Legislatura
Pa. lawmakers concerned ‘guidance’ for schools could open the door to COVID-19 lawsuits
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pa-schools-reopening-guidance-coronavirus-lawsuits-20200819.html
Lawmaker: Pa. schools fear virus lawsuits, need protection
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/19/Lawmaker-Pa-schools-fear-lawsuits-need-protection/stories/202008190141
Pa. schools are worried about lawsuits if they ignore state COVID-19 guidance; ’Don’t let the fear envelop you,’ lawmaker says
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/pa-lawmaker-tells-schools-worried-about-lawsuits-resulting-from-ignoring-state-covid-19-related-guidance-dont-let-the-fear-envelope-you.html
Pennsylvania lawmakers question cabinet secretaries on reopening of schools
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/pennsylvania-lawmakers-question-cabinet-secretaries-on-reopening-of-schools/article_c62839b2-e256-11ea-b250-eb9fbffbea8b.html
‘Breonna’s Law’: Pa. legislator proposes legislation that would ban no-knock warrants
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/08/19/state-senators-bill-would-ban-no-knock-warrants-police/5608749002/
Bucks, Montco towns get nearly $3.4M in state grants for water and sewer improvements
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2020/08/19/bucks-montgomery-county-state-grants-water-and-sewer-improvements/3400548001/
Port Authority, SEPTA say they face service cuts without steady state funding
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/08/19/transportation-funding-PA-transit-agencies-cut-service-Port-Authority-COVID-19/stories/202008190132
Dark money mystery: Top Pa. lawmaker helped raise cash for nonprofit whose agenda is largely a secret
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pa-campaign-dark-money-growth-opportunity-fund-jake-corman-gop-20200820.html
Coronavirus - COVID-19
COVID-19 could make health care even more unaffordable for Americans, study finds
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-health-care-insurance-affordability-20200819.html
Unpaid utility bills are soaring in the pandemic. Consumer advocates fear mass shut-offs loom
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pennsylvania-covid-utility-shutoff-terminations-moratorium-puc-20200820.html
75% of young adults report anxiety or depression, and suicide thoughts rise as coronavirus pandemic wears on, CDC reports
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-mental-health-suicide-cdc-20200819.html
Hazleton Mayor: COVID-19 impacting youth
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/coronavirus/hazleton-mayor-covid-19-impacting-youth/article_d2259f53-4a81-580f-a6c4-5b9c9b3e36e9.html
Coronavirus cancels Pa. Farm Show, causes outbreak in Philly church; Murphy said Trump is fighting mail-in ballots to ‘undermine the election’
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-farm-show-drexel-remote-classes-church-outbreak-murphy-trump-mail-ballots-20200819.html
Community spread is driving COVID-19 case rate increases in York, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster and Berks counties
https://www.witf.org/2020/08/19/community-spread-is-driving-covid-19-case-rate-increases-in-york-dauphin-lancaster-and-berks-counties/
Coronavirus in Pa.: York County ‘stable’ despite record positive tests
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/08/19/coronavirus-pa-york-county-stable-despite-record-positive-tests/5613133002/
Montgomery County officials launch new coronavirus testing platform for faster results
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-officials-launch-new-coronavirus-testing-platform-for-faster-results/article_80996216-29ae-507b-98fc-a93dc875ae7a.html
Pennsylvania adds 570 coronavirus cases to its total
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-adds-570-coronavirus-cases-to-its-total/
COVID-19 Update: Allegheny County cases fall, but new deaths rise by 6
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/08/19/COVID-19-coronavirus-Allegheny-County-Western-Pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-47/stories/202008190081
Westmoreland County adds 18 new coronavirus cases, 1 new death
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-adds-18-new-coronavirus-cases-1-death/
No new NEPA COVID-19 deaths for fifth straight day
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/no-new-nepa-covid-19-deaths-for-fifth-straight-day/article_cc3b238c-97c9-5cbb-9b94-df74f5a5fb9a.html
38 more coronavirus cases for Berks County in Pennsylvania Department of Health reporting
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/38-more-coronavirus-cases-for-berks-county-in-pennsylvania-department-of-health-reporting/article_c16e85d4-e1bb-11ea-9744-cf94e68975ff.html
University of Scranton reports 12 people in isolation for COVID-19; three students tested positive
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/university-of-scranton-reports-12-people-in-isolation-for-covid-19-three-students-tested-positive/article_8fd7e51e-3a3e-516e-b409-5da8855577e7.html
Ten students, employee test positive for COVID-19 at Bloomsburg: report
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/08/ten-students-employee-test-positive-for-covid-19-at-bloomsburg-report.html
Empresas
More retailers are taking Thanksgiving Day off this year
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2020/08/20/holiday-shopping-stores-close-Thanksgiving-retailers-deals-Black-Friday-COVID-19/stories/202008200048
Hair stylists, barbers hope their industry will soon thrive again as struggle to survive continues for small businesses across Philly region
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/hair-stylists-barbers-hope-their-industry-will-soon-thrive-again-as-struggle-to-survive-continues/article_0b9bf644-e254-11ea-96c5-33e5c92ed44f.html
Delito/Castigo
Inmate charged in attack on Delco prison officer
https://www.inquirer.com/news/delaware-county-prison-attack-officer-20200819.html
Two dozen COVID-19 cases at Lancaster County Prison detected since Aug. 7
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/two-dozen-covid-19-cases-at-lancaster-county-prison-detected-since-aug-7/article_a30e36f0-e294-11ea-b374-437f77406f6b.html
Educación
‘Pandemic pods’ sprout in central Pa. as parents seek help managing their children’s online education
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/pandemic-pods-sprout-in-central-pa-as-parents-seek-help-managing-their-childrens-online-education.html
Exeter School District to furlough 90 support staff workers
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/exeter-school-district-to-furlough-90-support-staff-workers/article_7f8ee864-e244-11ea-8c37-fb489e271814.html
Virtual classes force staff furloughs in Chichester
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/virtual-classes-force-staff-furloughs-in-chichester/article_f22024f8-e25b-11ea-8f85-73c555e9ef06.html
Abington Heights cancels fall contact sports
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/sports/high-school/abington-heights-cancels-fall-contact-sports/article_6a0dbdb5-82db-58d9-b818-5b3dc6c42047.html
It’s back to class – in person or virtually – as schools begin opening around York County
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/08/20/york-adams-schools-begin-opening-changes-during-covid-19-pandemic/3399065001/
Gateway votes against hiring Mobile Health Services for daily temperature checks of students, staff
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/gateway-votes-against-hiring-mobile-health-services-for-daily-temperature-checks-of-students-staff/
Survey says: Some WPIAL ADs believe football should be moved to spring
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/highschool/2020/08/19/piaa-fall-sports-update-gov-wolf-recommendation-wpial-athletic-directors/stories/202008180114
Health department restrictions could force Allegheny County football teams elsewhere
https://tribhssn.triblive.com/health-department-restrictions-could-force-allegheny-county-football-teams-elsewhere/
PIAA football officials prepping for season despite declining membership, COVID-19 concerns
https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/football/2020/08/piaa-football-officials-prepping-for-season-despite-declining-membership-covid-19-concerns.html
‘We got as wet as everyone else’: Pa. teachers’ pension fund to dump billions in underperforming Wall Street investments
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/we-got-as-wet-as-everyone-else-pa-teachers-pension-fund-to-dump-billions-in-underperforming-wall-street-investments/
‘Let Our Kids Play in PA’ rally to be held at Capitol
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2020/08/20/let-our-kids-play-pa-rally-held-capitol/5614892002/
A new fall reality takes hold on Pennsylvania campuses; will precaution or parties win out?
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/20/University-of-Pittsburgh-COVID-19-health-pandemic-parties-fall-online-classes/stories/202008180129
Professors question Penn State reopening as study projects problems
https://triblive.com/local/regional/professors-question-penn-state-reopening-as-study-projects-problems/
Wilkes University students excited to start in-person classes
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-university-students-excited-to-start-in-person-classes/article_a0034131-468e-57fd-813d-6cbada415441.html
Students return to Kutztown University amid coronavirus worries
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/students-return-to-kutztown-university-amid-coronavirus-worries/article_0df2b266-e231-11ea-b6db-531e33f2b332.html
Elecciones/Política
Kamala Harris accepts Democratic nomination for vice president, urges voters to back Joe Biden
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/kamala-harris-vp-democratic-nomination-dnc-2020-20200819.html
Obama, in scathing Trump rebuke, warns democracy on the line
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/vote2020/2020/08/19/Obama-in-scathing-Trump-rebuke-warns-democracy-on-the-line/stories/202008190149
Presidential campaign lights to shine on NEPA today
https://www.timesleader.com/news/797504/presidential-campaign-lights-to-shine-on-nepa-today
Analysis: Trump visit all about tweaking Biden and winning Lackawanna
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/analysis-trump-visit-all-about-tweaking-biden-and-winning-lackawanna/article_ae870885-d12e-54ad-9127-9b3440d07840.html
Republican ex-Congressman Charlie Dent endorses Democrat Joe Biden for president
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-republican-charlie-dent-endorses-joe-biden-president-20200819-hgrfiuxxpngbfld2tsun2at2fi-story.html
Two views: Luzerne County women on opposite sides consider Harris’ impact
https://www.timesleader.com/news/797524/two-views-luzerne-county-women-with-strong-political-opinions-consider-harris-impact
Dave Reed and Patrick Murphy: Pennsylvania voters deserve a safe and secure 2020 election
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2020/08/20/Dave-Reed-and-Patrick-Murphy-Pennsylvania-voters-deserve-a-safe-and-secure-2020-election/stories/202008200028
Secure vote with county resources
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/secure-vote-with-county-resources/article_6200deff-b8ce-5276-9622-00bd673a4e0e.html
Poll workers are essential employees. We need to treat them that way | Mark O’Keefe
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/poll-workers-are-essential-employees-we-need-to-treat-them-that-way-mark-okeefe/
Noticias locales
Lackawanna County seeks $909K grant to provide rent, utility assistance
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/lackawanna-county-seeks-909k-grant-to-provide-rent-utility-assistance/article_91da5d4c-d963-51c5-8324-5a87ec6a7ddf.html
Former Scranton Mayor Bill Courtright agrees not to release identities of witnesses against him
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/crime-emergencies/former-scranton-mayor-bill-courtright-agrees-not-to-release-identities-of-witnesses-against-him/article_11a52477-10d8-550f-ab2e-adc121c6deee.html
Berks County officials warn that time is running out on census count
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-officials-warn-that-time-is-running-out-on-census-count/article_b93ad47a-e248-11ea-9357-ef7a766f5d79.html
Sparks fly as county council weighs school closures – and more
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/sparks-fly-as-county-council-weighs-school-closures—and-more/article_dec4bd6c-e277-11ea-9c4f-5f4cb4acffed.html
Grant adds water tank, litter carrier to Bradenville firefighters’ all-terrain vehicle
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/grant-adds-water-tank-litter-carrier-to-bradenville-firefighters-all-terrain-vehicle/
Noticias nacionales
Girl Scouts of the United States name first Black CEO
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/08/girl-scouts-of-the-united-states-name-first-black-ceo.html
Filadelfia
11 people wounded in shootings across Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-shootings-gun-violence-20200819.html
Amid COVID crisis, two Philly LGBTQ nonprofits merge to form new initiative for seniors
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/william-way-philadelphia-lgbtq-elders-intiative-merge-covid-trump-20200819.html
Restaurant owners eager to restart indoor dining await Philly’s decision
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-indoor-dining-reopening-coronavirus-20200819.html
LGBTQ teachers forced to balance schoolwork and staying safe
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/lgbtq-teachers-forced-to-balance-schoolwork-and-staying-safe/
On the $50M Ben Franklin/SLA project, Philly school district ignored warning signs, endangered students’ health
https://www.inquirer.com/education/ben-franklin-sla-construction-project-philadelphia-school-district-report-20200819.html
This Philly cobbler was hurting until a fellow business owner took to social media | Helen Ubiñas
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/ace-shoe-repair-philadelphia-business-coronavirus-covid-dollys-boutique-mount-airy-helen-ubinas-20200819.html
Pitt
Peduto listens to protesters’ concerns as demonstrations continue outside his home
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/08/19/Pittsburgh-protest-Mayor-Bill-Peduto-home-plainclothes-police-arrest/stories/202008190156
Peduto condemns protest demonstration outside his house
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/08/19/Bill-Peduto-condemns-protester-demonstration-outside-house-Hastings-Street-Pittsburgh/stories/202008190088
Lengthy protest at Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto’s house morphs into ‘unlawful assembly,’ pepper spray, 1 arrest
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/lengthy-protest-at-pittsburgh-mayor-pedutos-house-morphs-into-unlawful-assembly-pepper-spray-1-arrest/
A tool cops need
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/08/20/A-tool-cops-need/stories/202008200029
Pitt decides to delay in-person classes until mid-September
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/19/University-of-PIttsburgh-online-COVID-19-Provost-Ann-Cudd-parties-fall-health/stories/202008190099
‘Let me be clear’: Pitt dean admonishes students for partying during pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/let-me-be-clear-pitt-dean-admonishes-students-for-partying-during-pandemic/
‘We should give these kids hope’: PPS board member lobbies against fall sports postponement
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2020/08/19/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-board-fall-sports-season-students-Gallagher-PIAA-COVID/stories/202008190145
Allegheny County dealing with backlog of covid-19 hospitalization data
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-dealing-with-backlog-of-covid-19-hospitalization-data/
Commonwealth Court must hear gun owners’ challenge over Pittsburgh ban
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/commonwealth-court-must-hear-gun-owners-challenge-over-pittsburgh-ban/
Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh offers program for children during remote learning
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/jewish-community-center-of-greater-pittsburgh-offers-program-for-children-during-remote-learning/
Noticias del Estado
Grad student visited every Pennsylvania state park — 121 of them — in 303 days. Give that guy a bandanna.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/best-pennsylvania-state-parks-camping-hiking-trails-20200820.html
Pa. Supreme Court delays considering appeal of former Westmoreland Sheriff Jonathan Held
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pa-supreme-court-delays-considering-appeal-of-former-westmoreland-sheriff-jonathan-held/
Community groups can now mail naloxone under new Pa. standing order
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/community-groups-can-now-mail-naloxone-under-new-state-standing-order/
Pennsylvania troopers take on roles helping communities, police with racially charged crimes
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/state-troopers-take-on-roles-helping-communities-police-with-racially-charged-crimes/
Mosquito tests positive for West Nile virus in Forty Fort
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/mosquito-tests-positive-for-west-nile-virus-in-forty-fort/article_1009833c-ba71-5dc0-83cb-0e58fa7fe837.html
Next January’s PA Farm Show to be held online
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/next-januarys-pa-farm-show-to-be-held-online/
Gap in the D&L Trail between Allentown and Northampton will soon be bridged
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-dl-working-toward-expansion-20200820-iwcx2jdopvdjteqdku2l24j5tu-story.html
Beaver County municipalities join state climate change program
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/08/19/aliquippa-beaver-falls-and-monaca-join-pa-climate-change-program/3381546001/
Transporte
Better work-zone management, not cameras, will protect road workers
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/letters/better-work-zone-management-not-cameras-will-protect-road-workers/article_f456d822-1ade-5797-a167-1ad23668bd95.html
Washington
As labor unions rally behind Biden, Pa. congressmen claim fracking jobs are in jeopardy
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/08/19/Democratic-National-Convention-Joe-Biden-Kamala-Harris-Trump-Reschenthaler-labor-union/stories/202008200016
Cartwright, Meuser disagree on Postal Service controversy
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cartwright-meuser-disagree-on-postal-service-controversy/article_e5af92c8-73e1-500c-b56f-ac27b05df00b.html