Legislature
Top Pa. Republican’s campaign sues journalists over public records costs
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pa-joseph-scarnati-lawsuit-campaign-spending-spotlight-pa-the-caucus-20200916.html
Pa. House votes to bar shutting down churches in disasters
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/09/16/pennsylvania-House-votes-to-bar-shutting-down-churches-disasters/stories/202009160101
Pa. House passes bill intended to keep churches open during disaster emergencies
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/pa-house-passes-bill-intended-to-protect-freedom-to-practice-religion-during-disaster-emergencies.html
Pa. House panel explores police reforms, other issues facing law enforcement
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/pa-house-panel-explores-police-reforms-other-issues-facing-law-enforcement.html
Pennsylvania plan for carbon cap on power plants advances
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2020/09/15/Pennsylvania-carbon-emissions-budget-RGGI-power-plants-advances-EQB/stories/202009150121
Pa. environmental board approves plan to limit carbon from power plants; Wolf admin sets 2022 target date
https://www.penncapital-star.com/paforward/pa-environmental-board-approves-plan-to-limit-carbon-from-power-plants-wolf-admin-sets-2022-target-date/
Regulatory board opens door to public review of controversial plan for Pa.’s participation in climate change initiative
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/wolf-packed-regulatory-board-opens-door-to-public-review-hearings-on-plan-for-pennsylvanias-participation-in-climate-change-initiative.html
Letting Pa. join regional greenhouse gas compact makes economic and environmental sense | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/paforward/letting-pa-join-regional-greenhouse-gas-compact-makes-economic-and-environmental-sense-opinion/
Area lawmakers offer insight on Judge Stickman’s ruling against Gov. Wolf
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200915/area-lawmakers-offer-insight-on-judge-stickmanrsquos-ruling-against-gov-wolf
David Clement and Yael Ossowski: Pa. can and should legalize cannabis, but do it right
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2020/09/16/David-Clement-and-Yael-Ossowski-Pa-can-and-should-legalize-cannabis-but-do-it-right/stories/202009160044
SSD furloughs underscore state politics
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/ssd-furloughs-underscore-state-politics/article_7fd04608-23c8-5734-9663-6e2673fa16c5.html
With overdoses on the rise during the pandemic, Pa. law is moving in the wrong direction | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/with-overdoses-on-the-rise-during-the-pandemic-pa-law-is-moving-in-the-wrong-direction-opinion/
Pa. House of Representatives to convene in the Harrisburg church it once called home
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/pa-house-of-representatives-to-convene-in-the-harrisburg-church-it-once-called-home.html
Fourth Senate employee tests positive for COVID-19
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/fourth-senate-employee-tests-positive-for-covid-19/
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Officials: Court ruling won’t impact current restrictions
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802142/officials-court-ruling-wont-impact-current-restrictions
After federal ruling against Wolf, 25 and 250 gathering limits unenforceable, lawyers say
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/16/federal-ruling-pa-wolfs-25-and-250-limits-invalid-lawyers-say/5813342002/
$20 million in state money awarded to Pa. museums and cultural organizations for COVID-19 relief
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/pennsylvania-covid-19-relief-grants-museums-cultural-institutions-20200915.html
Penn State adds more than 450 covid-19 cases since Friday, as in-person instruction continues
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/penn-state-adds-more-than-450-covid-19-cases-since-friday-as-in-person-instruction-continues/
Human testing for new COVID-19 treatment developed by Pitt researchers planned for 2021
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/09/15/human-testing-Ab8-COVID-19-UPMC-Pitt-research-antibody-vaccine/stories/202009150155
Pennsylvania posts 1,151 new coronavirus cases, 6 more deaths
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-posts-1151-new-coronavirus-cases-6-more-deaths/
Allegheny County reports 90 new cases of COVID-19, one new death
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/15/Allegheny-County-reports-90-new-cases-of-COVID-19-one-new-death/stories/202009150111
15 new COVID-19 cases in Luzerne County
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/15-new-covid-19-cases-in-luzerne-county/article_78ee1dea-a2c6-54f1-9976-7067f15c0d71.html
54 more coronavirus cases for Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/54-more-coronavirus-cases-for-berks-county/article_171cbb54-f751-11ea-910a-4f4afec67f4d.html
In-person visits resume at Westmoreland Manor
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/in-person-visits-resume-at-westmoreland-manor/
Administration
Wolf renews calls for election code changes, criticizes state and federal Republicans over pandemic response
https://www.witf.org/2020/09/15/wolf-renews-calls-for-election-code-changes-criticizes-state-and-federal-republicans-over-pandemic-response/
State releases study on financial exploitation of older Pennsylvanians
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802131/state-releases-study-on-financial-exploitation-of-older-pennsylvanians
Business
PPP loans hide a hidden kicker: A big tax bill
https://www.inquirer.com/business/ppp-loans-small-business-taxes-expenses-congress-toomey-casey-pa-20200915.html
Yuengling partners with Molson Coors to expand distribution
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/yuengling-partners-with-molson-coors-to-expand-distribution/article_3a00d7e2-f70e-11ea-917c-ef9bb255d177.html
What Lehigh Valley businesses are saying about federal ruling on Pennsylvania’s COVID restrictions
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-lehigh-valley-businesses-covid-restrictions-federal-ruling-20200915-hwljjn4vb5bshgu5oektmd2ene-story.html
Shop-Vac abruptly closes Williamsport facilities, leaving estimated 400 jobless
https://www.pennlive.com/business/2020/09/shop-vac-abruptly-closes-williamsport-facilities-leaving-estimated-400-jobless.html
Crime/Punishment
Westmoreland County Prison inmates get free weekly phone call
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-prison-inmates-get-free-weekly-phone-call/
Education
As virtual school year begins, frustrated parents are pushing school boards to reconsider
https://www.inquirer.com/education/virtual-school-struggles-parents-pennsylvania-philadelphia-20200916.html
Technical issues with Scranton School Board meeting lead to transparency concerns
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/technical-issues-with-scranton-school-board-meeting-lead-to-transparency-concerns/article_df041e61-882e-5e09-b547-a50347988566.html
White protesters, shouting racial slurs, try to disrupt Cheyney U. classes
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/white-protesters-shouting-racial-slurs-try-to-disrupt-cheyney-u-classes/
Elections/Politics
Casey, Cartwright highlight what’s at stake for health care in election
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802129/casey-cartwright-highlight-whats-at-stake-for-health-care-in-election
What a group of Pennsylvania voters thinks of Trump, Biden, protests, looting, and the conventions
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-voters-trump-biden-protests-looting-20200915.html
Trump says in Philly town hall: ‘I didn’t downplay’ coronavirus, ‘I up-played it’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/trump-abc-town-hall-philadelphia-20200915.html
Local News
More than $3M in federal pandemic relief to fund a range of initiatives in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/more-than-3m-in-federal-pandemic-relief-to-fund-a-range-of-initiatives-in-scranton/article_b589cecb-0d39-55ed-9e18-955d3cea1865.html
4 Berks County cultural organizations and museums secure nearly $240,000 in grants
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/4-berks-county-cultural-organizations-and-museums-secure-nearly-240-000-in-grants/article_02cd9e24-f76b-11ea-96a0-d7930b4965ec.html
Reading needs a tax increase in 2021, official says
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-needs-a-tax-increase-in-2021-official-says/article_8beeb4a6-f787-11ea-9336-17d646178840.html
Arts in Pennsylvania: Coronavirus impact ‘devastating’ to cultural, arts sites
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2020/09/16/pennsylvania-arts-cultural-sites-seek-help-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/5797002002/
Luzerne County small businesses and nonprofits can apply for $11 million in grants
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/luzerne-county-small-businesses-and-nonprofits-can-apply-for-11-million-in-grants/article_7035e33d-b9e1-5e42-aa2b-c5317a9c63b2.html
Wyoming Valley Levee overseer may relocate to save money
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802133/wyoming-valley-levee-overseer-may-relocate-to-save-money
Flood authority to ease limits on public comment
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/flood-authority-to-ease-limits-on-public-comment/article_0992b737-6fac-5e79-9454-c8261af05f2f.html
Larksville looks to referendum on paid firefighters
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802140/larksville-looks-to-referendum-on-paid-firefighters
Westmoreland sheriff: ‘I have not left the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party has left me’
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-sheriff-albert-explains-switch-to-gop-i-have-not-left-the-democratic-party-the-democratic-party-has-left-me/
Westmoreland Court Appointed Special Advocates seek to double grant through social media shares
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-court-appointed-special-advocates-seek-to-double-grant-through-social-media-shares/
National News
Louisville and Breonna Taylor’s family agree to a $12 million lawsuit settlement that includes police reforms
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/breonna-taylor-family-louisville-lawsuit-settlement-20200915.html
Incomes were up and poverty was down across America in 2019 — and then COVID-19 hit
https://www.inquirer.com/news/census-poverty-median-household-income-coronavirus-20200915.html
Sarah McBride is set to be the nation’s highest-ranking transgender official
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/09/16/Sarah-McBride-Is-Set-to-Be-the-Nation-s-Highest-Ranking-Transgender-Official/stories/202009160096
Natural Gas
In Pennsylvania, gas drilling is down, but production higher than it has ever been
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2020/09/15/Pennsylvania-gas-drilling-fracking-decrease-production-higher-supply-Marcellus-Utica-shale/stories/202009150161
Philly
Rebuffed from Penn’s Landing plan, Sixers may begin hunt for new home elsewhere in Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/business/sixers-76ers-new-arena-sites-philadelphia-camden-penns-landing-20200916.html
Philly Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and his wife have asked the court to throw out the federal corruption case against them
https://www.inquirer.com/news/kenyatta-johnson-trial-dawn-chavous-bribery-philadelphia-city-council-universal-companies-20200915.html
Philly has two weeks left for the Census and crucial federal funding it provides | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/census-2020-philadelphia-pennsylvania-federal-funding-20200916.html
As we remember Nikolette Rivera on what would have been her 3rd birthday, let’s not forget her mother | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/nikolette-rivera-2-year-old-killed-philly-jenice-armstrong-20200915.html
Krasner is fighting to end online broadcasts of trials, a COVID workaround. Defenders and advocates are supporting his effort.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-trials-covid-youtube-murder-broadcast-20200915.html
Hite answers principals’ no-confidence petition; district launches equity work
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-equity-racism-hite-principals-no-confidence-20200915.html
Slow the traffic and speed up the solutions to Cobbs Creek Parkway hazards | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/fatal-hit-and-run-philadelphia-cobbs-creek-parkway-roosevelt-boulevard-20200916.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh museums, cultural groups receive federal relief funds for COVID-19 losses
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2020/09/16/Pittsburgh-area-museums-organizations-lost-revenue-receive-CARES-Act-funds-COVID/stories/202009150147
Allegheny County arts community to get more than $3M in state grants
https://triblive.com/aande/museums/allegheny-county-arts-community-to-get-more-than-3m-in-state-grants/
3 protesters charged in clash with diners in Downtown Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/15/protesters-charged-clash-with-diners-Downtown-Pittsburgh/stories/202009150105
Chicago brewery collective, local garden, golf facility sign leases in Strip’s old produce terminal
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/09/16/Strip-produce-terminal-District-Brew-Yards-chicago-brewery-City-Grows-OnPar/stories/202009150167
Allegheny County to use convention center when jury trials resume in October
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/15/Fifth-Judicial-District-Pittsburgh-trials-criminal-civil-resume-October-convention-center/stories/202009150142
Allegheny County to resume jury trials in courthouse and convention center
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-to-resume-jury-trials-in-courthouse-and-convention-center/
Virtual town hall meeting set to discuss why more Black youths are placed in the juvenile justice system
https://triblive.com/local/virtual-town-hall-meeting-set-to-discuss-why-more-black-youths-are-placed-in-the-juvenile-justice-system/
Giant Eagle pledges $500K to feeding students, with $125K for Greater Pittsburgh food bank
https://triblive.com/local/regional/giant-eagle-pledges-500000-to-feeding-k-12-students-125000-to-greater-pittsburgh-community-food-bank/
Transportation
Transit agencies push for more federal help to get through pandemic
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/09/15/American-Public-Transportation-Association-federal-aid-Port-Authority-pandemic/stories/202009150159
Roundabouts decreasing accidents in Pennsylvania and Berks County, officials report
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/roundabouts-decreasing-accidents-in-pennsylvania-and-berks-county-officials-report-map/article_8b13c250-f445-11ea-9ccc-b3528790f6de.html