Headlines:
• Local health officials fear fourth Covid-19 surge as hospitalizations rise: Staff at the Vaccinate Lancaster community vaccination center are working to fill appointments, but suspect many people don't realize that they are eligible now that the state is in Phase 1B of the vaccine rollout. (Source: LNP) Despite rising Covid-19 case numbers, Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday that Pennsylvania is "winning" against the virus. (Source: AP)
• Pa. entertainment businesses can start applying for federal grants: The Small Business Administration today opened what it's calling the "Shuttered Venue Operators Grants" relief program. (Source: WGAL)
• Thousands in the Pa. prison system will be offered the Johnson & Johnson vaccine: All 39,000 prisoners and 16,000 workers will be offered the one-shot vaccine, a spokesperson for the Department of Corrections said. Prisoners advocates called it a turning point for people in the state's crowded facilities. (Source: Spotlight PA)
• Will Lancaster County colleges require students to be vaccinated against Covid-19?: As a state system member, Millersville University will not require vaccination, while private liberal-arts institutions Franklin & Marshall College and Elizabethtown College have not yet made a decision. (Source: LNP)
• National roundup: Biden seeks to ease housing shortage with $5 billion plan. (Source: Reuters) South Carolina shooting leaves five dead, including two children. (Source: USA Today) U.S. jobless claims rise to 744,000. (Source: AP) States to receive 85% less Johnson & Johnson vaccines starting next week; authorities haven't said why. (Source: Reuters) Biden to unveil gun control executive actions, appoint ATF chief. (Source: UPI)
