News Digest :: August 8, 2022

Legislature

Families, lawmakers fear ‘devastating impact’ of First Hospital shutdown | Times Leader

Experts: First Hospital closure a potential catastrophe | Times Leader

Medical marijuana user evicted from public housing | News | thetimes-tribune.com

What the Kansas abortion vote means for Pennsylvania’s constitutional amendment effort | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Posh southwestern Pa. party spotlights how lawmakers and lobbyists mingle out of the public eye | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State Rep. Guzman demands accountability from Berks election officials (readingeagle.com)

Enforce price transparency | Opinion | thetimes-tribune.com

Crime/Punishment

Rash of violent crimes by juveniles in Lackawanna County prompts new concerns | Crime-Emergency | thetimes-tribune.com

I spent 14 years in solitary confinement. Here’s why we should end the practice. | Opinion (inquirer.com)

Editorial: Unlocking addiction: Courts must drop bans on treatment medications | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Education

What can parents, students expect as Pa. faces second full school year of COVID-19? | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

Western Pa. school districts worry about how to feed students this year without free lunches | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Hiring teachers is a challenge. Here’s how one Philly-area district is coping. (inquirer.com)

Bucknell students are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 unless granted an exemption – pennlive.com

Elections/Politics

Western Pa. counties weigh options with election funding grants | TribLIVE.com

No easy answers for smoother county elections, more stability in election leadership | Election | citizensvoice.com

Davis campaigns in Allegheny County touting education, economy, and safety – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Throwing the First Stone: Dems Target Church Over Mastriano Appearance – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)

Mehmet Oz, John Fetterman getting their messages out during the calm before the storm | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

It’s your rights, stupid. How Kansas showed Dems a roadmap to ‘22 victory (inquirer.com)

Dems rally around abortion. Are they reaching Black voters? | News | phillytrib.com

Local News

Plan for disc golf course in neighborhood park alarms New Kensington residents | TribLIVE.com

Emergency shelter offered, donations sought for Westmoreland flooding victims | TribLIVE.com

Luzerne County hired 30 employees in July, monthly report shows | Times Leader

Autopsies completed on Nescopeck fire victims; fundraiser established | News | citizensvoice.com

Lombardo wins Mayor of the Year award | News | citizensvoice.com

Berks planners OK $300 million on road and transit upgrades (readingeagle.com)

A toxic weed causes concern in Wyomissing Park System (readingeagle.com)

Aliquippa voters to decide on creating home rule charter commission (timesonline.com)

State News

Energy Transfer reaches plea deal with the state in criminal case over Mariner East and Revolution pipelines | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

DHS announces supplemental payments for LIHEAP households | Times Leader

Significant updates to Pa.s Minimum Wage Act take effect Aug. 5 | Times Leader

Bike loop in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties a first in Pennsylvania | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Change in the way Pennsylvania pays home care workers causes delayed paychecks for some, creating stress for families – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Pennsylvania Lottery generates more than $1 billion for programs that benefit older Pennsylvanians | The Bucks County Herald

National News

Indiana becomes first state to approve abortion ban post Roe (inquirer.com)

Biden team, Eli Lilly condemn new Indiana abortion ban | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Alabama school first known in US to face Title IX investigation for sexual orientation – pennlive.com

Looser liquor laws boosted restaurants — and maybe problem drinking | Analysis – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Philly

The Sixers’ ambitions for Market Street go well beyond building a sports arena (inquirer.com)

The longed-for Roosevelt Boulevard subway is drawing new interest. Could it happen? (inquirer.com)

Philly declares another heat health emergency (inquirer.com)

Parks and Rec shut down PlayStreets and pools in Kensington for the summer, citing safety concerns in the neighborhood (inquirer.com)

Community groups issued a collective call for help from Philly’s men to address the gun violence crisis (inquirer.com)

Ed Rendell: Here’s what I believe is the most important personal quality needed in Philadelphia’s next mayor (inquirer.com)

Pete Rose dismisses sexual misconduct questions at Phillies fete | WITF

Pitt

Steelers, SEA clashing over $3 million in scoreboard improvements made to Acrisure Stadium | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

1 dead, 3 injured in shooting on Pittsburgh’s North Side | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Teen shot in head in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood | TribLIVE.com

Man shot in Pittsburgh’s Highland Park neighborhood | TribLIVE.com

4 teens wounded in Duquesne shooting | TribLIVE.com

What the Pittsburgh Zoo lost — and continues to lose — without AZA accreditation | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Editorial: The House of August | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh development is (mostly) booming. What to know now and what to expect next | TribLIVE.com

Pittsburgh zoning board nixes construction of Shadyside apartment building on South Aiken Avenue | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

City of Pittsburgh to celebrate National Farmers Market Week 2022 | TribLIVE.com

Transportation

Editorial: Turnpike increases take toll on motorists (readingeagle.com)

Washington

Senate Democrats approve big Biden deal; House to vote next (inquirer.com)

Democrats passed a major climate, health and tax bill. Here’s what’s in it | WITF

Smucker says Democrats’ bill will make inflation worse | PA Power and Policy | lancasteronline.com

Pa. seniors on Medicare will save on insulin, prescription drugs if House passes Senate Inflation Reduction Act | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Long COVID: new study sheds brightest light so far on frequency and impacts – pennlive.com

Business/Jobs

Stoudts Brewing Co. is back after closing in 2020 (mainlinemedianews.com)