Legislature
Lawmakers hear calls for action on property tax reform; ‘we’re reaching the breaking point’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/lawmakers-hear-calls-for-action-on-property-tax-reform-were-reaching-the-breaking-point.html
Property tax elimination hearing draws big crowd, but agreement still scarce
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/property-tax-elimination-hearing-draws-big-crowd-but-agreement-still-scarce/
Plan to tax retirement income instead of property will be yanked without support of seniors, author says
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-senior-support-20190813-f7y4lk5iu5gani2haolxmzpjiy-story.html
Police split over necessity of bringing registration stickers back to Pa. license plates
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/police-split-over-necessity-of-bringing-registration-stickers-back-to-pa-license-plates.html
State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe creates his own conspiracy theory about Jeffrey Epstein suicide
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/state-rep-daryl-metcalfe-creates-his-own-conspiracy-theory-about-jeffrey-epstein-suicide/Content?oid=15617221
Administration
Wolf calls for overhaul of state’s charter school law
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/08/13/Wolf-calls-for-overhaul-of-state-s-charter-school-law/stories/201908130164
Gov. Wolf calls for sweeping reforms for charter schools in Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/gov-wolf-calls-for-sweeping-reforms-for-charter-schools-in-pennsylvania/
Wolf moves to reform Pa.’s ‘flawed’ charter school law that he calls one of the worst in the nation
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/wolf-taking-action-to-reforms-to-pas-flawed-and-outdated-charter-school-law-that-he-calls-one-of-the-worst-in-the-nation.html
Rolling out charter school reforms, Wolf calls for a ‘level playing field’
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/rolling-out-charter-school-reforms-wolf-calls-for-a-level-playing-field/
Charter schools decry ‘blatant attacks’ in Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to revamp state law
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/charter-schools-decry-blatant-attacks-in-gov-tom-wolf-plan-to-revamp-state-law.html
Bear Creek executive: Charter schools aren’t private schools
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/bear-creek-executive-charter-schools-aren-t-private-schools-1.2519684
Gov. Wolf calls for ICE to cease all arrests that result in child separation in Pa.
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/gov-wolf-calls-for-ice-to-cease-all-arrests-that-result-in-child-separation-in-pa/Content?oid=15622738
Business
Despite generous compensation, shipping companies are having a hard time finding truck drivers
https://www.readingeagle.com/business-weekly/article/help-wanted-truckers-in-short-supply
Catholic Church
One year after scathing report on clergy sex abuse of children in Pa., much has changed and much has not
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/one-year-after-scathing-report-on-clergy-sex-abuse-of-children-in-pa-much-has-changed-and-much-has-not.html
Pennsylvania investigation into clergy sex abuse sparks a wave of reforms across the nation – but not so much in Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/pennsylvania-investigation-into-clergy-sex-abuse-sparks-a-wave-of-reforms-across-the-nation-but-not-so-much-in-pa.html
One year after Pa. grand jury report on priest abuse, new lawsuit alleges Jesuit conspiracy
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2019/08/13/one-year-after-pa-grand-jury-report-priest-abuse-new-lawsuit-alleges-jesuit-conspiracy/1996089001/
Crime/Punishment
Two schizophrenic men were jailed together on probation violations. Both are dead — and answers are scarce.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/stephen-klampfer-schizophrenia-probation-parole-violation-incarceration-montgomery-county-pennsylvania-20190814.html
Iain Carberry, 39, charged in Planned Parenthood vandalism case
https://www.timesleader.com/news/752466/iain-carberry-39-charged-in-planned-parenthood-vandalism-case
Cops: Beaver woman kept $3,000 in adoption fees from Hempfield animal rescue
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/police-beaver-woman-kept-3k-in-adoption-fees-from-hempfield-animal-rescue/
Education
How much are your school taxes increasing? Here’s a district-by-district look at the Philly region.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/school-budget-property-tax-coatesville-colonial-bucks-chester-montco-delco-20190814.html
Wilkes-Barre Area to cut 47 jobs, reduce costs with school consolidation plan
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-area-to-cut-47-jobs-reduce-costs-with-school-consolidation-plan-1.2519644
Scranton School District may join legal fight for state funding
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-school-district-may-join-legal-fight-for-state-funding-1.2519810
Buffalo Township Christian school closes, citing declining enrollment, money problems
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/buffalo-township-christian-school-closes-citing-declining-enrollment-money-problems/
Health Care
Health organizations get grant funding to bolster mental health and addiction recovery care
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/health-organizations-get-grant-funding-to-bolster-mental-health-and-addiction-recovery-care-1.2519622
Local News
Some W-B officials call for gun ban in municipal buildings
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/some-w-b-officials-call-for-gun-ban-in-municipal-buildings-1.2519697
Plymouth Twp. shutters fire company; chief hopes community rallies behind it
https://www.timesleader.com/news/752502/plymouth-twp-shutters-fire-company-chief-hopes-community-rallies-behind-it
Tilbury fire station abruptly ceases operations
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/tilbury-fire-station-abruptly-ceases-operations-1.2519707
Rick Morelli appointed to vacant Luzerne County Council seat
https://www.timesleader.com/news/752473/rick-morelli-appointed-to-vacant-luzerne-county-council-seat
Wilkes-Barre city council pressed for time to approve insurance package
https://www.timesleader.com/news/752503/wilkes-barre-city-council-pressed-for-time-to-approve-insurance-package
Pittston Tomato Festival kicks off Thursday
https://www.timesleader.com/news/752515/pittston-tomato-festival-kicks-off-thursday
Lemonade seller hopes video will get him on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
https://www.timesleader.com/news/752520/lemonade-seller-hopes-video-will-get-him-on-the-ellen-degeneres-show
Scranton does not track mileage of city vehicles assigned to high-level employees
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-does-not-track-mileage-of-city-vehicles-assigned-to-high-level-employees-1.2519813
Scranton new mayor seeks volunteers to serve on city boards or authorities
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-new-mayor-seeks-volunteers-to-serve-on-city-boards-or-authorities-1.2519568
Upon further review: City vehicle policy
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/upon-further-review-city-vehicle-policy-1.2519602
Acting troupe on mission to help WWII unit Merrill’s Marauders get Congressional Gold Medal
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/acting-troupe-on-mission-to-help-wwii-unit-merrill-s-marauders-get-congressional-gold-medal-1.2519783
Carbon kills building project plan
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/carbon-kills-building-project-plan-1.2519632
CAN BE resources help Keystone Ballet Academycontinue steady growth
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/can-be-resources-help-keystone-ballet-academycontinue-steady-growth-1.2519576
Mahanoy study commission will advertise for consultant service
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/mahanoy-study-commission-will-advertise-for-consultant-service-1.2519578
Greensburg to establish vacant property registry, fines for absentee owners
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-to-establish-vacant-property-registry-fines-for-absentee-owners/
Westmoreland Fair bills itself as ‘A Timeless Tradition’
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-fair-bills-itself-as-a-timeless-tradition/
Springdale officials say tap water should clear up by next week
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/springdale-officials-say-tap-water-should-clear-up-by-next-week/
‘Our town is starting to look like crap’: Rental property issues irk Palmyra mayor, others
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/our-town-is-starting-to-look-like-crap-palmyra-mayor-others-vocal-about-issues-with-rental-properties.html
National News
Curt Schilling mulls a run for Congress in Ariz., which Trump thinks would be ‘Terrific!’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/08/13/Curt-Schilling-Congress-Trump-run-Arizona-Terrific/stories/201908130179
An investigation is opened after Placido Domingo is accused of sexual harassment
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2019/08/13/Placido-Domingo-opera-legend-sexual-harassment-women-accused-star/stories/201908130161
22 states sue Trump administration over new coal rules
https://triblive.com/news/world/22-states-sue-trump-administration-over-new-coal-rules/
Philly
Philly powerlifter, 69, overcame blindness, homelessness, addiction, cancer, and the death of his daughter to become a champion
https://www.inquirer.com/news/blind-powerlifting-champion-lifted-himself-out-of-turmoil-20190818.html
She uses tarot cards to discuss mental health and 89,000+ people are paying attention | We The People
https://www.inquirer.com/news/tarot-cards-mental-health-jessica-dore-twitter-20190814.html
Philly jails extend cashier hours, but most inmates still would be released without IDs, cash, or phones
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-jail-release-afterhours-cashier-extend-ids-cash-blanche-carney-20190813.html
Letting people leave jail with their money and ID should be an easy fix | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-prison-jail-release-afterhours-ids-cashier-closed-20190814.html
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner pushes back on critics of his ‘war criminals’ joke
https://www.inquirer.com/news/attorney-general-josh-shapiro-district-attorney-larry-krasner-dispute-nazi-analogy-20190814.html
By publicizing distasteful ‘office joke,’ DA Larry Krasner crossed an ethical line | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/news/larry-krasner-josh-shapiro-paraguay-20190814.html
Developer subs mid-rise apartment proposal for condo-and-hotel-tower plan at Old City corner
https://www.inquirer.com/news/old-city-hotel-condo-tower-apartment-midrise-marc-andy-kaplin-zoning-revolution-development-20190813.html
A denomination that fought slavery works toward ‘Ending Racism’ in Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/news/race-racism-unitarian-universalist-church-history-social-justice-society-philadelphia-20190813.html
Jefferson CEO: Hahnemann’s closure is another canary in the health-care coal mine | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/hahnemann-closure-residents-jefferson-stephen-klasko-20190813.html
West Philly mourns the closing of Lucky’s, a beloved ‘Chinese store’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/luckys-chinese-takeout-west-philadelphia-closing-20190813.html
Philly should preempt Harrisburg on gun laws | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-gun-laws-preemption-harrisburg-20190813.html
Hahnemann is too important to close. Our leaders must fight for it | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/hahnemann-is-too-important-to-close-our-leaders-must-fight-for-it-opinion/
Pitt
Rivers Casino digs in on $60 million, 219-room hotel
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/08/13/rivers-casino-hotel-Carnegie-science-Steelers-rooms-Esplanade/stories/201908130132
Rivers Casino to begin construction of $60 million hotel on North Shore
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/rivers-casino-to-begin-construction-of-60-million-hotel-on-north-shore/
How did Officer Hall die?: Secret justice can never be justice
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/08/14/Calvin-Hall-case-shooting-transparency-Jill-Rangos-justice/stories/201908130025
Pittsburgh lobbyist charged with defrauding small businesses for more than $100K
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/08/13/pittsburgh-lobbyist-fraud-kuklis-wellington-millies-dced-pennsylvania/stories/201908130103
Man arrested after second stabbing in a week in Downtown Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/08/14/Man-arrested-second-stabbing-Downtown-Pittsburgh-michael-bob-benedum/stories/201908140059
Climate change town hall convenes in Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/08/13/Climate-change-town-hall-convenes-in-Pittsburgh-Wednesday/stories/201908130148
Mt. Lebanon business owner saves life thanks to Narcan training
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/mt-lebanon-business-owner-saves-life-thanks-to-narcan-training/
State News
Lack of smoke detectors, inspection ‘loopholes’ led to Erie fire deaths
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2019/08/13/Erie-PA-daycare-fire-Lack-of-smoke-detectors-inspection-loopholes-led-to-fire-deaths/stories/201908130140
Agency: Can’t cite day care for smoke detectors
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190814/agency-cant-cite-day-care-for-smoke-detectors
The state ‘has gone sideways’: Innovation is stagnating in Pa., report says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/innovation-pennsylvania-philadelphia-economy-brookings-report-20190814.html
A Montgomery County man thought he finally got a job. Instead, he got scammed out of $8,500
https://www.inquirer.com/business/job-offer-fake-check-employment-scam-bank-liability-20190814.html
El Paso massacre suspect’s racist manifesto spurs fears of race hate among Berks Latinos
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/el-paso-massacre-suspects-racist-manifesto-spurs-fears-of-race-hate-in-berks
Berks detectives are looking into how a deputy sheriff accidentally shot himself in the leg
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/das-office-investigating-deputy-sheriffs-self-inflicted-wound
Volunteer firefighter dies nearly two weeks after falling from firetruck
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/volunteer-firefighter-dies-nearly-two-weeks-after-falling-from-firetruck.html
State revokes Allentown nursing facility’s license after 14-year-old boy’s death
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-allentown-firely-nursing-home-boy-dies-license-revoked–20190813-fahnobzvk5d5vhr6zb2am7e73y-story.html
Pa. health experts: New Trump immigration rule will increase uninsured
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/08/pa-health-experts-warn-new-trump-immigration-rule-will-increase-uninsured.php
State College project provides job training for autistic individuals
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/08/state-college-project-provides-job-training-for-autistic-individuals.php
Spotted lanternfly a real pest
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/08/spotted-lanternfly-a-real-pest/
Transportation
U.S. appeals court hands truckers defeat in turnpike toll suit
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/08/13/US-appeals-court-truckers-defeat-pennsylvania-turnpike-tolls-lawsuit/stories/201908130131
DUI enforcement campaign starting this week in Berks, nationally
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/dui-enforcement-starting-this-week-in-berks-nationally
These 5 Lehigh Valley road projects —- including a dangerous intersection near Dorney Park — may not be addressed for decades
https://www.mcall.com/business/transportation/mc-biz-lehigh-valley-road-projects-missed-cut-20190814-53hqoam6yvgprjihj5wjdsavg4-story.html
Editorial: Distracted driving persists despite warnings
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/editorial-distracted-driving-persists-despite-warnings/article_468a060e-bdb3-11e9-be1d-6f329069a4c8.html
Washington
Trump takes credit for new Beaver County ethane plant in visit with workers
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/08/13/trump-cracker-plant-beaver-county-visit/stories/201908130160
Trump claims credit for Beaver County cracker plant, reviving economy during Western Pa. visit
https://triblive.com/local/regional/trump-claims-credit-for-beaver-county-cracker-plant-reviving-economy-during-western-pa-visit/
Trump official: Statue of Liberty poem refers to Europeans
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/ken-cuccinelli-immigration-statue-of-liberty-trump-20190814.html
Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan will host town hall Thursday in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/congresswoman-chrissy-houlahan-will-host-town-hall-thursday-in-reading
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick finds ‘incredible’ overcrowding at southern borderfacility
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190814/rep-brian-fitzpatrick-finds-incredible-overcrowding-at-southern-borderfacility