John Finnerty

PDE is giving a break to schools that have been struggling to get kids in school as COVID cases spike. The window for students to take the state's Keystone Exam was due to close on Friday but PDE has moved the deadline to Feb. 4, PDE spokeswoman said Tuesday.

The late afternoon update: In light of Commonwealth Court ruling on mask mandate, school districts have begun announcing that masks are optional but the governor’s office says schools have been told the mandate is in place pending the appeal. Tomorrow should be fun in school

Interesting development, the Office of Open Records just ruled in my favor in an appeal related to medical marijuana data and in doing so pointed to the precedent they set in an appeal I filed this summer. Concluding: ‘Aggregate data … is subject to public disclosure.’

Judging by the number of people on the Joint Committee on Documents who are wearing face masks… i would guess the committee is going to keep the state school mask order in place. 9 masked… 2 unmasked.

Golden girls! District doubles champs!

That’s awesome!

Biggest rally outside PA Capitol since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as anti-abortion activists hold first March for Life.

For Dog Day… two good boys and a monster.

With Legislative Reapportionment Commission expected to tackle this issue this morning, here's the story I did on this issue a couple days ago.... dailyitem.com/news/advocates… | Advocates press for end to ‘prison gerrymandering'

Breaking news: Office of Open Records has directed Department of Health to release data on medical marijuana patients by county of residence in response to appeal filed by CNHI papers. "Agency did not prove that the information is confidential under the Medical Marijuana Act."

PA Senate Education committee forwards nomination of Acting Secretary Noe Ortega to full Senate without recommendation. A hint that his confirmation is in doubt or just a snub? We should find out later today when full Senate vote Is expected.

Still a work in progress but I’m pretty sure the cat will stay.

Short meeting. Survivors not happy.

At state Capitol with group of sex abuse survivors who are meeting with Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward to make the case for holding final vote on statute of limitations reform

In light of the vote on the ballot questions to allow General Assembly to end Gov. Wolf's emergency declaration, House GOP spox said: "We have been examining a legislative response ... we will begin to formalize those plans ... as we prepare to return to session next week."

Some quick math based on Gov. Wolf’s aim of 70% vaccination rate to lift masking order…We are now at just over 50% with at least first dose and 5.46 million residents have gotten at least one dose. So we still need 2 million more people to get vaccinated to hit the mask goal?

I’m going back to bed.

BJs finally reopened! Much rejoicing in Selinsgrove

I do not claim to be a Hoopie at all but I’ve lived in Selinsgrove more than 20 years and I can tell you: It’s nice to see the @SusquehannaU kids bopping around town again.