Legislature
Pa. Senate vote puts victims’ rights amendment before voters
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-senate-vote-puts-victims-rights-amendment-before-voters/
Voters to decide whether to add victims’ rights to Pa. constitution: ’We are sending a clear message that victims matter’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/voters-to-decide-whether-to-add-victims-rights-to-pa-constitution-we-are-sending-a-clear-message-that-victims-matter.html
Marsy’s Law passes, now heads to voter referendum
https://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/06/marsys-law-passes-now-heads-to-voter-referendum.php
Pennsylvania moves to expand limits on opioid prescriptions
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-moves-to-expand-limits-on-opioid-prescriptions/
Divided Pa. House votes to end $54M cash welfare program
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/divided-pa-house-votes-to-end-54m-cash-welfare-program.html
Pa. House votes to eliminate cash assistance for adults with disabilities, addiction
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-house-votes-to-eliminate-cash-assistance-for-adults-with-disabilities-addiction/
GOP hopes to force Wolf to gut General Assistance by tangling it with medical funding
https://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/06/gop-hopes-to-force-wolf-to-gut-general-assistance-by-tangling-it-with-medical-funding.php
Sen. Muth calls for 100% renewable energy for Pennsylvania
https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/local/sen-muth-calls-for-renewable-energy-for-pennsylvania/article_0d936c71-8eba-5386-b36e-0d6a84414cfb.html
Senate advances bipartisan pipeline bills
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/senate-advances-bipartisan-pipeline-bills/article_ee8db574-92d1-11e9-acd1-c702f5c988d6.html
A year after the police shooting of Antwon Rose, this state rep. wants to change Pa.’s deadly force rule
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/a-year-after-the-police-shooting-of-antwon-rose-this-state-rep-wants-to-change-pa-s-deadly-force-rule/
Former Wolf chief of staff, campaign aide confirmed to Pa. Liquor Control Board
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/former-wolf-chief-of-staff-campaign-aide-confirmed-to-pa-liquor-control-board.html
Small business group alarmed over proposed overdue tax raid on bank accounts
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pennsylvania-tax-seizure-proposal-alarms-small-business-group-20190619.html
Senate committee passes Vogel’s election law board bill
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190619/senate-committee-passes-vogels-election-law-board-bill
Who pays for state police coverage / Innovation U
https://www.witf.org/smart-talk/2019/06/innovation-u-and-paying-for-police-coverage.php
A tax credit program that can actually make a difference | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/eitc-earned-income-educational-improvement-tax-credit-20190620.html
Pa.’s charter school package doesn’t count as real reform | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-charter-schools-reform-bill-cyber-20190619.html
Tie road work into utility jobs
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/tie-road-work-into-utility-jobs-1.2498260
Gun violence health crisis
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/gun-violence-health-crisis-1.2498331
This is Pennsylvania’s biggest – and most overlooked – workforce crisis | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/this-is-pennsylvanias-biggest-and-most-overlooked-workforce-crisis-opinion/
Editorial: You want state police? You need to pay for it
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/editorial-you-want-state-police-you-need-to-pay-for/article_b1f286f2-928c-11e9-93a9-23355363931c.html
Administration
Gov. Tom Wolf enshrines recognition of Juneteenth into law in Pa.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/06/19/Pennsylvania-Juneteenth-law-holiday-emancipation-slavery/stories/201906190144
Gov. Wolf wants more data about how gas drilling impacts citizens’ health
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/06/19/Pennsylvania-Tom-Wolf-data-gas-drilling-fracking-impacts-citizens-health-cancer/stories/201906190140
Gov. Wolf looks at carbon emissions fees to pay for fixing Pennsylvania roads, bridges
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/could-carbon-emissions-become-an-alternative-funding-source-for-gov-wolfs-restore-pa-infrastructure-program.html
Pa’s public schools need our help. Gov. Tom Wolf was right to veto private school tax credit bill | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pas-public-schools-need-our-help-gov-tom-wolf-was-right-to-veto-private-school-tax-credit-bill-opinion/
Business
U.S. Steel to idle three blast furnaces amid weakening demand
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2019/06/19/U-S-Steel-idle-three-blast-furnaces-amid-weakening-demand-michigan-indiana-europe/stories/201906190091
MediaNews plans to cut 81 jobs at Reading Eagle
https://triblive.com/local/regional/medianews-plans-to-cut-81-jobs-at-reading-eagle/
Crime/Punishment
In Reading, a community carries on amid the hunt for a crime ‘boss’ connected to David Ortiz’s shooting
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/luis-rivas-clase-reading-police-david-ortiz-search-20190619.html
Judge blasted for ‘ongoing inability’ to be fair in murder cases
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/judge-blasted-for-ongoing-inability-to-be-fair-in-murder-cases-1.2498395
Multiple people shot on Hamilton Street in Allentown, police say
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-allentown-shooting-view-20190620-k7i7ql2ovbaevndqelu7pnf6t4-story.html
Education
Who decides whether charter schools open in Pa.? Not just your local school district.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-charter-appeals-board-wolf-corbett-20190619.html
Clifton Heights vows to battle middle school plans
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/clifton-heights-vows-to-battle-middle-school-plans/article_e118773c-92d9-11e9-9f00-67aa09f294ff.html
Gerrymandering
Gerrymandering breeds ‘a loss of faith,’ Thornburgh says
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-redistricting-reform-20190619-stbxazb225dilegtartnm22bki-story.html
Health Care
Special enrollment planned for some Highmark Medicare Advantage members
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/legal/2019/06/19/Highmark-upmc-consent-decrees-bob-casey-Special-enrollment-medicare-advantage/stories/201906190092
Local News
Report: City saved more than $3.1M from energy project
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/report-city-saved-more-than-3-1m-from-energy-project-1.2498393
County finds computer workaround to allow real estate transactions
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-finds-computer-workaround-to-allow-real-estate-transactions-1.2498337
Pedri: No county-wide reassessment needed
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/pedri-no-county-wide-reassessment-needed-1.2498336
Wyoming Valley Riverfest returns with boat launches to mark Wilkes-Barre’s 250th anniversary
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wyoming-valley-riverfest-returns-with-boat-launches-to-mark-wilkes-barre-s-250th-anniversary-1.2498180
Effort underway to stop demolition of stone railroad bridge in Ashley
https://www.timesleader.com/news/747559/effort-underway-to-stop-demolition-of-stone-railroad-bridge-in-ashley
Bubbles and books delight kids at Osterhout sale
https://www.timesleader.com/top-stories/747567/bubbles-and-books-delight-kids-at-osterhout-sale
Suit filed by Wilkes-Barre police officer to have K-9 dog retired to him
https://www.timesleader.com/news/747561/suit-filed-by-wilkes-barre-police-officer-to-have-k-9-dog-retired-to-him
Victory Sports to open its 9th season Friday
https://www.timesleader.com/news/747554/victory-sports-to-open-its-9th-season-friday
U.S. Attorney mum on Courtright probe
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/u-s-attorney-mum-on-courtright-probe-1.2498239
Farmers market vouchers available for WIC recipients
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/farmers-market-vouchers-available-for-wic-recipients-1.2498548
Lakes at county parks to open Saturday
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lakes-at-county-parks-to-open-saturday-1.2498547
Community Day to offer fun for families June 29
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/community-day-to-offer-fun-for-families-june-29-1.2498349
Ed Saliba Sr. remembered as icon of New Kensington firefighting
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/ed-saliba-sr-remembered-as-icon-of-new-kensington-firefighting/
MAWC spent more than $100,000 for tests following Beaver Run Reservoir gas well breach
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/mawc-spent-more-than-100000-for-tests-following-beaver-run-reservoir-gas-well-breach/
KKK flag photo prompts calls for Sewickley Township supervisor’s resignation
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/kkk-flag-photo-prompts-calls-for-sewickley-township-supervisors-resignation/
Berks police pitch in to lead inclusive fitness classes at gym in Wyomissing
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-police-pitch-in-to-lead-inclusive-fitness-classes-at-gym-in-wyomissing
Basketball: Legendary Stu Jackson returns home
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/article/basketball-legendary-stu-jackson-returns-home
Animal Rescue League of Berks County names new director
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-animal-rescue-league-names-new-director
Natural Gas
Driller makes its case for first fracking well in Murrysville
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/driller-makes-its-case-for-first-fracking-well-in-murrysville/
Philly
Philadelphia Police Department takes 72 officers off street amid probe into controversial Facebook posts
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-facebook-scandal-racist-plain-view-project-richard-ross-20190619.html
Schuylkill Yards first project: Turning a parking lot into a park
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/inga-saffron/schuylkill-yards-brandywine-park-architecture-drexel-square-west8-shop-20190620.html
All in a day’s work for cops: Running into a burning buildings, talking a vet out of suicide, and safely bringing a suspect into custody
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-commendation-valor-award-upside-20190620.html
4 more crew members arrested in record-breaking 16-ton, $1B cocaine bust at Philly port
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philly-cocaine-drug-bust-gayane-port-arrests-investigation-20190619.html
‘Overbuild’ projects planned to turn historic Freeman’s auction house and Nelson Building into condos
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/freemans-auction-nelson-building-condos-overbuild-cecil-baker-historic-preservation-20190619.html
VisionQuest, under fire in Philly, explores moving migrant youth center to Norristown
https://www.inquirer.com/news/migrant-immigrant-children-visionquest-sanctuary-city-philly-20190619.html
Philadelphia to launch city-wide composting network of up to 25 sites
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/philadelphia-compost-food-waste-20190619.html
Another retail storefront bites the dust: City utility to close downtown bill-pay location
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pgw-closing-center-city-office-east-market–20190620.html
Investigating shootings in Northwest Philly: ‘Two guys who shouldn’t have brought guns to a fistfight’ | Mike Newall
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/northwest-philadelphia-gun-violence-police-division-20190620.html
Now more than ever Philly needs a one-stop shop for legal services | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/equal-justice-center-philadelphia-legal-service-20190619.html
Pitt
FBI: Syrian Islamic State sympathizer in Pittsburgh planned to bomb North Side church
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/06/19/Pittsburgh-man-charged-with-planning-bomb-attack-for-IS/stories/201906190150
Aaron Donald always wanted to give back to Pitt — now he sees what that looks like
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2019/06/19/pitt-panthers-football-aaron-donald-nfl-rams-los-angeles-heather-lyke-pat-narduzzi-penn-hills/stories/201906190180
Steelers equipment manager hanging up his final cleats after 39 years
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/06/19/Pittsburgh-Steelers-equipment-manager/stories/201906190100
Landslide at Mount Washington transit tunnel delays Port Authority vehicles to the South Hills
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/06/19/Port-Authority-Mount-Washington-transit-tunnel-landslide-light-rail-vehicles-buses-delayed/stories/201906190143
PWSA completes restoration of Lanpher Reservoir
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2019/06/19/Lanpher-water-reservoir-complete-PWSA-Pittsburgh-Highland-Park/stories/201906190133
Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis will star in August Wilson’s ‘Ma Rainey,’ to film in Pittsburgh starting in July
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv-radio/2019/06/19/Chadwick-Boseman-Viola-Davis-August-Wilson-Ma-Rainey-Netfilx-Pittsburgh-movie/stories/201906190130
Extras wanted for Denzel Washington movie filming in Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/extras-wanted-for-denzel-washington-movie-filming-in-pittsburgh/
Pittsburgh school board delays plan to move U Prep students to Arsenal Middle School
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/06/19/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-board-students-U-Prep-Milliones-Arsenal-reconfiguration/stories/201906190035
Pittsburgh school board approves plan to hire teachers from teaching magnet program
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/06/19/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-Brashear-teaching-magnet-hiring-union-students-diversity/stories/201906180107
Mayor Peduto supports ballot initiative for taxpayer-funded parks trust fund
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/06/19/Mayor-Peduto-supports-ballot-initiative-for-taxpayer-funded-parks-trust-fund/stories/201906190102
Airport Authority partners with Carlow University to improve customer service
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/airport-authority-partners-with-carlow-university-to-improve-customer-service/
State News
Pa. mushroom farmer wonders why Trump’s immigration police are out to get him
https://www.inquirer.com/business/trump-immigration-chester-county-mushrooms-farms-mexicans-20190620.html
Latrobe-area dispensary opens as legal pot booms
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/latrobe-area-dispensary-opens-as-legal-pot-booms/
Venomous snake bites Pa. woman doing laundry in basement
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/snake-bites-woman-pennsylvania-copperhead-basement-20190619.html
Killing a copperhead or other native snakes could put you on the wrong side of the law
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/killing-copperhead-or-other-native-snakes-could-put-you-on-the-wrong-side-of-law
Pennsylvania bald eaglet knocked out of nest days before first flight
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-bald-eaglet-knocked-out-of-nest-days-before-first-flight/
Greensburg diocese promises ‘full disclosure’ of victim compensation fund at end of process
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-diocese-promises-full-disclosure-of-victim-compensation-fund-at-end-of-process/
Auditor general launches probe of state’s instant background check to buy guns
https://triblive.com/local/regional/auditor-general-launches-probe-of-states-instant-background-check-for-gun-purchases-underpa-auditor/
Pa.’s gun background check system to be examined by state auditor general
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/pas-gun-background-check-system-to-be-examined-by-state-auditor-general-to-make-sure-no-gaps-exist-in-determining-firearm-ownership-eligibility.html
Property tax/rent rebate for seniors application deadline extended
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/property-tax-rent-rebate-for-seniors-application-deadline-extended/
Pennsylvania EMS personnel administered 21,419 doses of naloxone since Jan. 1, 2018
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/as-addiction-programs-rise-overdose-deaths-drop-in-berks-and-pennsylvania
There are increasing signs of Pennsylvania’s commitment to confront climate change | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/06/there-are-increasing-signs-of-pennsylvanias-commitment-to-confront-climate-change-opinion.html
For Pa. farmers, year of record rain a ‘big nuisance’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/for-pa-farmers-year-of-record-rain-often-a-big-nuisance.html
Transportation
McFarland Road in Dormont, Mt. Lebanon to close from Friday to Monday for repairs
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/06/19/Mt-Lebanon-Dormant-McFarland-Road-closed-Friday-to-Monday/stories/201906190151
Public transport highlighted on Dump the Pump Day
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/public-transport-highlighted-on-dump-the-pump-day-1.2498390
New train station in Ardmore appears to be on track
http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/mainlinetimes/new-train-station-in-ardmore-appears-to-be-on-track/article_58749722-91f2-11e9-8054-63c26be3f7ce.html
PennDOT considers traffic signal changes at Route 22 crash site
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/penndot-considers-traffic-signal-changes-at-route-22-crash-site/
Washington
‘Why not now?’ Lawmakers debate reparations for slavery
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/reparations-slavery-congress-hearing-danny-glover-sheila-jackson-lee-20190619.html
Pennsylvania is critical in 2020. Here’s how Trump could win or lose it.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/trump-win-lose-pennsylvania-presidential-election-2020-swing-state-battleground-politics-biden-20190620.html
Biden draws fire from fellow Dems over cordial words for segregationist senators, then hits back
https://www.inquirer.com/news/cory-booker-joe-biden-segregation-senators-2020-20190619.html
Trump supporter at reelection rally in Philly’s blue suburbs: ‘There is a silent majority here.’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/trump-watch-party-rnc-conshohocken-brewing-montgomery-county-suburbs-politics-presidential-2020-20190619.html
Pensions are facing a crisis. We have a plan to stop it | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pensions-acme-pa-tax-jobs-20190619.html
Lawmakers promoting bill to speed up funding to reclaim mine land
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lawmakers-promoting-bill-to-speed-up-funding-to-reclaim-mine-land-1.2498383