Legislature
Senate hears calls for ‘fair’ funding changes to state’s cyber charter schools
https://www.tribdem.com/news/senate-hears-calls-for-fair-funding-changes-to-state-s/article_d3e1623a-bef4-11e9-add7-df9a72e19fee.html
Lawmakers might bring back license plate stickers with a new twist
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/08/14/vehicle-registration-PennDOT-inspection-registration-sticker-Pennsylvania-House-of-Representatives/stories/201908130163
Parolees charged in recent killings prompt lawmaker to call for investigation into Pa.’s parole practices
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/parolees-charged-in-recent-killings-prompt-lawmaker-to-call-for-investigation-into-pas-parole-practices.html
Guns will be on the agenda during Sept. 24, 25 state Senate hearings
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/guns-will-be-on-the-agenda-during-sept-24-25-state-senate-hearings/
Pa. license plate readers gain support for their use in crime-fighting, but bill would address privacy concerns
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/pa-license-plate-readers-gain-support-for-their-use-in-crime-fighting-but-bill-would-address-privacy-concerns.html
Elected officials are urged to become advocate for the ‘Y’
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/elected-officials-are-urged-to-become-advocate-for-the-y/article_147b61c0-beb3-11e9-abb4-4bf1dd41a2ba.html
Rep. Summer Lee to host environmental forum in Forest Hills
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/rep-summer-lee-to-host-environmental-forum-in-forest-hills/
Radnor makes push in support of gun control bills
http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/mainlinesuburbanlife/radnor-makes-push-in-support-of-gun-control-bills/article_405500f0-bea7-11e9-a6b4-b7fda13b8303.html
Your View: How a state senator blocked Pennsylvania bans on plastic bags
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-pennsylvania-plastic-bag-pollution-20190814-or45k4vsjjfavcv6vgkg76a2yq-story.html
Administration
Gov. Wolf postpones signing of executive order aimed at reducing gun violence
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/gov-wolf-postpones-signing-of-executive-order-aimed-at-reducing-gun-violence.html
Philly shooting prompts Gov. Wolf to delay gun violence executive order
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/08/gov-tom-wolf-will-sign-sweeping-executive-order-to-reduce-gun-violence.php
Gov. Wolf orders flags lowered to honor fallen Adams County firefighter
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/gov-wolf-orders-flags-lowered-to-honor-fallen-adams-county-firefighter.html
Gov. Tom Wolf says ‘shameful’ Trump rule change could harm 837,000 legal immigrants in Pennsylvania
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190814/gov-tom-wolf-says-shameful-trump-rule-change-could-harm-837000-legal-immigrants-in-pennsylvania
Wolf promises charter school reform at PM West visit
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20190814/wolf-promises-charter-school-reform-at-pm-west-visit
Catholic Church
Pa. Superior Court upholds a path for abuse lawsuits
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/08/14/Pennsylvania-Superior-Court-sexual-abuse-grand-jury-Roman-Catholic-lawsuits/stories/201908140096
Crime/Punishment
Boy sexually assaulted in his bedroom at Woods Services, lawsuit alleges
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/woods-service-lawsuit-resident-sexual-assault-20190814.html
Berks district attorney, police strike big blow against synthetic marijuana
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-district-attorney-police-strike-big-blow-against-synthetic-pot
Education
Pennsylvania’s charter schools, explained: How they work, and why Gov. Wolf wants to reform them
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/pennsylvanias-charter-schools-explained-how-they-work-and-why-gov-wolf-wants-to-reform-them/
Scranton School District’s recovery officer outlines consequences of rejecting recovery plan
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-school-district-s-recovery-officer-outlines-consequences-of-rejecting-recovery-plan-1.2520465
So what’s the status of Allentown School District’s budget?
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-allentown-schools-budget-20190814-yafp45t3ozdr7lsa4ajk2t2q7y-story.html
Attorney general investigators return to Scranton School District administration building
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/attorney-general-investigators-return-to-scranton-school-district-administration-building-1.2520205
W-B Area makes all documents supplied to the Auditor General publicly available online
https://www.timesleader.com/news/752607/w-b-area-makes-all-documents-supplied-to-the-auditor-general-publicly-available-online
WB high school consolidation will yield staff reduction
https://www.timesleader.com/news/752600/wb-high-school-consolidation-will-yield-staff-reduction
Retired WB Area HS football helmets will be auctioned to benefit veterans
https://www.timesleader.com/news/752628/retired-wb-area-hs-football-helmets-will-be-auctioned-to-benefit-veterans
He did it right: One student thinks rational choice is fairest for all
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/08/15/Student-debt-loan-forgiveness-Toledo-college-education/stories/201908150022
Elections/Politics
Study finds huge difference in cost of new voting machines for Pennsylvania counties
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/study-finds-huge-difference-in-the-cost-of-new-voting-machines-for-pennsylvania-counties/
Gaming
State gaming board grants final license for Westmoreland Mall mini casino
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/officials-grant-final-license-for-westmoreland-mall-casino/
Health Care
Valley Forge Medical Center going on the market
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/valley-forge-medical-center-being-sold-20190815.html
Observing patients better: Allegheny General’s new unit may admit fewer people, but boost hospital’s income
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/08/14/Allegheny-General-hospital-observation-medicare-upmc-cleveland-emergency-patient/stories/201908110053
Excela working to untangle error that sent bad checks to 800 patients
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/excela-working-to-untangle-error-that-sent-bad-checks-to-800-patients/
Local News
WB police reaches out to the community for National Night Out
https://www.timesleader.com/news/752615/wb-police-reaches-out-to-the-community-for-national-night-out
Wilkes-Barre council will take up pet law tonight
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-council-will-take-up-pet-law-tonight-1.2520477
Wilkes-Barre reminds residents of curbside collection rules
https://www.timesleader.com/news/752604/wilkes-barre-reminds-residents-of-curbside-collection-rules
W-B clinic gives out free school supplies
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-clinic-gives-out-free-school-supplies-1.2520409
Luzerne County Historical Society receives grant
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/luzerne-county-historical-society-receives-grant-1.2520418
Penguins’ lease at Mohegan Sun Arena still being finalized
https://www.timesleader.com/news/752602/penguins-lease-at-mohegan-sun-arena-still-being-finalized
At Courtright’s order, former LIPs director said he greased license process for developer
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/at-courtright-s-order-former-lips-director-said-he-greased-license-process-for-developer-1.2520570
Festival returning to Nay Aug to help support stable housing for former inmates
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/festival-returning-to-nay-aug-to-help-support-stable-housing-for-former-inmates-1.2520579
City council OKs keeping wage tax increase
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/city-council-oks-keeping-wage-tax-increase-1.2520461
West Newton meeting slated on proposed natural gas plant
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/west-newton-meeting-slated-on-proposed-natural-gas-plant/
Port Authority moving Tarentum bus stop at borough’s request
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/port-authority-moving-tarentum-bus-stop-at-boroughs-request/
Allegheny Township $2.4 bond issue to pay for building renovations, equipment
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/allegheny-township-bond-issue-to-pay-for-building-renovations-equipment/
Man challenges city over ICE facility
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/08/man-challenges-city-over-ice-facility/
‘Foamy substance’ found at York wastewater plant under investigation
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/crime/2019/08/14/foamy-substance-entered-york-treatment-plant-before-codorus-creek/2011369001/
American Water takes plunge in DELCORA sweepstakes
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/american-water-takes-plunge-in-delcora-sweepstakes/article_82840c36-be99-11e9-b646-f78030b2be30.html
Troubled Waters: Chester seeks new bids for Chester Water in heated session
https://www.delcotimes.com/business/troubled-waters-chester-seeks-new-bids-for-chester-water-in/article_2c99c2aa-bef0-11e9-a4ee-af3d3f387f3f.html
Here’s what the EPA has to say about PFAS water contamination in BucksMont
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190814/heres-what-epa-has-to-say-about-pfas-water-contamination-in-bucksmont
National News
Key economic indicator spooks Wall Street’s fear of recession
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2019/08/14/Stocks-losses-deepen-as-key-recession-warning-surfaces-bond-inversion-trump-federal-reserve/stories/201908140106
A man whose wife was killed in the El Paso massacre invites the city to her funeral
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/08/14/El-Paso-funeral-wife-killed/stories/201908140140
Why banking heiress Cordelia Scaife May spent her fortune on keeping immigrants out
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/08/14/anti-immigration-Cordelia-Scaife-May/stories/201908140133
A man dies after competing in a taco-eating contest at a Fresno baseball game
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/other-sports/2019/08/14/taco-eating-contest-man-Fresno-dies-competing-Grizzlies-baseball-game-California/stories/201908140135
New Jersey
The lead crisis in Newark grows as bottled-water distribution is bungled
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/08/14/water-Newark-lead-crisis-bottled/stories/201908140146
Students with a $20 lunch debt won’t get a school lunch, N.J. district proposes
https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey/school-lunch-debt-meal-shaming-new-jersey-cherry-hill-tuna-20190814.html
Philly
‘We got an officer down!’: Inside North Philly shootout that left 6 cops shot
https://www.inquirer.com/news/six-philadelphia-police-officers-shot-tioga-mass-shooting-20190815.html
Philadelphia police shooting standoff ends with suspect surrendering, officers wounded
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/police-officers-shot-north-philadelphia-20190814.html
In North Philly standoff, alleged cop shooter Maurice Hill has a long criminal history
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-shootings-six-shot-suspect-maurice-hill-20190815.html
Philadelphia gunman in custody after hours long standoff
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philadelphia-gunman-in-custody-after-hourslong-standoff/article_c1699126-f780-5587-9a27-c4bbb3a5f618.html
After hours of fear, terrified parents comfort children after day-care lockdown near North Philly police shooting
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-shooting-police-children-daycare-precious-babies-20190815.html
Are landlords required to accept Section 8 vouchers? Philly lawyers think so, according to discrimination complaint.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/section-8-vouchers-affordable-housing-philly-tenants-landlords-public-interest-law-center-20190815.html
With Philly municipal ID demand far exceeding expectations, the city makes adjustments
https://www.inquirer.com/news/municipal-id-philadelphia-phl-city-benefits-immigrant-museums-20190815.html
‘They got away’: Stadium Casino wins a $3 million exit to its I-76 on-ramp conundrum
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-stadium-casino-schuylkill-expressway-entrance-ramp-resolved-20190815.html
Suburbanites benefited from Philly’s post-recession job growth more than city residents, report says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/jobs-report-philadelphia-low-wage-20190815.html
Lyft to give $2.50 rides to grocery stores in poorer Philly neighborhoods
https://www.inquirer.com/news/lyft-flat-rate-rides-pha-uplift-grocery-stores-food-desert-20190815.html
Is it safe to swim in the Delaware or Schuylkill? What about Devil’s Pool? It’s complicated.
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/delaware-schuylkill-river-swim-philadelphia-pollution-20190815.html
Longtime Philly GOP Councilman Brian O’Neill faces test against Democrat backed by outside group
https://www.inquirer.com/news/brian-oneill-judy-moore-philadelphia-council-30-nonprofit-20190814.html
Philly community activist, 57, arrested on armed robbery, assault charges in Baltimore
https://www.inquirer.com/news/manuel-wali-smith-philadelphia-missing-baltimore-arrest-robbery-20190814.html
Philly’s new voting-machine contract in jeopardy because vendor failed to disclose use of lobbyists, campaign contributions
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/philly-voting-machines-ess-contract-disclosure-20190814.html
Fixing Philadelphia’s public restroom desert would benefit all | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/hepatitis-kensington-emergency-public-rest-rooms-opioid-crisis–20190815.html
Goodbye and good riddance to the bane of South Philly bikers: The 11th Street trolley tracks | Mike Newall
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/south-philadelphia-biking-trolley-tracks-injuries-11th-street-repaving-20190814.html
Pitt
Carnegie Library staff members vote to unionize
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/08/14/Carnegie-Library-staff-members-vote-to-unionize/stories/201908140121
13-year-old collapses, dies while playing football in Windgap
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/west/2019/08/14/13-year-old-collapses-dies-while-playing-football-in-Windgap/stories/201908140137
Local church members train to prepare for possible attacks
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/08/14/Church-security-armed-intruders-gun-violence/stories/201908140093
Judge denies city’s appeal, confirms fired Pittsburgh police officer’s reinstatement to force
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/08/14/pittsburgh-police-kramer-road-rage-arbitration-appeal/stories/201908140085
Pittsburgh’s hip-hop community forms board to support local acts
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburghs-hip-hop-community-forms-board-to-support-local-acts/
2 men injured in Hill District shooting
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/2-men-injured-in-hill-district-shooting/
Pittsburgh’s Jewish Community Center provides outreach to El Paso
https://triblive.com/news/world/pittsburghs-jewish-community-center-provides-outreach-to-el-paso/
State News
Pa. to close two of its four residential centers for people with intellectual, developmental disabilities
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-centers-disability-closures-polk-white-haven-residents-20190814.html
State announces plan to close White Haven Center within next 3 years
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/state-announces-plan-to-close-white-haven-center-within-next-3-years-1.2520480
White Haven Center decision leaves families in limbo
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/white-haven-center-decision-leaves-families-in-limbo-1.2520481
Two Upper Darby farmers had big dreams but not enough land. So they’re growing in a cemetery.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/greenhorn-gardens-upper-darby-stacey-sean-mcnicholl-20190814.html
PSERS latest investments don’t align with what union members want | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/psers-pension-retirement-platinum-equity-securus-prison-phone-20190814.html
Fewer bats roosting in Wertz Red Covered Bridge are a sign of white-nose syndrome devastation
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/fewer-bats-roosting-in-wertz-red-covered-bridge-are-sign-of-white-nose-syndrome-devastation
Pay raises, increased costs in new Pa. state government employee contracts leave taxpayers with a $1.1 billion bill
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/pay-raises-increased-costs-in-new-state-government-employee-contracts-leave-taxpayers-with-a-11-billion-bill.html
Editorial: State spotlight shines on programs in Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/state-spotlight-shines-on-valuable-programs-in-berks
Transportation
Kutztown Road repair project causing problems for businesses and residents
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/kutztown-road-repair-project-causing-problems-for-businesses-and-residents
Washington
Pelosi calls McConnell ‘Moscow Mitch’ as she recounts bills he has blocked
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/pelosi-calls-mcconnell-moscow-mitch-she-recounts-bills-he-has-blocked-20190814.html
Casey urges Ag Progress Days crowd to oppose proposed SNAP changes
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/08/senator-casey-urges-ag-progress-days-crowd-to-oppose-proposed-snap-changes.php
Iowa Rep. Steve King says rapes, incest helped populate the world
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/08/iowa-rep-steve-king-says-rapes-incest-helped-populate-the-world.php