Legislatura
Pa. House approves reforms to child sex abuse laws; sends bills to Senate
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/pa-house-approves-reforms-to-child-sex-abuse-laws-sends-bills-to-senate.html
Pa. House approves tougher rules on child sexual abuse reporting
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-house-approves-tougher-rules-on-child-sexual-abuse-reporting/
State lawmaker proposes reforms amid Penn Hills School District’s financial woes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/04/17/Penn-Hills-school-district-Pennsylvania-finances-reform-Anthony-DeLuca-Erin-Vecchio/stories/201904170128
Casey urges Pa. Legislature to support ‘Restore Pennsylvania’ plan
https://www.timesleader.com/news/740450/casey-urges-pa-legislature-to-support-restore-pennsylvania-plan
Auto-IRA would help millions of Pennsylvanian save for retirement | By State Treasurer Joe Torsella and Senator Art Haywood
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/04/auto-ira-would-help-millions-of-pennsylvanian-save-for-retirement.html
Official state business: The Eastern hellbender voted Pennsylvania amphibian
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/04/17/Eastern-hellbender-voted-Pennsylvania-s-official-amphibian-salamander/stories/201904170089
Liquor Control hearing to address Pennsylvania’s taproom tax
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/liquor-control-hearing-to-address-pennsylvanias-taproom-tax/
Pennsylvania government watchdog to probe teen’s murder
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-government-watchdog-to-probe-teens-murder/
Pennsylvania government watchdog to probe Grace Packer’s death
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-pa-grace-packer-watchdog-murder-probe-20190417-3d3md6bajjbopi6c57ot5h5vvq-story.html
Catholic Church lobbying in Pa. spiked after damaging investigations
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/17/catholic-church-lobbying-pa-spiked-after-damaging-investigations/3477251002/
Courts grapple with Pa.’s new rules for firearms in domestic abuse cases
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/04/courts-grapple-with-rollout-of-pas-new-rules-for-firearms-in-domestic-abuse-cases.php
Phillips-Hill announces new Broadband Caucus
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/17/phillips-hill-announces-new-broadband-caucus/3487542002/
State to hike cost of fishing licenses
https://www.sharonherald.com/news/state-to-hike-cost-of-fishing-licenses/article_e28eacaa-6181-11e9-99ec-47c25e5983b0.html
Empresas
Retirement savings: New bill would make it easier for small businesses to help employees put more away
https://www.philly.com/business/small-business/new-bill-retirement-savings-401k-secure-act-small-business-owners-employees-20190417.html
Delito/Castigo
A good fit: An ex-con takes the reins at state pardons board
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/04/18/Brandon-Flood-Pennsylvania-state-pardons-board-criminal-justice-reform-John-Fetterman/stories/201904180067
New Hope officer who shot man in holding cell was a career cop who made an ‘unfortunate’ mistake, mayor says
https://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/new-hope-police-taser-brian-riling-matthew-zimmerman-20190417.html
Victims targeted in W-B Twp. Shooting
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/victims-targeted-in-w-b-twp-shooting-1.2471622
Pennsylvania inmates are getting a new way to receive photos
https://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/04/pennsylvania-inmates-are-getting-a-new-way-to-receive-photos.php
Educación
Tamaqua’s armed teacher policy back on table
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/tamaqua-s-armed-teacher-policy-back-on-table-1.2471559
Tamaqua parents shocked that armed teacher policy has been quietly reinstated
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/04/tamaqua-parents-shocked-that-armed-teacher-policy-has-been-quietly-reinstated.php
Amid abuse probe, Glen Mills Schools appeals license revocation by state DHS
https://www.philly.com/news/glen-mills-schools-appeal-license-revoke-dhs-pennsylvania-abuse-students-20190416.html
Valley View investigating teacher over her written comments on second-grader’s worksheet
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/valley-view-investigating-teacher-over-her-written-comments-on-second-grader-s-worksheet-1.2471529
State panel wants to hear from residents
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/state-panel-wants-to-hear-from-residents-1.2471595
Education secretary brings governor’s proposals to area
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/education-secretary-brings-governor-s-proposals-to-area-1.2471600
Harrisburg School Board votes down resolution to comply with state auditors
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/harrisburg-school-board-votes-down-resolution-to-comply-with-state-auditors.html
Misericordia breaks ground for science center expansion
https://www.timesleader.com/news/740459/misericordia-breaks-ground-for-science-center-expansion
Misericordia launches construction of new $45 million science center
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/misericordia-launches-construction-of-new-45-million-science-center-1.2471545
Juegos
Pa. casinos set single-month revenue gaming record: Here’s how they did it
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/pa-casinos-set-single-month-revenue-gaming-record-heres-how-they-did-it.html
Online legal sports bets could come in May, with other digital casino games to follow by July
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/04/17/Pennsylvania-online-gambling-digital-iGaming-casinos-sports-betting-start-May/stories/201904170118
Waiting for internet gambling in Pennsylvania? State sets a deadline to go live
https://www.philly.com/business/pennsylvania-sets-july-launch-for-awaited-internet-gaming-20190417.html
Pennsylvania fines casino $235K for underage betting, and for unauthorized free slots play
https://www.philly.com/business/tourism/pgcb-pennsylvania-fines-sands-casino-underaged-gaming-unauthorized-free-slots-20190417.html
Meadows Racetrack and Casino fined $12,500 for underage gaming violation
https://triblive.com/local/regional/meadows-racetrack-and-casino-fined-12500-for-underage-gaming-violation/
Sanidad
Pa. Supreme Court to take up AG Shapiro’s case against UPMC
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pa-supreme-court-to-take-up-ag-shapiros-case-against-upmc/
Geisinger Wyoming Valley receives rare national recognition
https://www.timesleader.com/news/740452/geisinger-wyoming-valley-receives-rare-national-recognition
Noticias locales
ACLU drops suit against county over public defender office
https://www.timesleader.com/news/740448/aclu-drops-suit-against-county-over-public-defender-office
Group’s endorsements cause confusion in W-B races
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/group-s-endorsements-cause-confusion-in-w-b-races-1.2471619
CFO: Lackawanna County should save $7.5 million by refinancing 2009 bonds
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cfo-lackawanna-county-should-save-7-5-million-by-refinancing-2009-bonds-1.2471512
Greenfield Twp. gets $2 million state loan for sewer upgrades
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/greenfield-twp-gets-2-million-state-loan-for-sewer-upgrades-1.2471483
Hazle planners OK HIP distribution site
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hazle-planners-ok-hip-distribution-site-1.2471572
Hempfield event pairs disabled children with adaptive devices, bikes
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/hempfield-event-pairs-disabled-children-with-adaptive-devices-bikes/
Alsace Township hopes to restructure fire company
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/alsace-hopes-to-restructure-fire-company
Editorial: Reading mayor needs to stop whining and serve the people
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-mayor-needs-to-stop-whining-and-serve-the-people
Commissioners OK comfort station for Radnor’s Emlen Tunnell Park
http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/mainlinesuburbanlife/commissioners-ok-comfort-station-for-radnor-s-emlen-tunnell-park/article_a8a35974-6108-11e9-80cc-7780f908420f.html
Plans in works to restore Hereford Manor lakes
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190417/plans-in-works-to-restore-hereford-manor-lakes
Noticias nacionales
Playing field is not level when female-identified transgender athletes compete with girls | Dom Giordano
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/transgender-athletes-girls-sports-success-title-ix-dom-giordano-20190418.html
Crisis de los opiáceos
Saving lives with Naloxone shouldn’t cost you life insurance | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/naloxone-life-insurance-narcan-overdose-opioid-20190418.html
Tamaqua schools get opioid program
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/tamaqua-schools-get-opioid-program-1.2471568
Filadelfia
Meet two advocates leading the charge for more funding for the Philly Free Library system
https://www.philly.com/news/free-library-budget-advocates-full-funding-campaign-20190418.html
Slow, but steady
https://www.philly.com/news/a/philadelphia-population-growth-census-south-jersey-20190418.html
Former Philly Mayor John Street’s criticism of Mayor Jim Kenney fueled by canceled city contract
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-mayor-jim-kenney-anthony-hardy-williams-alan-butkovitz-primary-20190418.html
Sherrie Cohen drops bid for Council to ‘heal LGBTQ community’
https://www.philly.com/news/sherrie-cohen-quit-city-council-race-lgbtq-politics-philadelphia-deja-lynn-alvarez-20190417.html
Why some Philadelphia neighborhoods are paying for their own park improvements | Inga Saffron
https://www.philly.com/columnists/philadelphia-parks-improvements-northern-liberties-fitler-square-kieran-timberlake-bryan-hanes-20190418.html
Philly DA to drop challenge in Mumia Abu-Jamal case, clearing appeal to reach high court
https://www.philly.com/news/mumia-abu-jamal-appeal-larry-krasner-withdraw-pennsylvania-supreme-court-20190417.html
Philly airport shifts plans for parking lot with mosque; taxi driver boycott likely averted
https://www.philly.com/transportation/philadelphia-airport-tax-strike-averted-mosque-20190417.html
A home on America’s oldest residential street with ‘Airbnb potential’ is for sale in Philly for $1.2 million
https://www.philly.com/real-estate/housing/elfreths-alley-philadelphia-home-for-sale-139-airbnb-oldest-residential-street-historic-preservation-20190417.html
Philadelphia ‘marijuana doctor’ suspended for ‘problematic pattern of cannabis use’
https://www.philly.com/business/weed/medical-marijuana-doctor-matthew-roman-weed-doc-license-revoked-20190417.html
Teen who killed Boys’ Latin student on South St. claims self-defense; prosecutor says, ‘Nonsense’
https://www.philly.com/news/south-street-shooting-easter-2018-zahmir-white-murder-trial-closings-william-bethel-boys-latin-20190417.html
A Philly family fought 40 years to turn drug-infested land into a garden. Then, it was sold at sheriff’s sale.
https://www.philly.com/news/philly-tax-foreclosure-sheriffs-sale-community-gardens-20190417.html
Philly elections officials won’t overturn controversial voting-machine decision
https://www.philly.com/politics/election/philadelphia-voting-machines-purchase-judges-city-commissioners-overturn-20190417.html
Global portal puts Philly students in the same room with people from distant and troubled lands
https://www.philly.com/education/conshohocken-aimacademy-gaza-nigeria-lesbos-refugees-portal-20190417.html
Philly’s Latinx girls need more mental health support | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/mental-health-latina-teens-philadelphia-schools-20190418.html
Philadelphia’s mayor urges delay on Safehouse injection site
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/04/kenney-urges-delay-on-safehouse-injection-site.php
Pitt
Conservatorship case: Eyesore elimination or exploitation?
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/04/16/Conservatorship-case-Eyesore-elimination-or-exploitation/stories/201904160136
Pittsburgh increases street-paving budget to $20 million for 2019
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/04/17/Pittsburgh-street-paving-pave-road-improvements-construction-budget/stories/201904170099
Will Pittsburgh pave your street this year?
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/will-pittsburgh-pave-your-street-this-year/
Another sign of Pittsburgh’s stagnant population: Sacramento has passed us
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/04/18/Census-population-Pittsburgh-metropolitan-Allegheny-county-loss-2018/stories/201904180079
NRA files for preliminary injunction halting Pittsburgh’s gun laws
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/04/17/NRA-institute-legislative-action-files-preliminary-injunction-pittsburgh-gun-control-laws-lawsuit/stories/201904170124
NRA seeks injunction to stop Pittsburgh from enforcing gun regulations
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/nra-seeks-court-injunction-to-stop-pittsburgh-from-enforcing-gun-regulations/
Dental volunteers sought for massive free clinic
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/04/17/dental-free-clinic-PPG-mission-of-mercy-dentists-volunteers-sought/stories/201904170101
Man sleeping in McKees Rocks dumpster tossed into garbage truck, loses prosthetic leg
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/man-in-mckees-rocks-dumpster-tossed-into-garbage-truck-loses-prosthetic-leg/
Noticias del Estado
Saint Vincent running coach becomes internet sensation after helping distressed runner at Boston Marathon
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/other-sports/2019/04/17/St-Vincent-running-coach-Boston-Marathon-finish-line-distressed-runner/stories/201904160124
Medical marijuana patient seeking Section 8 voucher loses in court
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/04/17/medical-marijuana-Mary-Cease-Section-8-federal-law-illegal-Indiana-court/stories/201904160131
PA ag secretary tours Unity farm wrapping its future around cheese
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pa-ag-secretary-tours-unity-farm-as-it-celebrates-future-in-cheese/
Westmoreland County could be region’s first to get water wells tested by feds
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/westmoreland-county-could-be-regions-first-to-get-water-wells-tested-by-feds/
South Scranton WWII medic meets survivor he helped rescue from train to Auschwitz
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/south-scranton-wwii-medic-meets-survivor-he-helped-rescue-from-train-to-auschwitz-1.2471713
Immigration drives growth in Berks County, new census numbers show
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/immigration-drives-growth-in-berks-county-new-census-numbers-show
More Pennsylvania counties losing population than gaining in latest Census estimates
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-population-estimates-2018-20190418-nbmmuz3dyvh5rgmeqblla5p43y-story.html
While Pa. agency defends closure of beloved hiking trail, many protest
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/while-pa-agency-defends-closure-of-beloved-hiking-trail-many-protest.html
Transporte
PA Turnpike checking whether it can borrow money to pay transit debt
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/04/17/Pennsylvania-turnpike-truckers-lawsuit-borrow-800-million-Port-Authority-SEPTA/stories/201904170122
Freight delays follow train derailment in Wyomissing
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/train-cars-derail-spill-trash-in-wyomissing
Washington
In Iowa, Pete Buttigieg says his presidential campaign is here for more than a ‘moment’
https://www.philly.com/news/pete-buttigieg-2020-president-campaign-iowa-mayor-south-bend-20190417.html
Pat Toomey and Guy Reschenthaler: Combating fentanyl requires a robust response
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2019/04/18/Pat-Toomey-Guy-Reschenthaler-Blocking-Deadly-Fentanyl-Imports-Act-opioid-crisis/stories/201904180073
Cartwright: Diplomacy, foreign assistance crucial to economy, security
https://www.timesleader.com/news/740456/cartwright-diplomacy-foreign-assistance-crucial-to-economy-security
Meuser still pressing for stormwater fee answers
https://www.timesleader.com/news/740438/meuser-still-pressing-for-stormwater-fee-answers