Legislature

Pa. lawmakers want stricter regulations on fracking – Farm and Dairy

Pa. lawmakers tout new batch of fracking oversight bills (poconorecord.com)

Call For Fracking Transparency | Eyewitness News (pahomepage.com)

Heavy Activity in State Capitols Across the Country: Pennsylvania and Michigan Legislation Will Stop Local Governments from Banning Natural Gas – PHCC (phccweb.org)

Child sex abuse victims storm out of meeting with Pa. Senate leader (therecordherald.com)

Lawmakers and supporters continue the call for change on the anniversary of George Floyd’s death (abc27.com)

A year after George Floyd’s murder, Black Pa. lawmakers double down on push for police accountability | WITF

(96) Democratic State Officials Say There Is No Labor Shortage But Wages Need To Be Raised – YouTube

Pa. Republicans advance bills to restrict abortion rights, but Wolf promises to veto them | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolf vows to veto GOP abortion, gun bills | Times Leader

Bills to restrict abortion, expand gun rights start in House | State | thetimes-tribune.com

‘We have an obligation’: House Republicans advance bills to restrict reproductive health, expand gun rights | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Abortion fight ramps up in Pa. as GOP advances three pro-life bills (poconorecord.com)

Wolf Administration Improves Access to Senior Food Box Program | News – Pennsylvania News Today

Republicans refuse to repeal law that says books about gay topics are obscene / LGBTQ Nation

‘Rampant Homophobia’: Democrats Blast Republicans for Voting to Keep Homosexuality in Pennsylvania’s Obscenity Laws (thenewcivilrightsmovement.com)

Price of Politics: Pa. Democrats lament lack of bipartisanship in split government | fox43.com

Committee OKs Roae bill to save school districts money | News | meadvilletribune.com

Measure Cracks Down On Data Breaches – WDAC

New videos appear to show State Senator Doug Mastriano closer to Capitol insurrection than he said | WITF

Doug Mastriano, Pennsylvania Republican lawmaker, seen as closer to Capitol riot in new videos (inquirer.com)

Pa. Sen. Doug Mastriano lashes out at ‘keyboard warriors’ questioning his actions during Capitol riot – pennlive.com

House panel advances measure limiting Wolf’s disaster powers | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Lawmakers attempt edit of Pennsylvania’s disaster declaration | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

GOP lays groundwork to terminate Wolf’s pandemic emergency declaration | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

Bill transferring control of writing, advertising Pennsylvania’s constitutional amendments passes House | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Senator Schwank announces major new funding | Berks Regional News | wfmz.com

State grants Newport Twp. $300K to demolish 18 blighted properties | News | citizensvoice.com

State funding making dozens of community projects possible | News | thetimes-tribune.com

More than $600,000 in state money awarded for Bethlehem area blight remediation, recreation and emergency services projects – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Pennsylvania to report on how it blundered child sex-abuse vote – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Pa. House Committee considers bill to abolish “concealed carry” permits for handgun owners – pennlive.com

 

Coronavirus – COVID-19

National

Half of all U.S. adults are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 | WITF

(96) U.S. officials call for COVID origin probe – YouTube

Schools try pep-rally tactics to get students vaccinated | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Moderna says its COVID-19 shot works in kids as young as 12 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Social media heavyweights wooed for Pfizer smear campaign | Coronavirus | tribdem.com

State

A stark racial divide on vaccinations leaves many at risk as Pa. reopens | WITF

The Latest | COVID-19: Transmission rates drop in Pa.; Allegheny reports just 62 cases | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Only 5 Pa. counties have high spread of COVID-19; positive test rate drops for 5th week | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pa. sees 3rd day with new covid cases under 1,000 which last happened in September | TribLIVE.com

2021 Indicators Report: Data demonstrates we are recovering from COVID | Times Leader

Pa.’s road to 70% vaccinated — and no more face mask requirement — turns steep and rocky with misinformation – pennlive.com

Local

Philly convention center COVID vaccine site run by city as numbers drop, vaccine lottery in Delaware (inquirer.com)

Less than 20 new COVID-19 cases reported in county | coronavirus | citizensvoice.com

Geisinger holding walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinic | coronavirus | citizensvoice.com

Geisinger doc: Vaccination best way to stop COVID-19 | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

Lackawanna County Prison begins vaccinating willing inmates | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

About 190,000 Berks County residents so far are part of the COVID vaccination process | Coronavirus | readingeagle.com

Vaccine access expands, Infection rate lowest since Oct. 10 | Local News | tribdem.com

Thomas Jefferson University student leads international COVID relief for India (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Some Amish in PA believe ‘herd immunity’ protects them from coronavirus (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

COVID positivity rates plummet in some Pocono counties, rise in others (poconorecord.com)

COVID-19: Erie’s cases drop but hospital stays remain steady (goerie.com)

Violence compounds grief for families amid toll of COVID-19 | Local News | phillytrib.com

 

Business/Jobs

Women left their jobs to be caregivers. A business coalition wants companies to help | WITF

Branching out: Lexington Technology Park developer to undertake warehouse conversion in Larimer | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

StarKist to move headquarters from Pittsburgh to Virginia | TribLIVE.com

SEIU members demonstrate over pay, staffing | Times Leader

Beaver County nursing home workers rally for industry improvements (timesonline.com)

Pennsylvania to restart work search requirement for unemployment benefits – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

More companies are embracing work from home. Downtown spending and CRE could suffer. – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Second-chance hiring: Three common objections and how to respond. – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Pa. drops petitions against restaurants that violated COVID rules, including 10 in Berks | Coronavirus | readingeagle.com

Lawsuit alleges Pennsylvania public sector union failed to properly pursue grievance claim on behalf of nonmember | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

PLANNING AHEAD: Why aren’t people going back to work? [Column] | Business | dailylocal.com

This Pgh ice cream parlor pays $15/hr, filled all its positions, and didn’t raise prices. How it happened | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

The Morning Call now owned by hedge fund Alden Global – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Lehigh County public defenders offer drivers license suspension advice – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

A New Crop in Pennsylvania: Warehouses – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

 

Crime/Punishment

A former Temple administrator has agreed to testify against ex-dean Moshe Porat in the business school rankings scandal (inquirer.com)

Ordinances would allow Reading police to destroy confiscated dirt bikes and ATVs | Local News | readingeagle.com

Montgomery County task force to combat child exploitation, human trafficking and find missing children | News | timesherald.com

Pottsgrove Middle School bomb threat declared ‘non-credible’ | Local News | pottsmerc.com

Allentown ordered to pay $100k to officer who supported Pawlowski challenger – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

 

Education

U of S New Mechanical Engineering Lab | Eyewitness News (pahomepage.com)

More high school students are rethinking their college plans due to financial stress caused by pandemic | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Parents should have a say in the question of their child repeating a grade | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State grants open records request on Pittsburgh Public Schools reopening conversations | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

St. Benedict the Moor moves to remote learning due to covid cases | TribLIVE.com

Plum School District Business Manager John Zahorchak leaving for new job in July | TribLIVE.com

Wyoming Area trying to reduce cyber charter costs | News | citizensvoice.com

Wilkes ending marching band program | Education | citizensvoice.com

Feasibility study finds $304.8 million in repairs needed across Scranton School District | Education | thetimes-tribune.com

Lackawanna College, SUNY Orange sign transfer agreement | Education | thetimes-tribune.com

Hazleton City Council moves closer to setting wage taxes | News | standardspeaker.com

Penn leases 150,000 square feet at King of Prussia’s Discovery Labs – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Reading High principal a finalist for Harrisburg School District superintendent | Local News | readingeagle.com

Community members defend bilingual program at SDL after report recommends its end | Community News | lancasteronline.com

North Penn: Staff outline talks with NAACP, CAIR, students after high school fight | News | thereporteronline.com

Delaware County Community College named a Center of Excellence in Education and Training for the U.S. Maritime industry | Business | delcotimes.com

North Penn appoints new curriculum and equity department head (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Change universities to change capitalism | Opinion | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

‘My work ethic has gotten better because of this virtual thing’: The pandemic high school senior year – pennlive.com

Harrisburg schools names Pa. First Lady’s chief of staff to vacant board of directors position – pennlive.com

 

Elections/Politics

Mail-in voting: The problem? The solution? Or just something to be tweaked for future Pa. elections? | ABC27

After saying he didn’t want to litigate 2020 election, Parnell says he supports audit of Pennsylvania results | WITF

John Oliver takes on Philly DA candidate Chuck Peruto (inquirer.com)

Luzerne County Council votes to seek primary investigation | Times Leader

County council asks DA to investigate primary problems | News | citizensvoice.com

Write-in votes set up race for Scranton tax collector in November | Election | thetimes-tribune.com

Decision to pay Berks poll workers with debit cards instead of checks causes problems | Berks and Beyond | readingeagle.com

Republicans are lining up for PA’s 2022 governor’s race. The key question is: Who will hold the Trump card? | PA Power and Policy | lancasteronline.com

Stuart Rothenberg: Still in trouble … and getting worse | Times Leader

Chris Freind: Elections with missing ballots, racism, exploding crime — oh my! | Opinion | delcotimes.com

Throwing money at the voters | Local-news | dailylocal.com

Wild Rules Out Senate Bid | PoliticsPA

Dr. Nche Zama Launches 2022 Bid for Governor | PoliticsPA

Rumors Fly that Dick’s Sporting Goods Gun-Grabbing Ex-CEO Is Mulling PA Senate Bid (breitbart.com)

 

Environment

Letter: Pennsylvania should support greenhouse gas initiative | Letters to the Editor | readingeagle.com

Board fight at Exxon intensifies spotlight on climate change | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Letter: Pennsylvania must fulfill commitment to planet | Letters to the Editor | readingeagle.com

 

Transportation

I-81 Emergency Bridge Repair | Eyewitness News (pahomepage.com)

Flying over the Memorial Day weekend? Here’s what’s new at Pittsburgh International | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh airport preps for summer travel surge as covid vaccinations continue | TribLIVE.com

Air passengers warned to wear masks and behave ahead of holiday | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

McArdle Roadway closing for 2 weeks in June for maintenance | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

McCandless set to kick off $1 million road paving program | TribLIVE.com

PennDOT studying futures of bridges between Pittston, West Pittston | News | citizensvoice.com

Emergency work planned for I-81 South near Moosic | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Here’s where 5 state road projects are happening in Lancaster County this summer | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Bethlehem pedestrian bridge: Public suggests it could be much more than that, like a market or performance venue, too – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Tarentum Bridge to undergo 16-day closure | Today in Pa. – pennlive.com

 

Health

Cardiologist follows the science to a new conclusion on fish oil supplements l Expert Opinion (inquirer.com)

Jefferson not planning to compete with commercial insurers as it preps for control of Health Partners Plans – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Free cancer screenings June 19 at AHN Cancer Institute in Center (timesonline.com)

Substance abuse, alcohol consumption rises during pandemic, state officials say | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

 

State News

Poll: Majorities of Pa. voters support Biden’s ‘Build Back’ agenda | Wednesday Morning Coffee | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

In wake of investigation of Pa. teacher pension fund, union demands trustees resign, including those from rival union – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

State parks and camping go with fishing and swimming in Pennsylvania (goerie.com)

ACLU-PA and Montco reach settlement regarding attorney-client prison visits | WITF

Central Pennsylvania’s Black community remembers George Floyd, one year later | WITF

State flags lowered for Stephen Zappala Sr., former chief justice of Pa. Supreme Court | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Central Pa. landowners relieved as PUC rejects controversial powerline project: ‘We fought hard’ | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania ranks as one of the ‘grossest’ states in the US, study finds | National News | thetimes-tribune.com

Wear your vest and other boating safety tips | Environment | readingeagle.com

Who won ‘The Voice’ last night? Hint: He is from Pennsylvania – pennlive.com

Pa. state park beaches, pools will open this weekend, but some face staff shortages – pennlive.com

How to fish for free – no license required – in Pennsylvania this weekend – pennlive.com

 

National News

One Year Later: The Legacy of George Floyd (post-gazette.com)

Inquirer publisher: One year later, reflection and a look ahead

George Floyd family meeting with Joe Biden as Congress mulls police bill (inquirer.com)

Rallies, moments of silence honor George Floyd a year later | Across America | phillytrib.com

The U.S. Army preparing to exhume the remains of 10 Indian School students from Carlisle Barracks Cemetery | Smart Talk (witf.org)

Peloton to open first U.S. factory to build bikes, treadmills in Ohio | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Iran, world powers resume talks on U.S. return to nuclear deal | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Prosecutor in Trump criminal probe convenes grand jury to hear evidence, weigh potential charges | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

New grand jury seated for next stage of Trump investigation (inquirer.com)

Mali’s coup leader wrests back control of the government | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

It’s not just Arizona: Push to review 2020 ballots spreads | Election | thetimes-tribune.com

Audacy eying Dana Loesch to succeed Rush Limbaugh on WPHT, other stations, report says – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

U.S. home prices soar in March by most since late 2013 | News | tribdem.com

Shortages of lumber, glass, copper and more impacting construction (ydr.com)

Guest editorial | Change can start with a simple dialogue | Editorials | tribdem.com

Faulty redactions show more info seized in Giuliani investigation than previously disclosed | National and World | delcotimes.com

INSIDER Q&A: Economist Joel Naroff on the inflation threat | Business | dailylocal.com

Two Louisiana State Police officers involved in Ronald Greene’s arrest to be fired, sources say | Across America | phillytrib.com

Michigan Shows The Challenge Of Replacing Lead Pipes : NPR

 

Local News

Bucks County remembers George Floyd, calls for more police reform (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Sen. Comitta to hold free shredding event June 12 in Malvern | Local News | readingeagle.com

Eagle Scout candidate plants memorial garden at the Birches of Newtown; plans to dedicate it to the residents | Newtown Area | buckslocalnews.com

The Future of ReadingFilmFEST Looks Bright | BCTV

Memorial Day in Pottsville | Eyewitness News (pahomepage.com)

Blaze at Miracle Mile Shopping Center in Monroeville affects several businesses | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Malvern Prep’s Lonnie White Jr. will soon be confronted by a delightful yet difficult decision (inquirer.com)

Wilkes-Barre to open Splash Pad at Coal Street on June 4 | Times Leader

Handling of racist remark draws fire | Times Leader

Ooms: Region improving but bumps in the road remain | Business | citizensvoice.com

Scranton City Council holds first in-person meeting since March 2020 | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

Old Forge dedicates playground to late teacher, borough councilman | Education | thetimes-tribune.com

La Festa Italiana to return | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Chris Kelly Opinion: Bond’s first domino falls | Chris-kelly | thetimes-tribune.com

Covington Twp. adopts short-term rental ordinance | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Hazleton City Council moves closer to setting wage taxes | News | standardspeaker.com

Carbon County upgrading animal shelter after report | News | standardspeaker.com

Reading Area Water Authority thanks crew for helping with accident that killed man | Local News | readingeagle.com

Brood X cicadas are emerging in Berks County. Here’s what will happen next | News | readingeagle.com

Daniel Torres Hispanic Center in Reading to reopen in June | Local News | readingeagle.com

Berks County takes steps toward studying merits of creating health department | Berks and Beyond | readingeagle.com

‘Debt of gratitude’: Foundation planning ‘Patriot Park’ near Flight 93 National Memorial | Local News | tribdem.com

Westmont residents’ questions answered at neighborhood meeting | News | tribdem.com

Penna named Johnstown recreation director; city position vacant since 2009 | News | tribdem.com

Lancaster’s Stockyard Inn to close at historic site as new property owner eyes redevelopment | Local Business | lancasteronline.com

Father of Mount Joy siblings killed in East Petersburg crash Saturday says 3-second traffic light delay would have saved them | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Rapho supervisors vote to repeal pandemic emergency declaration | Community News | lancasteronline.com

Delco council OKs rule prohibiting members from profiting from county contracts | News | delcotimes.com

Bucks County Memorial Day: Parades and events return for holiday (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Chester‌ ‌County‌ ‌Sheriff’s‌ ‌Office‌ ‌offers‌ ‌free‌ ‌inspections‌ ‌of‌ ‌children’s‌ ‌car‌ ‌seats‌ ‌ | Local-news | dailylocal.com

Spring-Ford adopts $178M budget with tax hike reduced to under 2% | News | dailylocal.com

LVHN to educate and hire EMS personnel | News | standardspeaker.com

Township weighs Pike County’s EMS funding offer; $2 million match (poconorecord.com)

York city will come alive with events in summer 2021, organizers say (ydr.com)

The history of Rochester is highlighted in a new park dedicated Monday (timesonline.com)

Mass power outage hits Whitehall after high tension line comes down, emergency radio says – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Lehigh Valley home prices are highest in these ZIP codes: Map – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

UPMC Harrisburg staff takes knee to honor George Floyd – pennlive.com

 

Pitt

From Westinghouse Park to UPMC Presby, Pittsburghers remember George Floyd’s death | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburghers honor George Floyd with vigil on the anniversary of his death | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Pittsburghers rally to remember George Floyd, others, 1 year after slaying | TribLIVE.com

Allegheny County picks first head of Department of Children Initiatives | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Final beam secured in redeveloped Ford assembly plant building in Pittsburgh | TribLIVE.com

Transit-Oriented Development and a potential new path for growth in Pittsburgh | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Black-led Community Spotlight: Alicia Tavani of No Limits Martial Arts | Community Profile | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Rock fantasy-themed Allies Ball highlights continued work to combat HIV/AIDS in Pittsburgh | Arts + Entertainment | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Watch out for cedar apple rust, the creepy orange fungus that could damage Pittsburgh trees | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

 

Philly

Artist Senga Nengudi has new exhibit at Philadelphia Museum of Art (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia sheriff taps former defense lawyer to be undersheriff (inquirer.com)

$500M Northern Liberties project planned by National Development, KRE Group – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Ruling on Chickie’s & Pete’s sportsbook in South Philly delayed again as tempers flare – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

What Philadelphia businesses need to know about city’s ban on pre-employment marijuana testing – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

City legislator calls for Dr. Ala Stanford to become next health commissioner | Local News | phillytrib.com

Rwandan preschoolers receive customized picture books, designed by Philly teenagers | Lifestyle | phillytrib.com

 

Washington

Toomey, Brown spar over Fed spurring banks to address racial inequalities and climate change | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

GOP House Leader Kevin McCarthy critical of Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Holocaust remarks | WITF

GOP leaders condemn Greene over Holocaust comments | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Senators try to salvage legislation on Jan. 6 commission | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

GOP senators ready $1 trillion infrastructure counteroffer to Biden | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Blinken seeks to fix Palestinian ties on maiden Mideast trip | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

DHS to issue first-ever cybersecurity regulations for pipelines after Colonial hack | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin set June summit in Geneva as tensions rise (inquirer.com)

Rep. Malinowski bought, sold up to $1 million in companies with a stake in pandemic response (broadandliberty.com)

US Rep. Keller proposes exempting race cars from EPA regulations | News | northcentralpa.com

Senate confirms Kristen Clarke as first Black woman to lead DOJ civil rights division | News | phillytrib.com

Biden urges Congress to act on policing reform after meeting with George Floyd’s family | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)