Coronavirus - COVID-19
Gov. Wolf stresses PEMA, National Guard efforts during COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200518/gov-wolf-stresses-pema-national-guard-efforts-during-covid-19-pandemic
Pa. sold nursing home testing plan as ‘universal’ and ‘radical’, but advocates say it’s optional and insufficient
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/pennsylvania-nursing-home-coronavirus-testing-plan-20200519.html
Pa. Department of Health: Nursing home names, COVID-19 cases to be released Tuesday
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/05/18/Pennsylvania-Health-Nursing-home-names-COVID-19-cases-data-reporting/stories/202005180099
State poised to identify long-term care centers with COVID-19
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200518/state-poised-to-identify-long-term-care-centers-with-covid-19
National Guard to leave troubled Beaver County nursing home today
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/west/2020/05/18/Pennsylvania-National-Guard-Brighton-Rehab-nursing-home-Beaver-County-will-leave/stories/202005180122
Pa. enlists PEMA, National Guard to try to slow spread of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities
https://www.witf.org/2020/05/18/pa-enlists-pema-national-guard-to-try-to-slow-spread-of-covid-19-in-long-term-care-facilities/
Allegheny County reports 0 COVID-19 deaths for second straight day
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/18/COVID-19-coronavirus-Allegheny-County-Western-Pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-9/stories/202005180076
Allegheny County records 38 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-records-38-new-coronavirus-cases-no-new-deaths/
6 more coronavirus deaths reported in Westmoreland County
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/6-more-coronavirus-deaths-reported-in-westmoreland-county/
Coronavirus cases rise by 42 in Berks County, 822 in Pennsylvania
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/coronavirus-cases-rise-by-42-in-berks-county-822-in-pennsylvania/article_bdee09e6-9924-11ea-bef2-2b42010cc03f.html
Erie County can’t confirm 4th COVID-19 death
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200518/erie-county-canrsquot-confirm-4th-covid-19-death
Drive-thru coronavirus testing comes to West Chester
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/drive-thru-coronavirus-testing-comes-to-west-chester/article_0e8f509c-9940-11ea-b57c-9b3bc1e35b6c.html
State’s methodology drops Lackawanna County’s coronavirus death toll
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/state-s-methodology-drops-lackawanna-county-s-coronavirusdeath-toll-1.2629415
Montgomery County commissioners clash over coronavirus protections at news briefing
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-commissioners-clash-over-coronavirus-protections-at-news-briefing/article_bd14b483-c54e-5e00-8e22-668085eee09c.html
Montgomery County coronavirus relief fund tops $600,000
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-coronavirus-relief-fund-tops-600-000/article_ed8d15cc-aeb4-5965-8aa3-9a66b03d684e.html
Why seniors are grocery shopping twice a week
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/05/19/PA-seniors-survey-grocery-pharmacy-shopping-COVID-19/stories/202005060184
Area task force intent on training dogs to sniff out covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/area-task-force-intent-on-training-dogs-to-sniff-out-covid-19/
No evidence coronavirus spreads through pool water, CDC says
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/no-evidence-coronavirus-spreads-through-pool-water-cdc-says-1.2629513
Liquor consumption is up during the pandemic and substance abuse experts are worried
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/liquor-consumption-is-up-during-the-pandemic-and-substance-abuse-experts-are-worried.html
Healthcare workers are not the only COVID heroes | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-covid-essential-workers-heroes-20200518.html
$500 billion Treasury fund meant for virus relief has lent barely any money, oversight commission finds
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-stimulus-loans-20200518.html
Trump says he’s taking hydroxychloroquine in case he gets coronavirus
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-trump-malaria-drug-20200518.html
Reapertura
‘Invisible community,’ struggling during pandemic, warily eyes reopening
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/invisible-community-struggling-during-pandemic-warily-eyes-reopening/
Delco now has the region’s highest 14-day rate of COVID cases. It can’t reopen until that falls dramatically.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/delaware-county-coronavirus-high-rate-reopen-20200519.html
‘Don’t go to the beach,’ health official tells Philly residents; Wolf questions reopening of Shore towns
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-deaths-shore-philadelphia-pennsylvania-tom-wolf-murphy-social-distancing-20200518.html
Counties requesting injunction against governor, health secretary, also mention contact testing
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/counties-requesting-injunction-against-governor-health-secretary-also-mention-contact-testing/article_7610485c-9481-11ea-ad6e-77bc10f972ff.html
Bipartisan request to loosen restrictions in Westmoreland County sent to Gov. Wolf
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/bipartisan-request-to-loosen-restrictions-in-westmoreland-county-sent-to-gov-wolf/
County edging closer to possible reopening
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-edging-closer-to-possible-reopening-1.2629626
Lackawanna County businesses share reopening plans in hopes of opening sooner
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-businesses-share-reopening-plans-in-hopes-of-opening-sooner-1.2629446
Schuylkill County OK with state response
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-county-ok-with-state-response-1.2629531
To help Berks economy reopen, groups work to create coronavirus contact tracing program
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/to-help-berks-economy-reopen-groups-work-to-create-coronavirus-contact-tracing-program/article_c4328b7e-9924-11ea-a21a-637dca5ea47a.html
As more counties reopen, Pa. unemployment compensation numbers begin to dip
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/as-more-counties-reopen-under-yellow-phase-unemployment-compensation-numbers-begin-to-dip.html
Legislatura
Explainer: The debate over letting Pa.’s real estate industry get back to work
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/explainer-the-debate-over-letting-pas-real-estate-industry-get-back-to-work.html
Fellow Democratic state leaders send letter to Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf: Please reopen real estate businesses, with limitations
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-pa-democrats-wolf-business-20200518-s4n2usq4rjebvfd73k4xwrorze-story.html
Killion joins call to require oversight on Pa. disaster proclamations
https://www.phoenixvillenews.com/killion-joins-call-to-require-oversight-on-pa-disaster-proclamations/article_ca3ff7b9-d888-57c1-a37e-722744ff9d1c.html
Administración
Wolf says ‘I wouldn’t go to the beach’ as beaches open in Maryland and New Jersey
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/05/19/wolf-wouldnt-go-beach-beaches-open-maryland-and-jersey/5218914002/
Wolf: Pocono Raceway may have to resume races without fans
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/wolf-pocono-raceway-may-have-to-resume-races-without-fans-1.2629431
Gov. Wolf: Pocono NASCAR races may go on next month if Monroe County is in yellow phase
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/gov-wolf-pocono-nascar-races-may-go-on-next-month-if-monroe-county-is-in-yellow-phase.html
Empresas
New Pennsylvania program extends unemployment benefits
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/new-state-program-extends-unemployment-benefits/
Extra unemployment assistance available
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/extra-unemployment-assistance-available-1.2629627
State offers 13-week unemployment extension
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200518/state-offers-13-week-unemployment-extension
4 employees at Giant Eagle distribution center in Freedom test positive for coronavirus
https://triblive.com/local/regional/4-employees-at-giant-eagle-distribution-center-in-freedom-test-positive-for-coronavirus/
Pollution case against U.S. Steel dismissed
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/05/18/Pollution-case-US-Steel-dismissed-Clairton-Coke-Works-Clean-Air-Council-fire-hydrogen-sulfide/stories/202005150127
JC Penney plans to close more than 240 stores
https://www.inquirer.com/business/retail/coronaviru-jc-penney-20200518.html
Wilkes-Barre creates small business loan program
https://www.timesleader.com/news/784182/wilkes-barre-creates-small-business-loan-program
Wilkes-Barre delivers second round of emergency loan checks to restaurant owners
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-delivers-second-round-of-emergency-loan-checks-to-restaurant-owners-1.2629614
Greater Reading Chamber Alliance releases plan to help businesses reopen
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/greater-reading-chamber-alliance-releases-plan-to-help-businesses-reopen/article_c16fa986-9946-11ea-bf20-3be38e73c1d5.html
Delito/Castigo
Westmoreland prison guard fired amid inmate assault investigation
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-prison-guard-fired-amid-inmate-assault-investigation/
Westmoreland jail benefits financially through pandemic slowdown
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-jail-benefits-financially-through-pandemic-slowdown/
Educación
PA to launch food access program for students during COVID-19 pandemic
https://observer-reporter.com/series/coronavirus/pa-to-launch-food-access-program-for-students-during-covid-19-pandemic/article_f49c2492-908b-11ea-b21d-9719aa6125d4.html
Judge says Chester Upland can consider possible takeover by charter schools
https://www.inquirer.com/education/chester-upland-charter-schools-expansion-20200518.html
Incomplete review by Pa. teachers’ pension fund finds $160k in travel spending
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/incomplete-review-by-pa-teachers-pension-fund-finds-160k-in-travel-spending/
Restoring due process: Title IX rule changes bring measure of fairness
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/05/19/Title-IX-rule-change-due-process-fairness-Betsy-DeVos/stories/202005190013
CMU student sues over campus shutdown, demands tuition refund
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/05/18/CMU-student-lawsuit-campus-shutdown-inperson-instruction-demands-tuition-refund-COVID-19/stories/202005180112
Colleges collect tuition, offer few details on fall classes
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200519/colleges-collect-tuition-offer-few-details-on-fall-classes
Elecciones/Política
Montgomery County sent out thousands of Pennsylvania absentee ballots with flawed instructions
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/montgomery-county-pa-absentee-ballots-instructions-20200518.html
Ramp up vote-by-mail efforts so Pa. can lead the way on June 2 | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-election-vote-by-mail-20200518.html
Luzerne County Election Board meeting postponed
https://www.timesleader.com/news/784193/luzerne-county-election-board-meeting-postponed
Voter registration efforts hampered by coronavirus restrictions
https://triblive.com/local/regional/monday-is-deadline-to-register-to-vote-in-june-2-primary/
Juegos
Despite uptick in some online gambling, casino revenues seeing a staggering drop
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2020/05/18/Casinos-online-gambling-Rivers-revenues-staggering-decrease-sports-betting-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania/stories/202005190030
Sanidad
Telehealth gains a wider role in post-pandemic health care
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/05/19/COVID-19-reimbursement-telehealth-doctors-Medicare-value-pittsburgh/stories/202005180104
Geisinger: Employee improperly accessed patient information
https://www.timesleader.com/news/784184/geisinger-employee-improperly-accessed-patient-information
Dental offices take extra precautions as restrictions slowly ease
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/dental-offices-take-extra-precautions-as-restrictions-slowly-ease-1.2629624
Noticias locales
Surge to apply for business grant sends Lackawanna County website crashing
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/surge-to-apply-for-business-grant-sends-lackawanna-county-website-crashing-1.2629450
Scranton police to hold virtual memorial service honoring fallen officers
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-police-to-hold-virtual-memorial-service-honoring-fallen-officers-1.2629656
Reading council, Downtown Improvement District sign off on agreement that will close I-LEAD Charter School
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-council-downtown-improvement-district-sign-off-on-agreement-that-will-close-i-lead-charter/article_489bf5c4-993b-11ea-81d0-6b23770ec9a9.html
Delaware County Democrats just pulled a surprise move in the fight over a sewer authority sale
https://www.inquirer.com/business/delaware-county-delcora-sale-aqua-pennsylvania-20200518.html
Water bomb: Delaware County council moves to dissolve DELCORA
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/water-bomb-delaware-county-council-moves-to-dissolve-delcora/article_0c3a1c5c-9934-11ea-bf0c-c3a75f2b725c.html
Greensburg Diocese recommencing Masses on June 1, but with changes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/05/18/Greensburg-Catholic-Diocese-plans-recommence-Masses-June-1-COVID-19-changes/stories/202005180107
Speaking from experience, WB Mayor Brown lauds fire/EMS for a job well done
https://www.timesleader.com/news/784188/speaking-from-experience-wb-mayor-brown-lauds-fire-ems-for-a-job-well-done
County tax assessment appeals will resume today
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-tax-assessment-appeals-will-resume-today-1.2629610
Area food distributions
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/area-food-distributions-1.2629617
Noticias nacionales
New CMU study shows inequity in internet access among children
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/new-cmu-study-shows-inequity-in-internet-access-among-children/
Filadelfia
City Council is skeptical of Philly Mayor Jim Kenney’s plan to offset the coronavirus impact by hiking taxes
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-city-council-tax-increases-mayor-jim-kenney-20200518.html
This Philly cop had the coronavirus and was on a ventilator for 20 days. Now, he’s sharing his story of hope.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-bill-bolds-philadelphia-police-officer-ventilator-20200519.html
Restaurant closings in the Philadelphia area begin with Farmicia, Mad River, Vitarelli’s
https://www.inquirer.com/food/philadelphia-restaurant-closings-coronavirus-farmicia-mad-river-vitarellis-20200518.html
Joseph Santaguida, 81, lawyer and defender of reputed Philly mob associates, dies from the coronavirus
https://www.inquirer.com/news/joseph-santaguida-dead-coronavirus-mob-lawyer-philadelphia-20200518.html
Groups rally to release youth from Philly Juvenile Center in light of COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/groups-rally-to-release-youth-from-philly-juvenile-center-in-light-of-covid-19-pandemic/
Philly’s Washington Avenue is plagued with problems and the city wants your feedback before a repaving next year
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/washington-avenue-repaving-improvement-project-choices-philadelphia-20200518.html
Now in tens of thousands of Philly food boxes: Absentee ballot applications
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/coronavirus-philadelphia-food-boxes-absentee-ballots-20200518.html
Philadelphia food trucks to remain at a standstill
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/food-truck-ban-philadelphia-philly-mobile-food-association-coronavirus-20200518.html
SEPTA returns to normal schedule on many bus, trolley, lines
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/coronavirus/septa-returns-to-normal-schedule-on-many-bus-trolley-lines/article_44b78bfc-9914-11ea-92af-a7ad50d38cca.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh may be yellow, but Downtown foot traffic and transit ridership is still light
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/05/18/Downtown-Pittsburgh-people-yellow-traffic-transit-ridership-first-Monday/stories/202005180097
One hot market: Another 343 apartment units to be built in Lawrenceville
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/05/19/Lawrenceville-Arsenal-201-Milhaus-pittsburgh-development-housing/stories/202005190046
Man killed in late-night shooting in West Mifflin
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/05/19/one-wounded-West-Mifflin-shooting/stories/202005190068
Downtown parking enforcement will resume this week
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/05/18/downtown-pittsburgh-parking-meter-enforcement-covid-19-takeout-restaurants/stories/202005180090
Free street parking ending in Downtown Pittsburgh as businesses reopen
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/free-parking-will-end-in-downtown-pittsburgh-as-businesses-reopen/
Three emergency food bank distributions scheduled this week
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/covid-19-kind/2020/05/19/Emergency-greater-pittsburgh-community-food-bank-distributions-scheduled-this-week-drive-up-COVID-19/stories/202005190064
Pittsburgh food bank hosting 3 drive-up distributions around Western Pa. this week
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pittsburgh-food-bank-hosting-3-drive-up-distributions-around-western-pa-this-week/
Pittsburgh school board urged to change student-athlete eligibility policy
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/05/18/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-board-students-athletics-intervention-eligibility/stories/202005180130
Help needed to plant Pittsburgh-area community flower gardens
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/help-needed-to-plant-pittsburgh-area-community-flower-gardens/
Noticias del Estado
Pennsylvania Resource Council to host ‘traveling glass recycling bin program’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/05/18/Pennsylvania-Resources-Council-Hampton-Township-State-Representative-Lori-Mizgorski-City-of-Hermitage-Fire-Station-Recycling/stories/202005180089
Western Pa. Goodwill stores reopening with safety protocols in place
https://triblive.com/local/regional/goodwill-stores-reopening-with-safety-protocols-in-place/
Pa.’s iLottery ticket sales hit $1 billion mark as it approaches second anniversary
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/pas-ilottery-ticket-sales-hit-1-billion-mark-as-it-approaches-second-anniversary.html
In reversal, Gilbertsville company granted waiver from Pennsylvania to distribute flags for Memorial Day
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/in-reversal-gilbertsville-company-granted-waiver-from-pennsylvania-to-distribute-flags-for-memorial-day/article_a4c20fea-990f-11ea-9e8f-fb784869899d.html
Virginia, Md. D.C. to sue EPA for failing to make sure Pa. meets Chesapeake Bay clean-up targets
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/virginia-md-d-c-to-sue-epa-for-failing-to-make-sure-pa-meets-chesapeake-bay-clean-up-targets/
Transporte
Pennsylvania traffic deaths were the lowest on record in 2019
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/05/18/Pennsylvania-traffic-deaths-roads-NHTSA-PennDOT-lowest-ever-2019/stories/202005170037
Record low for highway fatalities
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/record-low-for-highway-fatalities-1.2629492