Legislature
New Kensington, Arnold officials celebrate company’s $6M investment in manufacturing park
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-arnold-officials-celebrate-companys-6m-investment-in-manufacturing-park/
Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center gets $50,000 state grant
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/chester-county-opportunities-industrialization-center-gets-50-000-state-grant/article_3db459d6-e2e6-11ea-8fb1-fb43d695c800.html
Pa. House bill would offer COVID-19 relief for struggling restaurants, bars
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/08/20/sepa-legislators-propose-grant-program-help-local-restaurants-bars/5621292002/
Snyder seeks relief for restaurants, end of 25% capacity order
https://observer-reporter.com/business/snyder-seeks-relief-for-restaurants-end-of-25-capacity-order/article_2479ab40-e23e-11ea-b390-47c693c38283.html
Restaurant, tavern industry association meets in Hempfield, hopes for rollback of covid-19 restrictions
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/restaurant-tavern-industry-association-meets-in-hempfield-hopes-for-rollback-of-covid-19-restrictions/
Why did Sen. Doug Mastriano water down a resolution honoring military sexual assault survivors? | Aryanna Hunter
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/why-did-sen-doug-mastriano-water-down-a-resolution-honoring-military-sexual-assault-survivors-aryanna-hunter/
GOP bill on school sports clears state House committee
https://www.witf.org/2020/08/20/gop-bill-on-school-sports-clears-state-house-committee/
Fixing the turnpike mess
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/08/21/Fixing-the-turnpike-mess/stories/202008200076
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Document: Big car show in Carlisle was allowed despite state attendance limits
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/08/20/Big-car-show-allowed-pennsylvania-attendance-limits-document-covid-19-carlisle-butler/stories/202008190100
Overdose death during COVID-19 is a disaster within a disaster | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-overdose-death-opioid-coronavirus-covid-20200821.html
Pennsylvania adds 791 new covid-19 cases, 15 new deaths to total
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-adds-791-new-covid-19-cases-15-new-deaths-to-total/
COVID-19 Update: Pa. reports nearly 800 new cases, with Pittsburgh region up 214
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/08/20/COVID-19-coronavirus-Allegheny-County-Western-Pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-48/stories/202008200114
Allegheny County covid-19 cases increase to triple digits
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-covid-19-cases-increase-by-triple-digits/
Westmoreland County posts 2nd largest covid-19 case increase of August
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-posts-2nd-largest-covid-19-case-increase-of-august/
First COVID-19 death in Lackawanna County in a month
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/first-covid-19-death-in-lackawanna-county-in-a-month/article_8da5e8fd-ea2b-5101-b399-6f19a84ea8f0.html
22 more coronavirus cases for Berks County in Pennsylvania Department of Health reporting
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/22-more-coronavirus-cases-for-berks-county-in-pennsylvania-department-of-health-reporting/article_8ee843d0-e2d7-11ea-8536-c714652a6082.html
Coronavirus spread in Montgomery County linked to social events
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/coronavirus-spread-in-montgomery-county-linked-to-social-events/article_777638b8-e8a8-58a2-9cc3-2ad88faeff35.html
Administration
Gov. Wolf’s office says PIAA wasn’t ‘blindsided,’ had plenty of warning he opposed having fall sports
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/08/gov-wolfs-office-says-piaa-was-advised-against-fall-sports-days-before-recommendation-to-postpone-season.html
Business
Bucks prosecutors probe a monument company, as customers pay thousands for gravestones that never arrive
https://www.inquirer.com/news/wertheimer-monuments-complaints-investigation-bucks-da-20200821.html
CNX fined for 2019 shale gas blowout
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2020/08/20/CNX-fined-for-2019-shale-gas-blowout/stories/202008200147
Suburban Philly offices feel the brunt of COVID-19’s economic toll
https://www.inquirer.com/business/suburban-office-distressed-debt-defaults-covid-coronavirus-cmbs-center-city-20200823.html
Pa. lawsuit alleges Chipotle keeping the change with cash-paying customers
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pa-lawsuit-alleges-chipotle-keeping-the-change-with-cash-paying-customers/
Shell: Reports of new cracker plant layoffs false
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/08/20/shell-officials-reports-cracker-plant-layoffs-false/3401013001/
Education
Gov. Mifflin School District backs off plan for a full reopening of schools
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/gov-mifflin-school-district-backs-off-plan-for-a-full-reopening-of-schools/article_89af3bb6-e314-11ea-af4e-83be425945a2.html
Free immunizations available for low-income Wilkes-Barre students
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/free-immunizations-available-for-low-income-wilkes-barre-students/article_4a143cb2-ccfa-5b6f-b837-13fe3cda13d2.html
Former Central Pa. teacher, new NEA president ready to ‘turn up the heat’ to rally support for public education
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/former-harrisburg-area-teacher-and-incoming-nea-president-is-ready-to-turn-up-the-heat-to-rally-support-for-public-education.html
Going back to school in a pandemic challenges our children’s mental health. Here’s how you can help | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/going-back-to-school-in-a-pandemic-challenges-our-childrens-mental-health-heres-how-you-can-help-opinion/
State appoints new recovery officer for York City schools
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/education/2020/08/20/state-appoints-new-recovery-officer-york-city-schools/5619633002/
For parents, COVID-19’s first back to school brings mixed feelings
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/local/2020/08/21/parents-covid-19-back-school-brings-mixed-feelings/5615677002/
Area schools get grants to help special needs students in pandemic
https://www.timesleader.com/news/797655/area-schools-get-grants-to-help-special-needs-students-in-pandemic
Here’s what some other states are doing with fall high school sports
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/highschool/2020/08/20/how-are-states-playing-high-school-sports-piaa-pennsylvania-ohio/stories/202008200132
Pa. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman expresses concern about safe return of fall sports
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/high-school/pa-lt-gov-john-fetterman-expresses-concern-about-safe-return-of-fall-sports/article_4fad67b8-e313-11ea-824f-db4dfcb77680.html
Pa. high school students and parents plead “Let us play” in the fall
https://www.witf.org/2020/08/20/pa-high-school-students-and-parents-plead-let-us-play-in-the-fall/
Penn State asks students if they want to be responsible for shutting down fall semester
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/20/Penn-State-Covid-19-fall-online-party-crowds-Barron-Pitt/stories/202008200128
Donning plague masks, a group of faculty members protests Kutztown University reopening plan
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/donning-plague-masks-a-group-of-faculty-members-protests-kutztown-university-reopening-plan/article_3951e7b2-e30b-11ea-929c-b78b20b00460.html
Elections/Politics
Biden accepts Democratic nomination, seeks national unity in convention finale
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/vote2020/2020/08/20/Biden-accepts-Democratic-nomination-seeks-national-unity-in-convention-finale/stories/202008200161
‘Nation’s eyes are on us’: Pa. in swing-state spotlight as Biden accepts nomination, Trump stumps near Scranton
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/nations-eyes-are-on-us-penna-in-swing-state-spotlight-as-biden-accepts-nomination-trump-stumps-near-scranton/
In moving speech, boy says Joe Biden helped him overcome stutter
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/08/21/In-moving-speech-boy-says-Joe-Biden-helped-him-overcome-stutter-Brayden-Harrington/stories/202008210090
Northeastern Pennsylvania leaders blast Trump, tout support for Biden
https://www.timesleader.com/news/797662/northeastern-pennsylvania-leaders-blast-trump-tout-support-for-biden
Joe Biden leads Donald Trump narrowly among Pennsylvania voters in new Morning Call/Muhlenberg College poll
https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-pa-presidential-election-trump-biden-muhlenberg-poll-20200820-erb3maqkvbgxljw2e5mv6pblkm-story.html
Pennsylvania Democrats who spoke at the convention got another boost — from Trump
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/pennsylvania-democrats-dnc-trump-20200821.html
Biden’s ascent great moment for Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/bidens-ascent-great-moment-for-scranton/article_5135e57b-47f5-5ba1-b3e6-5b39c1b5702f.html
Trump questions Biden’s Scranton roots, predicts chaos under Democratic rule
https://www.citizensvoice.com/trump-questions-bidens-scranton-roots-predicts-chaos-under-democratic-rule/article_46936f5d-126f-562e-8e99-fce733ce18cf.html
Everything you need to know about voting by mail, or in person, in Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/a/2020-election-pennsylvania-mail-in-person-voting-guide-20200820.html
Local News
Judge grants civil service status to Dunmore firefighters
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/judge-grants-civil-service-status-to-dunmore-firefighters/article_ceef57b0-3ea8-5023-a425-37dab1b422a3.html
Postal Service delivery delays remain a concern among Berks County residents
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/postal-service-delivery-delays-remain-a-concern-among-berks-county-residents/article_f092eb4e-e2fa-11ea-80ef-87cf742fda48.html
Reading’s 18th Ward community unveils plans for safety and beautification projects
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/readings-18th-ward-community-unveils-plans-for-safety-and-beautification-projects/article_03bfe4d8-e314-11ea-a9a5-97e823a14020.html
Upper Burrell fire department to display new truck to show the naysayers
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/upper-burrell-fire-department-to-display-new-fire-truck-to-show-the-naysayers/
Happy Valley bracing for ‘devastating blow’ of the unknown — a fall without football
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/psu/2020/08/21/penn-state-football-big-ten-fall-postponed-spring-happy-valley/stories/202008210022
Coraopolis historic train station work finally back on track
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/west/2020/08/20/Coraopolis-historic-train-station-work-finally-back-on-track/stories/202008210019
More than 30 weigh in on Unity debate about backyard chicken regulations — some pro, some con
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/more-than-30-weigh-in-on-unity-debate-about-backyard-chicken-regulations-some-pro-some-con/
Group stages protest, march in downtown Greensburg
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/group-stages-protest-march-in-downtown-greensburg/
Brown expects WB deficit for 2020, attributes it to pandemic
https://www.timesleader.com/news/797657/brown-expects-wb-deficit-for-2020-attributes-it-to-pandemic
Ambush-style ‘predator catcher’ goes viral
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ambush-style-predator-catcher-goes-viral/article_e08c11e4-c25f-5876-9c1a-8074d09f1425.html
Philly
Indoor dining can resume in Philly on Sept. 8; New Jersey will allow high school sports
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-philly-indoor-dining-restaurants-pa-nj-sports-20200820.html
Philly encampments will remain at least through Tuesday, federal judge says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-homeless-encampment-injunction-parkway-mayor-kenney-20200820.html
Questions grow over Philly school official who kept working a second job in Ohio
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-curriculum-tracy-ocasio-double-dip-columbus-academic-20200820.html
Some Black voters in Philly say they’re suspicious of mail-in ballots
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/some-black-voters-in-philly-say-theyre-suspicious-of-mail-in-ballots/
Philly officials investigate COVID-19 outbreak at Northeast Philly church
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/coronavirus/philly-officials-investigate-covid-19-outbreak-at-northeast-philly-church/article_6123dbfa-2d32-5f76-b5ba-0d2b518fa299.html
Pitt
Allegheny council committee hears from another expert on civilian police review board
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/08/20/Allegheny-council-committee-hears-from-another-expert-on-civilian-police-review-board/stories/202008200151
With paving finished early, two South Side streets to reopen Friday afternoon
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/08/20/PennDOT-East-Carson-Street-paving-South-15th-South-17th-Golden-Triangle-Construction/stories/202008200148
PPS board to vote on Hamlet’s contract renewal next week
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/20/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-board-vote-Anthony-Hamlet-contract-renewal-next-week/stories/202008200118
Appeal by gun owners over city ordinances moved to Commonwealth Court
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/08/20/Pittsburgh-gun-control-law-appeal-lawsuit-Superior-Court-Commonwealth-District-Attorney-criminal-complaints/stories/202008200106
16-year-old dies after shooting in Mount Washington
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/08/20/Person-walks-into-hospital-with-gunshot-wound-later-dies/stories/202008200097
Module housing project helps redevelop 3 lots in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/module-housing-project-helps-redevelop-three-lots-in-pittsburghs-garfield-neighborhood/
State News
Trees blamed for record power outages across Pennsylvania in 2019, sate commission says
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/public-utility-commission-reports-electric-outages-most-ever-in-2019-seeks-solutions/
Severe weather drove record number of Pennsylvania power outages, PUC says, with overall reliability and performance trending negative
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-nws-severe-weather-caused-record-number-power-outages-pa-20200821-lrpkrtfy4bd77cf6xvyg7rm7kq-story.html
Three area farms join agricultural preservation program
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/three-area-farms-join-agricultural-preservation-program/article_a876367b-d8ba-55b6-8787-9147d9b5df21.html
Five farms in Chester County preserved in perpetuity
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/five-farms-in-chester-county-preserved-in-perpetuity/article_7437a686-e30c-11ea-a323-3b332cb4e81f.html
Transportation
Federal report on deadly Lehigh Tunnel crash in 2018 urges greater focus on inspections
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-turnpike-tunnel-report-20200820-axox3adcqfh6bjw3rj5y4vyr3e-story.html
Washington
Senate Democrats investigating whether USPS changes held up prescription drug deliveries
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/usps-mail-prescription-drugs-investigation-elizabeth-warren-bob-casey-20200820.html