ‘We have heard you’
KDKA: Beaver County Man Arrested In Connection With Capitol Attack
Post-Gazette: Beaver County man arrested on charges related to Capitol riot
Tribune Review: Lower Burrell councilman to hang up politics but singing ‘God Bless America’
Tribune Review: Former Indiana County district judge charged by state police with DUI, child endangerment
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County adds 98 covid-19 cases
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Owens enters race for Cambria County sheriff
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State focusing on getting COVID-19 vaccine to locations that have used their supply quickly
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: COVID-19 case slowdown continues locally; state passes 23K deaths
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Five COVID-19 deaths, fewer than 50 cases across Cambria, Somerset, Bedford and Blair countis
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria has two deaths, 51 COVID-19 cases reported over weekend
Altoona Mirror: Vaccine providers to be decreased
Altoona Mirror: Blair allocates funds to demolish properties
Altoona Mirror: Blair allocates funds to demolish properties
Altoona Mirror: Officials debate ballot prep
Altoona Mirror: Blair seeks $1.38M in aid
Altoona Mirror: Tourism help proposed

NEPA
The Times Leader: Cartwright calls for new leadership at USPS as mail delays persist in NEPA
The Times Leader: Harvey hired as Luzerne County deputy election director
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Councilwoman Sheila Saidman announces re-election campaign
The Times Leader: Anthony Bartoli announces run for Luzerne County Council 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council makes tentative plans for one-time revenue windfalls
The Times Leader: Interviews delayed for new Luzerne County Election Board chair
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre City Council unites on votes, short on answers to callers 
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre ZIP code still top COVID-19 spot, but numbers keep going down
The Times Leader: 71 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County Sunday; 3 more deaths
Citizens Voice: Yudichak staffer offered Luzerne County deputy elections director job
Citizens Voice: Campaigning in a pandemic: A signature problem
Citizens Voice: 71 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Sunday
Times-Tribune: Two-person judicial race; Cognetti scores endorsements
Times-Tribune: Hundreds flood 211 line for vaccine appointment; many got one, Lackawanna County officials say
Times-Tribune: NEPA educators, advocates call for fixing ‘structurally unfair’ school funding system
Times-Tribune: Luzerne, Lackawanna counties account for most new daily COVID-19 cases in NEPA region

South Central 
Patriot News: Progressive group puts up billboards calling for U.S. Rep. Scott Perry’s resignation
LNP | LancasterOnline: Both Pennsylvania senators vote to convict Trump, local politicians weigh in on acquittal [update]
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County Democrats put up first candidate for County Controller since 2001, 2021 endorsement convention   
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County prosecutor won’t appeal drug task force records ruling: there’s ‘significant public interest’ 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Gov. Wolf commutes life sentence of accomplice in brutal 1979 killing 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Neighbors react to arrest of Manheim Twp. man accused of assaulting police during Capitol riot
York Dispatch: York County’s urban center hardest hit by COVID-19
York Dispatch: Police chief confirms York County’s ‘Officer Jeff’ cleared of wrongdoing at U.S. Capitol siege
Carlisle Sentinel: Dickinson College representative asks Carlisle Borough Council to acknowledge area’s Indigenous people, issue apology for Indian school 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: Cumberland County records 5,000 full vaccines administered; 83 new cases of COVID-19 Saturday

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley spent $1.5 million more for 2020 election than 2016. It could be the new norm.
Morning Call: Donald Trump may be out of office, but first Northampton County GOP executive candidate shows his influence
Morning Call: As Pennsylvania drug crisis worsens, state government and Lehigh Valley-area coroners disagree on number of deaths
Morning Call: Vaccine registration software creates headaches for Lehigh Valley health bureaus
WFMZ: Lehigh County executive elected to National Association of Regional Councils Board of Directors 
WFMZ: Retired Bethlehem police officer to run for Magisterial District Judge 
WFMZ: Bethlehem woman running for city council seat 
WFMZ: Allentown School Board gets earful about teacher placed on leave after attending Jan. 6 Capitol rally 
WFMZ: Reading mayor, police chief set to address recent crime 
WFMZ: Sihelnik won’t seek 2nd term on Reading City Council 
Express Times: West Bethlehem resident challenging Bethlehem City Council incumbents
Express Times: Local teacher’s D.C. trip on insurrection day leads to calls for firing, and some defenders
Express Times: Safety vs. convenience: Northampton County looks to create Central Court for some district court hearings
Express Times: Figures show COVID rates among Allentown, Bethlehem 1st responders have remained low
Reading Eagle: Reading City Councilwoman Lucine Sihelnik will not seek reelection
Reading Eagle: Community comes together to find ways to prevent youth violence in Reading 
Reading Eagle: Weekly Pa. COVID report shows Berks County steady; state admits vaccines are by honor system

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: State College mayor, former councilwoman announce joint plan to run for seats on Borough Council
Centre Daily Times: Feb. 13 update: Centre County adds 81 COVID-19 cases, 1 death, state Health Department says
Erie Times-News: Erie County awarded $3M for hospitality sector
Erie Times-News: More COVID-19 vaccine arrives, but still doesn’t match Erie County’s demand
Erie Times-News: Edinboro applies to be COVID vaccine distribution site
Erie Times-News: Morgan seeks second term as Millcreek supervisor
Erie Times-News: State reports 82 new COVID cases for Erie County
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Access ramp to be for West Fourth Street City Hall entrance
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: UPMC plans vaccinations for 85+ by appointment Feb. 17 in Clinton County
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City OKs $1 million bridge financing to pay late bill
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City attorney tosses hat into ring for City Council
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City brush pile gate parts delayed for more than a year
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Airport Authority acts on infrastructure matters

Opinion  
Mark S. Singel: Seeking courage in Senate candidates
Gene Barr: Pro-growth policies will move Pennsylvania’s economy forward
Jason Ortitay: Another way to expand access to broadband
Christopher Woods: The political evolution of adult-use cannabis: why postpone the inevitable?
Larry Platt: And They’re Off… 
Michael A. MacDowell: College is where students learn to defend their ideas, whether conservative or liberal
Kenneth Long: Why Black Lives Matter movement is essential to our democracy
Roseann Liu: Gov. Wolf has proposed a bold plan to address unequal education funding in Pennsylvania schools
Jon Geeting: Will Philly Be Ready for the Vaccine Surge? 
Charles Barkley: Week 2: Charles Barkley’s Black History Month All-Stars 
Mike Connolly: A tax on digital ad sales won’t solve all of Pa.’s budget problems. But it’ll help 
PennLive Editorial Board: Pennsylvania can raise the minimum wage and still support businesses, just like other states do 
Inquirer: Winning a World Series, opening a restaurant, riding a bike: 5 Philadelphians on long-time-coming goals
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: No matter the US Senate acquittal for Trump, the truth remains. And it still matters.
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: We should follow CDC’s updated guidance on wearing masks, including doubling up
LNP | LancasterOnline: LNP | LancasterOnline readers react to the senate acquitting Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Lawmakers take care of their own
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Mayor Peduto in a hairy mess
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Increasing available vaccines
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Visiting Mr. Wilson’s neighborhood
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A reach for the stars
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The next health crisis
Ruth Ann Dailey: Peduto speaks up for students
Keith C. Burris: Reawakening
Nancy Eshelman: Complain if you want, but these folks have earned my gratitude 
Rev. Sandra L. Strauss: We are not anti-gun; we value life
Guy Berkebile: Minimum wages hike threatens Pa. small businesses
Alison L. Steele: Closing loopholes in methane rule can improve public health
Shealyn Kilroy: People with mental health conditions should get vaccine priority 
Helen Ubiñas: Trump’s impeachment outcome won’t end our misery. Here’s how to deal  
Will Bunch: After impeachment, bipartisanship is dead — and so is the immoral Republican Party 
Tony Norman: Why impeaching the unimpeachable still matters
Nell Sokalski: Two of my Pennsylvania family members died of pandemics, 100 years apart
Joe McClure: When deadly disease struck 1790s Harrisburg, residents took matters into their own hands
Lisa Scottoline: Vaccine dreams 
John Cole: The real purpose of judicial gerrymandering, explained | Editorial Cartoon
Chris Kelly: QAnon Realtor sells rabbit holes on YouTube
David M. Shribman: Presidents Day salutes nation’s remarkable leaders

2 Responses

  1. I am curious as to the “woke” left’s opinion on this incident. Anyone more moderate would have been hung out to dry by now.

  2. I am not sure I could understand how the John Fetterman for Senate announcement could have gone as badly as it did. It was botched. It would seem that if you have all day to think of questions that may come up at the announcement that they would have rehearsed for this question. News flash: this will now come up very often as a question. How this issue could have been fumbled so poorly is a mystery.

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