News Digest :: May 10, 2021

Legislature

Chester County lawmakers pledge support for redistricting transparency bills | State | tiogapublishing.com

Interview with Pennsylvania State Senator Carolyn Comitta

Pa Senate Democrats To Hold Hearing On Raising The Minimum – Cute766

Pennsylvania’s collective fight against gun violence and crime – The Philadelphia Sunday Sun (philasun.com)

Pa. Senate bill will remove ‘homosexuality’ from state’s crimes code | News | northcentralpa.com

Pennsylvania Can’t Fine Addiction Treatment Facilities That Break Rules. Some Lawmakers Want To Change That. | 90.5 WESA

Pa. can’t fine addiction treatment facilities that break rules. Some lawmakers want to change that. (inquirer.com)

Pa. senators ask Gov. Wolf to lift COVID-19 restrictions at start of Memorial Day weekend – pennlive.com

Lawmakers push Pennsylvania governor to move up reopening date ahead of holiday | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Editorial: Nordenberg, the right person as reapportionment referee | TribLIVE.com

With Hundreds Of Thousands Of Backlogged Claims, Advocates Say Pennsylvania Unemployment System Upgrade Could Cause Problems | 90.5 WESA

Jobless want state to end backlog, pay benefits now (yahoo.com)

New bills to possibly change kids’ vaccines | News, Sports, Jobs – The Sentinel (lewistownsentinel.com)

Stop this Pro-Polluter Bill from Passing in PA | NRDC Action Fund

PA Environment Digest Blog: Senators Santarsiero, Collett To Reintroduce Bills To Give Attorney General Direct Jurisdiction Over Prosecuting Environmental Crimes (paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com)

Pa. politicians walk fine line on vaccine endorsements to hesitant constituents | TribLIVE.com

PA Senate to have emergency hearing following data breach at state health department, exposed by Target 11 – WPXI

Pennsylvania Senate Introduces Franchise Law Reform Bill | Brewbound

Abuse survivors plan rally to press Pa. Senate to act on lawsuit bill | News | tribdem.com

(62) Pa. State Senator Working On Legislation To Make It A Requirement To Test For Legionella In Building – YouTube

To-go alcoholic drinks may become permanent in Pa. | TribLIVE.com

Pennsylvania House majority leader says minimum wage ‘taking care of itself’ as unemployment persists | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Quick hits: Pennsylvania news in brief for Friday, May 7 | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

State Rep. Briggs introduces legislation to create paid family leave in PA | Local News | timesherald.com

Schuylkill legislators open joint office | News | standardspeaker.com

 

Coronavirus – COVID-19

National

See Reopening Plans and Mask Mandates for All 50 States – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Fauci Says Indoor Mask Guidance Should Ease With Vaccinations – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Masks could become seasonal after pandemic, Dr. Fauci says | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Some countries have no COVID-19 jabs | Times Leader

Their view: India’s COVID-19 tragedy has lessons for global vaccinations | Times Leader

‘Vax Live’ Benefit Concert Promotes Preview Of Post-Pandemic World : Coronavirus Updates : NPR

Biden Administration Launches Vaccine Hotline : NPR

Covid-19: Hopes for ‘Herd Immunity’ Fade as Virus Hurtles Toward Becoming Endemic – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

U.S. states are turning down hundreds of thousands of doses as demand plummets. – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Some people are skipping their second COVID vaccine doses, and experts say that’s a bad idea | Coronavirus | readingeagle.com

India sees deadliest day of pandemic with COVID-19 deaths topping 4,000 | WITF

State

Will Pa. allow minors to get a COVID vaccine without parental consent? (theintell.com)

PA embraces VaccineFinder as COVID-19 vaccine locator (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Pa. vaccine pioneer working to understand protection against COVID-19 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Some Western Pa. counties in the area still have hospitality relief money to give out | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pa. now uses a more efficient map to help you find COVID-19 vaccines | Today in Pa. – pennlive.com

PA embraces VaccineFinder as COVID-19 vaccine locator (poconorecord.com)

Local

Pa. community leaders need special tactics to combat coronavirus vaccine hesitancy (inquirer.com)

As COVID-19 vaccination uptake slows, Philly Counts prepares for an outreach surge (inquirer.com)

Esperanza has been a success at vaccinating Latinos, but Black Philadelphians still lag behind (inquirer.com)

Flyers and Penn Medicine offering COVID-19 shots at Monday’s game (inquirer.com)

Allegheny County’s average of new covid cases hits low not seen since November | TribLIVE.com

Montgomery County authorizes $2.15M in coronavirus-related contracts | News | timesherald.com

Giant Eagle accepting COVID-19 vaccine walk-ins starting Monday | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

No new COVID-19 deaths in NEPA region | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

Luzerne County 7-year-old among latest to die of COVID-19 | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Vaccines for school children to be offered in Hazle Twp. | Education | standardspeaker.com

Berks County leaders share their experience getting the COVID vaccine | Berks and Beyond | readingeagle.com

Monoclonal antibodies for COVID keep Millcreek couple out of the hospital (goerie.com)

Cambria, Somerset add COVID-19 deaths over weekend | Coronavirus | tribdem.com

 

Business

Michael A. MacDowell: Addressing Monopolies: A Bipartisan Issue | Times Leader

Fore Biotherapeutics picks Philadelphia for global HQ – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Amazon on hiring spree for Amazon Fresh grocery store in Bucks County – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Pandemic deals a blow to the dry cleaning industry | Business | citizensvoice.com

Pandemic alters CEO pay at Fulton, Armstrong World, others | Local Business | lancasteronline.com

 

Crime/Punishment

Teens among Sunday shooting fatalities in Philly (inquirer.com)

Philly police and feds team up to identify guns used in shootings (inquirer.com)

After receiving police report, Pa. prosecutor waited months to charge a man who shot at protesters (inquirer.com)

Begansky plans few changes at probation office. | News | standardspeaker.com

Former King of Prussia teacher charged in child sex operation | News | mainlinemedianews.com

Ambridge police to receive body-worn cameras in coming weeks (timesonline.com)

 

Education

Alle-Kiski Valley superintendents earn combined $1.85M | TribLIVE.com

Philadelphia-area colleges and universities return to in-person instruction for fall 2021 – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Schools Are Open, but Many Families Remain Hesitant to Return – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Editorial: Community colleges offer hope for now and the future | Opinion | timesherald.com

District, NAACP react to reported fight at North Penn High School | News | timesherald.com

NAACP student group puts the spotlight on racial disparities in school discipline | News | phillytrib.com

Bucks County schools tout extension of free school meal program (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

An abnormal school year leads to lessons of resiliency and gratitude for area seniors | Education | thetimes-tribune.com

High school graduations: With COVID-19 restrictions set to end, some schools are changing plans – pennlive.com

Chester Upland School District confronts the prospect of charter takeover | WITF

Charters pitch to Chester Upland falls short | News | delcotimes.com

School board races: Online forums set for Erie, Millcreek hopefuls (goerie.com)

Ephrata Area School District poised to raise property taxes 3.7% | Community News | lancasteronline.com

 

Elections/Politics

Primary ballot offers choices for Pennsylvania | News, Sports, Jobs – The Sentinel (lewistownsentinel.com)

Voters to decide how the state will respond to future emergencies | Smart Talk (witf.org)

Philly and Pittsburgh primaries are referendums on progressive politics | Opinion (inquirer.com)

Primary voters will be asked to decide three amendments to state constitution, and fire referendum | Local News | observer-reporter.com

Nearly 120K OK’ed to vote by mail, absentee in Allegheny County; Tuesday marks deadline to apply | TribLIVE.com

Beyond the Byline: Deadline nears to apply for a mail ballot | Times Leader

DeSantis To Headline Allegheny County GOP Dinner | PoliticsPA

Berks Co. GOP boss takes heat for comparing Dems to Hitler, Tojo | Friday Morning Coffee | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Chester County voters overwhelmingly choosing mail-in ballot option | News | dailylocal.com

Our endorsement: Vote yes on expansion of firefighting loan program | Opinion | citizensvoice.com

This year’s court races are seriously important. Make your voice heard | Michael Coard | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

 

Environment

Taste won’t persuade Americans to swap out beef for plant-based burgers | Opinion (inquirer.com)

Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper files legal action against Harrisburg, water company, citing sewage | WITF

Facing grim climate projections, state officials call for multi-dimensional approach to addressing climate change | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Reducing methane is crucial for protecting climate and health, and it can pay for itself. So why aren’t more companies doing it? | Opinion | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

New study shows electric vehicle expansion could significantly reduce Pa.’s climate pollution | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Tom Ridge Environmental Center marks 15-year anniversary as Presque Isle info hub (goerie.com)

 

Transportation

Traffic disruptions next week for bridge inspections along Pittsburgh-Ross border | TribLIVE.com

Public transit hopes to win back riders after crushing year | Times Leader

Airline quality report: Customer complaints skyrocketed in 2020 during Covid-19 – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Bucks County to study connecting Upper Bucks to public transportation (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Pittsburgh International Airport and its Airmall ramp up as state COVID-19 restrictions ease | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

COLTS ridership still slumping a year after COVID-19 hit | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Bucks County to study connecting Upper Bucks to public transportation (theintell.com)

Rail trail bridge destroyed in arson closer to repairs after new funding, search for builders [Lancaster Watchdog] | Outdoors | lancasteronline.com

 

Health

Opioid Crisis: Filmmaker Details The Medical System’s ‘Crime Of The Century’ : NPR

Heart failure can occur during pregnancy, and Black women fare worse than others. Penn doctors are starting to find out why. (inquirer.com)

Experiment Uses CRISPR To Edit Genes While They Are Still Inside A Person’s Body : Shots – Health News : NPR

How MDMA and Psilocybin Became Hot Investments – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Nursing educators, students believe experiences learning during pandemic will help future nurses | | dailylocal.com

Montgomery County nursing programs spotlighted amid coronavirus pandemic | News | dailylocal.com

Nothing but racism explains Black women’s higher rate of horrible birth stories | Jarvis DeBerry | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

‘The system denies our humanity’: Congressional panel hears heartbreaking stories of Black maternal deaths, pregnancy complications, racism | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

 

State News

Pa. again extends REAL ID enforcement date | State | northcentralpa.com

What are cicadas and why do they bug some people? | TribLIVE.com

Treasurer Garrity highlights work done by Pennsylvania’s manufacturers | Times Leader

This is the Least Expensive Zip Code in Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

This Is How Many People Live With Their Parents In Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

‘This Is Politics’: Dr. Rachel Levine’s Rise as Transgender Issues Gain Prominence. – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Little League World Series to return/no International pool – ButlerRadio.com – Butler, PA

The politicians who tried to overturn an election — and the local news team that won’t let anyone forget it – The Washington Post

Pennsylvania’s child welfare system closed to public, until a child dies (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

State Treasury returns $97K in unclaimed property to Bucks (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Pike County tick study sheds crucial information on diseases | News | citizensvoice.com

Low-income Pennsylvanians can get tax forgiveness | State | standardspeaker.com

Editorial: Pennsylvania schedules a weekend of kindness | Opinion | readingeagle.com

‘Lying now, or lying then?’ Under Pa. rules, many defendants are convicted on recanted statements – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

States saw a revenue rebound through February. How did Pa. do? | Monday Morning Coffee | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Weekly unemployment claims in Pennsylvania declined last week (timesonline.com)

 

National News

Pollen counts in Philadelphia hard to measure, making allergy symptoms tough to forecast (inquirer.com)

7 dead including gunman in Colorado birthday party shooting | TribLIVE.com

California man used $5 million in coronavirus relief loans to buy luxury cars, federal authorities say | TribLIVE.com

Cyberattack on U.S. pipeline is linked to criminal gang | TribLIVE.com

Will cyberattack on US pipeline cause a gas shortage and price spikes? – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

An Extended Pipeline Shutdown Could Impact Gas Prices In Southeast U.S. : NPR

Medina Spirit could lose Ky. Derby win; track bans Baffert | Times Leader

Megan Rohrer Elected As 1st Openly Transgender Bishop In U.S. Lutheran Church : NPR

Black Americans And The Racist Architecture Of Homeownership : Code Switch : NPR

After Times Square Shooting, Adams and Yang Stress Support for N.Y.P.D. – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Farmers asked to participate in USDA survey (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

More than 300 Palestinians hurt in Jerusalem holy site clash | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Inside Arizona’s election audit, GOP fraud claims live on | Election | thetimes-tribune.com

US job growth slows sharply in sign of hiring struggles | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

Global shares mixed as U.S. jobs data ease inflation worries | News | tribdem.com

Look up, Lehigh Valley! NASA’s KiNet-X rocket launch from Virginia should be visible Monday night – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

What the housing market looks like in every state – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

China says most rocket debris burned up during reentry | WITF

The Great Labor Divide: How Dems and the GOP view the decline of union workers | The Numbers Racket | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

What the United States can learn from Canada’s cannabis clarity | Opinion | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

 

Local News

Ownership of Pucketa Creek bridge split between 2 counties; repair plans underway | TribLIVE.com

Churchill residents debate potential Amazon site during planning commission meeting | TribLIVE.com

Wyoming Monument ceremony returns July 3 | Times Leader

Area churches mark Mother’s Day with in-person celebrations | Times Leader

With easing of restrictions, Restore of Chester County seeks feedback | Local News | dailylocal.com

Agreement reached on regional fire service in Kennett Square, Kennett Township | Local News | dailylocal.com

‘I’m honored to be selected’: Lawrence joins national NewDEAL organization | News | timesherald.com

Norristown’s Black Lives Matter street mural installation starts May 9 | News | timesherald.com

Bucks County tourism: Officials see early promise for spring season (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Bucks County govt, towns and schools to receive nearly $300M under American Rescue Plan (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Fine Arts Fiesta about to return to downtown Wilkes-Barre | News | citizensvoice.com

LRCA announces new RiverFest date, upcoming events | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Search for rare earth elements expands from Hazleton | News | standardspeaker.com

Scores of volunteers participate in Beautify Birdsboro | Local News | readingeagle.com

High school softball in Lehigh Valley suffers from declining participation – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Doylestown Memorial Day Parade is back on (buckscountyherald.com)

Protection-from-abuse: Cases rose by almost 37% in York County in 2020 (ydr.com)

FCC to lower internet bills for eligible households (goerie.com)

‘Hitler people’: Erie restaurant owner frustrated with COVID health codes. (goerie.com)

H.A.N.D.S housing: Erie nonprofit brings new rental units to east Erie (goerie.com)

Scaled down Make-A-Wish truck convoy raises nearly $300,000 by Sunday afternoon | Local News | lancasteronline.com

 

Pitt

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh on the North Side to reopen after 15 months | TribLIVE.com

With eye on more fans in stands, the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates urge people to get covid vaccine | TribLIVE.com

Pittsburgh Parking Authority adds apps for payment convenience in the city | TribLIVE.com

Fitzgerald’s lack of attendance at Allegheny County Jail board meetings stirs debate | TribLIVE.com

$96 million Pine-Richland budget holds line on taxes; no program, staff cuts | TribLIVE.com

‘I moved into systemic racism’: Pittsburghers speak out on displacement of Black residents | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

White Whale allegations only part of ongoing issues with The Terminal development project | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

 

Philly

As Philly reckons with MOVE remains tragedy, anthropologists must confront our role | Opinion (inquirer.com)

A resurgent Philly job training group aims to serve Rev. Leon Sullivan’s legacy in new-tech times (inquirer.com)

A cash gimmick to help voter turnout in Philly | Opinion (inquirer.com)

Philly-area Latinas share their inspiring stories of love and empowerment for Mother’s Day (inquirer.com)

Supply of homes for sale around Philly is predicted to stay low for a while (inquirer.com)

Germantown Farmers Market returns, with goal of increasing sustainable agriculture in people of color communities (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner sees crime victims, families fight against his reelection (inquirer.com)

Inside the reopening of Xfinity Live! – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Philly’s Valley Youth House soups up LGBTQ youth resources; plans to revive Host Homes | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

DA candidates clash at virtual forum | Local News | phillytrib.com

Philly Sheriff’s top lawyer resigns after illegal contract revelation | Local News | phillytrib.com

 

Washington

Trump’s ‘Big Lie’ imperils Republicans who don’t embrace it | Times Leader

A Look At The GOP From Inside A Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene Rally : NPR

Getting women back to work is key to a strong recovery, Labor Secretary says | WITF

Biden Plans Order to Strengthen U.S. Cyberattack Defenses – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

‘We May Not Have a Full Two Years’: Democrats’ Plans Hinge on Good Health – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

McCarthy Officially Backs Stefanik to Replace Cheney in House Leadership – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Ohio G.O.P. Censure Representative Who Voted to Impeach Trump – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

McCarthy backs ousting Cheney from GOP leadership, paving way for removal vote as early as this week | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

House GOP leader says he backs ousting Cheney from No. 3 job | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Toomey touts reintroduction of Thin Blue Line Act | Crime-Emergency | thetimes-tribune.com

Readers React: Toomey’s votes show disregard for environment – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

U.S. Capitol rioters make questionable claims about police | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

New White House task force aims to separate science, politics | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Letter: Remark by Biden raises interesting question | Letters to the Editor | readingeagle.com

Casey touts Biden jobs plan at Beaver County town hall (timesonline.com)