Administration
Wolf tells pipeline activists he won’t shut down Mariner East
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/08/wolf-tells-pipeline-activists-he-wont-shut-down-mariner-east.php
Gov. Wolf visits pipeline construction site in Chesco
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/gov-wolf-visits-pipeline-construction-site-in-chesco/article_8e4a30c2-973c-5608-98f2-b0729776fde8.html
Gov. Wolf touted near-majority backing for his infrastructure plan in June. Environmental advocates are trying to chip away at that support
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/gov-wolf-touted-near-majority-backing-for-his-infrastructure-plan-in-june-environmental-advocates-are-trying-to-chip-away-at-that-support/
Gov. Wolf announces $3.8M to help PFAS-contaminated communities in Bucks, Montco
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190822/gov-wolf-announces-38m-to-help-pfas-contaminated-communities-in-bucks-montco
Pennsylvania OKs $3.8M to treat toxic compounds in drinking water
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/pennsylvania-oks-38m-to-treat-pfas-in-drinking-water.html
Gun violence council needs more voices
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2019/08/23/Gun-violence-council-needs-more-voices/stories/201908230034
Christian Leinbach speaks out against Gov. Wolf’s Restore Pennsylvania infrastructure plan
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-commissioner-speaks-out-against-gov-tom-wolfs-restore-pennsylvania-infrastructure-plan
Legislature
State Rep. Frank Burns calls for outside review of parole policies
https://www.tribdem.com/news/state-rep-frank-burns-calls-for-outside-review-of-parole/article_f56bc3a8-c536-11e9-86b2-67d95db07700.html
Lives at stake: State inspectors should check for working smoke detectors
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/08/23/Erie-fire-smoke-detectors-state-inspection/stories/201908250036
Bullying bill worth developing
http://www.altoonamirror.com/opinion/editorials/2019/08/bullying-bill-worth-developing/
Paul Muschick: Seniors are being taxed out of their homes. Here’s one solution.
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-pa-property-tax-reform-muschick-20190822-kg346p64rjhgdav2a4bjzileya-story.html
Shootings
Cops hunt for clues in ‘stone-cold ambush’
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/cops-hunt-for-clues-in-stone-cold-ambush/article_6e8fdedc-c518-11e9-8a5e-df949b52394d.html
Business
Dick’s posts strong numbers, but still reviewing its future in the hunting business
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2019/08/22/Dick-s-retailer-sporting-guns-tariffs-sales-earnings-quarterly/stories/201908220366
Explosion leads to fire at Latrobe metal facility
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2019/08/22/Explosion-leads-to-fire-at-Latrobe-metal-facility-lehigh-specialty-melting-westmoreland-county/stories/201908220461
2 suffer minor injuries when water explodes on hot metal at Latrobe steel plant
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/officials-responding-to-latrobe-business-for-explosion-fire/
AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and others promise to help investigators trace robocalls
https://www.inquirer.com/business/robocall-att-comcast-verizon-t-mobile-states-fight-20190822.html
West Reading man killed in industrial accident at Rose Corp. in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/at-least-1-killed-in-industrial-accident-in-reading
New warehouse under construction in Bethel Township
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/new-warehouse-under-construction-in-bethel-township
Little League becomes big business in ESPN age, but some wish more money went to help kids, families
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/volunteer-fueled-little-league-is-big-business-in-its-espn-age-some-wish-broadcast-s-trickled-a-little-farther.html
Education
Parents decry Crestwood bus schedule during 3-hour session after board meeting
https://www.timesleader.com/news/753241/parents-decry-crestwood-bus-schedule-during-3-hour-session-after-board-meeting
Convicted child rapist’s home selected for Crestwood bus stop
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/convicted-child-rapist-s-home-selected-for-crestwood-bus-stop-1.2523678
Crestwood approves KOZ extension that includes $270,000 in back taxes
https://www.timesleader.com/news/753288/crestwood-approves-koz-extension-that-includes-270000-in-back-taxes
Bond refinance saves Hazleton Area $600K
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/bond-refinance-saves-hazleton-area-600k-1.2523647
Berks commissioners get update on efforts to tackle truancy
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-commissioners-get-update-on-efforts-to-tackle-truancy
New Kensington-Arnold OKs teachers contract just in time for start of school
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-arnold-oks-teachers-contract-just-in-time-for-start-of-school/
How Northampton Area School District hopes to get $3 million-$4 million from FedEx Ground, warehouses, more
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/whitehall/mc-nws-northampton-area-schools-tax-assessment-appeals-20190822-aujnunf3rzbebkdh3w7ajrg3nm-story.html
With start of school days away, Lehigh Valley districts grapple with bus driver shortage
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-education-bus-driver-shortage-20190823-dleq4sgxrndllldzitevs333t4-story.html
Karen Kane: Don’t weaponize school lunches
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/karen-kane/2019/08/23/School-lunch-shaming-Seneca-Valley/stories/201908170016
University of Scranton students get FIRST look
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/university-of-scranton-students-get-first-look-1.2523738
Gaming
Meadows Racetrack & Casino adding sportsbook, undergoing transformation
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/washington/2019/08/22/Meadows-Racetrack-Casino-adding-sportsbook-betting-overhaul/stories/201908210169
Mini-casino at York Galleria moves one step closer with Springettsbury Township’s decision
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2019/08/22/mini-casino-york-galleria-springettsbury-oks-redevelopment-old-sears-site-york-galleria/2085164001/
Local News
White Haven Center hearing: ‘Nothing more than a charade’
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/white-haven-center-hearing-nothing-more-than-a-charade-1.2523658
Two more state centers close in Pennsylvania | PennLive letters
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/08/two-more-state-centers-close-in-pennsylvania-pennlive-letters.html
Wall out, Nanticoke mayor names interim police chief
https://www.timesleader.com/news/753224/wall-out-nanticoke-mayor-names-interim-police-chief
Nanticoke won’t challenge ruling on police chief
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/nanticoke-won-t-challenge-ruling-on-police-chief-1.2523686
Youth’s fundraising effort a lifesaver
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/youth-s-fundraising-effort-a-lifesaver-1.2523675
Local business donates new signs to community kitchen
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/local-business-donates-new-signs-to-community-kitchen-1.2523561
Fine Arts Fiesta establishes Luzerne Foundation fund
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/fine-arts-fiesta-establishes-luzerne-foundation-fund-1.2523635
PAV fetes and feeds vets at annual picnic
https://www.timesleader.com/news/753256/pav-fetes-and-feeds-vets-at-annual-picnic
Cyclists ready to ride in downtown Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cyclists-ready-to-ride-in-downtown-scranton-1.2523752
Police substation established in Scranton City Hall
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/police-substation-established-in-scranton-city-hall-1.2523360
Leaders MIA; project folds
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/leaders-mia-project-folds-1.2523463
Westmoreland Fair enters its final weekend
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-fair-enters-its-final-weekend/
Springdale water system renovation 80% complete, but discolored water will stay awhile
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/springdale-water-system-renovation-80-complete-discolored-water-will-stay-for-awhile/
Editorial: Summer events are signs of hope for downtown Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-summer-events-are-signs-of-hope-for-downtown-reading
Allentown leaders search for ways to reach youth, revive neighborhood groups
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-council-neighborhood-summit-crime-20190823-eihcuxlb2ff73akuhfrub6qp3u-story.html
National News
What you thought you knew about the beginnings of U.S. slavery may need an update
https://www.inquirer.com/news/1619-slavery-anniversary-african-landing-myths-events-20190822.html
Vaping without nicotine still harms blood vessels, Penn study finds
https://www.inquirer.com/health/vape-study-nicotine-inflammation-penn-20190822.html
Opioid Crisis
In Montgomery County, prosecutors are targeting a persistent source of the opioid crisis: ‘rogue’ doctors
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spiro-kassis-joseph-cipriano-lawrence-miller-montgomery-county-doctors-pill-mills-20190823.html
Philly
5 years before police shootout in North Philly, the alleged gunman and this cop crossed paths
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-shooting-suspect-maurice-hill-history-20190823.html
How an unremarkable Tioga drug probe led to Philly’s largest shooting of police in modern history
https://www.inquirer.com/news/maurice-hill-tioga-police-shooting-philadelphia-drug-probe-20190822.html
Latest female Philly cops harassment lawsuit echoes decades-long problem
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-women-police-sexual-harassment-discrimination-richard-ross-20190823.html
After a Philly charter school operator gave Pa. lawmakers hundreds of thousands of dollars, they rewrote the law. One critic calls it ‘very suspicious.’
https://www.inquirer.com/education/belmont-charter-school-philadelphia-michael-karp-innovation-school-20190823.html
Improvement district near Chinatown risks leaving community behind | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/chinatown-callowhill-improvement-district-mark-squilla-20190823.html
After police commissioner resigns, Philadelphia’s sexual harassment policies again under scrutiny
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-commissioner-resigns-city-sexual-harassment-policies-rebecca-rhynhart-20190822.html
Philly police launch website to help find suspects in unsolved murders
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-website-unsolved-murders-20190822.html
Fire-damaged, idled Philly refinery to retain 83 workers as ‘caretakers’ while seeking new owner
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/idle-philly-refinery-pes-agrees-to-keep-83-caretaker-employees-20190822.html
No severance pay or benefits for Philly refinery workers
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/08/no-severance-pay-or-benefits-for-philly-refinery-workers.php
Lawsuits from owners of water-damaged Toll Bros. houses can go forward, judges rule
https://www.inquirer.com/business/toll-brothers-water-damage-arbitration-superior-court-decision-20190822.html
Cannabis ‘drought’ strikes Philadelphia region as the number of marijuana patients spikes
https://www.inquirer.com/business/weed/marijuana-shortage-philadelphia-registered-patients-anxiety-20190822.html
Philadelphia man dies by suicide after video goes viral of him defending relationship with trans girlfriend, friends say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/maurice-willoughby-died-by-suicide-after-viral-video-defending-transgender-girlfriend-20190822.html
Philly suburban factory owner fined $1 million for retaliatory firings
https://www.inquirer.com/business/labor-department-damages-fines-lloyd-industries-amputations-osha-20190822.html
Philly start-ups need more early-stage investments to compete | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/start-up-business-ben-franklin-technology-partners-pennsylvania-budget-20190823.html
In fallout from Commissioner Richard Ross’ resignation, we haven’t heard full story | Christine Flowers
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/philadelphia-police-richard-ross-resignation-sexual-harassment-allegations-20190822.html
Hahnemann closure a reminder physicians need unions to fight for-profit takeover of healthcare | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/hahnemann-for-profit-healthcare-doctors-unions-20190822.html
Pitt
Allegheny County DA skeptical of plans for county police review board
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/08/22/police-review-board-allegheny-county-da-stephen-a-zappala-jr/stories/201908220450
DA releases body camera footage of Penn Hills fatal shooting by police
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/08/22/zappala-penn-hills-officer-involved-shooting-bodycam/stories/201908220370
DA questions location of sting that led to fatal Ross shootout
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/da-questions-location-of-sting-that-led-to-fatal-ross-shootout/
Half-dozen Allegheny County Jail inmates involved in fight
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/08/22/Half-dozen-Allegheny-County-Jail-inmates-involved-in-fight/stories/201908220457
City begins work to repair sidewalks and railings on Mount Washington’s Grandview Avenue
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/08/22/grandview-avenue-mount-washington-pittsburgh-sidewalks-repair-viewing-areas/stories/201908220453
Pittsburgh to begin sidewalk repairs along Mt. Washington’s Grandview Avenue
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-to-begin-sidewalk-repairs-along-mt-washingtons-grandview-avenue/
Hometown artists will receive Governor’s Awards in Pittsburgh ceremony Sept. 27
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2019/08/22/Pittsburgh-artists-Governor-Awards-German-Negri-Humphries-Cultural-District/stories/201908220355
Lyft providing low-cost transportation for grocery shopping
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/lyft-providing-low-cost-transportation-for-grocery-shopping/
Pittsburgh Piano Day literally drives music to the city
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-piano-day-literally-drives-music-to-the-city/
State News
Rising water costs will require turning up consumer pressure | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/higher-water-rates-high-tech-toilets-philadelphia-camden-20190823.html
George Soros’ team is jumping back into Pa. politics with the billionaire’s cash | Clout
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/george-soros-josh-shapiro-larry-krasner-lisa-rau-attorney-general-district-attorney-independent-council-20190823.html
Police investigate drowning of 2-year-old in Fayette County
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2019/08/22/Police-investigate-drowning-of-2-year-old-in-Fayette-County/stories/201908220462
Emergency officials: Overturned truck spills ‘unknown material’ into Yough River
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/emergency-officials-overturned-truck-spills-unknown-material-into-yough-river/
Game wardens tranquilize 225-pound bear that stopped at beer distributor in Edinboro
https://triblive.com/local/regional/game-wardens-tranquilize-225-pound-bear-that-stopped-at-beer-distributor-in-edinboro/
Jury: Pa. troopers didn’t use excessive force in man’s 2015 death
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/jury-pa-troopers-didnt-use-excessive-force-in-mans-2015-death/
Video of bear stealing Thornhurst family’s dog food goes viral
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/video-of-bear-stealing-thornhurst-family-s-dog-food-goes-viral-1.2523459
Switch to 988 to save lives
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/switch-to-988-to-save-lives-1.2523465
Plans announced for a new Harrisburg office building to house 900 state government employees
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/plans-announced-for-a-new-harrisburg-office-building-to-house-900-state-government-employees.html
DEP: Beaver County Conservation District acted without “sound judgement” in permits
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190822/dep-beaver-county-conservation-district-acted-without-sound-judgement-in-permits
Transportation
Construction rolls on at Logans Ferry Road bridge at Lower Burrell-Plum border
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/construction-rolls-on-at-logans-ferry-road-bridge-at-lower-burrell-plum-border/
Legal threat halts Sans Souci work
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/legal-threat-halts-sans-souci-work-1.2523688
Airport now has cell-phone parking lot
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/airport-now-has-cell-phone-parking-lot-1.2523729
Washington
Female Trump backers meet in Pittsburgh area and across nation to try and sell his message
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/08/22/women-for-trump-pittsburgh-iowa-raleigh-office-furniture-shaler/stories/201908230085
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler silent on Trump’s comments after previously condemning Democrats for being “anti-Semitic”
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/rep-guy-reschenthaler-silent-on-trumps-comments-after-previously-condemning-democrats-for-being-anti-semitic/Content?oid=15685036