Legislature
Wolf calls on Pa. Legislature to extend eviction moratorium, protect renters and homeowners
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/09/08/wolf-urges-pa-legislature-reinstate-eviction-protections/5745888002/
As clock ticks down, problems plague Pa. rental assistance program
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/as-clock-ticks-down-problems-plague-pa-rental-assistance-program/
Wolf allows restaurants to serve more customers indoors, but timing raises eyebrows
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/pa-restaurants-coroanvirus-capacity-50-percent-wolf-administration-20200908.html
Proposed Senate bill could toughen, revamp Pa.’s ‘steer clear’ law
https://triblive.com/local/regional/proposed-senate-bill-could-toughen-revamp-steer-clear-law/
Bill 2787 would ease sports attendance decisions by Mid-Penn athletic directors, set to meet Thursday
https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/football/2020/09/bill-2787-would-ease-sports-attendance-decisions-by-mid-penn-athletic-directors-set-to-meet-thursday.html
Bill would allow emergency loans
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/covid-19/2020/09/bill-would-allow-emergency-loans/
Coronavirus – COVID-19
As COVID-19 cases at 14 state universities near 500, and Cal U student dies, faculty union head questions wisdom of face-to-face classes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/09/08/With-COVID-19-cases-at-her-universities-nearly-500-faculty-union-head-questioned-decision-to-hold-face-to-face-fall-classes/stories/202009080090
Coronavirus cases at Penn State doubled since Friday
https://www.inquirer.com/education/penn-state-coronavirus-cases-campus-temple-20200908.html
Pitt reports 37 new coronavirus cases over the weekend, 68 in a week
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pitt-reports-37-new-cases-over-the-weekend-68-in-a-week/
COVID-19 cases increase at University of Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-cases-increase-at-university-of-scranton/article_6a300962-0783-55fd-ba12-37c4870cbbb1.html
Son of former Steelers player, Cal (Pa.) football player Jamain Stephens dies
https://triblive.com/sports/cal-pa-football-player-former-central-catholic-standout-jamain-stephens-dies/
Elementary student tests positive for coronavirus as universities report cases
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/elementary-student-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-as-universities-report-cases/article_20cdaba6-f20e-11ea-ac66-f35978f93482.html
Tuesday brought indoor dining back to Philly, while Pennsylvania raised the occupancy limit for restaurants statewide
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-philly-pa-nj-indoor-dining-capacity-wolf-restaurants-reopen-rules-20200908.html
Restaurants say 50% occupancy might be just enough to stay open
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2020/09/09/PA-Gov-Wolf-restaurants-50-percent-occupancy-alcohol-rules/stories/202009080093
Gov. Wolf expands indoor dining capacity to 50%
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/gov-wolf-expands-indoor-dining-capacity-to-50/
Bar owners, employees worry about state’s latest update to regulations
https://www.timesleader.com/news/801085/bar-owners-employees-worry-about-states-latest-update-to-regulations
Bars, restaurants can increase seating, but must move up last call
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/bars-restaurants-can-increase-seating-but-must-move-up-last-call/article_2c4c1d93-fe51-50a2-855f-422002617f6a.html
Berks restaurant owners: 50% occupancy a positive step
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/berks-restaurant-owners-50-occupancy-a-positive-step/article_1001eb66-f218-11ea-8eef-674761960bcb.html
Restaurants can increase seating to 50%, but there’s a catch for alcohol sales
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/restaurants-can-increase-seating-to-50-but-theres-a-catch-for-alcohol-sales/article_030eb94f-b8f5-5d32-9c52-d936417eb3dc.html
Restaurant and bar owners on Gov. Wolf’s revised orders: ‘He didn’t give us anything’
https://www.pennlive.com/food/2020/09/restaurant-and-bar-owners-on-wolfs-revised-orders-he-didnt-give-us-anything.html
Here’s the reason Pa. is stopping restaurants from serving alcohol after 10 p.m. in latest coronavirus measure
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-pa-restaurants-no-alcohol-after-10-20200908-nalvds5obncqffpppusy2767na-story.html
Pennsylvania restaurants that self-certify coronavirus safety measures can go to 50% capacity Sept. 21, Wolf says; no alcohol sales after 10 p.m.
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-wolf-restaurants-50-20200908-aebyhzyfl5ctnamkfbhqdihnm4-story.html
COVID-19 Update: Allegheny County reports 37 new cases, no deaths
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/08/COVID-19-allegheny-county-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-data-cases-deaths-pandemic-2/stories/202009080075
Allegheny County records third day with no coronavirus deaths
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-records-third-day-with-no-coronavirus-deaths/
How Lancaster County has endured the coronavirus pandemic
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/09/how-lancaster-county-has-endured-the-coronavirus-pandemic.html
Despite a network of testing options, COVID-19 test result wait times remain too high
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/covid-tests-fast-philadelphia-wait-times-days-temple-vybe-rutgers-harvard-20200908.html
AstraZeneca pauses its coronavirus vaccine trial after unexplained illness
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/09/08/coronavirus-vaccine-AstraZeneca-pauses-trial-COVID-19/stories/202009090096
Inovio announces a partnership to manufacture its COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-inovio–20200908.html
Business
Pennsylvania to send 5 weeks of $300 checks to eligible jobless
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-to-send-5-weeks-of-300-checks-to-eligible-jobless/
Crime/Punishment
Illegal trash dumping plagues rural Pennsylvania roadsides during pandemic
https://www.inquirer.com/news/trash-dumping-littering-rural-pennsylvania-covid-poconos-20200909.html
Education
From teaching in an attic to learning at daycare, Scranton School District has ‘different’ first day
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/from-teaching-in-an-attic-to-learning-at-daycare-scranton-school-district-has-different-first/article_d72aadb6-d242-5a0f-9566-0b2abc80e840.html
Cyber charters may benefit from pandemic, but that doesn’t mean their students do | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/cyber-charter-schools-pennsylvania-covid-academic-performance-20200909.html
State’s answer can’t be more of same
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/states-answer-cant-be-more-of-same/article_97f0e140-d449-5df6-b05b-0f384098e507.html
Susquenita School Board makes itself the decision-maker on where to hold classes
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/susquenita-school-board-votes-to-make-itself-the-decision-maker-on-the-instructional-model.html
Elections/Politics
In Pa. Senate race, challenger George Scott touts military service; Sen. DiSanto will focus on bipartisan record
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/in-pa-senate-race-challenger-george-scott-touts-military-service-sen-disanto-will-focus-on-bipartisan-record.html
Biden outspent Trump $10 million to zero on TV in Pennsylvania last month
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/trump-biden-pennsylvania-advertising-20200908.html
In Pennsylvania and two other battleground states, Biden looks to rebuild Democrats’ Blue Wall
https://www.witf.org/2020/09/09/in-pennsylvania-and-two-other-battleground-states-biden-looks-to-rebuild-democrats-blue-wall/
2 Democrats are trying to knock Green Party presidential candidate Howie Hawkins off the ballot in Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/green-party-presidential-candidate-howie-hawkins-pennsylvania-ballot-20200908.html
Those unsolicited applications to vote or register are legit, Berks and Pennsylvania election officials say
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/those-unsolicited-applications-to-vote-or-register-are-legit-berks-and-pennsylvania-election-officials-say/article_c16e932c-eedf-11ea-a23f-b745950321f1.html
Pa. Attorney General, Secretary of State warn of ‘robocalls’ circulating false claims about mail-in voting
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/pa-attorney-general-secretary-of-state-warn-of-robocalls-circulating-false-claims-about-mail-in-voting.html
Harrisburg-based polling organization finds Trump, Biden in statistical tie
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/harrisburg-based-polling-organization-finds-trump-biden-in-statistical-tie.html
Health Care
Pa. needs to treat childhood cancers like the public health crisis that they are | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pa-needs-to-treat-childhood-cancers-like-the-public-health-crisis-that-they-are-opinion/
Local News
Pandemic response cost Scranton $450G as of early August, more costs expected
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/pandemic-response-cost-scranton-450g-as-of-early-august-more-costs-expected/article_dddc4ffe-0f8a-53a3-bae0-6512211fb4fd.html
Jury trials resume in Lackawanna County
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/jury-trials-resume-in-lackawanna-county/article_8283163f-1ebb-5e53-82f7-c19d59ead3c7.html
Pittston to host meeting of mayors from 5 cities in NEPA
https://www.timesleader.com/news/801092/pittston-to-host-meeting-of-mayors-from-5-cities-in-nepa
Luzerne County Council won’t pursue further prison death investigation
https://www.timesleader.com/news/801045/luzerne-county-council-wont-pursue-further-prison-death-investigation
Luzerne County council rejects Mackey investigation proposals
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/luzerne-county-council-rejects-mackey-investigation-proposals/article_28859f56-f818-5e5e-b721-48e4ea410019.html
First trial begins at Luzerne County Courthouse since COVID-19
https://www.timesleader.com/news/801100/first-trial-begins-at-luzerne-county-courthouse-since-covid-19
City council mixed on mayor’s land bank proposal
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/city-council-mixed-on-mayors-land-bank-proposal/article_f5a36954-ee2b-5b58-ab31-40648857cbfe.html
Neag grant provides funding for startup program at Berks Encore
https://www.readingeagle.com/living/neag-grant-provides-funding-for-startup-program-at-berks-encore/article_eabd4d98-e892-11ea-91e7-93872ef23178.html
Satanic Delco founder on the group’s ‘To Hell with Homelessness’ campaign: ‘I wanted us to serve a purpose.’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/satanic-delco-founder-joseph-rose-delaware-county-20200909.html
Renovations to Leechburg’s Riverfront Park create ‘jewel’ along Kiski River, mayor says
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/renovations-to-leechburgs-riverfront-park-create-jewel-along-kiski-river-mayor-says/
Tarentum Council approves changes in water rates
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tarentum-council-approves-changes-in-water-rates/
Food pantry use in the Poconos is declining, but help is still needed
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200908/food-pantry-use-in-poconos-is-declining-but-help-is-still-needed
National News
Police vow to work with probe of shooting of autistic boy, 13, in Salt Lake City
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/09/09/Police-vow-to-work-with-probe-of-shooting-of-autistic-boy/stories/202009090108
Justice Department seeks to defend Trump in lawsuit by columnist who claims he raped her
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/justice-department-trump-lawsuit-jean-carroll-20200908.html
Without an ‘ounce of empathy’: Their stories show the dangers of being Black and pregnant
https://www.ydr.com/in-depth/news/2020/09/08/as-black-woman-when-youre-pregnant-your-own-advocate/5442487002/
Philly
A decision on the Penn’s Landing development site eyed by the Sixers could come as soon as Wednesday
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/penns-landing-developer-sixers-durst-hoffman-drwc-delaware-76ers-20200908.html
Martin Luther King Drive is not going to reopen any time soon. Here’s why.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/martin-luther-king-drive-street-closures-philadelphia-20200908.html
Cargo flights from Philly are ramping up during the pandemic
https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-international-airport-american-airlines-cargo-flights-coronavirus-pandemic-20200909.html
SEPTA, facing ‘devastating’ financial losses from coronavirus, highlights customer service tweaks to woo back riders
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-covid-19-recovery-plan-move-better-together-coronavirus-20200908.html
Philly’s Catholic high school teachers reject contract, but do not vote to strike
https://www.inquirer.com/news/catholic-high-schools-teachers-contract-offer-archdiocese-philadelphia-20200908.html
Philly learning centers bring working parents both relief and anxiety
https://www.witf.org/2020/09/08/philly-learning-centers-bring-working-parents-both-relief-and-anxiety/
Philadelphia to temporarily block landlords from enforcing evictions
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philadelphia-to-temporarily-block-landlords-from-enforcing-evictions/article_929e3240-c7ff-5716-8371-2b363ffb20c7.html
Pitt
Internet issues surface during Pittsburgh Public Schools’ first day of online learning
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/09/08/Internet-connection-Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-first-day-of-school/stories/202009080079
Allegheny County Council considers hair amendment
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/09/08/hair-discrimination-Allegheny-County-Council-amendment-end-hairstyles-colors/stories/202009080109
Police find man with gunshot wound after Spring Hill shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/08/Spring-Hill-shooting-Rhine-Place-man-hospital-Pittsburgh-police-investigation/stories/202009080120
Police respond to East Liberty shots; teen in critical condition
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/08/East-Liberty-shooting-Station-Street-man-hospital-critical-Pittsburgh-police/stories/202009080119
Shotspotter alerts lead Pittsburgh police to shootings in East Liberty, Spring Hill
https://triblive.com/local/shotspotter-alerts-lead-pittsburgh-police-to-shootings-in-east-liberty-spring-hill/
City council votes to forgo preliminary city budget, extend emergency declaration
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/09/08/Pittsburgh-city-council-preliminary-budget-vote-COVID-emergency-declaration-historic-designations/stories/202009080091
The state of the pandemic
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/09/09/The-state-of-the-pandemic/stories/202009050041
City to review arrest of man who questioned Pittsburgh cop’s ‘Thin Blue Line’ mask at farmers marke
https://triblive.com/local/city-to-review-arrest-of-man-who-questioned-pittsburgh-cops-thin-blue-line-mask-at-farmers-market/
Pittsburgh officials denounce weekend disturbances during Downtown protests
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-officials-denounce-weekend-disturbances-during-downtown-protests/
Allegheny County judge accused of racist remarks argues suspension unnecessary
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-judge-accused-of-racist-remarks-argues-suspension-unnecessary/
State News
Pa. Supreme Court criticizes former justice who received reprimand over Jerry Sandusky case
https://triblive.com/local/pa-supreme-court-criticizes-former-justice-who-received-reprimand-over-jerry-sandusky-case/
State HRC, Congress member condemn Perry in joint statement
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/politics/2020/09/04/state-hrc-congress-member-condemn-perry-joint-statement/5718150002/
Washington
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan discusses racial disparities in health care at town hall
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/rep-chrissy-houlahan-discusses-racial-disparities-in-health-care-at-town-hall/article_1eb7fd36-f226-11ea-96f0-076c75aa0e07.html