Legislature
Lawmaker says confusion over exposed pipeline heightens concerns about public safety
http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20180723/lawmaker-says-confusion-over-exposed-pipeline-heightens-concerns-about-public-safety
Mullery discusses minimum wage during McDonald’s shift
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/mullery-discusses-minimum-wage-during-mcdonald-s-shift-1.2364996
Editorial: Elder-abuse law a good start toward tackling problem
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/elder-abuse-law-a-good-start-toward-tackling-problem
Business
Don Cunningham column: What Air Products’ headquarters decision says about the Lehigh Valley
http://www.mcall.com/business/economy/mc-biz-cunningham-air-products-20180723-story.html
Crime/Punishment
Jordan Brown, exonerated in shotgun slaying, faces cameras but stays silent
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/07/23/Jordan-Brown-press-conference-exonerated-child-homicide-Pittsburgh/stories/201807230127
Too sick for prison? Main Line’s ‘godfather of payday lending’ makes last-minute pitch to avoid lockup
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia/charles-hallinan-prison-sentence-payday-lending-philadelphia-cancer-robreno-20180723.html
Former Chester school security guard guilty of sexual assault and child porn for attacking and filming teen
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/chester-school-security-guard-sex-assault-namar-ikeam-plummer-teen-filmed-20180723.html
Al-Qaeda operative who recruited Montco’s ‘Jihad Jane’ pleads guilty, agrees to 15 years in prison
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia/ali-charaf-damache-al-qaeda-operative-jihad-jane-colleen-larose-guilty-plea-20180723.html
Excessive bail is unjust, even in a baby homicide case | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/cash-bail-baby-bucks-breast-milk-methadone-homicide-20180723.html
Cameras in PA courts will allow justice to be done – and seen | Editorial
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/editorials/cameras-pennsylvania-meek-mill-larry-nassar-oj-simpson-courts-court-media-20180723.html
California doctor, assistant accused of 3-year conspiracy to sell illegal opioids
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13894950-74/california-doctor-assistant-accused-of-three-year-conspiracy-to-sell-illegal-opioids
Troopers to increase enforcement of ‘Steer Clear’ laws through Saturday
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13893330-74/troopers-focus-on-move-over-violations-through-saturday
Jail using wristbands, technology to keep track of inmates
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/jail-using-wristbands-technology-to-keep-track-of-inmates/article_664bd9a6-8b76-11e8-96f2-c71a657baed2.html
State police seize more than $7M in drugs in 2018’s second quarter
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/state-police-seize-more-than-7m-in-drugs-in-2018-s-second-quarter-1.2365002
Education
New report blasts Pennsylvania policy on school district mergers
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/07/24/Pennsylvania-school-district-mergers-Midland-Beaver-County-EdBuild-consolidation-students-report/stories/201807240048
Wright Center to offer vaccine clinics in Scranton schools
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/wright-center-to-offer-vaccine-clinics-in-scranton-schools-1.2365174
Penn State’s James Franklin has questions in wake of legalized sports betting
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/psu/2018/07/23/Penn-State-James-Franklin-legalized-sports-betting-big-ten-jim-delany-college-football/stories/201807230183
Interim dean named at Temple’s business school
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/interim-dean-named-temple-university-fox-business-school-20180723.html
Penn retaining outside counsel to investigate bribery allegations against former coach Jerome Allen
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/penn/university-of-pennsylvania-penn-jerome-allen-bribery-allegations-investigation-20180723.html
Elections/Politics
Democratic ward leaders pick State Rep. O’Brien’s chief of staff to succeed him
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/175th-district-ward-leaders-rep-obrien-isaacson-successor-november-20180723.html
Westmoreland labor activists to plot election strategy
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/13895053-74/westmoreland-labor-activists-to-plot-election-strategy
On Politics: Barletta stands by the president; will it pay off?
https://www.timesleader.com/news/712583/on-politics-barletta-stands-by-his-president-will-it-pay-off
Gaming
Details of possible Westmoreland casino to come by week’s end
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13894669-74/details-of-possible-westmoreland-casino-to-come-by-weeks-end
Penn National Gaming withdraws lawsuit over Pennsylvania’s mini-casinos
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/07/penn_national_withdraws_suit_o.html#incart_2box_politics
Health Care
New Affordable Care Act insurance choices for 2019 in Southeastern Pa.
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/new-affordable-care-act-aca-insurance-choices-2019-southeastern-pa-20180723.html
Local News
Luzerne County budget figures detailed in new report
https://www.timesleader.com/news/712598/luzerne-county-budget-figures-detailed-in-new-report
Half of Wilkes-Barre’s K9 unit back on street, other half still training
https://www.timesleader.com/news/712579/half-of-wilkes-barres-k9-unit-back-on-street-other-half-still-training
Pittston area gets ambulance grant
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/pittston-area-gets-ambulace-grant-1.2365069
Volunteers of America seeks public’s help to combat illegal dumping
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/volunteers-of-america-seeks-public-s-help-to-combat-illegal-dumping-1.2365109
Fintastic: Sharks arrive at Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den, ahead of expected September opening
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/fintastic-sharks-arrive-at-electric-city-aquarium-reptile-den-ahead-of-expected-september-opening-1.2365004
Linden Street parking garage to lose its spiral ramp
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/linden-street-parking-garage-to-lose-its-spiral-ramp-1.2364978
Wayne Evans blasts O’Malley, Cummings over reassessment
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/wayne-evans-blasts-o-malley-cummings-over-reassessment-1.2364979
Hazleton City Authority to review timbering proposals
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hazleton-city-authority-to-review-timbering-proposals-1.2365018
Grant to pay for trees, green infrastructure project in Harrison
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13894324-74/grant-to-pay-for-trees-green-infrastructure-project-in-harrison
Kiski fire department’s $1.2M social hall, truck garage to be completed in the fall
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13894928-74/kiski-fire-departments-12m-social-hall-truck-garage-to-be-completed-in
New Kensington clinic offering medication-assisted addiction treatment
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13893974-74/new-kensington-clinic-offering-medication-assisted-addiction-treatment
Official at flooded Latrobe church asks city to expand on storm inlet upgrade plan
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/13896284-74/official-at-flooded-latrobe-church-asks-city-to-expand-on-storm-inlet
FBI investigating Reading authorities
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/fbi-investigating-reading-authorities
Reading creates new organization to develop downtown
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-creates-new-organization-to-develop-downtown&template=ourcityart
National News
Administration reports nearly 1,200 family reunifications
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/20180723_ap_dd7fc9a953a940669acd8d2a105fcccb.html
FBI warns of ransomware computer scams
https://triblive.com/local/regional/13895230-74/fbi-warns-of-ransomware-computer-bugs
Philly
Made in America staying on the Parkway is a win for Jay-Z, and for Philadelphia
http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/music/made-in-america-staying-on-the-parkway-is-a-win-for-jay-z-and-for-philadelphia-20180723.html
Made in America to stay on Ben Franklin Parkway after Kenney reaches accord with Jay-Z’s company
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/made-in-america-concert-stays-in-philadelphia-deal-kenney-jay-z-roc-nation-20180723.html
Philadelphia State of Mind: Jay-Z’s festival is staying put
http://www.phillytrib.com/entertainment/philadelphia-state-of-mind-jay-z-s-festival-is-staying/article_6db7d870-8ec3-11e8-a8dd-a773c779889b.html
Women dressed in ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ garb protest Pence in Philly
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/100-women-dressed-as-handmaids-to-protest-pence-in-philly-20180722.html
In Philly, VP Mike Pence touts Trump successes, stumps for Lou Barletta
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/vice-president-mike-pence-philadelphia-visit-speech-lou-barletta-protests-union-league-20180723.html
Philadelphia ranks 31st among the 50 U.S. cities with the most million-dollar real estate listings
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/real_estate/philadelphia-ranks-31st-among-the-50-u-s-cities-with-the-most-million-dollar-real-estate-listings-20180724.html
As child abuse allegations in Philly schools rise, ‘teacher jail’ thrives and reputations are at stake
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/child-protective-services-law-amendment-teacher-jail-philadelphia-school-district-abuse-20180721.html
Pitt
Hundreds urged to boil water after pipe bursts on North Side
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/07/23/PWSA-North-Side-boil-water-advisory-Brighton-Road-Brighton-Heights/stories/201807230149
Just Ducky owner says company is ‘conservative’ to maintain safety
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2018/07/24/Just-Ducky-Tours-Pittsburgh-Branson-amphibious-vehicles-capsize/stories/201807230165
GOP group creates fake news with altered image of Pittsburgh mayor’s chief of staff
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13895188-74/gop-group-creates-fake-news-with-photoshopped-picture-of-pittsburgh-mayors-chief
Pittsburgh officials debate $40 million purchase of Downtown building
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13894384-74/pittsburgh-officials-debate-40-million-purchase-of-downtown-building
State News
West End seniors waiting for state rent rebates
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/07/23/Goodwill-Plaza-Sheraden-Rent-Rebate-pittsburgh-west-end/stories/201807230164
7-year-old in group of trespassers drowns in vacationers’ pool
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/07/23/Baldwin-drowning-incident-Carrick-Jessica-Basnet-7-year-old-swimming-pool/stories/201807230187
Police: New father fatally shot after confronting man who hurled n-word at his friend in Central Pa.
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2018/07/23/New-father-chad-merrill-fatally-shot-confronting-man-said-n-word-at-friend-York-County-pennsylvania/stories/201807230107
This Bucks County, Pa., dad has primary custody of his kids, 16 and 4. Now, he faces deportation
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/bucks-county-ice-deportation-trump-immigration-executive-order-carlos-diaz-christine-flowers-20180724.html
1 dead in head-on crash during police chase on Turnpike 66
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/13896612-74/police-chase-leads-to-head-on-crash-along-route-66-in-salem
Mega Millions jackpot climbs over $500M as $1M winner sold near Philadelphia
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/13894015-74/1m-mega-millions-winner-sold-near-philly-jackpot-rolls-to-fifth-largest-ever
Keystone State Games: Coach: More than competition going on
https://www.timesleader.com/news/712564/keystone-state-games-coach-more-than-competition-going-on
Landscapers enlist in the battle against the spotted lanternfly
http://www.readingeagle.com/business-weekly/article/landscapers-enlist-in-the-battle-against-the-spotted-lanternfly
Potassium iodide tablets to be distributed near Limerick nuclear plant
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/potassium-iodide-tablets-to-be-distributed-near-limerick-nuclear-plant
June passenger numbers at LVIA top six-year high
http://www.mcall.com/news/traffic/mc-nws-lvia-june-passenger-numbers-record-20180723-story.html
Transportation
Input sought for PennDOT’s annual driver safety survey
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/13896778-74/input-sought-for-penndots-annual-driver-safety-survey