Coronavirus – COVID-19

More than 250 students at open Pa. universities have coronavirus after returning to campus
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-nj-philly-college-students-cases-temple-university-20200828.html

27 Penn State students test positive for COVID-19 last week
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/27-penn-state-students-test-positive-for-covid-19-last-week.html

How many coronavirus cases are happening in schools? This tracker keeps count
https://www.witf.org/2020/08/28/how-many-coronavirus-cases-are-happening-in-schools-this-tracker-keeps-count/

6 Elizabeth Forward students test positive for covid-19, high school will start fully remote
https://triblive.com/local/6-elizabeth-forward-students-test-positive-for-covid-19-high-school-will-start-fully-remote/

Lawsuit: Monroeville nursing home fired administrator for whistleblowing false covid-19 numbers
https://triblive.com/local/monroeville/lawsuit-alleges-monroeville-nursing-home-fired-administrator-for-calling-attention-to-false-reporting-of-covid-19-numbers/

ZIP code data shows Hazleton’s share of COVID-19 cases declined
https://www.timesleader.com/news/799017/zip-code-data-shows-hazletons-share-of-covid-19-cases-declined

COVID-19 Update: Allegheny County reports 63 new cases, 7 more deaths
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/08/28/COVID-19-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-allegheny-county-data-cases-deaths-1/stories/202008280106

Westmoreland continues to see drop in average new covid cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-continues-to-see-drop-in-average-new-covid-cases/

23 COVID-19 cases, 1 death reported in Luzerne County
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/23-covid-19-cases-1-death-reported-in-luzerne-county/article_938eabb6-de5b-5cdb-9f3f-8d021bf3d7dc.html

Lackawanna sees largest daily COVID-19 case spike since June
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/lackawanna-sees-largest-daily-covid-19-case-spike-since-june/article_37cd7afc-1595-5722-978f-0a80bc96e871.html

Berks County has 38 new coronavirus cases, reversing a brief period of falling case numbers
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-has-38-new-coronavirus-cases-reversing-a-brief-period-of-falling-case-numbers/article_b0c618e2-e94e-11ea-9585-a3940f480592.html

Montgomery County’s coronavirus positivity rate remains low
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-countys-coronavirus-positivity-rate-remains-low/article_3af2b8e5-e5ac-56ac-83bc-eab3c2ee8c8a.html

York City medical director: Uptick in COVID-19 cases a reason to ‘worry’
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2020/08/28/york-city-medical-director-increase-covid-19-cases-causes-worry/5647496002/

Legislature

Program to keep Pa. renters in their homes struggling to distribute funds
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2020/08/28/program-aid-renters-Allegheny-County-landlords-applications-funds-Pa-housing/stories/202008280116

At minimum, debate Wolf’s pot proposal
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/at-minimum-debate-wolfs-pot-proposal/article_fa135465-3fbe-51c9-97b9-9bb2c3d7579e.html

Gianficaro: Governor’s push for legalized marijuana not a wolf in sheep’s clothing
https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/opinion/2020/08/29/pa-gov-tom-wolfs-wants-legalized-marijuana-address-budget-woes/5657358002/

Gov. Wolf’s push to legalize marijuana is oversold as coronavirus relief | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/marijuana-legalization-tom-wolf-pennsylvania-revenue-coronavirus-20200828.html

Administration

Your View: Gov. Wolf’s arbitrary mandate is destroying Pennsylvania’s restaurant industry
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-pennsylvania-restaurants-closing-covid-25-percent-20200828-ujivqfsjkbcypl7wjtdtemxz4u-story.html

Business

MGM Resorts lays off 18,000 furloughed workers
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2020/08/28/MGM-Resorts-lay-off-18000-workers-furloughed-employees/stories/202008280157

Crime/Punishment

Former Penn State fraternity member sentenced in death of Timothy Piazza
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/08/28/Former-Penn-State-fraternity-member-sentenced-in-death-of-Timothy-Piazza/stories/202008280105

Philly has a big surplus of wood chips and firewood due to COVID-19 and storms. Residents, come and get it.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-recycling-trees-climate-change-storms-firewood-woodchips-20200828.html

Allentown homicide suspect who doesn’t want to wear mask files challenge that could halt jury trials during coronavirus pandemic
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-covid-jury-trial-challenge-allentown-homicide-20200828-xzaqwmydujfsxoh4wr7kwhfegy-story.html

Education

Scranton School Board to vote on furloughing more than 130 employees
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-board-to-vote-on-furloughing-more-than-130-employees/article_384188d3-d8fd-5819-89e9-2965620af702.html

Bethel Park lays out plan for school reopening
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/28/Bethel-Park-School-Board-discusses-reopening-covid-19-pittsburgh-remote/stories/202008280110

New Kensington-Arnold hires wife of acting superintendent as teacher
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-arnold-hires-wife-of-acting-superintendent-as-teacher/

Kindergarten Zoom meeting interrupted by porn, threats
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/kindergarten-zoom-meeting-interrupted-by-porn-threats/article_89cf94b6-330f-5544-a83b-de4e45381bcd.html

City schools at disadvantage as PIAA moves ahead with fall sports, leaving many kids behind
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-fall-sports-piaa-equity-20200828-ibwbeeklmbbhzi6dodduxllu2i-story.html

Online curricula see major increase amid pandemic
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/education/2020/08/29/online-curriculums-increase-amid-covid-19-pandemic/5649771002/

Elections/Politics

Fact-checking Trump’s frequent claim that Joe Biden ‘abandoned Scranton’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/joe-biden-scranton-roots-trump-fact-check-20200829.html

Trump makes a clear bet: Violence in America’s cities will help him beat Biden in states like Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/trump-rnc-kenosha-crime-biden-pennsylvania-20200828.html

Pence to headline “Workers for Trump” event in Exeter on Tuesday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/pence-to-headline-workers-for-trump-event-in-exeter-on-tuesday/article_8d0a4b5c-4b00-5705-91e3-040307affae9.html

Local News

New sidewalk under old rail bridge in Scranton will promote pedestrian safety, connect downtown to popular river trail
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-sidewalk-under-old-rail-bridge-in-scranton-will-promote-pedestrian-safety-connect-downtown-to/article_1c55d892-8cca-5680-a33d-8e1969baf6c6.html

Oppenheim buyer owes delinquent taxes on three other properties in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/oppenheim-buyer-owes-delinquent-taxes-on-three-other-properties-in-scranton/article_b461501b-4a76-503e-b19b-1d66ee76f99c.html

DA: Further investigation of Mackey death akin to ‘prosecution shopping’
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/da-further-investigation-of-mackey-death-akin-to-prosecution-shopping/article_99829755-e853-55ad-8954-d83624502e2a.html

Luzerne County Council asked to guarantee state grant for Wilkes-Barre project
https://www.timesleader.com/news/799020/luzerne-county-council-asked-to-guarantee-state-grant-for-wilkes-barre-project

New Kensington to award contract for demolition of former bar, hotel buildings
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-to-award-contract-for-demolition-of-former-bar-hotel-buildings/

National News

Thousands gather at March on Washington commemorations amid national outrage over police shootings of Black Americans
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/march-on-washington-martin-luther-king-racial-justice-20200828.html

‘Black Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman dies of cancer at 43
https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/movies/chadwick-boseman-dead-cancer-black-panther-jackie-robinson-20200828.html

NBA, players union to set up social justice coalition in response to protest
https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/nba-nbpa-national-basketball-players-association-agreement-social-justice-20200828.html

Philly

The head of the USPS said he was suspending changes. But Philly mail delays aren’t getting better
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/usps-mail-delays-philadelphia-louis-dejoy-trump-20200829.html

‘Ya Fav Trashman’ raised $32,000 for PPE for his Philly sanitation colleagues, and his work is gaining national attention
https://www.inquirer.com/news/ya-fav-trashman-terrill-haigler-fundraiser-instagram-philadelphia-trash-pick-up-20200828.html

Philly Wawa shooting over coronavirus restrictions leaves security guard hospitalized, police say
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/wawa-philadelpjhia-shooting-police-coronavirus-social-distancing-capacity-20200828.html

Vandals keep targeting Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books and something needs to be done about it | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/uncle-bobbies-marc-lamont-hill-philly-jenice-armstrong-20200828.html

Urban League of Philadelphia launches re-entry program
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/urban-league-of-philadelphia-launches-re-entry-program/article_32d4ec74-8599-5860-81f0-0f65b8ef5f4b.html

Philly nonprofit works to end period poverty
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/philly-nonprofit-works-to-end-period-poverty/

Pitt

Up to 100 people now allowed at outdoor events in Allegheny County
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/08/28/Allegheny-County-Health-Department-100-allowed-outdoor-gatherings-COVID-19/stories/202008280137

Allegheny County increases pandemic outdoor gatherings limit to 100, no change for indoors
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-increases-pandemic-outdoor-gatherings-limit/

Steelers make a statement on social injustice before Friday night scrimmage
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/08/28/Steelers-stand-united-social-injustice-prejudice-coach-Mike-Tomlin-video/stories/202008280147

Federal lawsuits filed in Pittsburgh against insurance companies that didn’t pay for pandemic-related losses
https://triblive.com/local/federal-lawsuits-filed-in-pittsburgh-against-insurance-companies-that-didnt-pay-for-pandemic-related-losses/

State News

Federal court rejects ‘weak and unenforceable’ Pennsylvania smog regulations
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/08/28/Federal-court-rejects-weak-and-unenforceable-Pennsylvania-smog-regulations/stories/202008280122

Pa. regulatory panel at impasse on utility shutoffs for third straight month
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/pa-regulatory-panel-at-impasse-on-utility-shutoffs-for-third-straight-month/