Legislature
“We cannot reform something that’s rotten to its core”: Allentown activists offer state legislators their perspective on police oversight
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-police-reform-hearing-house-democrats-allentown-blm-schweyer-20200728-5d6wp4pkjrb7lhahir33khu6ca-story.html
What should police reform in Pa. should look like? Lehigh Valley residents testify before lawmakers.
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/2020/07/what-should-police-reform-in-pa-should-look-like-lehigh-valley-residents-testify-before-lawmakers.html
School officials tell Pa. Senate panel they need to be shielded from lawsuits to reopen safely
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/school-officials-tell-pa-senate-panel-they-need-to-be-shielded-from-lawsuits-to-reopen-safely/
Panel gets input on how to safely open local schools
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/panel-gets-input-on-how-to-safely-open-local-schools/article_4af4e660-5287-51b3-8ec0-6bb92401b2b7.html
Restaurant operators sound off to lawmakers about latest restrictions on their establishments
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2020/07/29/Restaurant-sound-off-to-lawmakers-Wolf-s-latest-restrictions-on-their-establishments/stories/202007290046
Pennsylvania restaurant official predicts Gov. Wolf’s coronavirus mitigation order could lead to closure of 7,500 PA restaurants
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-hearing-restaurants-20200728-scbfzccce5fa5lrle653rbvdne-story.html
PennFuture: Public works program is key to rebound
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200729/pennfuture-public-works-program-is-key-to-rebound
‘An emotional moment’: Peyton Walker’s mother reacts to passed Pa. law that carries her late daughter’s name
https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/2020/07/peytons-law-to-provide-enhanced-education-of-sudden-cardiac-arrest-to-pa-student-athletes-and-families.html
Pennsylvania’s voters deserve automatic voter registration before the 2020 election | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/automatic-voter-registration-pennsylvania-coronavirus-covid-election-20200729.html
Plaques about the crimes of former Pa. House leaders disappear from their Capitol portraits
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/plaques-telling-of-the-crimes-of-3-former-house-leaders-hung-under-their-portraits-now-theyre-gone.html
In Harrisburg and D.C., the GOP meddling with our courts is a threat to democracy | Bruce Ledewitz
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/in-harrisburg-and-d-c-the-gop-meddling-with-our-courts-is-a-threat-to-democracy-bruce-ledewitz/
Why we need to make sure Pa. schools are ready to open this fall | Kerry A. Benninghoff
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/why-we-need-to-make-sure-pa-schools-are-ready-to-open-this-fall-kerry-a-benninghoff/
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Covid-19 testing of all nursing home residents, staff complete, Pa. health department says
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/covid-19-testing-of-all-nursing-home-residents-staff-complete-pa-health-department-says/
Initial test of Pa. nursing homes for COVID-19 done, more to come
https://www.timesleader.com/news/794108/initial-test-of-pa-nursing-homes-for-covid-19-done-more-to-come
State report: Brighton knew it didn’t have state OK to use experimental drug on residents
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/07/28/Brighton-Rehab-Wellness-knew-didnt-have-Pennsylvania-OK-experimental-drug-residents-hydroxychloroquine-inspection/stories/202007280157
Virus spread ‘likely to be worse before it gets better,’ Philly’s top doctor says
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-nj-philly-restaurant-ban-cases-increase-rachel-levine-20200728.html
Westmoreland County adds 1 new covid-19 death, 14 new cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-adds-1-new-covid-19-death-14-new-cases/
Montgomery County officials: Only 1 COVID-19 death over past 7 days
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-officials-only-1-covid-19-death-over-past-7-days/article_befc6f5a-f041-51d8-ab32-da9b6e4b9405.html
Wyoming County reports first new COVID-19 death in two months
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/urgent/wyoming-county-reports-first-new-covid-19-death-in-two-months/article_83a5bf7d-e376-504f-afea-3b18d5648e37.html
Monroe’s COVID-19 numbers stay low, though commonwealth continues to show increases
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200729/monroersquos-covid-19-numbers-stay-low-though-commonwealth-continues-to-show-increases
States should adopt a plan to report testing turnaround times.
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/07/29/Test-results-too-long-delayed-COVID-coronavirus-testing-health/stories/202007280047
The coronavirus scourge of the under-30 crowd is upon us and it is dangerous | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/coronavirus-covid-30-and-under-infections-pa-marlins-phillies-shore-maria-panaritis-20200729.html
At the heart of dismal U.S. coronavirus response, a fraught relationship with masks
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-masks-resistance-us-20200729.html
Administration
Dr. Rachel Levine: Transphobic incidents are ‘hurting the thousands of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians’
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/07/dr-rachel-levine-transphobic-incidents-are-hurting-the-thousands-of-lgbtq-pennsylvanians.html
Dr. Rachel Levine responds to transphobic comments: ‘I do not have time for intolerance’
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/dr-rachel-levine-responds-to-transphobic-comments-i-do-not-have-time-for-intolerance/
Pa. health secretary denounces transphobic attacks: ‘Our children are watching’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/rachel-levine-pennsylvania-health-secretary-transphobia-responds-20200728.html
Pennsylvania Department of Aging seeks public input for Plan on Aging
https://www.readingeagle.com/living/pennsylvania-department-of-aging-seeks-public-input-for-plan-on-aging/article_64e09720-cc18-11ea-bdfb-8762481adf33.html
Wolf challenges Congress to do better on unemployment assistance as initial $600 weekly supplements expire
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/wolf-challenges-congress-to-do-better-on-unemployment-assistance-as-initial-600-weekly-supplements-expire.html
Business
Pa. business owners to Wolf: Please police mask requirement so we don’t have to
https://www.witf.org/2020/07/29/pa-business-owners-to-wolf-please-police-mask-requirement-so-we-dont-have-to/
Decision day for 1,300 Vanguard workers as their jobs head to India-based Infosys
https://www.inquirer.com/news/vanguard-infosys-outsourcing-recordkeeping-20200729.html
Hempfield approves consolidation of 2 parcels in industrial park, making way for new manufacturing company
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/hempfield-approves-consolidation-of-2-parcels-in-industrial-park-making-way-for-new-manufacturing-company/
Pepperjam acquired by Partnerize
https://www.timesleader.com/news/794117/pepperjam-acquired-by-partnerize
Local jobs report shows labor force is retreating
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/local-jobs-report-shows-labor-force-is-retreating/article_a403826b-5279-541d-bbef-a4a5cb40a9c3.html
Education
National teacher union supports strikes over reopening plans
https://www.inquirer.com/education/national-teacher-union-supports-strikes-over-reopening-plans-20200728.html
Scranton School District could lose $426k of stimulus funds to private schools
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-district-could-lose-426k-of-stimulus-funds-to-private-schools/article_09f1ba40-4f17-5d9d-9734-cb2be8c8b6ed.html
Pa. school officials share challenges of preparing for new year amid ongoing coronavirus pandemic
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/pa-school-officials-share-challenges-of-preparing-for-new-year-amid-ongoing-coronavirus-pandemic/article_1c2eedb8-d101-11ea-a23e-6fd3b0e32999.html
South Fayette School District officials approve reopening plan
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/south-fayette-school-district-officials-approve-reopening-plan/
Riverview students to start 1st 9 weeks of new school year online
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/riverview-students-to-start-first-nine-weeks-of-the-new-school-year-online/
Wyoming Area OKs re-opening plan, looks to Velcro lunch bags and backpacks
https://www.timesleader.com/news/794121/wyoming-area-oks-re-opening-plan-looks-to-velcro-lunch-bags-and-backpacks
New Kensington-Arnold School Board votes to bring students back to school — but many may learn from home
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-arnold-school-board-set-to-act-on-plan-to-bring-all-students-staff-back-to-school/
Pittston Area declares emergency, approves re-opening plan
https://www.timesleader.com/news/794123/pittston-area-declares-emergency-approves-re-opening-plan
Parkland approves reopening plan: Hybrid attendance for some grades, full-time for others, with an all-virtual option
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-parkland-school-reopening-plan-approval-20200729-h4tamfi6bnacdb7vivycbpuqxq-story.html
How will schools maintain high quality of education during pandemic?
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/07/26/covid-pennsylvania-school-district-pandemic-safety-education-concerns/5492419002/
John Pallone announces resignation as New Kensington-Arnold School District superintendent
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/john-pallone-announces-resignation-from-new-kensington-arnold-school-district/
Pa. health secretary: Data will guide state’s approach to high school sports
https://tribhssn.triblive.com/pa-health-secretary-data-will-guide-states-approach-to-high-school-sports/
District 11 chairman Bob Hartman says ‘everything on the table’ as PIAA meets to discuss fall sports opening
https://www.mcall.com/sports/varsity/mc-spt-district11-piaa-bob-hartman-20200729-pvuy3ng47jbapa7xjbq56tvrxe-story.html
Keeping Pa. private colleges closed will hurt small communities, officials say
https://triblive.com/local/regional/keeping-pa-private-colleges-closed-will-hurt-small-communities-officials-say/
COVID-19 dilemma facing colleges nationally is seen in Edinboro’s decision to abruptly go online
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/07/28/Edinboro-WVU-Pitt-Penn-State-COVID-19-West-Chester-fall-online-universities-pandemic/stories/202007270074
Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro scores interim win in student loan lawsuit against Navient
https://www.inquirer.com/news/navient-student-loans-pennsylvania-attorney-general-josh-shapiro-third-circuit-20200728.html
Some colleges are starting to cut tuition as coronavirus keeps students off campus
https://www.inquirer.com/education/coronavirus-college-tuition-cuts-20200728.html
Elections/Politics
Trump is struggling but Pennsylvania Republicans have an important advantage compared to 2016
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-party-voter-registration-trump-biden-20200729.html
We can do better
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/07/29/We-can-do-better-Politics-Reason-Polarization/stories/202007280020
Local News
Scranton City Council calls for termination of tax firm contract, action on sale of trash delinquencies
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-council-calls-for-termination-of-tax-firm-contract-action-on-sale-of-trash/article_134512db-256c-5c29-b423-91e026b5f877.html
Work on Scranton’s first splash park continues
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/work-on-scrantons-first-splash-park-continues/article_5cdc7198-f4b2-5d0b-b83a-bf92330ba8b4.html
Luzerne County Council won’t forgive penalty on 2020 real estate taxes after Aug. 18
https://www.timesleader.com/news/794104/luzerne-county-council-wont-forgive-penalty-on-2020-real-estate-taxes-after-aug-18
County council rejects extension of tax deadline
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-council-rejects-extension-of-tax-deadline/article_f6366edb-45e6-581b-b328-eea523e790d3.html
Our opinion: County ethics process failed in Crispell case
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/editorial/our-opinion-county-ethics-process-failed-in-crispell-case/article_b79fbafa-b022-5727-bd0c-6323d2452299.html
Activist Stilp plans to burn flags at courthouses Thursday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/activist-stilp-plans-to-burn-flags-at-courthouses-thursday/article_1cb984dc-848b-57d9-be6b-0920b6a32a40.html
Bloomsburg Fair canceled over COVID-19 concerns
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/bloomsburg-fair-canceled-over-covid-19-concerns/article_bcaa4ad7-6364-5cfa-a7c0-5a856fc76e8c.html
Westmoreland probation office closed in wake of positive coronavirus test
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-probation-office-closed-in-wake-of-positive-coronavirus-test/
Philly
Black and Jewish leaders blast the NAACP’s Philly president for an anti-Semitic Facebook post
https://www.inquirer.com/news/naacp-rodney-muhammad-anti-semitic-facebook-post-controversy-20200728.html
Tensions are boiling over between Philly DA Larry Krasner and bail reform advocates
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-da-larry-krasner-cash-bail-reform-advocates-20200729.html
‘A pretty bleak picture’: Philadelphia Museum of Art reveals to staff what its workplace assessment uncovered
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/philadelphia-museum-of-art-workplace-harassment-abuse-20200728.html
Philly Free Library board chair thanks Black workers for ‘bravery’ in speaking out against ousted director
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-free-library-board-meeting-pamela-dembe-20200728.html
Threat to John Coltrane mural shows how development can erase Black history in Philly neighborhoods
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/mural-coltrane-jazz-strawberry-mansion-gentrification-development-philadelphia-20200729.html
Essential workers running Philly’s Greyhound station are fighting for stronger safety protections
https://www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/greyhound-bus-workers-coronavirus-teamsters-safety-20200728.html
Phillies postponed through Friday; players show no initial positive COVID-19 tests in aftermath of Marlins outbreak
https://www.inquirer.com/phillies/phillies-yankees-postponed-marlins-coronavirus-outbreak-mlb-20200728.html
Black Doctors Consortium calls on Philly hospitals to offer rapid community testing
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/black-doctors-consortium-calls-on-philly-hospitals-to-offer-rapid-community-testing/article_770dd3be-d194-11ea-b431-6b8f8fffed7a.html
Philly public schools will stay all-online at least until November
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopening-plan-hite-virtual-20200728.html
Philadelphia urges demolition of St. Laurentius Church, but an architectural committee is unpersuaded
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/st-laurentius-church-demolition-historical-commission-20200728.html
An Airbnb stay with Caribbean farmers inspired this Philly woman to create FarmerJawn CSA | We The People
https://www.inquirer.com/news/farmer-jawn-csa-christa-barfield-elkins-park-20200729.html
Walgreens tells Philly customers their prescription info may have been stolen during May looting
https://www.inquirer.com/business/walgreens-prescription-data-breach-stolen-looting-philadelphia-20200728.html
Pitt
Peduto: Cities like Pittsburgh at ‘critical juncture’ if federal relief for COVID-19 falls short
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/07/28/bill-Peduto-Pittsburgh-economic-challenge-federal-relief-direct-aid-COVID-19/stories/202007280142
Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto joins other mayors asking for federal help during pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-mayor-peduto-joins-other-mayors-asking-for-federal-help-during-pandemic/
Demanding to be heard: PSA features deaf community and inclusivity within the BLM movement
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/lifestyle/2020/07/29/Sign-language-PSA-unspeakable-Black-Lives-Matter-Emmai-Alaquiva-pittsburgh-protests/stories/202007280123
City Council approves five police reform bills, ban on chokeholds
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/07/28/Pittsburgh-City-Council-approves-five-police-reform-bills-legislation-Burgess-Lavelle/stories/202007280117
Pittsburgh City Council approves police reforms supported by Mayor Peduto
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-city-council-approves-police-reforms-supported-by-mayor-peduto/
PPS board member on reopening schools: ‘There’s more questions than answers’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/07/28/PPS-Pittsburgh-schools-board-member-kevin-carter-reopening-plan-online-resolution/stories/202007280122
In meeting with Jill Biden, Pittsburgh schools union leader supports delay for in-person instruction
https://triblive.com/local/regional/in-meeting-with-jill-biden-pittsburgh-schools-union-leader-supports-delay-for-in-person-instruction/
Norfolk Southern details plans to replace Merchant Street rail bridge
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/07/28/Norfolk-SOuthern-PennDOT-Merchant-Street-bridge-pittsburgh-vertical-clearance-project-north-side/stories/202007280114
Protest over Pittsburgh bar’s dress code results in multiple charges
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/protest-over-pittsburgh-bars-dress-code-results-in-multiple-charges/
Pittsburgh International Airport gets $3M in federal funding for runway rehab
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-international-airport-gets-3m-in-federal-funding-for-runway-rehab/
Pittsburgh jobless rate dips slightly to 12.5% in June
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pittsburgh-jobless-rate-dips-slightly-to-12-5-in-june/
State News
Rape jokes, vindictive culture in ‘old boys club’ at Horsham’s Air National Guard Station
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/horsham-air-national-guard-station-rape-jokes-retaliation-sexual-harassment-20200729.html
State, Westmoreland see drop in OD deaths; Allegheny sees increase
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/slight-decrease-in-pa-drug-overdose-deaths-mirrors-westmoreland-drop/
Government transparency must be central to the new normal of coronavirus | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/transperancy-right-to-know-requests-governor-tom-wolf-pennsylvania-philadelphia-20200729.html
How a Supreme Court ruling on an Uber driver could remake Pennsylvania’s gig economy
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/how-a-supreme-court-ruling-on-an-uber-driver-could-remake-pennsylvanias-gig-economy/
Transportation
60 police departments around Philly to curb aggressive driving
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/aggressive-driving-penndot-philadelphia-police-ppd-20200728.html