Legislature

Police reforms move forward in Pa. Legislature
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/06/police-reform-move-forward-in-pa-legislature.html

State police association supports reform legislation passed by Pa. House, Senate
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-police-association-supports-reform-legislation-passed-by-pa-house-senate/

The General Assembly passed a police hiring database and a chokehold ban. But nothing is on Wolf’s desk yet.
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/the-general-assembly-passed-a-police-hiring-database-and-a-chokehold-ban-but-nothing-is-on-wolfs-desk-yet/

Effort to track police use of force in Pa. would lack racial data, public transparency
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/06/25/police-reform-pa-use-of-force-tracking-would-lack-racial-data-public-transparency/stories/202006250075

Changes to landmark Senate bill overhauling Pa.’s probation system costs it support among criminal justice reformers
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/changes-to-landmark-senate-bill-overhauling-pa-s-probation-system-costs-it-support-among-criminal-justice-reformers/

Pa. state universities may look a lot different in the next three years
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/06/pa-state-universities-may-look-a-lot-different-in-the-next-three-years.html

Pa. GOP lawmakers conflicted on mask mandate
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200623/pa-gop-lawmakers-conflicted-on-mask-mandate

Markie’s Law gets closer to passing Legislature
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200624/markiersquos-law-gets-closer-to-passing-legislature

Provide greater access to body cameras
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/06/25/Body-camera-police-accountability-transparency/stories/202006190066

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Gov. Wolf predicts COVID-19 resurgence in fall, offers hope it won’t force new round of school and business closings
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/06/gov-wolf-predicts-covid-19-resurgence-in-fall-offers-hope-it-wont-force-new-round-of-school-and-business-closings.html

Wolf: ‘We need to redouble our efforts’ on fighting COVID-19
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/wolf-we-need-to-redouble-our-efforts-on-fighting-covid-19/

Wolf, Levine discuss Pa.‘s COVID-19 response, reopening Lebanon County, political pushback
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/06/wolf-levine-give-update-on-coronavirus-from-hershey-medical-center-live.html

Wolf Administration wants more flexibility in adminstering food assistance during COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.witf.org/2020/06/25/wolf-administration-wants-more-flexibility-in-adminstering-food-assistance-during-covid-19-pandemic/

COVID-19 update: Pa. reports nearly 500 new cases, 87 more in Pittsburgh region
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/06/24/Allegheny-County-Pennsylvania-COVID-19-cases-deaths-data-pandemic/stories/202006240090

11 new coronavirus cases reported in Westmoreland County
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/11-new-coronavirus-cases-reported-in-westmoreland-county/

1 new COVID-19 case, 1 new death reported in county
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/1-new-covid-19-case-1-new-death-reported-in-county/article_bd3bbec7-1d5e-5f47-8e6a-ee57072239b0.html

6 new cases, 2 new deaths in 3-county area
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/6-new-cases-2-new-deaths-in-3-county-area-1.2640196

Lackawanna has first new COVID-19 death in a week
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/lackawanna-has-first-new-covid-19-death-in-a-week/article_69bc0e57-bf40-5c77-bbeb-0f1d85531632.html

Berks County has 9 new cases of coronavirus as 495 are reported in Pennsylvania
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-has-9-new-cases-of-coronavirus-as-495-are-reported-in-pennsylvania/article_cc7121ec-b639-11ea-a6a8-a74f65daf614.html

Montgomery County reports 5 more coronavirus deaths, 38 new positive cases
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-reports-5-more-coronavirus-deaths-38-new-positive-cases/article_8ade026b-6fe8-56ad-b49b-ddacb4ae3dfd.html

UPMC: Coronavirus patient outcomes are improving
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/upmc-coronavirus-cases-rise-but-mortality-is-down/

‘Coming back and biting us’: U.S. sees virus resurgence
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/06/24/US-coronavirus-cases-COVID-19-pandemic-june-2020-surge/stories/202006240086

Dozens of Secret Service officers, agents told to self-quarantine after Trump’s Tulsa rally
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/06/25/Secret-Service-agents-self-quarantine-Trump-Tulsa-rally-coronavirus/stories/202006250094

Business

Credit card customers may see some breaks due to virus
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2020/06/25/Citibank-complaints-COVID-19-credit-cards-Consumer-Financial-Protection-Bureau/stories/202006240131

Lebanon County poultry processor Bell & Evans hit with another month of bad salmonella test results
https://www.inquirer.com/business/poultry-chicken-bell-evans-lebanoncounty-usda-20200624.html

Schiff’s opens Forty Fort location
https://www.timesleader.com/news/789148/schiffs-opens-forty-fort-location

If you work in an office, green phase doesn’t mean back to normal
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/if-you-work-in-an-office-green-phase-doesnt-mean-back-to-normal/article_f988ee3a-ee6a-56fe-9674-d33c823bb01a.html

Business owners describe hurdles, challenges from coronavirus
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/business-owners-describe-hurdles-challenges-from-coronavirus/article_180c6be1-035f-563a-bfc6-970df49550f3.html

Hellertown’s Neighbors Home & Garden to close
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-neighbors-home-garden-to-close-20200624-cj2z2gep2nfptoveb4whab4p3e-story.html

After 80 years, Peter Bros. Meats in Lenhartsville to close
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-peter-brothers-meat-market-to-close-20200625-phwlfmdasfaula7opydbkcnmue-story.html

No fans at Pocono Raceway means more economic struggles for businesses amid coronavirus
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-pocono-raceway-nascar-weekend-20200624-wycqopus2vbrddxg7pinlqmxzi-story.html

Harley to lay off 90 at its York plant, report says
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/06/25/harley-lay-off-90-its-york-plant/3256065001/

Chester County businesses prepare to go ‘green’ Friday
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/chester-county-businesses-prepare-to-go-green-friday/article_996ba756-b655-11ea-8a9a-1b134497e881.html

Crime/Punishment

Nine indicted in alleged narcotics ring operating in Butler County
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/06/24/Nine-indicted-in-alleged-narcotics-ring-operating-in-Butler-County/stories/202006240112

Berks County Prison has remained relatively unscathed by coronavirus pandemic
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-prison-has-remained-relatively-unscathed-by-coronavirus-pandemic/article_77bc4ba0-b61a-11ea-bc86-6fe9012749be.html

Education

‘Wouldn’t wish on anybody’: York City school board makes deep cuts
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/education/2020/06/25/wouldnt-wish-anybody-york-city-school-board-cuts-44-positions/3254637001/

Dunmore, Mid Valley school directors mull opposition of landfill expansion
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/dunmore-mid-valley-school-directors-mull-opposition-of-landfill-expansion/article_26a4a714-a58d-58b9-b974-72b06552d3ca.html

New Kensington-Arnold to lay off 28 teachers, projects up to 600 students won’t return to school in fall
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-arnold-to-lay-off-28-employees-projects-up-to-600-students-wont-return-to-school-in-fall/

Most furloughed Misericordia employees will return to work in July
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/education/most-furloughed-misericordia-employees-will-return-to-work-in-july/article_8e0942a1-63be-55ae-8718-0767175ca8f6.html

Elections/Politics

Herrin wins big; Chester County Democratic slate completed
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/herrin-wins-big-chester-county-democratic-slate-completed/article_2a705a4a-b655-11ea-a876-032b085c8922.html

Wegman declared winner in 9th District primary
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/wegman-declared-winner-in-9th-district-primary/article_3bea1cf0-74d8-5ad0-9ab3-f712bacb1896.html

Joe Biden’s cautious coronavirus campaign is trying to be anything but a Trump rally
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/joe-biden-coronavirus-campaign-events-20200625.html

Democrats confirm plans for nearly all-virtual convention
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/democratic-national-convention-virtual-milwaukee-20200624.html

Online voting isn’t ready: States should focus on securing mail-in voting
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/06/25/Online-voting-mail-election-security-integrity/stories/202006190004

County Democratic, GOP chiefs weigh in on Cullen issue
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200624/county-democratic-gop-chiefs-weigh-in-on-cullen-issue

Local News

Mayors’ Vision: Cognetti continues message of transparency
https://www.timesleader.com/news/789203/mayors-vision-cognetti-continues-message-of-transparency

Mayors’ Vision: Lombardo reflects on leading Pittston during pandemic
https://www.timesleader.com/news/789206/mayors-vision-lombardo-reflects-on-leading-pittston-during-pandemic

Mayors’ Vision: Brown reflects on governing WB during COVID-19 crisis
https://www.timesleader.com/news/789208/mayors-vision-brown-reflects-on-governing-wb-during-covid-19-crisis

Scranton isn’t alone; Congress must help cities
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/scranton-isnt-alone-congress-must-help-cities/article_959eb040-538b-5f1e-979d-0f4a09facb17.html

New hotel for site of Hotel Sterling gets Wilkes-Barre zoning approval
https://www.timesleader.com/news/789188/new-hotel-for-site-of-hotel-sterling-gets-wilkes-barre-zoning-approval

DA stands by decision not to charge guards in Mackey case
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/da-stands-by-decision-not-to-charge-guards-in-mackey-case/article_664a57f7-f45e-53f6-be24-69633120ff55.html

State should examine the death of prison inmate Shaheen Mackey
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/editorial/state-should-examine-the-death-of-prison-inmate-shaheen-mackey/article_888d0576-9d67-594c-ad56-a662937227ae.html

Berks County will launch survey to assess the impact of the coronavirus on the community
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-will-launch-survey-to-assess-the-impact-of-the-coronavirus-on-the-community/article_f308fa72-b577-11ea-8850-b73ddd2e8bac.html

Boyertown senior center awarded $76,847 grant to buy new air-conditioning system
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/boyertown-senior-center-awarded-76-847-grant-to-buy-new-air-conditioning-system/article_e2bb41ba-b645-11ea-9bf8-035a0320457f.html

Trafford councilman criticized for transphobic joke about state health secretary
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/trafford-councilman-criticized-for-transphobic-joke-about-state-health-secretary/

Grant helps Greensburg nonprofit continue ‘Feeding the Spirit’ through summer
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/grant-helps-greensburg-nonprofit-continue-feeding-the-spirit-through-summer/

Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley, DA Jim Martin at odds over call for criminal justice reform
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-lehigh-county-criminal-justice-reform-pinsley-20200624-sj776ncdlrbgrkr5sv3ba6szx4-story.html

Beaver County gets $31,000 to fight homelessness
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200624/beaver-county-gets-31000-to-fight-homelessness

Schoolhouse Senior Center in Folsom gets $30,123 grant
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/schoolhouse-senior-center-in-folsom-gets-30-123-grant/article_bf90a146-b62f-11ea-b965-b371b2611fcc.html

National News

U.S. Marshals told to prepare to help protect monuments as Trump targets people who vandalize structures during protests
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/united-states-marshals-donald-trump-statues-monuments-protests-20200625.html

Barr eroding Justice Department independence without personal consequence, analysts say
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/bill-barr-donald-trump-20200624.html

New York City Marathon canceled because of coronavirus
https://www.citizensvoice.com/sports/new-york-city-marathon-canceled-because-of-coronavirus/article_12302e93-cc6e-5e4d-9943-d732e2bf79fc.html

New Jersey

Fearing new spike, N.J. to quarantine visitors from states where coronavirus is surging
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-deaths-cases-philadelphia-new-jersey-phillies-marathon-20200624.html

Philly

Philadelphia announces plans to remove Columbus statue after repeated violence at Marconi Plaza
https://www.inquirer.com/news/city-to-remove-columbus-statue-marconi-plaza-20200624.html

‘Why aren’t you arresting them?’ Philly officials investigate police after assaults against Fishtown protesters.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-fishtown-protester-vigilante-police-investigation-20200625.html

He spent 22 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit. His lawsuit says Philly police detectives knew his case was flawed.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/john-miller-philadelphia-murder-exoneration-lawsuit-detectives-wrongful-conviction-20200624.html

Black trans communities suffer a greater mental-health burden from discrimination and violence
https://www.inquirer.com/health/black-transgender-trans-mental-health-therapy-20200625.html

Two Black Philly museums launch capital campaign to ‘defend Black memory’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/colored-girls-museum-paul-robeson-house-coronavirus-gofundme-philadelphia-20200625.html

Philly protesters honor Black women killed by police; at Clark Park, a community scream for Black transgender victims
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-protest-breonna-taylor-say-her-name-police-violence-20200624.html

Thieves broke into a lifesaving Philly library twice this month. Now it’s forced to ‘start over from scratch.’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mcpherson-square-library-robbed-coronavirus-kensington-20200624.html

Facing pandemic and protests, Philly too ‘frayed’ for a supervised injection site right now, judge rules
https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/safe-injection-site-legal-philly-safehouse-mcswain-mchugh-appeal-third-circuit-20200624.html

Man charged in murder of Ardmore woman found in a garbage bag in East Germantown
https://www.inquirer.com/news/woman-suitcase-kensington-sabrina-dubose-upper-darby-police-20200624.html

Penn will commission a study of its police force and withdraw support from Philly’s police foundation
https://www.inquirer.com/education/penn-police-philadelphia-university-of-pennsylvania-amy-gutmann-20200624.html

Philly employees got paid millions for work the city couldn’t verify was done, watchdog says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/city-controller-rebecca-rhynhart-onephilly-payroll-software-20200624.html

City Council’s budget tweaks fall short | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-police-budget-city-council-2021-20200624.html

Pitt

Peduto: Historic moment ‘much larger than police reform’
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/06/24/Peduto-police-reform-activists-demands-Pittsburgh-equity/stories/202006240141

Allegheny County DA’s office lauded for dropping charges against protesters
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/06/24/Pittsburgh-Allegheny-County-district-attorney-office-praised-dropping-withdrawing-charges-protesters/stories/202006240139

Allegheny County health officials warn of coronavirus spread in younger people
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-health-officials-warn-of-coronavirus-spread-in-younger-people/

Two Pittsburgh school board members seek more transparency from school police
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/06/24/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-board-transparency-police-officers-district-safety/stories/202006240146

Foster-care system looking to overcome ‘already challenging situation’ during green phase
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2020/06/24/Pressley-Ridge-foster-care-Allegheny-County-green-phase-pandemic/stories/202006110087

Wilkinsburg borough manager fired, disputes allegations made by mayor
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2020/06/24/Wilkinsburg-borough-manager-fired-Donn-Henderson-misappropriation-funds-Marita-Garrett/stories/202006240096

After five years of development, Pittsburgh releases final draft of 10-year Bike Master Plan
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/06/24/Pittsburgh-Bike-Master-Plan-development-infrastructure-bikes-network-streets/stories/202006240040

Pittsburgh officials: New ‘silent’ alarm system cuts down on first responder stress, streamlines info
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/06/24/New-silent-alarm-system-pittsburgh-fire-ems-cuts-down-stress-purvis-darryl-jones-dan-doyle-bill-peduto/stories/202006240128

Pittsburgh bar has dress code that discriminates against Black people
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/protesters-contend-downtown-pittsburgh-bar-has-dress-code-that-discriminates-against-blacks/

State News

Faces in the crowd: Stories of the Western Pa. protesters
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/faces-in-the-crowd-stories-of-the-western-pa-protesters/

Pa. Game Commission’s turkey count starts July 1
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pa-game-commissions-turkey-count-starts-july-1/

Food banks still operating in ’emergency mode,’ seeing increased demand in W.Pa.
https://triblive.com/local/regional/food-banks-still-operating-in-emergency-mode-seeing-increased-demand-in-w-pa/

Berks animal groups react to Pennsylvania resuming spaying and neutering and other elective procedures at veterinary clinics
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-animal-groups-react-to-pennsylvania-resuming-spaying-and-neutering-and-other-elective-procedures-at/article_9f9084be-b63a-11ea-b9ef-677aad23125a.html

As monuments are toppled nationwide, what should Gettysburg do with its 40 Confederate statues?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/06/as-monuments-are-toppled-nationwide-what-should-gettysburg-do-with-its-40-confederate-statues.html

Census: As America diversifies, Bucks stays 88% white
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200625/census-as-america-diversifies-bucks-stays-88-white

Transportation

A special order: TSA requires food be removed from carry-on bags at airport security
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/06/25/Pittsburgh-International-Airport-security-checkpoint-TSA-food-carry-on-bags/stories/202006220103

Adaptive traffic signal project on Route 30 in Hempfield expected to start soon
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/adaptive-traffic-signal-project-on-route-30-in-hempfield-expected-to-start-soon/

Washington

Casey says blocked GOP police reform bill weak on accountability
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/casey-says-blocked-gop-police-reform-bill-is-weak-on-accountability/