Legislature

Lawmakers call for Mariner East license to be revoked
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/lawmakers-call-for-mariner-east-license-to-be-revoked/article_4e8e954c-e196-11ea-b1d0-433e0090cd55.html

Hill-Evans announces $4.5 million for low-income housing, domestic violence shelters
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2020/08/19/these-funds-cruci-al-keep-these-nonprofit-services-running-and-keep-up-demand-during-these-difficult/3385901001/

State Rep. Dowling introduces bill to increase capacity limits at venues
https://www.heraldstandard.com/news/covid-19/state-rep-dowling-introduces-bill-to-increase-capacity-limits-at-venues/article_fa8b1c2e-e16b-11ea-afe4-4b3d60159f85.html

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Levine: State’s new COVID-19 tracing app should help contain the virus
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/levine-states-new-covid-19-tracing-app-should-help-contain-the-virus/article_4f1109a9-e83a-5cc4-bc89-d65c1f7f9a50.html

Children must wear masks in Pa. schools; health officials wary of outbreaks on college campuses as students move in
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-wolf-levine-masks-school-college-campuses-murphy-indoor-dining-20200818.html

Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Levine urges use of tracing app as cases rise by 735; says state won’t interfere if PIAA allows fall spo
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-levine-update-20200818-otgb23ohpvcs7ihyfd54elwqpm-story.html

Pa. leaders should heed new report’s warnings on COVID-19 nursing home disaster | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/covid-coronavirus-nursing-home-deaths-reform-pennsylvania-20200819.html

As the pandemic worsens the risk of at-home child abuse, advocacy centers can help | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-pandemic-child-abuse-risk-philadelphia-pennsylvania-suburbs-20200819.html

Flu vaccines are important, safe in midst of pandemic, experts say
https://triblive.com/local/regional/flu-vaccines-are-important-safe-in-midst-of-pandemic-experts-say/

Baby boom ahead as COVID-19 kept millions of women from care
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/08/19/Baby-boom-ahead-as-COVID-19-kept-millions-of-women-from-care/stories/202008190069

More innovative testing strategies
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/08/19/More-innovative-testing-strategies/stories/202008070042

The road to a COVID-19 recovery has to include transit funding | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/the-road-to-a-covid-19-recovery-has-to-include-transit-funding-opinion/

Pennsylvania adds 735 new coronavirus cases, 31 deaths
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-adds-735-new-coronavirus-cases-31-deaths/

With 45 new cases, Allegheny County’s single-day count lowest since June
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/08/18/covid-19-coronavirus-allegheny-county-western-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-46/stories/202008180095

Allegheny County posts lowest new covid case count since June
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-posts-lowest-new-covid-case-count-since-june/

13 new coronavirus cases reported in Westmoreland County
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/13-new-coronavirus-cases-reported-in-westmoreland-county/

Montgomery County records 298 new coronavirus cases, 1 death, during latest 7-day period
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-records-298-new-coronavirus-cases-1-death-during-latest-7-day-period/article_ec8ba074-217f-5885-8ae6-d07bb0f70aa4.html

2 Pitt students test positive for covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/2-pitt-students-test-positive-for-covid-19/

Berks County Commissioner Michael Rivera tests positive for coronavirus
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-commissioner-michael-rivera-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/article_ca296c5c-e166-11ea-9dcc-9faaa82cb7d7.html

Administration

Pennsylvania officials move to get extra $300 added to unemployment benefits
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2020/08/18/unemployment-benefits-FPUC-extra-300-Pennsylvania-Dept-of-Labor-and-Industry-Trump-executive-order/stories/202008180107

Upon further review … of what?
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/upon-further-review-of-what/article_3de59539-4124-5a0e-807b-b8cdc5480580.html

USPS

Postal Service halts some changes amid outcry, lawsuits
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/vote2020/2020/08/18/Postal-Service-halts-some-changes-amid-outcry-lawsuits/stories/202008180118

Shapiro says Pa. will lead multistate coalition in suing against Postal Service changes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/08/18/Josh-Shapiro-Pennsylvania-federal-lawsuit-coalition-suing-against-US-Postal-Service-USPS-changes/stories/202008180101

AG Shapiro, Sen. Casey won’t back down on Postmaster General, even as changes scrapped
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/ag-shapiro-sen-casey-wont-back-down-on-postmaster-general-even-as-changes-scrapped/

Pa.’s attorney general sues USPS over mail processing changes
https://www.witf.org/2020/08/18/pa-s-attorney-general-sues-usps-over-mail-processing-changes/

Federal lawmakers who represent Berks react to problems facing Postal Service
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/federal-lawmakers-who-represent-berks-react-to-problems-facing-postal-service/article_59b50452-e163-11ea-b24d-5b8c4b9a1524.html

Scanlon and Shapiro fight to protect the postal service
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/scanlon-and-shapiro-fight-to-protect-the-postal-service/article_59ccae4c-e18e-11ea-a1d5-7bfd4c859b77.html

Rep. Smucker ‘not available’ for interview about national USPS crisis
https://lancasteronline.com/news/politics/rep-smucker-not-available-for-interview-about-national-usps-crisis/article_87fd8364-e192-11ea-9e37-b70c284fadbb.html

Business

Some local delivery companies announce layoffs; Amazon announces 1,500 new jobs in Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2020/08/18/Amazon-delivery-drivers-last-mile-fulfillment-centers-Pittsburgh-Philadelphia-layoffs/stories/202008180098

Amazon’s hiring of 1,500 in Pittsburgh region provides boost during pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/amazons-hiring-of-1500-in-the-pittsburgh-region-provides-a-boost-during-pandemic/

Crime/Punishment

LCCF corrections officers to receive training on how to recognize seizures
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lccf-corrections-officers-to-receive-training-on-how-to-recognize-seizures/article_ac5255b0-881c-53d2-9150-4f2837c4dd46.html

Pa. parole violators may be considered for ‘safe return’ through Sept. 4
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-parole-violators-may-be-considered-for-safe-return-through-sept-4/

Lackawanna County expects proposals for inmate medical services at prison, may change provider
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-expects-proposals-for-inmate-medical-services-at-prison-may-change-provider/article_c0abd8b5-c6c4-57b2-a889-c4b178d873ef.html

Reading police investigating double shooting
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/crime/reading-police-investigating-double-shooting-map/article_98c2e9ac-e203-11ea-96ac-0fb7e018b7c6.html

Education

Central, Northeastern wrangle with reopening, mandates days before doors open
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/education/2020/08/18/new-state-guidance-throws-school-districts-again-two-almost-switch-fully-online/5604017002/

Pittston Area shifts gears, will start school year with remote, online learning
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/pittston-area-shifts-gears-will-start-school-year-with-remote-online-learning/article_9e8d23e6-895f-53e2-9320-42c3d1f7228c.html

Burrell School District to delay first day of school by a week for preparations
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/burrell-to-delay-first-day-of-school-by-a-week-for-preparations/

Parents decry Unionville-Chadds Ford’s turnabout to postpone in-person education
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/parents-decry-unionville-chadds-ford-s-turnabout-to-postpone-in-person-education/article_7ade3014-e18f-11ea-82de-1b0edcde4bf5.html

State College school board votes ‘no’ on switching to remote
https://www.witf.org/2020/08/19/state-college-school-board-votes-no-on-switching-to-remote/

Quaker Valley pauses workouts due to COVID-19 exposure concerns
https://www.timesonline.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/08/18/quaker-valley-paused-athletic-workouts-monday-due-covid-19-concerns/3394693001/

Fall high school sports in Pennsylvania continue to look like a go
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/highschool/2020/08/18/piaa-fall-sports-pennsylvania-update-bob-lombardi-oversight-committee-tom-wolf/stories/202008180105

PIAA wants to move forward with fall sports
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/sports/high-school/piaa-wants-to-move-forward-with-fall-sports/article_0d0c2a04-1d68-558b-b045-c60e25dac6d2.html

Coming to college in the middle of a pandemic
https://www.timesleader.com/news/797389/coming-to-college-in-the-middle-of-a-pandemic

Pa. ranks third-highest in student loan debt nationally, study shows
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/pa-ranks-third-highest-in-student-loan-debt-nationally-study-shows.html

Elections/Politics

Democrats make it official, nominate Biden to take on Trump
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/dnc-speakers-jill-biden-aoc-bill-clinton-democratic-convention-20200818.html

‘That girl from Philly’ Jill Biden says her husband Joe can heal America
https://www.inquirer.com/news/jill-biden-dnc-speech-20200818.html

Pa. roll call vote cast outside Biden’s childhood home
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/pa-roll-call-vote-cast-outside-bidens-childhood-home/article_88d05890-adfc-5dfe-8ada-de979f9dc8fe.html

Three Pennsylvania ‘rising stars’ speak during the DNC’s second nigh
https://www.witf.org/2020/08/19/three-pennsylvania-rising-stars-speak-during-the-dncs-second-night/

Kenyatta, Lamb, Boyle open second night of DNC
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/kenyatta-lamb-boyle-open-second-night-of-dnc/

Women of color connect with Kamala Harris, see her VP nomination as turning point
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/women-of-color-connect-with-kamala-harris-see-her-vp-nomination-as-turning-point.html

Wavering voters targeted by Democratic National Convention; some say too much Trump-bashing, not enough substance
https://triblive.com/local/regional/wavering-voters-targeted-by-democratic-national-convention-some-say-too-much-trump-bashing-not-enough-substance/

The campaign for Pennsylvania attorney general is heating up on TV
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/pennsylvania-attorney-general-josh-shapiro-heather-heidelbaugh-tv-ads-20200818.html

Bognet buys commercial time in Oregon urging residents to move to NEPA
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/bognet-buys-commercial-time-in-oregon-urging-residents-to-move-to-nepa/article_e098906e-926c-542f-9f71-c24ea57d56ae.html

Health Care

At Lehigh Valley Hospital, patients are missing meals and resorting to eating snacks as network addresses food service problem
https://www.mcall.com/health/mc-hea-lvhn-food-delays-20200819-wvy3nyfzffhx7hyiwixee7bpu4-story.html

Local News

Five new officers join Scranton police, but potential shortage looms
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/five-new-officers-join-scranton-police-but-potential-shortage-looms/article_268980b6-e5ed-5f04-8149-f65c4f2e61ab.html

Drug deaths soar again in Berks County in 2020, officials say
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/drug-deaths-soar-again-in-berks-county-in-2020-officials-say/article_8377b368-e16b-11ea-9588-e37d51f1a7b3.html

Montgomery County solicitor moves to not represent Commissioner Joe Gale in federal lawsuit
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-solicitor-moves-to-not-represent-commissioner-joe-gale-in-federal-lawsuit/article_d496238e-b974-5926-ab05-40e8c0db42bf.html

Health needs study to be released at virtual town hall Thursday
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/health-needs-study-to-be-released-at-virtual-town-hall-thursday/article_e855e48a-e189-11ea-9fdc-978e0f86db1f.html

Longswamp Township gets Pennsylvania grant to help extend sewer line
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/longswamp-township-gets-pennsylvania-grant-to-help-extend-sewer-line/article_8eba2698-e17f-11ea-bc65-8f28a668ad92.html

Wilkes-Barre testing to fill firefighter openings
https://www.timesleader.com/news/797385/wilkes-barre-testing-to-fill-firefighter-openings

Many attendees at Harrisburg town hall to discuss police advisory board say bill doesn’t go far enough
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/many-attendees-at-harrisburg-town-hall-to-discuss-police-advisory-board-say-bill-doesnt-go-far-enough.html

Philly

Philadelphia homeless encampment eviction on hold through at least Thursday while judge considers lawsuit
https://www.inquirer.com/news/homeless-encampment-clearing-philadelphia-parkway-ridge-august-20200818.html

Kenney’s deadline to disband camps passes as protesters remain
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/kenneys-deadline-to-disband-camps-passes-as-protesters-remain/

Philly’s trash pickup woes are now delaying street repairs as recycling remains significantly behind
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-trash-recycling-street-repair-delays-20200818.html

Meet Sister Jocelyn, Broad Street’s Mother Teresa
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/nun-sister-covid-virus-jocelyn-edathil-temple-hospital-20200819.html

Advice for curbing violence from those who have been there, done that | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/gun-violence-philly-homicide-shooting-juvenile-lifer-jenice-armstrong-20200818.html

No, Philadelphia should not fill Devil’s Pool with rocks | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/devils-pool-wissahickon-swimming-philadelphia-litter-20200818.html

Pitt

Hundreds march to Pittsburgh mayor’s house as anger lingers over plainclothes arrest
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/08/18/Pittsburgh-protest-arrest-plainclothes-police-officers-Mayor-Peduto-house/stories/202008180152

Protesters gather outside Mayor Peduto’s home for second day
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/protesters-gather-outside-mayor-pedutos-home-for-second-day/

Experts: ‘Pop-up’ arrests by plainclothes police may be questionable, but nothing new
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/08/18/Pittsburgh-police-pop-up-arrests-snatch-squads-undercover-plainclothes-tactic-strategy/stories/202008180113

Peduto declares ‘Jordan Duckett Day’ in honor of teen who died during football practice in Windgap
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/08/18/Peduto-declares-Jordan-Duckett-Day-in-honor-of-teen-who-died-during-football-practice-in-Windgap/stories/202008140100

Chokehold ban introduced in Allegheny County Council
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/08/18/Allegheny-County-Council-chokehold-ban-police-neck-restraints-resolution/stories/202008180139

Housing authority, Comcast partner to provide low-income families with internet access
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/08/18/Housing-Authority-Comcast-partner-low-income-internet-access-pittsburgh-public-schools-students/stories/202008180108

Findlay sues Moon, airport authority over water and sewer service
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/findlay-sues-moon-airport-authority-over-water-and-sewer-service/

State News

Militias in Pennsylvania say they protect everyone’s rights. Critics say that’s a sham.
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/08/19/pennsylvania-militia-say-protect-black-lives-matter-protesters-experts-disagree/3343192001/

Transportation

Pa. Turnpike seeks second delay in quarterly transit payments due to COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/08/18/Pennsylvania-Turnpike-revenue-yearly-transit-payments-toll-bonds-Port-Authority/stories/202008180136