Legislature
PA officials reverse course on local family support center funding
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2019/05/22/family-support-centers-pennsylvania-allegheny-county-funding-threatened-reversed/stories/201905220123
Ex-offenders in Pa. can be denied professional licenses because of old convictions. Bipartisan lawmakers want to change that
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/ex-offenders-in-pa-can-be-denied-professional-licenses-because-of-old-convictions-bipartisan-lawmakers-want-to-change-that/
Dinniman tours White Clay Preserve
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/dinniman-tours-white-clay-preserve/article_100d7b1a-7cc2-11e9-8687-73d7ee321a02.html
Bristol Township schools, MBIT receive state security grants
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190522/bristol-township-schools-mbit-receive-state-security-grants
Census 2020: Why some Pa. lawmakers say the state’s inmates should be counted at home, rather than in prison
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/census-2020-why-some-pa-lawmakers-say-the-states-inmates-should-be-counted-at-home-rather-than-in-prison/
Grand jury now investigating ex-Pa. lawmaker accused of sexual assault
https://www.philly.com/news/brian-ellis-grand-jury-da-sexual-assault-20190522.html
We need state and federal gun reform, not local preemption | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/gun-reform-pennsylvania-jim-kenney-william-peduto-20190522.html
Student debt is delaying progress for an entire generation | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/05/student-debt-is-delaying-progress-for-an-entire-generation.html
Administration
Gov. Tom Wolf learns how to administer opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/gov-tom-wolf-learns-how-to-administer-opioid-overdose-reversal-drug-narcan.html
Business
‘Newspaper-killing’ Digital First Media to buy bankrupt Reading Eagle; deep job cuts expected
https://www.philly.com/business/reading-eagle-newspaper-digital-first-medianews-gannett-20190522.html
MediaNews Group bids $5 million for Reading Eagle Company assets, plans to silence WEEU
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/medianews-group-bids-5-million-for-reading-eagle-company-assets
Casey says he’ll ‘closely’ watch MediaNews Group’s purchase of Reading Eagle Company assets
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/casey-says-hell-closely-watch-medianews-groups-purchase-of-reading-eagle-company-assets
Norfolk Southern lays off 50 workers
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/05/norfolk-southern-lays-off-50-workers/
Crime/Punishment
Man charged with threatening to kill girlfriend told police he had weapons to prepare for ‘zombie apocalypse’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/05/22/SWAT-standoff-domestic-Lincoln-surrenders-McKeesport-edward-thomas/stories/201905220108
1 killed in early-morning New Kensington shooting
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/one-person-killed-in-new-kensington-shooting/
Attorney: Ex-Canon-McMillan wrestler’s gun pointed at cops wasn’t loaded
https://triblive.com/local/regional/attorney-ex-canon-mcmillan-wrestlers-gun-pointed-at-cops-wasnt-loaded/
Second female inmate at Berks County Prison wins gender bias suit
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/second-female-inmate-at-berks-county-prison-wins-gender-bias-suit
State police announce Memorial Day weekend crackdown on aggressive driving, DUI
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/state-police-announce-memorial-day–weekend-crackdown-on-aggressive-driving-dui
Pottstown-area police joining forces to combat alcohol-related crimes
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/western-montgomery-county-police-joining-forces-to-combat-alcohol-related-crimes
Editorial: New prison is best of bad options for Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-new-prison-is-best-of-bad-options-for-berks
Education
Hanover Area hosts annual Life Skills game
https://www.citizensvoice.com/sports/hanover-area-hosts-annual-life-skills-game-1.2486260
Old Forge appoints Scranton administrator as superintendent
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/old-forge-appoints-scranton-administrator-as-superintendent-1.2486098
More than a dozen Penn Hills residents thought to have run write-in campaigns for school board
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/more-than-a-dozen-penn-hills-residents-thought-to-have-run-write-in-campaigns-for-school-board/
Voters have spoken, but nine months of chaos threatens unless the state takes over | PennLive Editorial
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/05/voters-have-spoken-but-nine-months-of-chaos-threatens-unless-the-state-takes-over-pennlive-editorial.html
Wilkes president given honorary bulldog degree, cake in SHINE farewell
https://www.timesleader.com/news/744909/wilkes-president-given-honorary-bulldog-degree-cake-in-shine-farewell
Single mother speaks out about benefits of Misericordia’s Bourger program at conference
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/single-mother-speaks-out-about-benefits-of-misericordia-s-bourger-program-at-conference-1.2486160
The SAT’s new ‘adversity score’ is a poor fix for a problematic test | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/the-sats-new-adversity-score-is-a-poor-fix-for-a-problematic-test-opinion/
Elections/Politics
How did the region’s embattled candidates fare in the primary?
https://triblive.com/local/how-did-the-regions-embattled-candidates-fare-in-the-primary/
Wards rewarded Brown with overwhelming victory in WB Mayoral primary
https://www.timesleader.com/news/744915/wards-rewarded-brown-with-overwelming-victory-in-wb-mayoral-primary
Analyis: Margin of victory in W-B Democratic mayoral primary surprises many
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/analyis-margin-of-victory-in-w-b-democratic-mayoral-primary-surprises-many-1.2486275
What was Luzerne County’s primary turnout? It’s complicated.
https://www.timesleader.com/news/744913/what-was-luzerne-countys-primary-turnout-its-complicated
Westmoreland County faces potentially heated fall contests after primary election
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-faces-potential-heated-fall-contests-after-primary-election/
Election rattles status quo in Lackawanna County, Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election-rattles-status-quo-in-lackawanna-county-scranton-1.2486356
Absentee ballots will play crucial role in deciding candidate for Berks County commissioner
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/absentee-ballots-will-play-crucial-role-in-deciding-candidate-for-berks-county-commissioner
Reading Mayor Wally Scott feeling good despite losing election
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/mayor-wally-scott-feeling-good-despite-losing-election
Technical problem caused delay in county vote totals
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/technical-problem-caused-delay-in-county-vote-totals-1.2486278
Lame ducks can cripple governments
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/lame-ducks-can-cripple-governments-1.2486183
Paul Muschick: Want to increase voter turnout in municipal elections? Eliminate them
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-municipal-election-turnout-federal-elections-muschick-20190523-bjyautygbbhp7lxdbwl2w546qu-story.html
Health Care
New report tallies cancer surgeries for area hospitals
https://www.timesleader.com/news/744917/new-report-tallies-cancer-surgeries-for-area-hospitals
What are the most common types of cancer surgery in Pa.?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/what-are-the-most-common-types-of-cancer-surgery-in-pa.html
Local News
City council OKs 1st read of ‘no-lien letter’ ordinance
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/city-council-oks-1st-read-of-no-lien-letter-ordinance-1.2486230
Auto business sues Hazleton
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/auto-business-sues-hazleton-1.2486162
Westmoreland County fire departments get $43,000 from SAFER grant
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-fire-departments-get-43000-from-safer-grant/
Power of the Purse in Berks County donates $45,000 to help women
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/power-of-the-purse-in-berks-county-donates-45000-to-help-women
Graduating from college? Move to Harrisburg, study says
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/graduating-college-move-to-harrisburg-study-says.html
District judge who shot husband on paid leave during attorney general investigation
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/district-judge-who-shot-husband-on-paid-leave-during-attorney-general-investigation.html
DelTondo episode of ’48 Hours’ topped ratings
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190523/deltondo-episode-of-48-hours-topped-ratings
New trail enhances accessibility at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190523/new-trail-enhances-accessibility-at-bowmans-hill-wildflower-preserve
National News
Some upper-class people believe they’re smarter than they really are, say social scientists
https://www.philly.com/news/upper-class-working-class-psychology-overconfidence-social-class-20190523.html
Study: Immigrant families avoiding food stamps and other safety net programs
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/05/study-immigrant-families-avoiding-food-stamps-and-other-safety-net-programs.php
Opioid Crisis
Opioid forum takes on all fronts in drug epidemic
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/opioid-forum-takes-on-all-fronts-in-drug-epidemic-1.2486244
Philly
DA Larry Krasner gives up fight in more death-row appeals, stirring concern from courts, families
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner-death-penalty-cases-20190523.html
Under Krasner, these inmates have received or may get the DA’s nod to be removed from death row
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner-death-row-removal-cases-20190523.html
Meet the 3 newcomer primary winners likely joining City Council
https://www.philly.com/news/meet-new-council-candidates-jamie-gauthier-isaiah-thomas-kathy-gilmore-richardson-primary-election-20190522.html
South Philly gang war: ‘We had people hiding and ducking for cover in their homes every night’ | Mike Newall
https://www.philly.com/opinion/south-philadelphia-gang-violence-gun-task-force-20190522.html
Philly judge stuns wrongly convicted juvenile lifer by setting him free after 21 years in prison
https://www.philly.com/news/juvenile-lifer-innocent-terrance-williams-larry-krasner-philadelphia-pennsylvania-jlwop-20190522.html
Chris Long says he used marijuana while playing for the Eagles
https://www.philly.com/eagles/chris-long-marijuana-weed-eagles-nfl-suspension-20190522.html
Philly voters supported a $15 minimum wage in Tuesday’s election. Now what?
https://www.philly.com/news/15-minimum-wage-ballot-question-philadelphia-pennsylvania-20190522.html
With Philadelphia’s housing boom comes more stuff — and more self-storage locations | Inga Saffron
https://www.philly.com/real-estate/inga-saffron/philadelphia-self-storage-urban-planning-industrial-commercial-corridor-20190523.html
How Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and two other entrenched Philly incumbents fell on primary night
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-election-incumbent-upsets-jannie-blackwell-jamie-gauthier-jewell-williams-rochelle-bilal-ron-donatucci-tracey-gordon-20190522.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh’s population slides, but no longer falling off a cliff
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/05/23/Pittsburgh-city-population-loss-Census-Bureau-2018-estimates-residents/stories/201905230030
A Tale of Two Upsets: How Bethany Hallam and Bobby Wilson shook up regional politics
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/05/22/pittsburgh-city-county-council-election-darlene-harris/stories/201905220124
Pittsburgh Councilwoman Darlene Harris reflects on primary loss
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/harris-vows-to-push-on-despite-primary-election-setback/
Parkland survivor David Hogg tells young Pittsburgh activists: Unite the fight against gun violence
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/05/23/Parkland-survivor-David-Hogg-tells-young-Pittsburgh-activists-gun-control-mass-shootings/stories/201905220187
Jeff Capel has ‘adapted’ to tougher recruiting environment at Pitt
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2019/05/22/Jeff-Capel-has-acclimated-to-tougher-recruiting-at-Pitt/stories/201905220163
Hackers no more: Pittsburgh feds led multinational cyber probe
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/05/23/Pittsburgh-federal-authorities-multinational-cyber-crime-probe/stories/201905230043
Equity proposals sail through committee, council tentatively OKs manager for former Art Institute site
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/05/22/Pittsburgh-city-council-Equity-proposals-legislation-Art-Institute-building-manager-preliminary-approval/stories/201905220150
Thornburg resident chosen as magistrate judge for federal bench in Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/05/22/judge-patricia-dodge-pittsburgh-board-judges-western-district-pa/stories/201905220157
Threat forces 2-day closure of Urban Pathways charter schools
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/05/22/Urban-Pathways-charter-schools-to-close-for-2-days-due-to-threat/stories/201905220191
City commission says no to proposed 31-foot tall cell network antennas on North Shore
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/05/22/City-commission-says-no-to-proposed-31-foot-tall-cell-network-antennas-on-North-Shore/stories/201905220167
New Pittsburgh coalition aims to boost jobs for military veterans
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2019/05/22/Veterans-jobs-coalition-data-tracking-employers-Heinz-PNC-HIghmark/stories/201905220076
Controller Chelsa Wagner’s husband seeks Detroit jury trial on disorderly conduct charge
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/controller-chelsa-wagners-husband-seeks-detroit-jury-trial-on-disorderly-conduct-charge/
State News
Census population update: South Jersey slips; Pa. gains, but San Antonio about to pass Philly
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-population-growth-south-jersey-pennsylvania-census-20190523.html
You’ll be able to buy alcohol in more places in Delaware and Chester Counties — eventually
https://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/liquor-laws-licenses-chester-delaware-county-marple-west-marlboro-franklin-township-20190522.html
$5 million Mega Millions ticket sold in McCandless
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/winning-mega-millions-ticket-sold-in-mccandless/
NEPA bursts with Pride Month events
https://www.citizensvoice.com/arts-living/nepa-bursts-with-pride-month-events-1.2485986
Memorial Day happenings around the Alle-Kiski Valley
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/memorial-day-happenings-around-the-valley/
Find out where the Lehigh Valley’s population is growing, and by how much
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-census-population-estimates-20190523-ihkvhg4o2rfalhygk3itocxjcu-story.html
Transportation
Pennsylvania Turnpike expects 2.2M vehicles for Memorial Day weekend
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-turnpike-expects-2-2m-vehicles-for-memorial-day-weekend/
I-80 project ‘doesn’t make sense’
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20190522/i-80-project-doesnt-make-sense
New tolls for PA-bound Scudder Falls opening in July
https://www.theintell.com/news/20190522/new-tolls-for-pa-bound-scudder-falls-opening-in-july
Washington
‘Yes or no’: Who’s in charge? Power struggles roil Washington.
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/congressional-democrats-vs-trump-administration-conflict-20190523.html
The Pentagon will present plans to send 10,000 more troops to the Mideast, sources say
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2019/05/22/US-Iran-tensions-Pentagon-plans-send-10000-more-troops-Middle-East/stories/201905220196
U.S. Rep. Susan Wild says she’s ‘not at that point’ as growing tally of Democrats seek impeachment inquiry against President Trump
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-susan-wild-congress-democrats-impeachment-donald-trump-20190522-ao5osxwdyvcxngt7p32chfz2pm-story.html