Legislature
In bipartisan vote, House blocks Wolf from entering regional climate initiative; Senate vote awaits
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/in-bipartisan-vote-house-blocks-wolf-from-entering-regional-climate-initiative-senate-vote-awaits/
Pennsylvania lawmakers take up fight against governor’s climate strategy
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/climate-pennsylvania-lawmakers-tom-wolf-20200708.html
House approval looks to halt new Wolf-ordered initiative to battle climate change
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/house-approval-looks-to-halt-new-wolf-ordered-initiative-to-battle-climate-change/article_d262cb0e-c157-11ea-b93f-2f6b7c12e9c3.html
Bill would ban ‘gag clauses’ on pharmacists sharing info on cheaper drugs
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/education-official-part-time-schedules-small-groups-best-way-to-reduce-covid-19-transmission-when-schools-reopen/
State police association: Many proposed ‘reforms’ already in place
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200709/state-police-association-many-proposed-reforms-already-in-place
Petition drive held in hopes of repealing state fireworks law
https://www.timesleader.com/news/791013/petition-drive-held-in-hopes-of-repealing-state-fireworks-law
Residents air fireworks complaints at packed meeting
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/residents-air-fireworks-complaints-at-packed-meeting/article_622be358-8b67-50c1-b0ef-d1da5edc2ff2.html
Now is the time to fix vote-by-mail
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/07/09/Voting-by-mail-fix-democracy-2020-election/stories/202007040023
In Pa. politics, polarization isn’t new. But the contempt is | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/in-pa-politics-polarization-isnt-new-but-the-contempt-is-opinion/
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pennsylvania holds off on new coronavirus restrictions
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/pennsylvania-holds-off-on-new-coronavirus-restrictions.html
Covid-19 cases in 19- to 24-year-olds on the rise in Pa.
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/covid-19-cases-in-19-to-24-year-olds-on-the-rise-in-pa/
As COVID-19 cases climb, one surprising age group is getting sicker
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/as-covid-19-cases-climb-one-surprising-age-group-is-getting-sicker/article_d2213cbe-bd14-5d7f-abc8-fcce6670e0c9.html
Getting tested for coronavirus in Pa. is becoming more difficult amid wave of new infections
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/getting-tested-for-coronavirus-in-pa-is-becoming-more-difficult-amid-wave-of-new-infections.html
Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 849 new cases reported by state on Wednesday as Allegheny County surge continues
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-numbers-virus-wednesday-20200708-7cgc4qno65cetgu5gfpntj7jca-story.html
Allegheny County’s COVID cases soar past 4,000; Butler County sets new single-day mark
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/07/08/covid-19-coronavirus-allegheny-county-western-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-37/stories/202007080123
Black people in Allegheny County twice as likely to get coronavirus compared to white people
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/black-people-in-allegheny-county-twice-as-likely-to-get-coronavirus-compared-to-white-people/Content?oid=17608146
3 more COVID-19 cases, no new deaths reported Wednesday in Luzerne County
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/3-more-covid-19-cases-no-new-deaths-reported-wednesday-in-luzerne-county/article_c27c698a-b382-5460-99bc-e41dc345a886.html
Montgomery County records 4 coronavirus deaths in past 7 days
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-records-4-coronavirus-deaths-in-past-7-days/article_7baaeb7b-d198-51b5-9586-4416d7d389d4.html
State to give fire, rescue companies $50 million in grants to cover covid-19 losses
https://triblive.com/local/regional/state-to-give-fire-rescue-companies-50-million-in-grants-to-cover-covid-19-losses-deadline-is-aug-7/
Battle against coronavirus not over, Berks commissioners warn
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/battle-against-coronavirus-not-over-berks-commissioners-warn/article_eadb3248-c148-11ea-83b9-2bc989e1b91a.html
Westmoreland eateries brace for another round of restrictions
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-eateries-brace-for-another-round-of-restrictions/
‘Life and death’: Face masks are now required in N.J. in crowded outdoor areas; Delaware added to Philly’s quarantine list
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-philly-pa-nj-face-masks-required-outdoors-indoor-dining-shore-20200708.html
Green isn’t always good: Why Pa.’s coronavirus cases shot up when we opened up | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/green-isnt-always-good-why-pas-coronavirus-cases-shot-up-when-we-opened-up-john-baer.html
They thought they were empty nesters. Then their adult children came home during quarantine.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-empty-nesters-quarantine-kids-families-20200709.html
Administration
Pa. Dept of Labor & Industry plans virtual town hall to provide answers about unemployment compensation
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/pa-dept-of-labor-industry-plans-virtual-town-hall-to-provide-answers-about-unemployment-compensation.html
Business
Scranton business relief grants benefit 86 city businesses
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-business-relief-grants-benefit-86-city-businesses/article_c01b5978-0c99-502b-a5ec-5934f27a51fd.html
Kennywood, Sandcastle to begin delayed seasons on Friday
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/kennywood-sandcastle-to-begin-delayed-seasons-on-friday/
License plate pinch hits area auto dealers, other businesses
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/license-plate-pinch-hits-area-auto-dealers-other-businesses/article_3a018eec-f16f-5e7a-8999-0a1e8ce85a4b.html
Longtime Scranton pizza shop closes doors
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/longtime-scranton-pizza-shop-closes-doors/article_e5809d45-32e5-5ea7-a594-791c4b4a9c33.html
What to expect when dining in Berks County after COVID shutdowns
https://www.readingeagle.com/living/food-and-drink/what-to-expect-when-dining-in-berks-county-after-covid-shutdowns/article_1c143812-c06f-11ea-a62b-bf2a5ab32b6e.html
Round 2 of Delco Strong business grant application window opens
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/round-2-of-delco-strong-business-grant-application-window-opens/article_5bf23b06-c087-11ea-84c1-17ae144f7130.html
PPP Loans
5 takeaways on the $20 billion in PPP loans to Pennsylvania businesses amid coronavirus crisis
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-pa-ppp-loans-five-things-to-know-20200708-gbwlonnay5dvja2adztaxlkh2q-story.html
Philly-area churches got unprecedented financial help from Paycheck Protection Program
https://www.inquirer.com/business/ppp-paycheck-protection-loans-separation-church-state-diocese-catholic-protestant-jewish-20200709.html
List of NEPA businesses that received Paycheck Protection Program loans
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/list-of-nepa-businesses-that-received-paycheck-protection-program-loans/article_9495480c-5137-5852-848e-186bc798fc94.html
Two Chester charter schools received PPP funds
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/two-chester-charter-schools-received-ppp-funds/article_8186ed3a-c15e-11ea-b407-831deca8e146.html
Atlas shrugged, took the cash
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/atlas-shrugged-took-the-cash/article_7dc00e3a-d6b6-50b2-bea0-0aca4460471c.html
Crime/Punishment
Sex-trafficking ring uncovered after 14-year-old victim tells mom: ‘I don’t want to be here anymore’
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/sex-trafficking-chester-county-malvern-pennsylvania-east-whiteland-20200708.html
Lawsuit challenges constitutionality of life without parole sentences for second-degree murder
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/07/08/Pennsylvania-Commonwealth-court-lawsuit-constitution-life-without-parole-sentences-murder-crime/stories/202007070097
Former Philadelphia priest pleads guilty to decades-old sex assaults of altar boys in Bucks County
https://www.inquirer.com/news/francis-trauger-bucks-county-tullytown-altar-boy-assault-archdiocese-of-philadelphia-20200708.html
Education
Education official: Part-time schedules, small groups best way to reduce COVID-19 transmission when schools reopen
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/education-official-part-time-schedules-small-groups-best-way-to-reduce-covid-19-transmission-when-schools-reopen/
WCASD aims to reopen schools this fall
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/wcasd-aims-to-reopen-schools-this-fall/article_e2ef6f68-c125-11ea-bd2a-e379c6ff5fcf.html
Hazleton Area School District gets 500 computer Fire tablets from Amazon
https://www.timesleader.com/news/791020/hazleton-area-school-district-gets-500-computer-fire-tablets-from-amazon
Fox Chapel Area School District weighing in-person, online learning scenarios
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/fox-chapel-area-school-district-weighing-in-person-online-learning-scenarios/
Black Lives Matter movement prods Bethlehem and other districts to review how history is taught
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-bethlehem-schools-history-curriculum-diversity-20200708-4jfhkvbsjrcu3je2hnty2p666a-story.html
Educators say when it comes to reopening schools, ‘the devil’s in the details’
https://www.witf.org/2020/07/09/educators-say-when-it-comes-to-reopening-schools-the-devils-in-the-details/
Cheyney, Lincoln universities release fall reopening plans
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/cheyney-lincoln-universities-release-fall-reopening-plans/
It’s official: Board approves Erie County’s community college
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200708/itrsquos-official-board-approves-erie-countyrsquos-community-college
Patriot League anti-racism commission is ‘a necessity,’ Lafayette College AD says
https://www.mcall.com/sports/college/mc-spt-patriot-leaugue-anti-racism-commission-20200708-cnjtip7xhfh5hhtdbla4ex2efy-story.html
University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon join push against Trump’s edict on student visas
https://triblive.com/local/regional/local-universities-join-push-against-trumps-edict-on-student-visas/
Harvard, MIT sue Trump administration to block ICE rule on international students
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/07/08/Harvard-MIT-lawsuit-Trump-administration-immigration-order-foreign-students-universities-online/stories/202007080092
Elections/Politics
Joe Biden and Mike Pence are visiting 4 key areas in Pennsylvania. Here’s why they’re so important.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mike-pence-pennsylvania-joe-biden-police-20200708.html
Gaming
Pennsylvania tries luck again in mini-casino license auction
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/07/08/Pennsylvania-tries-luck-again-in-mini-casino-license-auction/stories/202007080129
Health Care
Lawsuit claims UPMC, doctors failed to get proper patient consent for procedures
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/lawsuit-claims-upmc-doctors-failed-to-get-proper-patient-consent-for-procedures/
Local News
County solicitor: Halting of inmate labor at recycling center won’t impact pending lawsuit
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/county-solicitor-halting-of-inmate-labor-at-recycling-center-wont-impact-pending-lawsuit/article_b580afba-9998-5e74-8138-c64b1400b398.html
Black Lives Matter Community Fest set for Saturday
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/black-lives-matter-community-fest-set-for-saturday/article_f5f83ad2-c15b-11ea-aac5-a3b00aa94eb2.html
Facebook posts deemed racist by Berks County officials lead to suspension for constable
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/facebook-posts-deemed-racist-by-berks-county-officials-lead-to-suspension-for-constable/article_f69fc3c0-c128-11ea-a9af-575ce50fbd15.html
Vandergrift councilwoman gets no support in quest to form a shade tree commission
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/vandergrift-councilwoman-gets-no-support-in-quest-to-form-a-shade-tree-commission/
Tarentum to have all full-time police force after promoting 2 part-timers
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tarentum-to-have-all-full-time-police-force-after-promoting-2-part-timers/
Irwin Council: No masks, no social distancing
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/irwin-council-no-masks-no-social-distancing/
Westmoreland municipal authority OKs buying Mt. Pleasant sewage plant
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-municipal-authority-oks-buying-mt-pleasant-sewage-plant/
Free milk giveaway in Greensburg helps Westmoreland County residents in need
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/free-milk-giveaway-in-greensburg-helps-westmoreland-county-residents-in-need/
Mourners gather at river to remember teens; autopsies set for today
https://www.timesleader.com/news/790998/mourners-gather-at-river-to-remember-teens-autopsies-set-for-today
Fire chief warns of danger in river where boys drowned Tuesday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/fire-chief-warns-of-danger-in-river-where-boys-drowned-tuesday/article_ad5240dd-4910-5961-8043-504fa32180a1.html
Rockin’ the County kicks off Friday in WB
https://www.timesleader.com/news/791034/rockin-the-county-kicks-off-friday-in-wb
County Central Court closed by COVID-19 report Wednesday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/county-central-court-closed-by-covid-19-report-wednesday/article_adc631bf-c717-5d99-b202-aacae18efc6d.html
Easton passes new rules guiding development after contentious debate
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/2020/07/easton-passes-new-rules-guiding-development-after-contentious-debate.html
National News
‘Strike for Black Lives’ to highlight racism during mass walkout this month
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/07/09/AP-Exclusive-Strike-for-Black-Lives-to-highlight-racism/stories/202007090097
New Jersey
New Jersey offers ‘bridge’ year for high school students to make up for class time lost in coronavirus pandemic
https://www.inquirer.com/education/nj-schools-bridge-year-pilot-program-makeup-coronavirus-defer-graduation-20200708.html
Philly
Black, Hispanic women infected with coronavirus 5 times as often as whites in Philly, Penn study suggests
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid19-black-hispanic-test-positive-vaccine-update-offit-20200709.html
Philly has waived all citations against protesters after they said arrests violated their rights
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-protest-civil-rights-code-violations-arrests-mayor-jim-kenney-police-20200708.html
Girl, 16, severely injured by illegal explosive in Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-illegal-fireworks-teen-girl-boy-injured-20200708.html
Residents push for resources, city action in Kensington: ‘We need help’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/kensington-protest-drugs-supervised-injection-site-opioids-crime-larry-krasner-20200708.html
Robeson principal named top principal in the state
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/robeson-principal-named-top-principal-in-the-state/article_17616478-c170-11ea-8cd1-fb768fd07ee1.html
Penn professors call for university to pay taxes to support Philly schools
https://www.inquirer.com/education/university-of-pennsylvania-pilot-taxes-schools-petition-20200708.html
As pandemic continues, safe injection sites could save more lives | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/safe-injection-site-philadelphia-safehouse-harm-reduction-20200708.html
Removing school police puts unfair burden on teachers | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/school-police-reform-teacher-educator-perspective-20200708.html
Pitt
Allegheny County to allow outdoor dining, bars and casinos to reopen Friday — with restrictions
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/07/08/COVID-19-Allegheny-County-restaurants-open-outdoor-dining-Friday-coronavirus-pandemic-restrictions/stories/202007080148
Allegheny County will allow outdoor dining beginning Friday, Rivers Casino allowed to reopen
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-will-allow-outdoor-dining-beginning-friday/
Ordinance to ban ‘less lethal’ weapons fails in County Council committee
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/07/08/Allegheny-County-Council-health-committee-less-lethal-weapons-police-reform/stories/202007080136
Referendum to strengthen Pittsburgh police review panel is debated
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/07/08/Ricky-Burgess-citizen-police-review-board-ballot-referendum-hearing/stories/202007080146
More Port Authority of Allegheny County employees test positive for covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/more-port-authority-of-allegheny-county-employees-test-positive-for-covid-19/
New research details racial, socioeconomic inequities during school shutdown across Allegheny County
https://www.witf.org/2020/07/09/new-research-details-racial-socioeconomic-inequities-during-school-shutdown-across-allegheny-county/
Steelers season-ticket holders informed masks will be required at Heinz Field
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/07/08/steelers-season-tickets-2020-covid-19-policy-full-refund/stories/202007080154
Delaying retirement: Outon sticking around to counsel region’s troubled nonprofit sector through pandemic
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2020/07/09/Pittsburgh-nonprofits-COVID-19-Peggy-Morrison-Outon-retirement-Bayer-Center/stories/202007090052
State News
U.S. Supreme Court hands victory to Trump in latest round of Pennsylvania’s birth-control wars
https://www.inquirer.com/news/supreme-court-birth-control-opinion-trump-pennsylvania-little-sisters-contraception-scotus-20200708.html
Air quality alert issued for southwest Pa.; heat-index temps may reach 102
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/07/08/Air-quality-alert-code-orange-southwestern-Pennsylvania-ozone-temperatures/stories/202007080159
Firearms background checks, purchase denials on rise in Pennsylvania in 2020
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/firearms-background-checks-purchase-denials-on-rise-in-pennsylvania-in-2020/
Trib to continue fight for jurors’ names from Sheriff Held’s mistrial following appeals court ruling
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/trib-to-continue-fight-for-jurors-names-from-sheriff-helds-mistrial-following-appeals-court-ruling/
Pennsylvania health officials warn of ticks, Lyme disease
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-health-officials-warn-of-ticks-lyme-disease/
Relatives say Jim Thorpe man shot dead by police in Monroe County was mentally ill
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-monroe-county-police-involved-shooting-folo-20200708-4hyokck26rfctn7dwm5yqewfle-story.html
The state needs a strong rule limiting pollution from the oil and gas industry| Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/07/the-state-needs-a-strong-rule-limiting-pollution-from-the-oil-and-gas-industry-opinion.html
Transportation
Feds look to avoid ‘preventable’ deaths by improving conditions for pedestrians
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/07/08/U-S-Department-of-Transportation-pedestrian-deaths-safety-summit-Elaine-L-Chao/stories/202007080158
Washington
No, Pa. Congressman Matt Cartwright did not call for defunding the police
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/matt-cartwright-jim-bognet-defund-the-police-fact-check-20200709.html
Trump threatens to cut federal aid if schools don’t reopen in the fall
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-schools-reopening-coronavirus-federal-aid-funds-20200708.html