YESTERDAY WE TOLD YOU ABOUT LEGISLATION BEING INTRODUCED IN HARRISBURG TO LEGALIZE ADULT USE OF CANNABIS IN PENNSYLVANIA. THIS MORNING, DON ROONEY TALKS WITH THE STATE SENATOR WHO AUTHORED THE BILL…

A bipartisan group of lawmakers joined with business and labor leaders Tuesday in Harrisburg to call for continued progress on improvements to the network of pipelines that moves natural gas produced in Pennsylvania safely and efficiently to markets and industrial users. Rep. Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland) spoke at the event and said he believes responsible pipeline expansion is a critical component to ensuring future job creation in Pennsylvania…

Participants said the future of Pennsylvania’s economy as well as continued investment by industries that utilize natural gas is dependent on having an adequate pipeline infrastructure in place.

Pennsylvania lawmakers want to make it harder for officials and government employees convicted of crimes related to their jobs to retain public pensions. The House voted 194 to 1 on Tuesday to approve legislation that would apply the pension forfeiture law to state and federal felonies and other crimes that could result in at least five years behind bars. It also would forfeit pensions when a defendant pleads or is found guilty. Current law imposes pension forfeiture when sentenced.

10th District State Representative Aaron Bernstine has joined with two colleagues to introduce a bipartisan bill creating a program to help high school students gain work experience while still in school. House Bill 796 would establish a pilot grant program which would encourage schools and local businesses to collaborate to provide work-based learning opportunities for high school students. Bernstine said the pilot program would bring our business leaders and students together to transform our education system and prepare Pennsylvania students for Pennsylvania jobs. Reps. Kate Klunk (R-York) and Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) are co-sponsors of the bill.

Two Pennsylvania senators have introduced legislation to ensure paid sick leave to all workers in the state. Senate Bill 13 would require Pennsylvania companies to provide paid sick leave. State Sens. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia, Montgomery) and Katie Muth (D-Berks, Chester, Montgomery) said under their proposal, people could use paid sick leave for their own care or the care of a family member, including a spouse, children and parents. They said at least 400,000 Pennsylvania workers would benefit from paid sick leave.

The Department of Health is reporting that a second child has died in Pennsylvania due to flu-related complications. The victim’s identity and location has not been announced, but the state has confirmed there have now been two pediatric flu-related deaths over the current flu season. There have been a total of 91 deaths state-wide, a massive jump of 16 victims since last week, which also includes eight people under the age of 49.

Jurors have seen a video recording of the fatal police shooting of an unarmed black teenager outside Pittsburgh. Prosecutors played the eyewitness video Tuesday, the first day of the homicide trial of former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld. He shot and killed Antwon Rose as the 17-year-old high school student fled a traffic stop. Rose was a passenger in a car that had been used in a drive-by shooting minutes earlier. Rosfeld’s lawyer says the shooting was justified.

An Aliquippa man is headed to prison for the death of a hospital security guard. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has details. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

WEATHER FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20TH, 2019

Spring Arrives at 5:58 p.m.

TODAY – MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF A RAIN
SHOWER. HIGH – 55.

TONIGHT – CLOUDY SKIES. LOW NEAR 40.

THURSDAY – CONSIDERABLE CLOUDINESS WITH
OCCASIONAL RAIN SHOWERS. HIGH – 51.