The Pennsylvania Department of Health Tuesday confirmed 2830 new coronavirus cases, bringing the statewide total to 917,848. 97 new coronavirus-related deaths were also identified by Department of Health, leaving Pennsylvania with 23,711 since the pandemic began. There are currently 1963 people hospitalized with COVID-19, 418 of whom are in the intensive care unit.
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is hosting another drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinic today. However, that clinic, which is being run by Lehigh Valley Health Network, is only for those who received a first dose of the Moderna vaccine at a similar drive-thru clinic on January 27th. About 1000 people who were vaccinated last month are scheduled to get a second dose today.
The Nazareth Area School District is returning to a regular five-day in-person instruction model next month for its youngest students. The school board has voted unanimously to no longer offer hybrid learning for grades K-through-3 and instead have those students return to a full five-day in-person model on March 22nd. Fully-remote learning will still be offered, but families must decide if their students will stick to remote or shift to in-person learning by March 2nd. Grades 4-through-12 will remain on a hybrid learning model.
New Jersey is aiming to extend vaccination efforts throughout minority communities. Gov. Phil Murphy visited the community based clinic at a church in Trenton, which is home to the city's largest Spanish-speaking congregation. Officials hope to administer 1500 vaccines at the church by the end of the week.
A Bethlehem Township man is dead after a dispute with a neighbor turned into gunfire. Police were called to a home on Clifton Avenue Tuesday afternoon after reports of a dispute between neighbors. When they arrived, they found Kenneth Pickell shot to death. After talking with witnesses, including Pickell's wife, police arrested Joshua Leone for allegedly shooting Pickell with a shotgun. Investigators aren't saying what the two men were arguing about prior to the shooting.
One person is hospitalized after a shooting in Monroe County. It happened Tuesday evening in the parking lot of Swiftwater Apartments along Route 611 in Pocono Springs. One suspect has been taken into custody. The investigation continues.
Gov. Tom Wolf has unveiled his "Back to Work PA" plan aimed at bolstering Pennsylvania's economic recovery. It calls for an extraction tax on Pennsylvania's natural gas industry, which would allow for an injection of $3 billion to address barriers holding back the state's workforce. But the head of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association, David Taylor, says the funding proposal's not right. "We all need to be concerned about the competitiveness of our business environment. If you want want more money out of this industry for government, help it to grow," Taylor says. He says the cost of doing business in Pennsylvania will increase, which could hurt the natural gas industry, and ultimately raise the cost of utilities for residents of the commonwealth.
Republican Party committee members in Pennsylvania expect to meet Wednesday night to decide whether to censure U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey amid a GOP backlash over his vote to convict Donald Trump during the former president's second impeachment trial. Toomey was one of seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump of "incitement of insurrection."
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has unveiled his proposed budget, one he says includes major investments in green jobs, emerging industries and struggling small businesses. "This budget is built to spark New Jersey's recovery by creating more good-paying jobs, getting our economy moving again and by supporting small businesses that were hit hardest," Murphy says. The $44.8 billion spending plan calls for no new taxes.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed legislation legalizing marijuana use for those 21-and-older. Residents in the Garden State offer their thoughts. "I think if people are responsible enough and know when to use it, I think it's okay. It's going to become something like smoking," one man says.
When the Phillies open their 2021 season on April 1st, they may be doing it in front of fans. "I can't guarantee anything, but I can say that it's likely that there will be some fans in the stands for the Phillies' home opener," says Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley. He says the city has received requests from the Phillies, Flyers and 76ers to allow some fans in the seats, but the decision depends on state restrictions. Beginning March 1st, a limited number of fans will be allowed inside stadiums and arenas in New Jersey. That is the same day crowd limitations are scheduled to expire in Philadelphia.