Headlines:
• Pa. state agencies seek bigger budgets to address staffing shortages, service issues: The state police and the departments of Education, Human Services and Labor & Industry all said in legislative budget hearings that they need more funding. (Source: WITF)
• School funding trial wraps up: Attorneys made their closing arguments in the case, which alleges Pennsylvania's approach to paying for public school is unconstitutionally inequitable. (Source: WITF)
• Few local municipalities, but many school districts, raised property taxes during pandemic: In 2020 and 2021, nine out of 60 municipalities raised tax rates, versus 14 out of 17 school districts in 2021 alone. (Source: LNP)
• 'Bomb cyclone' storm closes in: Today's highs will be in the upper 50s, but on Saturday morning, rain will change to snow Saturday morning, with gusting wind and temperatures dropping toward freezing. (Sources: CBS 21 | The Weather Channel)
• National/world roundup: Russia expands offensive into western Ukraine. (Source: NBC News) West to revoke Russia's "most favored nation" trading status. (Source: ABC News) Worldwide Covid-19 death toll may be 18.2 million. (Source: USA Today) Grand jury indicts Colorado data clerk running for secretary of state for alleged voting data breach. (Source: Christian Science Monitor) MLB lockout ends, full season to be played. (Source: Sports Illustrated) Jussie Smollett sentenced to 150 days for staging "attack," lying to police. (Source: NPR)