Legislature

Sen. Carolyn Comitta, Rep. Dianne Herrin Announce S.B. 15 and H.B. 1565 as Concrete Action on Climate Pollution Called for by a Majority of Pennsylvanians | Environmental Defense Fund

Herrin, Comitta bill targets climate change | Local-news | dailylocal.com

Gov. Wolf proposes funneling cap-and-trade dollars to transition fossil fuel workers | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

With incentive bills, Wolf, Dems want RGGI to become a reality in Pa. | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

Spending plan for Pennsylvania’s emissions auction proceeds unveiled | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

With Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement on the brink, supporters say it’s time for a ‘yes vote’ on licensing fee increases | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Gisele Fetterman calls raising dog license fee to $10 ‘an easy fix to a big problem’ of keeping canines safe | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania dog laws; Why we need to increase fees – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Sen. Muth demands access to information in PSERS case | Local-news | dailylocal.com

Medical marijuana sales strong, but recreational legalization still on back burner | News | delcotimes.com

Pa. Senate votes to end Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 disaster declaration (ydr.com)

GOP state legislators want constitutional amendment on voter ID (goerie.com)

PA Gov. Wolf calls GOP-backed election bill ‘extremist proposal’ to ‘take away’ voting rights – 1010 WCSI

House Republican sponsor tees up fight with Wolf over voting law changes | WITF

Poll finds support for increased funding for child services | Local News | delcotimes.com

Wolf again vows to veto any bills that limit abortion access in Pa. | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

‘No more excuses’: Pa. Dems want to use stimulus to fix crumbling schools | Local News | phillytrib.com

Pa. lawmakers return campaign cash in fight over skill games (ydr.com)

Pennsylvania lawmaker to GOP: ‘Are you not 100% White?’ (cnn.com)

Centre County officials, constituents say new governor authority restrictions have become political | State News | collegian.psu.edu

Senate votes to rein in health secretary’s power, ban vaccine passports | The Bucks County Herald

GOP lawmakers look to ban vaccine passports | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

Bill will ban vaccine passport, limit health dept. response (audacy.com)

Drilling ban passes test | Editorials and Columns | thetimes-tribune.com

Court Tosses Delaware River Fracking Ban Lawsuit – LevittownNow.com

Judge upholds fracking ban for Delaware River Basin in Pennsylvania (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Judge Upholds Fracking Ban In Delaware River Watershed | Patch

Fed Court Dismisses PA Senate Lawsuit Against DRBC Frack Ban | Marcellus Drilling News

PA special committee approves elections report. What it recommends (goerie.com)

Pennsylvania’s ‘do or die’ election reform teed up for legislative action | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Pa. House GOP preparing for battle with Wolf over election reform measure | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pa. Senate committee takes up the future of illegal skill games as top lawmakers return industry funds | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pa. Republicans aim again to block governor’s climate strategy | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania Republicans eye referendums to get past vetoes | TribLIVE.com

Cocktails-to-go could become permanent | wnep.com

Pennsylvania House lawmakers back using pandemic funds to boost EMS services | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Chester County Democrats select new party leader | Local-news | dailylocal.com

Lancaster County’s 16 superintendents, union presidents send letter to Martin opposing his school reform bill | PA Power and Policy | lancasteronline.com

A West Philadelphia Democrat is going tough on crime. Progressives say his bill is ‘terrifyingly awful’ | WITF

Advocates and lawmakers question state plan for senior services, say it would hurt local area agencies on aging | WITF

 

Coronavirus – COVID-19

British PM delays restrictions by 4 weeks | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As U.S. COVID-19 death toll nears 600,000, virus takes advantage of racial inequalities across country | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Study Finds Many Post-Covid Patients Are Experiencing New Medical Problems – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Vaccination rates slowing, while nationwide infections continue | Smart Talk (witf.org)

Scientists Report Earliest Known Coronavirus Infections in Five U.S. States – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

GOP bill would prohibit requiring any vaccination in Ohio | TribLIVE.com

LCH administers 10,000th vaccine | Local-news | dailylocal.com

Many Chester County schools look to suspend mask mandates for children, teens | Local-news | dailylocal.com

How will we know when the COVID-19 pandemic will be over in PA? (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Beyond beer, donuts and lotteries: Best reason to get vaccinated is to be protected from COVID-19 [editorial] | Our Opinion | lancasteronline.com

Coronavirus positivity rates continue to fall in SE Pa. counties | Local News | pottsmerc.com

COVID-19: Erie County surpasses 50% vaccination milestone (goerie.com)

Delaware Water Gap will keep COVID mask mandate, some restrictions (poconorecord.com)

CDC awards Pennsylvania $35,985,971 to address COVID-19 related health disparities | The Bucks County Herald

Workers in Pa. and other states push back against hospitals requiring COVID vaccines | WITF

 

Business/Jobs

Over 100 protesters march to demand LGH rescind its COVID-19 vaccine policy | Health | lancasteronline.com

Local companies increasing wages benefits everyone | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

SBA’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund halts grants to some, but its still paying other RRF grants – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Philadelphia restaurant vendors latest affected by labor shortage – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

How did the value of this Philadelphia building double in only 2 years? One word: Amazon. – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Washington Prime files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, secures $100M in financing – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

The Amazon That Customers Don’t See – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Job creation is the key to reducing violence and providing critical social services | Commentary | phillytrib.com

 

Crime/Punishment

Food stamp fraud: Downtown Erie market tied up in Pittsburgh-area scam (goerie.com)

Will tracking LGBTQ+ crime lead to more necessary protection (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Chester County K-9 first in nation to earn therapy certification | Local-news | dailylocal.com

Pa. State Police looking into widespread reports of used cooking oil theft | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Local builders facing fraud, theft charges for misclassification of workers | News | delcotimes.com

York police charged woman for Facebook posts about homicide (ydr.com)

Ghost guns: Allentown shooting demonstrates problem – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

 

Education

The Haverford School names Tyler Casertano as 10th Head of School | Local-news | delcotimes.com

Manheim Twp. school board alters draft budget that increases taxes 1.5% | Community News | lancasteronline.com

President Joe Biden Biden’s administration plots expansion of $30B Pell grant program – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Guy Fieri gave a Drexel student a $25,000 scholarship (inquirer.com)

Franklin Regional school board to vote on 2021-’22 budget next week | TribLIVE.com

Letter to the editor: EITC critical to parents seeking best schools | TribLIVE.com

SDL board to vote on what’s next for bilingual program after report concludes it’s not working | Local News | lancasteronline.com

More school choice means fewer lotteries (column) | Local Voices | lancasteronline.com

Say no to increasing tax credits for charters (column) | Local Voices | lancasteronline.com

Editorial: Fair funding for schools faces critical deadline | Opinion | delcotimes.com

Survey: Pa. School officials overwhelmingly say they will use COVID relief money to fill a year of lost learning | Tuesday Morning Coffee | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Teachers come under pressure as politicians, parents battle over ‘critical race theory’ | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

The plan to consolidate Pa. State System universities is short-sighted. Vote ‘No’ | Opinion | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pennsylvania school funding: State can fully implement Fair Funding – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Harrisburg School District hires new superintendent – pennlive.com

Weatherly Area School District directors pass budget with tax hike | Education | standardspeaker.com

 

Elections/Politics

Luzerne County primary election turnout: 25.7% | Times Leader

Trump Threatens Pennsylvania State Lawmakers Resisting Election Audit: ‘Will Be Primaried’ (newsweek.com)

Trump celebrates his birthday by blasting the 2020 election ‘scam’ and fuming at Republicans for going against him (the-sun.com)

Trump: Pa. Sen. Corman Acting Like Radical Left Dem on 2020 Election Audit | Newsradio 102.9 | KARN-FM (newsradio1029.com)

Trump Targets Corman and Argall Over 2020 Election Review | PoliticsPA

How John Fetterman redefined the role of lieutenant governor | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

Pennsylvania Republicans have a path to victory in 2022. Pro-Trump candidates may not follow it. (inquirer.com)

Poll workers unfairly targeted | Editorials and Columns | standardspeaker.com

 

Environment

Rep. Vitali: Environmental protection needs more funding in Pa. | Opinion | dailylocal.com

Following up with families from ‘Fractured,’ EHN’s fracking investigation in western Pennsylvania – EHN

Petition urges Allegheny County executive to end his support of shale, petro development | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Former PWSA supervisor charged with Clean Water Act violations, will plead guilty | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Clean-up continues at Brookhaven spill site as residents worry about long-term effects | News | delcotimes.com

 

Transportation

Port Authority union has new leadership | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Penn Township negotiating with turnpike commission in advance of bridge removal | TribLIVE.com

Latrobe’s summer paving costs under budget; intersection work nearing an end | TribLIVE.com

Pair of road repair projects in Richland, North Park impacting motorists | TribLIVE.com

PennDOT Park and Ride lot in Crawford County to close for paving (goerie.com)

Plan would raise, then replace, the gas tax to fund transportation in Pa. | Local News | readingeagle.com

 

Health

Guest editorial | Pennsylvania needs more doulas to help more women survive childbirth | Editorials | tribdem.com

Editorial: Let’s work together to fight elder abuse | Opinion | dailylocal.com

Chester County Hospital earns top grade for safety measures | Business | dailylocal.com

40 years of progress, 30 years of perseverance: HIV/AIDS counselor recalls epidemic | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Avenues Recovery Center outlines future plans after buying Valley Forge Medical Center – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Opioid overdoses have spiked during the pandemic, and the public health response may play a role, Penn State research suggests (inquirer.com)

Children who eat more ultra-processed food gain weight more quickly, study suggests | Health | phillytrib.com

Pa. is reopening, but the pandemic continues in nursing homes. We need help in the state budget | Opinion | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

 

State News

Community Briefs: Local residents and community groups invited to adopt local roads | Lifestyle | delcotimes.com

State commission: Syringes among contraband found at Parx Racing (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Furloughed steelworker lands $3 million lottery payout a day after winning $1,000 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania would benefit from a path to citizenship for undocumented migrants, study saysylvania (inquirer.com)

Natural gas price drop means less money for towns | TribLIVE.com

Lancaster County farm at odds with government over food safety laws is violating 2020 consent decree: feds | Local News | lancasteronline.com

United Way of PA second COVID-19 impact survey results illuminate difficult road toward financial recovery | The Bucks County Herald

We need more’: Democrats in Pa. and other states frustrated as agenda faces hurdles | WITF

Pennsylvania ranked as one of the ‘most fun’ states in the nation – pennlive.com

 

National News

This Father’s Day, what dads of gun violence victims really need is support | Jenice Armstrong (inquirer.com)

The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Tax — ProPublica

Is tax avoidance ethical? Asking on behalf of a few billionaire friends | Opinion – pennlive.com

Poll: Millions in US struggle through life with few to trust | National and World | dailylocal.com

Biden, EU reach deal to end 17-year-old Airbus, Boeing trade dispute | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Stifling heat in Texas and California squeezes power grids | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Supreme Court puts off de­ci­sion to re­view Har­vard ad­mis­sions | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Israel OKs contentious march in Jerusalem, weeks after war | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Arrest Of Colorado Woman With Dementia Highlights Lack Of Police Training : NPR

How ‘Chaos’ In The Shipping Industry Is Choking The Economy : Planet Money : NPR

Girl Scouts Have Millions Of Unsold Cookies : NPR

U.S. Supreme Court Declines To Expand Crack Cocaine Reforms : NPR

U.S. Bans Dog Imports From 113 Countries After Rise In False Rabies Records : Shots – Health News : NPR

Florida Gov. Desantis signs bill requiring moment for school prayer | TribLIVE.com

Charlene Crowell: How soon will President Biden’s American Jobs Plan arrive to help housing? | Commentary | phillytrib.com

Military stumped by stolen box of armor-piercing grenades on the way to Letterkenny Army Depot in Franklin County | WITF

IRS launches new online sign-up for advance child tax credits | WITF

Juneteenth renewed and recharged by national conversation on racial justice – pennlive.com

U.S. intelligence report warns of additional violence by QAnon followers – pennlive.com

 

Local News

Artists chosen for Bloomberg-funded Cabbage Hill public art project; neighbors’ input sought | Together | lancasteronline.com

Lancaster County Commissioner proposes making Juneteenth a county holiday | Local News | lancasteronline.com

With time running out for a savior, Viatris releases more details about Morgantown plant closure | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Montgomery County breaks ground on $430M Justice Center in Norristown – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Bimbo Bakeries opens new distribution facility in Conshohocken – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Senior lofts in former elementary school coming to East Vandergrift | TribLIVE.com

Bucks County Community College, Newtown to host online Juneteenth event (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Bristol Borough to dedicate new mural honoring its educational heritage (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Windber American Legion picks first woman to lead post | News | tribdem.com

Ambler’s First Fridays brings people downtown | Local-news | thereporteronline.com

USS Cod: World War II submarine arrives in Erie for hull repairs (goerie.com)

Erie Events ‘turning the corner’ after lost year of concerts, games (goerie.com)

Olympic swimming: Hali Flickinger takes second in 400 IM at trials (ydr.com)

Summer 2021: Adams, York county carnivals and festivals are back (ydr.com)

Caliente Pizza, winners of world awards, opening Sewickley location (timesonline.com)

March Park in Beaver Falls to be renovated (timesonline.com)

State College celebrates Pride with car caravan | WITF

Sheetz faced a battle over a new store in Upper Macungie, but fired-up residents missed the meeting where it was approved – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Water rate hike coming again in one Northampton County community – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Conyngham to revise zoning ordinance and map; public hearing Tuesday | News | standardspeaker.com

Linemen vigil, rodeo to bring hundreds to area; raise funds for families | News | standardspeaker.com

 

Pitt

The art and music of Juneteenth in Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Allegheny Eats winds down with 11,000 meals served | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Investigation continues into fatal crash into North Side plasma clinic | TribLIVE.com

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh re-opens with world premiere of new Pixar exhibit | Arts + Entertainment | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Some of the craziest storm images from this past weekend in Pittsburgh | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Allegheny County gets grant to help reduce jail population through enhanced probation services | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

 

Philly

Mishandling of MOVE remains example of scientific racism, experts say (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

@CNN: Police in northwest Philadelphia will no longer stop or detain citizens for certain “quality of life” violations in a pilot program. Here’s why former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey tells @smerconish it may “erode trust even more” between police and the public. VIDEO

Philly D.A. Larry Krasner won by a landslide. He’s still mad. – POLITICO

Wawa opening ‘stadium store’ with beer sales near South Philadelphia sports complex – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Dechert becomes first Philadelphia-based law firm to pay starting salary exceeding $200K – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

With the pandemic easing, Philadelphia employers are boosting mental health resources as they bring workers back to the office (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia budget talks drag thanks to stimulus spending, 2023 mayoral aspirations (inquirer.com)

Tax cuts, gun violence prevention at forefront of city budget talks | Local News | phillytrib.com

Dirt bikes and TVs on Philly streets prompt DA Larry Krasner to consider diversion programs (inquirer.com)

Will demolition moratorium help historic preservation for Christian Street’s Doctors’ Row? City Council takes a look. (inquirer.com)

Is probation the key to gun violence prevention? Not the way Philly is trying. | Editorial (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia wage tax cut would be smaller for commuters than city residents under budget compromise (inquirer.com)

Local leaders call for significant investment in Black businesses | Business | phillytrib.com

Philly NAACP opens way for new leadership | Local News | phillytrib.com

Philly newspaper publisher Hicks campaigning to lead city branch of the NAACP | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

 

Washington

Biden, unlike predecessors, has maintained Putin skepticism | National and World | delcotimes.com

Face the State | 1-on-1 with Rep. Scott Perry | WHP (local21news.com)

White House to host July 4 ‘independence from virus’ bash | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

McConnell: ‘Highly unlikely’ he’d allow Biden to fill Supreme Court vacancy in 2024 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

NATO expands focus to China | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Justice Department to tighten rules on seizing Congress data as its top national security official announces exit | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

House Democrats Will Probe Trump Justice Department Surveillance : NPR

New emails show how Trump and his allies pressured Justice Department to try to challenge 2020 election results | News | phillytrib.com

Supreme Court Prospect Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmed To Appeals Court : NPR

Biden eases trade friction with EU ahead of Putin summit | Business | dailylocal.com

Biden administration pushes plan to combat domestic terror | National and World | dailylocal.com

Rep. Greene apologizes for comparing safety masks, Holocaust | National and World | delcotimes.com