Legislature
Guest commentary: Pennsylvania cannot let great opportunity pass | Opinion | readingeagle.com
Pa. Lawmakers Return For June With Big Agenda, Sharp Differences – CBS Pittsburgh (cbslocal.com)
Debate In Harrisburg Centers Around How To Spend $10B In Extra Money (yahoo.com)
Pa. lawmakers clash over bill expanding school choice and other reforms – pennlive.com
Senate approves resolution honoring cancer survivors | Local News | standard-journal.com
Pa. Republicans push to limit health secretary’s power to mandate things like masking and business closures (abc27.com)
‘I was a moderating force,’ says controversial Pa. GOP Senator Doug Mastriano in interview (abc27.com)
Why Wolf, Democrats want to use federal stimulus money for Pa. schools (goerie.com)
House, Senate Dems join Gov. Wolf for fair school funding across Pennsylvania | WTAJ – www.wearecentralpa.com
Wolf calls on lawmakers to use COVID-19 aid to fund school districts | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)
With a legacy at stake, Gov. Tom Wolf pushes for fair school funding | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Education funding front and center as clock ticks on PA budget talks | News | readingeagle.com
Democratic state lawmaker ‘deathly afraid’ GOP will squander $10B in surplus, federal stimulus | Local News | phillytrib.com
Gov. Wolf doubles down on pledge to veto new abortion restrictions | News | northcentralpa.com
Pa. House advances ban on abortions over Down syndrome diagnoses | TribLIVE.com
Bill to restrict abortion after Down syndrome diagnosis passes PA House (timesonline.com)
House Advances Ban on Abortions Over Down Syndrome Diagnoses | Pennsylvania News | US News
PA Senate Committee Approves Conservation Assistance Bill – WDAC
Senate Committee Begins Hearing About Skill Games And Their Impact (pennbets.com)
Senate Panel Gives PA Parents More Say In Children’s Education – WDAC
Pa. Sen. Katie Muth sues PSERS pension fund over disputed financial records | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pa. House approves veto-bound bill to help block local gun laws | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Bill to allow concealed carry without permit moves through Pa. Legislature, but Gov. Wolf vows veto – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
PA reps discuss bill to allow for concealed carry without permit (timesonline.com)
Pa. House passes bill to discourage local gun restrictions (timesonline.com)
Pa. House votes to end Gov. Tom Wolf’s pandemic disaster declaration (inquirer.com)
Pennsylvania House votes to terminate Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 disaster declaration – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Report: Pa. Legislature a ‘bipartisan criminal offense factory’ that drives up costs, doesn’t fix crime | Wednesday Morning Coffee | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Pa. GOP lawmakers threaten state funding for Penn veterinary program over vaccine policy | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Pennsylvania bill diverting portion of hotel tax to tourism marketing, culture organizations advances – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)
Sappey to hold virtual panel on justice reform | Local-news | dailylocal.com
Fewer people, same passions at this year’s Capitol gun owners rights rally – pennlive.com
Coronavirus – COVID-19
National
U.S. increasingly unlikely to meet Joe Biden’s goal of vaccinating 70% of the population by July 4 (inquirer.com)
Biden, Johnson to rally G-7 for vaccine push after U.S. hoarding | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A look at the US investigation into COVID-19 origins | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com
Officials offer guidance for children not yet eligible for COVID vaccine | Local News | readingeagle.com
The highly contagious Delta variant is on the rise in the U.S. | WITF
There’s a stark red-blue divide when it comes to states’ vaccination rates | WITF
U.S. lowers the travel risk rating for Japan, where COVID still shadows the Olympics | WITF
Immune response from mRNA COVID-19 vaccines more robust than natural infection | The Bucks County Herald
‘This IS INSANE’: Africa desperately short of COVID vaccine | News | phillytrib.com
State
Vaccine hesitancy is topic of Carnegie Science Center discussion | TribLIVE.com
Is COVID-19 herd immunity possible in Pa.? Q&A on vaccine rate, positive tests, more – pennlive.com
This sole Pa. county has a high transmission rate of COVID-19 | Today in Pa. – pennlive.com
Should kids wear masks in playgrounds? PA health experts say yes (timesonline.com)
Inovio expands Covid-19 vaccine partnership with Advaccine of China – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)
Lancaster General Hospital employees pushing back on mandatory COVID-19 vaccine | Health | lancasteronline.com
Lancaster County mass vaccination site is closing. Here’s how to get your second shot. | Health | lancasteronline.com
Business
SBA to open Targeted EIDL Advance cash grant to all eligible businesses soon – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)
Monroeville, Cranberry, Washington dispensaries part of $110.3 million medical cannabis deal | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
New workforce resource first step in using arena project to help Hill District residents | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Back open and busy: Customers flock to bars and restaurants after COVID restrictions lifted | News | citizensvoice.com
Storefront vacancies growing in Dickson City | Business | thetimes-tribune.com
Firm buys Dickson City shopping plaza for $6 million | News | thetimes-tribune.com
Free marketing help available for small businesses in Chester County | Local-news | dailylocal.com
Guest editorial | There should be no such thing as the ‘working poor,’ raise Pa. minimum wage now | Editorials | tribdem.com
Pocono tourism, businesses are looking good as summer comes (poconorecord.com)
The real reason employers can’t hire enough workers | Commentary | phillytrib.com
Crime/Punishment
Ex-pharmacist who destroyed COVID-19 vaccines gets 3 years in prison | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Philly police questioning man arrested in Delaware over killing of Dunkin’ manager in Fairhill (inquirer.com)
Sex abuse victims sue Pittston Area, former band director | News | citizensvoice.com
Former Scranton police officer solicited sex from informants, federal prosecutors charge – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
York County Prison: C-SAU uses prisoners in videos: email suggests (ydr.com)
Education
Temple University hires Jason Wingard, the school’s first Black president (inquirer.com)
Jason Wingard named president of Temple University – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)
Now, it’s the public’s turn to weigh in on Pennsylvania university mergers | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Heinz Endowments grants of $4.4 million target child care, education programs | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
PPS wants all district-issued devices returned by June 15 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Seneca Valley School Board approves five-year contract with secretaries, paraprofessionals | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Parents give public schools high grades for instruction during covid pandemic | TribLIVE.com
Hempfield Area to eliminate dozen positions, will save $923,000 | TribLIVE.com
U.S. education secretary promotes vaccine efforts at colleges | TribLIVE.com
Survey out on what Penn State community wants in next university president | WITF
Drexel President John Fry pushing university into new markets as ‘demographic cliff’ looms – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)
Haverford School names Tyler Casertano new head of school – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)
More than 100 people attend Hempfield school board meeting on allowing transgender athletes to compete | Local News | lancasteronline.com
Erie Community College students can transfer to Edinboro under pact (goerie.com)
Elections/Politics
Houlahan decides against running for U.S. Senate in 2022 – WHYY
Chrissy Houlahan, Democratic congresswoman, won’t run for Pennsylvania Senate seat in 2022 (inquirer.com)
In Senate Campaign Stop, Arkoosh Calls Out Toomey For Blocking Biden’s Infrastructure Plan | 90.5 WESA
Rally held in Pottsville for fair redistricting (yahoo.com)
Arizona ballot audit backed by secretive donors linked to Trump’s inner circle (yahoo.com)
Pennsylvania’s 2022 race for governor: What we know so far | WITF
Pa. State Senator Scott Martin exploring possibility of run for Governor (abc27.com)
Scott Martin: Lawmaker eyes GOP primary for Pennsylvania governor (wtae.com)
Republican lawmakers want to ban private money for elections, but they should be more concerned about adequate state funding | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Terry McAuliffe wins Democratic nomination for Virginia governor | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
New Jersey primary election results: Jack Ciattarelli wins Republican nod to face Gov. Phil Murphy (inquirer.com)
County election board certifies some but not all primary results | Election | citizensvoice.com
We the People of Pennsylvania made our voices heard | PennLive letters – pennlive.com
O’Pake to be on both ballots for Schuylkill County DA | Election | standardspeaker.com
You’re invited! A live reader Q&A on congressional redistricting · Spotlight PA
State police spokesman confirms search warrant was served at Cambria elections office, offers no details | News | tribdem.com
In Senate Campaign Stop, Arkoosh Calls Out Toomey For Blocking Biden’s Infrastructure Plan | 90.5 WESA
Environment
Letter to the editor: RGGI will make Pa. citizens safer | TribLIVE.com
Transportation
Tarentum Bridge closes Wednesday as rehabilitation continues | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Disabled train stuck in Hanover Twp.; roads could be blocked for days | Times Leader
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport gets COVID-19 relief money | coronavirus | citizensvoice.com
Scranton bridge projects will produce major detours | News | thetimes-tribune.com
Contentious I-83 project in York County nears final paving but PennDOT, contractor fight has a long way to go – pennlive.com
Price tag may derail rail service to West Chester | Local-news | dailylocal.com
Health
Pandemic puts focus on challenges facing Pennsylvania’s nursing care community | State | wfmz.com
In medicine — and life — the quick patch often isn’t the real solution | Expert Opinion (inquirer.com)
Breast cancer patients face insurance denials that complicate recovery: ‘The emotional toll was enormous’ (inquirer.com)
Lung Association holds annual climb event at RMU on June 26 (timesonline.com)
In PA, flu cases dropped 95% during pandemic; here’s why | Health | lancasteronline.com
Former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter had surgery for prostate cancer. He especially wants Black men to hear about his experience. (inquirer.com)
State News
Pennsylvania’s long-awaited overhaul of its unemployment claims filing system is now live | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Jobless in Pa. livid over new unemployment system errors as state declares victory (inquirer.com)
L&I debuts modernized UC benefit system amid continued criticism | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)
Pennsylvania’s new unemployment claims system goes live – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Cartwright: $20M for infrastructure projects moves forward | Times Leader
Funding for area transportation projects advances in U.S. House | News | thetimes-tribune.com
5th Sommelier Judgment shines love on Pa.’s best wines | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Facing FBI probe, PSERS backtracks on disclosure that staffers were on both sides of real estate dealings – pennlive.com
Wawa to mark ‘Mare of Easttown Day’ with new cheesesteak – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Pennsylvania UFO cases unsolved after Project Blue Book investigation (timesonline.com)
National News
Pipeline CEO defends paying ransom amid cyberattack | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Report: Wealthiest executives paid little to nothing in federal income taxes | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
‘Melt them down’: Charlottesville City Council votes to remove Confederate statues that spurred ‘Unite the Right’ rally | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Joshua Hall, a Pennsylvania Door Dash driver, arrested for impersonating Trump’s family online (inquirer.com)
Some Baltimore businesses threaten to withhold taxes if city doesn’t address ‘culture of lawlessness’ – pennlive.com
High-stakes case load lands on Supreme Court docket | Smart Talk (witf.org)
New Gallup Poll Reveals Most Republicans Now Back Same-Sex Marriage : NPR
Tribal Police Can Detain Non-Natives, Supreme Courts Says, But Can’t Arrest : NPR
When will U.S.-Canada border open? What you need to know (ydr.com)
Special prosecutors set to probe Casey Goodson Jr. shooting | Across America | phillytrib.com
Black female professors voice solidarity with journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones in UNC tenure showdown | Across America | phillytrib.com
Local News
Lifeguard shortage delays opening of Dormont Pool | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Suspected human remains found in basement of commercial Tarentum building | TribLIVE.com
Citizens invited to apply for Luzerne County manager search committee | Times Leader
Vandals strike Wilkes-Barre church, desecrate Bible and U.S. flag | News | citizensvoice.com
Hanover Area not increasing property tax | Education | citizensvoice.com
Pittston Area preliminary budget would not increase property tax rate | Education | citizensvoice.com
Cognetti requests state performance audit of Scranton Single Tax Office, citing lack of accountability, transparency | News | thetimes-tribune.com
Chris Kelly Opinion: Scranton to evict Cedar Avenue’s eyesore next door | Chris-kelly | thetimes-tribune.com
Legal action threatened over Facebook page critical of sheriff candidate | Election | standardspeaker.com
New owner of Allentown Stonewall plans to reopen gay club – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Allentown pencil tower, planned to be largest skyscraper in area, granted fourth extension – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Upper Macungie says no to Rutter’s, citing plan amounts to truck stop – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Lehigh Valley lifeguard shortage: Hellertown offering $500 in bonuses to attract applicants – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Montgomery County officials celebrate Pride Month, raise Progress Pride Flag | News | mainlinemedianews.com
Beaver County property assessment delayed (timesonline.com)
Chester County raises Pride Flag at offices in support of LGBTQ community | Local-news | dailylocal.com
Lancaster city opposes plan to convert downtown retail space to 16 apartments; zoning appeal filed | Local Business | lancasteronline.com
Lancaster City Council considers pay raises for mayor, council members | Community News | lancasteronline.com
New owner of the former Conestoga View nursing home has us concerned [editorial] | Our Opinion | lancasteronline.com
Council considering amendments to Johnstown’s Home Rule Charter; may ease residency requirement for manager | Local News | tribdem.com
Juneteenth celebrations in Johnstown to include vaccine clinics, organizers say | Local News | tribdem.com
Pleasant Ridge Manor: Council approves funding to demolish building (goerie.com)
Griswold Park plan: Erie officials say there are many details to work out (goerie.com)
Blue Zones healthy living initiatives: 3 expansion options for Erie County (goerie.com)
Hundreds attended the inaugural Pocono Pride Fest in Stroudsburg (poconorecord.com)
Participants rally against converting Reading building into center for immigrant women | Berks Regional News | wfmz.com
Pitt
Pittsburgh immigrant groups brace for effects of Supreme Court ruling against temporary residents | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Black political advocacy group asks Supreme Court to investigate Zappala’s conduct | TribLIVE.com
AlleCo DA Zappala rescinds policy halting plea deals to Black lawyer who called his office racist | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Buyer beware: Allegheny County puts real estate wholesalers in the hot seat | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Turn the page: Seniors transform newspaper boxes into Little Libraries for Pittsburgh neighborhoods | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh-area artists commissioned to paint the town in murals | TribLIVE.com
Philly
Trauma, grief, and anxiety complicate how communities of color view Philadelphia’s reopening: ‘The excitement is bittersweet’ (inquirer.com)
Protesters stage sit-in in Mayor Jim Kenney’s office during Philadelphia budget negotiations (inquirer.com)
Why city pools matter, and how to find a pool in Philly this summer | Elizabeth Wellington (inquirer.com)
Philadelphia Flower Show evacuated amid flood warnings in weather forecast (inquirer.com)
Philadelphia gun control lawsuit: City and state to clash in court hearing | Local News | phillytrib.com
Philly community groups protest proposed city business tax cuts – WHYY
Washington
President Biden ends infrastructure talks with GOP’s Capito, starts bipartisan push | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
White House infrastructure talks with Sen. Capito collapse, leading to fingerpointing as Biden shifts strategy (inquirer.com)
Opinion | Berating Joe Manchin won’t do Democrats any good. Here’s what they should focus on. – The Washington Post
Senate passes bill to boost U.S. tech industry, counter rivals | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Kamala Harris tells Latin Americans the U.S. can offer them hope | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Biden moves to grow U.S. manufacturing of drugs, minerals to bolster supply chains | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
We never needed a Jan. 6 Commission. We need a Nov. 3 Commission. This is why | Bruce Ledewitz | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
What Is Biden Doing In Europe And Why Is He Meeting Putin : NPR
On 1st overseas trip, Biden to assure allies and meet Putin | News | tribdem.com
