Legislature
Democratic lawmakers push to reform Pennsylvania voting laws
https://fox43.com/2019/06/04/democratic-lawmakers-push-to-reform-pennsylvania-voting-laws/
Pennsylvania Democrats unveil slate of bills designed to make voting far easier
http://www.thecourierexpress.com/news/state/pennsylvania-democrats-unveil-slate-of-bills-designed-to-make-voting/article_8a183b22-ac91-5caa-9612-beb91b342e8b.html
Pa. lawmakers look to change laws to spur voter participation; ‘It is time for voting reform’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/pa-lawmakers-look-to-change-laws-to-spur-voter-participation-it-is-time-for-voting-reform.html
Voting reform proposals swirling at Capitol
https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/voting-reform-proposals-swirling-at-capitol/article_b84a1baf-8ae4-58ab-9fef-f736025a1643.html
Is 2019 the year Pa. raises its minimum wage? The ‘good economy’ might make that possible
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/is-2019-the-year-pa-raises-its-minimum-wage-the-good-economy-might-make-that-possible.html
Minimum wage, General Assistance top Dems’ budget wish-list
https://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/06/minimum-wage-general-assistance-top-dems-budget-wish-list.php
Pa. considers bill to get children to start their school years earlier and stay longer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/pa-considers-bill-to-get-children-to-start-their-school-years-earlier-and-stay-longer.html
Pennsylvania moves to take over health insurance exchange
https://www.readingeagle.com/article/20190604/AP/306049481/1009
Bill Tracker: Professional licenses for people with criminal records
https://cumberlink.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/bill_tracker/bill-tracker-professional-licenses-for-people-with-criminal-records/article_acc5252e-63a4-5c8b-af96-a7666edf40ba.html
Killion’s CPR bill heads to governor’s desk
https://www.phoenixvillenews.com/killion-s-cpr-bill-heads-to-governor-s-desk/article_7936ad37-48d2-5f8e-a1c7-50d6ce455d03.html
Maternity gap: NJ licenses non-nurse midwives, Pennsylvania doesn’t
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/maternity-gap-nj-licenses-non-nurse-midwives-pennsylvania-doesnt
Lawmaker calls for censure of Philadelphia Democrat for bring ‘shame’ to Pa. House
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/lawmaker-calling-for-censure-of-philadelphia-democrat-for-bring-shame-to-pa-house-through-his-verbal-attacks-on-anti-abortion-rights-protesters.html
Windfall? How Fine Wine & Good Spirits paid Harrisburg $85 million more from alcohol sales
https://www.inquirer.com/news/plcb-flexible-pricing-higher-profits-state-budget-20190604.html
Take control of pot law
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/take-control-of-pot-law-1.2492105
New Hampshire’s death penalty repeal: Which states are next? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/new-hampshire-death-penalty-ban-states-20190604.html
Meet the Pa. lawmaker who knows about student debt and wants to tackle it | John Baer
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/john-baer-student-debt-omara-torsella-shapiro-20190604.html
Administration
Wolf calls on drug makers to end opioid epidemic
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190604/wolf-calls-on-drug-makers-to-end-opioid-epidemic
Business
U.S. Steel appeals May fine over Clairton Coke Works emissions
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/06/04/us-steel-fine-pollution-clairton-coke-works-emissions-violation-health-environment-pittsburgh/stories/201906040106
Time to step up: U.S. Steel must do more for community health
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/06/04/US-Steel-community-health-environment-mon-valley-clairton-coke-works-air-pollution/stories/201906040057
Kennywood rides open for business as summer workforce finishes with school
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/staff-shortage-keeps-some-rides-closed-during-opening-days-at-kennywood/
New-look McDonald’s debuts in Wilkes-Barre
https://www.timesleader.com/news/746330/new-look-mcdonalds-debuts-in-wilkes-barre
Crime/Punishment
Ex-Slippery Rock University police chief charged with theft of nearly $24K
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/06/04/Ex-Police-Chief-for-Slippery-Rock-University-charged-with-theft-of-more-than-20K/stories/201906040099
Courtroom chaos: Bonnett convicted of second-degree murder
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/courtroom-chaos-bonnett-convicted-of-second-degree-murder-1.2492191
Inmates tend garden plots at SCI/Mahanoy
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/inmates-tend-garden-plots-at-sci-mahanoy-1.2492116
Education
Woodland Hills proposed budget could cut more than 60 staff
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/woodland-hills-proposed-budget-could-cut-over-60-staff/
Hanover Area should finalize agreement with superintendent this week
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/hanover-area-should-finalize-agreement-with-superintendent-this-week-1.2492207
Harrisburg school solicitor asks for delay in state takeover court hearing
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/harrisburg-school-solicitor-asks-for-delay-in-state-takeover-court-hearing.html
Harrisburg teachers’ questions at emergency meeting center around job security, leadership
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/harrisburg-teachers-feedback-centers-on-job-security-contract-at-emergency-meeting.html
State: Foundation acts as ‘alter ego’ for Allentown charter school and must provide information to Morning Call
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-allentown-executive-education-academy-right-to-know-appeal-20190604-go4curksmze3nf5pzqpedvfhnq-story.html
Erie School District adopts new funding design
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190605/erie-school-district-adopts-new-funding-design
Elections/Politics
1 Allegheny vote changes Norwin election results again
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/1-allegheny-vote-changes-norwin-election-results-again/
Gaming
Q&A: Lawyer discusses complicated Sands Bethlehem deals — from getting city approval in face of public opposition, to sale to Wind Creek
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-scott-kramer-duane-morris-sands-bethlehem-lawyer-20190605-3hrtiakecffkpinadvbgtvjhve-story.html
Penn National still awaits licensing approval for proposed York Galleria mini-casino
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2019/06/04/penn-national-still-awaits-licensing-approval-proposed-york-galleria-mall-mini-casino/1328690001/
Health Care
Feds may be taking another look at UPMC pre-payment policy
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/06/04/UPMC-Highmark-Health-and-Human-Services-Azar-Casey-prepayment-network-Medicare-Advantage/stories/201906040142
Local News
Some Luzerne County computer servers set for reactivation today following cyber attack
https://www.timesleader.com/news/746321/some-luzerne-county-computer-servers-set-for-reactivation-today-following-cyber-attack
County computer woes impact real estate industry
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-computer-woes-impact-real-estate-industry-1.2492142
Restoration begins on Luzerne County’s last one-room schoolhouse
https://www.timesleader.com/news/746310/restoration-begins-on-luzerne-countys-last-one-room-schoolhouse
Social media clashes with WB’s explanation on George Ave. sidewalks
https://www.timesleader.com/news/746325/social-media-clashes-with-wbs-explanation-on-george-ave-sidewalks
Group: Protect Planters building
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/group-protect-planters-building-1.2492258
Lackawanna County economic development loan program ends; Cummings cries foul
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-economic-development-loan-program-ends-cummings-cries-foul-1.2492283
Financial consultant concludes work with Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/financial-consultant-concludes-work-with-scranton-1.2492270
Scranton couple appeals zoning board rejection of Airbnb rentals
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-couple-appeals-zoning-board-rejection-of-airbnb-rentals-1.2492268
Hazle Twp. zoning decision will wait
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hazle-twp-zoning-decision-will-wait-1.2492193
Voting-machine glitch hid true, landslide victory for Hatboro library, officials say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/hatboro-library-vote-tax-referendum-landslide-20190604.html
Former Derry mayor accused of pointing gun at kids in park wants charges dismissed
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/former-derry-mayor-accused-of-pointing-gun-at-kids-in-park-wants-charges-dismissed/
‘By Land Cleanup’ along Kiski River set for June 15
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/by-land-cleanup-along-kiski-river-set-for-june-15/
Editorial: Failure to communicate causes headache in city
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-failure-to-communicate-causes-headache-in-city
Natural Gas
Range Resources, others paid $3 million to Washington County property owners over health claims
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/06/04/range-resources-settlement-jager-amwell-haney-settlement-3-million-unsealed/stories/201906040109
New Jersey
Camden County Democratic machine trounces progressive challengers in state and local races
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/new-jersey/camden-county-election-results-nj-primary-2019-20190605.html
Opioid Crisis
Berks business leaders get schooled on opioid addiction
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/berks-business-leaders-get-schooled-on-opioid-addiction
Philly
Philly’s biotech leaders pitched the city at Bio 2019 to CEOs and some even seemed impressed
https://www.inquirer.com/business/drugs/philadelphia-bio-2019-gene-therapy-novartis-spark-university-pennsylvania-20190605.html
Philly judges discuss language access following study of court reporters
https://www.inquirer.com/news/aae-aave-african-american-english-black-dialect-court-reporters-accuracy-justice-equal-access-20190605.html
Former boxing icon Meldrick Taylor charged with aggravated assault
https://www.inquirer.com/news/meldrick-taylor-boxing-arrested-north-philadelphia-police-assault-20190605.html
At $20,000 a pup, service dogs bark Philly military veterans back to life
https://www.inquirer.com/business/veterans-service-dogs-team-foster-suicide-curtis-thompson-va-sonny-wimberly-20190605.html
Philly street sweeping program hits a road bump | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/street-sweeping-philadelphia-litter-trash-editorial-20190604.html
New biomed office-and-lab building proposed for SEPTA-owned land near 30th Street Station
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/republic-properties-philadelphia-phl-next-hayden-30th-street-biotech-labs-office-life-science-20190604.html
Witness: 4 executed in W. Philly basement were slain over $105 in drugs
https://www.inquirer.com/news/west-philadelphia-quadruple-murder-malcolm-street-drugs-20190604.html
A first look at Germantown High School’s redevelopment, including housing, a charter school, and coworking space
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/germantown-high-school-fulton-elementary-developer-jack-azran-community-meeting-reassessment-20190604.html
Report: Patrons give Free Library’s renovated branches high marks
https://www.inquirer.com/education/free-library-21st-century-neighborhood-study-university-chicago-chapin-hall-20190604.html
Athletic field at popular Point Breeze playground closed after lead found in soil
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/chew-playground-field-philadelphia-point-breeze-lead-20190604.html
Philly finance chief defends commercial-property reassessment as $63 million appeal trial continues
https://www.inquirer.com/news/rob-dubow-assessment-appeal-commercial-property-trial-opa-20190604.html
‘When They See Us,’ racist Philly cops on Facebook, and the brutal toll of dehumanization | Will Bunch
https://www.inquirer.com/columnists/attytood/when-they-see-us-netflix-philadelphia-racist-cops-facebook-20190604.html
Eureka! Philly discovers that enforcement works | Stu Bykofsky
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/stu-bykofsky-mike-carroll-septa-police-enforcement-tickets-center-city-20190604.html
$2.73M later, Philly realizes street sweepers are too wide for city’s narrow blocks
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/m-later-philly-realizes-street-sweepers-are-too-wide-for/article_1feefa88-6dad-5b0f-8aea-72d2a8326c28.html
Pitt
Mayor Bill Peduto to honor CEO of Dick’s Sporting Goods for halting gun sales
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/06/04/mayor-bill-peduto-guns-dicks-sporting-goods-ceo-ed-stack-gun-sales-field-stream-parkland/stories/201906040154
Peduto to honor Dick’s Sporting Goods CEO for gun safety efforts
https://triblive.com/local/regional/peduto-to-honor-dicks-sporting-goods-ceo-for-gun-safety-efforts/
Pittsburgh Public makes final decisions on student transportation for 2019-20
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/06/04/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-student-transportation-bus-routes-Port-Authority-schedule/stories/201906040147
Vendors show off potential new voting machine systems with auditable paper trails
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/06/04/election-integrity-allegheny-county-audit-papertrail-ballot-security-hacking/stories/201906040163
New Central Catholic coach Brian Urso facing possible 1-year suspension
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-basketball/2019/06/04/New-Central-Catholic-coach-Brian-Urso-facing-possible-1-year-suspension/stories/201906040158
City Council: Grant for self-driving tech education must include community voices
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/06/04/Council-Pittsburgh-Knight-Foundation-grant-self-driving-technology-education-community-driven/stories/201906040149
City to track more trash with 1,000 ‘smart’ garbage cans
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/06/04/Pittsburgh-smart-garbage-trash-litter-cans-sensors/stories/201906040138
Paul O’Neill awarded medal for public service by President Ford foundation
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/paul-oneill-awarded-medal-for-public-service-by-president-ford-foundation/
State News
Five Western Pennsylvania nursing homes among the nation’s most troubled
https://triblive.com/local/regional/five-western-pennsylvania-nursing-homes-among-the-nations-most-troubled/
Some Pa. nursing homes included on list of nation’s worst, released by senators
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2019/06/some-pa-nursing-homes-included-on-list-of-nations-worst-released-by-senators.html
Clean car standards are good for Pennsylvania businesses and consumers | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/clean-car-standards-rollback-emissions-20190604.html
Pennsylvania’s new class of drug recognition experts hopes to make roads safer
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/pennsylvanias-new-class-of-drug-recognition-experts-hopes-to-make-roads-safer/
Kittanning state trooper lauded for anti-drugged driving work
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/kittanning-state-trooper-lauded-for-anti-drugged-driving-work/
Berks County farm income grew in 2017, even as the number of farms shrank, 2017 Agricultural Census shows
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-farm-income-grew-in-2017-even-as-the-number-of-farms-shrank
Berks County authorities warn residents of jury duty scam
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-authorities-warn-residents-of-jury-duty-scam
Why is the state closing centers for people with intellectual disabilities? | PennLive Letters
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/06/why-is-the-state-closing-centers-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-pennlive-letters.html
Is there a bomber in the Slate Belt? Police investigate multiple explosions
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-washington-township-explosions-investigation-20190604-derpk3o7wnbkhpqv75fcuzqh3u-story.html
State told to release more data on medical marijuana
https://www.tribdem.com/news/state-told-to-release-more-data-on-medical-marijuana/article_624d6226-8746-11e9-a3b7-63a609e736e9.html
Meet marijuana’s close cousin: What is CBD and why is it suddenly everywhere?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/marijuanas-close-cousin-cbd-suddenly-on-sale-all-over-pa-how-and-why.html
Transportation
Lane closures to begin on Hite Road in Springdale Township, Harmar
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/lane-closures-to-begin-on-hite-road-in-springdale-township-harmar/
Airport gets $2.5 million grant for upgrades
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/airport-gets-2-5-million-grant-for-upgrades-1.2492141
Washington
Proposed Trump administration rule change could lead to homeless LGBTQ people being turned away from shelters
https://www.inquirer.com/news/homeless-lgbtq-philadelphia-housing-and-urban-development-trump-20190605.html
House OKs Dems’ immigration bill, despite veto threat
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/house-oks-dems-immigration-bill-despite-veto-threat-20190604.html