Legislature
Advocacy groups attempt to halt imminent General Assistance repeal
https://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/07/advocacy-groups-attempt-to-halt-imminent-general-assistance-repeal.php
Lawsuit challenges termination of assistance program for poor Pennsylvanians
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2019/07/22/Lawsuit-termination-general-assistance-program-poor-Pennsylvanians/stories/201907220100
Advocates for poor Pennsylvanians sue over elimination of cash assistance program
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/advocates-for-poor-pennsylvanians-sue-over-elimination-of-cash-assistance-program/
At request of counties, lawmakers delay privatization of Medicaid rides to doctor’s visits
https://www.penncapital-star.com/health-care/at-request-of-counties-lawmakers-delay-privatization-of-medicaid-rides-to-doctors-visits/
Plastic bag ban: Uncharted waters for West Chester
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/plastic-bag-ban-uncharted-waters-for-west-chester/article_bc246b28-acd0-11e9-85e4-5b43f6396a57.html
Raise smoking, vaping age to 21
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/raise-smoking-vaping-age-to-21-1.2511278
Editorial: State, nation need swift solution to lack of road funding
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/state-nation-need-swift-solution-to-lack-of-road-funding
Budget
PA state budget: spending and spending and spending…
https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/2019/07/22/pa-state-budget-spending-and-spending-and-spending/1796862001/
Business
Does your business have the right paid time off policy?
https://www.inquirer.com/business/small-business/paid-time-off-pto-unlimited-small-business-policy-20190723.html
Jack Frost, Big Boulder in Carbon County involved in $264 million ski resort deal
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/jack-frost-big-boulder-in-carbon-county-involved-in-264-million-ski-resort-deal-1.2511399
Saucony Creek Brewery to open downtown Reading location
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/saucony-creek-to-open-downtown-reading-location
Three years after strike, Just Born union workers have a deal — without their pension and without their vote
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-just-born-union-contract-20190717-sr5ahdvga5csnnxr7co7yazivy-story.html
Crime/Punishment
Air-conditioning disrupted at Delco prison during weekend heat wave
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/air-conditioning-george-w-hill-delaware-county-20190722.html
Review urged after 3 Pennsylvania parolees charged in separate homicides
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/review-urged-after-3-pennsylvania-parolees-charged-in-separate-homicides/
Education
Philly businessman says his offer to pay WVW lunch debts was turned down
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/philly-businessman-says-his-offer-to-pay-wvw-lunch-debts-was-turned-down-1.2511404
Letter: WVW board president rejects $22K offer to pay lunch money
https://www.timesleader.com/news/750579/letter-wvw-board-president-rejects-22k-offer-to-pay-lunch-money
WVW school lunch controversy still making national news
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wvw-school-lunch-controversy-still-making-national-news-1.2511406
Wyoming Valley West plays school bully
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/wyoming-valley-west-plays-school-bully-1.2511343
Carbondale Area will not offer art in elementary school, part of furlough fallout
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/carbondale-area-will-not-offer-art-in-elementary-school-part-of-furlough-fallout-1.2511400
Walls begin to rise for new W-B Area high school
https://www.timesleader.com/news/750578/walls-begin-to-rise-for-new-w-b-area-high-school
Junior Achievement inspires young people to value free enterprise
https://www.timesleader.com/news/750473/junior-achievement-inspires-young-people-to-value-free-enterprise
No summer break for YEA! Students
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/no-summer-break-for-yea-students-1.2511297
Alvernia University’s new president hopes to make Reading a college town
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/alvernia-universitys-new-president-hopes-to-make-reading-a-college-town
Penn Law professor Amy Wax under fire for remarks about race and immigration
https://www.inquirer.com/news/amy-wax-university-of-pennsylvania-immigration-culture-race-trump-nationalism-20190722.html
Health Care
By running Obamacare exchange, Pa. hopes to sign up many more people while also cutting premiums
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/by-running-obamacare-exchange-pa-hopes-to-sign-up-many-more-people-while-also-cutting-premiums.html
Local News
Officials to celebrate grand reopening of park in W-B
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/officials-to-celebrate-grand-reopening-of-park-in-w-b-1.2511341
Hiring of five more Luzerne County Drug Task Force officers planned
https://www.timesleader.com/news/750595/hiring-of-five-more-luzerne-county-drug-task-force-officers-planned
WVSA audits are open to AG review
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wvsa-audits-are-open-to-ag-review-1.2511402
Forty Fort, flood authority plan agreement for sports complex
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/forty-fort-flood-authority-plan-agreement-for-sports-complex-1.2511355
Police: Dog left in hot car treated for heat stroke
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/police-dog-left-in-hot-car-treated-for-heat-stroke-1.2511331
Scranton City Council interviews 14 candidates for temporary mayor
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-council-interviews-14-candidates-for-temporary-mayor-1.2511320
Courtright’s friend charged in federal corruption case
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/courtright-s-friend-charged-in-federal-corruption-case-1.2511267
Democrats set schedule to pick their Scranton mayor candidate
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/democrats-set-schedule-to-pick-their-scranton-mayor-candidate-1.2511260
Two companies want to revise Scranton LIP department
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/two-companies-want-to-revise-scranton-lip-department-1.2511250
New developer takes over warehouse construction project at Humboldt East
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/new-developer-takes-over-warehouse-construction-project-at-humboldt-east-1.2511350
CAP Squadron 203 holds 1st function at new home
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/cap-squadron-203-holds-1st-function-at-new-home-1.2511304
Monroe County reassessment raises questions
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20190722/monroe-county-reassessment-raises-questions
New flood plan close to passing in Westmoreland County
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/new-flood-plan-close-to-passing-in-westmoreland-county/
Options for trail from Oakmont to Boyce Park to be unveiled
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/options-for-trail-from-oakmont-to-boyce-park-to-be-unveiled/
A week after the Reading mayor’s last-minute change of heart, the pride flag is raised at City Hall
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pride-flag-raised-at-city-hall
Berks County clerk of courts says digitizing criminal files will save $100,000 a year
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-clerk-of-courts-says-digitizing-criminal-files-will-save-100000-a-year
The growing demand for apartments is good for Wyomissing-based Metropolitan Companies
https://www.readingeagle.com/business-weekly/article/growing-demand-for-apartments-is-good-for-business
Natural Gas
Court issues split decision on Marcellus shale natural gas drilling rules
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/07/22/pennsylvania-commonwealth-court-split-decision-marcellus-shale-gas-drilling-rules-fracking/stories/201907220124
Opioid Crisis
Drug abuse forum to be held Wednesday in W-B
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/drug-abuse-forum-to-be-held-wednesday-in-w-b-1.2511336
Philly
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is tearing itself apart in plain view. Here’s what to know as construction ramps up.
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/philadelphia-museum-of-art-frank-gehry-timothy-rub-core-project-construction-20190723.html
Philly courts hosted a job fair for the pre-trial population
https://www.inquirer.com/news/job-fair-pre-trial-supervision-20190723.html
After learning some teens use socks for their periods, Mount Airy woman started delivering free pads and tampons
https://www.inquirer.com/health/period-poverty-pads-tampons-menstruation-lynette-medley-20190805.html
A Fishtown home was destroyed by sloppy construction next door. Now, the developer tied to the collapse is cashing out.
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/fishtown-house-collapse-destroyed-thompson-street-for-sale-klenk-philadelphia-20190722.html
How do the most vulnerable Philly teens get to college? This program helps them reach higher.
https://www.inquirer.com/education/homeless-students-college-life-temple-philadelphia-opportunity-20190722.html
In Philly courtroom where DA Krasner won’t try cases, he’s called to witness stand
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner-judge-scott-diclaudio-20190722.html
Teen shot by police after allegedly stealing bus, charging officers with knife on Walt Whitman Bridge
https://www.inquirer.com/news/police-shooting-walt-whitman-bridge-philadelphia-delaware-river-port-authority-20190722.html
South Philly teen says he’s innocent, gets 37 years to life for fatally shooting two 16-year-olds in 2017
https://www.inquirer.com/news/brandon-olivieri-south-philadelphia-prison-sentence-salvatore-dinubile-caleer-miller-20190722.html
American Airlines’ June flight cancellations soared in Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/business/american-airlines-canceled-flights-philadelphia-southwest-delta-mechanics-union-20190723.html
Pitt
Man charged in fatal shooting of Pittsburgh police officer
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/07/22/calvin-hall-arrest-christian-bey-pittsburgh-police-officer-homicide/stories/201907220091
Man charged in fatal shooting of Pittsburgh officer Calvin Hall
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/man-charged-in-fatal-shooting-of-pittsburgh-officer-calvin-hall/
Traffic restrictions set for Officer Calvin Hall’s funeral
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/07/22/Funeral-Police-Officer-Calvin-Hall-rolling-road-closures-Soldiers-Sailors-Memorial-Hall-and-Museum-Oakland/stories/201907220117
Family remembers ‘one of the good ones,’ as viewing gets underway for slain police officer
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/07/22/Family-Calvin-Hall-remembers-viewing-funeral-underway-Soldiers-Sailors-slain-Pittsburgh-police-officer/stories/201907220078
Mayor’s office says Mon-Oakland road details ‘fully transparent’
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2019/07/22/Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania-Oakland-Panther-Hollow-Four-Mile-Run/stories/201907220114
Recent court ruling bodes well for Pittsburgh’s controversial gun bills, officials say
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/recent-court-ruling-bodes-well-for-pittsburghs-controversial-gun-bills-officials-say/
‘I’ve never seen anything like this before’: Flooding causes widespread damage in eastern Allegheny County
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2019/07/22/flooding-Allegheny-County-PennDOT-Penn-Hills-Oakmont-plum-weather-damage/stories/201907220129
As their town falls down around them, North Braddock families try to protect children — and lay a foundation for their future.
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/blog/growing-up-through-the-cracks-north-braddock-treasures-amid-ruins/
Squirrel Hill man checks all comers to win first U.S. senior chess championship
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/07/22/squirrel-hill-us-chess-federation-hall-of-fame-us-senior-championship-alex-shabalov-pittsburgh-allegheny-county/stories/201907220136
Remember the basics: City had plenty to do without sick-pay fight
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/07/23/Paid-sick-day-leave-Pittsburgh-fight-court/stories/201907220026
Ex-WPXI anchor Darieth Chisolm victorious in revenge porn case
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/darieth-chisolm-victorious-in-international-revenge-porn-case/
ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’ to broadcast live from Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/good-morning-america-to-broadcast-live-from-pittsburgh-on-thursday/
State News
Gusty storms break heat grip: PATCO disrupted by downed power line, thousands without power
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-weather-heat-relief-severe-thunderstorms-20190722.html
The Allies once again will storm the beaches at Normandy, but on Lake Erie, at D-Day Conneaut
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/travel/2019/07/22/D-Day-Conneaut-Ohio-reenactment-World-War-II-75th-anniversary-beach-boats/stories/201907070011
Game Commission continues investigating after bear bites staffer at Nemacolin
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-game-commission-continues-investigating-bear-biting-staffer-at-nemacolin/
Proposed LNG terminal plan needs more public voices | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/lng-export-terminal-fracking-delaware-river-20190723.html
$4.1M Match 6 ticket sold in West Mifflin
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/4-1-million-match-6-ticket-sold-in-west-mifflin/
Transportation
I-70 traffic restrictions will allow PennDOT to install permanent data collector
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/i-70-traffic-restrictions-will-allow-penndot-to-install-permanent-data-collector/
Both lanes of Freeport Road in East Deer reopen after yearlong bridge project
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/both-lanes-of-freeport-road-in-east-deer-reopen-after-yearlong-bridge-project/
Lehigh Valley to lose $380 million in transportation funding
https://www.mcall.com/business/transportation/mc-biz-lehigh-valley-road-funding-threatened-by-new-formulas-20190722-4b5vkam4k5dzvopfkuafrdijlu-story.html
Washington
Trump accuses 4 congresswomen of being ‘very Racist’ and ‘not very smart’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/07/22/Trump-Squad-congresswomen-very-racist/stories/201907220142
Scanlon tours lower Schuylkill; discusses refinery
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/scanlon-tours-lower-schuylkill-discusses-refinery/article_425fa0b2-aca5-11e9-adab-1fcd4c4f620b.html