Legislature
Pa. Senate passes redistricting reform bill with last-minute amendment
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2018/06/13/Pennsylvania-Senate-passes-redistricting-reform-bill-last-minute-amendment/stories/201806130175
Penn State study: Spraying brine from drilling, fracking on roadways is hazardous
http://www.post-gazette.com/powersource/2018/06/14/PSU-study-pans-roadway-brine-drilling-wastewater/stories/201806130183
Bill advances to ban abortions if Down syndrome detected
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2018/06/13/Pennsylvania-bill-ban-abortions-Down-syndrome/stories/201806130237
Review will investigate possible unfairness in prescription drug pricing
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/06/auditor_general_looks_to_bring.html#incart_river_index
House OKs Mullery bill to ban e-cigarettes in Pa. schools
https://www.timesleader.com/news/707746/house-oks-mullery-bill-to-ban-e-cigarettes-in-pa-schools
Senate panel votes to reduce the House in ‘put up or shut time’ moment
http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-reduce-pennsylvania-legislature-20180613-story.html
Transparency will help: Two lawmakers chip away at drug price mystery
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/06/14/Transparency-will-help-Two-lawmakers-chip-away-at-drug-price-mystery/stories/201806130034
Graveyard of reforms
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/graveyard-of-reforms-1.2349302
Administration
New methane regulation a partial step
http://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/new-methane-regulation-a-partial-step-1.2349234
Business
Pennsylvania businesses join effort to loosen Cuba trade restrictions
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2018/06/13/Pennsylvania-businesses-join-effort-to-loosen-Cuba-trade-restrictions/stories/201806130047
Crime/Punishment
First guilty plea entered in Penn State fraternity death of Tim Piazza
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/psu/2018/06/13/First-guilty-plea-entered-in-Penn-State-fraternity-death-Timothy-Piazza-Ryan-Burke/stories/201806130176
‘Juvenile lifer’ gives up bid for shorter sentence in girl’s slaying, says he does ‘not deserve’ one
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-allentown-teen-killer-brian-bahr-resentenced-20180515-story.html
Education
One-day strike looms at Dallas
http://www.citizensvoice.com/news/one-day-strike-looms-at-dallas-1.2349336
Wilkes-Barre Area approves new agreement with teachers union
http://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-area-approves-new-agreement-with-teachers-union-1.2349457
South Butler teachers accept contract proposal ending 4-year stalemate
http://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13756211-74/south-butler-teachers-accept-contract-proposal-ending-4-year-stalemate
The unintended consequences of having teachers who, for the most part, don’t resemble their students
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/the-unintended-consequences-of-having-teachers-who-for-the-most/article_270bf9ec-6f4c-11e8-aaf3-c3dc202d8858.html
Erie School District dealing with ‘fluid’ busing issue
http://www.goerie.com/news/20180614/erie-school-district-dealing-with-fluid-busing-issue
Sessions to speak at Lackawanna College
http://www.citizensvoice.com/news/sessions-to-speak-at-lackawanna-college-1.2349456
Elections/Politics
Pa. Poll: Wolf and Casey lead GOP candidates by double-digits
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/pa-franklin-marshall-poll-trump-tom-wolf-scott-wagner-bob-casey-lou-bareltta-20180614.html
Incumbents Tom Wolf, Bob Casey lead by wide margins in Pennsylvania poll
http://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/13757531-74/incumbents-tom-wolf-bob-casey-lead-by-wide-margins-in-pennsylvania-poll
Casey, Wolf maintain leads in latest polls
http://www.citizensvoice.com/news/casey-wolf-maintain-leads-in-latest-polls-1.2349352
Pennsylvania Democrats look strong 5 months from midterm elections
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pennsylvania-democrats-looking-strong-heading-toward-midterm-elections
F&M poll shows it’s Wolf’s race to lose, but Wagner’s spokesman calls that ‘a joke’
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/06/fm_poll_shows_its_wolfs_races.html#incart_river_index
Pa.’s political odd couple, Gov. Tom Wolf and John Fetterman, went tie-shopping
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2018/06/pas_political_odd_couple_gov_t.html#incart_river_index
If Scott Wagner wants to cut grass, why not mow some York County parks?
https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/columnists/mike-argento/2018/06/13/scott-wagner-makes-lawn-mowing-issue-governors-race/697265002/
For an orderly vote: Audit of state rolls should be wide-ranging
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/06/14/For-an-orderly-vote-Audit-of-state-rolls-should-be-wide-ranging/stories/201806140030
Democrats re-elect Patrick chairman
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/democrats-re-elect-patrick-chairman-1.2349299
Pennsylvania voters don’t need to fear the voting record purge
http://www.mcall.com/opinion/muschick/mc-opi-pennsylvania-voter-purging-muschick-20180613-story.html
Health Care
Pennsylvania counties among anti-vaccine hot spots on rise in U.S.
http://www.philly.com/philly/health/kids-families/pennsylvania-counties-among-anti-vaccine-hot-spots-on-rise-in-u-s-20180614.html
Local News
Weather officials headed to Wilkes-Barre Twp. to make tornado determination
https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/707781/wilkes-barre-township-hard-hit-by-devastating-storm
‘Likely tornado’ ravages Mundy Street stores
http://www.citizensvoice.com/news/likely-tornado-ravages-mundy-street-stores-1.2349369
Judge rules against W-B in TIF funds dispute
http://www.citizensvoice.com/news/judge-rules-against-w-b-in-tif-funds-dispute-1.2349437
WB council to help King’s apply for $6.5M for projects; Gilbert blasts move
https://www.timesleader.com/news/707774/wb-council-to-help-kings-apply-for-6-5m-for-projects-gilbert-blasts-move
Arena board seeks gaming grant to boost Wi-Fi service
http://www.citizensvoice.com/news/arena-board-seeks-gaming-grant-to-boost-wi-fi-service-1.2349266
Kingston Township planning for intersection safety improvements
https://www.timesleader.com/news/707765/kingston-township-planning-for-intersection-safety-improvements
Legal question prevented Basalyga garage tax status change, county official said
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/legal-question-prevented-basalyga-garage-tax-status-change-county-official-said-1.2349459
Lackawanna County Fair committee receives pointers
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-fair-committee-receives-pointers-1.2349265
City council OKs recovery plan
http://www.standardspeaker.com/news/city-council-oks-recovery-plan-1.2349326
Kline Twp. may get playground
http://www.standardspeaker.com/news/kline-twp-may-get-playground-1.2349280
New $8.4 million project will let Westmoreland Municipal Authority close Youngwood treatment plant
http://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/13757271-74/new-84-million-project-will-let-westmoreland-municipal-authority-close-youngwood-treatment
Farmers market program to offer produce weekly in downtown Reading
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/farmers-market-program-to-offer-produce-weekly-in-downtown-reading&template=ourcityart
Allentown can’t borrow to balance budget, 5-year plans says
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-five-year-plan-discussion-20180613-story.html
Hayfield approved as Johnstown city manager; Sargent’s to get Point Stadium naming rights
http://www.tribdem.com/news/hayfield-approved-as-johnstown-city-manager-sargent-s-to-get/article_e3966450-6f86-11e8-a25f-1794b9eba407.html
City Council authorizes $500K pass-through of state funds for affordable rental rehabs
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/city-council-authorizes-k-pass-through-of-state-funds-for/article_40bb2c36-6f52-11e8-ac35-07263afcbb62.html
New Jersey
Sports betting to open Thursday morning in Jersey
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/sports-betting-opening-day-new-jersey-nj-murphy-gambling-monmouth-park-borgata-20180613.html
Opioid Crisis
Meeting in Reading focuses on state’s drug abuse crisis
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/meeting-in-reading-focuses-on-states-drug-abuse-crisis
Philly
Philadelphia could become the next city to pass a scheduling law for retail and fast-food companies
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/fair-work-week-hours-schedule-fast-food-retail-philadelphia-bill-20180614.html
How Philly millennials are dealing with their college student loans
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/philly-millennials-college-student-loans-debt-20180614.html
Philadelphia, white-collar union reach tentative deal on three-year contract
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/philadelphia-white-collar-union-reach-tentative-deal-on-three-year-contract-20180613.html
Should the city rent out Philly’s historic Cobbs Creek Golf Club for $0?
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/cobbs-creek-golf-club-leased-nonprofit-mayor-kenney-20180613.html
City accounting under scrutiny
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/city-accounting-under-scrutiny/article_6839b288-6f01-11e8-94f3-57932ea24cb1.html
Candidate for NE Philly’s 177th District draws criticism for using ‘junkie’ in Facebook post
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/candidate-ne-philly-177th-district-draws-criticism-junkie-facebook-post-20180613.html
Felony charges dropped against transgender woman accused of trying to burn flag at Philly Pride
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia/pride-arson-charges-dropped-reeanna-segin-transgender-20180613.html
In time for Flag Day, George Washington’s personal standard gets its debut at Philly museum
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia/george-washington-flag-day-headquarter-standard-20180613.html
Commish orders up a kinder, gentler, more polite police force | Stu Bykofsky
http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/stu_bykofsky/commish-orders-up-a-kinder-gentler-more-polite-police-force-stu-bykofsky-20180613.html
$5 million improvement to Fairmount Park could signal revival in Parkside
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/real_estate/residential/parkside-fairmount-park-conservancy-gentrification-development-real-estate-20180614.html
Pitt
Activists allege Peoples is attempting to privatize PWSA, announce petition campaign
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/06/13/Our-Water-Campaign-PWSA-Peoples-Natural-Gas-petition-drive-privatization-treatment-plant-pittsburgh/stories/201806130135
National Flag Foundation plans to show its colors atop the Koppers Buildings
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/06/13/National-Flag-Foundation-Koppers-Building-flag-education-center/stories/201806140021
Federal Transit Administration will consider Pittsburgh’s BRT project for funding next year
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2018/06/13/Federal-Transit-Administration-Pittsburgh-BRT-funding-port-authority-fta-grants/stories/201806130197
Enrollment begins for free grass-cutting program in Pittsburgh
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/06/13/Pittsburgh-free-grass-cutting-program-City-Cuts-eligibility-sign-ups-enrollment/stories/201806130189
Pittsburgh offers free lawn care to seniors, homeowners with disabilities
http://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13757496-74/pittsburgh-offers-free-lawn-care-to-seniors-homeowners-with-disabilities
Port Authority of Allegheny County gets $3.6M federal grant for new buses
http://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13753448-74/port-authority-of-allegheny-county-gets-36m-federal-grant-for-new-buses
Uber, Pittsburgh disagree on who failed to communicate on self-driving cars. Will it get better?
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2018/06/13/uber-pittsburgh-mayor-bill-peduto-dan-gilman-tempe-arizona-crash/stories/201806120011
Pittsburgh residents receive bear of a surprise
http://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13757530-74/pittsburgh-residents-receive-bear-of-a-surprise
People can dispose of unwanted medication at drop-off boxes in Allegheny County
http://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13757500-74/people-can-dispose-of-unwanted-medication-at-drop-off-boxes-in-allegheny-county
Nursing home patients in Pittsburgh often go back to hospital
http://triblive.com/news/healthnow/13756763-74/nursing-home-patients-in-pittsburgh-often-go-back-to-hospital
Penn Hills approves labor agreements with police, public works, EMS
http://triblive.com/local/pennhills/13756655-74/penn-hills-approves-labor-agreements-with-police-public-works-ems
State News
Ashes of an industry: A Pennsylvania tradition is dying, one baseball bat at a time
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/baseball-bats-emerald-ash-borer-louisville-slugger-20180614.html
With thousands of acres, millions of dollars, land trusts are a force in local development
http://www.philly.com/philly/health/environment/land-trusts-natural-lands-chester-county-new-jersey-pennsylvania-20180614.html
Bensalem PD: Crews recover body of gas-station owner killed in explosion
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/bensalem-explosion-gas-station-liberty-missing-person-rescue-20180613.html
Pennsylvania State Police adding oversight to troopers’ interactions with ICE
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/ice-pennsylvania-state-police-immigration-reform-racial-profiling-20180613.html
Flag ceremonies at Flight 93 Memorial support fundraising, offer respects
http://triblive.com/local/regional/13664962-74/flag-ceremonies-at-flight-93-memorial-support-fundraising-offer-respects
Public hearing to be held on $46.9 million Columbia Gas rate increase request
http://triblive.com/local/regional/13756600-74/public-hearing-to-be-held-on-469-million-columbia-gas-rate-increase
WWII veteran urges everyone to fly red, white and blue for Flag Day
https://www.timesleader.com/news/707874/wwii-veteran-urges-everyone-to-fly-red-white-and-blue-for-flag-day
Flag Day events set in Berks County
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/flag-day-events-set-in-berks-county