Legislature
Pa. Democratic lawmakers want to revive cash assistance for state’s poorest residents
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/pa-democratic-lawmakers-want-to-revive-cash-assistance-for-states-poorest-residents-hoping-moral-compass-emerges-in-those-who-voted-to-shut-it-down.html
John Boyd beat homelessness. Katie Muth took his story to Harrisburg and the debate it sparked went viral.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-senate-john-boyd-katie-muth-general-assistance-20190705.html
In 2017, Pa. lawmakers outlawed ‘lunch shaming.’ Now, alternative meals are back.
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/in-2017-pa-lawmakers-outlawed-lunch-shaming-now-alternative-meals-are-back/
Pa. got $1B more in taxes than expected. Officials say federal tax changes, online sales taxes made that happen.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-budget-tax-revenue-federal-tax-changes-20190705.html
Chiefs: Too many loopholes in texting-and-driving law
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/snyder_county/chiefs-too-many-loopholes-in-texting-and-driving-law/article_2cd6fe86-d1f9-5528-86b2-7890f97a6432.html
Agriculture, Pennsylvania’s No. 1 industry, supported through new state farm bill
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/agriculture-pennsylvanias-no-1-industry-supported-through-new-state-farm-bill/
Borrowing bill a 2 for 1
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/borrowing-bill-a-2-for-1-1.2504680
Dairy veto irks Ward, Gregory
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/07/dairy-veto-irks-ward-gregory/
Budget
State budget allocates more funding for low-income housing
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/state_and_region/state-budget-allocates-more-funding-for-low-income-housing/article_d042e792-77f7-5169-95ba-df87db1d2b0e.html
Business
Five myths about corporate lobbyists and minimum wage | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/07/five-myths-about-corporate-lobbyists-and-minimum-wage-opinion.html
Crime/Punishment
Prostitutes arrested at greater rate than ‘johns,’ report finds
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/prostitutes-arrested-at-greater-rate-than-johns-report-finds-1.2504730
Education
No more snow days? Central Pa. teachers warmly accept the flexible time
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/no-more-snow-days-central-pa-teachers-warmly-accept-the-flexible-time.html
Elections/Politics
Straight-party voting popular in Luzerne County
https://www.timesleader.com/news/748882/straight-party-voting-popular-in-luzerne-county
Health Care
LVHN planning facility expansion
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/lvhn-planning-facility-expansion-1.2504674
What is necrotizing fasciitis? Here’s what a Pennsylvania family wants you to know about disease caused by flesh-eating bacteria
https://www.mcall.com/health/mc-hea-what-is-necrotizing-fasciitis-flesh-eating-bacteria-20190705-ipe4i77t6fc3bitl46csmyvu44-story.html
Get hit with an unexpected medical bill? You’re not alone. Here’s why that’s happening | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/get-hit-with-an-unexpected-medical-bill-youre-not-alone-heres-why-thats-happening-opinion/
Local News
Kirby Park attracts hundreds for Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration
https://www.timesleader.com/news/748878/kirby-park-attracts-hundreds-for-old-fashioned-fourth-of-july-celebration
Ceremony, tours mark anniversary of Battle of Wyoming
https://www.timesleader.com/news/748906/ceremony-tours-mark-anniversary-of-battle-of-wyoming
Ceremony marks Battle of Wyoming
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ceremony-marks-battle-of-wyoming-1.2504760
American Legion puts on patriotic party for veterans
https://www.timesleader.com/news/748880/american-legion-puts-on-patriotic-party-for-veterans
Law firm gives away bike helmets to kids
https://www.timesleader.com/news/748874/law-firm-gives-away-bike-helmets-to-kids
Show of patriotism at Scranton July 4th service
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/show-of-patriotism-at-scranton-july-4th-service-1.2504725
Scranton must spend $127,000 in unused 2014 federal funds
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-must-spend-127-000-in-unused-2014-federal-funds-1.2504770
Cooperation with IRS part of Courtright’s plea deal
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cooperation-with-irs-part-of-courtright-s-plea-deal-1.2504663
North Pocono salon owner collecting school supplies, plans free haircut event
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/north-pocono-salon-owner-collecting-school-supplies-plans-free-haircut-event-1.2504772
2020 city budget talks begin next week
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/2020-city-budget-talks-begin-next-week-1.2504693
Locust Lake reopens to patrons
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/locust-lake-reopens-to-patrons-1.2504695
50 years of neighborhood memories at Leechburg block party
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/50-years-of-neighborhood-memories-at-leechburg-block-party/
Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival attracts vendors from across the country
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-arts-heritage-festival-attracts-vendors-from-across-the-country/
2019 Wyomissing Fourth of July parade a homecoming for many
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/wyomissing-parade-a-homecoming-for-many
Declaration of Independence read at Hopewell Furnance to celebrate Independence Day
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/declaration-of-independence-read-at-hopewell-furnance-to-celebrate-independence-day
Radnor says no to more bamboo
http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/mainlinesuburbanlife/radnor-says-no-to-more-bamboo/article_a5cfe12a-9dc3-11e9-91d6-e38669e545c8.html
Philly
Philly celebrates July 4th with patriotic flair on the Parkway
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-fourth-of-july-fireworks-celebrations-welcome-america-20190704.html
Contamination from Philadelphia refinery that exploded could pollute New Jersey groundwater. Here’s how.
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/philadelphia-energy-solutions-philadelphia-refinery-potomac-raritan-magothy-aquifer-new-jersey-20190708.html
Protesters ‘detained and cited’ after trying to disrupt 4th of July parade in Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/fourth-of-july-parade-protest-immigration-policy-ice-20190704.html
What do Philadelphia, Venezuela, and Independence Day have in common?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/united-states-venezuela-independence-francisco-de-miranda-statue-philadelphia-20190705.html
Police: Four injured in July 4th shootings in Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/shootings-philadelphia-4th-of-july-20190705.html
E-scooters may be rolling into Pa., but are Philly streets prepared? Pro/Con | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/e-scooters-philadelphia-transportation-legal-pennsylvania-20190705.html
Instagram’s ‘Kensington Beach’ page is shocking, but it’s raising awareness about the opioid epidemic | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/opioids-kensington-beach-instagram-philly-jenice-armstrong-20190705.html
Is it ever OK to say you’re from Philly when you grew up in the suburbs? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-hometown-suburbs-identity-20190705.html
Temple researchers eliminate HIV in infected mice
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/07/04/HIV-mice-cure-researchers-eliminate-virus/stories/201907030214
Pitt
ICA termination ends Pittsburgh financial oversight, difficult relationship
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/07/05/ICA-termination-pittsburgh-financial-oversight-act-47/stories/201907030173
‘Flashes of Freedom’ fireworks dazzle at the Point
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/07/04/Flashes-of-Freedom-fireworks-Point-pittsburgh-fourth-of-july/stories/201907040094
Pittsburgh celebrates Fourth of July with annual fireworks show
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-celebrates-the-fourth-with-huge-fireworks-show/
Two critically wounded in shooting in Cultural District
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/07/04/shooting-downtown-pittsburgh-fourth-of-july/stories/201907040093
Allegheny Land Trust wants to preserve green space in Bethel Park
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2019/07/04/Allegheny-Land-Trust-wants-to-preserve-green-space-in-Bethel-Park/stories/201907040006
Volunteers comfort shelter dogs through the Fourth of July fireworks
https://www.post-gazette.com/pets/2019/07/05/Volunteers-comfort-shelter-dogs-through-Fourth-of-July-fireworks-pittsburgh/stories/201907040089
‘Small houses’ being built in Penn Hills for homeless military veterans
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2019/07/04/Homeless-veterans-tiny-houses-Veterans-Place-of-Washington-Boulevard-Penn-Hills/stories/201907030042
State News
Pennsylvanians not getting Real IDs as fast as officials would like
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvanians-not-getting-real-ids-as-fast-as-officials-would-like/
There are more bald eagle nests than Pa. game commission can count
https://triblive.com/local/regional/game-commission-seeks-publics-help-in-tracking-bald-eagle-nests/
Buffalo Township woman hopes to break barriers in push to be Miss America
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/breaking-barriers-and-making-a-difference-mark-buffalo-township-womans-push-for-miss-america/
Lower Burrell administrator named head of statewide municipal group
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/lower-burrell-administrator-named-head-of-state-wide-municipal-group/
What do we have to thank for reduced Lyme disease in Pa.? Trees, maybe
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/07/04/Lyme-disease-Pennsylvania-deer-tick-oak-tree/stories/201907040024
Ricketts Glen State Park adds 143 acres
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ricketts-glen-state-park-adds-143-acres-1.2504708
NEPA counties to get impact-fee funds
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/nepa-counties-to-get-impact-fee-funds-1.2504788
Utilities commission announces revenue
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/utilities-commission-announces-revenue-1.2504665
‘Open’ court in TV blackout
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/open-court-in-tv-blackout-1.2504643
Washington
Adoration and anger in the crowd at Trump’s July 4th celebration at the Lincoln Memorial
https://www.inquirer.com/news/trump-july-4th-crowd-reaction-national-mall-rally-20190705.html
Rep. Justin Amash, lone GOP critic of Trump, leaves Republican Party
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/justin-amash-congressman-leaves-republican-party-donald-trump-critic-20190704.html