News Digest :: August 31, 2021

Legislature

Sen. Nikil Savel: “Covid outbreaks can happen in any school district” (wgal.com)

Two Pa. Democrats propose legislation to impose mask mandates in K-12 schools, childcare facilities | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Parents, teachers protest building conditions before return to school – Chalkbeat Philadelphia

State Senator Steve Santarsiero to host full schedule of community events this fall | News | buckslocalnews.com

Academy Park community reeling after fatal shooting at football game (delcotimes.com)

Senator Saval’s Statement on U.S. Supreme Courts Ruling Thrusting Millions of Renters into Precarity – NewsBreak

Pennsylvania Legislation Would Allow Teens To Get Vaccinated Without Parental Consent – 90.5 WESA – Washington latest

Your questions about climbing COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania, answered | Covid-19 | northcentralpa.com

Pennsylvania Rep. introduces bills regarding teen vaccination decisions (wtae.com)

Pennsylvania legislation would allow teens to get vaccinated without parental consent | WITF

Pa., New Jersey and Delaware business groups oppose federal drug pricing legislation – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Former state Rep. Babette Josephs remembered as a progressive pioneer | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

Wolf Administration to highlight unemployment resources when federal benefits end Sept. 4 (abc27.com)

‘Do no harm:’ House lawmakers get an earful on how to redraw Pa.’s congressional maps | WITF

Despite infighting, Pa. GOP senators push forward with vague idea of 2020 election audit | WITF

Taylor Borough to consider legislation for fire department to bill insurance | News | thetimes-tribune.com

 

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Pa., N.J. hospitals are faring OK as other states reach intensive-care unit capacity (inquirer.com)

Our last shot to beat back the delta variant (ydr.com)

EU takes US off safe travel list; backs travel restrictions – Delco Times

 

Business/Jobs

Federal aid ending for hundreds of thousands in Pennsylvania | WITF

How you can still get help in Pa. after federal benefits end (ydr.com)

Pennsylvania unemployment backlog persists ahead of federal cutoff | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Pandemic unemployment benefits are ending. Here’s how to get help in Pa. | Tuesday Morning Coffee | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

The Economy Is Booming but Far From Normal, Posing a Challenge for Biden – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

SBA SVOG program begins awarding more Covid-19 relief grants. Here’s how to apply. – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

PNC to raise base wages to $18 an hour, latest bank to do so | WITF

 

Crime/Punishment

Delco’s district attorney asks the public for help in the fatal shooting of an 8-year-old girl at a football game (inquirer.com)

 

Education

Back-to-School Season in Pennsylvania Defined by Conflict | Opinion | fairfieldsuntimes.com

Federal disclosures show the most expensive and most affordable colleges are the ones winning students – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Education Dept. Investigating Mask Mandate Bans In 5 States : Back To School: Live Updates : NPR

Eliminating Pennsylvania property taxes possible, but complex, officials say | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Colleen Hroncich: Back-to-school season in Pennsylvania defined by conflict (broadandliberty.com)

Mask Mandate Showdown: Will PA Adopt a Universal Mask Mandate for Schools? – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)

School bus driver shortage threatens to disrupt transportation at Lancaster County schools | Local News | lancasteronline.com

What about kids’ freedom to learn in a safe environment? (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

New Philly school board reps ready to make a difference this year | Local News | phillytrib.com

First day of school: Hite talks staffing shortage, virtual academy, and curriculum changes | Local News | phillytrib.com

Bucks County Community College offers coronavirus vaccine lottery (theintell.com)

Crestwood to require masks in schools | Coronavirus | standardspeaker.com

Teaching was hard enough already. COVID-19 made it nearly impossible, so I quit | Trish Zornio | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

W-B Area, Crestwood and Pittston Area requiring masks | News | citizensvoice.com

Crestwood SB votes for mask mandate, approves teacher’s contract | Times Leader

Chester Upland’s new receiver is supported by a charter that sought to take over district schools (inquirer.com)

Pa. State System will offer emergency aid of up to $1,000 to students | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Elections/Politics

Gale Force: Montco’s Gale Brothers Run For Statewide Office – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)

Pa. GOP candidate says he’ll bring “20 strong men” to intimidate school boards who approve mask mandates | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Action on Luzerne County DA election lawsuit expected this week | News | standardspeaker.com

Ex-lawmaker Rick Saccone to run for lieutenant governor in Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Environment

Opinion | Why Hurricane Ida Offers a Glimpse of the Dystopia That’s Coming for All of Us – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

How Climate Change Fueled Hurricane Ida : NPR

Cartwright, Brown advocate for Congress investing in climate action | News | standardspeaker.com

 

Health

Second surge: Erie doctor, nurse deal with spike in COVID-19 patients (goerie.com)

Tower Health cuts operating loss to $244M as cash reserves shrink – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Pandemic unveils growing suicide crisis for communities of color (inquirer.com)

 

State News

Sen. Casey holds hearing in Wilkes-Barre to address Medicare expansion | Times Leader

ERAP funding still available for Pennsylvania tenants and landlords (abc27.com)

Midstaters ready to welcome Afghan refugees with open arms (abc27.com)

Carlisle’s Jacob Schrom places sixth in Tokyo 2020 Paralympic powerlifting (abc27.com)

We should take in Afghan refugees if they can be properly vetted (ydr.com)

PFAS study in Bucks stalled by pandemic resumes soon (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

 

National News

The Supreme Court ended the CDC’s eviction ban. A housing law expert explains the impact | Analysis | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Taliban declare victory, promise security as they march into Kabul airport | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pentagon Officials Announce Last U.S. Military Planes Left Afghanistan : NPR

The last US soldier leaving Afghanistan reportedly from Chambersburg (abc27.com)

The final U.S. military plane has left Afghanistan, marking the war’s end | WITF

As U.S. military leaves Kabul, many Americans, Afghans remain | News | tribdem.com

Caldor Fire Intensifies and Evacuations Are Ordered Near Lake Tahoe – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Photos: Hurricane Ida Hit Louisiana’s Coastline Hard, Leaving Serious Damage : NPR

FEMA, National Guard mobilizing after Hurricane Ida | ABC27

Theranos’ Elizabeth Holmes Goes On Trial On Fraud Charges : NPR

With ‘Candyman,’ Nia DaCosta becomes the first Black female director to debut a film at No. 1 | Movies | phillytrib.com

Federal Reserve on track to slow aid for economy beginning later this year (inquirer.com)

Westinghouse won’t be prosecuted over failed nuclear project, will pay out over $21 million | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Local News

Midstate VFW commander encourages veterans to seek resources when coping with Taliban takeover (abc27.com)

Census 2020: Wellsville gained population while Jefferson dropped (ydr.com)

EMI bridge demo will close part of Erie’s West 12th Street in mid-September (goerie.com)

Clifton Heights and Upper Darby reach agreement on Clifton field (delcotimes.com)

Cambria judge maintains status quo at courthouse, waits for state guidance | News | tribdem.com

Elizabethtown Mayor Chuck Mummert named 2021 Mayor of the Year | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Overdose victims from the Poconos remembered at church vigil (poconorecord.com)

Environment: King of Prussia inventor buys former Titus Generating Station in Berks County (readingeagle.com)

Luzerne County CYS downgraded to provisional license | News | standardspeaker.com

County closes portals along Susquehanna River; flash flood watch issued for Wednesday | News | citizensvoice.com

Scranton firefighters deployed for Hurricane Ida | Crime-Emergency | thetimes-tribune.com

 

Pitt

Pittsburgh mayor looking to start universal basic income program using pandemic relief funds | Today in Pa. – pennlive.com

Peduto seeks approval for $2.5M universal basic income program in Pittsburgh | TribLIVE.com

Driver, staff shortage at Port Authority causing missed trips and less transit frequency | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Port Authority to allow e-bikes on Pittsburgh-area transit vehicles with new pilot program | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

SBA grants, finally arriving, are crucial to maintaining Pittsburgh cultural groups | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh City Council to consider bereavement time for pregnancy loss | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

WEATHER: Remnants of Ida to bring heavy rain, flooding to Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Philly

Despite U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Philly city courts’ orders delaying evictions remains | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Afghans are welcome here | Editorial (inquirer.com)

Fractured record keeping leaves Philly hospitals unsure which patients are vaccinated (inquirer.com)

Nearly 1,000 Afghanistan evacuees have arrived in Philly amid looming Tuesday deadline for withdrawal (inquirer.com)

 

Washington

Jan. 6 Committee Issues Orders For 35 Companies To Preserve Records : NPR

Time for Congress to step up for caregivers and those they serve (ydr.com)

Biden administration ramps up antitrust efforts amid worries about high prices | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette