Legislature
“Sextortion” bill would criminalize sexual coercion in Pa.
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/05/sextortion-bill-would-criminalize-sexual-coercion.php
Bucks lawmakers support state, federal climate action
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190505/bucks-lawmakers-support-state-federal-climate-action
‘This is the best opportunity we’ve had’: Why advocates think this could be the year Pa. bans LGBTQ discrimination
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/this-is-the-best-opportunity-weve-had-why-advocates-think-this-could-be-the-year-pa-bans-lgbtq-discrimination/
NEPA communities urge passage of Gov. Wolf’s Restore Pennsylvania plan
https://www.timesleader.com/news/742476/nepa-communities-urge-passage-of-gov-wolfs-restore-pennsylvania-plan
Pennsylvania domestic violence law could turn police offices into depositories for relinquished guns
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pennsylvania-domestic-violence-law-could-turn–police-offices-into-depositories-for-relinquished-guns
Pennsylvania law locks up guns after a restraining order
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190506/pennsylvania-law-locks-up-guns-after-restraining-order
Policy news out of Harrisburg: Lawmakers weigh another dairy study
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/policy-news-out-of-harrisburg-lawmakers-weigh-another-dairy-study
Pa. lawmakers cling to pensions after pushing new state workers to adopt 401(k)-style plans
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/pa-lawmakers-cling-to-pensions-after-pushing-new-state-workers-to-adopt-401k-style-plans.html
‘Appalling,’ ‘dishonest,’ ‘disgusting’: Top Pa. Republicans say Lebanon GOP chair must quit
https://www.ldnews.com/story/news/2019/05/03/pennsylvania-republican-leaders-say-lebanon-gop-chair-casey-long-must-resign-over-campaign-efforts/3643159002/
Flood of information discussed during ‘water summit’
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/05/flood-of-information-discussed-during-water-summit/
Let doctors practice: Daryl Metcalfe vaccine bill would undermine health
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/05/06/Vaccine-bill-Daryl-Metcalfe-health-medical-care-law/stories/201905060024
Make craft beer tax less staggering
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/make-craft-beer-tax-less-staggering-1.2478770
Gun rights supporters set for annual rally at the Pa. Capitol
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/05/gun-rights-supporters-set-for-annual-rally-at-the-pa-capitol.php
Pennsylvania looks anew at electing its lieutenant governor | John Baer
https://www.philly.com/opinion/john-baer-lieutenant-governor-changes-election-argall-reform-20190506.html
Business
Business leaders sound off on minimum wage
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/business-leaders-sound-off-on-minimum-wage-1.2478845
Pottsville plant closure to mean loss of jobs for 85 full-time workers
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/05/pottsville-plant-closure-to-mean-loss-of-jobs-for-85-full-time-workers.php
Development to north sparks higher wages
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/development-to-north-sparks-higher-wages-1.2478855
Crime/Punishment
Bucks County man gets two life sentences in fatal prom-night shooting
https://www.philly.com/news/joseph-williams-bristol-murder-life-sentence-bucks-county-20190505.html
Education
Here’s how much school superintendents make in Allegheny County
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/heres-how-much-school-superintendents-make-in-allegheny-county/
Here’s how much school superintendents make in Westmoreland County
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/heres-how-much-school-superintendents-make-in-westmoreland-county/
Comparing superintendent salaries in the Alle-Kiski Valley
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/comparing-superintendent-salaries-in-the-alle-kiski-valley/
Lackawanna County schools turn to foundations for help
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-schools-turn-to-foundations-for-help-1.2478953
What is the future of Catholic schools in Schuylkill County?
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/what-is-the-future-of-catholic-schools-in-schuylkill-county-1.2478859
Disabled students at Edinboro University say goodbye to the end of an era
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/05/04/Edinboro-University-State-System-Attendant-care-disabilities-health-college-higher-education/stories/201905040025
130 colleges nationwide compete in esports, now Berks has joined the athletic evolution
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/at-albright-college-its-game-on-for-esports
Elections/Politics
Flurry of write-in votes expected in Luzerne County primary
https://www.timesleader.com/news/742608/flurry-of-write-in-votes-expected-in-luzerne-county-primary
Poll workers needed for primary
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/poll-workers-needed-for-primary-1.2478825
Security expert vouches for Northampton County voting machine
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-norco-voting-machine-security-questions-20190506-jtc4i7s5qzdhvo4dntcgmyrszi-story.html
Gaming
Mount Airy unveils $40M expansion
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20190504/mount-airy-unveils-40m-expansion
Local News
Luzerne County issues refunds for property assessment reductions
https://www.timesleader.com/news/742604/luzerne-county-issues-refunds-for-property-assessment-reductions
Buddies stand in solidarity with teen battling cancer
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/buddies-stand-in-solidarity-with-teen-battling-cancer-1.2478942
Big plans will bring new life to Camp Louise
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/big-plans-will-bring-new-life-to-camp-louise-1.2478827
‘Touch a Truck’ draws excited kids
https://www.timesleader.com/news/742602/touch-a-truck-draws-excited-kids
Former Tuskegee Airman returns to Luzerne County
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/former-tuskegee-airman-returns-to-luzerne-county-1.2478878
Artists wanted for West Side mural project
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/artists-wanted-for-west-side-mural-project-1.2478928
Scranton office building owner claims Lackawanna County owes $300,000 in rent
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-office-building-owner-claims-lackawanna-county-owes-300-000-in-rent-1.2479001
Lackawanna County’s oldest library celebrates 145 years
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-s-oldest-library-celebrates-145-years-1.2478993
Postal workers union, food bank gearing up for Stamp Out Hunger drive
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/postal-workers-union-food-bank-gearing-up-for-stamp-out-hunger-drive-1.2478897
Collect fee from tenants
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/collect-fee-from-tenants-1.2478772
After losing their son to suicide, a Havertown couple seek to save others in their town. | Maria Panaritis
https://www.philly.com/news/columnists/suicide-depression-anxiety-trent-stetler-havertown-minding-your-mind-maria-panaritis-20190504.html
Hundreds attend 9th annual Reading/Berks March for Life
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/hundreds-attend-9th-annual-readingberks-march-for-life
Fire, EMS companies in 16th Legislative District get $187K in grants
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190505/fire-ems-companies-in-16th-legislative-district-get-187k-in-grants
It’s last call for the Millbourne Fire Co.
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/it-s-last-call-for-the-millbourne-fire-co/article_9ae60006-6df7-11e9-b627-cb32ea414b8e.html
Men walk in high heels to raise awareness of gender violence
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/men-walk-in-high-heels-to-raise-awareness-of-gender/article_741411f2-6f78-11e9-bee4-4be12320dd89.html
Marijuana
Fetterman hears overwhelming support for legalizing recreational marijuana
https://www.timesleader.com/news/742596/fetterman-hears-overwhelming-support-to-legalize-recreational-marijuana
Most support legalizing marijuana at forum
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/most-support-legalizing-marijuana-at-forum-1.2478938
National News
More Latinos are becoming Muslims: ‘Islam is not as foreign as you think’
https://www.philly.com/news/latino-muslim-ramadan-philadelphia-converts-growing-islam-in-spanish-20190505.html
Republicans push tax relief through Kansas Legislature
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/republicans-pushes-tax-relief-through-kansas-legislature-20190505.html
New Jersey
Narcan, the lifesaving overdose-reversal drug, is scarce in N.J. cities that need it most
https://www.philly.com/news/narcan-availability-pharmacies-new-jersey-20190506.html
Philly
‘Breath of fresh air’ in North Philly: More job training, meals for hungry as Philabundance expands
https://www.philly.com/business/philabundance-community-kitchen-job-training-expansion-20190506.html
Here’s what the primary election could mean for the future of Philly’s 10-year tax abatement
https://www.philly.com/politics/philadelphia/property-tax-abatement-philadelphia-10-years-city-council-election-20190506.html
Just how many people live in Philly, the U.S.? Here’s why that’s a tough question to answer.
https://www.philly.com/news/2020-census-philadelphia-pennsylvania-undercount-digital-divide-hard-to-count-20190506.html
Cheerin’ and runnin’ in the rain. Today’s Broad Street Run was a poncho and garbage bag event
https://www.philly.com/news/broad-street-run-philadelphia-race-20190505.html
Muslim American Society investigating ‘oversight’ following controversial video at Philly Islamic center; event organizer ‘dismissed’
https://www.philly.com/news/muslim-american-society-philadelphia-children-investigation-20190504.html
Manager at Philadelphia McCormick & Schmick’s tied up during armed robbery, police say
https://www.philly.com/news/mccormick-schmicks-robbery-philadelphia-20190505.html
‘It’s just a test’: Philly parents preach calm at first SAT since college admissions scandal
https://www.philly.com/education/college-admissions-bribery-cheating-scandal-sat-philadelphia-20190504.html
How do judicial elections in Philadelphia work and why do we vote for judges?
https://www.philly.com/news/philly-election-why-vote-judges-2019-primary-20190506.html
An app wants to give Philly residents real-time alerts on crimes happening nearby. Is that a good thing?
https://www.philly.com/news/citizen-app-philly-vigilante-crime-prevention-philadelphia-police-20190504.html
Pitt
CONNECT, councils of governments show an alternative path to municipal consolidation
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/05/04/CONNECT-COGs-show-an-alternative-path-to-municipal-consolidation/stories/201905050094
PITTSBURGH MARATHON: A running file
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pittsburgh-marathon/2019/05/05/Pittsburgh-Marathon-running-events-underway-2019/stories/201905050167
PITTSBURGH MARATHON: Despite the soggy weather, Pittsburghers soak in the fun
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pittsburgh-marathon/2019/05/05/Pittsburgh-Marathon-2019-weather-soggy-party-Cinco-de-Mayo-atmosphere/stories/201905050181
Clothing shed by Pittsburgh Marathon, half marathon runners doesn’t go to waste
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/outer-clothing-shed-by-pittsburgh-marathon-half-marathon-runners-doesnt-go-to-waste/
Some date back to the 1800s. Now all permanent records at Pittsburgh Public Schools enter the digital age
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/05/05/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-student-permanent-records-digitize-scan/stories/201904230123
Moving on from a massacre: Squirrel Hill residents have help, but is it reaching those in need?
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/05/06/Tree-of-life-massacre-Squirrel-Hill-pittsburgh-resiliency-center-Charleston-Pulse-PTSD-suicide-Newtown-Parkland/stories/201905030085
Walkabout: Youth orchard activates long-awaited Hilltop Urban Farm
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/diana-nelson-jones/2019/05/06/walkabout-St-Clair-Village-Hilltop-Urban-Farm-Hilltop-Alliance/stories/201905060017
Pittsburgh’s crime rates down since 2015
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/05/04/Pittsburgh-crime-rates-decrease-2015-2019/stories/201905040052
State News
Hope grows in lanternfly-killing fungi found near Berks fruit farm
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/hope-grows-in-lanternfly-killing-fungi-found-near-berks-fruit-farm
East Shore township can’t block its cops from unionizing with the Teamsters, Pa. court says
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/east-shore-township-cant-block-its-cops-from-unionizing-with-the-teamsters-pa-court-says.html
Washington
The U.S. announces new deployments to the Mideast amid Iranian woes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2019/05/05/US-deploying-carrier-strike-group-bomber-force-Middle-East-send-message-Iran/stories/201905050200
Trump blames Kentucky Derby outcome on ‘political correctness’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/trump-blames-kentucky-derby-outcome-on-political-correctness.html
Congressional hearing puts focus on struggling Pa. nuclear industry
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/05/congressional-hearing-puts-focus-on-struggling-pa-nuclear-industry.php