Today in PA | A PennLive daily news briefing with Claudia Dimuro

The legalization of recreational marijuana; increasing the minimum wage; and implementing a severance tax on natural gas drilling are all items listed on Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2021 agenda. State lawmakers pass legislation that would minimize governors’ powers in emergency situations. In Philadelphia, SEPTA rolls out “Mask Force Philly,” an initiative which seeks to increase passengers’ compliance of coronavirus safety guidelines. Plus, a falcon and a couple of owls were caught hanging out at Pittsburgh International Airport.

 

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Jim Rutherford steps down as the general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Allegations pile up against a group of self-proclaimed “college kids” after they greatly mismanage distributing the COVID-19 vaccine at a site in Philadelphia. One man reconstructs Easton out of Legos. And another man hits two deer with his new car, then hits $2 million in the lottery.

 

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Governor Tom Wolf stressed Tuesday the state’s need for more of the coronavirus vaccine. The Harrisburg woman who has been accused of helping to steal Nancy Pelosi’s laptop is ordered to stay off of the Internet. In the world of football, linebacker T.J. Watt supposedly refused to do an exit interview with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Plus, the Hershey-owned Whatchamacallit brand releases its first new candy bar in a decade—the Whozeewhatzit.

 

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Investigators suspect the deaths of four family members found in their Chester County home to be a murder-suicide. The death of a Philadelphia man found alongside an Indiana County road has been ruled as a homicide. In Pittsburgh, police are searching for a 25-year-old Beechview man that has gone missing. And luckily, just in time for Valentine’s Day, you can now buy a personalized video message from Gritty.

 

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Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro warns some Pennsylvania residents that their second stimulus checks may be delayed due to an IRS glitch. A man was arrested in Bucks County after posting threats against Democratic party leaders on Facebook. After remaining unnamed for 44 years, the bodies of a man and a woman were at last identified in a Lancaster County cold case. Plus, one pooch in Cumberland County helped to save his neighbors from an electrical fire.

 

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The Harrisburg woman accused of helping to steal Nancy Pelosi’s laptop will virtually appear in federal court on Monday. A Philadelphia man was arrested by FBI agents on charges of cyberstalking while in high school. Nearly $5 million dollars has been distributed throughout long-term care services initiatives across the state. Finally, the votes are coming in for all the DIY butter sculptures at the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show.

 

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More restaurants in Pennsylvania are ordered to close over COVID-19 restrictions. Childcare workers could be eligible for $600 federal grants. A Lancaster County food market sold a $1 million lotto ticket. Pa. Bigfoot experts are featured on an episode of ‘Paranormal Declassified.’

 

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Dr. Rachel Levine has been nominated by Joe Biden to become his assistant secretary of health. A number of National Guard members have been removed from today’s inauguration over security concerns. A woman from Harrisburg has been accused of stealing Nancy Pelosi’s laptop during the events at the Capitol. In completely non-political news, folks in Middlesex Township flocked to a cornfield in order to catch a glimpse of a rare snowy owl.

 

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The Pennsylvania National Guard is standing watch over the state Capitol leading up to the inauguration. Now, after a decade, state lawmakers are in the process of redistricting the state. For all you hunters out there, there’s a new app created by a Pennsylvania man that can help you track deer. And the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reminds us of all the little acts of kindness out there.

 

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Joe Biden’s stimulus proposal includes new benefit for children. Retired Pa. firefighter accused of assaulting Capitol police denies ties to white supremacists. Netflix is shooting ‘Archive 81’ in Pittsburgh. Snow geese are being spotted throughout eastern Pennsylvania.

 

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