Legislature
Pa. Senate sends George Floyd-inspired police reforms to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/06/pa-senate-sends-george-floyd-inspired-police-reforms-to-governors-desk-for-enactment.html
First Pa. police-reform bills after protests go to governor
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/07/01/First-police-reform-bills-protests-go-to-governor-pennsylvania-george-floyd/stories/202007010072
Pa. Senate sends Wolf police reform bills creating new statewide misconduct database, PTSD screening for cops
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/pa-senate-sends-wolf-police-reform-bills-creating-new-statewide-misconduct-database-ptsd-screening-for-cops/
Pa. Senate weighs bill giving nine communities an option to ban fireworks, but some senators favor extending it statewide
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/06/pa-senate-passes-bill-giving-nine-communities-an-option-to-ban-fireworks-but-some-senators-favor-extending-it-statewide.html
In one year, Pa.‘s Clean Slate law has erased 35 million crimes. What’s next?
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-pennsylvania-clean-slate-law-one-year-20200630-ges77qb3ffahhiznbjzjtelq7q-story.html
A landmark criminal justice bill helped 1 million people get jobs and housing last year. But advocates say there’s more to be done.
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/a-landmark-criminal-justice-bill-helped-1-million-people-get-jobs-and-housing-last-year-but-advocates-say-theres-more-to-be-done/
Getting professional licenses is about to get easier for Pa. residents with criminal record
https://www.witf.org/2020/07/01/getting-professional-licenses-is-about-to-get-easier-for-pa-residents-with-criminal-records/
Reopening schools — and keeping them open — won’t be easy, officials tell Sturla, House Democrats
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/reopening-schools-and-keeping-them-open-wont-be-easy-officials-tell-sturla-house-democrats/article_2ebc27ba-bb2c-11ea-868e-9fa76937cb07.html
Expedite ballot cases, be ready for Nov. 3
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/expedite-ballot-cases-be-ready-for-nov-3/article_09c6ee0c-d191-5170-b75b-a8f455e55050.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Report: Chester County senior citizens suffering most during pandemic
https://www.dailylocal.com/lifestyle/report-chester-county-senior-citizens-suffering-most-during-pandemic/article_ea4cfeda-b55c-11ea-9a9d-0f536d39ce30.html
35 new covid-19 deaths, 618 additional cases reported in Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/35-new-covid-19-deaths-reported-in-pennsylvania/
Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 618 new cases reported by state on Tuesday to bring total to 86,606; 35 more deaths
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-virus-tuesday-data-20200630-2eyeltxwjvcl7lig64of4f2wxe-story.html
Allegheny County sets new single-day mark as COVID-19 cases surge above 100
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/06/30/covid-19-coronavirus-Allegheny-County-Western-Pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-33/stories/202006300081
Focus on covid cases could be wrong way to interpret Allegheny County surge, experts say
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/focus-on-covid-cases-could-be-wrong-way-to-interpret-allegheny-county-surge-experts-say/
6 new covid-19 cases reported in Westmoreland County
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/6-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-westmoreland-county/
4 new COVID-19 cases reported in county
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/4-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-county/article_18d834a7-f7b7-54cf-9ee6-e8967042efb4.html
COVID-19 case count climbs today, two more area deaths reported
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-case-count-climbs-today-two-more-area-deaths-reported/article_5d1e6e5c-b01c-51fd-910d-031dcb076ee6.html
Montgomery County records 29 new coronavirus cases, two more deaths
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-records-29-new-coronavirus-cases-two-more-deaths/article_b2d18c28-01e6-59c7-963b-95daf1162e3d.html
Luzerne County residents can track coronavirus case changes with new online tool
https://www.timesleader.com/news/789897/luzerne-county-residents-can-track-coronavirus-case-changes-with-new-online-tool
Administration
Pennsylvania Department of Aging releases reopening guidance for aging services providers
https://www.readingeagle.com/living/pennsylvania-department-of-aging-releases-reopening-guidance-for-aging-services-providers/article_3b220a88-afce-11ea-a346-d39b582ffcba.html
Extend moratorium on evictions
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/07/01/Extend-evictions-moratorium/stories/202007010041
Business
Metro employment skyrockets; 7,000 jobs added
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/metro-employment-skyrockets-7-000-jobs-added/article_1038085f-df5c-5b64-bdf0-1b6865d50cfa.html
Employee at Karns in Dauphin County tests positive for COVID-19
https://www.pennlive.com/business/2020/06/employee-at-east-shore-grocery-store-tests-positive-for-covid-19.html
Signs emerge that point to optimism in Lehigh Valley employment, region’s economic group says
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-lehigh-valley-may-unemployment-rate-coronavirus-pandemic-20200630-d7dp5cww5zbthk23ouco5jgm4y-story.html
Olympus, 1 of Lehigh Valley’s top employers, quitting camera biz. Local impact uncertain.
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2020/07/olympus-1-of-lehigh-valleys-top-employers-quitting-camera-biz-local-impact-uncertain.html
Crime/Punishment
Lawsuit alleges sex abuse by priest in Greensburg diocese in 1990s
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/lawsuit-alleges-sex-abuse-by-priest-in-greensburg-diocese-in-1990s/
‘How do you earn that back?‘: Leaders in Northampton County law enforcement, Black leaders gather to discuss restoring trust between police, communities of color
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-northampton-county-listening-summit-police-reform-20200630-vq7vxw4owzbatpjmqy2kz4ku3q-story.html
Education
Wyoming Area planning to reopen schools with desk shields and clear masks for teachers
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wyoming-area-planning-to-reopen-schools-with-desk-shields-and-clear-masks-for-teachers/article_ead16863-1385-5000-bcda-6860f55f0757.html
Hempfield Area lays out preliminary reopening plans
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/hempfield-schools-lay-out-preliminary-reopening-plans/
Greensburg Salem keeps taxes flat, cuts librarians and band teacher
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-salem-keeps-taxes-flat-cuts-librarians-and-band-teacher/
Plum School District recognized by Pittsburgh food bank for its breakfast, student nutrition efforts
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/plum-school-district-recognized-by-pittsburgh-food-bank-for-its-breakfast-student-nutrition-efforts/
Removing police presence from schools would cause more harm than good, officers say
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/06/30/Removing-police-presence-from-schools-would-cause-more-harm-than-good-officers-say/stories/202006300082
Pennsylvania and New Jersey high school football, sports still up in the air as COVID-19 guidelines remain under review
https://www.inquirer.com/high-school-sports/pennsylvania/high-school-football-fall-sports-season-covid-coronavirus-haddonfield-northeast-20200630.html
Messiah College is now Messiah University
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/07/messiah-college-is-now-messiah-university.html
Penn State staff welcome the university’s new paid parental leave policy, effective July 1
https://www.witf.org/2020/07/01/penn-state-staff-welcome-the-universitys-new-paid-parental-leave-policy-effective-july-1/
Local News
Scranton City Council expects legislation extending Scranton’s stay in Act 47
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-council-council-expects-legislation-extending-scrantons-stay-in-act-47/article_3a43491c-b816-5b9b-81c6-0c383189515d.html
Pennsylvania American Water starts $2 million project in Downvalley
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/pennsylvania-american-water-starts-2-million-project-in-downvalley/article_74b3bbf1-2bf5-57b2-8105-a8f2a69006d7.html
Source of commercial-grade firework focus of probe
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/crime-emergencies/source-of-commercial-grade-firework-focus-of-probe/article_19177861-dc30-55b4-9cff-3db164a9248d.html
Minor league season canceled, but Cashman says Yankees extras will use PNC Field
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/minor-league-season-canceled-but-cashman-says-yankees-extras-will-use-pnc-field/article_f87c4a4c-df4c-5f75-9c04-12731fb18752.html
New census numbers show Berks County older, fewer residents of working age
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/new-census-numbers-show-berks-county-older-fewer-residents-of-working-age/article_1b356cb2-bafd-11ea-a148-673f908f5e3e.html
Citywide trash collection key to making Reading a cleaner city, official says
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/citywide-trash-collection-key-to-making-reading-a-cleaner-city-official-says/article_de65bf02-ba62-11ea-8190-230576c9b62c.html
Mellon Foundation grant aims to add low-cost Wi-Fi to high-need communities
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/mellon-foundation-grant-aims-to-low-cost-wi-fi-to-high-need-communities/
Furloughed county employees to return to work Monday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/furloughed-county-employees-to-return-to-work-monday/article_edd34e19-2373-546d-a5b8-fad02e92ce9c.html
WB Connect launches NEPA Works
https://www.timesleader.com/news/789934/wb-connect-launches-nepa-works
Local grassroots organization to host African-American First Friday
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/06/30/african-american-first-friday-hosted-call-action-worldwide/3205325001/
Schuylkill County probe finds Halcovage violated policies
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-county-probe-finds-halcovage-violated-policies-1.2640930
Pa. county commissioner sexually harassed and discriminated against employees, internal probe finds
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2020/07/pa-county-commissioner-sexually-harassed-and-discriminated-against-employees-internal-probe-finds.html
Naked gardening complaint leads to Harrisburg official’s suspension
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/06/naked-gardening-complaint-leads-to-harrisburg-officials-suspension.html
Montgomery County commissioner faces federal lawsuit for blocking constituents on social media
https://www.witf.org/2020/07/01/mongomery-county-commissioner-faces-federal-lawsuit-for-blocking-constituents-on-social-media/
Constituents sue Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale over blocked social media posts
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/constituents-sue-montgomery-county-commissioner-joe-gale-over-blocked-social-media-posts/article_4e348ffe-b14f-50bc-a025-bffdbed9a03b.html
Erie County to receive $24.3 million of COVID-19 relief
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200630/erie-county-to-receive-243-million-of-covid-19-relief
National News
Oklahoma voters narrowly approve Medicaid expansion
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/07/01/Oklahoma-voters-narrowly-approve-Medicaid-expansion/stories/202007010069
Minor-league baseball season canceled by the coronavirus
https://www.inquirer.com/phillies/philadelphia-phillies-minor-league-baseball-coronavirus-season-canceled-20200630.html
Civil rights leader Leon Sullivan called for total commitment to total solutions. We’re getting there. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/leon-sullivan-george-floyd-protests-philadelphia-race-20200630.html
With a pen stroke, Mississippi drops Confederate-themed flag
https://www.timesleader.com/news/789904/with-a-pen-stroke-mississippi-drops-confederate-themed-flag
Philly
As overdose rates rise in Philly’s Hispanic community, racial disparities in healthcare add to the burden
https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/hispanic-overdose-rate-rising-philadelphia-treatment-services-20200701.html
Philly halts reopening of indoor dining and gyms as concern over virus’ spread in other states grows
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-philadelphia-indoor-dining-philly-gyms-reopening-nj-delaware-beaches-spread-20200630.html
Fishtown Zoom call devolves after police brass apologize but captain says ‘Black lives matter, white lives matter’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/fishtown-philadelphia-community-meeting-zoom-protesters-vigilantes-police-20200630.html
Philly’s coronavirus budget could leave city with just $51 million in savings by next summer
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-budget-coronavirus-reserve-20200630.html
Dear Philly: Let’s not become the next Florida. Wear a mask or stay at home this July 4th | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/coronavirus-covid-19-fourth-july-independence-day-philly-jenice-armstrong-20200630.html
Philly contractor pleads guilty to taking union money for work done on houses of John Dougherty and other Local 98 leaders
https://www.inquirer.com/news/johnny-doc-dougherty-local-98-anthony-massa-construction-trial-guilty-plea-20200630.html
Philadelphia man exonerated after 21 years in prison wins $6.25 million settlement
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-exoneree-innocence-terrance-lewis-settlement-wrongful-conviction-20200630.html
Philadelphia Housing Authority tries to fence off, shut down protest encampment outside headquarters
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-housing-authority-sharswood-occupy-pha-homeless-encampment-20200630.html
Philadelphia’s Black queer and burlesque performers call out white producers and club owners
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/philadelphias-black-queer-and-burlesque-performers-call-out-white-producers-and-club-owners/
This Vietnam veteran and former Black Panther was stripped and arrested at Rizzo’s command | We The People
https://www.inquirer.com/news/herbert-hawkins-philadelphia-black-panther-frank-rizzo-raid-20200701.html
A pledge from American Airlines: Your flight out of Philly may be full, but it will be clean
https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-international-airport-covid-safety-cleaning-american-airlines-20200630.html
‘What we need is leadership’: Kensington councilmembers say mayor is failing community
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/what-we-need-is-leadership-kensington-councilmembers-say-mayor-is-failing-community/article_a7a2fba0-bb94-11ea-b138-af806b327f43.html
Some SEPTA fare changes kick in Wednesday. Here’s what to know.
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-fare-increase-2020-changes-july-1-kids-free-transfer-20200630.html
Money restored for Philly program that gives undocumented immigrants a fighting chance against deportation
https://www.inquirer.com/news/paifup-philadelphia-deportation-vera-kenney-gym-fels-hias-juntos-20200630.html
Do you feel safe dining outdoors in Philly as the coronavirus continues? | Pro/Con
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/outdoor-dining-restaurants-philadelphia-coronavirus-safety-20200630.html
Pitt
‘Here we go again’: Employees, owners of Allegheny County bars face loss of income, jobs after new restrictions
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2020/06/30/allegheny-county-bars-closed-halt-alcohol-sales-bartenders-archies-cupkas-galaxy-twentyfour-mullaneys/stories/202006300102
West Deer bar owner organizing protest over covid-19 drink sales ban
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/west-deer-bar-owner-organizing-protest-over-covid-19-drink-sales-ban/
Pittsburgh Council nixes consultant for review of police actions during protests
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-council-nixes-consultant-for-review-of-police-actions-during-protests/
‘I say go for it’: Froggy’s widow won’t stand in the way of the building’s demolition
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/06/30/Froggys-Market-Street-Troiani-Trish-Morris-Pittsburgh-Planning-Commission/stories/202006300160
Teen hospitalized after shooting in Wilkinsburg
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/06/30/Wilkinsburg-shooting-teen-hospitalized-Hunter-Street/stories/202006300157
Pittsburgh saw largest jump in construction jobs in Pa. from April to May, data shows
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2020/06/30/pittsburgh-construction-jobs-increase-AGCA-workzone-safety-survey/stories/202006300137
Feds charge Pittsburgh man with burning unmarked police car during protest
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/06/30/Pittsburgh-protest-burned-police-car-federal-charges-Devin-Montgomery/stories/202006300142
Steelworkers try to unionize workers at Carnegie museums
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2020/06/30/Union-Carnegie-museums/stories/202006290085
Labor, business group says Pittsburgh can become high-tech manufacturing hub
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/labor-business-group-says-pittsburgh-can-become-high-tech-manufacturing-hub/
New road salt methods saved Pittsburgh $1 million last winter, city says
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/new-road-salt-methods-saved-pittsburgh-1-million-last-winter-city-says/
State News
‘A breathing, living memorial’: At Flight 93 site, flora and fauna return to hallowed ground
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/07/01/Flight-93-National-Memorial-bees-wildflowers-regrowth-Charles-Guadagno/stories/202006260064
A criminal case over the Mariner East pipeline raises questions about the role of constables in Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mariner-east-pipeline-criminal-case-chester-county-constables-energy-transfer-partners-frank-recknagel-20200630.html
FEMA grant funds protective gear for firefighters, ambulance crews in Western PA
https://triblive.com/local/regional/fema-grant-funds-protective-gear-for-firefighters-ambulance-crews-in-western-pa/
State to spray again for black flies as annoying bugs proliferate
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-to-spray-again-for-black-flies-as-annoying-bugs-proliferate/article_7957c3d3-735f-587c-98fc-4aba7b0ff8a3.html
The first lady of Pocono Raceway, Dr. Rose Mattioli, dies at 92
https://www.mcall.com/sports/mc-spt-rose-mattioli-pocono-raceway-20200630-5gjmzvw7hrejrehqhdcypdf4pa-story.html
We must confront the short and long-term threats of methane emissions. This is how | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/we-must-confront-the-short-and-long-term-threats-of-methane-emissions-this-is-how-opinion/
State completes $3 million Rochester chemical fire cleanup
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200630/state-completes-3-million-rochester-chemical-fire-cleanup
Transportation
Environmental survey underway for Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/environmental-survey-underway-for-laurel-valley-transportation-improvement-project/
Washington
Citing soaring unemployment, Casey calls for boost in Medicaid dollars based on economic factors
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2020/06/30/Bob-Casey-Medicaid-Pennsylvania-federal-medical-assistance-percentage/stories/202006300130