Coronavirus - COVID-19
State task force releases report on disparity, with focus beyond just health
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/08/13/Health-disparty-task-force-announces-policy-recommendations-Pennsylvania-marginalized/stories/202008130162
Wolf administration task force releases health disparities report; ‘We’re not playing on a level playing field’
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-health-disparities-report-20200813-4ycaelrfkbbtjijtvxzlb3wu3e-story.html
Wolf administration task force offers slew of recommendations to close racial, economic disparities revealed by pandemic
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/wolf-administration-task-force-offers-slew-of-recommendations-to-close-racial-economic-disparities-revealed-by-pandemic/
Pa. bar and restaurant restrictions won’t go away anytime soon as focus on opening schools continues: Wolf
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/08/pa-bar-and-restaurant-restrictions-wont-go-away-anytime-soon-as-focus-on-opening-schools-continues-wolf.html
State warns of community spread in Philly, Delco as virus trends improve in other counties; city predicts fans won’t be allowed at Eagles opener
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-philly-nj-eagles-race-healthcare-contact-tracing-20200813.html
Toomey, Casey ask feds for more help, analysis of nursing homes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/08/13/Pat-Toomey-Bob-Casey-ask-federal-agencies-more-help-analysis-nursing-homes-COVID-19/stories/202008130185
Pennsylvania coronavirus fallout: Lehigh Valley restaurants on ‘life support’; Gov. Wolf stands by recommendation to halt youth sports until Jan. 1
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-restaurants-virus-limit-20200813-7wd6wdqyx5c4la2md3dxzc7d2y-story.html
Pennsylvania posts near-1,000 covid-19 case increase, largest thus far in Augus
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-posts-near-1000-covid-19-case-increase-largest-thus-far-in-august/
COVID-19 Update: Pa. sees 991 new cases, Pittsburgh region reports 258 more
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/08/13/COVID-19-data-allegheny-county-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-cases-deaths/stories/202008130131
Westmoreland County adds 13 new covid-19 cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-adds-13-new-covid-19-cases/
Region tops 40 new COVID-19 cases again with one death
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/region-tops-40-new-covid-19-cases-again-with-one-death/article_dd3db809-06db-5162-9266-5dd0ad98fa99.html
Turning anger into action: Minority students analyze COVID-19 data on racial disparities
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/racial-disparities-covid-19-student-nih-project-20200814.html
Legislatura
Local officials recognize award-winning intersection in Penn Township
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/local-officials-recognize-award-winning-intersection-in-penn-township/article_9f135bee-dda2-11ea-80f8-b3bc9eb1f6bd.html
Officials claim pipeline workers breached aquifer at Shoen Road in Chester County
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/officials-claim-pipeline-workers-breached-aquifer-at-shoen-road-in-chester-county/article_d78f2381-95c7-57b3-95a8-ac37ef9eaf66.html
Democrats, activists call for impeachment of Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/democrats-activists-call-for-impeachment-of-montgomery-county-commissioner-joe-gale/article_263f040a-00a1-5832-b624-47e903c39dc3.html
The pandemic proves why Pa. needs to update its tele-health laws | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/the-pandemic-proves-why-pa-needs-to-update-its-tele-health-laws-opinion/
Empresas
Small businesses wait for help as Congress stalls on loan program
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/08/14/small-business-loans-program-Pennsylvania-businesses-PPP-COVID-19/stories/202008140009
Pawn shops fall on hard times as products dry up and customers are flush with cash
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2020/08/14/pawn-shops-items-sell-loan-money-customers-cash-COVID-19-Pittsburgh-area/stories/202008140027
As deadline approaches, restaurants vary on defying Wolf’s capacity order, other restrictions
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/as-deadline-approaches-restaurants-vary-on-defying-wolfs-capacity-order-other-restrictions/
Philly-area congresswoman seeks answers on bogus report of PPP loan to long-closed Buca di Beppo restaurant in Wynnewood
https://www.inquirer.com/news/ppp-wynnewood-buca-di-beppo-scanlon-coronavirus-relief-loan-trump-mnuchin-20200813.html
Dollar General proposal not well received in Upper Burrell
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/dollar-general-proposal-not-well-received-in-upper-burrell/
Restaurant owners face uncertainty as pandemic continues: Is it ‘worth it to be in business?’
https://www.pennlive.com/reopeningpa/2020/08/restaurant-owners-face-uncertainty-as-pandemic-continues-is-it-worth-it-to-be-in-business.html
Delito/Castigo
Statistics detail restraint chair use in Luzerne County prison
https://www.timesleader.com/news/796654/statistics-detail-restraint-chair-use-in-luzerne-county-prison
First portion of Mackey jail video will be released soon, attorney says
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/first-portion-of-mackey-jail-video-will-be-released-soon-attorney-says/article_1b8f98aa-f894-589b-a1ba-7bc75c6db0a9.html
Pedri seeking options for independent review of Mackey case
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/pedri-seeking-options-for-independent-review-of-mackey-case/article_6d723101-04a0-511a-9617-f370c402b025.html
Our Opinion: DA Salavantis, stop blocking state probe in the Mackey case
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/editorial/our-opinion-da-salavantis-stop-blocking-state-probe-in-the-mackey-case/article_01e94eff-ea76-5afb-bb18-e317153637ea.html
High-profile criminal trials headed to arena
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/high-profile-criminal-trials-headed-to-arena/article_5f434fed-055a-5a66-b5b5-c23fefba6200.html
Dozens of clergy sex abuse lawsuits filed in Allegheny, Westmoreland courts as possible deadline looms
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/dozens-of-clergy-sex-abuse-lawsuits-filed-in-allegheny-westmoreland-courts-as-possible-deadline-looms-2-years-after-report/
Educación
Reopening schools amid COVID-19 is hugely complex and perilous. Are school board members up to the task?
https://www.inquirer.com/business/school-reopenings-pa-nj-council-rock-covid-virus-cdc-infections-fear-20200814.html
Conrad Weiser plans to reopen schools in person
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/conrad-weiser-plans-to-reopen-schools-in-person/article_ba4d69b0-dd9b-11ea-b545-07b70a658b95.html
Hamburg School District opting for a full reopening of schools
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/hamburg-school-district-opting-for-a-full-reopening-of-schools/article_acf4f332-dda5-11ea-8428-33dd3ce6dc4a.html
Educators weigh risks of teaching in-person during a pandemic: ‘rolling the dice’
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/educators-weigh-risks-of-teaching-in-person-during-a-pandemic-rolling-the-dice/article_ba9153ae-ddd3-11ea-8aab-57402739c5f1.html
Greater Nanticoke Area sticking with hybrid plan, for now
https://www.timesleader.com/news/796624/greater-nanticoke-area-sticking-with-hybrid-plan-for-now
Mt. Lebanon School Board moves ahead with full remote learning for first 9 weeks
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/13/Mt-Lebanon-School-Board-vote-approve-remote-learning-plan-first-9-weeks-meeting/stories/202008130206
Muhlenberg School District narrowly passes anti-racism and equity resolution
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/muhlenberg-school-district-narrowly-passes-anti-racism-and-equity-resolution/article_e5e21e2e-ddad-11ea-9222-9369c7bce6da.html
Gov. Wolf reiterates fall sports recommendation; PIAA wants to talk options
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/highschool/2020/08/13/PIAA-letter-to-tom-wolf-high-school-sports/stories/202008130158
Wolf standing firm regarding fall sports
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/sports/high-school/wolf-standing-firm-regarding-fall-sports/article_be9646bc-0bc2-583d-a236-a8e3a2c8fbfb.html
Special-ed students at risk of falling behind amid school reopening plans | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/special-education-coronavirus-covid-school-reopening-philadelphia-pennsylvania-20200813.html
Under fire, Alonso resigns from Interboro School Board
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/under-fire-alonso-resigns-from-interboro-school-board/article_6431520a-ddb7-11ea-936e-d31aced127d0.html
Philly-area college students signed leases months ago for fall housing. Now, many aren’t coming to campus but are legally required to pay.
https://www.inquirer.com/education/college-students-rent-leases-landlords-coronavirus-philadelphia-20200814.html
Elecciones/Política
USPS says Pennsylvania mail ballots may not be delivered on time, and state warns of ‘overwhelming’ risk to voters
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-mail-voting-deadlines-post-office-lawsuit-20200813.html
Postal Service problems fuel concern among Berks residents ahead of election
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/postal-service-problems-fuel-concern-among-berks-residents-ahead-of-election/article_fe3d6f62-dd73-11ea-8066-ebc6dd7f7757.html
Pennsylvania asks court to extend mail-in voting deadlines
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/pennsylvania-asks-court-to-extend-mail-in-voting-deadlines.html
Sanidad
Highmark CEO: Covid-19 pandemic has not deterred growth across Pa., neighboring states
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/highmark-ceo-covid-19-pandemic-has-not-deterred-growth-across-pa-neighboring-states/
Tower Health rehab in West Reading closing; it was critical for people in recovery, officials say
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/tower-health-rehab-in-west-reading-closing-it-was-critical-for-people-in-recovery-officials/article_e5295e00-d350-11ea-a515-335370dffce3.html
Noticias locales
Insurer sues Scranton parking garage to recoup $110,000 for water damage of adjoining Lackawanna County building
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/insurer-sues-scranton-parking-garage-to-recoup-110-000-for-water-damage-of-adjoining-lackawanna/article_31410f14-b156-5fd8-a346-6721f2705c2d.html
Scranton civil service rule change seeks to attract more police candidates
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-civil-service-rule-change-seeks-to-attract-more-police-candidates/article_ad8778ff-c7df-52b3-b80f-53c725b1ca2f.html
Scranton invokes extension in response to newspaper’s Right-to-Know requests
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-invokes-extension-in-response-to-newspapers-right-to-know-requests/article_e2a35403-c87b-5b96-915f-4ec628d35233.html
Community foundation grant bolsters Electric City Connection project
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/community-foundation-grant-bolsters-electric-city-connection-project/article_087e3cc4-ca9b-5330-a262-c37f7d2d844a.html
3 housing programs in Berks County get combined $475,000 in state funding
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/3-housing-programs-in-berks-county-get-combined-475-000-in-state-funding/article_77033f88-dd94-11ea-a8f1-f3654672eb43.html
Reading firefighter placed on administrative leave over racially insensitive social media posts, officials say
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-firefighter-placed-on-administrative-leave-over-racially-insensitive-social-media-posts-officials-say/article_b38abef0-dcf3-11ea-9fe4-a38f8d3fda3f.html
Police Review Board still a hot topic for Wilkes-Barre City Council
https://www.timesleader.com/news/796651/police-review-board-still-a-hot-topic-for-wilkes-barre-city-council
Fawn police email account hacked, recipients should disregard messages
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/fawn-police-email-account-hacked-recipients-should-disregard-messages/
Noticias nacionales
EPA announces controversial rules on methane emissions
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/08/13/EPA-announces-controversial-methane-emissions-rules-climate-change-environment-pollution/stories/202008130188
EPA relaxes greenhouse gas emission limits on oil and gas industry
https://triblive.com/news/world/epa-expected-to-undo-methane-leak-rule-for-oil-gas-industry/
In Pittsburgh, Trump’s EPA announces methane rule rollback for gas wells, pipelines
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/in-pittsburgh-trumps-epa-announces-methane-rule-rollback-for-gas-wells-pipelines/
The coronavirus recession is over for the rich, but the working class is far from recovered
https://www.inquirer.com/economy/coronavirus-economy-recovery-working-class-20200814.html
Filadelfia
As the state investigates ‘heinous abuse,’ Philly Council calls for removal of children from Devereux
https://www.inquirer.com/news/devereux-sex-abuse-trafficking-governor-wolf-investigation-philadelphia-city-council-20200813.html
After a police shootout in Tioga, a traumatized community began to heal. A year later, COVID has changed everything.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/a/tioga-philadelphia-coronavirus-covid-19-police-shootout-recovery-20200814.html
Mask-refusing Philly judge has respiratory issue, spokesperson says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/judge-20200813.html
As gun violence surges, Philly officials tell parents to take responsibility for firearms in their homes
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/as-gun-violence-surges-philly-officials-tell-parents-to-take-responsibility-for-firearms-in-their-homes/
Philadelphia Tribune workers may strike over unsafe conditions during pandemic
https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-tribune-workers-threaten-strike-unsafe-conditions-covid-19-masks-union-1199c-20200813.html
A Philly police ‘courtesy tow’ landed a lawyer in handcuffs for ‘stealing’ her own car
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-ppa-courtesy-tow-police-advisory-commission-oversight-reform-ppd-20200814.html
Philly says it’s catching up on trash and recycling. But one neighborhood is fed up and renting trucks.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-trash-recycling-collection-delays-west-passyunk-20200813.html
How to fight a traffic ticket in Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/news/traffic-ticket-parking-ppd-philadelphia-20200811.html
Pitt
For Black female leaders in Pittsburgh, Kamala Harris’ fight feels familiar
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/08/14/Kamala-Harris-Black-women-Pittsburgh-first-Black-woman-VP-Biden-race/stories/202008130151
PPS suspends Taylor Allderdice girls soccer practice after player tests positive for COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-soccer/2020/08/13/Taylor-Allderdice-High-School-girls-soccer-team-player-tests-positive-COVID-19/stories/202008130203
Down to just 50 employees, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust faces $6 million deficit
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2020/08/14/Pittsburgh-Cultural-Trust-COVID-19-cultural-district-closed-theaters-galleries-layoffs/stories/202008120125
How to monitor restaurant safety
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/08/14/How-to-monitor-restaurant-safety/stories/202008120034
At teachers’ urging, Pittsburgh diocese delays start date for elementary schools
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/13/Pittsburgh-Catholic-elementary-schools-start-date-pushed-back-delay-teachers-covid-19/stories/202008130177
Man transported to hospital after shooting in Pittsburgh’s Elliott neighborhood
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/man-transported-to-hospital-following-shooting-in-pittsburghs-elliott-neighborhood/
Pittsburgh police: Man shot multiple times in Hazelwood
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-police-man-shot-multiple-times-in-hazelwood/
Noticias del Estado
Extending statewide moratorium on utility shut-offs is the right call amid pandemic and recession | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/pennsylvania-coronavirus-recession-utility-shutoff-moratorium-20200814.html
Large crowds taking toll on Pennsylvania state parks
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/large-crowds-taking-a-toll-on-pennsylvania-state-parks/
Carson, LaBelle, Stein among Pennsylvania’s inspiring women
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200814/carson-labelle-stein-among-pennsylvaniarsquos-inspiring-women
Officials to treat Taylor industrial park for spotted lanternflies
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/officials-to-treat-taylor-industrial-park-for-spotted-lanternflies/article_c44fd98a-d989-570f-af1d-c9fcd660c962.html
Washington
Fact-checking Mike Pence’s claim that Trump has added thousands of manufacturing jobs in Pa.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/trump-pence-pennsylvania-manufacturing-jobs-fact-check-20200813.html