Legislature
Wolf calls for legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Pa., but GOP lawmakers say it’s a pipe dream
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2020/08/wolf-calls-for-legalizing-marijuana-for-adult-recreational-use-in-pa-but-top-gop-lawmakers-say-its-a-pipe-dream.html
Spending CARES Act money, legalizing recreational pot among Wolf’s priorities as lawmakers return for fall session
https://www.witf.org/2020/08/25/spending-cares-act-money-legalizing-recreational-pot-among-wolfs-priorities-as-lawmakers-return-for-fall-session/
Legalize weed: Gov. Wolf says that’s the way to repair economy crushed by coronavirus
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/08/25/legal-weed-solution-pa-s-financial-crisis-following-covid-19-outbreak/3431780001/
Republicans bristle at Wolf’s fall legislative agenda on pandemic recovery, reform
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/08/25/wolf-proposes-spending-1-billion-covid-19-recovery-small-biz-help/3436096001/
Thwarted at every turn, Pa. GOP lawmakers hatch new plan to undermine Wolf’s emergency powers
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pa-tom-wolf-coronavirus-emergency-powers-veto-override-20200825.html
GOP lawmaker from Carbon County says he wants to let Pa. state parks charge visitors a fee
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/day-use-fees-are-the-answer-to-funding-woes-at-pa-parks-gop-rep-says/
On 19th Amendment’s 100th anniversary, Berks women say there’s more work to be done
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/on-19th-amendments-100th-anniversary-berks-women-say-theres-more-work-to-be-done/article_012844e4-e22a-11ea-848f-2b480c5b8d14.html
The Black Lives Matter movement is bigger than law enforcement | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/the-black-lives-matter-movement-is-bigger-than-law-enforcement-opinion/
Pa.’s eviction moratorium expires Monday. Lawmakers must act now to prevent mass evictions. | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/pennsylvania-eviction-moratorium-expire-governor-tom-wolf-court-20200825.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
With COVID-19 rates down, governors of Pa. and N.J. talk budgets and relief for families and businesses
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-philly-nj-cases-childcare-internet-budget-marijuana-wolf-20200825.html
Utility shutoffs — threat or call to arms? Stakeholders debate what is fair in time of COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2020/08/26/utility-shutoffs-Pennsylvania-customers-non-payment-PUC-small-business-COVID-19/stories/202008250127
First-of-its-kind coronavirus mobile testing unit coming to Berks next month
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/first-of-its-kind-coronavirus-mobile-testing-unit-coming-to-berks-next-month/article_8bf00a06-e6f5-11ea-ad3a-ef3e5983ac9f.html
COVID-19 Update: Pa. reports 561 new cases, Pittsburgh region 126
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/2020/08/25/COVID-19-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-coronavirus-pandemic-data-cases-deaths/stories/202008250092
Susquehanna County virus surge alters school plans; Lackawanna surpasses 2,000 cases
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/susquehanna-county-virus-surge-alters-school-plans-lackawanna-surpasses-2-000-cases/article_2b4e67c3-ba52-5972-b706-d7d1f830eff5.html
Berks County coronavirus cases rise by 42
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-coronavirus-cases-rise-by-42/article_8d59c42a-e6f7-11ea-a0e0-d7f049b15fcb.html
Montgomery County records 2 coronavirus deaths over seven-day period
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-records-2-coronavirus-deaths-over-seven-day-period/article_2dd1d0aa-6c54-5124-af46-586a6607280d.html
Administration
Pa. gets OK for extra $300 per week to eligible unemployed workers
https://www.timesleader.com/news/798397/pa-gets-ok-for-extra-300-per-week-to-eligible-unemployed-workers
Counties say Pa. set restrictions on possible Trump event while car shows with thousands go on
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/08/25/Pennsylvania-counties-Trump-political-speech-Carlisle-car-shows-gatherings/stories/202008250150
Business
Erie County business exposed 106 to COVID-19
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200825/erie-county-business-exposed-106-to-covid-19
Crime/Punishment
Feds and state authorities charge 33, including inmates, with COVID benefit fraud
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/08/25/Federal-state-authorities-charge-prison-inmates-COVID-benefit-fraud-pandemic-unemployment-assistance/stories/202008250121
Pandemic jobless pay went to Pennsylvania inmates: probe
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/pandemic-jobless-pay-went-to-pennsylvania-inmates-probe.html
Ciavarella denied new hearing, 28-year sentence stands
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ciavarella-denied-new-hearing-28-year-sentence-stands/article_075f198b-316a-5926-b6c6-a53a1af224d5.html
Bethlehem Police release report on five years of citizen complaints
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-bethlehem-police-report-citizen-interactions-20200825-czdt4pga65e7zmvis7xv3kd5ym-story.html
Education
Scranton, other NEPA students could be without laptops as virtual learning begins
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-other-nepa-students-could-be-without-laptops-as-virtual-learning-begins/article_69b6b00d-81f4-511e-ab93-44740f4368d5.html
As schools go virtual, districts look to furlough support staff, saying they don’t have enough work for them to do
https://www.inquirer.com/education/school-district-furloughs-pennsylvania-support-staff-20200825.html
CHOP doctors share tips for how to go back to school safely
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-school-year-tips-virtual-learning-chop-20200825.html
As virtual reopening nears, Wyoming Area receives two grants
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/as-virtual-reopening-nears-wyoming-area-receives-two-grants/article_5ea9e69e-b11c-5d52-bfcc-6cbef6bcab44.html
Officials: Hempfield student-athlete tests positive for covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/officials-hempfield-student-athlete-tests-positive-for-covid-19/
Administrators in Southmoreland School District quarantining for covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/administrators-in-southmoreland-school-district-quarantining-for-covid-19/
As Black Lives Matter protests continue, schools take a look at race in their own curriculum
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/local/2020/08/26/students-ask-school-districts-look-race-their-curriculum/3364822001/
It’s official: No fall sports of any kind at Unionville
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/its-official-no-fall-sports-of-any-kind-at-unionville/article_c5cec468-e701-11ea-b2b7-bb713d6110ef.html
The demise of City League football? Future in doubt heading into Wednesday meeting
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2020/08/26/pittsburgh-city-league-football-fall-sports-vote-covid-19-tamere-robinson/stories/202008250106
‘Acknowledgement of risk’: the first paper facing many college students in covid era
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/acknowledgement-of-risk-the-first-paper-facing-many-college-students-in-covid-era/
LCCC president: School ready to open, with later start option
https://www.timesleader.com/news/798399/lccc-president-school-ready-to-open-with-later-start-option
Elections/Politics
Heather Heidelbaugh needs big money to beat Josh Shapiro. Pat Toomey’s allies are spending it.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pat-toomey-josh-shapiro-heather-heidelbaugh-pa-attorney-general-20200826.html
Snyder County hires expert to examine similar handwriting on primary mail-in ballots
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/snyder-county-hires-expert-to-examine-similar-handwriting-on-primary-mail-in-ballots.html
Local News
Scranton seeks court OK for payroll tax
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-seeks-court-ok-for-payroll-tax/article_32c7a713-4583-5fcb-a3d0-a706b2f9e6fd.html
Christian Leinbach criticized for attending rally after finding out he may have been exposed to coronavirus
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/christian-leinbach-criticized-for-attending-rally-after-finding-out-he-may-have-been-exposed-to/article_1c1158f2-e6d7-11ea-9b9b-7ffd65a7a795.html
Reading’s single trash hauler ordinance stinks, protesters say
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/readings-single-trash-hauler-ordinance-stinks-protesters-say/article_1762f5f8-e719-11ea-853c-f34f46c800c2.html
Rapid response: Utility crews restore power to most within 24 hours of fierce storm
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/rapid-response-utility-crews-restore-power-to-most-within-24-hours-of-fierce-storm/article_1881303e-c23b-58da-9a5f-ba18189b42cc.html
County officials begin discussion of Mackey probe options
https://www.timesleader.com/news/798408/county-officials-begin-discussion-of-mackey-probe-options
County council divided on proposed Mackey review
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-council-divided-on-proposed-mackey-review/article_dc449c96-c9fc-5352-a9a5-3477ab729692.html
National News
At least three shot, 1 killed, at protests over Jacob Blake shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/08/26/At-least-three-shot-1-killed-at-protests-Jacob-Blake-shooting-kenosha/stories/202008260091
Philly
Federal judge allows city to clear out homeless encampments on Benjamin Franklin Parkway and in N. Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/homeless-encampment-philadelphia-parkway-eviction-court-ruling-20200825.html
Federal judge: City is ‘permitted, but not required’ to dissolve protest encampments
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/federal-judge-city-is-permitted-but-not-required-to-dissolve-protest-encampments/article_d2afb28c-484c-5fee-aa71-c6aa761abee9.html
Even with judge’s sign-off, criminalizing encampments isn’t the solution to Philly’s housing problem | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/homeless-encampments-philadelphia-city-eviction-judge-ruling-20200825.html
Pitt
Community and health care groups announce plans for ‘breathtaking’ 45,000 square-foot homeless shelter in Downtown
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2020/08/25/Coalitions-cooperative-plans-new-homeless-shelter-Downtown-Pittsburgh-services-mail-low-barrier/stories/202008250084
‘Elite tower in the sky’: Concerns raised about design of proposed 21-story office building in Strip
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/08/25/elite-tower-in-the-sky-Concerns-design-proposed-office-building-Strip-District-JMC-planning-commission/stories/202008250137
Allegheny County council approves use of purple paint to designate no trespassing areas
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/08/25/Allegheny-County-council-approves-use-of-purple-paint-to-designate-no-trespassing-areas/stories/202008250131
Mayor Peduto seeks recommendation on fate of Columbus statue in Schenley Park
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2020/08/25/Pittsburgh-Mayor-Bill-Peduto-recommendation-future-fate-Christopher-Columbus-statue-Schenley-Park/stories/202008250113
Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Don Walko to step down in September
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/08/25/Allegheny-County-common-pleas-Judge-Don-Walko-retirement-state-represntative-VoteSafe/stories/202008250110
1-year-old killed amid night of violence in Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/1-year-old-killed-amid-night-of-violence-in-pittsburgh/
Pittsburgh Councilman O’Connor introduces bill regulating police use of facial recognition tech
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/08/25/Pittsburgh-police-facial-recognition-technology-Councilman-Corey-OConnor-bill/stories/202008250117
Pittsburgh school board to vote on superintendent’s contract
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-school-board-to-vote-on-hamlets-contract-renewal/
Pitt suspends 9 Greek chapters over health and safety guideline violations
https://triblive.com/news/education-classroom/pitt-suspends-nine-greek-chapters-over-health-and-safety-guideline-violations/
State News
A virtual Pennsylvania Farm Show without manure or milkshakes — but maybe a butter sculpture
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-farm-show-virtual-livestock-butter-sculpture-coronavirus-pandemic-20200826.html
Pennsylvania litter cleanups resume during pandemic reopening phase; volunteers needed
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-litter-cleanups-resume-during-pandemic-reopening-phase-volunteers-needed/
Suspend permits for Wyalusing LNG project
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/suspend-permits-for-wyalusing-lng-project/article_7f4afcbb-c172-5877-8813-024309777593.html
Shots fired outside Pa. hotel where Milwaukee racial injustice protest group is staying
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2020/08/shots-fired-outside-pa-hotel-where-milwaukee-protest-group-is-staying.html
Second homes make NEPA census response rates look low
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200825/second-homes-make-nepa-census-response-rates-look-low
Transportation
Westmoreland transit authority looks to bump up local bus service
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/westmoreland-transit-authority-looks-to-bump-up-local-bus-service/