Legislature
Lawmakers ask for help to curb gun violence in Philadelphia after a weekend of 19 shootings, 5 deaths
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/it-is-an-epidemic-lawmakers-issue-plea-for-help-in-stopping-gun-violence-in-philadelphia-after-a-weekend-of-19-shootings.html
State lawmakers raise alarm after wave of Philly shootings
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/06/state-lawmakers-raise-alarm-after-wave-of-philly-shootings.php
Pennsylvania has 500 school districts. What’s stopping consolidations?
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/pennsylvania-has-500-school-districts-whats-stopping-consolidations/
General Assembly under some pressure to act on minimum wage
https://www.meadvilletribune.com/news/general-assembly-under-some-pressure-to-act-on-minimum-wage/article_dc8565f8-d909-50b0-b777-031d457e473e.html
Ending child marriage in Pennsylvania/Lobbying for renewables
https://www.witf.org/smart-talk/2019/06/-what-to-look-for-14.php
Sappey’s trauma-informed education bill advances
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/sappey-s-trauma-informed-education-bill-advances/article_d0a16922-912b-11e9-a8c3-23015a41e560.html
Pennsylvania high school playoff proposal generates fresh debate
https://www.mcall.com/sports/varsity/mc-spt-athletic-oversight-20190617-j2afnkjusjgxbfugq6k3sf7wzy-story.html
State Rep. Jim Marshall’s infant choking bill to be amended to avoid teaching Heimlich procedure for use on babies
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190617/state-rep-jim-marshalls-infant-choking-bill-to-be-amended-to-avoid-teaching-heimlich-procedure-for-use-on-babies
Of racism, rosaries and the abortion debate
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2019/06/18/Of-racism-rosaries-and-the-abortion-debate/stories/201906180029
Mandate full coverage for Lyme disease
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/mandate-full-coverage-for-lyme-disease-1.2497354
Pennsylvania should keep the ban on Sunday hunting | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/06/pennsylvania-should-keep-the-ban-on-sunday-hunting-opinion.html
Lawmakers, Wolf need to fix Pennsylvania’s charter school funding imbalance | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/lawmakers-wolf-need-to-fix-pennsylvanias-charter-school-funding-imbalance-opinion/
Redistricting/Gerrymandering
Supreme Court dismisses challenge to findings of racial gerrymandering in Virginia districts
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/supreme-court-dismisses-challenge-findings-racial-gerrymandering-virginia-districts-20190617.html
Administration
For public health: Tom Wolf should order study of fracking and child cancer
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/06/18/Fracking-natural-gas-Tom-Wolf-shale-child-cancer-Pennsylvania-Ewing-sarcoma-public-health/stories/201906180040
Industry criticizes ‘ridiculous’ request to halt shale gas drilling
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/06/17/Marcellus-Shale-Coalition-Ewing-sarcoma-shale-drilling/stories/201906170129
Sen. Toomey sends letter to Gov. Wolf urging his support of $100M private schools bill
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2019/06/sen-toomey-sends-letter-to-gov-wolf-urging-his-support-of-100m-private-schools-bill.html
EITC should be expanded to help more PA kids get the education they need to succeed | PennLive Editorial
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/06/eitc-should-be-expanded-to-help-more-pa-kids-get-the-education-they-need-to-succeed-pennlive-editorial.html
Budget
House GOP moves to cut down extra budget spending
https://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/06/house-gop-moves-to-cut-down-extra-budget-spending.php
Business
U.S. Steel says it has repaired coke works pollution equipment, avoiding permanent shutdown
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/06/17/clairton-coke-works-us-steel-fire-environment-allegheny-county-health-department-air-quality/stories/201906170088
How humans and robots work side-by-side in Amazon fulfillment centers
https://www.inquirer.com/news/amazon-robots-fulfillment-centers-warehouse-new-jersey-pennsylvania-warehouse-20190618.html
Discount grocery store to replace Thomas’ Market in Shavertown
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/discount-grocery-store-to-replace-thomas-market-in-shavertown-1.2497418
How mentors made a difference in 5 Berks County business women’s lives
https://www.readingeagle.com/business-weekly/article/how-mentors-made-a-difference-in-five-berks-county-business-womens-lives
Crime/Punishment
Second woman accuses Diocese of Greensburg priest of abuse
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/second-woman-accuses-diocese-of-greensburg-priest-of-abuse/
Trio charged by state police in Western Pa. cocaine, marijuana sting
https://triblive.com/local/regional/trio-charged-by-state-police-in-southwestern-pa-cocaine-marijuana-sting/
Convicted felon Robert Cordaro granted prison furlough for CDL training
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/convicted-felon-robert-cordaro-granted-prison-furlough-for-cdl-training-1.2497337
Pennsylvania inmate threatened to choke herself. When guard said go ahead, she did, becoming another jailhouse suicide.
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-jail-suicide-20190618-gcjwi77erzdabecu4757eendz4-story.html
Education
Judge’s order makes it official: Harrisburg schools lose local control for 3 years
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/judges-order-makes-it-official-harrisburg-schools-lose-local-control-for-3-years.html
A year later: Woodland Hills turns page on troubled past
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/06/17/woodland-hills-graduation-schools-realignment-budget-cuts-antwon-rose-II-michelle-kenney/stories/201906160065
Franklin Regional school board awards $48.62 million in contracts for Sloan project
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/franklin-regional-school-board-awards-48-62-million-in-contracts-for-sloan-project/
Gorham, Gegaris got nearly 6 months pay in Crestwood exit
https://www.timesleader.com/news/747352/gorham-gegaris-got-nearly-6-months-pay-in-crestwood-exit
Several Westmoreland County school districts replacing artificial turf
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/several-westmoreland-county-school-districts-replacing-artificial-turf/
Valley View School District settles teacher hiring lawsuit
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/valley-view-school-district-settles-teacher-hiring-lawsuit-1.2497493
Graduates criticize WB Area Career and Technology Center nursing program
https://www.timesleader.com/news/747356/graduates-criticize-w-b-area-career-and-technology-center-nursing-program
King’s gets $100,000 in tax credits for Spring Brook building
https://www.timesleader.com/news/747354/kings-gets-100000-in-tax-credits-for-spring-brook-building
King’s awarded tax credit for building project
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/king-s-awarded-tax-credit-for-building-project-1.2497437
AGs reach settlement with money lender for students at now-closed ITT campuses
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/06/17/itt-tech-closed-student-loans-lawsuit-attorney-general-settlement-student-cu-connect-cuso/stories/201906170093
Former ITT Tech students eligible for loan forgiveness in new settlement
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/former-itt-tech-students-eligible-for-loan-forgiveness-in-new-settlement/
Former Wilkes president reflects on his tenure
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/former-wilkes-president-reflects-on-his-tenure-1.2497392
Gaming
Counties should get say in whether VGTs are permitted within them
http://www.lewistownsentinel.com/opinion/editorials/2019/06/counties-should-get-say-in-whether-vgts-are-permitted-within-them/
Health Care
Ground broken on Drexel/Tower Health medical school in Wyomissing
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/ground-broken-on-drexeltower-health-medical-school
Local News
Luzerne County hits another snag restoring crucial assessment database
https://www.timesleader.com/news/747363/luzerne-county-hits-another-snag-restoring-crucial-assessment-database
Luzerne County Ethics Commission attorneys investigating three complaints
https://www.timesleader.com/news/747361/luzerne-county-ethics-commission-attorneys-investigating-three-complaints
Wilkes-Barre to interview candidates for firefighter vacancies
https://www.timesleader.com/news/747367/wilkes-barre-to-interview-candidates-for-firefighter-vacancies
Confusion over county vehicle fee; Saidman calls for action
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/confusion-over-county-vehicle-fee-saidman-calls-for-action-1.2497474
Pittston hires new Main Street coordinator
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/pittston-hires-new-main-street-coordinator-1.2497470
Scranton city council considers legislation, including a lower monthly rate for garages
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-council-considers-legislation-including-a-lower-monthly-rate-for-garages-1.2497472
Lackawanna County Courthouse visitors will be required to lock up cell phones
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-courthouse-visitors-will-be-required-to-lock-up-cell-phones-1.2497340
Carbon OKs treatment court grant
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/carbon-oks-treatment-court-grant-1.2497393
At the end of suburbia in Chester County there’s an oasis: a lavender farm
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/mt-airy-lavender-coatesville-joanne-voelcker-amy-saha-20190618.html
Reading council takes look at Act 47 exit plan
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-council-takes-look-at-act-47-exit-plan
Editorial: Revival of Fairgrounds effort a welcome development
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/revival-of-fairgrounds-effort-a-welcome-development
More than $750K in grants awarded to several Beaver County programs
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190617/more-than-750k-in-grants-awarded-to-several-beaver-county-programs
Editorial: Choppy water returns for iconic Chester Water Authority
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/editorial-choppy-water-returns-for-iconic-chester-water-authority/article_05fc2eec-9102-11e9-ab2b-fbb321f8ca05.html
National News
AFL-CIO president says current NAFTA deal is unenforceable
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2019/06/17/AFL-CIO-President-Trumka-town-hall-NAFTA-negotiations/stories/201906170100
The Supreme Court affirms an exception to double jeopardy
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/06/17/Supreme-Court-double-jeopardy/stories/201906170157
Citizenship question on the 2020 Census? As Supreme Court decision looms, Census Bureau tests it out
https://www.inquirer.com/news/2020-census-citizenship-question-immigrant-trump-supreme-court-justice-department-20190617.html
Bill Cosby’s Father’s Day tweet using ‘America’s Dad’ yields outrage
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/celebrities/2019/06/17/Bill-Cosby-Twitter-Fathers-Day-Americas-Dad-tweet/stories/201906170159
Food and Drug Administration considering CBD regulations
https://triblive.com/local/regional/food-and-drug-administration-considering-cbd-regulations/
Philly
Philly’s top cop wonders if gunmen are emboldened by perception of ‘no consequences’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/richard-ross-philadelphia-larry-krasner-guns-shootings-murders-20190617.html
Philadelphia’s bloody Father’s Day demands action | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/homicide-murder-mass-shooting-violence-prevention-gun-control-philadelphia-20190618.html
As Strawberry Mansion works to reinvent itself, its students show they’re strong enough to beat the odds.
https://www.inquirer.com/education/a/strawberry-mansion-high-school-year-graduation-prom-neighborhood-survival-20190618.html
This Philly dad works to expand opportunities for his community. Now, the nation knows.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/community-schools-charles-reyes-good-morning-america-dobbins-20190618.html
Cooper researchers worry that increase in Philly-area flesh-eating bacteria cases linked to climate change
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/new-jersey-bay-shore-delaware-flesh-eating-bacteria-20190617.html
Philly officials appeal court ruling, seek to stop VisionQuest from moving migrant children into Logan shelter
https://www.inquirer.com/news/immigration-migrant-children-unaccompanied-minor-vision-quest-20190617.html
‘This came out of nowhere’: Shooting of 6 at playground BBQ caps bloody Father’s Day weekend in Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/southwest-philadelphia-police-mass-shooting-playground-barbecue-isiaka-meite-20190617.html
Philly city-wide innovation festival to be held in October
https://www.inquirer.com/business/bphl-innovation-festival-business-ibx-20190617.html
Pitt
County Council Democrats interview 12 candidates for District 8 vacancy, ahead of Tuesday vote
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/06/18/County-Council-Democrats-interview-12-candidates-for-District-8-vacancy-ahead-of-Tuesday-vote/stories/201906170156
Mother who jumped from Homestead Grays Bridge was raising three children alone
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/06/17/suicide-Stanlee-Allyn-Holbrook-homestead-grays-bridge-children-mckees-rocks/stories/201906170120
After 6 decades of parked cars, garage at Ninth and Penn closes
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/neighborhood/2019/06/18/Pittsburgh-Parking-Authority-Ninth-and-Penn-Garage-Cultural-Trust-Downtown/stories/201906180059
Shadyside residents say CMU dorm will bring traffic, noise and air quality issues to their residential street
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/06/17/A-dozen-Shadyside-residents-say-CMU-dorm-will-bring-traffic-noise-and-air-quality-issues-to-their-residential-street/stories/201906170124
City’s free summer food program begins Monday
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2019/06/17/City-Pittsburgh-free-summer-food-program-mobile-food-truck/stories/201906170090
$6.5 million restoration of Wilkinsburg train station to be completed by October
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/6-5-million-restoration-of-wilkinsburg-train-station-to-be-completed-by-october/
Bellevue receives state grant to catalog, gather data about its historic buildings
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/bellevue-receives-state-grant-to-catalog-gather-data-about-its-historic-buildings/
Landmark: Pittsburgh Hays eagles successfully raises 10th eaglet, takes first flight
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/landmark-pittsburgh-hays-eagles-successfully-raises-10th-eaglet-takes-first-flight/
State News
New Audubon Center resembles a bird in flight and aims to be a bigger regional attraction
https://www.inquirer.com/news/john-audubon-center-birds-pennsylvania-artwork-conservation-20190617.html
National Weather Service confirms tornado touched down near Butler, Armstrong border
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/national-weather-service-confirms-tornado-touched-down-near-butler-armstrong-border/
Health officials: Algae bloom along Lake Erie shoreline dangerous to pets, kids
https://triblive.com/local/regional/health-officials-algae-bloom-along-lake-erie-shoreline-dangerous-to-pets-kids/
New commander takes post at Tobyhanna
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-commander-takes-post-at-tobyhanna-1.2497375
Three Schuylkill farms preserved
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/three-schuylkill-farms-preserved-1.2497394
Reading peregrine falcon fitted with tag to track movement
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-peregrine-falcon-fittedwith-tag-to-track-movement
Pa. town mourning after sudden death of police chief
https://www.pennlive.com/daily-buzz/2019/06/pa-town-mourning-after-sudden-death-of-police-chief.html
Some Pa. DUI cases could be thrown out after sobriety checkpoints examined by court
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/crime/2019/06/17/pennsylvania-supreme-court-ruling-could-affect-sobriety-checkpoints-active-dui-cases/1443184001/
Transportation
PennDOT battles heavy rainfall, 95 landslides across district
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/06/17/PennDOT-Pittsburgh-Reis-Run-Road-Ross-Township-Cheryl-Moon-Sirianni-rainfall-flash-flood-mudslides-landslides/stories/201906170130
PennDOT announces road projects
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/penndot-announces-road-projects-1.2497423
Washington
McConnell doesn’t know why Jon Stewart is ‘all bent out of shape’ on the 9/11 victims fund
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/06/17/Mitch-McConnell-Jon-Stewart-911-victims/stories/201906170164
U.S. House Dems, with serious Pa. backing, prep a vote on $15 an hour minimum wage bill
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/u-s-house-dems-with-serious-pa-backing-prep-a-vote-on-15-an-hour-minimum-wage-bill/