Clergy Sex Abuse
Church scandal: Bipartisan support for reforms of state law
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/church-scandal-bipartisan-support-for-reforms-of-state-law-1.2374478
Abuse report could spur changes to law on statute of limitations
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/08/16/Abuse-report-could-spur-changes-to-law-on-statute-of-limitations-pennsylvania-grand-jury-harrisburg/stories/201808150173
Sen. Jay Costa on the Grand Jury Report about Sexual Abuse in the Pennsylvania Diocese
https://kdkaradio.radio.com/media/audio-channel/sen-jay-costa-grand-jury-report-about-sexual-abuse-pennsylvania-diocese
Gov. Wolf urges lawmakers to act to help child sex abuse victims
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/08/gov_wolf_urges_lawmakers_to_ac.html#incart_river_index
Clergy abuse victims nationally continue to be impeded by statutes of limitations
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/08/clergy_abuse_victims_nationall.html#incart_river_index
Abuse survivors group SNAP seeks resignation of Bishop Zubik; calls him ‘callous and dangerous outlier’
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/08/15/SNAP-bishop-david-zubik-catholic-diocese-pittsburgh-grand-jury-sexual-abuse-priests/stories/201808150139
Victim group calls for Zubik’s resignation after priest sex abuse scandal
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13977244-74/victim-group-calls-for-zubiks-resignation-after-priest-sex-abuse-scandal
Calls flood into clergy sex abuse hotline in wake of scathing report
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/08/15/resources-grand-jury-report-priests-pennsylvania-catholic-dioceses-child-sex-abuse-hotline-numbers/stories/201808150113
A day later: Pennsylvania priest sex abuse report unleashes shock, anger, support and more than 100 calls to hotline
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-grand-jury-report-reaction-20180815-story.html
Cardinal Wuerl alludes briefly to grand jury report at Assumption Mass in D.C.
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/08/15/Cardinal-donald-Wuerl-grand-jury-report-Assumption-Mass-sexual-abuse/stories/201808150116
Online petition started to remove Cardinal Wuerl’s name from Cranberry school
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/08/16/petition-remove-Cardinal-Wuerl-name-Cranberry-school-priest-abuse-grand-jury-report/stories/201808160101
Online petition started to rename Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13976602-74/online-petition-started-to-rename-cardinal-wuerl-north-catholic-high-school
Clergy sex-abuse report: These 9 accused priests had postings around Philly
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/catholic-priest-clergy-sex-abuse-report-philadelphia-ties-20180815.html
Grand jury on Scranton Diocese: wholesale institutional failure
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/08/15/Grand-jury-report-Scranton-Diocese-sex-abuse-child-catholic-church/stories/201808140143
Catholic faithful say the church has moved beyond the days of ‘predator priests’
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13977614-74/catholic-faithful-say-the-church-has-moved-beyond-the-days-of-predator
Former Beaver County DA who dropped priest sex abuse probe fired from current job
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13977281-74/former-beaver-county-da-who-dropped-priest-sex-abuse-probe-fired-from
Allentown solicitor fired one day after being named in the priest grand jury report
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-grand-jury-thomas-traud-20180815-story.html
Greensburg diocese contemplates stripping Bishop Connare’s name off conference center
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/13977905-74/greensburg-diocese-contemplates-stripping-bishop-connares-name-off-conference-center
Bishop Timlin likely won’t face sanctions
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/bishop-timlin-likely-won-t-face-sanctions-1.2374350
Church helped former priest accused of abuse get Disney job
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13976242-74/church-helped-former-priest-accused-of-abuse-get-disney-job
4 who appeared before grand jury discuss testimony about abuse in Berks County
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/4-who-appeared-before-grand-jury-discuss-testimony-about-abuse-in-berks-county
Pa. lawmakers must act swiftly on clergy abuse recommendations | Editorial
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2018/08/pa_lawmakers_must_act_swiftly.html#incart_river_index
Legislature
School safety measures weighed as Act 44 provides $60M to address needs
http://www.tribdem.com/news/school-safety-measures-weighed-as-act-provides-m-to-address/article_aa0ca1c8-a0fe-11e8-b99d-7fc7143a82ae.html
Lawmakers: School safety funding on track for March 2019
http://www.witf.org/news/2018/08/lawmakers-school-safety-funding-on-track-for-march-2019.php
Schools to get funds for safety
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/08/schools-to-get-funds-for-safety/
York County families victimized by cemetery fraud could lead to changes to Pa. system
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2018/08/14/cemetery-fraud-gets-house-attention/990082002/
State Rep. Margo Davidson is a menace behind the wheel. You foot the bill.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/margo-davidson-pennsylvania-house-representatives-car-accidents-20180816.html
Business
MAX says new Yukon landfill would be farther from residents
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/13977922-74/max-says-new-yukon-landfill-would-be-farther-from-residents
Education
Berks schools administrator is the new superintendent at Woodland Hills
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/08/15/Berks-County-schools-administrator-new-superintendent-at-Woodland-Hills-james-harris/stories/201808150177
Does ‘redshirting’ actually benefit kids? Inside the big kindergarten readiness decision parents make
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/academic-redshirting-kindergarten-experts-prek-enrollment-20180815.html
Old Forge School Board asks for director’s resignation
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/old-forge-school-board-asks-for-director-s-resignation-1.2374415
Harrisburg schools to teachers: Pay us back $500k for ‘inflated’ salaries
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/08/harrisburg_teachers_union_grie.html#incart_river_index
Graduates of these Pa. colleges and universities have the highest student debt
https://www.pennlive.com/expo/news/erry-2018/08/ea624c29672075/graduates-of-these-pa-colleges.html#incart_river_index
Elections/Politics
Low-profile Bob Casey points to detailed work as Trump, GOP attack his record
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/politics/trump-bob-casey-pa-senate-lou-barletta-sleepin-bob-20180815.html
‘Red, White & Lou’ campaign bus tour stops at Mohegan Sun Pocono
https://www.timesleader.com/news/715169/red-white-lou-campaign-bus-tour-stops-at-mohegan-sun-pocono
Barletta: Trump’s policies are working
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/barletta-trump-s-policies-are-working-1.2374405
Flooding
River has crested, but rain set to return
https://www.timesleader.com/news/715080/flooding-impacting-low-lying-areas-garden-drivein
Latest round of Luzerne County flood buyouts covers more than 150 properties
https://www.timesleader.com/news/715162/latest-round-of-luzerne-county-flood-buyouts-covers-more-than-150-properties
Flooding reported in low-lying areas
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/flooding-reported-in-low-lying-areas-1.2374440
Officials tour flood-damaged street in Hamburg
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/officials-tour-flood-damaged-street-in-hamburg
Road to recovering from flooding is underway
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/road-to-recovering-from-flooding-is-underway
Gaming
Pennsylvania tees up sports bets but not in time for NFL season
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/13976869-74/pennsylvania-tees-up-sports-bets-but-not-in-time-for-nfl-season
Pennsylvania Lottery is now offering simulated sports games much to casinos’ dismay
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/08/pennsylvania_lottery_is_now_of.html#incart_river_index
Pa.’s sports betting rules come into clearer focus; timeline suggests middle of football season launch
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/08/gaming_control_board_sets_rule.html#incart_river_index
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approves first wave of Internet-based gambling licenses
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/08/pennsylvania_gaming_control_bo.html
Pa. gambling regulators allow betting on Penn State football but it won’t happen for weeks
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/08/pa_gambling_regulators_will_pe.html
Health Care
AHN officials dig into what will be a big building boom, starting with construction of AHN Wexford hospital
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2018/08/15/AHN-Wexford-Pine-Township-new-hospital-obstetrical-delivery-Highmark-Health/stories/201808150115
Local News
Smooth surface coming for path atop Wyoming Valley Levee
https://www.timesleader.com/news/715177/smooth-surface-coming-for-path-atop-wyoming-valley-levee
Westmoreland Club CEO named honorary chair of NAACP fundraiser
https://www.timesleader.com/news/715174/westmoreland-club-manager-named-honorary-chair-of-naacp-fundraiser
Entrepreneur receives $1M grant to help renovate two W-B buildings
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/entrepreneur-receives-1m-grant-to-help-renovate-two-w-b-buildings-1.2374324
County council mulls requested tax abatement
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-council-mulls-requested-tax-abatement-1.2374355
Concern over leaning retaining wall holding up Ryerson Avenue in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/concern-over-leaning-retaining-wall-holding-up-ryerson-avenue-in-scranton-1.2374517
Animal shelter director out after 3 weeks on the job
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/animal-shelter-director-out-after-3-weeks-on-the-job-1.2374504
Archbald council passes amended tax-break ordinance for warehouse to bring more money into borough
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/archbald-council-passes-amended-tax-break-ordinance-for-warehouse-to-bring-more-money-into-borough-1.2374442
Judge hears arguments in lawsuit over Scranton sewer sale money
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/judge-hears-arguments-in-lawsuit-over-scranton-sewer-sale-money-1.2374443
Allentown Council passes ban on overnight fireworks
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-fireworks-restriction-hours-20180815-story.html
Natural Gas
Fracking industry water use rises as drills extend, study says
https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2018/08/15/fracking-industry-water-use-rises-as-drills-extend-study-says/?_ga=2.48988006.1571319710.1534335313-143648526.1525781970
Opioid Crisis
Where is the help? Opioids have taken a huge toll on Pennsylvania
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/08/16/Where-is-the-help-Opioids-have-taken-a-huge-toll-on-Pennsylvania/stories/201808150031
Panel sees trend from heroin to crack
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/08/panel-sees-trend-from-heroin-to-crack/
Philly
A smaller but vocal crowd speaks up at Philly labor rally to support immigrant children
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/labor-unions-immigrant-children-rally-philadelphia-trump-20180815.html
Deaths from kratom, sold as an herbal supplement, are rising. But no one knows how much.
http://www2.philly.com/philly/health/kratom-opioid-drug-death-data-mitragynine-20180816.html
Coaches, friends mourn slain Imhotep track star headed for Penn State
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/penn-state-kristian-marche-track-prospect-shot-dead-philadelphia-police-20180815.html
‘No one sugar-coated anything:’ Philly teachers undergo intense training to improve empathy and inclusion
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/philadelphia-school-district-new-teachers-lessons-in-trauma-and-inclusion-20180815.html
Philadelphia to close Devil’s Pool on weekends to ‘ensure public safety’
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia/devils-pool-closed-wissahickon-valley-park-20180815.html
Mayor Kenney becoming a national embarrassment | Dom Giordano
http://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/mayor-kenney-immigration-president-donald-trump-ice-dom-giordano-20180816.html
Pitt
Peduto orders another look at scrutinized house sale in Beechview
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/08/15/Bill-Peduto-reopens-investigation-Beechview-property-real-estate-manager-Pickett-Tropical-Avenue/stories/201808150118
URA eyes $300,000 contract for the design of its Art Institute space
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2018/08/15/URA-300-000-contract-for-the-design-of-its-Art-Institute-space-Strada-Astrobotic-Robin-Fairywood/stories/201808150060
State News
Got milk? State plan seeks ways to bolster dairy farms, including stabilizing prices
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2018/08/15/Pennsylvania-agriculture-dairy-farmers-milk-processors-prices-schools-board/stories/201808150114
Going wild for their girls: Tunkhannock in tizzy for Wednesday’s title tilt
https://www.timesleader.com/news/715190/going-wild-for-their-girls-tunkhannock-in-tizzy-for-wednesdays-title-tilt
SOFTBALL: Tunkhannock falls in Little League World Series title game
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/sports/softball-tunkhannock-falls-in-little-league-world-series-title-game-1.2374560
Berks County DA delays release of findings in bulldozer-involved death
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-da-delays-release-of-findings-in-bulldozer-involved-death
Transportation
Wolf, PennDOT give update on road-fixing blitz
https://www.timesleader.com/news/715152/wolf-penndot-give-update-on-road-fixing-blitz
Bridge linking Pittston and West Pittston to close for lighting work
https://www.timesleader.com/news/715158/bridge-linking-pittston-and-west-pittston-to-close-for-lighting-work
WBS airport to expand Pittsburgh service with weekend flights by new carrier
https://www.timesleader.com/news/715145/wbs-airport-to-expand-pittsburgh-service-with-weekend-flights-by-new-carrier
Days Run Road closure signs spur confusion
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13976639-74/days-run-road-closure-signs-spur-confusion
‘Drive Sober’ campaign extends through Labor Day holiday
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/13978732-74/drive-sober-campaign-extends-through-labor-day-holiday
LCTA to host public forum Tuesday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lcta-to-host-public-forum-tuesday-1.2374325
Washington
Trump yanks ex-CIA chief’s clearance, hitting vocal critic
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/20180815_ap_39bc85fbe38b4cbcb4c6d37e3be0216f.html?arc404=true