Legislature
Pennsylvania commits $4 million to fight spotted lanternfly
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/a-4-million-lance-aimed-at-lanternfly
On ‘Hardball,’ Sen. Katie Muth rolls out her plan to save cash assistance | Tuesday Morning Coffee
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/on-hardball-sen-katie-muth-rolls-out-her-plan-to-save-cash-assistance-tuesday-morning-coffee/
Bill eliminates straight-party voting
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/07/bill-eliminates-straight-party-voting/
Pa. Senate passes bills to exempt emissions testing on many vehicles
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2019/07/01/pa-senate-passes-bills-exempt-emissions-testing-many-vehicles/1624999001/
This spur-wearing senator is hoping to prod Pa. forward through lawmaking that makes a difference
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/this-spur-wearing-senator-is-hoping-to-prod-pa-forward-through-lawmaking-that-makes-a-difference.html
Give Pennsylvania workers the wages they deserve | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/07/give-pennsylvania-workers-the-wages-they-deserve-opinion.html
Hitting the mark: State Senate devises sensible Sunday hunting plan
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/07/02/Pennsylvania-hunting-Sunday-state-Senate-sensible/stories/201902250027
Gov. Phil Murphy can end long-term solitary confinement in N.J. — and help end it in Pa. | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/solitary-confinement-prison-torture-new-jersey-pennsylvania-phil-murphy-20190702.html
EDITORIAL: Lessons to be learned from Pa. Senate brawl
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/editorials/2019/07/02/editorial-lessons-learned-pa-senate-brawl/1616301001/
Redistricting/Gerrymandering
The war against gerrymandering successfully goes on | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/gerrymandering-supreme-court-federal-courts-20190701.html
SCOTUS Gerrymandering case: Roberts didn’t defend constitutional democracy | Bruce Ledewitz
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/scotus-gerrymandering-case-roberts-didnt-defend-constitutional-democracy-bruce-ledewitz/
Administration
Gov. Wolf signs bill to extend college benefits to National Guard families
https://www.inquirer.com/news/gov-tom-wolf-signs-gi-bill-national-guard-families-20190701.html
Wolf signs Pa. GI Bill into law: ‘While you have our backs, we have yours’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/wolf-signs-pa-gi-bill-into-law-while-you-have-our-backs-we-have-yours.html
Gov. Wolf signs new GI bill
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190701/gov-wolf-signs-new-gi-bill
Budget
No Census outreach funds in PA state budget, despite recommendation
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2019/07/01/No-Census-outreach-funds-PA-state-budget-despite-recommendation/stories/201906280135
$2.5M allocated for state’s colleges to replicate Misericordia program
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/2-5m-allocated-for-state-s-colleges-to-replicate-misericordia-program-1.2503397
Business
New funding for job creation at Hanover Township company
https://www.timesleader.com/news/748580/new-funding-for-job-creation-at-hanover-township-company
Manufacturer to create new jobs in Hanover Twp.
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/manufacturer-to-create-new-jobs-in-hanover-twp-1.2503399
John Fetterman joins U.S. Steel reps, workers in outlining future of Mon Valley Works
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2019/07/01/Pennsylvania-John-Fetterman-meets-US-Steel-Clairton-Coke-Mon-Valley-union-emissions-future/stories/201907010092
Lt. Gov. Fetterman praises defends Clairton’s environmental record
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/07/lt-gov-fetterman-praises-defends-clairtons-environmental-record.php
Pennsylvania’s new online sales tax is now in effect. How can small retailers comply?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pa-online-sales-tax-effective-july1-compliance-software-20190702.html
Pa. moves to shut down Erie Coke plant, citing violations
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pa-moves-to-shut-down-erie-coke-plant-citing-violations/
Crime/Punishment
First regional police force in 50 years opens in Springdale Township and Cheswick
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/07/01/regional-police-force-opens-Springdale-Township-Cheswick-first-50-years/stories/201907010093
Cheswick, Springdale Twp. begin era of regional police force
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/newly-formed-allegheny-valley-regional-police-force-begins-patrols/
New systems aim to cut costs for Berks County courts, help defendants
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/new-text-service-aims-to-get-defendants-into-berks-county-courts
Education
Berks County IU hires full-time safety administrator to protect students from active shooters
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-iu-hires-full-time-safety-administrator-to-protect-students-from-active-shooters
Cheyney: A balanced budget and more money for scholarships
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/cheyney-a-balanced-budget-and-more-money-for-scholarships/article_64288331-757b-5040-aaf7-eceb3c949855.html
Health Care
AG Shapiro cites patients’ personal stories as force behind UPMC-Highmark agreement
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/07/01/Attorney-General-Josh-Shapiro-UPMC-Highmark-agreement-consent-decrees-health-insurance/stories/201907010116
AG Shapiro thanks patients face-to-face for fueling UPMC-Highmark truce
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/ag-shapiro-thanks-patients-face-to-face-for-fueling-upmc-highmark-truce/
Local News
Wyoming Valley Levee inspection shows continued improvement
https://www.timesleader.com/news/748582/wyoming-valley-levee-inspection-shows-continued-improvement
Shavertown volunteer firefighter laid to rest in emotional ceremony
https://www.timesleader.com/news/748558/shavertown-volunteer-firefighter-laid-to-rest-in-emotional-ceremony
CONCERN relocates regional office in W-B
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/concern-relocates-regional-office-in-w-b-1.2503398
New rules in Nanticoke, Forty Fort strive for fireworks safety
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-rules-in-nanticoke-forty-fort-strive-for-fireworks-safety-1.2503428
HCA officials continue to monitor proposed hydropower project
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hca-officials-continue-to-monitor-proposed-hydropower-project-1.2503348
Scranton mayor resigns, pleading guilty to corruption
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/scranton-mayor-resigns-pleading-guilty-to-corruption-1.2503431
Scranton mayor resigning amid federal corruption case; already signed plea deal
https://www.timesleader.com/news/748531/scranton-mayor-resigning-amid-federal-probe
Feds accuse Scranton ex-mayor of using office to take bribes
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/scranton-mayor-bill-courtright-resigning-corruption-plea-agreement-20190701.html
Reaction to resignation of Scranton mayor laying bare culture of corruption in City Hall
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/reaction-to-resignation-of-scranton-mayor-laying-bare-culture-of-corruption-in-city-hall-1.2503463
Who will become next Scranton mayor?
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/who-will-become-next-scranton-mayor-1.2503461
Culture of corruption plagues NEPA
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/culture-of-corruption-plagues-nepa-1.2503372
Scrantastic Spectacular celebration to affect traffic, parking on Wednesday
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scrantastic-spectacular-celebration-to-affect-traffic-parking-on-wednesday-1.2503493
Fell Twp. supervisors vote to hire additional legal counsel to aid in quarry issue
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/fell-twp-supervisors-vote-to-hire-additional-legal-counsel-to-aid-in-quarry-issue-1.2503408
Chester County controller takes sheriff to court, seeking refund of $67K in overtime
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/chester-county-controller-sheriff-overtime-margaret-reif-carolyn-welsh-20190701.html
Fire companies in need of bottled water donations
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/fire-companies-in-need-of-bottled-water-donations/
Berks gears up for 2020 Census
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-gears-up-for-2020-census
Editorial: City Council resolution a step toward brighter future
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/city-council-resolution-a-step-toward-brighter-future
Beaver County ends 2018 with extra $7.5 million
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190701/beaver-county-ends-2018-with-extra-75-million
New Brighton man secures $50K state grant for Beaver Falls pool
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190701/new-brighton-man-secures-50k-state-grant-for-beaver-falls-pool
National News
Border Patrol head, lawmakers condemn ‘vulgar’ posts in agents’ secret Facebook group
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/07/01/Border-Patrol-Ocasio-Cortez-secret-Facebook-group-agents-posts-drink-facility/stories/201907010133
Natural Gas
$3.4 million in natural gas impact fees to benefit 117th District municipalities
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/3-4-million-in-natural-gas-impact-fees-to-benefit-117th-district-municipalities-1.2503494
Philly
With South Philly refinery closing, questions about taxpayer subsidies that kept it going
https://www.inquirer.com/news/after-refinery-closure-questions-emerge-about-taxpayer-subsidies-20190702.html
Philadelphia refinery workers sue over abrupt closure, layoffs
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/philadelphia-refinery-fire-workers-sue-pes-closure-job-layoffs-20190701.html
How a confidential informant ran a North Philly drug business — all while working for the DEA
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-dea-task-force-confidential-informants-nayeem-gordon-20190702.html
After staring death in the face, SW Philly men to hold peace rally at LOVE Park
https://www.inquirer.com/news/peace-rally-philadelphia-gun-violence-love-park-20190702.html
Philly’s Public Space Fellows say the future of public space is about people
https://www.inquirer.com/news/public-space-fellows-knight-foundation-20190702.html
Philly-based Century Therapeutics raises $250M to fight cancer with adult stem cells
https://www.inquirer.com/business/stem-cells-philadelphia-bayer-century-therapeutics-cancer-20190701.html
As Hahnemann enters bankruptcy, ‘gateway’ development site could open up in Center City
https://www.inquirer.com/news/hahnemann-bankruptcy-real-estate-development-hotel-convention-center-apartments-offices-20190701.html
Ex-Philly prosecutor from Delco arrested in Wildwood on gun, drug charges
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-district-attorney-office-former-prosecutor-arrested-wildwood-nj-gun-drug-charges-20190701.html
Girl, 9, suffers ‘life-altering’ injuries from illegal explosive device in Kensington home
https://www.inquirer.com/news/kensington-girl-fireworks-illegal-explosive-device-9-bomb-squad-20190701.html
Philadelphia man, wrongly imprisoned 21 years, alleges rampant misconduct in lawsuit
https://www.inquirer.com/news/terrance-lewis-wrongful-conviction-exoneration-philly-police-misconduct-juvenile-lifer-20190701.html
Pitt
UPMC confirms 12 cases of MRSA at Children’s Hospital, including six babies
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/07/01/UPMC-12-cases-MRSA-Children-s-Hospital-NICU-CDC-infection/stories/201907010122
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh reports 12 cases of MRSA bacteria
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/upmc-childrens-hospital-of-pittsburgh-reports-12-cases-of-mrsa-bacteria/
Threat that canceled readings not new to drag queen community
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/07/01/Drag-Queen-Story-Hour-Akasha-Hamilt-Carnegie-Library-Children-s-Museum-threat/stories/201907010089
Pittsburgh drag queen story times canceled after threats
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-drag-queen-story-times-canceled-after-threats/
Controller: City on pace in 2019 for ‘significant’ surplus, money available for parks ‘without tax increase’
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/07/01/pittsburgh-finances-controller-michael-lamb-popular-annual-finance-report-parks-ballot-initiative/stories/201907010115
Pittsburgh controller predicts large surplus for 2019
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-controller-predicts-large-surplus-for-2019/
LA flight won’t resume soon thanks to Boeing 737 Max 8 grounding
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/07/02/LA-flight-resume-Boeing-737-Max-8-grounding-Southwest-airport-pittsburgh/stories/201907020056
A ‘Burgh native dies in Fla. after surgeries to cure her flesh-eating bacteria infection
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/07/01/flesh-eating-bacteria-Florida-woman-dies/stories/201907010145
‘An iconic new gateway’: 7-story office complex proposed in Strip near 31st Street Bridge
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/07/01/An-iconic-new-gateway-seven-story-office-complex/stories/201907010025
Women in Pittsburgh’s boardrooms: the numbers are up but barriers remain
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2019/06/30/Women-boards-diversity-Koppers-quotas-pay-directors/stories/201906300013
Mt. Lebanon Commissioners to hold hearing on $5 million bond issue
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2019/07/01/Mt-Lebanon-Commissioners-plan-hearing-on-5-million-bond-issue/stories/201907010069
A survey worth taking: Allegheny County asks residents’ views on health, safety
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/07/02/Allegheny-County-health-safety-survey/stories/201907020026
Pittsburgh’s newest police dogs welcomed to the force
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburghs-newest-police-dogs-welcomed-to-the-force/
Heinz Endowments offers grants to artists for work reflecting social challenges
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/heinz-endowments-offers-grants-to-artists-for-work-reflecting-social-challenges/
Pittsburgh City Council supports health department’s clean air actions
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-city-council-supports-health-departments-clean-air-actions/
State News
Chester County animal sanctuary is home to horses, dogs, cats, goats, cows, and the occasional emu
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/la-mancha-coatesville-animal-rescue-20190701.html
Millions of records sealed in Pennsylvania criminal justice reform effort
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/millions-of-records-sealed-in-pennsylvania-criminal-justice-reform-effort/
Eagle sightings goal of Keystone State Park program
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/eagle-sightings-goal-of-keystone-state-park-program/
Limited-release lottery features 7 highly sought-after whiskeys
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/limited-release-lottery-features-7-highly-sought-after-whiskeys/
Pennsylvania’s new fireworks law frustrates firefighters, police, residents alike
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-fireworks-complaints-20190701-ra6qshhrtfgo7mitbezp5lfpuy-story.html
Allentown Diocese cuts office staff by nearly 25% to pay for sex abuse victims
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-allentown-diocese-staff-cuts-20190701-x4vqxddsjnayrdb4tc46zkyn7q-story.html
Three Pa. cities are among the best bargains in the US, study says
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/three-pa-cities-are-among-the-best-bargains-in-the-us-study-says.html
Let them know what you think about pipelines
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/let-them-know-what-you-think-about-pipelines/article_f2dde914-9c3b-11e9-9396-6f86a07b5cb7.html
Transportation
No holiday surprise: heavy traffic, hot weather expected for holiday week
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/07/02/July-4-road-travel-AAA-Pennsylvania-Turnpike-WalletHub/stories/201907010095
PennDOT, state police to team up for July 4th DUI awareness campaign in Greensburg
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/penndot-state-police-to-team-up-for-july-4th-dui-awareness-campaign-in-greensburg/
New Dallas roundabout set to be repaved
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-dallas-roundabout-set-to-be-repaved-1.2503434
Washington
Philadelphia congressman calls for federal grants to fund small cannabis businesses
https://www.inquirer.com/business/cannabis-homegrown-dwight-evans-congressman-small-business-20190702.html