Legislature
Pa. Senate panel that approved voting bill will get a do-over next week because of improper notice https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/pa-senate-panel-that-approved-voting-bill-will-get-a-do-over-next-week-because-of-improper-notice/
Senate Democrats hold hearing to discuss restaurant industry in Pennsylvania https://local21news.com/news/local/senate-democrats-hold-hearing-to-discuss-restaurant-industry-in-pennsylvania
State of the restaurant industry takes center stage as Democrats hold virtual public hearing https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/state-of-the-restaurant-industry-takes-center-stage/521-679ac31b-4d8f-4c2e-be6c-d7a85e4ea169
Lehigh Valley restaurant owners speak out about coronavirus struggles as lawmakers hear of impact hurting other businesses https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-coronavirus-restaurant-impact-20200904-n52k2uej25b3vief63dftnf4ge-story.html
Restaurant, bar help on legislature’s menu https://www.timesobserver.com/news/local-news/2020/09/todays-specials/
Coronavirus – COVID-19
High school football: Beloved fall tradition or unnecessary coronavirus risk? https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/high-school-football-beloved-fall-tradition-or-unnecessary-coronavirus-risk/
Cedarbrook data was among the information missing for months from state’s coronavirus case counts https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-spotlight-nursing-home-20200905-ibx3hstc5vcujasf7qjrty2mrm-story.html
Seeking wider reopening, Delaware fines, shuts down COVID-19 violators https://whyy.org/articles/seeking-wider-reopening-delaware-fines-shuts-down-covid-19-violators/
As COVID-19 cases rise, Gettysburg College puts all students on lockdown https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/as-covid-19-cases-rise-gettysburg-college-puts-all-students-on-lockdown/
Trump’s new COVID-19 adviser is making public health experts nervous https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/president-trumps-new-covid-19-adviser-is-making-public-health-experts-nervous/
Labor Day weekend: Wear masks and don’t go to big parties, health officials ask https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-nj-philly-labor-day-schools-temple-20200904.html
World Health Organization says no coronavirus vaccine will be endorsed before it’s proven safe and effective https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-vaccine-who-world-health-organization-safe-effective-20200904.html
New global coronavirus death forecast is chilling — and controversial https://www.witf.org/2020/09/05/new-global-coronavirus-death-forecast-is-chilling-and-controversial/
No, a new COVID-19 vaccine won’t alter your DNA https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/09/no-a-new-covid-19-vaccine-wont-alter-your-dna.html
Scientists Know More About How COVID-19 Spreads. So Is It Safe To Bring Your Reusable Bags Shopping? https://www.wesa.fm/post/scientists-know-more-about-how-covid-19-spreads-so-it-safe-bring-your-reusable-bags-shopping
First Hospital grappling with COVID-19 outbreak https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/first-hospital-grappling-with-covid-19-outbreak/article_4c0afeac-a27d-543a-ac18-eea62d2eec39.html
Montgomery County authorizes coalition for rent, utility assistance amid coronavirus pandemic https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/montgomery-county-authorizes-coalition-for-rent-utility-assistance-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/article_f4e20ebc-29f2-5f9e-826e-d7bf7df164ab.html
Administration
As Penn State weighs move to online classes, Gov. Wolf’s office watches coronavirus cases at colleges https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/as-penn-state-weighs-move-to-online-classes-gov-wolfs-office-watches-coronavirus-cases-at-colleges.html
Business/Economy
U.S. economy adds 1.4 million jobs in August as the unemployment rate hits single digits https://www.inquirer.com/news/august-jobs-report-unemployment-rate-us-economy-pennyslvania-new-jersey-20200904.html
Fed’s Jerome Powell: Jobless rate better than expected; recovery to take a long time https://www.witf.org/2020/09/04/feds-jerome-powell-jobless-rate-better-than-expected-recovery-to-take-a-long-time/
Out-of-work Pennsylvanians will see new federal booster shot to unemployment benefits by mid-September https://www.pennlive.com/business/2020/09/out-of-work-pennsylvanians-will-see-new-federal-booster-shot-to-unemployment-benefits-by-mid-september.html
Crime/Punishment
Courtright faces up to 30½ years in prison after judge denies challenge to sentencing guidelines https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/crime-emergencies/courtright-faces-up-to-30-years-in-prison-after-judge-denies-challenge-to-sentencing-guidelines/article_60e4c141-52b5-50f1-baf0-86ec2630e920.html
Prisoners mostly won’t be transported to court due to COVID-19 at York County Prison https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2020/09/04/york-county-prison-covid-19-update-transport-court/5717723002/
Education
Gettysburg College begins to “de-densify” campus https://www.witf.org/2020/09/05/gettysburg-college-begins-to-de-densify-campus/
Penn State reports 174 new COVID-19 cases this week, warns remote learning in a possibility https://www.witf.org/2020/09/04/penn-state-reports-174-new-covid-19-cases-this-week-warns-remote-learning-in-a-possibility/
Gettysburg College sending most of its students home, freshmen will remain on campus https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/gettysburg-college-sending-most-of-its-students-home-freshmen-will-remain-on-campus.html
PPS announces 2,800 laptops to be distributed this weekend https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/09/04/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-2800-laptops-distributed-Covid-19/stories/202009040146
Plan is outlined for those in quarantine https://www.timesobserver.com/news/local-news/2020/09/plan-is-outlined-for-those-in-quarantine/
Wyoming Sem abruptly closes dorms amid virus fears https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/wyoming-sem-abruptly-closes-dorms-amid-virus-fears/article_37832c57-e893-5e21-bf15-1e403ac56ca0.html
More NEPA students seek technical education during pandemic https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/more-nepa-students-seek-technical-education-during-pandemic/article_ebfe33c9-83b4-56e3-a80f-1964647f6e3d.html
Kutztown University reopening plan amid coronavirus pandemic prompts exceptional backlash https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-kutztown-opposition-reopening-plan-20200904-cdxxqhza3vbt5d7dhcrnuuzuku-story.html
Bucks teachers continue to navigate a remote learning landscape https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2020/09/04/online-learning-continues-bucks-teachers-navigate-new-lessons/5708029002/
Elections/Politics
Trump inflates Pennsylvania nat.gas job figures by 3500 percent | Fact Check https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/fact-check-trump-inflates-pennsylvania-nat-gas-job-figures-by-3500-percent/
Trump faces fallout from report he calls military ‘losers’ and ‘suckers’ https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/trump-faces-fallout-from-report-he-calls-military-losers-and-suckers/
White House plans to bar federal agencies from race-related training sessions it calls ‘Un-American’ https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-racism-sensitivity-training-federal-agencies-20200904.html
Russia is working to undermine confidence in voting by mail, Homeland Security warns https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/russia-mail-in-ballots-homeland-security-2020-election-trump-biden-20200904.html
Biden has an 8-point lead over Trump in Pa. and almost all voters have decided, poll says https://www.inquirer.com/news/quinnipiac-pennsylvania-poll-aug-sept-biden-trump-2020-20200903.html
Environment
For now, latest federal rollback of coal regs won’t affect PA plants https://www.witf.org/2020/09/04/for-now-latest-federal-rollback-of-coal-regs-wont-affect-pa-plants-2/
Local News
Lancaster Hispanic festival adapts to coronavirus precautions https://www.witf.org/2020/09/04/lancaster-hispanic-festival-adapts-to-coronavirus-precautions/
Midstate borough adopts LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance https://www.witf.org/2020/09/04/midatste-borough-adopts-lgbt-inclusive-nondiscrimination-ordinance/
As Berks deals with coronavirus-related stress and anxiety, requests for behavioral health services increase https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/as-berks-deals-with-coronavirus-related-stress-and-anxiety-requests-for-behavioral-health-services-increase/article_f0a52790-eb89-11ea-ae97-4b3d1340d0b1.html
Berks County seeks a new assessment of Exide lead contamination risks in Muhlenberg Township and Laureldale https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-seeks-a-new-assessment-of-exide-lead-contamination-risks-in-muhlenberg-township-and/article_3d9a370a-ec5e-11ea-b459-37f9dfeac984.html
Questions arise as Delco council earmarks $20M for DCIU https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/questions-arise-as-delco-council-earmarks-20m-for-dciu/article_f60c0ae6-ee31-11ea-b306-270c86e6566a.html
Berks Military History Museum unveils Holocaust exhibit on anniversary of end of WWII https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/local/berks-military-history-museum-unveils-holocaust-exhibit-on-anniversary-of-end-of-wwii/article_90baebfa-8f8b-56ef-be6a-277654f9f829.html
National News
The Postal Service mess – and what can be done to fix it https://www.inquirer.com/business/post-office-delays-dejoy-trump-mail-packages-amazon-unions-20200905.html
White House seeks to nix wildlife protection in places https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/09/05/White-House-seeks-to-nix-wildlife-protection-in-places/stories/202009050059
America’s casinos are desperate for more quarters https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2020/09/05/American-casinos-desperate-more-quarters/stories/202009050040
Philly
Protest in Philly over police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin https://whyy.org/articles/protest-in-philly-over-police-shooting-of-jacob-blake-in-wisconsin/
Center City Restaurant Week returns with 33% fewer participants — and little indoor dining https://billypenn.com/2020/09/04/philly-restaurant-week-fall-center-city-coronavirus-tips-indoor-dining-participation-down/
Philly Police: Homicide clearance rate on the decline as murder rates rise https://whyy.org/articles/philly-police-homicide-clearance-rate-on-the-decline-as-murder-rates-rise/
Southwest Philly teen: Gun violence shouldn’t be a norm for my community | Opinion https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/gun-violence-philadelphia-homicides-southwest-teens-solutions-20200904.html
What will happen to the homeless now forced to leave the Parkway encampment? https://www.inquirer.com/news/homeless-encampment-benjamin-franklin-parkway-covid-racism-black-lives-matter-20200905.html
Philly’s gun violence has hit startling levels: ‘This is a real pandemic in itself’ https://www.inquirer.com/news/gun-violence-philadelphia-uptick-unrest-pandemic-20200905.html
The best ways to support Philadelphia restaurants, according to owners https://www.inquirer.com/news/support-philadelphiarestaurants-coronavirus-20200905.html
What are the new rules for indoor dining in Philly and Jersey? https://www.inquirer.com/food/new-jersey-philadelphia-indoor-dining-rules-restaurants-servers-customers-20200904.html
Philly shooting leaves 6 people wounded, including 3 in critical condition https://www.inquirer.com/crime/philadelphia-gun-violence-east-germantown-shooting-20200904.html
Pitt
Alterations proposed for Alcosan wet weather plan https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/09/05/Alterations-proposed-for-Alcosan-wet-weather-plan-Allegheny-County/stories/202009050068
Good to-go: New restaurants are opening despite the pandemic https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2020/09/05/Restaurants-opening-Pittsburgh-COVID-19/stories/202009050054
Eric Trump to visit Washington next week https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/09/04/Eric-Trump-to-visit-Washington-PA-next-week/stories/202009040150
Park usage up as region heads into nice weather for Labor Day https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/09/04/Park-usage-up-in-Allegheny-County-as-region-heads-into-nice-weather-for-Labor-Day/stories/202009040118
State News
Pa. Board of Pardons recommends clemency for 8 lifers, including 3 women https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-board-pardons-commutation-fetterman-shapiro-reid-wyatt-evans-horton-harris-mojica-stover-20200904.html
Philly investor Ira Lubert wins auction for new Pa. mini-casino license, and names State College area as the site https://www.inquirer.com/business/ira-lubert-wins-pennsylvania-casino-license-auction-state-college-20200902.html