Legislature

Bipartisan bill seeks to introduce a legal definition of bullying, making it a misdemeanor offense, in Pa.
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/bipartisan-bill-seeks-to-introduce-a-legal-definition-of-bullying/article_ca36f806-7b09-11e8-94eb-073f71806507.html

Legislative support waning for bill giving adults more time to sue for childhood sex abuse
http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pennsylvania-priest-child-sex-abuse-grand-jury-lawsuits-20180627-story.html

Increase state base wage
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/increase-state-base-wage-1.2357029

Two Pa. House and Senate leaders (sorta) defend our lackluster legislature
http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/john_baer/pennsylvania-legislature-gerrymandering-redistricting-20180702.html

It’s time for Pa. to take a definitive stand on the death penalty | Editorial
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/editorials/pennsylvania-death-penalty-reform-report-governor-tom-wolf-scott-wagner-20180702.html

Beware new utility rate law
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/beware-new-utility-rate-law-1.2357031

Workers need a Pa. Workplace Freedom Act | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2018/06/workers_need_a_pa_workplace_fr.html#incart_river_index

Administration

Gov. Wolf calls for drastic school funding shake-up
http://www.witf.org/news/2018/07/gov-wolf-calls-for-drastic-school-funding-shake-up.php

Antwon Rose

Faith protest: Crowd gathers in East Liberty to demand action in police shooting of Antwon Rose II
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/07/01/Faith-protest-Crowd-gathers-in-East-Liberty-to-demand-action-in-police-shooting-of-Antwon-Rose-II/stories/201807010134

Protest for Antwon Rose blocks East Liberty intersection
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13822391-74/protesters-for-antwon-rose-gather-in-east-liberty

Sewickley Academy cuts ties with man charged with driving through protesters
http://sewickley.triblive.com/sewickley-academy-cuts-ties-with-man-charged-with-driving-through-protesters/

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto asks county judge to alter Officer Michael Rosfeld’s bond
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13817696-74/pittsburgh-mayor-peduto-asks-county-judge-to-alter-michael-rosfelds-bond

Why police officers are rarely convicted in shootings
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/13812096-74/why-police-officers-are-rarely-convicted-in-shootings

Crime/Punishment

Teen gets about 6 to 12 years in drug-related robbery death
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/crime/20180701_ap_152f54a9b71846f18bb9a0e1055fbc35.html

Catholic Diocese of Greensburg removes Uniontown priest
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/13820323-74/catholic-diocese-of-greensburg-removes-uniontown-priest

Why a Harrisburg checkpoint that stopped 475 cars netted just two DUI arrests
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/07/harrisburg_dui_checkpoint_daup.html#incart_river_index

Education

LGBTQ political pioneer Tyler Titus makes mark in Erie
http://www.goerie.com/news/20180702/lgbtq-political-pioneer-tyler-titus-makes-mark-in-erie

Elections/Politics

Gov. Tom Wolf puts tax plans behind him as he seeks a 2nd term
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/07/wolf_puts_tax_plans_far_behind.html#incart_river_index

Wolff, Meuser focus on issues in 9th District
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/wolff-meuser-focus-on-issues-in-9th-district

Local News

Increased Luzerne County pension fund subsidy discussed
https://www.timesleader.com/news/709960/increased-luzerne-county-pension-fund-subsidy-discussed

Car show at Laurel Mall raises money for tornado victims
https://www.timesleader.com/news/709958/car-show-at-laurel-mall-raises-money-for-tornado-victims

Borough officials feel positive after approval of tax-break program
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/borough-officials-feel-positive-after-approval-of-tax-break-program-1.2357205

Vulnerable populations suffer as heat wave hits
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/vulnerable-populations-suffer-as-heat-wave-hits-1.2357195

Leechburg residents earn top employee awards from Pittsburgh Veterans Healthcare System
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13816891-74/leechburg-residents-earn-top-employee-awards-from-pittsburgh-veterans-healthcare-system

Merger likely for 3 Alle-Kiski Valley YMCAs
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13811954-74/merger-likely-for-3-alle-kiski-valley-ymcas

New Kensington’s Fireworks Block Party growing and attracting more folks to the city
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13812747-74/new-kensingtons-fireworks-block-party-growing-and-attracting-more-folks-to-the

Immigration protest draws about 100 to downtown Reading
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/immigration-protest-draws-about-100-to-downtown-reading

Turmoil with Northampton County and its General Purpose Authority impacting bridge project in Allen Township
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-allen-township-rockefeller-bridge-20180628-story.html

National News

News organizations fight government restrictions on showing children in detention centers
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2018/07/01/News-organizations-fight-government-restrictions-on-showing-children-in-detention-centers/stories/201806020321

Housing extended for 1,700 Puerto Rican hurricane evacuees
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20180701_ap_e0c600d93af243acb16e9a07d8f5fc2b.html

Trump’s former personal lawyer says his ‘silence is broken’
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/20180701_ap_ec556c2583c84532a2daa430d12b78c3.html

Bambera joins bishops at border
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/bambera-joins-bishops-at-border-1.2357093

After years of deals, small-used car prices are on the rise
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/after-years-of-deals-small-used-car-prices-are-on-the-rise-1.2357039

New Jersey

N.J. leaders reach budget deal, avert government shutdown
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/new-jersey-government-shutdown-murphy-sweeney-budget-20180630.html

Opioid Crisis

A week on the front lines of the opioid battle
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/opioid

Information cards at pharmacies offer information for help with addiction
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/information-cards-at-pharmacies-offer-information-for-help-with-addiction-1.2353289

Extended care facility seeks to help drug addicts
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/extended-care-facility-seeks-to-help-drug-addicts-1.2353315

Drug take back boxes, van part of Susquehanna County efforts to combat opioid epidemic
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/drug-take-back-boxes-van-part-of-susquehanna-county-efforts-to-combat-opioid-epidemic-1.2353319

Driven by a personal passion, a group in Wayne County fights back against opioids by holding on to each other
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/driven-by-a-personal-passion-a-group-in-wayne-county-fights-back-against-opioids-by-holding-on-to-each-other-1.2353323

Medical marijuana eyed to help with opioid withdrawl
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/opioid/medical-marijuana-eyed-to-help-with-opioid-withdrawl-1.2354347

Woman starts support group for parents of overdose victims
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/opioid/woman-starts-support-group-for-parents-of-overdose-victims-1.2354348

Treatment center to combat opioid crisis at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre hospital
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/opioid/treatment-center-to-combat-opioid-crisis-at-geisinger-south-wilkes-barre-hospital-1.2354349

Schuylkill County’s drug treatment court aims to combat the opioid crisis
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/opioid/schuylkill-county-s-drug-treatment-court-aims-to-combat-the-opioid-crisis-1.2354351

Pitt helps task force with work to eliminate overdose deaths
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/opioid/pitt-helps-task-force-with-work-to-eliminate-overdose-deaths-1.2354362

Creating ‘A Better Today’ for addicts in Sullivan County
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/opioid/creating-a-better-today-for-addicts-in-sullivan-county-1.2354363

Bradford County Coroner highlights small steps to eradicating addiction
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/opioid/bradford-county-coroner-highlights-small-steps-to-eradicating-addiction-1.2354365

$1.7 million in deadly fentanyl from China stopped from entering Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/daily-buzz/2018/07/17_million_in_deadly_fentanyl.html#incart_river_index

Philly

This Northeast Philly neighborhood has the best 103-year-old Fourth of July celebration you’ve never heard of | Perspective
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/lawncrest-fourth-of-july-celebration-northeast-philadelphia-20180629.html

Thousands in Philadelphia protest ICE and Trump
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/ice-protests-philadelphia-immigration-family-separation-20180630.html

Philly braces for a sweltering Fourth of July week
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/heat-wave-philadelphia-weather-temperature-pennsylvania-20180701.html

For Philly’s new school board: Lessons from the SRC’s 17 years
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/philadelphia-school-reform-commission-lessons-complicated-legacy-20180701.html

New kids’ foot-sizing and shoe-shopping app from Philadelphia natives allows parents to shop from home
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/technology/new-kids-foot-sizing-and-shoe-shopping-app-from-philadelphia-natives-allows-parents-to-shoe-shop-from-home-20180702.html

Did a Philly teacher get Starbucks treatment at Dorney Park on Father’s Day? | Jenice Armstrong
http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/jenice_armstrong/dorney-park-philadelphia-teacher-starbucks-treatment-fathers-day-brian-mildenberg-jenice-armstrong-20180629.html

Coalition seeks to add jobs through tax reform
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/coalition-seeks-to-add-jobs-through-tax-reform/article_45c7d72e-3b8b-508a-be35-f5f1b094848f.html

Pitt

Pennsylvania American eyes PWSA for acquisition, pitches consolidation
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/ice-protests-philadelphia-immigration-family-separation-20180630.html

Pittsburgh gets serious about saving, preserving its old records
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/07/02/Pittsburgh-archivist-Nicholas-Hartley-records-nicholas-hartley-records-management-division-history/stories/201806300007

Downtown march addresses social justice concerns
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/07/01/Marchers-air-social-justice-concerns-in-North-Shore-Downtown/stories/201807010142

Protesters march against Trump’s travel ban and immigration policies, shut down Clemente Bridge
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13822621-74/protesters-march-against-trumps-travel-ban-and-immigration-policies

Taking a slice: Pirates seek sports-betting cut. Will play improve?
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/07/01/Taking-a-slice-Pirates-seek-sports-betting-cut-Will-play-improve/stories/201806270041

Recovering heroin users turn Carrick drug den into ‘Serenity House’
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2018/07/01/Recovering-heroin-users-turn-drug-den-into-Serenity-House-Carrick-opioids/stories/201806080109

Nova Place developer signed a new contract that could leave nearly a dozen union workers unemployed
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/07/01/Faros-Properties-Nova-Place-cleaning-contract-unemployed-workers/stories/201807020044

Brian O’Neill: A white guy walks into a black bar … to talk about the blue line
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/brian-oneill/2018/07/02/A-white-guy-walks-into-a-black-bar-to-talk-about-the-blue-line/stories/201807020026

Luke Bryan concert at Heinz Field: 1 arrest, 88 patients treated by paramedics
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13821856-74/luke-bryan-concert-at-heinz-field-1-arrest-88-patients-treated-by

State News

Supreme Court ruling means bigger paychecks for some public sector employees
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/07/supreme_court_ruling_means_big.html#incart_river_index

Tax act triggers lower monthly bills for Pennsylvania American customers
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/07/01/Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania-American-Water-customers-Tax-Cuts-Jobs-Act-rate-reduction/stories/201807010135

Japanese barberry, a haven shrub for ticks, could be banned in Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/13777953-74/japanese-barberry-a-haven-shrub-for-ticks-could-be-banned-in-pennsylvania

New Pa. law lets consumers buy more powerful fireworks this Fourth of July
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/13803593-74/public-has-greater-more-powerful-fireworks-available-for-this-fourth-of-july

With new law comes more fireworks
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/with-new-law-comes-more-fireworks-1.2357224

Westmoreland master gardener working to save the monarch butterfly population
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/13808278-74/westmoreland-master-gardener-working-to-save-the-monarch-butterfly-population

Next Generation Farm Summit teaches younger farmers concepts to remain viable
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/13815507-74/next-generation-farm-summit-teaches-younger-farmers-concepts-to-remain-viable

Area residents find plenty of ways to beat heat at Frances Slocum State Park
https://www.timesleader.com/news/709951/area-residents-find-plenty-of-ways-to-beat-heat-at-frances-slocum-state-park

Local public sector union leaders react to Janus ruling
https://www.timesleader.com/news/709937/local-public-sector-union-leaders-react-to-janus-ruling

Toxic hogweed plant found in Virginia, but can it come here?
https://www.timesleader.com/news/709930/toxic-hogweed-plant-found-in-virginia-but-can-it-come-here

Safety improvements made to Lackawanna Heritage trail in Scranton
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/safety-improvements-made-to-lackawanna-heritage-trail-in-scranton-1.2357059

Steps to protect children from drowning in the summer
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/steps-to-protect-children-from-drowning-in-the-summer-1.2357054

Recreation agency foresees impacts of climate change in Pennsylvania
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/recreation-agency-foresees-impacts-of-climate-change-in-pennsylvania

Marijuana firms vying to open in Johnstown area
http://www.tribdem.com/news/marijuana-firms-vying-to-open-in-johnstown-area/article_e87d73fe-7d92-11e8-87b7-67fc43def49e.html

The Rundown: Berks County Republicans elect new leaders
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/the-rundown-berks-county-republicans-elect-new-leaders

Transportation

Lots of crowded highways, high temperatures expected for July Fourth week
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2018/07/02/July-4-travel-traffic-transportation-highways-AAA-Pennsylvania-Turnpike-hot-weather/stories/201807010100

Port Authority, SEPTA work with PA Turnpike on transit planning, funding
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2018/06/29/Port-Authority-Pennsylvania-Turnpike-transit-funding-Michael-Baker-Inc/stories/201806290134

World News

Mexico gives leftist Lopez Obrador big presidential win
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20180702_ap_55f37bb4c868453cb8353a19705efe5a.html