News Digest :: May 20, 2021

Legislature

Pa. battle over new congressional map stalled over data lag – WHYY

Juggling Work, Family Life While Exercising Civic Duty Of Voting On Election Day – CBS Pittsburgh (cbslocal.com)

Majority Of Pennsylvania Voters Support Drug Decriminalization, Poll Finds Amid Inaction On Marijuana Reform | Marijuana Moment

Pennsylvania Bill Would Take on Future Federal Gun Control | Tenth Amendment Center

How Democrats want to spend $7.2 billion in federal coronavirus funds | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

U.S. Congresswoman Susan Wild says American Rescue Plan money will build stronger economy in the Lehigh Valley – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Wolf joins push for charter school reform at Pottstown High School | News | dailylocal.com

Gov. touts charter funding reform proposal at GAR | Times Leader

GOP lawmakers consider next move after voters OK limits on Wolf’s emergency powers | News | tribdem.com

Now is the time to act on gerrymandering legislation | The Bucks County Herald

Pa. state troopers demand apology from Wolf over Juneteenth letter to state employees | Wednesday Morning Coffee | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

A large waste of taxpayers’ money | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Coronavirus – COVID-19

National

Covid-19 and Vaccine News: Live Updates – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

How Do You Persuade New Yorkers to Be Vaccinated? Knock on Their Doors. – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

A New Coronavirus May Be Making People Sick. And It’s Coming From Dogs : Goats and Soda : NPR

Pfizer Vaccine Can Now Be Stored At Warmer Temperatures Much Longer : Coronavirus Updates : NPR

House Republicans Fight Chamber Mask Rules : NPR

What Is COVAX? And Why Is The U.S. Pouring Millions Of Vaccines Into It? : Goats and Soda : NPR

Pregnancy during COVID-19 lockdown: How the pandemic has affected new mothers | Analysis | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

COVID shot not just a day at the beach in NJ, but all summer – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Wegmans eases face mask rules for customers – pennlive.com

Can businesses ask about COVID-19 vaccine status? What experts say about HIPPA, privacy – pennlive.com

State

Penn Medicine to require all employees get Covid-19 vaccine – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

University of Pennsylvania Health System makes rare move to require COVID-19 vaccines for employees (inquirer.com)

In-person visits to be reinstated at several Pennsylvania state prisons | WITF

Philly, Lancaster and Allentown remain at the top of ZIP codes with most new COVID-19 infections – pennlive.com

Pa. health department optimistic with latest COVID case declines but another surge still considered possible | Coronavirus | readingeagle.com

After Johnson & Johnson pause, Pa. and N.J. have thousands of extra shots — and many will expire soon (inquirer.com)

Pennsylvania surpasses 9,000 covid deaths in 2021, as new cases continue to drop | TribLIVE.com

Local

Philadelphia ending mask mandate for fully vaccinated people June 11 – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Philly won’t require masks outdoors starting Friday | Coronavirus | phillytrib.com

Philadelphia indoor mask mandate stays until June at least (inquirer.com)

Wawa grand opening in Morgantown will include COVID vaccination clinic | Business | dailylocal.com

Hempfield is first Lancaster County school district to permit vaccinated students, staff to go maskless | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Hospitalizations, new COVID-19 cases dropping; state prison to allow visitors | Local News | tribdem.com

Roots wins council nomination in Chester upset | News | delcotimes.com

County commissioners promote vaccinations with a sweet treat | The Bucks County Herald

COVID-19 vaccinations now available at Giant Company’s in-store pharmacies | The Bucks County Herald

Bucks adjusts mask policy as Covid cases slow | The Bucks County Herald

Montgomery County records 33 new coronavirus cases, 2 deaths in daily report | News | mainlinemedianews.com

Brandywine Heights School District will hold a COVID vaccine clinic for students | Coronavirus | readingeagle.com

COVID vaccine clinic for veterans to be held Saturday in Berks County VA office | Local News | readingeagle.com

Allegheny County reports smallest increase in daily COVID-19 cases this year | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Geisinger CenterPoint offering walk-in vaccines today and Friday | Times Leader

Lackawanna County Prison developing plans to vaccinate willing inmates | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

DOC: In-person inmate visitation to resume | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

 

Business

Piano plans to nearly double Philadelphia staff as it continues to grow rapidly – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Tight job market for newspaper delivery York Daily Record Sunday News (ydr.com)

NorthPoint to begin clearing former U.S. Steel site | The Bucks County Herald

Dun & Bradstreet moving some operations to India – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Hershey Co. expanding portfolio with plans to acquire another candy brand – pennlive.com

 

Crime/Punishment

Police promises to increase diversity falling short, advocates say (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Diversity in police departments lag in New York, New Jersey, Delaware (goerie.com)

Reimagining the Justice System, From Inside the Mayor’s Office – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Erie drug crime: Erie man accused of leading ring gets county time (goerie.com)

Ex-Uber and Lyft driver accused in Lehigh, Lafayette sex assaults may have more victims – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Allentown, state police joint patrols targeting illegal guns and drugs – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Suspect in attempted sex assaults is charged with raping Pa. college student: district attorney – pennlive.com

Contractor tied to labor chief Johnny Doc sentenced to two years for tax fraud, theft from union fund (inquirer.com)

Diocese of Erie pays $16.6M to sexual abuse survivors | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Education

Philadelphia Fed president Harker says higher ed is in ‘peril,’ calls for state and federal funding – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Erie School District to hold special events for kindergarten, pre-K (goerie.com)

Lafayette College names CEO of nonprofit that helps students apply to college as next president – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

New Lafayette College president Nicole Hurd adds to flurry of leadership changes at area schools (inquirer.com)

Reading School District approves proposed $350 million budget with no tax increase | Local News | readingeagle.com

Pa. teacher saves family from fire, but can’t borrow sick days from his co-workers as they recover – pennlive.com

Superintendents’ forum: Education community shows ‘true grit’ this school year (opinion) | Opinion | readingeagle.com

Lorane Elementary goes virtual due to COVID cases | Coronavirus | readingeagle.com

Philly schools are planning to reopen full-time, 5 days a week in the fall (inquirer.com)

Record grant from Richard King Mellon Foundation to fund CMU science building, robotics center | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Richard King Mellon Foundation gives $150M gift to Carnegie Mellon University | TribLIVE.com

As Pitt gears up for fall, university approves fee hikes | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As possible teacher strike looms, Gateway School Board asks families for patience, hires full-time equity director | TribLIVE.com

University of Scranton students must be vaccinated before returning to campus for the fall | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

 

Elections/Politics

Progressives win big races in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

Experts say Pa.’s 2021 primary was typical, but GOP lawmakers are seizing on issues · Spotlight PA

Republican Wins Local Special Election For PA Senate – WDAC

Republican Chris Gebhard declares victory for Pa. Senate 48th District seat – pennlive.com

Some Pennsylvania counties ran out of ballots during primary election | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Counties experience printing issues during primary | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

Christine Flowers: Battling the forces of voter intimidation | Opinion | delcotimes.com

PA governor’s race: Lou Barletta, a Trump ally, campaigns in Erie (goerie.com)

We need two American political parties | The Bucks County Herald

State Sen. Mastriano says Trump asked him to run for governor | WITF

Trump ‘asked me’ to run for governor, Sen. Doug Mastriano says – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Pennsylvania’s next primary will make history, and it’s already drawing a crowd | John Baer – pennlive.com

Jonah Goldberg: Independents are part of the partisan problem | TribLIVE.com

With Flynn headed to Senate, candidates emerge for his state rep seat | Election | thetimes-tribune.com

Ballot Questions

PA Voters Approve Two Amendments To Limit Governor’s Emergency Powers | PoliticsPA

‘The People … Have Spoken’: Voters Strip Away Layers Of Pennsylvania Governor’s Emergency Powers | The Daily Caller

Pennsylvania constitutional amendments seen as unlikely to face strong legal challenge | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Voters approve ballot questions limiting Pennsylvania governor’s emergency powers | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Voters choose to scale back executive power, but what happens next? | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

This is what’s next after Pa. governor loses some emergency powers (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Pennsylvania voters impose new limits on governor’s powers | National News | lancasteronline.com

What does the emergency powers referendum vote mean for Monroe County? (poconorecord.com)

In a pandemic rebuke, Pa. voters move to limit Wolf’s emergency powers; approve referenda questions on racial justice and fire depts | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

With Wolf’s amendment defeats: The first quacks of a lame-duck governor? | Thursday Morning Coffee | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf reacts to primary ballot question results – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Local

Bucks County’s municipal primary turnout was a record breaking 25% (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Typical turnout – 30% – for municipal primary in Cambria County | News | tribdem.com

Less than 25% of registered voters in Berks cast ballots in the primary election | Local News | readingeagle.com

Turnout jumped in the Lehigh Valley’s primary – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Technical issue, ballot reviews cause reporting delay of Westmoreland election results | TribLIVE.com

Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Allentown oust incumbent mayors | State | wfmz.com

Brobson Secures GOP Nomination for Supreme Court | PoliticsPA

(78) The Democratic race for Erie County Executive remains tight with Tyler Titus & Carl Anderson in the – YouTube

Incumbent Mayor Schember leads in the Primary Elections | WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com

Cognetti defeats Murray, clears hurdle in pursuit of a full term | Election | thetimes-tribune.com

Kraus Leads Costa In Sheriff’s Race, Macey Keeps County Council Seat | 90.5 WESA

DeBaptiste likely mayoral winner in West Chester | Local-news | dailylocal.com

With results incomplete, Rovito, Verwey have early lead for Democrat judge pick in Chester County | Local-news | dailylocal.com

Tiffany Thomas-Smith, Stephen Corr to face off in November for Bucks County judge (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Democratic Erie County Executive candidate Tyler Titus announces victory in the municipal primary (goerie.com)

Tyler Titus notches historic win in Democratic primary race for Erie County executive | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Monroe County primary: Voters decide school board ballots for November (poconorecord.com)

Mark Lomax ousts Milt Warrell in primary for Bucks County sheriff (theintell.com)

Beaver Falls set to elect first Black mayor in primary upset (timesonline.com)

Four Republicans to square off against four Democrats in Lower Meiron School Board race | Mainlinetimes | mainlinemedianews.com

Philly judges win Democratic primaries for statewide courts | WITF

Matt Tuerk claims victory in competitive Allentown Democratic primary – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Bethlehem City Council longtime council member is Democratic challenger for mayor – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Constable candidate with abuse record defeated – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

How Wanda Williams defeated Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse, and others, in the primary election – pennlive.com

Tina Boyd and James Gavin win Berks County Court primaries | Elections | readingeagle.com

Here’s who won the party nominations in Reading City Council | Local News | readingeagle.com

Luzerne County’s primary election provisional ballot count still unknown | Times Leader

Bobeck concedes, Toohil sends message of thanks after primary | Times Leader

Luzerne County bench poised to become evenly split between women and men judges following Tuesday’s election | | citizensvoice.com

Calls for accountability over primary ballot problems continue | Election | citizensvoice.com

 

Environment

PA faith leaders bike ride to address climate change | The Bucks County Herald

Climate report predicts six degree temperature rise and storms to intensify | WITF

What is a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day? – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Alert issued: Air quality could be unhealthy Thursday in central Pa. – pennlive.com

Pa. warns of unhealthy air pollution levels for Berks and 7 other counties | Local News | readingeagle.com

 

Transportation

Boaters again urged to use caution in waters above Holtwood Dam during planned drawdown | Outdoors | lancasteronline.com

Those who died in recent Pa. boating accidents didn’t have life jacket (goerie.com)

PennDOT plans replacement of Richland Pike culvert | The Bucks County Herald

Deadly walking: Pedestrian deaths surge despite reduced driving during pandemic | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Health

EMS operations — budgets ailing after COVID hits — need state funding, advocates say | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Tower Health to take ‘several months’ to review proposals from potential buyers, partners – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Hospitals Offer In-Home Care As An Alternative For Some Acute Illnesses : Shots – Health News : NPR

Feeling Anxious About Returning To Post-Pandemic Society? You’re Not Alone : NPR

 

State News

Pa. Supreme Court rules law firm can get second helping of tax credits in opportunity zone move – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Extended Benefits program to end due to Pennsylvania’s low unemployment rate, but benefits to continue under federal program | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Penn State researches wild brook and brown trout patterns (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Luke Bryan, Rod Stewart, Jonas Brothers among acts coming to central Pa. (ydr.com)

Delaware County D.A. sues over firefighting foam | Local-news | delcotimes.com

Delaware County sues PFAS makers for contamination at fire-fighting sites | StateImpact Pennsylvania (npr.org)

8-year-old injured at Camelback – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Pennsylvania casinos top $400 million for 2nd consecutive month | TribLIVE.com

 

National News

The Gaza Conflict Is Stoking an ‘Identity Crisis’ for Some Young American Jews – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Timeline: Israel-Hamas Fighting Takes A Dire Toll With No End In Sight : NPR

PHOTOS: Across The U.S., People Protest The Violence In Gaza And Israel : NPR

U.S. unemployment claims decline to 444,000 amid reinvigorated job market | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Near-Complete Abortion Is Signed Into Law in Texas – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Texas Governor Signs A Law That Bans Abortion As Early As 6 Weeks : NPR

Colonial Pipeline confirms it paid $4.4 million in ransom to hackers – pennlive.com

Keys, Wallet, Pepper Spray: The New Reality for Asian-Americans – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

8 Ways a Modern Civil Rights Movement Moved the Culture – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Despite Concerns About Border, Poll Finds Support For More Pathways To Citizenship : NPR

Why Ford Unveiling The Electric F-150 Lightning Is A Big Deal : NPR

EU Takes A Step To Letting In More Vaccinated Tourists : Coronavirus Updates : NPR

UNC won’t offer tenure to Nikole Hannah-Jones after wave of conservative criticism | Across America | phillytrib.com

Student’s arrest for racist post sparks free speech debate – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

To make a point about racial inequality, Chicago mayor says only reporters of color get anniversary interviews – pennlive.com

Chip crisis in ‘danger zone’ as wait times reach new record | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Oil and gas industry reminds people: ‘You still need us’ | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Local News

Senator Schwank Hosting Free Community Shredding Event | BCTV

ReadingFilmFEST receives state grant to support upcoming festival (berksweekly.com)

Bucks County gets $61M in American Rescue funds; plans roundtable on spending (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

TruMark Financial donates tools to Falls community garden (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Mullane: Majestic Patterson Farm in Lower Makefield needs TLC to survive (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Planned sale of The Loft/Tally Ho ending an era in Lancaster city dining, nightlife | Local Business | lancasteronline.com

Drive-thru bone marrow registration event to be held Saturday at Lampeter-Strasburg in remembrance of Ryan Smith | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Delaware Water Gap: Recreation area ready for Memorial Day 2021 (poconorecord.com)

Brighton Twp. native’s pickle-powered food truck sparks a buzz (timesonline.com)

DEP restores Beaver County Conservation District permitting power (timesonline.com)

Coca-Cola Park nears full capacity – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Wendy’s to construct state-of-the-art restaurant in Dauphin County – pennlive.com

Reading-Berks Association of Realtors organizing Pendora Park cleanup | Local News | readingeagle.com

Wilkes-Barre convenience store OK’d; development of former Hotel Sterling site advances | Times Leader

Hanover Twp. fire recruiting volunteers | News | citizensvoice.com

CPA firm to help Lackawanna County ensure compliance with guidelines for pandemic relief funds | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

Mural of Martin Luther King Jr. coming to Mulberry Street in Scranton | News | thetimes-tribune.com

 

Pitt

PHOTOS: Pittsburgh elects first-ever Black candidate Ed Gainey for mayor | Pittsburgh City Photos | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

The past, present, and future of trolleys in Pittsburgh | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Summer Concert Series bring free shows back to South Park and Hartwood Acres | Music | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Women in Film and Media Pittsburgh seeking submissions for short film festival | Screen | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Why Pittsburgh is above average for non-car transit, and how it might be getting better | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Organizers say Gainey’s historic victory sends a message: ‘People-powered politics’ gaining strength | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Gainey was the un-Peduto | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

How did Peduto lose Pittsburgh mayoral primary? Experts offer insight | TribLIVE.com

Living Here: Former Kaufmann’s department store now stocked with luxury apartments | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Carlton in Downtown to close for good after one last hurrah | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Local theater finding brave new locations this summer | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

New names for merged Catholic schools announced, while Vatican considers appeal | TribLIVE.com

 

Philly

Philadelphia names Nefertiri Sickout chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

After completing East Market, National Real Estate Development looks to Northern Liberties – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Former Philadelphia official sentenced to 15 months in prison for fraud, embezzlement – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

CVS adds mental health services at 11 Minute Clinics in Philadelphia area – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

FOP backing sinks Vega as Krasner wins Black neighborhoods throughout city | Local News | phillytrib.com

FOP, the Philadelphia police union, loses big as DA Larry Krasner beats Carlos Vega (inquirer.com)

Philly to launch loan fund for Black and brown affordable housing developers | Local News | phillytrib.com

Teachers’ Teammates needed space and got it from Joe Teodoro. Philadelphia bigwigs must now step up, too. (inquirer.com)

Philly needs a permanent Eviction Diversion Program to keep kids healthy | Opinion (inquirer.com)

Federal funds offer Philly a chance to think bigger | Editorial (inquirer.com)

 

Washington

Supreme Court Case Throws Abortion Into 2022 Election Picture – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Pennsylvania woman called U.S. lawmakers ‘criminals’ during Jan. 6 riot (ydr.com)

Two Pennsylvanians included in new round of arrests announced following US Capitol insurrection | WITF

House Backs Jan. 6 Commission, but Senate Path Dims – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

House Passes Bill To Investigate Capitol Riot, But Its Fate In Senate Is Unclear : NPR

35 Republicans buck Trump, back commission of Jan. 6 Capitol riot | TribLIVE.com

Trump Continues Election Falsehoods. Here’s Why That Matters : NPR

Harris To Asian Americans: Turn Pain And Outrage Into Political Power : NPR

Top U.S., Russia diplomats spar firmly but politely in Iceland | News | tribdem.com

U.S. pushes back as ice caps melt in the Arctic and Russia moves in | TribLIVE.com

U.S. House condemns Atlanta shootings and Asian American racism | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Michelle Goldberg: Kushner’s absurd peace plan has failed | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette