Legislature
It’s time for Harrisburg to deal with the sexual harassment problem | By: State Rep. Leanne Krueger and Sen. Maria Collett
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-harrisburg-state-house-sexual-harassment-me-too-20190702.html
She said, he shouted: The viral Pa. Senate video and how Democrats are done playing nice | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/news/columnists/pennsylvania-senate-katie-muth-jake-corman-shouting-poor-maria-panaritis-20190702.html
While Gov. Tom Wolf seeks to raise minimum wage, Pa.’s neighbors are doing it
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/while-gov-tom-wolf-seeks-to-raise-minimum-wage-pas-neighbors-are-doing-it.html
Pa. Senate Republicans issue letter to Lt. Gov. Fetterman over Senate floor chaos
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-senate-republicans-issue-letter-to-lt-gov-fetterman-over-senate-floor-chaos/
Pa. Senate GOP not ready ‘to forgive and forget’ chaotic outburst; Fetterman ready to move on
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/pa-senate-gop-not-ready-to-forgive-and-forget-chaotic-outburst-fetterman-ready-to-move-on.html
State rule: No good bill unpunished
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/state-rule-no-good-bill-unpunished-1.2503889
Administration
Gov. Tom Wolf signs law that protects regional DUI checkpoints as ‘fix’ to Supreme Court ruling
https://triblive.com/local/regional/gov-wolf-signs-law-that-protects-regional-dui-checkpoints-as-fix-to-supreme-court-ruling/
Wolf signs plan for ‘cyber snow days’
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wolf-signs-plan-for-cyber-snow-days-1.2504039
So long, snow days: Gov. Wolf signs law enabling schools to schedule days for kids to work at home
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/so-long-snow-days-gov-wolf-signs-law-enabling-schools-to-schedule-days-for-kids-to-work-at-home.html
Gov. Wolf signs bill to expand armed school security options
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/gov-wolf-signs-bill-to-expand-armed-school-security-options.html
Wolf says school security bill won’t allow teachers to carry guns in the classroom
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/wolf-says-school-security-bill-wont-allow-teachers-to-carry-guns-in-the-classroom/
It’s official: Allentown State Hospital will be torn down and the property sold
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-wolf-hospital-20190702-yyyh5v2sfbd35hizgmq6pxnovi-story.html
State Rep. Josh Kail’s first bill signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190702/state-rep-josh-kails-first-bill-signed-into-law-by-gov-tom-wolf
Budget
Pa., N.J. governors spin budget ‘wins’ | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/murphy-wolf-budget-spending-tax-minimum-wage-20190703.html
Business
Pride Mobility Products makes the world’s leading mobility devices
https://www.timesleader.com/news/748631/pride-mobility-products-makes-the-worlds-leading-mobility-devices
Customers lament lack of items at Allegheny Township Kmart
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/customers-lament-lack-of-items-at-allegheny-township-kmart/
Jobless numbers static in May
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/jobless-numbers-static-in-may-1.2503905
A year after ‘Janus,’ the Pa. labor movement is as strong as ever | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/a-year-after-janus-the-pa-labor-movement-is-as-strong-as-ever-opinion/
Crime/Punishment
Praise from players, coaches preceded probationary sentence for ex-Penn basketball coach Jerome Allen in admissions scandal
https://www.inquirer.com/news/jerome-allen-sentencing-penn-basketball-college-admissions-bribes-scandal-fran-dunphy-20190702.html
Education
Glen Mills Schools promises a ‘vastly different’ program if allowed to reopen
https://www.inquirer.com/news/glen-mills-schools-license-closed-abuse-pennsylvania-dhs-20190703.html
Penn Hills School District’s state allocation only a Band-Aid, board president says
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/penn-hills-school-district-state-allocation-a-band-aid/
Penn Hills man vows to chain himself to White House to bring attention to school district
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/penn-hills-man-vows-to-chain-himself-to-white-house-gate-in-effort-to-bring-federal-attention-to-school-district/
Scathing state audit of Harrisburg School District reveals more than $5 million in questionable costs
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/scathing-state-audit-of-harrisburg-school-district-reveals-more-than-5-million-in-questionable-costs.html
King’s College searches for VP
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/king-s-college-searches-for-vp-1.2503914
Health Care
Pennsylvania to shift from healthcare.gov to state-based insurance exchange
https://www.inquirer.com/health/consumer/pa-state-based-exchange-health-insurance-obamacare-20190702.html
Pennsylvania’s own health insurance exchange coming next year
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/pennsylvanias-own-health-insurance-exchange-coming-next-year.html
Pa.’s marketplace change, explained: Why a health insurance proposal easily won bipartisan support
https://www.penncapital-star.com/health-care/pa-s-marketplace-change-explained-why-a-health-insurance-proposal-easily-won-bipartisan-support/
Local News
County plans to revisit Northeast Revenue contract
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-plans-to-revisit-northeast-revenue-contract-1.2504035
Luzerne County tax claim vendor among Scranton mayor’s bribery targets
https://www.timesleader.com/news/748658/luzerne-county-tax-claim-vendor-among-scranton-mayors-bribery-targets
Courtright pleads guilty
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/courtright-pleads-guilty-1.2504030
Federal investigators detail former Scranton mayor’s pay-to-play scheme
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/federal-investigators-detail-former-scranton-mayor-s-pay-to-play-scheme-1.2503700
Feds: Corruption probe that snared Scranton mayor is extensive and ongoing
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/feds-corruption-probe-that-snared-scranton-mayor-is-extensive-and-ongoing-1.2503939
Scranton officials review contract with Northeast Revenue Services
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/scranton-officials-review-contract-with-northeast-revenue-services-1.2504008
Work goes on at Scranton City Hall while former mayor was pleading guilty to corruption
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/work-goes-on-at-scranton-city-hall-while-former-mayor-was-pleading-guilty-to-corruption-1.2504110
Timeline: The rise and fall of former Scranton Mayor Bill Courtright
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/timeline-the-rise-and-fall-of-former-scranton-mayor-bill-courtright-1.2504122
Connection between Allentown corruption case and one brewing in Scranton
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-scranton-courtright-allentown-pawlowski-northeast-revenue-bribe-20190702-d6xmqa2oqfbwpdqlmrgndkz5e4-story.html
Volunteers needed for park cleanup
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/volunteers-needed-for-park-cleanup-1.2503913
Swoyersville councilwoman responds to controversy over civil service appointment
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/swoyersville-councilwoman-responds-to-controversy-over-civil-service-appointment-1.2504006
Mayor’s advice on reporting fireworks violations: Be specific
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/mayor-s-advice-on-reporting-fireworks-violations-be-specific-1.2503978
New Kensington’s fire chief still named Saliba
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensingtons-fire-chief-still-named-saliba/
Vandergrift will have to wait until next year for paving money
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/vandergrift-will-have-to-wait-until-next-year-for-paving-money/
Leechburg area campaign underway to say thanks to troops, first responders
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/leechburg-area-campaign-under-way-to-say-thanks-to-troops-first-responders/
Driveway disaster repaired in Cumru Township — at no cost to owner
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/driveway-disaster-repaired-in-cumru-township–at-no-cost-to-owner
How financial literacy courses are helping Reading residents
https://www.readingeagle.com/business-weekly/article/financial-literacy
State police liquor officers cite 12 establishments in Berks County for violations
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/state-police-liquor-officers-cite-12-establishments-in-berks-county-for-violations
Editorial: Let’s ensure hungry seniors get help they deserve
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/lets-ensure-hungry-seniors-get-the-help-they-deserve
Here’s Bethlehem’s actual Wind Creek/Sands casino tax windfall
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-bethlehem-wind-creek-transfer-tax-20190702-66bleasikjcnvdi6vg5tlhw2zy-story.html
National News
Hawaii law on prostitution convictions is 1st in nation
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/hawaii-prostitution-sex-trafficking-conviction-erased-requirement-20190703.html
Lee Iacocca, auto industry savior, dies at 94
https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/lee-iacocca-ford-chrysler-mustang-auto-industry-20190703.html
Judge blocks Trump policy keeping asylum-seekers locked up
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/asylum-seekers-locked-up-policy-blocked-trump-administration-20190703.html
New Jersey
Home delivery, employee protections as New Jersey expands medical marijuana program
https://www.inquirer.com/business/weed/new-jersey-medical-marijuana-home-delivery-expansion-20190702.html
Philly
Nonprofit behind Philly supervised injection site plan demands its day in court
https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/supervised-injection-site-philadelphia-safehouse-20190703.html
Philly refinery workers, soon to be jobless, recount how reflexes kicked in when disaster struck
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/philadelphia-refinery-fire-employee-instincts-kick-in-bright-future-20190702.html
‘For the use of the people’: How Philadelphia’s Free Library got its name
https://www.inquirer.com/news/free-library-name-curious-philly-20190702.html
Analysts: Philadelphia refinery unlikely to find a willing buyer
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/07/analysts-philadelphia-refinery-shut-down-after-fire-unlikely-to-find-a-willing-buyer.php
Workers, politicians look for new owner for South Philly refinery
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/workers-politicians-look-for-new-owner-for-south-philly-refinery/article_747d88ec-9cf2-11e9-8a4a-e35a1093a4de.html
Patti LaBelle honored with her own Philly street
https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/music/patti-labelle-street-naming-ceremony-broad-spruce-kimmel-center-20190701.html
30th Street Station renamed to honor late Congressman, pastor William Gray
https://www.inquirer.com/news/30th-street-station-amtrak-william-gray-renamed-congress-20190702.html
An end to transfer fees? City says yes, but SEPTA’s wary
https://www.inquirer.com/news/septa-philadelphia-transfer-fees-bus-subway-trolley-ridership-20190702.html
Penn Medicine building in Center City sells at record-breaking valuation for Philadelphia offices
https://www.inquirer.com/news/most-expensive-office-building-philadelphia-penn-medicine-tower-800-walnut-liberty-property-trust-20190702.html
WSFS Bank to lay off dozens at Beneficial’s Center City headquarters
https://www.inquirer.com/business/phillydeals/wsfs-layoffs-beneficial-bank-philadelphia-new-jersey-20190702.html
Pitt
UPMC says visitor was the source of MRSA infections at Children’s
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/07/02/UPMC-visitor-source-MRSA-infections-at-Childrens-hospital/stories/201907020128
UPMC: Visitor brought in bacteria to Children’s Hospital ICU
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/upmc-visitor-brought-in-bacteria-to-childrens-hospital-icu/
Police charge owner of alligator found loose in Beechview with animal cruelty
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/07/02/pittsburgh-alligator-owner-mark-mcgowan-beechview-charged-animal-neglect/stories/201907020120
Pitt, city police investigate after student posts racist threats to shoot man ‘just like George Zimmerman’
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/07/03/university-of-pittsburgh-student-racist-threats-snapchat-twitter/stories/201907020151
City to join 127 cities across U.S. to collectively purchase electric vehicles
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/07/02/pittsburgh-electric-vehicles-climate-mayors-cooperative-purchasing-agreement/stories/201907020097
State News
Fireworks laws in Pa. and N.J.: What you should know for July 4th
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/fireworks-july-4th-laws-pennsylvania-philadelphia-new-jersey-20190703.html
With new law, neighborhood fireworks displays lead to disputes, police calls in Pa. suburbs
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/fireworks-law-pennsylvania-philadelphia-havertown-20190703.html
Court ruling that blew up Pennsylvania fireworks law may have put an end to sales tents
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-overnight-fireworks-tent-20190702-rylzbmkexnh4xgclp6m246ljja-story.html
Pa. woman marks success of tougher abuse law in Tennessee
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/07/02/Coverings-Mennonite-Amish-Plain-sexual-abuse-Tennessee-joanna-yoder/stories/201907020145
State issues cease and desist order to Greene County medical marijuana grower
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/07/02/medical-marijuana-AgriMed-cease-and-desist-Department-of-Health-Rachel-Levine/stories/201907020119
LCB awards nearly $765,000 in grants to reduce underage drinking
https://triblive.com/local/regional/lcb-awards-nearly-765000-in-grants-to-reduce-underage-drinking/
How the Pennsylvania liquor lottery came to be
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/how-the-pennsylvania-liquor-lottery-came-to-be/
Why it matters that Pennsylvania bats are still on the decline, even endangered
https://www.readingeagle.com/berks-country/article/why-it-matters-that-pennsylvania-bats-are-still-on-the-decline-even-endangered
Pennsylvania is beautiful, so let’s keep it that way | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/07/pennsylvania-is-beautiful-so-lets-keep-it-that-way-opinion.html
Washington
Trump administration abruptly gives up fight over census citizenship question
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/trump-administration-abruptly-gives-up-fight-over-census-citizenship-question/
U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan calls for federal gas tax hike
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/us-rep-chrissy-houlahan-calls-for-federal-gas-tax-hike
U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean: Conditions at migrant detention center ‘monstrous’
https://www.theintell.com/news/20190702/us-rep-madeleine-dean-conditions-at-migrant-detention-center-monstrous