Legislature
No take off: Gov. Wolf opposes airport authority bill
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/04/24/Mike-Turzai-Rich-Fitzgerald-Airport-Authority-Pittsburgh-International-Airport-Tom-Wolf/stories/201904240155
Practice what you preach: Mike Turzai should forget airport, work on Harrisburg
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/04/25/Mike-Turzai-Pittsburgh-Allegheny-County-Airport-Authority-Board-efficiency-accountability-Harrisburg-Pennsylvania-Legislature/stories/201904250027
Harrisburg lawmakers back mayor’s request for state takeover of city schools
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/harrisburg-lawmakers-back-mayors-request-for-state-takeover-of-city-schools.html
State senator asks education secretary to consider takeover of Harrisburg School District
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/state-senator-asks-education-secretary-to-consider-receivership-for-harrisburg-school-district.html
Court says senator won’t have to pay redistricting case fees
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/04/court-says-senator-wont-have-to-pay-redistricting-case-fees.php
What the hellbender? Why Pa. chose a state amphibian and other symbols you don’t know about (bug, drink, dog, etc.)
https://www.philly.com/news/hellbender-pennsylvania-state-amphibian-symbol-clean-water-20190425.html
Audit intends to hold human service providers accountable for doing the job they are paid to do
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/audit-intends-to-hold-human-service-providers-accountable-for-doing-the-job-they-are-paid-to-do.html
Misconception that nurses just ‘play cards’ shows why we need safe staffing laws | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/nurses-playing-cards-senator-maureen-walsh-20190424.html
We need to protect children from diseases
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2019/04/25/We-need-to-protect-children-from-diseases/stories/201904250030
Pipelines
Sheetz, others protest gas pipeline
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/04/sheetz-others-protest-gas-pipeline/
Editorial: The pipeline people are back in town
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/editorial-the-pipeline-people-are-back-in-town/article_0c2dc61a-668f-11e9-99cc-97127d43e244.html
Crime/Punishment
Kids testify against former Derry mayor, held for trial in gun incident
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/04/24/Former-Derry-mayor-kevin-gross-ordered-held-for-trial-after-gun-incident-involving-youth/stories/201904240109
Girl testifies she feared ‘getting shot’ by Derry mayor
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/girl-testifies-she-feared-getting-shot-by-derry-mayor/
Former Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer sentenced to 8 years in federal prison for pay-to-play scheme
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/former-reading-mayor-vaughn-spencer-sentenced-to-8-years-in-federal-prison-for-pay-to-play-scheme&template=ourcityart
Education
Threat closes Keystone Oaks School District on Thursday
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/04/25/Threat-Instagram-closes-Keystone-Oaks-School-District/stories/201904250091
Two more districts hit the snooze button on school start times
https://www.philly.com/news/radnor-tredyffrineasttown-schools-start-sleep-20190424.html
School bus company owner cautions that switching carriers can be tricky
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/school-bus-company-owner-cautions-that-switching-carriers-can-be-tricky/
Pa. Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera tours Reading school’s STEM lab
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pa-secretary-of-education-pedro-rivera-tours-reading-schools-stem-lab
What exactly is receivership as it applies to Pa. schools?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/04/with-harrisburgs-mayor-seeking-it-what-exactly-is-receivership-in-pennsylvania-school-terms.html
Nation’s First Apprenticeship for Public School Teachers debuts with Norristown School District
https://www.timesherald.com/news/nation-s-first-apprenticeship-for-public-school-teachers-debuts-with/article_35acfbca-6714-11e9-bd2b-9fa8c1721493.html
Bensalem board approves new six-year teachers contract
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190424/bensalem-board-approves-new-six-year-teachers-contract
Health Care
UPMC lawsuit against attorney general is dismissed
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/legal/2019/04/24/UPMC-lawsuit-against-attorney-general-is-dismissed/stories/201904240167
Federal judge dismisses UPMC suit in Highmark split
https://triblive.com/local/regional/federal-judge-dismisses-upmc-suit-in-highmark-split/
Autism in girls often isn’t diagnosed for a surprising reason, CHOP study finds
https://www.philly.com/health/autism-girls-childrens-hospital-of-philadelphia-20190425.html
NEPA immunization rates
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/nepa-immunization-rates-1.2474615
Local News
Coroner’s office seeking on-call deputies
https://www.timesleader.com/news/741195/coroners-office-seeking-on-call-deputies
County in talks with WVSA on stormwater fee
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-in-talks-with-wvsa-on-stormwater-fee-1.2474525
Scranton ‘Beautiful Blocks’ neighborhood improvement program seeks applicants
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-beautiful-blocks-neighborhood-improvement-program-seeks-applicants-1.2474569
Dunmore resident: UGL truck traffic still an issue near plant
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/dunmore-resident-ugl-truck-traffic-still-an-issue-near-plant-1.2474560
Officials to present draft Lackawanna County waste management plan at public meeting
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/officials-to-present-draft-lackawanna-county-waste-management-plan-at-public-meeting-1.2474616
Authorities investigating incident involving two Merli Veterans’ Center residents
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/authorities-investigating-incident-involving-two-merli-veterans-center-residents-1.2474394
Jessup needs long-term plan for cash
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/jessup-needs-long-term-plan-for-cash-1.2474445
Outside funding for city transit to be examined
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/outside-funding-for-city-transit-to-be-examined-1.2474499
Weatherly council OKs purchase, demolition of 2 blighted properties
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/weatherly-council-oks-purchase-demolition-of-2-blighted-properties-1.2474431
State police execute search warrant at Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/04/24/Pennsylvania-state-police-search-warrant-Westmoreland-County-Sheriff-Office-jonathan-held/stories/201904240138
Agents again raid Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/agents-again-raid-westmoreland-county-sheriffs-office-seize-boxes-of-potential-evidence/
Hempfield eyes creating one fire chief for its 12 departments
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/hempfield-eyes-firefighting-command-structure-changes/
Section of Schuylkill River Trail in Pottstown finished
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/section-of-schuylkill-river-trail-in-pottstown-finished
The renovations at Reading’s Hope Rescue Mission are completed. Now the public can have a look
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/long-awaited-hope-rescue-renovation-ready
Developer pitches plan for converting Sinking Spring golf course into huge apartment complex
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/developer-pitches-plan-for-converting-sinking-spring-golf-course-into-huge-apartment-complex
Communicycle to give 1,000 free bikes to Beaver County children
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190425/communicycle-to-give-1000-free-bikes-to-beaver-county-children
Bucks, Montco departments hosting drug take back day Saturday
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190424/bucks-montco-departments-hosting-drug-take-back-day-saturday
Marijuana
Medical marijuana dispensary set to open in Morton
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/medical-marijuana-dispensary-set-to-open-in-morton/article_d5164e60-66c8-11e9-8305-6b9e65b8dc8f.html
National News
Texas executes a white supremacist for the 1998 dragging death of James Byrd Jr.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/04/24/Texas-executed-white-supremacist-John-William-King-dragging-death-James-Byrd-Jr/stories/201904240169
Boy Scouts kept a list of suspected predators for nearly a century
https://www.philly.com/news/new-jersey/boy-scout-sexual-abuse-nj-leaders-perversion-files-20190424.html
Florida House passes bill that restricts ‘sanctuary cities’
https://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/florida-house-vote-sanctuary-cities-immigration-20190424.html
NRA sues Los Angeles over disclosure law for contractors
https://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/nra-national-rifle-association-suing-los-angeles-law-contracts-20190424.html
US measles cases now at 25-year high
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/us-measles-cases-now-at-25-year-high-1.2474490
Opioid Crisis
Narcan is just the start of fighting the opioid overdose epidemic l Opinion
https://www.philly.com/health/narcan-naloxone-opioid-overdose-university-of-pennsylvania-hospital-20190424.html
Hopeful sign: Drug deaths drop in Pennsylvania for first time in five years
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-drug-deaths–20190425-emychxldmvgpvhvofzce5rbhd4-story.html
Philly
Should Philly school nurses be able to send home unvaccinated students? District says no.
https://www.philly.com/education/vaccines-public-school-philadelphia-pennsylvania-exclude-20190425.html
At 26 Philly schools, teachers churn through jobs at an alarming rate, hindering some of the city’s most vulnerable children.
https://www.philly.com/education/a/philadelphia-school-district-teacher-turnover-20190425.html
Philly cop reassigned after Roxborough man claims officer held him at gunpoint for putting trash in his curbside recycling bin
https://www.philly.com/news/sammyparkeranthonybarberaphiladelphiapolicedepartmenthandgunrecyclingbin-20190424.html
Proposal for high-rise complex on South Philly’s Delaware River waterfront is back
https://www.philly.com/real-estate/commercial/k4-kozero-liberty-on-the-river-sheetmetal-workers-delaware-waterfront-towers-20190425.html
Another charter school in East Falls? Some parents say: No thanks.
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-charter-schools-east-falls-mifflin-laboratory-charter-20190425.html
Five takeaways from Philly DA Larry Krasner’s 2019 budget hearing
https://www.philly.com/news/larry-krasner-city-council-budget-hearing-mass-incarceration-20190424.html
Susan Talbott is leaving the Fabric Workshop and Museum
https://www.philly.com/arts/susan-talbott-leaving-fabric-workshop-philadelphia-wadsworth-hartford-20190424.html
Feds: Philly police officer shared child porn while at work
https://www.philly.com/news/james-strohm-philly-police-child-pornography-mocospace-20190424.html
Can Philly get residents to drink its tap water?
https://www.philly.com/science/climate/philadelphia-tap-water-safe-drinking-water-department-20190424.html
L&I delays crackdown on Temple University food trucks
https://www.philly.com/food/temple-food-trucks-licenses-inspections-petition-students-20190424.html
Democrats endorse a Philly judicial candidate whose unpaid tax bill totaled $119,000
https://www.philly.com/news/sherman-toppin-judge-philadelphia-irs-owes-taxes-democrat-endorsement-primary-20190425.html
There are fewer 5-star rated Philadelphia-area nursing homes under new federal system
https://www.philly.com/business/health/nursing-home-ratings-philadelphia-new-federal-system-20190424.html
How much does the Philly government value our health? 4.7 percent | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/how-much-does-city-value-our-health-47-percent-editorial-20190425.html
After Kate Smith statue removal, Philadelphia can learn from Taiwan | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/taiwan-transitional-justice-tsai-ing-wen-20190424.html
Pitt
Hundreds mourn Sri Lanka victims during interfaith vigil at Heinz Chapel
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/04/24/Interfaith-vigil-mourns-Sri-Lanka-victims/stories/201904240168
Geneva Bible stolen from Carnegie Library traced to pilgrim museum in Netherlands
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/04/24/Geneva-Bible-stolen-from-Carnegie-Library-traced-to-pilgrim-museum-in-Netherlands/stories/201904240143
Pittsburgh’s Past vs Present
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/thedigs/pittsburgh-past-vs-present/part-two/
Genealogy workshop shows African Americans how to find their roots
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/lifestyle/2019/04/24/Heinz-History-Center-genealogists-African-Americans-seminar/stories/201904170094
White Oak fights reinstatement of cop fired over domestic violence arrest
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/04/24/white-oak-police-timothy-estep-domestic-violence-allegheny-county/stories/201904240147
Pittsburgh’s Point State Park fountain will flow soon
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburghs-point-state-park-fountain-will-start-flowing-on-may-4/
State News
Pa. woman killed when she falls into meat grinder at work
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/04/24/Woman-killed-falls-into-meat-grinder-at-work-pennsylvania-Greninger/stories/201904240099
Real Estate summit promises growth in NEPA
https://www.timesleader.com/news/741172/real-estate-summit-promises-growth-in-nepa
Concept of ‘big box’ changing in NEPA
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/concept-of-big-box-changing-in-nepa-1.2474399
Report: Region’s air quality still among worst in nation
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190424/report-regions-air-quality-still-among-worst-in-nation
Transportation
Not ‘a snowball’s chance in you-know-where’: The $1.2 billion King of Prussia rail line is a longshot | Maria Panaritis
https://www.philly.com/news/columnists/king-of-prussia-rail-norristown-high-speed-funding-airport-line-maria-panaritis-20190425.html
Bridge replacement to close Harrison road for 3 months
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/bridge-replacement-to-close-harrison-road-for-3-months/
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton airport loses Philly flight
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-scranton-airport-loses-philly-flight-1.2474423
Washington
Joe Biden is running for president, launches his 2020 campaign
https://www.philly.com/news/joe-biden-running-president-election-trump-scranton-pa-20190425.html
Booker tax returns show income drop, high charitable giving
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/senator-cory-booker-tax-returns-income-fell-high-charitable-giving-20190424.html
Rep. King, who was censured by his colleagues for racist remarks, compares himself to Jesus
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/04/24/Iowa-Republican-Rep-Steve-King-compares-himself-Jesus-racist-remarks/stories/201904240188
‘Unlocking American Dream’: Bill proposes to seal non-violent, weed-related federal crime records
https://www.philly.com/business/weed/marijuana-arrest-clean-slate-blunt-rochester-reschenthaler-cannabis-sealed-records-20190424.html
Federal Clean Slate law unveiled with bipartisan support
https://triblive.com/news/world/federal-clean-slate-law-unveiled-with-bipartisan-support/