Legislature

Lawmakers react to Postal Service changes in Erie, elsewhere
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200817/lawmakers-react-to-postal-service-changes-in-erie-elsewhere

State lawmakers question data used to recommend PIAA sports shutdown
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/08/state-lawmakers-question-data-used-to-recommend-piaa-sports-shutdown.html

House Republicans say no data behind Gov. Tom Wolf’s recommendation to postpone fall school sports
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-republicans-youth-sports-20200817-nz5tcufbebahjec2baseoe4dje-story.html

CFA funding announced for several Luzerne County projects
https://www.timesleader.com/news/797232/cfa-funding-announced-for-several-luzerne-county-projects

Berks County water and sewer projects receiving $1.8 million in state grants
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-water-and-sewer-projects-receiving-1-8-million-in-state-grants/article_5bc7a4ca-e08c-11ea-a105-abf46369ffba.html

New program from Rep. Patty Kim aims to help parents while Harrisburg area schools start remotely
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/new-program-from-rep-patty-kim-aims-to-help-parents-while-harrisburg-area-schools-start-remotely.html

Pa.’s building trade unions need to be allies, not opponents, of a cleaner climate | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pa-s-building-trade-unions-need-to-be-allies-not-opponents-of-a-cleaner-climate-opinion/

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Wolf defends coronavirus strategy as resistance grows
https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/wolf-defends-coronavirus-strategy-as-resistance-grows/article_c6f076d9-842b-5ece-a401-aef23ff75003.html

New Pa. order for long-term care sites focuses on protective equipment for frontline staff
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/08/17/Pennsylvania-Department-of-Health-order-long-term-care-facilities-PPE-frontline/stories/202008170092

Pennsylvania increases contact tracing staff
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-increases-contact-tracing-staff/

New study says Pennsylvania’s child care industry needs millions more in aid to survive
https://www.witf.org/2020/08/17/new-study-says-pennsylvanias-child-care-industry-needs-millions-more-in-aid-to-survive/

Daycare centers shouldered big costs, shutdowns from COVID-19. Some say they can’t reopen without more aid
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/daycare-centers-shouldered-big-costs-shutdowns-from-covid-19-some-say-they-cant-reopen-without-more-aid/

Coronavirus pandemic puts $325 million hit on Pennsylvania child care industry, study finds
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-child-care-impact-pennsylvania-study-20200817-lwn2fzqy7zdvbhh7cj64mhhkgu-story.html

Is Pa. on the verge of a wave of evictions? Flaws evident as applicants flood state housing program
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/is-pa-on-the-verge-of-a-wave-of-evictions-flaws-evident-as-applicants-flood/article_d2be3d32-ddcb-11ea-b9cf-9b5a030161d1.html

Women in the pandemic face pressures of job loss, virtual school and being primary caregivers
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2020/08/17/Women-COVID-19-pressures-jobs-virtual-school-caregivers/stories/202008160021

Are antigen tests the silver bullet to Pa.’s coronavirus testing delays? Not so fast
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/coronavirus/are-antigen-tests-the-silver-bullet-to-pa-s-coronavirus-testing-delays-not-so-fast/article_31aed6a9-50bd-5137-a5fc-30bbd2f0d3fa.html

In-person visits to resume at county-owned Westmoreland Manor in Hempfield
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/in-person-visits-to-resume-at-westmoreland-manor/

COVID-19 Update: Pa. reports a drop in new cases with 384; Pittsburgh region sees 130 more
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/08/17/COVID-10-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-allegheny-county-data-cases-deaths-pandemic/stories/202008170066

Allegheny County posts lower new covid case count for 4th straight day
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-posts-lower-new-covid-case-count-for-4th-straight-day/

Westmoreland County adds 7 new coronavirus cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-adds-7-new-coronavirus-cases-2/

No new COVID-19 deaths statewide, 19 new local cases
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/no-new-covid-19-deaths-statewide-19-new-local-cases/article_f1ba1571-a2b6-5dca-b643-645aa1a4d992.html

Berks County adds 12 new coronavirus cases; weekly average falls slightly
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-adds-12-new-coronavirus-cases-weekly-average-falls-slightly/article_7d3e3cb2-e0ab-11ea-ad85-6f1e45257b78.html

Mount Aloysius College reports first COVID-19 case; Cambria adds 10 cases
https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/mount-aloysius-college-reports-first-covid-19-case-cambria-adds-10-cases/article_c30b25dc-e0a3-11ea-bf43-3b26867d774d.html

Beaver County off state’s COVID-watch list
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/08/17/beaver-county-no-longer-pennsylvanias-covid-watch-list/3378700001/

Coatesville VA piloting new coronavirus safety program
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/coatesville-va-piloting-new-coronavirus-safety-program/article_27182c2a-e0a7-11ea-9c71-f7b798feb775.html

Administration

Gov. Wolf visits York, discusses $96M in small business grants, COVID-relief funding
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/08/17/gov-wolf-visit-york-shares-96-m-small-business-grant-covid-relief/3379424001/

Business

$50 million in coronavirus ‘hazard pay’ grants doled out by Pennsylvania: Here are 26 Lehigh Valley organizations getting money
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-hazard-pay-grants-20200817-ie3qustrmre7fa7xqltid2gmfm-story.html

Report: Pennsylvania clean energy ‘major’ job creator
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/08/17/report-reveals-green-energy-growth/3378166001/

Coronavirus restrictions send event businesses and their customers scrambling
https://www.readingeagle.com/business-weekly/coronavirus-restrictions-send-event-businesses-and-their-customers-scrambling/article_c4971eb2-de5d-11ea-b9b8-0be889a8ec7b.html

$100 million recycling plant planned for Erie
https://www.goerie.com/business/20200817/100-million-recycling-plant-planned-for-erie

Crime/Punishment

Wilkes-Barre testing body cameras for police
https://www.timesleader.com/news/797245/wilkes-barre-testing-body-cameras-for-police

DA: We are investigating reports of adults seeking sex with minors
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/crime-emergencies/da-we-are-investigating-reports-of-adults-seeking-sex-with-minors/article_6e348d71-030f-52d5-9fc6-0900b9a150a2.html

COVID-19 what’s next: Pandemic challenges Pa prison, jail operations
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/state/2020/08/18/covid-19-pennsylvania-prison-inmates-corrections-jails/3363510001/

Education

Students will have to wear masks all day in school, with few exceptions: Pa. health department
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/08/students-will-have-to-wear-masks-all-day-in-school-with-few-exceptions-pa-health-department.html

Pa. adopts stricter rules on masks in school
https://www.readingeagle.com/pa-adopts-stricter-rules-on-masks-in-school/article_11b65234-e0c6-11ea-a720-d35da718645d.html

Pennsylvania adopts stricter rules on masks in school
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/pennsylvania-adopts-stricter-rules-on-masks-in-school/article_dc12dfcc-084b-51fd-83a3-9a22dde4511a.html

Closing the digital divide: Pa. schools say they’re ready to teach kids online after spring emergency test
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/08/closing-the-digital-divide-pa-schools-believe-theyre-ready-to-teach-kids-online-after-last-springs-emergency-test.html

Virtual teaching: Be improvisational, engage students, experts say
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/virtual-teaching-be-improvisational-engage-students-experts-say/

Getting kids to school safely in a pandemic is one thing. Retaining bus drivers is another.
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/school-bus-drivers-virtual-transportation-20200818.html

Dallas switches to hybrid learning for school opening
https://www.timesleader.com/news/797204/dallas-switches-to-hybrid-learning-for-school-opening

Highlands approves calendar changes, school year to start remotely
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/highlands-approves-calendar-changes-school-year-to-start-remotely/

Battle lines forming over high school sports in Pa. and N.J. as coronavirus cases among young people are on the rise
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-high-school-sports-wolf-murphy-mail-ballot-voting-trump-2020-election-20200817.html

Caravan of Temple students, faculty, community members protest university’s reopening on move-in day
https://www.inquirer.com/education/temple-university-move-in-day-protest-cornavirus-20200817.html

No pandemic panic as local colleges prepare for fall classes
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/no-pandemic-panic-as-local-colleges-prepare-for-fall-classes/article_6d09a7c2-d8ce-5e35-8b8e-bfac8a7a1f30.html

Luzerne County Community College ranked 7th in the state by wallethub
https://www.timesleader.com/news/797243/luzerne-county-community-college-ranked-7th-in-the-state-by-wallethub

Lock Haven University makes free COVID-19 testing available to students on campus
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/08/lock-haven-university-makes-free-covid-19-testing-available-to-students-on-campus.html

Elections/Politics

As DNC kicks off, Pa. Democrats embrace state’s expected role in 2020 election
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/08/18/DNC-Pennsylvania-Congress-Mike-Doyle-Bob-Casey-Conor-Lamb-labor-health-care/stories/202008180004

Democratic National Convention strives to build enthusiasm despite going all-virtual
https://triblive.com/local/regional/democratic-national-convention-strives-to-build-enthusiasm-despite-going-all-virtual/

Malcolm Kenyatta on his Democratic convention keynote: ‘A poor, Black, gay kid from North Philly is about to be on this stage’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/malcolm-kenyatta-dnc-keynote-20200818.html

Conor Lamb among 17 ‘rising stars’ to deliver Tuesday’s keynote speech for Democratic National Convention
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/conor-lamb-among-17-rising-stars-to-deliver-tuesdays-keynote-speech-for-democratic-national-convention/

Michelle Obama warns that Donald Trump is ‘in over his head’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/michelle-obama-dnc-speech-donald-trump-20200818.html

Westmoreland leaders mull solutions to accommodate expected volume of mail-in ballots
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-leaders-mull-solutions-to-accommodate-expected-volume-of-mail-in-ballots/

Gaming

Pa. casino revenues return to pre-pandemic levels, but online gambling soars
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pennsylvania-casino-revenue-shifts-online-covid-coronavirus-20200817.html

Wind Creek Bethlehem’s first full month open following shutdown results in lowest casino revenue in 9 years
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-wind-creek-bethlehem-july-gambling-revenue-coronavirus-20200817-pjkigztoafad3dyk7yq2xxyk3i-story.html

Health Care

West Penn Hospital nurses unionize, join SEIU
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/08/17/West-Penn-Hospital-nurses-approved-SEIU-representation/stories/202008170069

Local News

State grants benefit sewer, stormwater and flood control projects
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-grants-benefit-sewer-stormwater-and-flood-control-projects/article_6d8075a1-b913-59a5-b099-5e26059e78c0.html

Diocese of Scranton priest sues two parishioners, church employee for defamation
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/diocese-of-scranton-priest-sues-two-parishioners-church-employee-for-defamation/article_cf46714f-9a5c-56d4-a409-413f471db8a3.html

Lehigh Valley post office equipment removed, possibly delaying mail, ballots, says letter carrier union
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-congress-postal-service-changes-20200817-5gzqewlw2fapbnkpzxgfyukscq-story.html

City Council briefed on future of Reading’s Downtown Improvement District
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/city-council-briefed-on-future-of-readings-downtown-improvement-district/article_46af94ce-e0d9-11ea-a9c1-b744a212b2d1.html

Vandals break lights on Leechburg’s gazebo, mayor hopes to purchase cameras to discourage behavior
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/vandals-break-lights-on-leechburgs-gazebo-mayor-hopes-to-purchase-cameras-to-discourage-behavior/

State grants will help update water, sewer lines in Ligonier, Mt. Pleasant townships
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/state-grants-will-help-update-water-sewer-lines-in-ligonier-and-mt-pleasant-townships/

New homes are rising at old Braddock Hospital site
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/08/17/New-housing-homes-building-UPMC-Braddock-hospital-Act-47-exit-plan/stories/202008130129

Upper Darby trash collection getting back on track
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/upper-darby-trash-collection-getting-back-on-track/article_fe13d38a-e0cc-11ea-bf8b-73dd822f55bc.html

National News

Trump rule on transgender health blocked at the 11th hour
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/transgender-health-roll-back-blocked-20200817.html

Extend SNAP waivers
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/08/18/Extend-SNAP-waivers/stories/202008150027

U.S. approves oil, gas leasing plan for Alaska Wildlife refuge
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/08/us-approves-oil-gas-leasing-plan-for-alaska-wildlife-refuge.html

Philly

Philly posts notices that homeless encampments on the Parkway and Ridge Avenue must close Tuesday
https://www.inquirer.com/news/homeless-encampment-pha-benjamin-franklin-parkway-philadelphia-poverty-20200817.html

30 people were shot this weekend in Philadelphia, including 5 at a party held to honor a gun violence victim
https://www.inquirer.com/news/phiadelphia-shootings-weekend-violence-north-philadelphia-party-20200817.html

Man, 27, fatally shot in West Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/west-philadelphia-homicide-man-shot-20200817.html

The Philadelphia Orchestra goes shorter, smaller and virtual for the first part of the 2020-21 season
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/philadelphia-orchestra-covid-19-kimmel-center-20200817.html

Even the pandemic doesn’t slow down Philadelphia’s drug markets
https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/coronavirus-pandemic-drug-supply-opioid-crisis-kensington-20200817.html

Learn to say Kamala Harris’ name, and mine, too | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/kamala-harris-name-pronunciation-tucker-carlson-election-2020-20200817.html

Pitt

Leaders condemn arrest of protester by Pittsburgh officers in unmarked van
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/08/17/Pittsburgh-protest-arrest-unmarked-van-Matthew-Cartier-leaders-condemn-mayor-bill-Peduto-stephen-zappala/stories/202008170081

‘Low profile’ arrest creates firestorm as officials, experts blast Pittsburgh police tactic
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/low-profile-arrest-creates-firestorm-as-officials-experts-blast-pittsburgh-police-tactic/

Mayor Peduto decries tactics used by Pittsburgh police during protest
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/mayor-peduto-decries-tactics-used-by-pittsburgh-police-during-protest/

Youth-led protest organizers dispute police claims about being to blame for communication failures
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/youth-led-protest-organizers-dispute-police-claims-about-being-to-blame-for-communication-failures/

East Hills shooting injures 2
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/08/18/East-Hills-shooting-two-injured-Pittsburgh-police/stories/202008180067

Woman found shot in Garfield
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/08/18/Garfield-shooting-Hillcrest-Street-Columbo-St-woman-shot-Pittsburgh-police/stories/202008180068

19 Neighbors: Police, boys make and maintain a brotherly bond
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/19-neighbors/2020/08/17/19-Neighbors-Pittsburgh-Police-Big-Brothers-Big-Sisters-COVID-19-North-South-Side/stories/202008150042

Allegheny County, Pittsburgh in final push for 2020 census responses as some areas lag behind
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/08/17/Allegheny-County-Pittsburgh-in-final-push-for-2020-U-S-Census-responses/stories/202008130163

State News

Pa. to spend $10M on surplus produce, milk, more from farmers for struggling families
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-to-spend-10m-on-surplus-produce-milk-more-from-pa-farmers-for-struggling-families/

Pennsylvania briefs
https://www.timesleader.com/news/797247/pennsylvania-briefs

Transportation

The 15 most important major highway projects being worked on now in Western Pa.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/08/16/PennDOT-15-road-projects-Western-Pennsylvania-transportation/stories/202008120142

Washington

Casey takes administration to task over Postal Service
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/casey-takes-administration-to-task-over-postal-service/article_596aed64-dc25-592e-8337-e8eef42023a9.html

Trump visit crowd to be limited in Old Forge
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/trump-visit-crowd-to-be-limited-in-old-forge/article_94922432-b864-5d51-9ee2-eb46ccc09eac.html