News Digest :: May 31, 2021

Legislature

Proposed legislation would give students in Pa. days off to focus on mental health | WITF

Senate panel green lights police radar bill | News | meadvilletribune.com

Senate Democrats Push for Greater Accountability From Natural Gas Industry – The Allegheny Front

Senator Jay Costa comments on budget and election reforms (abc27.com)

To spend or not to spend, Harrisburg asks this budget season | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

McClinton calls for safeguards against prison gerrymandering in Pa. legislative maps | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Pennsylvania senators revive bipartisan bill calling for transparency in prescription drug costs | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

House GOP leaders may seek impeachment of Philadelphia Commissioners in election law dispute | News | northcentralpa.com

Philly commissioner says GOP is ‘playing games’ with impeachment threat over mail ballots | WITF

Extending drinks-to-go sale is the right move | Opinion | dailyitem.com

New legislation targets federal COVID unemployment aid | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

Berks Lawmakers Announce $200k Grant Funding for District 11 | BCTV

Corry and Union City awarded state grants for blight remediation (goerie.com)

Government unions in Pa. starting to lose millions (broadandliberty.com)

Pa.’s election code is in need of reform. But do the potential plans match local needs? | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

‘It’s about America.’ Pa. lawmakers join efforts to expand Medicaid in Wisconsin | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf keeps trying to raise the minimum wage. Will he ever succeed? – pennlive.com

State House hearing examines school mental health needs | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PA reps discuss bill to allow for concealed carry without permit (poconorecord.com)

Fireworks fiasco: Citizens, some lawmakers seek change to state law (goerie.com)

Pa. legislature considering making mixed drinks-to-go permanent | News | standardspeaker.com

How they voted: Actions taken last week in the state Legislature | Local News | tribdem.com

 

Coronavirus – COVID-19

National

Health Experts on COVID Precautions to Take With Unvaccinated Kids (phillymag.com)

It’s time to resume in-person meetings | News, Sports, Jobs – Williamsport Sun-Gazette (sungazette.com)

Employers Can (Mostly) Require Vaccines For Workers Returning To The Office : NPR

Vietnam detects new highly transmissible coronavirus variant | WITF

Vietnam finds new virus variant; hybrid of India, U.K. strains | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Find the origin of COVID or risk another pandemic, U.S. experts warn – pennlive.com

To mask or not to mask? When it comes to unvaccinated children, it’s complicated. | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

More states ease lingering virus rules as vaccine rates rise | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

For ER doctors, telling the truth about COVID-19 is life or death | Expert Opinion (inquirer.com)

Black leaders: Lack of access, mistrust hampering COVID-19 vaccine efforts | Coronavirus | tribdem.com

State

Pennsylvania lifts all Covid-19 restrictions except for mask mandate – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Increase incentives, and go door to door, to reach undervaccinated communities, Pa. lawmakers say | WITF

Beam: State will drop mask mandate by June 28 | Coronavirus | dailyitem.com

A stark racial divide on vaccinations leaves many at risk as Pennsylvania reopens | WITF

Pennsylvanians should see more normalcy in their lives as state lifts many COVID-19 restrictions on Memorial Day | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania movie theaters ditch mask mandate: What you need to know (poconorecord.com)

Pennsylvania’s new covid case average drops below 1,000 for 1st time since October | TribLIVE.com

Local

Philadelphia moves up target date to end Covid-19 restrictions to June 2 – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Kenney administration to ease most COVID-19 restrictions ahead of schedule | Local News | phillytrib.com

Study: Allegheny County’s struggles against COVID-19 reflect racial, economic disparities | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh Public Schools to host student vaccine clinics at schools | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pocono Mountain East HS and St. Luke’s team up for COVID-19 vaccines (poconorecord.com)

19 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Sunday | coronavirus | citizensvoice.com

New COVID-19 cases in region drop third straight day | Coronavirus | thetimes-tribune.com

 

Business/Jobs

Pa. minimum wage: Business owners join Wolf in push for $15 an hour (goerie.com)

Construction loan lined up for new Philadelphia building leased to TJ Maxx parent company – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

SBA grant program for gyms? Sen. Tammy Duckworth presses for $30B for industry. – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Think Inflation Is Bad Now? Let’s Take A Step Back To The 1970s : NPR

Pa. restaurants struggle with rising food costs | Today in Pa. – pennlive.com

A year since civil unrest and ransacked shops: Some business owners are fine. Others still struggle. (inquirer.com)

A new kind of union emerges for lower paid workers across the U.S. (inquirer.com)

Action Network’s Patrick Keane, a media deal-maker, is riding the sports-betting craze (inquirer.com)

Poconos hospitality industry in dire need of workers (poconorecord.com)

Erie businesses allowed to expand to 100% capacity on Monday (goerie.com)

Memorial Day heralding post-pandemic summer | Business | thetimes-tribune.com

Committee approves revamped at Suburban Square paving way for new outdoor dining | Business | mainlinemedianews.com

Lancaster County employers raising minimum pay to $15 in effort to fill chronic job openings | Local Business | lancasteronline.com

 

Crime/Punishment

A Criminal Record Shouldn’t Be a Life Sentence to Poverty – Center for American Progress

Mall near Pittsburgh evacuated as possible shooting reported – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Philly man released from prison after serving nearly 30 years for murder | Local News | phillytrib.com

West Hazleton chief faces prison time for civil rights violation (poconorecord.com)

Erie police get complaints about night activity on lower State Street (goerie.com)

Hazleton police settle federal complaint about serving limited English speakers | News | citizensvoice.com

Schuylkill Haven chief says officer took ‘safe shot’ despite Taser hitting child | Cops and Courts | standardspeaker.com

Front Lines | Retired city police captain eager to put ideas to work on new St. Clair Township force | News | tribdem.com

Ex-Warminster cop faces additional child sexual abuse charges (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Longtime Warminster cop named Upper Southampton chief (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Pittsburgh police probe Allentown shooting early Sunday | TribLIVE.com

 

Education

Economic uncertainty, unreliable broadband add worry to state-owned university mergers in northwest Pa. | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Many children lack access to summer programs in Allegheny County, study says | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

North Allegheny board narrowly approves empowerment program training | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

WVW gets confirmation board member died in late March | News | standardspeaker.com

Elizabethtown Area school board votes to continue mask mandate | Community News | lancasteronline.com

 

Elections/Politics

What Will the NYC Mayoral Race Say About Philly’s Next Mayor? – Philadelphia 3.0 (phila3-0.org)

John Fetterman, perhaps seeking eastern Pennsylvania votes, ventures into Wawa – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

One Moment From John Fetterman’s Past Could Derail His Senate Bid (phillymag.com)

Trump, ‘leader of the Republican Party,’ looms large in Pennsylvania’s 2022 primaries – pennlive.com

Mastriano Poll: Mastriano 19%, Barletta 16%, Undecided 49% | PoliticsPA

Mark Zuckerberg helped some Pa. counties survive the 2020 election. Right-wing lawmakers say that was unfair. · Spotlight PA

Justin Fairfax’s Run For Governor Raises Questions About Race And #MeToo : NPR

Philly’s elections are secure, but our poll infrastructure needs improvement | Opinion (inquirer.com)

Candidates for governor, U.S. Senate jockeying for position with 2022 on the horizon | News | tribdem.com

 

Environment

Guest Column: Time for collective action on climate change | Opinion | delcotimes.com

Network of companies looking to move fracking wastewater in barges up and down Pittsburgh’s rivers | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh to share its lead water solutions with EPA, other cities | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Allegheny County restores online air quality dashboard | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Office of Public Art to address environmental issues with OPA Live! Instagram series | Arts + Entertainment | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

 

Transportation

Return trip: Study shows drivers hitting the roads again as pandemic eases | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Road over Francis E. Walter Dam closed in June (poconorecord.com)

Traffic light, roundabout are among options for Millcreek intersection (goerie.com)

Sharrod Hill Road bridge will be replaced in Elk Creek Township (goerie.com)

Lane restrictions along Eastvale Bridge June 1-5 (timesonline.com)

 

Health

Scientists Studying Cannabis Now Have Access To More Plants For Their Research : Shots – Health News : NPR

Poor Medical Care And Distrust Fuel Black Patients’ Desire For Black Physicians : Shots – Health News : NPR

How to ‘build back better’ health habits after the pandemic year | Opinion | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pa. notches one of its ‘mildest’ flu seasons on record, Health Dept. says | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

PA had a mild flu season. COVID-19 restrictions likely helped (ydr.com)

Study finds worrying blood-lead levels in children in Berks County, especially Reading | Environment | readingeagle.com

3 proven ways to cope with the trauma of 2020 (inquirer.com)

AHN starts 2021 with $23 million loss; patient visits rebound as covid vaccinations climb | TribLIVE.com

 

State News

Pa. horse racing commission finds syringes and drugs at Parx Racing (inquirer.com)

Transparency lawyer hired as PA teacher retirement system investigation continues | WHP (local21news.com)

Internal PSERS documents show how Pa’s biggest pension fund got key financial calculation wrong | WITF

Anxiety runs high as Pa. begins massive overhaul of 60-year-old unemployment computer system · Spotlight PA

What you need to know about Pennsylvania’s new unemployment compensation system | Local News | delcotimes.com

Infrastructure overhaul should focus more on safety, advocates say | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Harvest opens another medical marijuana dispensary in central Pa. – pennlive.com

When the gators came to Pennsylvania (including a couple in the Lehigh Valley) – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Pa. Supreme Court asks if order against Erie County judge is appealable (goerie.com)

Group wants to keep casinos smoke-free | Business | citizensvoice.com

Treasurer wants military medals distributed to rightful owners, including local veteran | News | citizensvoice.com

Pennsylvania using insecticide on invasive spotted lanternflies | TribLIVE.com

Editorial: An unsatisfactory finding of state incompetence | TribLIVE.com

 

National News

Texas Democrats Walk Out, Stop Republican’s Sweeping Voting Restrictions : NPR

Texas Democrats block restrictive voting bill from being approved by walking off the floor to deny GOP-majority House a quorum | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Netanyahu Could Lose PM Job As Rivals Attempt To Join Forces : NPR

Startup Helps Those Affected By Gangs And Gun Violence Find A Way Out : NPR

What Microsoft Officials Know About Russia’s Phishing Hack Targeting USAID : NPR

Homebuyers Squeezed As Western States See Prices Double Or More In Last Decade : NPR

RIP, Va. Sen. John Warner. A Republican who worked across the aisle. Imagine that | Dick Polman | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Southwest decides it has seen enough, reverses its decision to bring alcohol back on board – pennlive.com

Indianapolis 500 welcomes 135,000 fans to start auto racing’s biggest day – pennlive.com

The aftermath: No compensation, no justice | Black History | phillytrib.com

Black Wall Street once thrived as epicenter of African American-owned businessses | Black History | phillytrib.com

$11 billion New York rail tunnel gets key federal approval | State & Region | phillytrib.com

Israel, Egypt talk truce with Hamas, rebuilding Gaza Strip | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Vets return to Memorial Day traditions as pandemic eases | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

US Postal Service looks to raise first-class stamp to 58 cents (ydr.com)

China easing birth limits further to cope with aging society | News | tribdem.com

 

Local News

Letter: Article on shredding event is missing key details | Letters to the Editor | readingeagle.com

Pa. veterans’ names etched into memorial wall – 6abc Philadelphia

South Side Hilltop Memorial Day Pilgrimage Set To Take Place – CBS Pittsburgh (cbslocal.com)

Historic Montgomery County farmstead recognized as an Underground Railroad site | WITF

Lehigh Valley real estate agents and contractors give disabled Vietnam veteran a free home remodel – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Wind Creek Bethlehem casino ready for more customers Monday, GM says – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Balancing taxpayer money and climate change, Lehigh Valley municipal, county officials plan for a greener future – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Bus stop near the state Capitol becomes a haven for the homeless; Harrisburg officials look to take action – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Humans and dogs bundle up for Dogs & Brews at the Reading Public Museum | Local News | readingeagle.com

Indiantown Gap National Cemetery honors the fallen for Memorial Day (ydr.com)

Civil War soldier has someone to decorate his grave this Memorial Day (goerie.com)

Lone Star tick: New to Erie County, but deer ticks still top concern locally (goerie.com)

Memorial Day parades return after one-year COVID-19 hiatus | News | citizensvoice.com

County council will resume meeting in person, but maybe not until July | coronavirus | citizensvoice.com

Luzerne County 911 upgrade project on track but cost increased | News | citizensvoice.com

Demand for concealed carry permits in Lackawanna County increased over past decade | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Scranton, Lackawanna County again at odds of tax collection rules | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Montgomery County honors fallen veterans for Memorial Day | News | mainlinemedianews.com

Region’s electric grid operator is ready to meet summer demand | News | mainlinemedianews.com

Bucks County courts: Jury trials to resume after coronavirus halt (theintell.com)

‘We made it through’: Salvatore’s Pizza, a Johnstown fixture for 30 years, endures pandemic | Local News | tribdem.com

Vets return to Memorial Day traditions as pandemic eases | Times Leader

Closing near on Luzerne County juvenile detention center sale | Times Leader

South Coatesville Borough Council meeting ‘Zoombombed’ by hacker | Community News | lancasteronline.com

Manheim Township finds limited municipal support in call for a county health department | PA Power and Policy | lancasteronline.com

At Chester County cemetery, honoring those who fought for freedom | Local-news | dailylocal.com

Chester County commissioners want to continue virtual meetings | Local-news | dailylocal.com

 

Pitt

PWSA offers to pay for nearly all youth football team’s equipment after state senator gets involved – WPXI

E-bikes coming to Pgh’s Healthy Ride bike share thanks to grant from Heinz Endowments | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Duolingo founder, a Pittsburgher and immigrant, puts his app to work fighting illiteracy in Central America | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pittsburgh restaurants return to 100% capacity. Now what? | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State preservation group says Pittsburgh church one of state’s most at-risk sites | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Calming effect: Pittsburgh installs speed humps, traffic circles to slow traffic and increase safety | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh’s Trinity Cathedral leads nationwide choir concert | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh to merge 15 parishes into four, starting July 1 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Change of plans: Offices out, residential favored as part of latest North Shore development | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Port Authority to begin lifting capacity limits on Monday | TribLIVE.com

 

Philly

Poor Philadelphia Neighborhoods Have Worse Access to Public Parks (phillymag.com)

Christine Flowers: Four more years of death (broadandliberty.com)

Greater Philadelphia restaurant and tourism news: 6 things you might have missed this week – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Philly AIDS Thrift expands just in time for Pride Month | Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Philadelphia police officers fight firings for racist Facebook posts (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and City Council consider racial equity in budget negotiations (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia grapples with Frank Rizzo and Christopher Columbus statues a year after protests (inquirer.com)

Philly shootings, stabbings persist despite holiday weekend of lousy weather and preventative measures (inquirer.com)

Vandal’s damage at Reading Terminal Market estimated at least in ‘the five figures’ (inquirer.com)

 

Washington

11 senators were totally absent from Jan. 6 commission vote | Fox News

Sen. Toomey is absent for vote on Jan. 6 commission – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Jan. 6 Commission Fails In Senate Following GOP Opposition : NPR

Sen. Murkowski delivers pointed criticism of fellow Republicans, including McConnell, who oppose commission | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

What we learned about Joe Biden from riding Amtrak with a Senate colleague who has known the president for five decades | Usa latest news (usa-latestnews.com)

For Memorial Day, Biden Pays Tribute To Fallen Service Members In Delaware : NPR

For Biden, a deeply personal Memorial Day weekend observance | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Why Democrats Are Angry At Wall Street : NPR

Exclusive: HUD’s Marcia Fudge Says She’s Ready To Fight Homelessness As Head Of Panel : NPR

What’s Blocking Bill That Would Reform Military Justice System : NPR

Biden Proposes $6 Trillion Budget, A Huge Hike In Spending : NPR

Susan Wild disappointed by Senate failure to advance Jan. 6 commission – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Buttigieg wants ‘clear direction’ on infrastructure plan by June 7, as Democrats strike more urgent tone on negotiations | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Biden’s silence on abortion rights at a key moment worries liberals | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Growing wary of China, senators hope to beef up scrutiny of economic ties and offshoring | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

An extensive list of all the times Sean Parnell criticized Donald Trump | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)