Legislatura
With $1.3 billion in coronavirus cash left to spend, the Pa. government might be the big winner
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-budget-coronavirus-relief-funding-bailouts-20201119.html
Pa. GOP advances audit of 2020 election, says it’s not about fraud
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/spl/pennsylvania-election-2020-audit-review-republican-integrity-confusion-20201118.html
State House Republicans vote for election procedures study
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-house-republicans-vote-for-election-procedures-study/
Pennsylvania lawmakers advance proposal to audit conduct of election; cite ‘litany of inconsistencies’
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-house-audit-consideration-20201118-f3tuvnoumnbm3kgm5a5ubcxjnu-story.html
Pa. Republicans claim election fraud, even as they celebrate their own wins | Sen. Jay Costa
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pa-republicans-claim-election-fraud-even-as-they-celebrate-their-own-wins-jay-costa/
Jake Corman, the Pa. Senate Republican leader, on the election, voter fraud claims, and who won the presidency
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-election-jake-corman-20201119.html
Pa. Rep. Harris, House’s 2nd ranking Democrat, says he has COVID-19
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/state_and_region/pa-rep-harris-house-s-2nd-ranking-democrat-says-he-has-covid-19/article_87eaab1f-e4bd-545a-b286-e56969f0e8ec.html
Nonprofits and the pandemic
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/11/19/Nonprofits-and-the-pandemic-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania-Coronavirus-COVID-charity/stories/202011130058
Coronavirus - COVID-19
COVID-19 patients could overwhelm Pa. intensive care units and staff. How can hospitals avoid a crisis?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/11/pa-intensive-care-beds-could-soon-be-full-of-covid-19-patients-hospitals-detail-plans-for-averting-crisis.html
Pa. hospitalizations pass April peak as state reports more than 6,000 new cases in one day
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-surge-hospitalizations-peak-contact-tracing-philly-nj-thanksgiving-20201118.html
Pennsylvania gives update on antigen tests, contact tracing efforts
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-gives-update-on-antigen-tests-contact-tracing-efforts/
Gov. Wolf, other governors urge colleges to have students tested for COVID-19 before holidays
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/11/gov-wolf-other-governors-urge-colleges-to-have-students-tested-for-covid-19-before-holidays.html
With record COVID cases, Allegheny County issues stay-at-home ‘advisory’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/11/18/covid-19-coronavirus-allegheny-county-western-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-surge/stories/202011180120
Allegheny County advises ‘stay home except for essentials,’ warns of public health order
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-advises-stay-home-except-for-essentials-warns-of-public-health-order/
Allegheny County sets another record for new coronavirus cases
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-sets-another-record-for-new-coronavirus-cases/
Westmoreland County sets new coronavirus mark with 228 additional cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-sets-new-coronavirus-mark-with-228-additional-cases/
Luzerne County manager weighs in on coronavirus increase
https://www.timesleader.com/news/810347/luzerne-county-manager-weighs-in-on-coronavirus-increase
6 Western Pa. counties set new highs as Pa. reports record new coronavirus cases
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/6-western-pa-counties-set-new-highs-as-pa-reports-record-new-coronavirus-cases/
COVID-19 deaths rise across state and northeast counties
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-deaths-rise-across-state-and-northeast-counties/article_bcd7ed23-2501-5435-9012-810595a5520e.html
Luzerne County tops 200 new COVID-19 cases for second straight day
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/luzerne-county-tops-200-new-covid-19-cases-for-second-straight-day/article_b0ca5d35-571a-531f-93cb-13684e55180d.html
What it’s like to work as a contact tracer in the fight against the coronavirus
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/what-its-like-to-work-as-a-contact-tracer-in-the-fight-against-the-coronavirus/article_35a70f46-2845-11eb-a987-8f923b4e35d7.html
Allentown Health Bureau too swamped to trace contacts for the hundreds of coronavirus cases this week
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-covid-health-bureau-help-contact-tracing-20201118-4f2rmhs5m5fn5n2p42gi5kbeei-story.html
BRIGHTON’S PLIGHT
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/brighton/part3-everyones-sick.php
State plans Lackawanna testing site outside former Kmart
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/state-plans-lackawanna-testing-site-outside-former-kmart/article_449710cf-bebb-501c-9318-bad475edd558.html
Sorry, America. Vaccines won’t end the pandemic anytime soon. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/covid-vaccine-pfizer-moderna-trial-safety-efficacy-20201118.html
Elecciones/Política
State Senate candidate in tight race appeals decision allowing ballots to stand
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/11/18/Nicole-Ziccarelli-PA-state-Senate-District-45-vs-Jim-Brewster-election-ballots/stories/202011180160
Diane Herrin is projected winner in 156th District
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/elections/diane-herrin-is-projected-winner-in-156th-district/article_ad1b7852-29d3-11eb-a32e-bf1d3aab58db.html
Commonwealth Court to Allegheny County: Don’t count — for now — disputed ballots in tight Brewster-Ziccarelli Senate race
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/judge-denies-nicole-ziccarellis-petitions-to-disqualify-votes-in-pa-senate-race/
Joe Biden won 3 of every 4 mail ballots in Pennsylvania. Trump won 2 of 3 votes cast in person. What does that mean for the future?
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/mail-ballots-pennsylvania-election-trump-biden-20201119.html
Trump targets vote certification in late bid to block Biden
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/2020/11/18/Trump-targets-vote-certification-in-late-bid-to-block-Biden/stories/202011180169
Trump says Philly Democrats stole an election in the ’90s. Is that true?
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/trump-philadelphia-pennsylvania-voter-fraud-20201118.html
Trump campaign gets set for another long day in a Pa. courtroom
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/11/trump-campaign-gets-set-for-another-long-day-in-a-pa-courtroom.html
Luzerne County election director to face inquiry committee
https://www.timesleader.com/news/810349/luzerne-county-election-director-to-face-inquiry-committee
Election board member will not sign off on election results, cites ballot problems
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/election-board-member-will-not-sign-off-on-election-results-cites-ballot-problems/article_61ccd643-9b28-52e0-a2d5-ec19f1446ff1.html
Provisional board member axed after call to poll watcher
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/provisional-board-member-axed-after-call-to-poll-watcher/
Virus outbreak delays Westmoreland vote certification
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/virus-outbreak-delays-westmoreland-vote-certification/
Berks County election officials finish 2020 election vote tally
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/elections/berks-county-election-officials-finish-2020-election-vote-tally/article_a7d87ee6-29ae-11eb-8a38-e7f8bd1cdf06.html
Administración
Why Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf may have to shelve ‘grandiose visions’ for his final two years in office
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/11/why-pa-gov-tom-wolf-may-have-to-shelve-grandiose-visions-for-his-final-two-years-in-office.html
Delito/Castigo
COVID-19 outbreak at SCI-Dallas grows
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-outbreak-at-sci-dallas-grows/article_a233e6d1-4fb5-5f37-8859-977f6c5d0bde.html
Lackawanna County prison has 11 positive cases of COVID-19 among inmates
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/lackawanna-county-prison-has-11-positive-cases-of-covid-19-among-inmates/article_8196581e-2f7d-50d7-b663-8967fa5f63b8.html
Educación
Residents file suit, seek to overturn Montco schools closure decision
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2020/11/18/montgomery-county-schools-closure-meetings-violated-sunshine-act-lawsuit/3771832001/
More Pittsburgh-area school districts switch back to remote learning as COVID-19 cases surge
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/11/18/Pittsburgh-area-schools-close-virtual-remote-learning-covid-19-cases/stories/202011180121
As COVID-19 cases surge, should schools stay open? Around the Philly region, approaches vary wildly.
https://www.inquirer.com/education/school-closings-coronavirus-montgomery-county-philadelphia-pa-nj-20201118.html
2 Berks schools among recipients sharing in $1.2 million technical education equipment grants
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/education/2-berks-schools-among-recipients-sharing-in-1-2-million-technical-education-equipment-grants/article_be23acc2-29e3-11eb-a6e9-dfedb0e78d77.html
Two more Catholic high schools closing: Hallahan, McDevitt to shut in June
https://www.inquirer.com/education/catholic-school-closing-hallahan-mcdevitt-20201118.html
Here’s 4 good reasons for Pa. to reject any new cyber-charter school applications | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/heres-4-good-reasons-for-pa-to-reject-any-new-cyber-charter-school-applications-opinion/
PIAA board tackles winter sports, masks in most recent meeting
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/highschool/2020/11/18/piaa-board-meeting-when-do-winter-sports-begin-masks-mandate/stories/202011180167
Westmoreland County Community College and IUP ink dual admissions deal
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/westmoreland-county-community-college-and-iup-ink-dual-admissions-deal/
PSAC cancels winter sports
https://www.citizensvoice.com/sports/psac-cancels-winter-sports/article_d9e2d853-cfea-59f7-bf35-06410670fd31.html
Juegos
Pennsylvania gaming revenue rebounds in October, but a new COVID-19 slowdown looms
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pennsylvania-casino-gaming-revenue-covid-online-rebound-20201119.html
Sanidad
Don’t let the politicization of COVID scare you away from getting help | Expert Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/health/expert-opinions/coronavirus-covid-restrictions-shutdown-fears-lockdown-20201119.html
Noticias locales
Lackawanna County defends new fees for online searching of public records
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-defends-new-fees-for-online-searching-of-public-records/article_10a60a0f-391a-5638-8c6a-fb6254e90dd1.html
The tax incentive that gave rise to much of SteelStacks is set to expire
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-bethlehem-steelstacks-tif-20201118-focsef5cgjhhtpfpmhs44ifh5i-story.html
EPA soil sampling moves to Winona Homes
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/epa-soil-sampling-moves-to-winona-homes/article_3ced3d18-29dd-11eb-b09b-b7cdbf6fd221.html
Filadelfia
Residents demand reforms at Philly’s first-ever hearing on police contract
https://www.inquirer.com/news/police-contract-fop-philadelphia-reform-20201118.html
Controller: Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office can’t account for hundreds of guns
https://www.inquirer.com/news/missing-firearms-philadelphia-sheriffs-office-controller-rebecca-rhynhart-rochelle-bilal-jewell-williams-20201118.html
Philly’s housing agency taps nonprofits to build affordable housing on 240 city-owned lots
https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-affordable-housing-pha-hace-apm-quinones-sanchez-20201118.html
Men accused in killing of Philly Police Cpl. James O’Connor IV will face trial for murder and related charges
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-cpl-james-oconnor-iv-murder-preliminary-hearing-trial-20201118.html
Free Blockbusters, with everything you’d find at a real Blockbuster, are now in Fishtown and Delco
https://www.inquirer.com/news/free-blockbuster-movies-fishtown-philadelphia-springfield-delco-20201119.html
Northeast Philly has more to offer than a selfie at Four Seasons Total Landscaping | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/four-seasons-total-landscaping-northeast-philadelphia-holmesburg-20201118.html
Pitt
PWSA penalized, supervisor indicted for federal violations of sludge dumping
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/11/18/PWSA-penalized-supervisor-Lijewski-indicted-federal-violations-sludge-dumping-clean-water-at/stories/202011180134
PWSA pleads guilty to violating Clean Water Act, pumping sludge into Allegheny River
https://triblive.com/local/pwsa-pleads-guilty-to-violating-clean-water-act-pumping-sludge-into-allegheny-river/
Pgh. Mayor Bill Peduto unveils a plan to help the Ohio Valley transition from fossil fuels
https://www.penncapital-star.com/paforward/pittsburgh-mayor-bill-peduto-unveils-a-plan-to-help-the-ohio-valley-transition-from-fossil-fuels/
Celebrities join fundraising effort for Tree of Life renovation
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/11/18/Celebrities-tom-hanks-billy-porter-joanne-rogers-fundraising-Tree-of-Life-renovation/stories/202011180133
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to suspend in-person service
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2020/11/18/Carnegie-Library-of-Pittsburgh-COVID-19-Allegheny-County-Health-Department/stories/202011180171
Allegheny County judge’s resignation sends message against systemic racism, experts say
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-judges-resignation-sends-message-against-systemic-racism-experts-say/
Report outlines struggles of Pittsburgh Public Schools’ tech distribution during pandemic
https://triblive.com/news/education-classroom/report-outlines-struggles-of-pittsburgh-public-schools-tech-distribution-during-pandemic/
Transporte
Beyond bridge tolls, PennDOT considering a variety of ways to supplement revenue for road fixes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/11/18/PennDOT-revamp-funding-managed-lanes-entry-fees-bridge-tolls-gasoline-tax/stories/202011170087