Legislature
Legislation would increase restaurant capacity and nix other restrictions
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/legislation-would-increase-restaurant-capacity-and-nix-other-restrictions/article_d80a9995-5a96-521d-a52e-47936b95dcb6.html
Will fans be allowed at high school games, namely football? Legislature, Wolf differ
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/will-fans-be-allowed-at-high-school-games-namely-football-legislature-wolf-differ/article_e73cfb11-5e66-5ff6-b582-9fd10425f9bf.html
PA Senate joins House in passing sports bill; Wolf expected to veto it
https://www.timesleader.com/sports/801194/pa-senate-joins-house-in-passing-sports-bill-wolf-expected-to-veto-it
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf plans to veto bill that lets schools decide whether to hold sports and set attendance limits
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/09/pa-gov-tom-wolf-plans-to-veto-bill-that-lets-schools-decide-whether-to-hold-sports-and-set-attendance-limits.html
Pa. Senate approves bill to allow for spectators at high school events
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/high-school/pa-senate-approves-bill-to-allow-for-spectators-at-high-school-events/article_c465c290-f2df-11ea-8de2-ab5b928b9725.html
Local school officials: Fans could be a problem
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/education/2020/09/10/local-school-officials-fans-could-problem/5761190002/
Pa. Senate’s vote to curb executive power devolves into partisan shouting match
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-senates-vote-to-curb-executive-power-devolves-into-partisan-shouting-match/
Bill that requires moment of silence in schools for Sept. 11, Pearl Harbor passes through Senate
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/bill-that-requires-moment-of-silence-for-sept-11-pearl-harbor-passes-through-senate.html
Bill that expands marriage ceremony privileges headed to Pa. Senate
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/bill-that-expands-marriage-ceremony-privileges-headed-to-pa-senate.html
Ward bill to aid nonprofits advances
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2020/09/ward-bill-to-aid-nonprofits-advances/
Langerholc bill seeks expanded broadband access
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-business/2020/09/langerholc-bill-seeks-expanded-broadband-access/
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge: Election Day could be election month without reform
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/former-pennsylvania-gov-tom-ridge-election-day-could-be-election-month-without-reform/
As lawmakers, Wolf prep for another budget debate, Medicaid spending should be front and center | Ray E. Landis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/as-lawmakers-wolf-prep-for-another-budget-debate-medicaid-spending-should-be-front-and-center-ray-e-landis/
Should Pa. join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to fight climate change? | Pro/Con
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/regional-greenhouse-gas-initiative-pennsylvania-carbon-tax-fossil-fuels-20200909.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Gov. Mifflin High School student and staff member test positive for coronavirus
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/gov-mifflin-high-school-student-and-staff-member-test-positive-for-coronavirus/article_8ed1b6d4-f2ad-11ea-b5e2-634886a067d6.html
W&J College sends 26 students home for violating covid-19 guidelines
https://triblive.com/local/regional/wj-college-sent-26-students-home-for-violating-covid-19-guidelines/
Pennsylvania adds 931 new coronavirus cases, with large number stemming from Centre County
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-adds-931-new-coronavirus-cases-with-large-number-stemming-from-centre-county/
Allegheny County reports 9 new COVID-19 deaths
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/09/COVID-19-update-Allegheny-County-data-9-new-deaths/stories/202009090120
Allegheny County reports 68 new coronavirus cases, 9 deaths
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-reports-68-new-coronavirus-cases-9-deaths/
Allegheny County officials announce new testing site in Mckeesport, 211 services
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-officials-announce-new-testing-site-in-mckeesport-211-services/
12 new COVID-19 cases in Luzerne County; 180 reported in Centre County
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/12-new-covid-19-cases-in-luzerne-county-180-reported-in-centre-county/article_4ac5b1ac-e4fc-58da-be1c-d6f38f7346c4.html
50 more coronavirus cases for Berks County as holiday weekend dip in reporting ends
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/50-more-coronavirus-cases-for-berks-county-as-holiday-weekend-dip-in-reporting-ends/article_5b7d9d0c-f235-11ea-a9fe-477afafc7d9a.html
Berks County officials urge people to cooperate with coronavirus contact tracing program
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-officials-urge-people-to-cooperate-with-coronavirus-contact-tracing-program/article_c86dbb98-f20f-11ea-80fb-6ffbcd789487.html
Pa. Department of Health answers readers’ coronavirus questions
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/ask-the-eagle/pa-department-of-health-answers-readers-coronavirus-questions-ask-the-eagle/article_7e95b7e8-f299-11ea-83fe-a318663ffcec.html
Philadelphia and COVID-19: How the city battled the pandemic
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/09/philadelphia-and-covid-19-how-the-city-battled-the-pandemic.html
Does your employer have to tell you if a coworker has the coronavirus?
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/09/does-your-employer-have-to-tell-you-if-a-coworker-has-the-coronavirus.html
Trump knew coronavirus was ‘deadly’ and worse than flu while intentionally misleading Americans, new book reports
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-coronavirus-deadly-knowledge-bob-woodward-book-20200909.html
Administration
State adopts changes to child care guidelines amid COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/09/09/Department-of-Human-Services-adopts-changes-to-child-care-guidelines-amid-COVID-19/stories/202009090160
State lays out guidelines for expanding child care among parents and families
https://www.timesleader.com/news/801235/state-lays-out-guidelines-for-expanding-child-care-among-parents-and-families
Audit of Gov. Wolf’s COVID-19 business shutdown waivers nears completion with consistency and fairness as its focus
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/audit-of-gov-wolfs-covid-19-business-shutdown-waivers-nears-completion-with-consistency-and-fairness-as-its-focus.html
Wolf donated to DePasquale’s congressional bid amid a key audit. Is that a problem?
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/wolf-donated-to-depasquales-congressional-bid-amid-a-key-audit-is-that-a-problem/
Business
The pandemic didn’t end. Why did hazard pay for grocery store workers? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-covid-essential-workers-hazard-pay-grocery-stores-20200909.html
Trial to resume in lawsuit filed by Latrobe exporter against W.Va. governor’s coal companies
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2020/09/10/Xcoal-West-Virginia-Gov-Jim-Justice-Bluestone-letter-coal-companies-trial-judge/stories/202009100064
Favorable response to dining upgrade, but it’s not 100%
https://observer-reporter.com/business/favorable-response-to-dining-upgrade-but-its-not-100/article_207a3b76-f1e9-11ea-a4d2-afdf61788395.html
Restaurants, bars need consistency
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/restaurants-bars-need-consistency/article_b7a5a60a-4869-5ed4-94d7-a9fd7ba6a052.html
Lehigh Valley sports bars feel blindsided by Pennsylvania’s decision to cut off alcohol at 10 p.m.
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-gov-wolf-alcohol-curfew-to-hit-sports-bars-hard-20200909-azgvods2n5bqrehl2w2dlchnki-story.html
More questions than answers: Poconos restaurateurs puzzle over upcoming capacity limits, guideline changes
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200910/more-questions-than-answers-poconos-restaurateurs-puzzle-over-upcoming-capacity-limits-guideline-changes
Customer attacks manager who asked him to wear mask; manager fired for defending herself
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/09/09/rite-aid-fires-york-pa-manager-who-defends-herself-man-refused-to-wear-mask/5757036002/
Chester County restaurants embrace expanding capacity
https://www.dailylocal.com/business/chester-county-restaurants-embrace-expanding-capacity/article_b900f8de-f2d0-11ea-8306-8f5a89f0aa5b.html
Education
Half of Pa. schools still don’t have a single teacher of color. These Black educators explain why
https://www.witf.org/2020/09/10/half-of-pa-schools-still-dont-have-a-single-teacher-of-color-these-black-educators-explain-why/
Trinity Area School District, police investigating after security breaches during virtual classrooms
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/09/09/Trinity-Area-School-District-Zoom-security-breach-remote-online/stories/202009090190
Hackers hit virtual-learning lessons with porn, racial slurs in Pittsburgh Public, Trinity Area districts
https://triblive.com/local/regional/hackers-hit-virtual-learning-lessons-in-2-local-school-districts-with-porn-racial-slurs/
Why fall sports fans bring a ‘huge headache’ for many
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2020/09/10/wpial-week-1-football-pennsylvania-fall-sports-spectator-ban-tom-wolf/stories/202009090178
Allentown School District considering replacing Indian as mascot of Raub Middle School
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-allentown-schools-raub-middle-school-mascot-change-20200910-vab2nrlx3fbg5gpmet3ofzuz7e-story.html
Serra Catholic High School closes Thursday and Friday for undisclosed reasons
https://triblive.com/local/serra-catholic-high-school-closes-thursday-and-friday-for-undisclosed-reasons/
Reading School Board rejects return to fall sports
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/high-school/reading-school-board-rejects-return-to-fall-sports/article_7858a032-f2f0-11ea-b9a8-ef3c1259e238.html
Alvernia University’s O’Pake Institute joins incubator network
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/alvernia-universitys-opake-institute-joins-incubator-network/article_521e3ab8-f2a4-11ea-a100-6f21868e5ee7.html
Elections/Politics
Partisan fight over slowed mail delivery raises worries ahead of 2020 election
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/09/09/USPS-mail-delivery-partisan-fight-Congress-Bob-Casey-Reschenthaler-2020-election/stories/202009040008
Bernie Sanders on Joe Biden, progressive primary wins, socialism, and the presidential race in Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/bernie-sanders-pennsylvania-2020-election-interview-20200910.html
The 2020 election will be decided in suburbia | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/2020-election-suburban-voters-democrats-republicans-women-20200910.html
Pence ends day in Western Pa., touting pro-life supporters, law enforcement, energy industry
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/09/09/Mike-Pence-vice-president-western-pennsylvania-pittsburgh-campaign-stops-donald-trump/stories/202009090123
VP Mike Pence stops in Westmoreland, rallies pro-life voters at Murrysville church
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/vp-mike-pence-stops-in-westmoreland-rallies-pro-life-voters-at-murrysvville-church/
George Scott is qualified to serve | PennLive letters
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/09/george-scott-is-qualified-to-serve-pennlive-letters.html
Judge: Green Party can stay on Pennsylvania’s ballot
https://www.witf.org/2020/09/10/judge-green-party-can-stay-on-pennsylvanias-ballot/
Concord declines to put voting ballot box in township building
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/concord-declines-to-put-voting-ballot-box-in-township-building/article_239ce3d4-f2d0-11ea-b844-4fe24ebba090.html
Local News
Bond must pay off mortgages on some city properties by Dec. 31
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/bond-must-pay-off-mortgages-on-some-city-properties-by-dec-31/article_ee566e94-0e5d-51c2-a270-e322978356da.html
Pop-ups promote Pine Brook neighborhood revitalization project
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/pop-ups-promote-pine-brook-neighborhood-revitalization-project/article_82ffa41f-dc64-5ce8-93f1-40cc84401c24.html
Judge OKs $3M death settlement between Mackey family, Luzerne County
https://www.timesleader.com/news/801191/judge-oks-3m-death-settlement-between-mackey-family-luzerne-county
Does Shaheen Mackey’s life matter to Luzerne County?
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/editorial/does-shaheen-mackeys-life-matter-to-luzerne-county/article_08776b3a-5e46-5e70-bfb8-5db3140a2286.html
Unionized Luzerne County lawyers earn raises
https://www.timesleader.com/news/801233/unionized-luzerne-county-lawyers-earn-raises
Bags of household garbage dumped at Wilkes-Barre park
https://www.timesleader.com/news/801231/bags-of-household-garbage-dumped-at-wilkes-barre-park
Historian wants to rename Columbus statue on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/historian-wants-to-rename-columbus-statue-on-wilkes-barres-public-square/article_80b40fa1-9f94-53c1-a0db-6df0d029a224.html
Carbon County stresses suicide prevention awareness, programs
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/carbon-county-stresses-suicide-prevention-awareness-programs/article_5e6ce386-08f9-5e9e-a2a2-065d4827d94e.html
National News
Why Trump’s payroll tax deferral won’t aid the recovery, but could help cripple Social Security
https://www.inquirer.com/business/tax-deferral-fica-social-security-trump-payroll-taxes-federal-medicare-20200910.html
Philly
City again chooses not to clear out homeless encampments on the Parkway and at PHA headquarters as deadline passes
https://www.inquirer.com/news/homeless-encampments-philadelphia-police-benjamin-franklin-parkway-20200909.html
‘Our kids need consistency now’: Philly will soon move some teachers out of their schools. Advocates are angry.
https://www.inquirer.com/education/leveling-philadelphia-school-district-moving-teachers-pandemic-20200909.html
New York’s Durst selected to develop Penn’s Landing over 76ers arena proposal
https://www.inquirer.com/business/penns-landing-developer-selection-drwc-vote-durst-sixers-76ers-arena-stadium-20200909.html
Philadelphia renters get temporary reprieve from evictions, with ban until Sept. 23
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/eviction-moratorium-philadelphia-court-city-council-20200909.html
Philly postpones property reassessment and will leave values the same until 2023 due to coronavirus
https://www.inquirer.com/news/reassessment-property-taxes-philadelphia-kenney-opa-20200909.html
Formerly incarcerated people need support, especially during COVID | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-prison-jails-release-reentry-philadelphia-pennsylvania-20200909.html
Philly officials consider next move to clear homeless encampments
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/philly-officials-consider-next-move-to-clear-homeless-encampments/
Pitt
Pittsburgh URA moves to help small businesses struggling to pay rent
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/09/10/Pittsburgh-Urban-Redevelopment-Authority-small-businesses-rent-relief-landlords/stories/202009100096
Advance to go: ‘Shopopoly’ promotion aims to help struggling Downtown retailers
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/09/10/Pittsburgh-Downtown-Partnership-Shopopoly-Heinz-Healeys-Orlando-Brooks-Monopoly/stories/202009100045
Judge Tranquilli argues he should not have been suspended without pay
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/09/pittsburgh-judge-mark-tranquilli-suspended-without-pay-argues-reverse-court-judicial-discipline/stories/202009090145
Pittsburgh City Council holds facial recognition bill one week for further review
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/09/09/City-Council-holds-facial-recognition-bill-one-week-for-further-review/stories/202009090135
Weekend fracas in Downtown Pittsburgh viewed by some as isolated; others wary
https://triblive.com/local/weekend-fracas-in-downtown-pittsburgh-viewed-by-some-as-isolated-others-wary/
State News
Senate confirms Christy Wiegand as federal judge, filling bench for first time since 2013
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/09/09/Senate-confirms-Christy-Wiegand-as-federal-judge-bringing/stories/202009090146
Joseph Otis Minott: EPA’s methane rollback is bad for Pa., nation
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2020/09/10/EPA-methane-rollback-is-bad-for-Pennsylvania-nation-air-pollution-harmful-pollutants/stories/202009100056
State grant will help stabilize historic New Florence iron furnace
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/state-grant-will-help-stabilize-historic-new-florence-iron-furnace/
Keystone Historic Preservation grants totaling $2.6M dispersed among 24 counties
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/keystone-historic-preservation-grants-totaling-26m-dispersed-among-24-counties.html
Transportation
Truck drivers ‘fearful’ of whether they’ll find open, clean facilities as they travel through Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/truck-drivers-fearful-of-whether-theyll-find-open-clean-facilities-as-they-travel-through-pa.html