Legislatura
About half of Pa. counties took a week to count election results. Lehigh Valley elections officials support proposed changes to fix that.
https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-pa-mail-in-ballot-improvements-20200804-ulus76xthveyneuamikpacnutu-story.html
Republican lawmaker calls police after ‘aggressive and belligerent’ call with Democratic colleague over LGBTQ bill
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/republican-lawmaker-calls-police-after-aggressive-and-belligerent-call-with-democratic-colleague-over-lgbtq-bill/
Toohil takes part in hearing on effect of COVID-19 on mental health
https://www.timesleader.com/news/795195/toohil-takes-part-in-hearing-on-effect-of-covid-19-on-mental-health
Rep. Diamond: ‘Being transgender is not a vaccination against criticism’ for Dr. Levine
https://www.ldnews.com/story/opinion/2020/08/04/rep-diamond-dont-care-whether-dr-levine-transgender/3292401001/
Coronavirus - COVID-19
‘Good news’ on coronavirus case totals in Philly; Delaware students will get hybrid or virtual educations this fall
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-philly-cases-decreasing-delaware-schools-reopening-nj-young-20200804.html
Allegheny County reports more than 100 new cases of COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/08/04/Allegheny-County-COVID-19-data-new-cases-deaths-pennsylvania-pittsburgh/stories/202008040083
The coronavirus positivity rate for Berks County again high at over 8%
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/the-coronavirus-positivity-rate-for-berks-county-again-high-at-over-8/article_8c6c2414-d648-11ea-8af0-abdcc6d5896a.html
Westmoreland County has smallest increase in new covid-19 cases since June
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-has-smallest-increase-in-new-covid-19-cases-since-june/
14 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Luzerne County; 854 statewide
https://www.timesleader.com/news/795113/14-new-covid-19-cases-confirmed-in-luzerne-county-854-statewide
Montgomery County reports 2 coronavirus deaths over 7-day period
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-reports-2-coronavirus-deaths-over-7-day-period/article_8a6f49b7-946a-5317-b0a0-940a84d6ff06.html
Region sees first COVID-19 deaths in almost a week
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/region-sees-first-covid-19-deaths-in-almost-a-week/article_a56a2ef4-1fee-585c-b0f0-a3453acef795.html
Nursing home COVID-19 cases spike in Allegheny County
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2020/08/04/ManorCare-COVID-19-cases-Allegheny-nursing-home-residents-staff-PA-Health-Dept/stories/202008040118
Administración
Pa. secretary of education set to leave post for new job in Lancaster
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/04/Pennsylvania-Secretary-Education-Pedro-Rivera-resigns-new-job-Thaddeus-Stevens-Lancaster/stories/202008040113
Pa. education secretary will step down in October to lead Lancaster technical college
https://www.inquirer.com/education/spl/pedro-rivera-pennsylvania-education-secretary-stepping-down-20200804.html
Casey, Wolf call for renewal of $600 additional unemployment payment
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200804/casey-wolf-call-for-renewal-of-600-additional-unemployment-payment
Restaurants and bars banding together to give Gov. Wolf an ultimatum
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/restaurants-and-bars-banding-together-to-give-gov-wolf-an-ultimatum-thursday/
Empresas
Months later, some still wait for unemployment money
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/months-later-some-still-wait-for-unemployment-money/article_5e81445e-b619-57ac-89ac-b0e19b36c405.html
$2.65M in CARES Act funding announced for NEPA small businesses
https://www.timesleader.com/news/795201/2-65m-in-cares-act-funding-announced-for-nepa-small-businesses
Distilleries raced to make hand sanitizer for the pandemic. No longer.
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/08/05/Distilleries-Make-Hand-Sanitizer-Pandemic/stories/202008050049
The 20 largest layoffs in Pa. so far this year: hotels, casinos, hospitals and more
https://www.pennlive.com/business/2020/08/from-hotels-to-casinos-resorts-and-a-hospital-here-are-the-20-largest-layoffs-in-pa-in-the-first-six-months-of-2020.html
Massive Berks County warehouse gets its tenant: Amazon, which is planning to hire more than 1,000 workers
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-amazon-fulfillment-center-west-of-lehigh-valley-hamburg-berks-20200805-v4och6ylwjbsncjvoextizvecm-story.html
The kegs are kicked: Here’s why the COVID pandemic has been costly for Pa. craft brewers
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/08/05/pa-craft-breweries-battle-coronavirus-restrictions-lost-draft-sales/5461082002/
Shell: 17 new COVID cases at cracker plant, 14 active
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200804/shell-17-new-covid-cases-at-cracker-plant-14-active
Delito/Castigo
Less than half of the Lehigh Valley’s police departments have any kind of accreditation
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-police-accreditation-lehigh-valley-20200802-z2go2rqzlfgctiymf7obvj2vma-story.html
Only two prison inmates have tested coronavirus-positive in the last 70 days
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/only-two-prison-inmates-have-tested-coronavirus-positive-in-the-last-70-days/article_8b8ba71c-d68a-11ea-b56b-5761333b2290.html
Educación
On the fence: Teachers, excited to get back in the classroom, remain concerned about coronavirus risks
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/on-the-fence-teachers-excited-to-get-back-in-the-classroom-remain-concerned-about-coronavirus-risks.html
Scranton parents say no ‘right answer’ exists for return to school
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-parents-say-no-right-answer-exists-for-return-to-school/article_aa5d22bc-47d6-54d0-90bd-c03992bdf728.html
Hanover Area to be 100% online through September
https://www.timesleader.com/news/795174/hanover-area-to-be-100-online-through-september
Exeter School District will start classes virtually
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/exeter-school-district-will-start-classes-virtually/article_c02b86dc-d6b1-11ea-b399-c3723a41e375.html
Antietam School District will hold all classes virtually through October
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/antietam-school-district-will-hold-all-classes-virtually-through-october/article_4319fdc8-d656-11ea-95cd-63e786bf1c82.html
School District of Lancaster to start school year fully online, pivoting from original hybrid reopening plan
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/school-district-of-lancaster-to-start-school-year-fully-online-pivoting-from-original-hybrid-reopening/article_9cd36180-d6b3-11ea-94d0-2f48082ede6b.html
Franklin Regional pushes back start date, modifies reopening plans
https://triblive.com/local/murrysville/franklin-regional-pushes-back-start-date-modifies-reopening-plans/
Bethel Park scraps full in-person learning, leaning toward some in-school days, some days online
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/bethel-park-scraps-full-in-person-learning-leaning-toward-some-in-school-days-some-days-online/
Newport School District to go back to school in person, five days a week this fall
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/newport-school-district-to-go-back-to-school-in-person-five-days-a-week-this-fall.html
Chester County Health Department issues school guidance
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/chester-county-health-department-issues-school-guidance/article_b365824a-d698-11ea-b7de-8b6a6d9c42d0.html
Op-Ed: Pa.’s schools are left with few good options and little help
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/2020/08/05/op-ed-pa-s-schools-left-few-good-options-and-little-help/5580918002/
Uniontown school district says no to fall contact sports
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2020/08/04/uniontown-cancels-football-fall-contact-sports-2020-covid-19-pandemic-wpial/stories/202008040089
High school bands eager to march on through pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/high-school-bands-eager-to-march-on-through-pandemic/
EPC’s delay on fall sports is official: no football games until Oct. 2
https://www.mcall.com/sports/mc-spt-epc-fall-sports-vote-20200804-j32itf5z75agzneww26az6cxeu-story.html
No school, no sports
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/08/05/No-school-no-sports/stories/202008010011
Local colleges pave the way for international students to start studies in their home countries, given visa restrictions
https://www.inquirer.com/news/international-student-ice-lehigh-penn-state-20200804.html
Lincoln, Cheyney share $3 million award in COVID-19 relief
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/state_and_region/lincoln-cheyney-share-3-million-award-in-covid-19-relief/article_2541be21-d2cf-5f73-89df-eb91dc395b9f.html
Kutztown University reopening plan criticized in letter circulating online
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/kutztown-university-reopening-plan-criticized-in-letter-circulating-online/article_f691d57a-d65f-11ea-8d78-9b50223e555c.html
About 1,000 Kutztown University faculty, others see flaws in reopening plan, press for moving fall classes online
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/about-1000-kutztown-university-faculty-others-finds-flaws-in-reopening-plan-presses-for-moving-all-fall-classes-online.html
Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons is expected to opt out of the 2020 season: Report
https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/2020/08/penn-state-linebacker-micah-parsons-is-expected-to-opt-out-of-the-2020-season-report.html
Elecciones/Política
Biden is trying to have it both ways on fracking. That could cost him in Pa. | Mark O’Keefe
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/biden-is-trying-to-have-it-both-ways-on-fracking-that-could-cost-him-in-pa-mark-okeefe/
Luzerne County Manager C. David Pedri “shocked” to be mentioned in White House media briefing
https://www.timesleader.com/news/795140/luzerne-county-manager-c-david-pedri-shocked-to-be-mentioned-in-white-house-media-briefing
In Kansas primaries, Kobach loses GOP Senate race as incumbent Rep. Watkins is defeated
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/08/04/Kansas-primary-Kobach-Marshall-GOP-Senate-race-Watkins-Republican-House-election/stories/202008040157
Wanted: Young people to work the polls this November
https://www.witf.org/2020/08/05/wanted-young-people-to-work-the-polls-this-november/
Sanidad
Health clinic for homeless in need of help
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/health-clinic-for-homeless-in-need-of-help/article_c4ee96a4-a8df-578e-837e-e5bb84c50a88.html
Isaias
Isaias leaves destruction and thousands in Philly region without power: ‘The worst … is yet to come’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/hurricane-isaias-tornadoes-tropical-storm-philadelphia-shore-power-outages-20200804.html
Hundreds of thousands lose power across Philly area as Isaias lashes region
https://www.inquirer.com/weather/peco-outages-philadelphia-hurricane-isaias-tropical-storm-pseg-20200804.html
tornadoes confirmed from Isaias, including in Bucks and Montgomery counties
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-tornadoes-confirmed-20200805-mmhvzb5ptjfetj5rfgdnn7nvxe-story.html
Isaias brings flooding, power loss and chaos to Delaware County
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/isaias-brings-flooding-power-loss-and-chaos-to-delaware-county/article_8a59bcee-d658-11ea-9fd0-ef380bcf87c7.html
Noticias locales
Cognetti makes personnel moves, plans structural changes in 2021 budget
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cognetti-makes-personnel-moves-plans-structural-changes-in-2021-budget/article_a19c2861-28f3-5700-9c44-e0d835fc71a7.html
Tarentum increases fine for excessive police calls to at least $300
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tarentum-increases-fine-for-excessive-police-calls-to-at-least-300/
O’Hara Council: Squaw Valley Park is now O’Hara Township Community Park
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/ohara-council-squaw-valley-park-is-now-called-ohara-township-community-park/
Some community yard sales proceed, others are scrapped, amid pandemic concerns
https://triblive.com/local/regional/some-community-yard-sales-proceed-others-are-scrapped-amid-pandemic-concerns/
Westmoreland sheriff uses antibody tests to screen deputies for coronavirus
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-sheriff-uses-antibody-tests-to-screen-deputies-for-coronavirus/
Greensburg plans 5 Star Trail renovations
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-plans-5-star-trail-renovations/
Weekly COVID meetings resume in Greater Hazleton
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/weekly-covid-meetings-resume-in-greater-hazleton/article_1b6adcfd-09e3-501e-9e27-10bccbbcdeda.html
Resolution withdrawn: Allentown City Council won’t vote Wednesday to censure Siegel, Gerlach
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-city-council-censure-resolution-no-vote-wednesday-20200804-pgtdrmfprzgqrlc2byaws3zfji-story.html
Lancaster County will not open police communications for public listening, commissioners decide
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-county-will-not-open-police-communications-for-public-listening-commissioners-decide/article_6e7a7640-d6d4-11ea-ab97-8bc74b380ede.html
Noticias nacionales
Minneapolis commission takes up proposal to disband police
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/08/05/Minneapolis-commission-takes-up-proposal-to-disband-police-George-Floyd/stories/202008050074
Colorado police apologize over viral video of cops handcuffing Black girls in a mistaken stop
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/colorado-police-pull-over-black-family-mistake-20200804.html
U.S. appeals court: New policy on immigrants already does harm
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-immigration-green-cards-federal-appeals-court-20200804.html
Filadelfia
Once-homeless Philly families are squatting in city-owned houses. PHA wants them out.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pha-squatters-homeless-vacant-houses-20200805.html
Rethinking SEPTA’s Regional Rail could benefit Philly’s neighborhoods | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/septa-regional-rail-petition-expanded-service-philly-neighborhoods-20200805.html
Philly start-up MedCoShare aims to create the city’s first coworking space for medical practices
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/medical-offices-philadelphia-startup-medcoshare-appointments-coworking-ama-20200805.html
Legislators concerned about Kenney administration’s lack of an official plan for rebooting economy
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/legislators-concerned-about-kenney-administrations-lack-of-an-official-plan-for-rebooting-economy/article_d451eff7-c92b-5ab4-8c3c-dc10419e8a94.html
Lemonade kid Micah Harrigan has a new spot and will get sweet gifts from Splenda
https://www.inquirer.com/food/micah-harrigan-lemonade-young-entrepreneur-splenda-south-philly-20200804.html
Whether we march or not, don’t think we don’t grieve for Zamar Jones, the latest child gun violence victim | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/zamar-jones-jenice-armstrong-boy-killed-philadelphia-20200804.html
Vine Street Expressway, SEPTA Regional Rail shut down because of unsecured barge
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/vine-street-expressway-septa-schuylkill-barge-20200804.html
Reducing Philly’s trash requires big change. Here’s how we can start. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/trash-philadelphia-sanitation-workers-city-council-reduce-waste-20200804.html
Pitt
Children’s Museum cuts 129 employees, won’t reopen until January
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/08/05/Childrens-Museum-of-Pittsburgh-layoffs-COVID-19/stories/202008050014
Pittsburgh Public Schools wants all teachers, staff back in buildings by early October
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/04/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-district-teachers-staff-return-buildings-October-COVID/stories/202008040150
Man critically injured in Wilkinsburg shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/08/04/Man-critically-injured-Wilkinsburg-shooting-1/stories/202008040117
City, AFSME local reach six-year collective bargaining agreement
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/08/04/Pittsburgh-AFSME-Local-2719-reach-six-year-collective-bargaining-agreement/stories/202008040084
Two weeks in, restaurant inspection team targets those not following the rules
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/08/05/Allegheny-County-Health-Department-restaurant-inspections-violations-COVID-masks/stories/202008040135
Allegheny Land Trust receives more grant funding toward acquisition of former Churchill Country Club
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-land-trust-receives-more-grant-funding-toward-acquisition-of-former-churchill-country-club/
Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Fest canceled
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/heinz-field-kickoff-and-rib-fest-canceled/
Why does it look like PGH cops are arresting as many BLM protesters as possible?
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/pgh-cops-have-arrested-dozens-of-blm-protesters-over-the-past-few-months-including-prominent-organizers-and-they-dont-seem-to-be-slowing-down/
Noticias del Estado
MotoAmerica will race in front of fans this weekend at Beaver County track
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/other-sports/2020/08/04/MotoAmerica-PittRace-Pittsburgh-Superbikes-motorcycle-racing-2020-roadracing/stories/202008030077
USDA: ‘Mystery seeds’ include common plants, herbs but still should not be opened
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/usda-mystery-seeds-include-common-plants-and-herbs-but-still-should-not-be-opened/
Interim reprieve for renters
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/interim-reprieve-for-renters/article_52a4a3e6-ef87-5397-96c4-c2b9215823d7.html
Where have 165 cases of rabies been found in Pennsylvania?
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/08/where-have-165-cases-of-rabies-been-found-in-pennsylvania.html
Washington
Trump signs $3B-a-year plan to boost conservation, parks
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/national-parks-great-american-outdoors-act-20200804.html
Noticias del mundo
Lebanese confront devastation after massive Beirut explosion killed at least 100
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2020/08/05/Lebanese-confront-devastation-after-massive-Beirut-explosion-killed/stories/202008050073