COVID-19
Spread may be slowing, but new coronavirus cases continue to emerge
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/spread-may-be-slowing-but-new-coronavirus-cases-continue-to-emerge-1.2619369
Wolf administration still hasn’t disclosed which Pennsylvania businesses got waivers to stay open during coronavirus emergency
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-wolf-economic-shutdown-lack-of-transparency-20200418-sgyb3auyhvbfpkq66f76a37vaa-story.html
Gov. Tom Wolf unveils 6-point plan for reopening Pa.; here’s his list
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/gov-tom-wolf-unveils-6-point-plan-for-reopening-pa-heres-his-list.html
Wolf offers ‘framework,’ no timeline for reopening state
https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/national/wolf-offers-framework-no-timeline-for-reopening-state/article_8be08274-a8d3-5750-aba3-624e2982a289.html
Reaction to Gov. Wolf’s COVID-19 recovery plan: Some see strong leadership, but critics crave specifics
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/reaction-to-gov-wolfs-covid-19-recovery-plan-varies-some-see-strong-leadership-while-critics-crave-specifics.html
Editorial: Phone scams increasing in time of vulnerability
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/editorial-phone-scams-increasing-in-time-of-vulnerability/article_de235e97-3144-5841-af27-d044673a8332.html
Sheetz provides hour for at-risk patrons at all locations; all patrons asked to wear masks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/sheetz-provides-hour-for-at-risk-patrons-at-all-locations-all-patrons-asked-to-wear/article_3dcbd734-8178-11ea-9f72-5b11938ae97c.html
Montco coronavirus death toll at 135; third inmate at county jail tests positive
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/montco-coronavirus-death-toll-at-135-third-inmate-at-county-jail-tests-positive/article_a7b97e0e-b127-5ae1-bb44-7566fa4940e8.html
At least 10 residents of Pa. veterans nursing home have died of coronavirus: ‘We’re all freaking out’
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/at-least-10-residents-of-pa-veterans-nursing-home-have-died-of-coronavirus-were-all-freaking-out.html
Racial toll of virus grows even starker as more data emerges
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/racial-toll-of-virus-grows-even-starker-as-more-data-emerges.html
State officials clarify reporting at care facilities
https://www.standardspeaker.com/coronavirus/state-officials-clarify-reporting-at-care-facilities-1.2619581
Cusat: City to focus on curfew enforcement
https://www.standardspeaker.com/coronavirus/cusat-city-to-focus-on-curfew-enforcement-1.2619582
Pa. defense contractor BAE Systems on temporary shut down after coronavirus outbreak
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/04/17/bae-systems-temporary-shutdown-after-covid-19-outbreak-pa-plant/5154501002/
‘Everybody has decided to garden this year’: Surge of interest in growing food reported
https://www.tribdem.com/corona_virus/everybody-has-decided-to-garden-this-year-surge-of-interest-in-growing-food-reported/article_fc3de148-80fc-11ea-a847-f7a8d6ec1c88.html
Amid pandemic, state police sees drop in arrests, car crashes across Pennsylvania
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/amid-pandemic-state-police-sees-drop-in-arrests-car-crashes-across-pennsylvania/article_6b7c6ab2-80d9-11ea-ad05-efde40169f32.html
U.S. grant speeds this Pa. coronavirus test to market this year
https://www.inquirer.com/business/phillydeals/coronavirus-tang-orasure-saliva-testing-fda-20200418.html
Coronavirus has killed at least 10 at a state-run veterans home in Chester County. The National Guard is on site.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-southeastern-veterans-center-chester-county-pennsylvania-20200417.html
Small businesses hit hard during pandemic await federal loans
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/small-businesses-hit-hard-during-pandemic-await-federal-loans-1.2619644
Bus passengers must have a mask or face covering to ride, LANTA says
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/bus-passengers-must-have-a-mask-or-face-covering-to-ride-lanta-says.html
After backlash, Ticketmaster plans refunds for concerts postponed due to coronavirus
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/entertainment/2020/04/after-backlash-ticketmaster-plans-refunds-for-concerts-postponed-due-to-coronavirus.html
Getting food to the Lehigh Valley’s needy costs more than ever as prices skyrocket
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/with-prices-skyrocketing-distributing-free-food-for-the-lehigh-valleys-needy-costs-ever-more.html
State
State offers funding to help volunteer fire companies battle wildfires
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/state-offers-funding-to-help-volunteer-fire-companies-battle-wildfires/article_f96edaba-02f6-5cdf-8fd3-0becd7663672.html
Here’s where and how self-employed Pa. residents can file for unemployment
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/heres-where-how-self-employed-pa-residents-can-file-for-unemployment.html
State takes back grants for trail project
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/state-takes-back-grants-for-trail-project-1.2619548
‘They’re commonplace’: With arrival of spring comes tick season
https://www.tribdem.com/news/they-re-commonplace-with-arrival-of-spring-comes-tick-season/article_59963990-811f-11ea-bced-cb7ff18a7f72.html
Child Abuse Prevention Month highlights need for child abuse advocates
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/child-abuse-prevention-month-highlights-need-for-child-abuse-advocates-during-covid-19-pandemic/article_90e5cbcc-80f2-11ea-9208-af4a6778c49c.html
Education
Pennsylvania schools looking for coronavirus funding to be expedited
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/pennsylvania-schools-looking-for-coronavirus-funding-to-be-expedited/article_3ef3e1c8-801b-11ea-b542-3f6132df04fd.html
Allentown board rejects superintendent’s plan to hire investigator to see if charter students really live in the city
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-allentown-school-district-private-investigator-20200417-a3ydon6d4jhx5gbgef6ilhduam-story.html
Would you commit to a college you can’t visit? Coronavirus upends college decisions
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/would-you-commit-to-a-college-you-cant-visit-coronavirus-upends-college-decisions.html
As traditional sport seasons are shut down, are high school esports about to have a moment?
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/04/16/coronavirus-shines-light-video-games-high-school-esports-growth/2953280001/
Pa.-owned universities place 700+ employees on unpaid leave due to campus closures
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/pa–owned-universities-place-700-employees-on-unpaid-leave-due-to-campus-closures/article_5ac51a4a-80e1-11ea-817b-b3ccec4a2704.html
McGuffey parents upset about district plans to extend school year
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/mcguffey-parents-upset-about-district-plans-to-extend-school-year/article_1fc92ec2-80d7-11ea-aad4-732b872c0262.html
Coronavirus has upended education for all children. For those with disabilities, the challenges are greater.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-philadelphia-pennsylvania-school-closures-special-education-students-20200418.html
Pitt plans for fall could include hybrid semester
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pitt-plans-for-fall-could-include-hybrid-semester/
Philly
Portraits of a Pandemic: Joining a broader movement to fight for tenant rights
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-rent-strike-tenant-rights-20200418.html
The burden is uneven, but Philly hospitals are holding up under the strain of coronavirus, officials say
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/what-is-hospital-capacity-philadelphia-coronavirus-cases-20200417.html
Philly tells nonessential construction firms: Stop building or we’ll shut you down
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-coronavirus-waiver-shutdown-construction-casino-wolf-kenney-20200417.html
Pittsburgh
Allegheny County to send mail-in ballot forms to every voter; Gov. Wolf mulls pleas for mail-only election
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/allegheny-county-to-send-mail-in-ballot-forms-to-every-voter-gov-wolf-mulls-pleas-for-mail-only-election/
Giant Eagle to convert Parkway Center store to curbside pickup, delivery only
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/giant-eagle-to-convert-parkway-center-store-to-curbside-pickup-delivery-only/
5th Port Authority employee tests positive for coronavirus
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/5th-port-authority-employee-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/
A silver lining? Cargo may offer battered Pittsburgh International Airport some hope
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/04/18/Pittsburgh-International-Airport-FedEx-UPS-Christina-Cassotis-cargo-online/stories/202004170121
Local
Reading Mayor Eddie Moran has historic first 100 days in office
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-mayor-eddie-moran-has-historic-first-100-days-in-office/article_596e4868-7f62-11ea-9120-2b7e0afb3aa0.html
Lancaster County jobless rate hits record high
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-county-jobless-rate-hits-record-high-how-does-that-compare-to-past-years-timeline/article_5d23ed0e-80da-11ea-8cc3-53ffb04901d1.html
Greene County emergency fund doles out nearly $30K in grants
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/greene-county-emergency-fund-doles-out-nearly-30k-in-grants/article_21bac528-80c4-11ea-b5d7-8f9a2a8499ed.html
Municipal offices alter operations due to coronavirus
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/municipal-offices-alter-operations-due-to-coronavirus/article_428f7e40-67b2-11ea-926e-fbd6fd611b1d.html
Lackawanna County Coroner to mandate nursing homes report deaths to his office
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/lackawanna-county-coroner-to-mandate-nursing-homes-report-deaths-to-his-office-1.2619503
Luzerne County seeking mail-in only primary
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/luzerne-county-seeking-mail-in-only-primary-1.2619608
