Reopening
Gov. Wolf considering moving some counties into ‘green phase’ as early as Friday https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/05/21/pennsylvania-tom-wolf-lift-restrictions-Covid-19-business-economy-pandemic-yellow-green-phase/stories/202005210156
Wolf to announce more yellow counties Friday; Pa. health secretary recommends Philadelphians under stay-at-home order don’t go to the Shore for Memorial Day https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-new-jersey-philadelphia-reopening-yellow-delco-bucks-farmworkers-penn-20200521.html
Which Pa. counties will be next to have some coronavirus restrictions lifted? Lehigh Valley ‘has strong case to go yellow,’ senator says https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-thursday-update-20200521-77i54otf3jhslp3p4mvmsh5i6a-story.html
Which Pa. counties could move into green reopening phase, and which could go to yellow next?: Analysis https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/which-pa-counties-could-move-into-green-reopening-phase-and-which-could-go-to-yellow-next-analysis.html
Wolf to announce more counties to transition, including some possibly to green https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200521/wolf-to-announce-more-counties-to-transition-including-some-possibly-to-green
Luzerne County releases proposed yellow-phase plan https://www.timesleader.com/news/784562/luzerne-county-releases-proposed-yellow-phase-plan
County tells Wolf: We are ready to go to yellow https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-tells-wolf-we-are-ready-to-go-to-yellow-1.2630505
Going to red to yellow: What you need to know https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/going-to-red-to-yellow-what-you-need-to-know-1.2630420
Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores reopen in Cumberland and York; can you visit from Dauphin or another red county? https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/fine-wine-good-spirits-stores-reopen-in-cumberland-and-york-can-you-visit-from-dauphin-or-another-red-county.html
Liquor stores to open as Beaver County goes yellow https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200521/liquor-stores-to-open-as-beaver-county-goes-yellow
‘Open Delco’ protesters rally at county courthouse https://www.delcotimes.com/news/open-delco-protesters-rally-at-county-courthouse/article_e0cc95ee-9bbe-11ea-9616-f31ed0358de2.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pennsylvania is combining results of different coronavirus tests. That could be a big problem. https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/pennsylvania-conflates-diagnostic-antibody-tests-producing-misleading-metrics-20200522.html
Pa. health officials quietly alter erroneous nursing home case, death counts as providers cry foul https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/21/Pa-health-officials-quietly-alter-erroneous-nursing-home-case-death-counts-covid-19/stories/202005210164
Errors persist in Pa. nursing home numbers https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/errors-persist-in-pa-nursing-home-numbers-1.2630548
Pa. changed the way it reports negative COVID-19 tests. But officials can’t say when it began or how many tests are affected https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/pa-changed-the-way-it-reports-negative-covid-19-tests-but-officials-cant-say-when-it-began-or-how-many-tests-are-affected/
As the state struggled to help nursing homes, counties stepped in to fill the gaps https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-pennsylvania-nursing-homes-health-department-counties-help-val-arkoosh-20200521.html
Legal claims vs. care homes could be tough to prove https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/legal-claims-vs-care-homes-could-be-tough-to-prove-1.2630545
How one West Chester senior living facility is bucking the coronavirus death trend https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/how-one-west-chester-senior-living-facility-is-bucking-the-coronavirus-death-trend/article_87c9bb36-9b71-11ea-84eb-b39122cd80a4.html
At least one new death in Western Pa.; Allegheny County reporting no deaths but number differs from state https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/21/COVID-19-coronavirus-Allegheny-County-Western-Pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-12/stories/202005210117
Allegheny County reports 31 new covid-19 cases, no new deaths for 2nd day in a row https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-reports-31-new-covid-19-cases-no-new-deaths-for-second-day-in-a-row/
Westmoreland County reports 2 additional coronavirus cases, no new deaths https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-reports-2-additional-coronavirus-cases-no-new-deaths/
2 more deaths, 22 new cases in county https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/2-more-deaths-22-new-cases-in-county-1.2630546
Lackawanna County has eighth highest per capita increase in coronavirus cases https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-has-eighth-highest-per-capita-increase-in-coronavirus-cases-1.2630300
Montgomery County reports 10 more coronavirus deaths; 94 new positive cases https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-reports-10-more-coronavirus-deaths-94-new-positive-cases/article_581fdea8-2541-50cd-b26e-e688ff4b9be6.html
State closing Mohegan Sun Arena testing site May 29 https://www.timesleader.com/news/784554/state-closing-mohegan-sun-arena-testing-site-may-29
Contact tracing slowly taking shape https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/21/COVID-19-contact-tracing-Levine-Bogen-Wardle-Yates-Bicehouse-Pennsylvania-counties-communication/stories/202005210109
Fighting an invisible enemy: Pa. National Guard coordinates state’s largest medical military team to respond to coronavirus https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/fighting-an-invisible-enemy-pa-national-guard-coordinates-states-largest-medical-military-team-to-respond-to-coronavirus.html
Calls to Pennsylvania’s child-abuse hotline have plunged. Some fear fewer are watching out for kids. https://www.inquirer.com/news/child-abuse-coronavirus-mission-kids-dhs-philadelphia-20200522.html
Lancaster, Reading transit workers call for more pay, coronavirus protections https://papost.org/2020/05/21/lancaster-reading-transit-workers-call-for-more-pay-coronavirus-protections/
Coronavirus ‘does not spread easily’ from contaminated surfaces or animals, CDC now says https://www.post-gazette.com/news/science/2020/05/21/CDC-coronavirus-guidance-spread-COVID-19-surfaces/stories/202005210200
More evidence emerges on why COVID-19 is so much worse than the flu https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-worse-than-flu-new-england-journal-of-medicine-20200522.html
Trump saying he’s taking hydroxychloroquine has lupus patients thinking: ‘Here we go again’ https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-trump-hydroxychloroquine-lupus-arthritis-covid-19-20200522.html
Trump declines to publicly wear mask during tour of Michigan Ford plant https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/trump-declines-to-publicly-wear-mask-during-tour-of-michigan-ford-plant.html
Legislature
Pennsylvania senator calls for removal of managers at state-run Southeastern Veterans’ Center after 47 deaths in one month, including 27 from coronavirus https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-pa-southeastern-veterans-center-20200521-4mwbvvyqnfayro47dkva2dz37u-story.html
Some Pa. Republicans want to legalize marijuana after coronavirus blew a hole in the budget: ‘It’s inevitable’ https://www.inquirer.com/business/weed/pennsylvania-marijuana-legalization-recreational-use-gop-20200521.html
Committee advances nuclear option to shut down Wolf’s emergency power https://lancasteronline.com/news/politics/committee-advances-nuclear-option-to-shut-down-wolf-s-emergency-power/article_09f0e996-9b85-11ea-be7e-a3c4a2dad5bb.html
‘Frustration’ focus of senator’s town hall with business owners https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/frustration-focus-of-senator-s-town-hall-with-business-owners/article_12ca173c-9bde-11ea-be1b-1f95a5c12143.html
Legislators react to Gov. Wolf’s vetoes of 3 bills https://www.timesleader.com/news/784600/legislators-react-to-gov-wolfs-vetoes-of-3-bills
Administration
U.S. judge refuses to override Gov. Wolf’s coronavirus business closure, stay-at-home orders https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/us-judge-refuses-to-override-gov-wolfs-coronavirus-business-closure-stay-at-home-orders.html
Business
First call: Takeout cocktails officially a thing in Pennsylvania https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2020/05/22/cocktails-to-go-bar-restaurant-drinks-takeout-first-time-Pennsylvania-Wolf-bill/stories/202005220075
Gov. Wolf signs bill allowing bars, restaurants to sell cocktails to go https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/gov-wolf-signs-cocktails-to-go-bill-into-law-bars-restaurants-can-start-selling-curbside-immediately/
Pennsylvania bars and restaurants can now sell drinks-to-go. Here’s what is and isn’t allowed, hours and more https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-drinks-to-go-rules-20200521-fys4s7zervhadbnxjabnpr33qm-story.html
PREIT gets $4.5M Paycheck Protection loan for small business and real-estate tax delays, as losses mount https://www.inquirer.com/news/preit-ppp-loan-property-tax-pennsylvania-real-estate-investment-trust-new-jersey-malls-20200521.html
An additional 2.4 million Americans file for unemployment, but claims drop in Pa. as some counties reopen https://www.inquirer.com/economy/unemployment-benefit-claims-pennsylvania-coronavirus-20200521.html
Pennsylvania’s jobless claims near 2 million https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-jobless-claims-near-2-million/
Penn Hills gym reopens despite Gov. Wolf’s orders https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/penn-hills-gym-reopens-despite-gov-wolfs-orders/
Hotels have been hit hard by pandemic https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/hotels-have-been-hit-hard-by-pandemic-1.2630562
Pa. sports bar fights back as liquor license suspensions spread in lockdown crackdown https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2020/05/pa-sports-bar-fights-back-as-liquor-license-suspensions-spread-in-lockdown-crackdown.html
Real estate agents are ‘thrilled’ to be back in business statewide https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/real-estate-agents-are-thrilled-to-be-back-in-business-statewide.html
Crime/Punishment
Pa. corrections secretary testifies temporary reprieve program not happening ‘in a vacuum’ https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2020/05/21/pennsylvania-secretary-of-corrections-testifies-temporary-reprieve-program-prisoners-coronavirus/5234928002/
Education
Clarify school relief plans https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/clarify-school-relief-plans-1.2630411
Elections/Politics
Want to know who won the presidential race on election night? Get ready to wait. https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/coronavirus-pa-mail-ballots-2020-election-results-20200522.html
Westmoreland County in dire need of poll workers for June primary https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-in-dire-need-of-poll-workers-for-june-primary/
Polling changes create some primary confusion https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/polling-changes-create-some-primary-confusion-1.2630459
Should all states allow voters to vote by mail? https://www.pennlive.com/tylt/2020/05/should-all-states-allow-voters-to-vote-by-mail.html
Health Care
Highmark Health, AHN announce layoffs https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/05/21/Highmark-Health-AHN-announce-layoffs-Covid-insurance/stories/202005210157
380 layoffs announced across Allegheny Health Network, Highmark Health, another affiliate https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/380-layoffs-announced-across-allegheny-health-netmork-highmark-health-another-affiliate/
Local News
Scranton sees support on appeal of tax-cap lawsuit ruling https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-sees-support-on-appeal-of-tax-cap-lawsuit-ruling-1.2630414
Local nonprofits receive nearly $560,000 in grants to fight hunger https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/local-nonprofits-receive-nearly-560-000-in-grants-to-fight-hunger-1.2630555
National News
Flood raises fears of pollution at Michigan toxic waste site https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/05/22/Flood-raises-fears-pollution-Michigan-toxic-waste-site-Dow-Chemical-plant-dam/stories/202005220079
Philly
Facebook to hire in Philly and selected other cities https://www.inquirer.com/news/facebook-zuckerberg-home-new-office-20200521.html
City agrees to test Philly airport homeless for COVID-19 after advocates threaten suit https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-airport-homeless-philadelphia-testing-shelter-advocates-20200521.html
Summer in Philly is almost here. But what it will look like is an open question. https://www.inquirer.com/news/summer-philadelphia-camps-playstreets-rec-centers-pools-parks-and-recreation-20200521.html
Speed cameras will go active June 1 on Roosevelt Blvd., with warnings before tickets https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/roosevelt-boulevard-automated-speed-cameras-june-ppa-20200521.html
Philly schools issue call to action on education funding https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/philly-schools-issue-call-to-action-on-education-funding/
South Philly judge of elections admits he took bribes to stuff the ballot box for Democratic candidates https://www.inquirer.com/news/voter-fraud-philadelphia-ward-leader-judge-of-elections-domenick-demuro-guilty-plea-20200521.html
Man fatally shot in Kensington https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-homicide-man-shot-kensington-20200521.html
Pitt
A call for help: Union claims 911 call center workers need more COVID-19 protections https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2020/05/22/Allegheny-County-911-call-center-union-shift-workers-management-safety-COVID-19/stories/202005210150
Mark Cuban wants to buy the Original Hot Dog Shop https://www.post-gazette.com/life/food/2020/05/21/mark-cuban-the-o-pittsburgh-oakland/stories/202005210155
After a delay that upset the Penguins, board OKs preliminary plans for new FNB HQ at former arena site https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/05/21/Pittsburgh-Penguins-Civic-Arena-URA-First-National-Bank-development-vote-delay/stories/202005210161
Penguins back on board for Lower Hill project; URA approves plans https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/penguins-back-on-board-for-lower-hill-project-ura-approves-plans/
Sales tax hit means 20% cuts to libraries, museums, arts groups and more in Allegheny County https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/05/21/Sales-tax-hit-means-cuts-libraries-museums-arts-groups-culture-RAD-Allegheny-County/stories/202005210134
Police investigate shooting in Knoxville https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/05/22/Man-shot-in-Knoxville-investigate-police/stories/202005220081
Housing Authority to provide internet and laptops to 872 Pittsburgh students https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/housing-authority-to-provide-internet-and-laptops-to-872-pittsburgh-students/
State News
Plug abandoned wells: Plan has support of industry, environmentalists https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/05/22/Plug-abandoned-gas-oil-wells-methane-emissions-industry-environmentalists/stories/202005160018
‘1-4-3 Day’ returns Friday to honor Fred Rogers’ legacy https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/1-4-3-day-returns-to-honor-fred-rogers-legacy/
Pa. again extends gun permit licenses that have expired https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-again-extends-gun-permit-licenses-that-have-expired/