Legislature

Bills to end choke holds, require use-of-force policies could get Pa. Senate vote this week
https://papost.org/2020/06/23/bills-to-end-choke-holds-require-use-of-force-policies-could-get-pa-senate-vote-this-week/

Prospects dimming for behind-the-scenes push to expand video gambling in Pa.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-gambling-expansion-video-gaming-scarnati-corman-20200623.html

Democratic lawmakers stepping in hospitals’ dispute with anesthesiologists
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/democratic-lawmakers-stepping-in-hospitals-dispute-with-anesthesiologists/article_d5b9a609-3c41-534e-9846-430146381d6a.html

Bartolotta bill would help unimpaired medicinal cannabis users avoid DUIs
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200624/bartolotta-bill-would-help-unimpaired-medicinal-cannabis-users-avoid-duis

Betting again on bad governance
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/betting-again-on-bad-governance/article_96a07b0c-865e-5058-98a0-0cef78c491fc.html

Shift focus to home care
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/shift-focus-to-home-care/article_387e582d-7614-5ea8-b67c-3d46173b4e53.html

Meet Speaker Cutler: A look at the Lancaster County leader’s approach to his powerful role in the Pa. House
https://lancasteronline.com/news/politics/meet-speaker-cutler-a-look-at-the-lancaster-county-leaders-approach-to-his-powerful-role/article_11c390dc-b58f-11ea-8bff-abed7b0e011e.html

Coronavirus – COVID-19

COVID-19 Update: Pa. reports over 500 new cases, Allegheny County adds 19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/06/23/Allegheny-County-COVID-19-cases-deaths-pennsylvania-data-pandemic/stories/202006230066

510 new coronavirus cases, 38 additional deaths reported in Pa.
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/510-new-coronavirus-cases-38-additional-deaths-reported-in-pa/

Allegheny County reports 19 new covid-19 cases, 1 new death
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-reports-19-new-covid-19-cases-1-new-death/

6 new cases of covid-19 reported in Westmoreland County
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/6-new-cases-of-covid-19-reported-in-westmoreland-county/

3 new COVID-19 cases, 1 new death in county
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/3-new-covid-19-cases-1-new-death-in-county/article_56739a39-53d6-5ebb-a38c-81bd05fa0453.html

Berks County has 25 new cases of coronavirus; coroner’s office reports 339 total deaths
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-has-25-new-cases-of-coronavirus-coroners-office-reports-339-total-deaths/article_1d675168-b570-11ea-a1ef-d35a2ed2d929.html

Two COVID-19 deaths, eight cases in local counties
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/two-covid-19-deaths-eight-cases-in-local-counties/article_b4c11501-cf71-53aa-8703-58cca659b9df.html

Montgomery County reports 4 more coronavirus deaths, 27 new positive cases
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-reports-4-more-coronavirus-deaths-27-new-positive-cases/article_a57353f1-7b7f-5d5d-b7bb-e4e94962f9bc.html

2nd worker at Westmoreland Manor tests positive for covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/2nd-worker-at-westmoreland-manor-tests-positive-for-covid-19/

A family’s heartbreak: Widow describes losing husband, 49, to coronavirus
https://www.timesleader.com/news/789069/a-familys-heartbreak-widow-describes-losing-husband-49-to-coronavirus

Medical PPE is still so scarce after months of COVID-19, volunteers keep hunting for lifesaving supplies
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/mask-ppe-shortage-philadelphia-health-covid-coronavirus-20200623.html

Fauci: Next few weeks critical to tamping down virus spikes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/06/23/Fauci-testify-US-pandemic-response-Congress/stories/202006230051

COVID-19 is more likely to hospitalize and even kill people with these preexisting conditions
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-underlying-conditions-diabetes-obesity-heart-lung-disease-20200624.html

Reopening

As green phase approaches in Lehigh Valley, what should you do if you encounter someone without a mask in a business?
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-wearing-a-mask-in-green-phase-20200623-mtk4erm3hrepnayknn7o7dwj64-story.html

Montgomery County reopens parks as coronavirus restrictions ease
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-reopens-parks-as-coronavirus-restrictions-ease/article_06b725da-a7dd-5e0f-bc52-992918b2628e.html

Administration

First batch of marijuana pardons under expedited review head to Wolf’s desk
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/first-batch-of-marijuana-pardons-under-expedited-review-head-to-wolfs-desk/

Meeting the need: Wolf gives thanks to those helping feed Pennsylvania’s hungry families
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/06/23/gov-tom-wolf-thanks-those-helping-feed-hungry-pennsylvania-families-during-pandemic/3241661001/

Business

‘Clear as mud’: How Pa.’s chaotic coronavirus waiver program hurt small businesses
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/coronavirus-business-waivers-pennsylvania-shutdown-governor-tom-wolf-20200624.html

Westmoreland restaurants report confusion in reporting positive coronavirus tests
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-restaurants-report-confusion-in-reporting-positive-coronavirus-tests/

Tech industry, others push back against new worker visa restrictions
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2020/06/24/trump-temporary-worker-immigration-restrictions-h1-b-university-pittsburgh/stories/202006230086

Rite Aid Foundation commits $2M to Racial Equity Awareness and Action Initiative
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/06/rite-aid-foundation-commits-2m-to-racial-equity-awareness-and-action-initiative.html

Which restaurants will survive the coronavirus pandemic? The future ‘does not seem to be too bright’
https://www.pennlive.com/reopeningpa/2020/06/which-restaurants-will-survive-the-coronavirus-pandemic-the-future-does-not-seem-to-be-too-bright.html

Crime/Punishment

Pennsylvania Supreme Court agrees to consider Bill Cosby’s bid to overturn his sex-assault conviction
https://www.inquirer.com/news/cosby-appeal-supreme-court-pennsylvania-andrea-constand-oral-arguments-20200623.html

Disbanding local police is common in Pa. But it’s caused larger problems for State Police
https://papost.org/2020/06/24/defunding-local-police-is-common-in-pa-but-its-caused-larger-problems-for-state-police/

Equal protection under the law means treating bad cops like any other criminal | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/equal-protection-under-the-law-means-treating-bad-cops-like-any-other-criminal-opinion/

Education

Glen Mills leaders broke child-abuse law, state auditor finds
https://www.inquirer.com/news/glen-mills-schools-pennsylvania-auditor-abuse-investigation-20200624.html

Do police belong in Lehigh Valley schools? Students spark the discussion in Allentown as part of national movement
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-police-in-schools-discussion-dieruff-student-20200624-tnvljcxjijg2jikdqeja6odsva-story.html

Spring Grove school board member: COVID-19 pandemic ‘a crock of sh–‘
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/education/2020/06/23/masks-covid-19-efforts-flashpoint-spring-grove-school-district/3242580001/

Elections/Politics

2 Republicans opposed by Trump win in Kentucky, North Carolina
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/vote2020/2020/06/24/2-Republicans-opposed-by-Trump-win-in-Kentucky-N-Carolina/stories/202006240064

Republican powerbroker Bob Asher will give up his RNC seat to end a bitter dispute in the Pa. GOP
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/republican-national-committee-pa-bob-asher-lawrence-tabas-andy-reilly-20200623.html

Local News

Scranton City Council calls for federal revenue-loss relief
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-council-calls-for-federal-revenue-loss-relief/article_94c442cf-2ebe-5bb0-8d99-84adc12e68a8.html

La Festa Italiana canceled
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/la-festa-italiana-canceled/article_c85d55a0-d416-53d9-ba99-096f87c507db.html

Citizens for a Healthy Jessup receives grant for stormwater pollution education
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/citizens-for-a-healthy-jessup-receives-grant-for-stormwater-pollution-education/article_214d7281-2407-52c2-a0ff-bd5ad0ed2fe2.html

Reading residents complain about illegal fireworks; police say they have a plan
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-residents-complain-about-illegal-fireworks-police-say-they-have-a-plan/article_1ab3c8b4-b4f5-11ea-a74c-4bace30b422d.html

Reading Mayor Eddie Moran says single trash hauler system will help clean up city
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-mayor-eddie-moran-says-single-trash-hauler-system-will-help-clean-up-city/article_47552ae4-b58a-11ea-bbb6-8fae1180c3fd.html

Colebrookdale Railroad awarded $176,470 grant to fund a multimedia educational project
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/colebrookdale-railroad-awarded-176-470-grant-to-fund-a-multimedia-educational-project/article_5f1d632e-b573-11ea-9a93-c3f2870868c0.html

Latrobe seeks state grant for traffic signal upgrades
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/latrobe-seeks-state-grant-for-traffic-signal-upgrades/

County council approves $3 million settlement in jail death lawsuit
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-council-approves-3-million-settlement-in-jail-death-lawsuit/article_28243c10-2f45-560f-a8b9-c762f748cff4.html

Residents pledge support to suspended Courtdale chief
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/residents-pledge-support-to-suspended-courtdale-chief/article_02152501-26be-5667-9ac1-5136293a469e.html

National News

Major League Baseball is back. So, now what?
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2020/06/23/mlbpa-players-will-report-health-safety-protocols/stories/202006230125

The rope found hanging in Black NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace’s garage was a coincidence, the FBI says
https://www.mcall.com/sports/national-sports/ct-nascar-bubba-wallace-noose-garage-20200623-qyjsz2ouubcj3eke45u7aesatu-story.html

Natural Gas

Support amplifies for proposed state methane rule
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/06/23/Pennsylvania-methane-emissions-proposed-regulations-reduction-strategy-DEP/stories/202006230139

Philly

Philly is reopening but office workers are staying home. That means peril for lunch spots and stores.
https://www.inquirer.com/economy/philly-green-phase-restaurants-reopening-stores-philadelphia-20200624.html

Brawl ensues near South Philadelphia Columbus statue after march, protest at Municipal Services Building
https://www.inquirer.com/news/south-philly-protest-marconi-plaza-christopher-columbus-20200623.html

Fired Philadelphia cop’s legal fate remains in limbo 2½ years after he fatally shot an unarmed black man
https://www.inquirer.com/news/eric-ruch-dennis-plowden-police-shooting-philadelphia-20200624.html

City Council committee advance legislation to make police contract negotiations public, ban chokeholds
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/city-council-committee-advance-legislation-to-make-police-contract-negotiations-public-ban-chokeholds/article_0263c9d8-b5b0-11ea-97c3-476c680ce338.html

Philly City Council is set to pass police reform measures before it goes on summer recess
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-city-council-to-pass-police-reform-measures-george-floyd-protests-20200623.html

City Council should vote no on bill to force one-year residency requirement for new city employees | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-city-jobs-residency-requirements-council-bill-20200624.html

In the midst of multiple crises, bad time for City Council to take a summer break | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-city-council-summer-break-coronavirus-pandemic-police-reform-20200624.html

Pa. State Police release dashcam video of Philly protesters on I-676. It does not show what might’ve prompted tear gas use.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/tear-gas-vine-street-expressway-676-pennsylvania-state-police-dashcam-video-20200623.html

Philly Mayor Jim Kenney launched a statewide political group, fueling rumors of a run for governor
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mayor-jim-kenney-governor-pac-progressives-2022-20200623.html

Philly-area students, alumni are demanding their schools address systemic racism
https://www.inquirer.com/news/students-protest-racism-schools-curriculum-black-main-line-20200624.html

Lawyers claim a record of lies taints testimony from entire Philly Police Narcotics Bureau
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-narcotics-confidential-informants-testilying-evidence-20200624.html

Officers detain protesters calling for Philly to defund police at Municipal Services Building
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-protest-defund-police-columbus-statue-occupy-msb-municipal-services-building-20200623.html

A North Philly teen survived 20 bullets in a neighborhood plagued by turf wars
https://www.inquirer.com/news/north-philadelphia-shooting-terry-starks-turf-war-greg-thompson-teenager-victim-20200623.html

Pitt

Pittsburgh suspends policing program that used algorithms to predict crime ‘hot spots’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/06/23/Pittsburgh-suspends-policing-police-program-algorithms-predict-predictive-hot-spots-crime-data/stories/202006230059

Review board seeks consultant to probe Pittsburgh police tactics during protests
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/review-board-seeks-consultant-to-probe-pittsburgh-police-tactics-during-protests/

PPS police officers defend their jobs before school board
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/06/23/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-district-board-hearing-remove-police-officers/stories/202006230116

Pittsburgh won’t be one of NHL’s playoff hub cities
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2020/06/23/nhl-hub-city-pittsburgh-toronto-las-vegas/stories/202006230075

Allegheny County Council anti-discrimination, no-knock warrant bills head to committee
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/06/23/Allegheny-County-Council-anti-discrimination-trans-medical-no-knock-warrant-bill/stories/202006230121

Officials seek low-income fares for Port Authority transit riders
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/06/23/pittsburgh-allegheny-county-port-authority-fares-low-income-emergency-covid-19/stories/202006230093

Burgess introduces November ballot referendum on expanding powers of Citizen Police Review Board
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/06/23/ricky-burgess-pittsburgh-council-police-review-board-referendum-november-ordinance/stories/202006230085

Pittsburgh ordinance would force police officers to cooperate with review board investigations
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-ordinance-would-force-police-officers-to-cooperate-with-review-board-investigations/

Pittsburgh plans to add 120 miles of bike lanes, trails over next 10 years
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-plans-to-add-120-miles-of-bike-lanes-trails-over-next-10-years/

Pittsburgh council wants to make Juneteenth an annual city holiday
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-council-wants-to-make-juneteenth-an-annual-city-holiday/

Allegheny County leads state in mail-in balloting; more expected in November
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/allegheny-county-leads-the-state-in-mail-in-balloting-more-expected-in-november/

Pittsburgh in line for more than $600K in federal coronavirus relief funding
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-in-line-for-more-than-600k-in-federal-coronavirus-relief-funding/

Pittsburgh Professional Women helps businesses through pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pittsburgh-professional-women-helps-businesses-through-pandemic/

Transportation

COLTS to reopen transit center, expand bus routes in green phase
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/colts-to-reopen-transit-center-expand-bus-routes-in-green-phase/article_90f4150a-e929-5d21-858e-2df1036f64c4.html

Washington

U.S. Rep Scanlon secures $7.6M in funding for Delaware County Intermediate Unit
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/u-s-rep-scanlon-secures-7-6m-in-funding-for-delaware-county-intermediate-unit/article_2bae4c30-b599-11ea-99dc-8fbcb360a4be.html

PFAS bill would require Army Corps of Engineers test own sites
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200623/pfas-bill-would-require-army-corps-of-engineers-test-own-sites