News

Paper Supply Shortages Could Imperil Primary Voting: The vote-by-mail issue among state Republicans and Democrats has a new concern – a worldwide paper shortage that could cause disruption to the May primary.

Corman Moves Pieces Around the Campaign Chessboard: As the campaign undergoes a shakeup, can Jake Corman follow the same trajectory as the 1980 Phillies and 1991 Penguins?

Oz, Barletta Show Strength in Trafalgar Poll: Perhaps the two most recognizable names in each race – Mehmet Oz and Lou Barletta – led their respective races in the latest Trafalgar Group poll.

‘Senator seeking GOP governor nomination issued 1/6 subpoena’: The Associated Press reports that “Sen. Doug Mastriano, a former Army officer currently seeking the Republican nomination for governor, was asked by the Jan. 6 select committee to hand over documents and information about efforts to name a slate of alternate Electoral College electors for Trump.”

‘The left neutralizes the Dem establishment in Pa. Senate primary’: POLITICO reports that “at one time, the Democratic Party would have cleared the Senate field for a candidate like Conor Lamb. Not anymore.”

‘Malcolm Kenyatta got donations from Halle Berry, Amy Schumer, and Flo from Progressive’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the support from the entertainment industry shows how Kenyatta has managed to build a national profile as he runs for Senate in Pennsylvania.” 

‘Several staffers have left Republican Jake Corman’s campaign for Pa. governor’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the departures show the gap between the campaign’s expectations that Corman would quickly emerge as a front-runner and the reality of a crowded, unsettled race.”

‘Legislative maps draw legal challenge over county’s division’: The Associated Press reports that “a new legal filing claims redrawn district maps for the state House of Representatives improperly carved up a western Pennsylvania county.”

‘Pa. Democrat proposes banning controversial campaign fundraising tactic’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, D-Delaware, announced plans for legislation prohibiting candidates from using prechecked boxes to default into recurring campaign contributions.”

‘Pa. insurance commissioner to depart from her Cabinet post’: PennLive reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf’s insurance commissioner Jessica Altman is the latest Cabinet member to depart as his administration moves into its final year.”

‘Wolf official pressed over fate of 3 elderly in Philadelphia’: The Associated Press reports that “the head of Pennsylvania’s Department of Aging refused to tell lawmakers Tuesday whether three older adults are alive or dead, after department employees raised an alarm over how a Philadelphia agency handled the three cases of abuse or neglect.”

‘Justice Department finds Pa. courts discriminated against people with opioid use disorder’: Spotlight PA reports that “courts in Pennsylvania violated federal law by telling people to stop taking life-saving addiction medications, the Department of Justice recently alleged while warning of possible legal consequences if the policies continue.”

‘New authority meets to tackle broadband expansion across Pennsylvania’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “Pennsylvania’s new bipartisan, bicameral broadband authority met for the first time Tuesday to figure out how to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in federal aid to expand internet access across the commonwealth.”

‘Pa. nurses could soon see debt relief. What to know before the application deadline’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “Pennsylvania-licensed nurses could soon see some debt relief through a recently launched, one-time student loan forgiveness program, which has already seen overwhelming demand. And the deadline to apply for help is soon approaching.”

‘A tech issue could hinder some Pa. voters from applying for a mail ballot online. Here’s what to do’: WITF reports that “some Pennsylvania voters who apply for mail-in ballots online could run into a technical problem verifying their signature – depending on what they use to apply.”

‘GOP gubernatorial hopeful Dr. Nche Zama promises to unite Pennsylvania’: City & State PA reports that “Dr. Nche Zama was an early entrant into the state’s 2022 gubernatorial race. He brings an unconventional background to a field of candidates that includes state lawmakers, attorneys and business owners.”

‘How Pennsylvanians are trying to bring racial equity to the fraught process of redistricting’: City & State PA reports that “redistricting fights have traditionally been waged over political boundary lines… But a redistricting fight of a different sort has emerged this year: a battle to ensure that minority communities don’t have their voting power diluted.”

‘Pennsylvania Sen. Argall rips Wolf administration for skipping election reform hearing; counties tell of pressing need for election funds’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “with a busy election year well underway, Schuylkill County Sen. David Argall on Tuesday ripped the Wolf administration for skipping a bipartisan election reform hearing where counties bluntly stated a need for more election funding.”

‘Pa. to pilot bringing doula services to pregnant prisoners’: WHYY reports that “a public-private partnership is bringing new pregnancy care services to one of Pennsylvania’s state prisons for a test run.”

‘‘No one is immune’: DDAP encourages Pa. workers, health care workers, to invest five minutes to better understand addiction’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “state officials are encouraging Pennsylvania’s workforce – especially its health care workers who have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic – to take advantage of a free, online educational tool designed to inform, and provide them with guidance on  substance use disorder.”

Legislative Election Updates

‘Pa. Rep. Joe Kerwin announces re-election bid for Dauphin County House seat’: PennLive reports that “one-term Republican incumbent Rep. Joe Kerwin announced on Tuesday his intention to seek re-election to the 125th state House District seat representing the northern part of Dauphin County.”

Regional Spotlight: Southwest

‘Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Trying To Expedite Money For Local Bridge Repairs After Collapse’: KDKA reports that “U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says the collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge was “a blunt reminder.””
‘Dr. Oz wants to fight for Pennsylvanians in US Senate’: The Beaver County Times reports that “Oz, who was best known for his award-winning talk show,” The Dr. Oz Show,” who is now running for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania in the Republican primary, spoke to Lawrence County residents at The New Englander Banquet Center.”

WESA: In historic appointment, Maria Montaño named press secretary for Pittsburgh mayor’s office 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh’s bridges on the brink: City’s spans decaying with little help
WESA: Pittsburgh City Council introduces bill that would allow organization to study police data for bias 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council unanimously confirms Mayor Ed Gainey’s public safety director, city solicitor
Post-Gazette: ‘A yearlong frustration’: State loses out on sale of North Side warden’s house because of legislative inaction
KDKA: Pittsburgh City Council Approves Outdoor Dining And Shopping Measure
Observer-Reporter: Staniszewski pleads guilty to DUI in Bedford County
Observer-Reporter: Broadband initiative bringing high-speed internet to rural Washington County

Opinion  
Brian Fitzpatrick and Mary Gay Scanlon: It’s time for Congress to step up funding for the Legal Services Corporation 
Khalif Ali: Pennsylvania lawmakers are abusing the constitutional amendment process 
Paul Muschick: Some Pennsylvania cops no longer can stop vehicles for minor infractions. Why that’s a problem
Larry Platt: The Folly of a Public Bank 
John L. Micek: Wolf: Pa. counties, cities to benefit from $14.2M in CARES Act grant money | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Bill McKinney: Kensington can’t wait to end gun violence, we need action now 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Term limits for City Council will bring new voices to local politics
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Gainey’s smart and historic appointment
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Safety fixes desperately needed on stretch of Route 72 where young girl killed 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: A Cedar Crest fan shouted a name at a McCaskey boys basketball player. The McCaskey team’s response was powerful.
Matt Hengeveld: How Biden’s child care support will help small businesses like ours
Margaret Sullivan: The Inquirer set out to become ‘anti-racist.’ That meant taking a tough look at its history. 
Michael Coard: Lawyer Robert Morris fought — sometimes physically — to free the enslaved 
Harold Jackson: Black History Month’s lessons should focus more on tying the sins of the past to the ills of the present 
Trudy Rubin: Lithuanians warn from experience: deter Russia, don’t negotiate under military blackmail 
Casey Monroe: ‘Hurts to breathe’: A mom takes her toddler to the ICU with COVID
The Grammarian: The racism of anti-vaxxers claiming discrimination and segregation