News Digest :: August 11, 2022

Legislature

Pa. state senator introduces hospital reform legislation to address ‘destabilizing effect’ from recent closures | Health | phillytrib.com

Chestnut Hill Hospital’s Future Championed By Federal, State Reps – USA News Lab

Pa. Dems, abortion advocates see parallels in Kansas abortion rights vote – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

As self-driving car testing drives forward in Pa., experts and lawmakers turn their eyes to safety regulations | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pardon Project of Berks County gets $100,000 state grant (readingeagle.com)

Schwank, BCPS Announce $100,000 in State Funding for Pardon Project – BCTV

Rodale Institute Receives $3 Million to Fund State-of-the-Art Science Center – BCTV

State grants will fund traffic signal upgrades Doylestown Township, Dublin, Falls and Lower Makefield | The Bucks County Herald

 

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Is COVID-19 becoming more like the flu? – pennlive.com

Health officials focus on vaccines over mask mandates as new school year approaches | Coronavirus | tribdem.com

WHO: COVID-19 deaths fall overall by 9%, infections stable | Coronavirus | tribdem.com

Here’s what CHOP’s 2022-2023 back-to-school COVID recommendations say (inquirer.com)

 

Business/Jobs

U.S. Gas Prices Fall Below $4 a Gallon, AAA Says – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Gas prices dip just below $4 for the first time in 5 months | TribLIVE.com

Dixie Cup owner is years behind on property taxes (mcall.com)

Walmart to open 400,000-square-foot ‘high-tech consolidation center’ in central Pa., will employ about 1,000 – pennlive.com

 

Crime/Punishment

Murder charges reinstated in crash that killed two Pennsylvania state troopers and another man | WITF

 

Education

Central Bucks OKs textbook policy banning sexually explicit material (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Students learn valuable career skills at CCIU’s summer career academies – Daily Local

Little Free Libraries respond to Central Bucks library policy | The Bucks County Herald

Student loan freeze led to big credit-score gains, New York Fed says | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Elections/Politics

A lead if they can keep it. Polls put Dems Fetterman, Shapiro on top for now | Mark O’Keefe – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

New Republican voters outpace new Democrats in Pennsylvania, could affect Wild-Scheller race – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Some Pennsylvania doctors call Dr. Oz’s run for Senate a ‘threat to public health’ | WITF

Making sense of social media in Pa.’s high-profile races | WITF

Allegheny County election officials debate future of ballot drop boxes, satellite voting centers | TribLIVE.com

Luzerne County exploring security cameras for drop boxes | Times Leader

Luzerne election board again debates ballot drop box protocols | Election | standardspeaker.com

Berks County Republican Committee questionnaire sparks backlash (readingeagle.com)

Longtime Political Expert Expects PA Senate Race To Kick Into High Gear – ButlerRadio.com – Butler, PA

Pa. Senate race: Former Fetterman rival and doctor hits Oz over ‘Dr. Oz Show’ advice (inquirer.com)

 

Environment

Pennsylvania has so far been able to avoid wildfires. Climate and forestry scientists warn that could change. | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Transportation

LGA. PHL among 10 worst U.S. airports for flight cancellations this summer (inquirer.com)

 

Health

Anxiety, depression diagnoses spiked for Pa. kids during pandemic | Thursday Morning Coffee – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

LGBTQ more likely to have a negative health care experience (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Op-Ed: Our precious children deserve a to have a choice (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Biden administration proposes changing how monkeypox vaccine is administered – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

The monkeypox vaccine dilemma | Morning Newsletter (inquirer.com)

Overdose prevention should be a part of each college’s Core Curriculum | Opinion (inquirer.com)

 

State News

Pennsylvania advocates push for Congress to reauthorize home visit programs for kids and parents | WITF

Our View: Leave the kid be. Sesame Place has to get this right (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Sesame Place announces diversity, inclusion training after viral video sparks backlash | Local News | phillytrib.com

Advocates warn Pennsylvania hydrogen hub expensive, inefficient | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Pennsylvania veterans still struggle with mental health, homelessness | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

A Q&A with House Agriculture Committee Executive Director Kerry Golden – City & State Pennsylvania (cityandstatepa.com)

Unclaimed money Pennsylvania: Over $4 billion still available to claim (abc27.com)

FBI returns Rep. Scott Perry’s cell phone; reports (abc27.com)

U.S. Rep. Scott Perry says he’s not a target of federal probe – pennlive.com

PA Treasurer Garrity: 87,000 New IRS Agents ‘Startling Overreach’ – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)

FBI, seeking information related to Rep. Scott Perry, delivers subpoenas to several Pa. GOP lawmakers, sources say | WITF

Western Pennsylvania shelters will adopt out 21 beagles rescued from a Virginia research facility | WITF

State attorneys general, including Pa., support new poultry rule but question oversight – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Cheers to the audit that found Pa. Liquor Control Board bigwigs taking from the top shelf | John Baer – pennlive.com

 

National News

Biden signs bill to help veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Biden signs veterans benefits bill that includes Cartwright legislation | News | thetimes-tribune.com

What investigations is Trump facing? : NPR

As FBI raids Trump’s home, he turns to familiar playbook to divide America | Solomon Jones (inquirer.com)

Social media posts warn not to call 988. What you need to know : Shots – Health News : NPR

Clinics in neighboring states team up to provide abortion care : Shots – Health News : NPR

Iranian charged for allegedly planning to assassinate John Bolton : NPR

N.Y. Gov. Hochul pledges $10 million to fight domestic terrorism in the state : NPR

Evictions are spiking as assistance, protections disappear | WITF

Full moon in August 2022: When to see tonight as Perseid meteor shower peak (inquirer.com)

 

Local News

Sinkhole repairs underway on Palmer Township’s Hollo Road | Lehigh Valley Regional News | wfmz.com

Rock Lititz spends $1.3M for former Specialty Baker property on Route 501; no details yet on possible expansion plans | Local Business | lancasteronline.com

First responders forging connections at Lititz Endless Summer [photos] | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Sun-tracking solar panels could be installed on former Martic Township coal ash basin | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Bensalem hotel sought rent while taking Bucks County funds: Residents (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Almost one year after Hurricane Ida, Brandywine Conservancy marks milestone recovery – Daily Local

Officials consider redrawing ward lines in West Chester – Daily Local

Palisades Fire Rescue heads to flood-ravaged Kentucky | The Bucks County Herald

Bucks County Association of Township Officials oppose sale of sewer system | The Bucks County Herald

Central Bucks board member discusses recent policies | The Bucks County Herald

Delaware County to save $3.4 million with employee benefit offerings package (delcotimes.com)

Putting Pittston in the spotlight | Times Leader

DCED Acting Secretary Weaver calls Pittston a success story | News | citizensvoice.com

Move Over Law: Exeter Township police enforcement detail (readingeagle.com)

Warehouse plans on ice after zoning change voted down in Northern Berks (readingeagle.com)

Central Pa. city owes the IRS $160K in penalties; ‘it’s an understatement our finances are a mess’ – pennlive.com

 

Pitt

Western Pa. school districts worry about how to feed students this year without free lunches | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh to get $11.3 million federal grant to rebuild Hill District streets | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

How Coraopolis is becoming a community hub for Pittsburgh’s growing Latino population – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pittsburgh celebrates Black Philanthropy Month with $10 million initiative | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Delivery of 7 remaining Fern Hollow Bridge beams begins Thursday | TribLIVE.com

Penn Hills School District to form its own police force | TribLIVE.com

Pittsburgh-area thrift stores face financial challenges amid rising costs | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Philly

Glitter has proven it can clean our streets. Will the City finally back it up? (thephiladelphiacitizen.org)

Federal and Philadelphia city officials pledge better collaboration to combat gun violence (inquirer.com)

As Shootings Soar in Philadelphia, City is Awash in Guns – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Philadelphia is full of ‘violence interrupter’ initiatives. Can a new faith-based coalition move the needle? | Local News | phillytrib.com

Philadelphia residents, youth say city leaders aren’t listening to their ideas for solving gun violence | Local News | phillytrib.com

To reduce violence in Philadelphia, plant trees and gardens | Opinion (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia DA’s Office will not appeal a recent ruling on police shootings to the U.S. Supreme Court | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Philadelphia gets funding boost for bike trail plan connecting Maine to Florida – City & State Pennsylvania (cityandstatepa.com)

Philadelphia achieves near complete compliance with city employee vaccine mandate | Coronavirus | phillytrib.com

Philadelphia pool closing dates for 2022 announced by Parks and Recreation (inquirer.com)

Philly will finally start mailing property assessment notices (inquirer.com)

 

Washington

The Inflation Reduction Act: What the bill will actually mean for inflation : NPR

Inflation Reduction Act brings much-needed step toward lowering prescription drug costs (inquirer.com)