Legislatura
New program offers emergency assistance for renters and homeowners
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/coronavirus/new-program-offers-emergency-assistance-for-renters-and-homeowners/article_05bf2088-f7c8-51be-80f7-7bcd9035fab8.html
Gov. Tom Wolf signs a bill that makes it easier for Pa. state universities to consolidate or affiliate
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-state-system-universities-consolidate-west-chester-indiana-20200701.html
Pa. builds on second-chance reforms for ex-offenders by easing employment barriers
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/pa-builds-on-second-chance-reforms-for-ex-offenders-by-easing-employment-barriers.html
As fireworks complaints rise, state could allow Scranton to ban fireworks
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/crime-emergencies/as-fireworks-complaints-rise-state-could-allow-scranton-to-ban-fireworks/article_3b6ea7c0-d112-5452-a716-8e2e462d4a03.html
Lowering the boom on Erie’s fireworks
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200702/lowering-boom-on-eriersquos-fireworks
Baker: Senate bills will help restore confidence in police
https://www.timesleader.com/news/790088/baker-senate-bills-will-help-restore-confidence-in-police
Let Pennsylvania cities ban fireworks. Then let them regulate guns.
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-pennsylvania-fireworks-law-muschick-20200702-jti555f4nfemroin4kdor2vuti-story.html
After weeks of nightly fireworks, it’s time to tighten Pa.’s laws | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/fireworks-philadelphia-illegal-law-20200701.html
As COVID-19 continues, expanding Clean Slate legislation will help people in need | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/clean-slate-legislation-records-sealed-pennsylvania-covid-19-recovery-20200701.html
Religious school ruling doesn’t change issue
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/religious-school-ruling-doesnt-change-issue/article_6b9bf89b-e66c-5a99-afdc-3bdb79aea119.html
Our declaration of independence: Pa. wants redistricting reform. Lawmakers have failed to listen | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/our-declaration-of-independence-pa-wants-redistricting-reform-lawmakers-have-failed-to-listen-opinion/
Coronavirus - COVID-19
GOP can’t force Gov. Tom Wolf to end coronavirus disaster declaration, Pa. Supreme Court rules
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/07/01/GOP-can-t-force-Gov-Tom-Wolf-to-end-coronavirus-disaster-declaration-Pa-Supreme-Court-rules/stories/202007010156
Pennsylvania high court turns down lawmakers’ bid to end shutdown
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-high-court-turns-down-lawmakers-bid-to-end-shutdown/
Pa. Republican leaders rebuke court decision that ‘essentially granted the governor king status’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/pa-republican-leaders-rebuke-court-decision-that-essentially-granted-the-governor-king-status.html
Pa. Supreme Court throws out GOP challenge to Wolf’s COVID-19 emergency order
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/pa-supreme-court-throws-out-gop-challenge-to-wolfs-covid-19-emergency-order/
Pennsylvania mandates masks for anyone who leaves their home amid COVID-19 spike
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/07/01/pa-masks-required-anyone-who-leaves-home-covid-19-cases-increase-pennsylvania/stories/202007010145
New Pennsylvania mask order requires everyone to wear one whenever leaving home in certain circumstances
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-pa-mask-order-levine-20200701-ser6ub5mozeftn4oxis2mh5wma-story.html
‘Overreach’ or life-saver? Gov. Wolf’s enhanced mask-wearing order draws mixed opinions
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/overreach-or-life-saver-gov-wolfs-enhanced-mask-wearing-order-draws-mixed-opinions.html
What we know, don’t know about Pa.’s expanded facemask order: Enforcement, dining with a mask, more
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/what-we-know-dont-know-about-pas-expanded-facemask-order-enforcement-dining-with-a-mask-more.html
Wolf administration orders mandatory masks for public spaces
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/wolf-administration-orders-mandatory-masks-for-public-spaces/
Pennsylvania makes masks mandatory — even outdoors
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-makes-masks-mandatory-even-outdoors/
Public reaction split on new Pennsylvania mask mandate
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/public-reaction-split-on-new-pennsylvania-mask-mandate/article_627a3f20-a616-57f2-965c-5665f075c132.html
Upturn in Harrisburg region COVID cases surely contributed to Wolf expanding face mask rule
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/upturn-in-harrisburg-region-covid-cases-surely-contributed-to-wolf-expanding-face-mask-rule.html
Gov. Tom Wolf mandates wearing masks in public as Pa. and N.J. prepare to reopen attractions
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-deaths-cases-pennsylvania-new-jersey-tom-wolf-masks-phil-murphy-20200701.html
Mask mandate: Pa. order comes amid uptick in cases
https://www.timesleader.com/top-stories/790074/mask-mandate-pa-order-comes-amid-uptick-in-cases
110 new coronavirus cases reported in Allegheny County, 1 death
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/110-new-cases-of-coronavirus-in-allegheny-county-1-death/
Westmoreland County logs double-digit covid-19 cases for 3rd time this week
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-logs-double-digit-spike-in-covid-19-cases-for-third-time-in-this-week/
32 new coronavirus cases for Berks, most in a month as state numbers continue to climb
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/32-new-coronavirus-cases-for-berks-most-in-a-month-as-state-numbers-continue-to/article_c0127676-bb98-11ea-8fe0-8b4fabe8fff6.html
Region sees 11 new COVID-19 cases, two new deaths
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/region-sees-11-new-covid-19-cases-two-new-deaths/article_8e29c140-0a33-5c6c-8d00-e23d53c0dc1a.html
Testing of Alle-Kiski Valley sewage shows no signs of covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/testing-of-kiski-valley-sewage-shows-no-signs-of-covid-19/
Montgomery County unveils six coronavirus testing sites
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-unveils-six-coronavirus-testing-sites/article_63ff8233-c0be-583d-99c3-b1c0b02c966b.html
As COVID-19 cases hit record highs, nursing homes plan for visitors’ return
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/07/02/COVID-19-nursing-home-visits-suspension-Presbyterian-Concordia-long-term-care/stories/202007010096
Family of Brighton Rehab employee sues over covid-19 death; federal lawsuit dropped
https://triblive.com/local/regional/family-of-brighton-rehab-employee-sues-over-covid-19-death-federal-lawsuit-dropped/
Wrongful death lawsuit filed by Beaver County nursing home employee’s family
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/west/2020/07/01/Brighton-Rehabilitation-Wellness-Center-wrongful-death-lawsuit-employee-family/stories/202007010172
Lawsuit against Pa. health department over COVID-19 response withdrawn
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200701/lawsuit-against-pa-health-department-over-covid-19-response-withdrawn
Green doesn’t always mean go: Some Lehigh Valley officials see coronavirus trouble brewing in crowded public spaces
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-lehigh-rates-rising-20200701-en2tkcvmqva6xelx5btxb5fnzi-story.html
Do you have coronavirus or a heat-related illness? Their symptoms are similar
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/do-you-have-coronavirus-or-a-heat-related-illness-their-symptoms-are-similar/article_17181264-bb9e-11ea-869e-ab3c24ae00be.html
Sen. Bob Casey and colleagues release report detailing failures at nursing homes during coronavirus pandemic
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/sen-bob-casey-and-colleagues-release-report-detailing-failures-at-nursing-homes-during-coronavirus-pandemic/article_f0a4f0a8-bbb0-11ea-8016-7b51b0eff9a0.html
U.S., South Africa report new record coronavirus rises
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/u-s-south-africa-report-new-record-coronavirus-rises/article_1a73d22e-0f3d-5956-849d-bf808491dd84.html
Administración
State promotes programs as federal assistance winds down
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200702/state-promotes-programs-as-federal-assistance-winds-down
Presupuesto
A promising year for Pennsylvania’s state budget ends with a $3.2 billion thud
https://www.inquirer.com/economy/spl/coronavirus-pennsylvania-tax-revenues-shortfall-budget-20200702.html
Empresas
Citing declining reimbursements, longtime Indiana, Pa., pharmacy closes
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/07/02/Gatti-Pharmacy-Pharmacy-Benefit-Manager-PBM-reimbursement-independent-reimbursement/stories/202007020064
Acme is closing another store in Lower Merion while its parent company, Albertsons, sees growing sales
https://www.inquirer.com/business/retail/acme-wynnewood-closing-lower-merion-20200701.html
Insurance brokerage relocating to Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/insurance-brokerage-relocating-to-scranton/article_14322edf-4ef0-5a7d-8c42-50940e75aec9.html
Delito/Castigo
As debates over police reform rage, it’s time to end solitary confinement | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/solitary-confinement-prison-reform-police-20200701.html
Jordan Brown, charged with homicide at 11 then exonerated, sues over ‘stolen’ childhood
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/07/01/Jordan-Brown-lawsuit-Pennsylvania-State-Police-juvenile-homicide-Kenzie-Houk/stories/202007010142
Fired Scranton police officer charged with threatening other cops
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/crime-emergencies/fired-scranton-police-officer-charged-with-threatening-other-cops/article_8fd14aa7-9f9b-5aac-974d-7678f7f4018c.html
Educación
These college conservatives say climate change is real. Now to convince their elders.
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/american-conservative-coalition-campus-temple-climate-change-benji-backer-20200702.html
Lackawanna College freezes tuition, establishes scholarship
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/lackawanna-college-freezes-tuition-establishes-scholarship/article_29a144b2-cc9b-5a32-8ad8-33d34ec5b96a.html
No Penn State athletes have tested positive for COVID-19 — so far
https://www.witf.org/2020/07/02/no-penn-state-athletes-have-tested-positive-for-covid-19-so-far/
Elecciones/Política
Biden tops Trump with $141 million fundraising haul in June
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/07/02/Biden-edges-out-Trump-with-141-million-haul-in-June/stories/202007020101
Coronavirus isn’t scaring Trump’s Pa. supporters away from his Republican convention in Florida
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/coronavirus-pa-trump-delegates-rnc-florida-20200702.html
Luzerne County elections officials turn focus to November
https://www.timesleader.com/news/790076/luzerne-county-elections-officials-turn-focus-to-november
Election board seeks new chairperson
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election-board-seeks-new-chairperson/article_9f30f1e5-4ddf-5b2f-b319-9f88e1cc8706.html
Coalition says paper ballots key to preventing voter disenfranchisement in Pennsylvania
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/coalition-says-paper-ballots-key-to-preventing-voter-disenfranchisement-in-pennsylvania/article_325ab433-5de9-5ebd-9315-701cf9a87c41.html
Sanidad
Geisinger 65 Forward expanding offerings, locations
https://www.timesleader.com/news/790078/geisinger-65-forward-expanding-offerings-locations
‘They don’t want to see us in existence,‘ local group joins lawsuit to keep transgender health protections
https://www.mcall.com/health/mc-hea-lgbt-lawsuit-trump-20200702-cm3a4z3ygna2rfuxbhe6rqz57y-story.html
Noticias locales
West Side pride wall-to-wall
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/west-side-pride-wall-to-wall/article_e809e63e-0966-5480-9934-fa9156d980dc.html
Columbus statue in Reading City Park vandalized
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/crime/columbus-statue-in-reading-city-park-vandalized/article_afcfb8ac-bba5-11ea-b4b7-6792ce575aac.html
Organizers cancel Fort Ligonier Days, plan virtual version of festival
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/organizers-cancel-fort-ligonier-days-plan-virtual-version-of-festival/
Halcovage quits as chair, remains commissioner
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/halcovage-quits-as-chair-remains-commissioner-1.2641065
Gas natural
Marcellus Shale Coalition strikes back at grand jury report blasting fracking industry
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/marcellus-shale-coalition-strikes-back-at-grand-jury-report-blasting-fracking-industry/
Filadelfia
Philly police got more than 8,500 fireworks complaints in one month
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/fireworks-philadelphia-complaints-police-neighborhood-20200702.html
Philly parents, staff’s most favored option is a return to schools this fall on alternate days, district survey finds
https://www.inquirer.com/education/coronavirus-philadelphia-schools-reopening-staggered-shifts-20200701.html
Coronavirus and Philly School District shutdown means thousands of kids have no camp to attend this summer
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-coronavirus-summer-camp-school-district-buildings-childcare-20200701.html
Philly DA Larry Krasner plans ‘truth, justice, and reconciliation commission’ to review harm caused by justice system
https://www.inquirer.com/news/larry-krasner-philadelphia-truth-reconciliation-commission-police-prosecutors-20200701.html
Rizzo supporters file lawsuit to take possession of removed statue
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-frank-rizzo-statue-lawsuit-kenney-20200701.html
‘Robots don’t get sick’: Coronavirus could accelerate automation and hurt Philly’s low-wage workers | Inga Saffron
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/inga-saffron/coronavirus-economy-impact-automation-whole-food-philadelphia-20200702.html
What’s happened so far at the encampment on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
https://www.inquirer.com/news/encampment-philadelphia-parkway-homeless-20200701.html
Philly’s small landlords can apply for loans to offset missed rent during the pandemic
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/landlord-loan-coronavirus-philadelphia-rent-20200701.html
SEPTA Key’s Travel Wallet, allowing riders to pay per trip, is coming to Regional Rail
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-key-card-travel-wallet-regional-rail-tap-in-out-20200701.html
Pitt
Bar owner who planned alcohol ban protest closes business due to COVID-19 exposure
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2020/07/01/Xtra-Innings-John-Pavlik-planned-alcohol-ban-protest-allegheny-county-closes-employee-COVID-19-exposure/stories/202007010135
No chair needed: City board backs end to off-street parking requirement
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/07/02/Pittsburgh-Planning-Commission-off-street-parking-curb-cuts-garages-development/stories/202007020087
City Council hears little public input on creating racial equity commission
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/07/01/Pittsburgh-City-Council-hearing-racial-equity-commission-black-rights/stories/202007010119
Pittsburgh council poised to create LGBTQ commission, address racial divide
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-council-poised-to-create-lgbtq-commission-and-address-racial-divide/
The battle is far from over
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/07/02/COVID-19-coronavirus-pandemic-spike/stories/202007010031
Allegheny County officials say coronavirus is infecting more young people
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-officials-say-coronavirus-is-infecting-more-young-people/
‘Ask a Black Doctor About Covid-19’ Facebook event set for Thursday
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/ask-a-black-doctor-about-covid-19-facebook-event-set-for-thursday/
Bogen doesn’t expect decline in COVID-19 cases for weeks
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/07/01/COVID-19-coronavirus-allegheny-county-western-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-34/stories/202007010104
Grants of $50,000 each go to five Pittsburgh arts organizations through CARES Act
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2020/07/01/NEA-CARES-Act-grants-50000-each-five-Pittsburgh-arts-orchestra-MCG-Jazz/stories/202007010094
Wilkinsburg mayor denies waving gun during protest in front of her home
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/07/01/Protest-man-killed-by-Wilkinsburg-police-mayor-s-home-Romir-Talley/stories/202007010077
Software company Mindera announces plans for an office in Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2020/07/01/Mindera-software-engineering-Pittsburgh-Innovation-District-Oakland/stories/202007010081
Another West Mifflin-based Port Authority driver diagnosed with covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/another-west-mifflin-based-port-authority-driver-diagnosed-with-covid-19/
Pittsburgh officials to enforce fireworks laws, restrict large gatherings during Fourth of July weekend
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-officials-to-enforce-fireworks-laws-restrict-large-gatherings-during-holiday-weekend/
Allegheny County, Pittsburgh offices to close Friday for Fourth of July
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-pittsburgh-offices-to-close-friday-for-fourth-of-july/
Noticias del Estado
Range of portraits tell the stories of Western Pa.’s historic figures
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/portraits-of-pittsburgh/
Transporte
Cartwright announces $1.6M in federal funds for AVP
https://www.timesleader.com/news/790082/cartwright-announces-1-6m-in-federal-funds-for-avp
PennDOT is accepting private-public partnership proposals
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/penndot-is-accepting-private-public-partnership-proposals/article_9d8d3074-bbbf-11ea-b40c-c30ffe8c5a24.html
Washington
Toomey measure to crack down on fentanyl imports moves forward in Senate
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/07/01/Pat-Toomey-measure-against-fentanyl-imports-shipments-bill-China-Trump-provisions/stories/202007010083