Legislature

Pa. state budget update: lawmakers making final touches for June 30 deadline (abc27.com)

It’s budget week in Pa. Here’s what to watch for. | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

Save it or spend it? Flush with money, Pa.’s state budgeteers wrestle with this rare dilemma – pennlive.com

This Pa. budget season, we must invest in safer communities | Opinion | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Poll: Pa. should use stim funds to help low-income Black, Brown & white households | Monday Morning Coffee | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Your View: How to create fair voting districts in Pennsylvania – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Despite questions on process, Senate committee advances proposed constitutional change on Voter ID | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pennsylvania election reform: an effort to suppress Democratic votes – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Pennsylvania House advances bill to reform elections, including voter ID requirement – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Poll finds majority of Pennsylvanians support voter photo ID requirement | Today in Pa. – pennlive.com

Voting bill seeks uniformity, access, security, modernization (poconorecord.com)

Republican voting legislation a solution in search of a problem (poconorecord.com)

Pa. House ready to pass elections overhaul bill in partisan vote (poconorecord.com)

Mental Health Days for Students – Erie News Now | WICU and WSEE in Erie, PA

Senate Passes Bill To Remove Educational Roadblocks For Students – WDAC

State Senate panel approves House-passed bill on Down syndrome abortions | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Abortion bill moves toward Gov. Wolf’s desk | News | sharonherald.com

OP-ED: Film industry incentive means more money, jobs in Pa. | Op-Ed | observer-reporter.com

(172) Why This Pa. State Senator Wants Tighter Clean Water Standards | NBC10 – YouTube

Stage set for debate on Pa. House’s election reform bill (audacy.com)

Pennsylvania Senate GOP edges toward Arizona-style election audit | TheHill

Argall says he got call from Trump, agrees audit could restore public’s faith in election process | Election | standardspeaker.com

Pennsylvania Lawmaker Eyes Arizona-Like Audit of 2020 Election Results to ‘Restore’ Public Trust – Sputnik International (sputniknews.com)

State proposes a charter school accountability plan to save nearly $400 million | Smart Talk (witf.org)

How one Pennsylvania lawmaker billed taxpayers $1.8 million in expenses | WITF

Wolf must veto these bills defanging Pa.’s power to fight climate change | Opinion | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Poll: State residents back shifting casino tax subsidies away from the horses – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

All Sunday hunting restrictions would be cancelled by new bill – pennlive.com

Guest column: We need to address infrastructure needs today | Opinion | delcotimes.com

Latino Affairs Caucus receives official recognition from Pa. General Assembly | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Editorial: Holding university funding hostage won’t solve this impasse | TribLIVE.com

 

Coronavirus – COVID-19

U.S. hitting encouraging milestones on virus deaths and shots | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

Non-essential travel restrictions between U.S., Mexico and Canada extended through July 21 (abc27.com)

Dangerous Delta Variant Likely To Quickly Dominate In U.S., Scientists Say : Shots – Health News : NPR

More employers considering covid vaccine mandates. Experts expect the trend to accelerate. – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

State masking order is to end June 28; health experts encourage people to get vaccinated (abc27.com)

A week ahead of masking order’s end, COVID-19 cases remain low in Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Three-quarters of Pa. adults opt for COVID-19 vaccine – pennlive.com

COVID-19 might cause ‘significant effects’ on the brain, including memory: scientists – pennlive.com

Mascots Victor Vaccine and Phillie Phanatic receive vaccine at Elmwood Park Zoo | Local News | timesherald.com

Acting Philadelphia health commissioner warns residents about COVID-19 Delta variant | Local News | phillytrib.com

More than 200 added to county’s fully vaccinated list | coronavirus | citizensvoice.com

Philly hits a vaccine milestone: 70% of adults have received at least one dose (inquirer.com)

 

Business/Jobs

Two central Pa. nursing homes among 12 in the state with workers set to go on strike (abc27.com)

Nursing home workers authorize strikes statewide; extra funding on Harrisburg priority list | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Survey finds majority of parents want to continue remote work post-pandemic (abc27.com)

Amazon, Facebook, Twitter and other tech employees want remote work. Many will quit without it. – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Rate of workers voluntarily leaving their jobs hit an all-time high both in the Midstate and nationwide (abc27.com)

Analysis indicates Pennsylvania could benefit from a worker freedom law | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Cheswick closure in southwest Pennsylvania latest coal casualty | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Downtown York saw 32 business open and 13 expand last year (ydr.com)

Earn while you learn: Erie County companies have jobs to fill in manufacturing (goerie.com)

NEPA Job Fair set for June 28 | Times Leader

DuckDuckGo draws $100M in new investments (inquirer.com)

 

Crime/Punishment

More Police Officers Died On The Job So Far This Year Than In 2020 : NPR

Erie traffic enforcement: Police increasing details as traffic increases (goerie.com)

John Bey tapped as Lancaster’s new police chief | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Office disbanding horse unit | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Philly gun violence stretches into Monday leaving at least 9 shot and 46-year-old dead (inquirer.com)

Philly school teacher Christopher O’Sullivan sentenced to 15 years for sexually exploiting students. (inquirer.com)

Ohio man sues Pa. state police over Megan’s Law charge | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Education

Drexel University weighs $1B fundraising campaign – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

University of the Sciences President Paul Katz to retire ahead of St. Joseph’s merger – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Campus leaders at Boston University, Amherst College, Tufts University and other schools take sides as Biden mounts push for free community college – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

New curriculum: Erie School District spends $1M on art, music, phys ed (goerie.com)

Clergy, teachers rally outside Martin’s district office to equitably fund Lancaster’s public schools | PA Power and Policy | lancasteronline.com

Rally takes aim at Sen. Bob Mensch, urging him to support fair school funding | News | readingeagle.com

Op-Ed: PA should consolidate racetracks not universities (ydr.com)

Race teaching laws go local | News, Sports, Jobs – Altoona Mirror

Dodson Elementary parents briefed on move to Mackin | Education | citizensvoice.com

Franklin Regional’s 2021-22 budget includes maximum allowed tax hike | TribLIVE.com

 

Elections/Politics

Val Arkoosh just scored a big endorsement in Pennsylvania’s 2022 Senate race | Lifestyles | northwestgeorgianews.com

Gerow Announces Bid for Governor | PoliticsPA

What Is Ranked-Choice Voting, And Why Is New York Using It? : NPR

Elected vs. appointed county manager debate continues | News | citizensvoice.com

Coatesville Democrats resign in protest over racial issues | Local-news | dailylocal.com

Luzerne County Democrats lost most voters due to recent purge | Times Leader

Republican National Committee lambastes VP Harris for visiting Pittsburgh instead of border | TribLIVE.com

 

Environment

Fighting Climate Change Can Also Mean Improving Equity : NPR

Activists travel from Dunmore to Scranton to protest environmental concerns | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Phila. firm CES helps make wind and solar power work: It’s the ‘FedEx of the energy business’ | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Transportation

Could rail service between New York and the Lehigh Valley become reality? – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

What would Amtrak’s proposed Lehigh Valley to NYC route look like? This new report has the details. – pennlive.com

American Airlines to trim about two flights a day at PHL in July – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Interstate 83 Exit 4: New diverging diamond opening soon, Route 851 to be closed for weekend (ydr.com)

Pennsylvania’s interstates need major improvements, national report shows | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Health

Study names Temple University Hospital the most racially inclusive in Pa.; many urban hospital markets lag behind | WITF

Hospitals And Insurers Invest Big Dollars To Tackle Patients’ Social Needs : Shots – Health News : NPR

Nursing home deaths up 32% in 2020 amid pandemic | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

Students studying medicine grapple with career path in light of pandemic: ‘Did I make the right decision?’ (inquirer.com)

Device makers have funneled billions to orthopedic surgeons who use their products (inquirer.com)

Medicaid enrollment swells during the pandemic, reaching a new high | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

State News

Harris promotes anti-poverty program during Pittsburgh visit | WITF

In Pittsburgh, Vice President Kamala Harris touts child tax credit | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

WATCH VIDEO | VP Harris calls child tax credit in American Rescue Plan ‘historic’ measure for families, communities | Local News | tribdem.com

Harris touts administration’s plans to help families, organized labor | TribLIVE.com

U.S. defense official seeks manufacturing insights at South Scranton plant | Business | thetimes-tribune.com

Former Pa. Gov. Tom Ridge’s condition upgraded to stable – pennlive.com

Destination PA: Joe Biden Tour (abc27.com)

See how housing prices changed in your Pa. ZIP code over the past year – pennlive.com

Editorial: Lead poisoning has lingered far too long | Opinion | delcotimes.com

Child Tax Credit Awareness Day: Payments to 3 million families in Pennsylvania begin in July | The Bucks County Herald

PHEAA trims workforce by 37 positions through early retirement offer | TribLIVE.com

 

National News

Raider, former PSU star Nassib becomes first active NFL player to come out as gay | | thetimes-tribune.com

Carl Nassib Is The First Active NFL Player To Come Out As Gay : NPR

Former PSU football player Carl Nassib comes out as gay via social media (abc27.com)

Federal child tax credits to hit bank accounts of eligible parents on July 15, many families will get $250-$300 per month | National News | thetimes-tribune.com

New York City Mayor’s Race: Get Caught Up On Primary Day : NPR

Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard Will Be The First Openly Trans Athlete In Olympics : NPR

UNC Tried To Give Nikole Hannah-Jones Tenure. A Top Donor Objected : NPR

The Supreme Court Sides With NCAA Athletes In A Narrow Ruling : NPR

College athletes score a big win in the U.S. Supreme Court in NCAA dispute | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

EXPLAINER: The Supreme Court ruling against the NCAA | Sports | dailylocal.com

After backlash over removing holiday names from school calendar, N.J. district puts them back – pennlive.com

Most major metropolitan areas have become more racially segregated, study shows | Across America | phillytrib.com

Black America needs a ‘New Normal’: Equitable credit access to build wealth | Commentary | phillytrib.com

EU launches new probe of Google’s conduct in digital ad tech sector | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

U.S. appeals court blocks judge’s decision to overturn California’s assault weapons ban | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Controversial St. Croix refinery shuts indefinitely given ‘extreme financial constraints’ | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Local News

Bike Works expands to Newtown; officials cut the ribbon on Promenade location | Business | buckslocalnews.com

How would you make Bethlehem’s Broad Street safer? City officials want to know – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

New program seeks Washington County residents’ help to bridge divides (poconorecord.com)

Pocono Raceway will reopen to fans with 2021 NASCAR Doubleheader (poconorecord.com)

Hope Salon owner arranges Hanover’s first LGBTQ+ Pride Fest (ydr.com)

York County SPCA cuts adoption fees for a week after surge in strays (ydr.com)

Local gymnast Addison Fatta is seeking a spot on the US Olympic team | Olympics | lancasteronline.com

Real estate market going through the roof in Chester County as bidding wars intensify | Local-news | dailylocal.com

After calls for its destruction, Columbus monument in Bethlehem is moving – lehighvalleylive.com

Holocaust Museum and Education Center is envisioned for Berks Military History Museum | Local News | readingeagle.com

Schuylkill County keeps prison medical provider | News | standardspeaker.com

Hazleton firefighters honored for rescue efforts | News | standardspeaker.com

 

Pitt

Pittsburgh businessman announces long-shot bid to buy the Pirates | WITF

Police-reform activists call for decrease in Pittsburgh police funding and increase in community investment | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Pittsburgh transferring some public safety facilities to former veterans hospital property | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PHOTOS: Juneteenth & Black Music Festival at Point State Park | Pittsburgh City Photos | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Hello, AO: Allegheny Overlook concert series launches with grand opening weekend | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh to hold giveaway for children’s flotation devices | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

‘This is really personal and important for me’: Penn Hills artist to restore anti-violence mural in Homewood | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Philly

Philadelphia gym owners reflect on devastating year as recovery finally begins – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Visit Philadelphia re-emphasizes diversity and inclusion in summer marketing campaign – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

American Airlines seeks delay in benefits bill but city council press ahead (inquirer.com)

Philly’s 2021 LGBTQ ‘Pride lite’ festival canceled as group dissolves after backlash (inquirer.com)

 

Washington

Democrats’ Effort To Overhaul Voting Rights Expected To Stall On Procedural Vote : NPR

GOP ready to block elections bill in Senate showdown | National and World | delcotimes.com

Manchin puts forth voting rights deal but GOP not budging | ABC27

At apex of his power, Joe Manchin finds few allies in quest for bipartisanship | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Dems push permanence for child tax credit | ABC27

Filibuster Rules Debated Again With Voting Rights Bill Vote : NPR

US official to address legacy of Indigenous boarding schools | WITF

On his way out the door, Pa.’s Toomey calls for Biden to be investigated over personnel practices | Tuesday Morning Coffee | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

In response to the silencing of conservative voices, Bucks Congressman joins colleagues in introducing Campus Free Speech Act | News | buckslocalnews.com

Smucker angry that billionaires’ taxes were leaked to news outlet | PA Power and Policy | lancasteronline.com

Key House Dem, Republican optimistic infrastructure deal will ‘get over the finish line’ — full interview – CNN Video

Bloomberg

Rachel Levine answers Sen. Rand Paul’s criticism in CBS interview | TribLIVE.com