Legislature
Pa.’s sports betting taxes so high legal bookmakers may shun state
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/pa-legal-sports-bookmakers-taxes-new-jersey-casinos-20180716.html
New Pennsylvania law allows school boards to discuss security measures in private
http://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-pa-law-exec-session-school-security-20180710-story.html
Mandate lead test for schools
http://www.altoonamirror.com/opinion/editorials/2018/07/mandate-lead-test-for-schools/
I made the choice to have my baby. Don’t let Pa. lawmakers take that choice away from other women | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2018/07/i_made_the_choice_to_have_my_b.html#incart_river_index
Redistricting/Gerrymandering
Protesters continue push for end to gerrymandering
http://www.meadvilletribune.com/news/protesters-continue-push-for-end-to-gerrymandering/article_35169344-9a4f-5af1-847d-5a983f1f77aa.html
Administration
Gov. Wolf should keep pushing to close Berks immigrant detention center | Editorial
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/editorials/berks-family-detention-ice-wolf-occupy-asylum-immigration-20180716.html
Business
Union announces tentative labor agreement with Giant Eagle
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2018/07/14/United-Food-Commercial-Workers-Giant-Eagle-labor-agreement/stories/201807140061
Crime/Punishment
Troopers confiscate $7 million in drugs in last 3 months
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/13866063-74/troopers-confiscate-7-million-in-drugs-in-last-3-months
Two providers respond to county RFP for prison GED program, county reviewing proposals
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/two-providers-respond-to-county-rfp-for-prison-ged-program-county-reviewing-proposals-1.2362294
Education
NativityMiguel school marks milestone with summer session
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/nativitymiguel-school-marks-milestone-with-summer-session-1.2362319
Former Temple president Theobald was fourth-highest-paid public university president in the U.S. the year he left, study says
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/former-temple-president-neil-theobald-fourth-highest-paid-public-university-president-20180715.html
Let the door hit you: University presidents make more when they leave
https://triblive.com/news/education/classroom/13869689-74/let-the-door-hit-you-university-presidents-make-more-when-they-leave
Pa. state universities to hike tuition nearly 3 percent
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/pa-state-universities-to-hike-tuition-nearly-3-percent-20180712.html
Elections/Politics
David, Dean focus on issues in 4th District
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/david-dean-focus-on-issues-in-4th-district
Bernie Sanders praises John Fetterman’s progressive agenda during rally at CMU
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2018/07/15/Bernie-Sanders-praises-John-Fetterman-s-progressive-agenda-during-rally-at-CMU/stories/201807150162
Report: Pa. could increase voter turnout with voter registration changes
http://www.timesonline.com/news/20180716/report-pa-could-increase-voter-turnout-with-voter-registration-changes
Gaming
Mini-casino licensee asks for more time to select casino site
http://www.sharonherald.com/news/mini-casino-licensee-asks-for-more-time-to-select-casino/article_1dd83098-88a6-11e8-9a42-83feae35a3a9.html
Health Care
Unhappy end: Highmark, UPMC split needlessly disrupts care
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/07/16/Unhappy-end-Highmark-UPMC-split-needlessly-disrupts-care/stories/201807120032
Local News
Act 47, just the beginning of Wilkes-Barre’s fiscal recovery drama
https://www.timesleader.com/news/711532/act-47-just-the-beginning-of-wilkes-barres-fiscal-recovery-drama
Synchronization of Luzerne County government payroll set for completion Oct. 1
https://www.timesleader.com/news/711535/synchronization-of-luzerne-county-government-payroll-set-for-completion-oct-1
NEPA Rainbow Alliance returns to Kirby Park with 5K, family day
https://www.timesleader.com/news/711579/nepa-rainbow-alliance-returns-to-kirby-park-with-5k-family-day
County official wants more budget updates
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-official-wants-more-budget-updates-1.2362234
Long-delayed defamation trial against newspaper starts Monday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/long-delayed-defamation-trial-against-newspaper-starts-monday-1.2362262
Scranton councilman opposes city rehiring its labor counsel
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-councilman-opposes-city-rehiring-its-labor-counsel-1.2362312
Scranton City Hall likely needs millions in repairs
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-hall-likely-needs-millions-in-repairs-1.2361915
Three years later, Sammi’s overdose death still drives rally for change
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/three-years-later-sammi-s-overdose-death-still-drives-rally-for-change-1.2362293
McKees Rocks developer veers away from 2011 revitalization plan for former railroad brownfield
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2018/07/15/McKees-Rocks-Trinity-Development-CSX-intermodal-terminal-Community-Development-Corp/stories/201807150088
Lonnie Walker IV assists in giving back to Reading Blacktop basketball league
http://www.readingeagle.com/sports/article/lonnie-walker-iv-assits-in-giving-back-to-reading-blacktop-basketball-league
Reading Pride Celebration Festival culmination of events
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-pride-celebration-festival-culmination-of-events
Reading water problems blamed on air in system
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-water-problems-blamed-on-air-in-system&template=ourcityart
Grants encourage home ownership
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/07/grants-encourage-home-ownership/
Former city councilman pushes for Erie Lightway project
http://www.goerie.com/news/20180716/former-city-councilman-pushes-for-erie-lightway-project
National News
City reverses policy on rule used to exclude Muslim swimmers
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20180715_ap_85d3f68df55147308a8f10dc7960225c.html
Good sports: More pro teams should consider lower food prices
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/07/16/Good-sports-More-pro-teams-should-consider-lower-food-prices/stories/201807120023
New Jersey
N.J. adding $351 million to schools, and ‘moms’ help make it happen
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/n-j-adding-351-million-to-schools-and-moms-help-make-it-happen-20180716.html
Opioid Crisis
Construction industry hit hard by opioid epidemic; builders sound alarm
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-construction-industry-opioid-awareness-20180711-story.html
Philly
Philadelphia restaurateur was driver with developer Sean Schellenger when he was fatally stabbed in Rittenhouse Square
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/philadelphia-stabbing-sean-schellenger-michael-white-norris-jordan-20180715.html
Nicetown marchers call for end to city violence
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/nicetown-marchers-call-for-end-to-city-violence/article_777b580e-a162-5fbe-9d07-d694f256a1d3.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh Public Schools partners with Pa. on school improvement plan
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/07/16/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-transformation-Pennsylvania-ESSA-improvement-pilot-plan/stories/201807150033
Advocates gather signatures to put Children’s Fund on November ballot
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2018/07/16/Signatures-petition-Allegheny-County-Childrens-Fund-November-ballot-education-resources/stories/201807160002
Pittsburgh police shoot man in leg in Arlington
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/07/15/Pittsburgh-police-shoot-fleeing-man-arlington/stories/201807150187
Pittsburgh police shoot armed man in leg
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13870953-74/pittsburgh-police-shoot-armed-man-in-leg
Bernie Sanders touches on familiar topics, but still excites at AFT convention
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/07/15/Bernie-Sanders-Pittsburgh-American-Federation-Teachers-convention-speech-2018/stories/201807150146
Pittsburgh feels the Bern as Bernie Sanders addresses national teachers conference
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13868972-74/pittsburgh-feels-the-bern-as-bernie-sanders-addresses-national-teachers-conference
‘Best race in the United States’ Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix raises money for charity
http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/2018/07/15/charity-Schenley-Park-Pittsburgh-Vintage-Grand-Prix/stories/201807150148
State News
Why are cameras still out of order in Pa. courts?
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/crime/cameras-in-courts-pennsylvania-philadelphia-bill-cosby-courtroom-sketch-artist-20180715.html
Clergy abuse survivors finding their voices, and each other
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/07/15/Catholic-priest-Clergy-abuse-survivors-grand-jury-diocese-of-Pittsburgh-Greensburg-Erie-Allentown-Harrisburg-Scranton/stories/201807140003
Swimmer beware: Pennsylvania drownings highlight river risks
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/20180715_ap_4666ddee96774f50861d16dc075f61f3.html
‘Mama Bears’ arrests signal new frustration of Delco pipeline protesters
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/mariner-east-2-pipeline-middletown-township-mama-bears-delaware-county-20180715.html
Popular landscaping plant may soon be illegal in state
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/popular-landscaping-plant-may-soon-be-illegal-in-state-1.2362259
Approach to managing communities varies across Western Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13871189-74/approach-to-managing-communities-varies-across-western-pennsylvania
Protesters arrested at Berks County Residential Center
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/protesters-arrested-at-berks-county-residential-center
Dirty air requires clean policy
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/dirty-air-requires-clean-policy-1.2362091
Steve Chronister’s financial troubles go well beyond the Grandview incident
http://www.witf.org/news/2018/07/steve-chronisters-financial-troubles-go-well-beyond-the-grandview-incident.php
‘Frankenfish’ found in Central Pa. creek, raising concerns
http://www.witf.org/news/2018/07/frankenfish-found-in-central-pa-creek-raising-concerns.php
How will Lancaster County’s public-sector unions be affected by Supreme Court decision barring ‘fair share’ fees for non-members?
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/how-will-lancaster-county-s-public-sector-unions-be-affected/article_53a7f712-8540-11e8-a367-77b6fefacb9e.html