Legislature
These crime victims have lost loved ones to murder — and to prison. That’s why they want to end life without parole in Pennsylvania
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/these-crime-victims-have-lost-loved-ones-to-murder-and-to-prison-thats-why-they-want-to-end-life-without-parole-in-Pennsylvania
Pa. House Democrats will talk how police officers use deadly force — without the police
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-house-democrats-will-talk-how-police-officers-use-deadly-force-without-the-police/
District attorney details why former state lawmaker wasn’t charged in assault allegation case
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/08/26/District-attorney-details-why-former-state-lawmaker-wasn-t-charged-in-assault-allegation-case/stories/201908260113
Pa. legislative leaders aren’t rushing to support grand jury’s proposal for creation of new approach to member discipline
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/legislative-leaders-arent-rushing-to-support-grand-jurys-proposal-for-creation-of-new-approach-to-member-discipline.html
Pennsylvania grand jury calls for a new system for investigating claims of sexual, other misconduct by lawmakers
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/grand-jury-investing-sexual-misconduct-by-former-state-lawmaker-calls-for-a-new-way-to-handle-sexual-misconduct-at-pa-capitol.html
Former Butler County state lawmaker Brian Ellis will not be charged in sexual misconduct case
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/former-butler-county-state-lawmaker-will-not-be-charged-in-sexual-misconduct-case.html
2 lawmakers hand out school supplies at Reading City Hall
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/two-lawmakers-at-reading-city-hall-to-hand-out-school-supplies&template=ourcityart
Rational policy steps lawmakers should take
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/rational-policy-steps-lawmakers-should-take-1.2524870
Paul Muschick: There’s no place for prayer in the Pennsylvania state Capitol
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-state-house-prayer-muschick-20190826-ep5shzdfuvg2lc3g37ss6qhm2q-story.html
Sappey to hold policy hearing on government challenges with stormwater management
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/sappey-to-hold-policy-hearing-on-government-challenges-with-stormwater/article_d1e7299e-c81b-11e9-bec5-1bac4ae96b73.html
Comitta announces annual senior expo at West Chester East High School
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/comitta-announces-annual-senior-expo-at-west-chester-east-high/article_e0cb0f9a-c814-11e9-afe4-c74c72bf6293.html
Business
U.S. Steel facing a 2nd federal lawsuit tied to December fire at Clairton Plant
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/u-s-steel-facing-a-2nd-federal-lawsuit-tied-to-december-fire-at-clairton-plant/
NEPA firm’s merger will boost American products
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/nepa-firm-s-merger-will-boost-american-products-1.2524915
Taylor Zoning Board approved meat-packaging plant
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/taylor-zoning-board-approved-meat-packaging-plant-1.2524983
The list of the 25 largest employers in Berks has many familiar faces
https://www.readingeagle.com/business-weekly/article/list-of-top-berks-companies-has-familiar-faces
After Wood-Mode closure, business leaders say diverse economy important
https://www.witf.org/2019/08/26/after-wood-mode-closure-business-leaders-say-diverse-economy-important/
Crime/Punishment
Justice Department to seek death penalty for Tree of Life suspect Robert Bowers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/08/26/Justice-Department-to-seek-death-penalty-for-Tree-of-Life-suspect-Robert-Bowers-pittsburgh-squirrel-hill/stories/201908260123
Feds to seek death penalty for accused Tree of Life gunman
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/feds-to-seek-death-penalty-for-accused-tree-of-life-gunman/
‘You went back to the gun life,’ judge tells shooter in drive-by that led to Antwon Rose death
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/08/26/zaijuan-hester-shooter-in-drive-by-that-led-to-Antwon-Rose-death-gets-state-prison/stories/201908260090
Death penalty trial for Scranton confidential informant’s death postponed
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/death-penalty-trial-for-scranton-confidential-informant-s-death-postponed-1.2524894
Education
Report finds Pennsylvania entry-level teachers fare well
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/report-finds-pennsylvania-entry-level-teachers-fare-well/
Moon Area High School adds police presence after BB gun found after 1st day of classes
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/police-presence-beefed-up-at-moon-high-school-after-bb-gun-confiscated-on-first-day-of-classes/
Hazleton testing teacher radios for safety
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/hazleton-testing-teacher-radios-for-safety-1.2525032
Scranton school directors see little benefit of moving to payroll tax
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-school-directors-see-little-benefit-of-moving-to-payroll-tax-1.2525014
Take politics off school lunch menus | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/school-lunch-delinquent-accounts-cherry-hill-west-wyoming-valley-pennsylvania-20190827.html
A new year begins
https://www.timesleader.com/news/753712/a-new-year-begins
Wilkes-Barre Area approves additional bullet-resistant glass at new high school
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-area-approves-additional-bullet-resistant-glass-at-new-high-school-1.2525026
Area school districts hold first day of classes
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/area-school-districts-hold-first-day-of-classes-1.2524962
Attendees at packed public hearing strongly oppose Boyertown schools’ possible closing of Pine Forge Elementary
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/attendees-at-packed-public-hearing-strongly-oppose-boyertown-schools-possible-closing-of-pine-forge-elementary
Report: Student loan debt especially prevalent in Pennsylvania
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/report-student-loan-debt-especially-prevalent-in-pennsylvania/article_399a89ec-1d14-5995-b35d-c1c868e5fce0.html
The future is now for $75M Lafayette College science center
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2019/08/the-future-is-now-for-75m-lafayette-college-science-center.html
Elections/Politics
The Amish vote and what it means for 2020
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/08/26/Amish-Trump-Lancaster-County-2020-Election-Pennsylvania-Republican/stories/201906110071
Gaming
What Pa. casino raked in the most money in July? Latest state data shows revenue up for table games, down for slots
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/what-pa-casino-raked-in-the-most-money-in-july-latest-state-data-shows-revenue-up-for-table-games-down-for-slots.html
Health Care
800 nurses at this Bucks County hospital just voted to unionize
https://www.inquirer.com/news/st-mary-medical-center-nurses-unionize-pasnap-20190826.html
East Liberty doctor takes a flat-fee approach to family medicine
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/08/26/Doctor-Timothy-Wong-insurance-flat-fee-primary-care/stories/201908250045
Local News
White Haven meeting set for Wednesday
https://www.timesleader.com/news/753733/white-haven-meeting-set-for-wednesday
Luzerne County ethics complaints pending
https://www.timesleader.com/news/753729/luzerne-county-ethics-complaints-pending
County ethics commission still weighing 2 complaints
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-ethics-commission-still-weighing-2-complaints-1.2524910
$1.1M project underway by Pa. American Water in Wilkes-Barre
https://www.timesleader.com/news/753721/1-1m-project-underway-by-pa-american-water-in-wilkes-barre
Requested tax break among hot topics for county council
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/requested-tax-break-among-hot-topics-for-county-council-1.2524909
New bike race instant classic
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/new-bike-race-instant-classic-1.2524876
Let county collect late taxes, fees
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/let-county-collect-late-taxes-fees-1.2524874
Olyphant firetruck visits Lackawanna County commissioner candidate’s Dunmore park party
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/olyphant-firetruck-visits-lackawanna-county-commissioner-candidate-s-dunmore-park-party-1.2524897
Greenfield Twp. supervisors to consider allowing tire processing/recycling facility
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/greenfield-twp-supervisors-to-consider-allowing-tire-processing-recycling-facility-1.2525003
Ex-addicts talk on helping others kick habit
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/ex-addicts-talk-on-helping-others-kick-habit-1.2524970
Westmoreland job fair helps fill vacancies
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-job-fair-helps-fill-vacancies/
Latrobe solicitor: Firecracker use in city violates state law
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/latrobe-solicitor-firecracker-use-in-city-violates-state-law/
West Deer OKs hanging banners honoring military veterans on utility poles
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/west-deer-oks-hanging-banners-honoring-military-veterans-on-utility-poles/
Downtown Reading cleanup gets a hand from Hope Rescue Mission residents
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/hope-rescue-mission-residents-put-on-team-cleaning-up-downtown-reading
Reading seeks state grant to make repairs to downtown courtyards
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-seeks-state-grant-to-make-repairs-to-downtown-courtyards
How a meeting over a routine board appointment became Bethlehem City Council’s most streamed video
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-bethlehem-councilman-bryan-callahan-political-drama-20190827-cp4aotej5va3xnaib45pk2vboq-story.html
Washington County to hold its first LGBTQ Pride festival
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/washington-county-to-hold-its-first-lgbtq-pride-festival/Content?oid=15714524
Micozzie blames Dems for Drexeline Plaza delays
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/micozzie-blames-dems-for-drexeline-plaza-delays/article_57b5bb46-c5e0-11e9-a690-13be7c257949.html
Opioid Crisis
Reversing a crisis: Naloxone must be readily available
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/08/27/Naloxone-drug-availability-opioid-crisis-CDC-report/stories/201908270013
Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $572 million for part it played in Oklahoma opioid epidemic
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2019/08/johnson-johnson-ordered-to-pay-572-million-for-part-it-played-in-oklahoma-opioid-epidemic.html
Philly
Glass bus shelters are digital, sleek, and a tempting target for Philly’s vandals
https://www.inquirer.com/news/bus-shelter-vandalism-philadelphia-septa-glass-20190827.html
Philadelphia’s 18th-century waterfront emerges during archaeological dig on Columbus Boulevard
https://www.inquirer.com/news/west-shipyard-riverfront-archaeology-durst-20190827.html
Councilwoman Helen Gym endorses third-party candidate, angers Philly Dems
https://www.inquirer.com/news/helen-gym-is-first-city-council-member-to-endorse-working-families-party-candidate-20190826.html
Philly is asking residents to rate its services. How do cities measure how they’re doing?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-resident-survey-sentiment-satisfaction-zencity-data-driven-20190826.html
Philly’s sidewalks are so bad they violate federal law protecting people with disabilities, lawsuit contends
https://www.inquirer.com/news/disabled-access-ada-sidewalk-streets-philadelphia-curbs-20190826.html
After Inquirer probe, Philly jails will release prisoners earlier and with all of their belongings
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-jail-release-afterhours-cashier-procedure-update-ids-cash-blanche-carney-20190826.html
4 takeaways from an interview with acting Philly Police Commissioner Christine Coulter
https://www.inquirer.com/news/christine-coulter-philadelphia-police-commissioner-interview-crime-culture-20190826.html
Man, two teens wounded in Southwest Center City shooting
https://www.inquirer.com/news/fitzwater-triple-shooting-20190826.html
City Council’s food truck ban in 10th District hurts diversity and business | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/10th-district-city-council-food-truck-ban-brian-oneill-20190826.html
Parks and Recreation tree partnerships need collaboration to take root | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-parks-and-recreation-trees-planting-20190826.html
Meek Mill seeks end to 2007 drug, gun case in Philadelphia
https://www.witf.org/2019/08/27/meek-mill-seeks-end-to-2007-drug-gun-case-in-philadelphia/
Pitt
Pitt suspends Chinese scholar program amid pressure from U.S. State Department
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/08/26/China-Chinese-language-instruction-University-of-Pittsburgh-Pitt-Confucius-Institute/stories/201908260101
Pittsburgh is looking for a few good crossing guards
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/08/26/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-crossing-guards-shortage-student-public-safety/stories/201908210136
Traffic migraine: Park project over I-579 will disrupt Hill District traffic for two years
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/08/27/Interstate-579-Hill-District-Downtown-Pittsburgh-traffic-congestion-Port-Authority-park-construction/stories/201908260140
Heinz Field, Rivers donate smart boards to Pittsburgh Manchester PreK-8
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/heinz-field-rivers-donate-smart-boards-to-pittsburgh-manchester-prek-8/
State News
Pa. woman held hostage by Taliban recounts ‘double imprisonment’ at hands of husband and captors
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/taliban-prisoner-caitlan-coleman-joshua-boyle-interview-20190826.html
Find a better way: Schuylkill County’s ‘trailer morgue’ is a bad idea
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/08/27/Schuylkill-County-trailer-morgue-bad-idea/stories/201908160010
Mosquito tests positive for West Nile Virus in New Kensington
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/mosquito-tests-positive-for-west-nile-virus-in-new-kensington/
Little League plans World Series expansion for baseball, softball
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/little-league-plans-world-series-expansion-for-both-baseball-and-softball/
PennDOT driver license centers closed for holiday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/penndot-driver-license-centers-closed-for-holiday-1.2524936
Green and spiky creature found at Pennsylvania state park isn’t an alien. It’s a hickory horned devil
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-caterpillar-found-delaware-canal-state-park-20190826-6arj6ektpje4bejgjcmm7jama4-story.html
Deported from Pennsylvania, dead in Mexico: ‘What [he] feared is exactly what happened’
https://www.witf.org/2019/08/27/deported-from-pennsylvania-dead-in-mexico-what-he-feared-is-exactly-what-happened/
Robocall epidemic continues to grow; Pennsylvania ranks high in number of complaints
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/robocall-epidemic-continues-to-grow-pennsylvania-ranks-high-in-number/article_c37b8996-c81f-11e9-9feb-5fb62707d07d.html
Maryland governor wants to meet with Pa. after Harrisburg sewage report, concerns over bay
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2019/08/26/maryland-gov-wants-meeting-pa-after-harrisburg-sewage-report-susquehanna-river-chesapeake-bay-epa/2119126001/
Transportation
Wings for All program coming to W-B/Scranton International Airport
https://www.timesleader.com/news/753594/wings-for-all-program-coming-to-w-b-scranton-international-airport
Work to start soon on bridge connecting Wilkes-Barre and Hanover Twp.
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/work-to-start-soon-on-bridge-connecting-wilkes-barre-and-hanover-twp-1.2524913