Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pa. Gov. Wolf wants coronavirus orders to stand while he appeals federal ruling
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/pa-gov-tom-wolf-intends-to-seek-a-stay-to-federal-court-decision-ruling-his-pandemic-response-orders-unconstitutional.html
Federal judge rules closures ordered by Wolf, Levine unconstitutional: They ‘crossed those lines’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/14/Federal-judge-closures-restrictions-covid-19-ordersTom-Wolf-Rachel-Levine-unconstitutional/stories/202009140079
Federal judge rules Gov. Wolf’s shutdown orders were unconstitutional
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/federal-judge-rules-gov-wolfs-shutdown-orders-were-unconstitutional/
York County GOP lawmakers applaud federal judge’s decision declaring Wolf’s pandemic orders unconstitutional
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/york-county-gop-lawmakers-applaud-federal-judges-decision-declaring-wolfs-pandemic-orders-unconstitutional.html
‘A return to normalcy might be on the horizon’; Pa. House GOP leaders react to court’s reversal of Wolf’s COVID-19 response orders
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/a-return-to-normalcy-might-be-on-the-horizon-pa-house-gop-leaders-react-to-courts-reversal-of-wolfs-covid-19-response-orders.html
5 takeaways on federal ruling finding Wolf’s coronavirus shutdown orders unconstitutional
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-5-takeaways-wolf-coronavirus-shutdown-ruling-20200915-catxibodprc2hfunmlrcgbbwty-story.html
Pa. Health Secretary Levine urges college students to protect themselves from covid
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-health-secretary-levine-urges-college-students-to-protect-themselves-from-covid/
Pa. coronavirus recovery: College kids drive uptick in COVID-19 cases
https://www.witf.org/2020/09/15/pa-coronavirus-recovery-college-kids-drive-uptick-in-covid-19-cases/
Pa. will get $1.988B in funding for eviction relief, Sen. Casey announces
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/09/14/Pennsylvania-eviction-relief-CARES-Act-1-988-billion-funding-Sen-Bob-Casey/stories/202009140114
COVID Cases at the University of Scranton rise but remain low at other area colleges
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/covid-cases-at-the-university-of-scranton-rise-but-remain-low-at-other-area-colleges/article_9763a8ec-9bad-511c-b254-20cce655d595.html
PPS employee tests positive for COVID-19, forces closure of Mifflin PreK-8
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/09/14/Positive-COVID-19-test-forces-closure-of-Mifflin-PreK-8-pittsburgh-public-schools/stories/202009140070
Staff member tests positive at Pittsburgh Mifflin elementary school
https://triblive.com/local/staff-member-tests-positive-at-pittsburgh-mifflin/
Central Pa. school closes temporarily after 2 positive COVID-19 cases
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/central-pa-school-closes-temporarily-after-2-positive-covid-19-cases.html
Weekly average of coronavirus cases continues to climb in Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/weekly-average-of-coronavirus-cases-continues-to-climb-in-berks-county/article_a8aca126-f6aa-11ea-a43b-e3536f85d633.html
Coronavirus positivity rate increases in Montgomery and Chester counties
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/coronavirus-positivity-rate-increases-in-montgomery-and-chester-counties/article_2f136f97-1a57-5cc9-9fb7-586c7252eb04.html
Coronavirus positivity rate increases in Chester County
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/coronavirus-positivity-rate-increases-in-chester-county/article_52f1699a-f6c5-11ea-8cc5-67ca63151632.html
No new COVID-19 deaths in NEPA last two days, 39 new cases
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/no-new-covid-19-deaths-in-nepa-last-two-days-39-new-cases/article_75d3485a-e085-54be-a913-021402b13f1a.html
Pitt scientists make antibody discovery that could potentially treat, prevent COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/14/Pitt-Pittsburgh-scientists-COVID-19-discovery-antibody-Ab8-treat-prevent-SARS-CoV-2/stories/202009140088
Pitt researchers isolate antibody that could prove crucial in covid-19 treatment and prevention
https://triblive.com/local/regional/researchers-isolate-antibody-that-could-prove-crucial-in-covid-19-treatment-and-prevention/
Lehigh County’s Cedarbrook nursing home welcomes back visitors after six months of COVID-19 precautions
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-cedarbrook-visits-return-covid-19-20200914-o6gt4acamnhuria27o5l5jkyja-story.html
‘The unknown is scary’: York County Prison COVID-19 outbreak tests prisoners, loved ones
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/watchdog/2020/09/14/york-county-prison-outbreak-affects-prisoners-and-family-members/5769869002/
Legislature
A Texas judge ruled this doctor was not an expert. A Pennsylvania Republican invited him to testify on trans health care
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/a-texas-judge-ruled-this-doctor-was-not-an-expert-a-pennsylvania-republican-invited-him-to-testify-on-trans-health-care/
Rural pharmacies plead for help
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2020/09/rural-pharmacies-plead-for-help/
Farmers seek protection from lawsuits
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/farmers-seek-protection-from-lawsuits/article_34771090-4eea-59a0-b8cb-2cb2f79a41e0.html
Reject effort to kill state solar industry
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/reject-effort-to-kill-state-solar-industry/article_e04fe675-d3df-5cf8-abc7-0ae5e6ea407b.html
Pennsylvania’s legislature should protect its presidential vote | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/09/pennsylvanias-legislature-should-protect-its-presidential-vote-opinion.html
Legislators must pass Shawn’s bill to save young lives from suicide | PennLive letters
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/09/legislators-must-pass-shawns-bill-to-save-young-lives-from-suicide-pennlive-letters.html
Administration
Pa. warns jobless: Apply for $1,800 checks before money runs out
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-warns-jobless-apply-for-1800-checks-before-money-runs-out/
Business
Business owners endorse judge’s ruling on Wolf orders, but say damage already don
https://triblive.com/local/regional/business-owners-endorse-judges-ruling-on-wolf-orders-but-say-damage-already-done/
During pandemic, more workers being replaced by robots, new study finds
https://www.inquirer.com/business/coronavirus-automation-job-loss-federal-reserve-bank-philadelphia-20200914.html
Hobby Lobby raises its minimum wage to more than double the federal rate
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/2020/09/15/Hobby-Lobby-raises-its-minimum-wage-to-more-than-double-the-federal-rate/stories/202009150096
Illness prompts closure of Staples store in Exeter Township
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/illness-prompts-closure-of-taples-store-in-exeter-township/article_837c4778-f6c1-11ea-880b-ab247a671bb7.html
Pa. bank to close about 20 percent of its branches
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/pa-bank-to-close-about-20-percent-of-its-branches.html
Could Amazon Go grocery be coming to Havertown?
https://www.delcotimes.com/business/could-amazon-go-grocery-be-coming-to-havertown/article_004346fe-f6cb-11ea-923f-7778cd9dc535.html
Crime/Punishment
Use of serious fatal overdose charge increases in Pa.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/14/Pennsylvania-drug-delivery-resulting-death-charges-increase-300-percent-5-years/stories/202009140082
Legal advocates line up on both sides of Bill Cosby’s appeal
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/bill-cosby-appeal-pennsylvania-supreme-court-sex-assault-conviction-20200914.html
He hid his roommate’s murder for 16 years. Now, a Bucks County man will spend decades in prison.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/daman-smoot-murder-cold-case-bucks-county-adam-brundage-20200914.html
Lawyer: Notes on report show Wilkinsburg police may have been chasing the wrong man before deadly shooting
https://triblive.com/local/lawyer-notes-on-report-show-wilkinsburg-police-may-have-been-chasing-the-wrong-man-before-deadly-shooting/
Investigators review 3 videos of Reading police shooting
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/crime/investigators-review-3-videos-of-reading-police-shooting/article_d62e3a92-f6e1-11ea-9dd8-33e524bb8642.html
Erie police aim for body cameras Oct. 1
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200915/erie-police-aim-for-body-cameras-oct-1
Education
Central Dauphin parents demand return to in-classroom instruction, say hybrid learning is not working
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/central-pa-parents-demand-return-to-in-classroom-instruction-say-hybrid-learning-is-not-working.html
Olivet clubs in Reading opening to Berks County students in need of a place for virtual learning
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/olivet-clubs-in-reading-opening-to-berks-county-students-in-need-of-a-place-for/article_b3e1292c-f6aa-11ea-b334-57755f904380.html
Problems plague Norwin online instruction
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/problems-plague-norwin-online-instruction/
Mt. Lebanon school board member uses profanity prior to meeting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/09/14/Mt-Lebanon-School-District-board-members-meeting-Zoom-Michael-Riemer-profanity/stories/202009140125
Norwin board members call on Wayman to resign over `offensive’ Facebook postings
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/norwin-board-members-call-on-wayman-to-resign-over-offensive-facebook-postings/
PIAA to address judge’s ruling Wednesday
https://www.timesonline.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/09/14/piaa-to-address-judgersquos-ruling-wednesday/114019514/
Cal U, Clarion and Edinboro form partnership aimed at improving education, efficiency
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/09/14/Cal-U-Clarion-Edinboro-partnership-State-System-higher-education-pennsylvania/stories/202009140083
Three Berks County schools make list of U.S. News and World Report’s best colleges
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/three-berks-county-schools-make-list-of-u-s-news-and-world-reports-best-colleges/article_89f473b4-f6b2-11ea-bf12-c3908c79ea97.html
Elections/Politics
No public tickets to Biden town hall
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/no-public-tickets-to-biden-town-hall/article_7932f1b6-a491-5d45-80a5-af8ce2341f80.html
Biden calls Trump ‘a climate arsonist’ after president says ‘I don’t think science knows’ about global warming
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/biden-climate-arsonist-trump-global-warming-science-20200914.html
Cartwright, Bognet spar over police funding
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/cartwright-bognet-spar-over-police-funding/article_054fc135-173b-56ce-af84-82e004da5ab9.html
What could still go wrong with mail-in ballots and Election Day
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/09/14/mail-in-absentee-ballots-Election-Day-trump-biden/stories/202009140074
PA Election 2020 questions answered: I just moved. Can I still vote in the election?
https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-pa-election-2020-when-should-ballots-be-mailed-20200914-fyl3rw5enbamji3cbmgp6toutu-story.html
Health Care
Jefferson-Einstein antitrust hearing has IBC as major focus
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/jefferson-einstein-ftc-hearing-antitrust-20200915.html
Local News
$500,000 grant announced for Scranton facility to battle opioid abuse
https://www.timesleader.com/news/801960/500000-grant-announced-for-scranton-facility-to-battle-opioid-abuse
Wright Center program targeting drug-addicted expectant mothers to expand after federal award
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/wright-center-program-targeting-drug-addicted-expectant-mothers-to-expand-after-federal-award/article_d7a02e9f-d112-542e-bb8d-f0704a395888.html
Children’s Advocacy Center executive director retiring
https://www.timesleader.com/news/801965/childrens-advocacy-center-executive-director-retiring
Luzerne County’s new voting system gets high praise from citizens
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/luzerne-countys-new-voting-system-gets-high-praise-from-citizens/article_09d3e92b-ae2b-5ae5-8d00-346fa8e8cb02.html
Mohegan Sun Pocono appeals county hotel tax assessment
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/mohegan-sun-pocono-appeals-county-hotel-tax-assessment/article_f12f4dad-a59a-5a3f-bba4-d6be20090452.html
Perkasie covered bridge gets $100,000 Keystone Grant
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2020/09/14/historic-perkasie-bridge-gets-100-000-state-grant/3470161001/
Gun permit requests rise in Luzerne County
https://www.timesleader.com/news/801958/gun-permit-requests-rise-in-luzerne-county
Fire fight? Larksville to disband full-time fire department
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/fire-fight-larksville-to-disband-full-time-fire-department/article_3629e7f7-6d73-54f3-bd8b-f68aa744568b.html
4-year-old Springdale Twp. girl continues fundraising efforts for Allegheny Valley Police K9s
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/4-year-old-springdale-twp-girl-continues-fundraising-efforts-for-allegheny-valley-police-k9-s/
East Deer commissioner OK with water rate increase imposed by Tarentum
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/east-deer-commissioner-ok-with-water-rate-increase-imposed-by-tarentum/
Plum appoints a familiar face as its new emergency management coordinator
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/plum-appoints-a-familiar-face-as-its-new-emergency-management-coordinator/
Suspended Fawn officer, attorney will not participate in hearing over his job
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/suspended-fawn-officer-attorney-will-not-participate-in-hearing-over-his-job/
Westmoreland County holds annual sale of tax delinquent property – pandemic style
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-holds-annual-sale-of-tax-delinquent-property-pandemic-style/
Northampton GOP secures new location for rally featuring St. Louis couple who brandished guns to keep protesters off their property
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-northampton-gop-mccloskeys-rally-lower-saucon-20200914-7xjjonnhvjdjtcdcpuaut7elhe-story.html
‘We’re not silent anymore’: Lancaster protests stay peaceful amid anger, rage
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/were-not-silent-anymore-lancaster-protests-stay-peaceful-amid-anger-rage.html
National News
Choking air from West Coast fires just won’t ease up
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/09/15/Choking-air-from-West-Coast-fires-just-won-t-ease-up/stories/202009150093
West Coast wildfires that have killed 35 raise fight over climate change as Trump visits
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/west-coast-wildfires-climate-change-20200914.html
HHS spokesman warns of insurrection after election, sees government scientists’ ‘sedition’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/science/2020/09/14/Michael-Caputo-CDC-scientists-top-Trump-health-official-HHS-spokesman/stories/202009140129
Philly
PAFA grads boycott their own student art show while trustees pledge to increase diversity
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/pafa-pennsylvania-academy-of-fine-arts-student-show-boycott-20200914.html
Federal appeals court strikes down SEPTA’s ban on political advertising, saying it has been arbitrarily applied
https://www.inquirer.com/news/septa-advertising-political-center-for-investigative-reporting-third-circuit-ruling-lawsuit-20200914.html
Philly’s wrongful convictions have frequently involved official misconduct. A new report says it’s a national problem.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/wrongful-conviction-national-registry-of-exonerations-district-attorney-larry-krasner-20200915.html
Are masks required at the Liberty Bell? ‘It’s a gray area.’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-independence-national-historical-park-reopening-covid-19-coronavirus-pandemic-mask-20200915.html
Leader of African American Museum in Philadelphia resigns to take job in Memphis
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/african-american-museum-in-philadelphia-patricia-wilson-aden-resigns-20200914.html
U.S. attorney says Philly DA Larry Krasner’s ‘radical experiment has failed’ in announcing federal charges in 2 cases
https://www.inquirer.com/news/us-attorney-william-mcswain-philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner-violent-crime-cases-20200914.html
Another contract deadline passes for Philly public school teachers; no deal, but ‘significant progress’
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-teachers-contract-pft-negotiations-20200914.html
How Philly’s summer of protests revitalized the affordable housing movement
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-homeless-encampments-black-lives-matter-housing-justice-20200915.html
A Philly man who supplied the gun used in a double murder will soon be freed from life in prison
https://www.inquirer.com/news/double-murder-philadelphia-larry-krasner-robert-mcdowell-gerald-drummond-william-mcswain-20200914.html
Philly school board already voted against a Hilco tax break. It should do so again. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-hilco-refinery-school-board-zoning-20200914.html
Stood Up Again: Kenney a no-show for brunch invitation with encampment protesters
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/stood-up-again-kenney-a-no-show-for-brunch-invitation-with-encampment-protesters/article_1ccf83c8-fdb4-54eb-b243-26fc2b99e5f4.html
Pitt
Report: Black youths in Allegheny County continue to enter juvenile justice system at higher rates than whites
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/09/14/Black-youths-juvenile-justice-referrals-Allegheny-County-Pittsburgh-schools/stories/202009140090
The opposite of leadership
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2020/09/15/The-opposite-of-leadership/stories/202009150035
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette workers move closer to strike
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-post-gazette-workers-move-closer-to-potential-strike/
‘Floating Cinema’ passing on Pittsburgh; company blames covid
https://triblive.com/local/floating-cinema-not-coming-to-pittsburgh-this-week-company-blames-covid-19-pandemic/
State News
$300,000 in grants awarded to restore Schuylkill River
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/300-000-in-grants-awarded-to-restore-schuylkill-river-video/article_846d3a42-f370-11ea-ac43-0b8b73a83845.html