Legislature
Recreational marijuana laws put on hold by NJ and NY. What’s that mean for Pennsylvania?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/is-push-for-pot-legalization-in-pa-hurt-by-new-jersey-and-new-york-putting-it-on-the-back-burner.html
Legislature mulls panel aimed at curbing charter school costs
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/politics/2019/05/28/legislature-mulls-panel-aimed-curbing-charter-school-costs/1210135001/
GOP counters Gov. Tom Wolf’s capital plan with drilling, not taxes
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/gop-counters-gov-tom-wolfs-capital-plan-with-drilling-not-taxes/
Good moral character? In Pa., drunken driving and other crimes don’t mean you can’t teach
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/05/28/educators-teachers-red-flags-background-checks-certified-to-work-schools-drunk-driving/stories/201905220158
Pennsylvania starting to make moves on plastic bag bans
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-starting-to-make-moves-on-plastic-bag-bans/
Bill Tracker: Opting out of robocalls
https://cumberlink.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/bill_tracker/bill-tracker-opting-out-of-robocalls/article_49d5a9e5-b88a-5eae-a8c6-84900135d385.html
Special election to fill open Pa. House seat set for Aug. 20
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/special-election-to-fill-open-pa-house-seat-set-for-aug-20.html
State should stop SLAPPs
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/state-should-stop-slapps-1.2488856
In battles over abortion rights, choice matters most in the voting booth | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/abortion-ban-roe-wade-down-syndrome-pennsylvania-state-elections-20190529.html
Administration
Wolf announces design improvements to Route 248
https://www.tnonline.com/wolf-announces-design-improvements-route-248
Business
U.S. Secretary of Commerce lauds three Pa. firms as big exporters
https://www.philly.com/business/secretary-commerce-exports-exporters-china-tariffs-20190528.html
Spoils of a red-hot job market: Paychecks rise as unemployment rate sinks to historic lows
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2019/05/28/Pittsburgh-unemployment-wages-paychecks-jobs-workforce-construction/stories/201905280085
Roofers union looking for apprentices due to retirements and workload
https://triblive.com/local/regional/roofers-union-looking-for-apprentices-due-to-retirements-and-workload/
Berks County’s unemployment rate continues its downward trend
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/berks-unemployment-rate-down-slightly
Find out where Lehigh Valley companies landed on Fortune 500 list
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-lehigh-valley-fortune-500-20190528-jbus4uflbrhsfds6kuuxa7jfgy-story.html
Pennsylvania requires Spotted Lanternfly permit for some businesses
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/05/pa-department-of-agriculture-requires-spotted-lanternfly-permit-for-some-businesses.php
Wabtec, Erie union make progress as deadline nears
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190529/wabtec-erie-union-make-progress-as-deadline-nears
Crime/Punishment
Trial starts over video deletion at Penn State frat house after Tim Piazza death
https://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/penn-state-fraternity-tim-piazza-braxton-becker-security-camera-footage-erased-20190528.html
Education
Harrisburg School District ‘blindsided’ by upcoming teacher strike
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/harrisburg-school-district-blindsided-up-upcoming-teacher-strike.html
Never too young to be a hero: Fourth grader at Duquesne Elementary awarded medal for saving child’s life
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/05/28/arnez-david-logan-AAA-school-safety-patrol-lifesaving-medal-pittsburgh-duquesne-elementary/stories/201905280096
Supreme Court rejects appeal over transgender bathrooms in Pa. case
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/05/28/Supreme-Court-rejects-appeal-over-transgender-bathrooms-pennsylvania-boyertown-school/stories/201905280074
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal over transgender bathrooms in Boyertown School District
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/supreme-court-rejects-appeal-over-transgender-bathrooms
Sandy Hook mother to speak at Burrell High School
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/sandy-hook-mother-to-speak-at-burrell-high-school/
The adversity factor: SAT’s new metric could be helpful, if it isn’t abused
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/05/29/SAT-adversity-score-higher-education-diversity-abuse-students/stories/201905290047
Gaming
Online sports betting gets its first test in Pennsylvania
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/05/28/Online-mobile-sports-betting-Pennsylvania-casino-gaming-SugarHouse-Rivers-start/stories/201905280126
Sands Bethlehem casino sale up for state approval today
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-sands-bethlehem-casino-wind-creek-state-approval-20190529-hubtkeqprjcafnuvmsuavpk4uy-story.html
Health Care
State Supreme Court kicks expiration date of UPMC/Highmark agreement back to lower court
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/05/28/State-Supreme-Court-kicks-expiration-date-of-UPMC-Highmark-agreement-back-to-lower-court/stories/201905280140
Supreme Court sends legal fight over UPMC-Highmark split back to lower court
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/supreme-court-sends-legal-fight-over-upmc-highmark-split-back-to-lower-court/
Workers, patients confront UPMC execs at board meeting
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/workers-patients-confront-upmc-execs-at-board-meeting/
Local News
Wilkes-Barre ends first quarter with positive balance of $7.7 million
https://www.timesleader.com/news/745430/wilkes-barre-ends-first-quarter-with-positive-balance-of-7-7-million
Wilkes-Barre Parking Authority’s term lapsed in 2008; city council votes to extend it for 50 years
https://www.timesleader.com/news/745432/wilkes-barre-parking-authoritys-term-lapsed-in-2008-city-council-votes-to-extend-it-for-50-years
Sale of city garage to parking authority delayed
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/sale-of-city-garage-to-parking-authority-delayed-1.2488929
Tax forgiveness approved for vacant parcel
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/tax-forgiveness-approved-for-vacant-parcel-1.2489015
Luzerne County will be cashing in on expiring tax breaks, manager says
https://www.timesleader.com/news/745434/luzerne-county-will-be-cashing-in-on-expiring-tax-breaks-manager-says
Knox Mine Disaster survivor Hastie turns 100
https://www.timesleader.com/news/745438/knox-mine-disaster-survivor-hastie-turns-100
Work begins on three stormwater projects
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/work-begins-on-three-stormwater-projects-1.2488988
Wampole: ‘We will aggressively address the littering issue’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/745446/wampole-we-will-aggressively-address-the-littering-issue
County joins anti-litter coalition to help improve region
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-joins-anti-litter-coalition-to-help-improve-region-1.2489023
LCTA honors two drivers for aiding stabbing victim
https://www.timesleader.com/news/745400/lcta-honors-two-drivers-for-aiding-stabbing-victim
Plymouth Borough looking to revitalize Main Street
https://www.timesleader.com/news/745427/plymouth-borough-looking-to-revitalize-main-street
Write-ins decide council, DA races
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/write-ins-decide-council-da-races-1.2488987
Inaugural county fair begins today, runs through Sunday rain or shine
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/inaugural-county-fair-begins-today-runs-through-sunday-rain-or-shine-1.2488838
Commissioners to pay for female work-release apartments from general fund, pass resolution opposing stormwater fees
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/commissioners-to-pay-for-female-work-release-apartments-from-general-fund-pass-resolution-opposing-stormwater-fees-1.2488951
Lackawanna County makes $19,800 payment to satisfy state lien
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-makes-19-800-payment-to-satisfy-state-lien-1.2488782
Zoning hearing on windmills is today
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/zoning-hearing-on-windmills-is-today-1.2488960
$67M federal jury verdict: Bucks County ‘willfully’ violated criminal-records act
https://www.philly.com/news/bucks-county-violated-criminal-records-information-act-federal-jury-class-action-lawsuit-taha-20190529.html
SmartAsset: Westmoreland ranked in top 10 places to retire
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/smartasset-westmoreland-ranked-in-top-10-places-to-retire/
Central Westmoreland Habitat breaks ground for new house in Greensburg
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/central-westmoreland-habitat-breaks-ground-for-new-house-in-greensburg/
Activist group to discuss Green New Deal in Delmont
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/activist-group-to-discuss-green-new-deal-in-delmont/
North Apollo firefighters plan more fundraisers to make up for loss of fire tax
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/north-apollo-firefighters-plan-more-fundraisers-to-make-up-for-loss-of-fire-tax/
Tarentum volunteers taking action on abandoned houses
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tarentum-volunteer-group-taking-action-on-abandoned-houses/
Former Reading worker appointed city auditor
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/former-reading-worker-appointed-city-auditor
Allentown LGBTQ center joins lawsuit against Trump administration over ‘conscience’ rule
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-conscience-rule-lawsuit-bradbury-sullivan-20190528-25bmzklmvfahjgqcx7trn6iaci-story.html
RiverWise offering $20K in minigrant funding for Beaver County projects
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190529/riverwise-offering-20k-in-minigrant-funding-for-beaver-county-projects
National News
Columbine survivor’s death a reminder of the lingering trauma of gun violence
https://www.philly.com/news/austineubankscolumbinegunviolencephiladelphia-20190529.html
In battleground states, strong support for DACA immigrants, poll shows
https://www.philly.com/news/daca-tps-trump-immigrants-path-to-citizenship-20190528.html
Illinois moves to expand abortion rights as other states restrict
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/abortion-illinois-house-democrats-expand-protection-alabama-missouri-20190529.html
TSA allows fliers to travel with drug derived from marijuana
https://www.philly.com/business/weed/tsa-allows-flyers-to-travel-with-drug-derived-from-marijuana-20190528.html
Opioid Crisis
Pa. attorney general, U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan discuss the opioid epidemic at Reading Hospital roundtable
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pa-ag-opioid-epidemic-remains-top-health-crisis
Philly
A real estate fortune built on a foundation of forged deeds and tangled titles
https://www.philly.com/news/house-theft-philadelphia-deeds-forgery-20190529.html
Philly top cop: Gun slayings this year at ‘alarming’ level
https://www.philly.com/news/richard-ross-philadelphia-police-summer-2019-staffing-deployment-20190528.html
Councilman Kenyatta Johnson pushes ban on bay windows, seen as a symbol of gentrification, in his South Philly district
https://www.philly.com/real-estate/housing/councilman-kenyatta-johnson-bay-windows-balconies-bill-point-breeze-south-philly-development-gentrification-20190528.html
The Phillies’ Herrera is put on leave after being arrested in a domestic violence case
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/05/28/Phillies-Odubel-Herrera-arrested-assault-domestic-violence-leave/stories/201905280149
Uptown, downtown, in town: What do you call Center City?
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia/center-city-philadelphia-neighborhood-uptown-downtown-20190528.html
Does Philly need more schools? Should some close or expand? The district is about to find out.
https://www.philly.com/education/philadelphia-public-schools-capital-planning-project-20190528.html
Pitt
Art installation Downtown pays homage to prominent Pittsburghers
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2019/05/28/Art-installation-We-Are-PIttsburgh-planned-Downtown-Stanwix-homage-prominent-historical/stories/201905280119
City Council approves safer streets PennDOT grant, equity measures
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/05/28/pittsburgh-city-council-safe-routes-school-PennDOT-grant-equity-oxford-development-art-institute-boulevard-allies/stories/201905280115
NYT investigation calls into question artwork by Peter Max, who is suffering from dementia
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2019/05/28/Peter-Max-artwork-dementia-NYT-investigation-fraud-lawsuit/stories/201905280102
Retiring director oversaw care of Allegheny County buildings, parks
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/05/28/allegheny-county-council-facilities-management-director-retired-honored-courthouse/stories/201905220074
Few are using PWSA’s programs for low-income customers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2019/05/28/PWSA-programs-low-income-customers-few-using-pittsburgh-water-sewer-authority/stories/201905210097
A boost for moms: Chrissy Teigen will highlight important AHN program
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/05/29/Chrissy-Teigen-moms-post-partum-depression-allegheny-health-network/stories/201905290046
State News
Greensburg nursing home resident tested positive for Legionnaires’
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2019/05/28/Greensburg-nursing-home-resident-tests-positive-Legionnaires-Redstone-Presbyterian-health/stories/201905280080
Report: Pennsylvania must do more to help Chesapeake Bay
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/report-pennsylvania-must-do-more-to-help-chesapeake-bay/
Pennsylvania is ‘broken’ link in Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort, report says
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/pennsylvania-is-broken-link-in-chesapeake-bay-cleanup-effort-report-says/
These are the 10 most common types of fraud in Pennsylvania: Study
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/05/these-are-the-10-most-common-types-of-fraud-in-pennsylvania-study.html
Washington
Biden unveils education plan, his first major policy proposal as 2020 candidate
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/joe-biden-education-proposal-2020-presidential-candidate-american-federation-teachers-20190529.html
Dan Meuser tours Berks dairy farm in fact-finding visit
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/dan-meuser-tours-berks-dairy-farm-in-fact-finding-visit
Weather
WEATHER: Storms bring hail, strong winds as they move across the region
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/05/28/WEATHER-pittsburgh-forecast-storms-tornadoes/stories/201905280082
Thunderstorms blow through the area; tornado touches down in Morgantown
https://www.philly.com/news/storm-watch-tornado-southeastern-pa-rain-20190528.html
Storm debris blocks Route 8 in Hampton; damage closes Pine-Richland Middle School
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2019/05/29/Storm-damage-flooding-downed-trees-pittsburgh-area-hampton-pine-richland/stories/201905290084
Severe storms expected to return as region endures weather damage
https://triblive.com/local/regional/severe-storms-expected-to-return-as-region-endures-weather-damage/
Region hit by severe storms
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/region-hit-by-severe-storms-1.2489025
Storms deal region another severe blow; Abingtons, North Pocono regions hit hard
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/storms-deal-region-another-severe-blow-abingtons-north-pocono-regions-hit-hard-1.2488889
National Weather Service confirms a tornado touched down in Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/tornado-watch-for-berks-in-effect-until-10-pm
West Lawn man cushions against hail damage
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/west-lawn-man-cushions-against-hail-damage