Coronavirus – COVID-19

Pa. coronavirus recovery: Lebanon County to get its $12.8M in CARES Act funds https://whyy.org/articles/pa-coronavirus-recovery-hundreds-of-inspections-in-long-term-care-facilities-state-issues-just-1-citation/

Hospital visits to those who are ill but not dying are vital too, clergy argue https://whyy.org/articles/hospital-visits-to-those-who-are-ill-but-not-dying-are-vital-too-clergy-argue/

Delaware hospitals have fewer and fewer COVID-19 patients https://whyy.org/articles/delaware-hospitals-have-fewer-and-fewer-covid-19-patients/

How should I cover my face? A deeper look into neck gaiters and face shields https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/how-should-i-cover-my-face-a-deeper-look-into-neck-gaiters-and-face-shields/

Distributing a COVID-19 vaccine will be a logistical nightmare. Philly’s going to help solve it. https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/vaccine-covid-philadelphia-cdc-distribution-doses-20200814.html

COVID-19 is killing over twice as many Black Americans as whites, new report says https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-black-latino-pandemic-death-rate-race-disparities-20200814.html

15 Pa. counties to watch, including Dauphin, for coronavirus spikes; statewide percent-positivity rate drops https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/08/15-pa-counties-to-watch-including-dauphin-for-coronavirus-spikes-statewide-percent-positivity-rate-drops.html

Pa. Department of Health says contact tracing supports bar and restaurant targeted mitigation; here’s its data https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/08/pa-department-of-health-says-contact-tracing-supports-bar-and-restaraunt-targeted-mitigation-heres-its-data.html

Some restaurant owners defy COVID-19 restrictions in protest https://www.post-gazette.com/news/covid-19/2020/08/14/COVID-19-restaurants-protest-coronavirus-restrictions-Pittsburgh-Allegheny-County/stories/202008140096

Some tavern owners make their own pandemic rules, call on governor to adjust state’s https://triblive.com/local/south-hills/some-tavern-owners-make-their-own-pandemic-rules-call-on-governor-to-adjust-states/

California becomes first state to pass 600,000 coronavirus cases https://triblive.com/news/world/california-becomes-first-state-to-pass-600000-coronavirus-cases/

In settlement, Pa. county to launch $2.8M mask-wearing campaign https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/42499381/in-settlement-pa-county-to-launch-dollar28m-maskwearing-campaign

Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 829 more cases reported Friday and ‘restaurant revolution’ underway in southwest Pa. https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-virus-aug14-data-20200814-wqa6izrarbgalic67qxpmqcdcq-story.html

Aqua Pennsylvania: Drinking water remains safe from COVID-19 https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/business/aqua-pennsylvania-drinking-water-remains-safe-from-covid-19/article_e5c577ec-961d-11ea-9695-2f4e43e47313.html

Business

U.S. retail sales rose, for a third straight month, in July. A slowdown is expected, however. https://www.inquirer.com/business/retail/united-states-retail-sales-july-numbers-coronavirus-covid-19-20200814.html

Philly has fewer businesses per capita than other big East Coast cities, report says https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-business-per-capita-black-owned-unemployment-poverty-rate-20200814.html

JCPenney, Gap, Victoria’s Secret and more than 40 other retailers to close thousands of stores in 2020 https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/08/jcpenney-gap-victorias-secret-and-more-than-40-other-retailers-to-close-thousands-of-stores-in-2020.html

‘There’s a big shortage’: Virus shutdown means fewer new cars, which is driving up used-car prices, dealers say https://www.tribdem.com/news/there-s-a-big-shortage-virus-shutdown-means-fewer-new-cars-which-is-driving-up/article_017cec96-de66-11ea-9451-8f9f2ee9d838.html

Crime/Punishment

Slew of church abuse lawsuits hinges on Pa. court decision https://whyy.org/articles/slew-of-church-abuse-lawsuits-hinges-on-pa-court-decision/

Federal judge fires the leaders and employees of firms at heart of alleged multimillion-dollar fraud https://www.inquirer.com/news/fraud-sec-philadelphia-laforte-vagnozzi-par-funding-a-better-financial-plan-20200814.html

Under Trump, SEC enforcement of insider trading dropped to lowest point in decades https://www.witf.org/2020/08/14/under-trump-sec-enforcement-of-insider-trading-dropped-to-lowest-point-in-decades/

Attorneys filed 30 new lawsuits against Diocese of Scranton as deadline loomed https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/attorneys-filed-30-new-lawsuits-against-diocese-of-scranton-as-deadline-loomed/article_04afb7e8-3a49-556c-9f36-405b2b52ca8e.html

Allentown Diocese hit with nearly 20 sex abuse lawsuits as cases mushroom statewide https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-catholic-church-lawsuits-20200814-y37x5xzt7rdf3obrzhz2ylfgcy-story.html

Bucks County Judge Alan Rubenstein apologizes for ‘sexist’ comments to abuse victim ‘too dumb to leave’ https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/local/2020/08/14/bucks-county-judge-alan-rubenstein-apologizes-sexist-comments/3375610001/

Education

Temple is the last local college football team standing | Mike Jensen https://www.inquirer.com/sports/temple-covid-19-football-rod-carey-dunphy-20200815.html

Pennsylvania schools get more detailed state guidance on handling COVID-19 outbreaks https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-pennsylvania-schools-guidelines-20200814.html

Private, charter schools in Pa. worry bus cuts will strand students https://www.witf.org/2020/08/14/private-charter-schools-in-pa-worry-bus-cuts-will-strand-students/

PIAA executive director Bob Lombardi has met with Gov. Tom Wolf’s staff. What’s next? https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/08/piaa-executive-director-bob-lombardi-has-met-with-gov-tom-wolfs-staff-whats-next.html

Classes At PA’s State-Owned Universities Will Be Mostly Held Online In Fall https://www.wesa.fm/post/classes-pas-state-owned-universities-will-be-mostly-held-online-fall

Penn-Trafford school staffer tests positive for covid-19 https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/penn-trafford-school-staffer-tests-positive-for-covid-19/

Reopening Schools in NEPA https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/reopening/

Pitt-Johnstown freshmen move in, orientation adjusted because of COVID-19 https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/pitt-johnstown-freshmen-move-in-orientation-adjusted-because-of-covid-19/article_3bc5b6d8-de72-11ea-a948-17e163a78f56.html

Montgomery County health officials release guidance for reopening schools amid coronavirus https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-health-officials-release-guidance-for-reopening-schools-amid-coronavirus/article_b089c96b-5214-5044-bac9-5253d28fa01e.html

Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center to open with in-person classes https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/western-montgomery-career-and-technology-center-to-open-with-in-person-classes/article_b10d1030-dd91-11ea-9b47-4f31725d3e18.html

Elections/Politics

Pennsylvania to voters: Don’t panic about your mail ballot https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-mail-ballot-deadlines-usps-kathy-boockvar-20200814.html

Not real news: A look at false claims around Kamala Harris https://whyy.org/articles/not-real-news-a-look-at-false-claims-around-kamala-harris/

Lawmakers: Postal changes delay mail-order medicine for vets https://whyy.org/articles/lawmakers-postal-changes-delay-mail-order-medicine-for-vets/

Kamala Harris applauds Biden’s ‘audacity to choose a Black woman to be his running mate’ https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/kamala-harris-joe-biden-first-interview-20200814.html

As President Trump attacked mail-in votes, he and the first lady requested absentee ballots in Florida https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/donald-trump-melania-trump-mail-in-absentee-ballots-florida-20200814.html

Every active N.J. voter will get a mail ballot this fall, Gov. Murphy says amid concern over the postal service and pandemic https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-nj-voting-mail-pa-philly-election-2020-trump-20200814.html

A Bucks County election sparks a familiar question: Is Fitzpatrick a moderate? https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/brian-fitzpatrick-christina-finello-bucks-county-pa-moderate-20200815.html

Union president: Slashed overtime and other changes amount to ‘intentional’ effort to weaken mail service https://www.witf.org/2020/08/14/union-president-slashed-overtime-and-other-changes-amount-to-intentional-effort-to-weaken-mail-service/

Report: Postal Service tells 46 states, including Pa., mail-in ballots could be delayed https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/report-postal-service-tells-46-states-including-pa-mail-in-ballots-could-be-delayed/

Health Care

Ragweed season got an early start, and it’s almost sure to get worse in the next few weeks https://www.inquirer.com/news/ragweed-allergy-pollen-season-coronavirus-symptoms-hay-fever-20200815.html

Antivax social media can influence flu vaccines — unless family and friends step in https://www.inquirer.com/health/vaccines-vaccinations-anti-vax-social-media–20200814.html

Local News

Braddock restaurant owner posts photo depicting Health Secretary Levine, Governor Tom Wolf as Nazis https://www.post-gazette.com/news/covid-19/2020/08/14/Braddock-restaurant-owner-depicts-Levine-Governor-Wolf-as/stories/202008140124

Lackawanna COVID-19 cases nudge upward, but Luzerne spikes again https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/lackawanna-covid-19-cases-nudge-upward-but-luzerne-spikes-again/article_938e41a3-dedd-53c5-b6d2-3d7f8ee17b7e.html

Insurer sues Scranton parking garage to recoup $110,000 for water damage of adjoining Lackawanna County building https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/insurer-sues-scranton-parking-garage-to-recoup-110-000-for-water-damage-of-adjoining-lackawanna/article_31410f14-b156-5fd8-a346-6721f2705c2d.html

23 new coronavirus cases in Luzerne County https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/23-new-coronavirus-cases-in-luzerne-county/article_ee8982d5-b42e-5fb9-8624-9846c69b6e9a.html

Downtown Reading development project gets the green light https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/downtown-reading-development-project-gets-the-green-light/article_ca493356-dce4-11ea-9d39-bb75f3a62610.html

Supporters rally to ‘Back the Blue’ in Parkside https://www.delcotimes.com/news/supporters-rally-to-back-the-blue-in-parkside/article_7e1b6e6c-dcfe-11ea-bf26-cfccb2c4b5a5.html

Conservationists expect Great American Outdoors Act to bolster national parks in Berks County, across country https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/local/conservationists-expect-great-american-outdoors-act-to-bolster-national-parks-in-berks-county-across-country/article_b10d303f-a109-5b55-ba34-271850107162.html

National News

Tropical Storm Kyle forms off mid-Atlantic coast https://whyy.org/articles/tropical-storm-kyle-forms-off-mid-atlantic-coast/

Body camera video of George Floyd and police offers new details of deadly encounter https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/body-camera-video-of-george-floyd-and-police-offers-new-details-of-deadly-encounter/

The U.S.-Canada border restrictions are extended for another month https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/united-states-canada-border-travel-closed-september-20200814.html

Philly

Fishtown fought to save St. Laurentius church’s twin spires for 6 years. The neighborhood just lost. https://whyy.org/articles/fishtown-fought-to-save-this-landmark-for-6-years-the-neighborhood-just-lost/

Philly restaurant workers talk coronavirus, layoffs, stimulus and safety https://billypenn.com/2020/08/14/philly-restaurant-workers-coronavirus-layoffs-stimulus-safety-health-video/

SEPTA’s ‘social distancing coaches’ are the newest part of your commute https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-face-masks-social-distancing-coaches-coronavirus-20200815.html

As pandemic began, suburban Philly house sales went up and prices dipped, the opposite of the city market https://www.inquirer.com/news/housing-market-suburbs-philadelphia-price-sales-drexel-20200813.html

Negotiations at an ‘impasse’ between city and encampment leaders https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/negotiations-at-an-impasse-between-city-and-encampment-leaders/article_a5c8a3c0-64d0-5bb1-ac29-a4391c44b700.html

Pitt

Two years on, grand jury’s impact on diocese lingers https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/08/15/Two-years-grand-jury-diocese-Catholic-Pittsburgh-Bishop-David-Zubik-sexual-abuse/stories/202008140102

Head of U.S. Small Business Administration visits Pittsburgh restaurant https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/head-of-u-s-small-business-administration-visits-pittsburgh-restaurant/

State News

Philadelphia, state investigate sex abuse claims at care facility https://www.witf.org/2020/08/14/philadelphia-wont-send-kids-to-nonprofit-health-organization-after-report-of-sexual-assaults/

Postal service warning needed action, state election official says https://www.witf.org/2020/08/15/postal-service-warning-needed-action-state-election-official-says/

Pennsylvania prisons to upgrade video visitation for inmates https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-prisons-to-upgrade-video-visitation-for-prison-inmates/

Washington

Trump continues battling TikTok, orders Chinese parent company to sell its US assets https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/08/trump-continues-battling-tiktok-orders-chinese-parent-company-to-sell-its-us-assets.html

Sens. Casey, Toomey demand U.S. Health Secretary Azar take action to protect nursing homes https://triblive.com/news/world/sens-casey-toomey-demand-health-secretary-azar-take-action-to-protect-nursing-homes/

With no stimulus package deal, how can Congress skip town? https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-congress-recess-stimulus-muschick-20200814-lix2bp3d4vcb3gwlzxf5df5wsi-story.html