Administration
Gov. Wolf raises Pa. minimum wage for state employees to $12 per hour, $15 by 2024
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2018/07/09/Gov-Tom-Wolf-raises-minimum-wage-state-employees/stories/201807080085
Legislature
Bill would make Harley-Davidson the state motorcycle
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/07/effort_to_make_harley-davidson.html#incart_river_index
Harsher penalties for litterbugs will require them to get their hands dirty
http://www.mcall.com/opinion/muschick/mc-opi-pennsylvania-litterbugs-must-pick-up-trash-muschick-20180705-story.html
New law allows school boards to discuss security in executive sessions
http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20180709/new-law-allows-school-boards-to-discuss-security-in-executive-sessions
New state law bans card skimming devices used to steal consumers’ information
http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20180709/new-state-law-bans-card-skimming-devices-used-to-steal-consumers-information
Debate rages over sheltered workshop versus competitive employment
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/07/providing-jobs/
Antwon Rose
Antwon Rose protesters shut down Route 30 in North Versailles
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13846162-74/traffic-on-route-30-was-being-disrupted-by-protesters-in-north-versailles
Protesters block Route 30 traffic in rally for social justice, Antwon Rose
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/07/08/Rally-for-social-justice-Antwon-Road-blocking-traffic-on-Route-30/stories/201807080117
Activist group hopes to present petition asking for Arnold mayor’s resignation
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2018/07/08/Activist-group-petition-signatures-Arnold-mayor-Karen-Peconi-resignation-Aaron-Moore/stories/201807080114
Arnold firefighters do not support Mayor Peconi’s controversial comments, fire chief says
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13846198-74/arnold-firefighters-do-not-support-mayors-controversial-comments-chief-says
Budget
Republican control produces mediocre state budgets | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-state-budget-governor-tom-wolf-republican-control-20180709.html
Business
Shell cracker plant could boost Erie’s plastics industry
https://triblive.com/local/regional/13845521-74/shell-cracker-plant-could-boost-eries-plastics-industry
Supreme Court ruling on unions affects 119 Berks County employees
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/supreme-court-ruling-on-unions-affects-119-berks-county-employees
Could a plastic bag ban be coming to some central Pa. stores?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/07/could_a_plastic_bag_ban_be_com.html#incart_river_index
Crime/Punishment
Mt. Lebanon police apologize for describing crimes as ‘gypsy-like’
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/13845853-74/mt-lebanon-police-apologize-for-describing-crimes-as-gypsy-like
Penn State fraternity hazing death case grinds onward
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/13845383-74/penn-state-fraternity-hazing-death-case-grinds-onward
Trial dates set for six former Lackawanna County Prison guards
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/trial-dates-set-for-six-former-lackawanna-county-prison-guards-1.2359506
Gardening helps Berks DUI offenders get back to good
http://www.readingeagle.com/life/article/gardening-helps-berks-dui-offenders-get-back-to-good
Education
Suit: State school funding formula remains an issue
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/suit-state-school-funding-formula-remains-an-issue-1.2359452
Scranton summer classes to go online this year
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-summer-classes-to-go-online-this-year-1.2359577
Editorial: Summer food program plays crucial role in Reading
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-summer-food-program-plays-crucial-role-in-reading
Job Corps students become part of community by volunteering
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/job-corps-students-become-part-of-community-by-volunteering-1.2359422
Who is making the big bucks at Penn State, Pitt and Temple?
https://www.pennlive.com/expo/news/erry-2018/07/544c8ae0958497/who_are_the_top_earners_at_pen.html#incart_river_index
Elections/Politics
Expect Trump’s Supreme Court pick to heighten abortion’s impact on Pa. governor race
http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/john_baer/abortion-trump-pennsylvania-gubernatorial-election-supreme-court-20180708.html
Gaming
Slot machine revenue up in Pennsylvania
http://www.goerie.com/news/20180708/slot-machine-revenue-up-in-pennsylvania
Health Care
Health insurers warn of market turmoil after Trump suspends billions in care payments
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2018/07/08/Health-insurers-warn-of-market-turmoil-after-Trump-suspends-billions-in-care-payments/stories/201807080158
Local News
Faces of Islam: Area imam explains the faith, contributions to Northeast Pa.
https://www.timesleader.com/news/710680/faces-of-islam-area-imam-explains-the-faith-contributions-to-northeast-pa
Annual Back Mountain Library Auction comes to a close
https://www.timesleader.com/news/710725/annual-back-mountain-library-auction-comes-to-a-close
Pathways aims to help those facing unplanned pregnancy issues
https://www.timesleader.com/news/710723/pathways-aims-to-help-those-facing-unplanned-pregnancy-issues
Puck Cancer event held in Nanticoke
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/puck-cancer-event-held-in-nanticoke-1.2359463
A few days late, Wilkes-Barre fireworks display still thrills crowd
https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/710732/a-few-days-late-wilkes-barre-fireworks-display-still-thrills-crowd
Making downtown Wilkes-Barre bicycle/pedestrian-friendly focus of new study
https://www.timesleader.com/news/710699/making-downtown-wilkes-barre-bicycle-pedestrian-friendly-focus-of-new-study
Developer proposes 10 apartment buildings, 252 units total, in North Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/developer-proposes-10-apartment-buildings-252-units-total-in-north-scranton-1.2359580
Hearing on Jefferson Twp. waste facilty tonight
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/hearing-on-jefferson-twp-waste-facilty-tonight-1.2359581
Be nimble on housing
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/be-nimble-on-housing-1.2359406
New Kensington continues steady fight to eliminate housing blight
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13835604-74/new-kensington-continues-steady-fight-to-eliminate-housing-blight
Brackenridge raw water intake repairs could start soon
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13838280-74/brackenridge-raw-water-intake-repairs-could-start-soon
Kutztown accepts $1,850 donation from HOBOS
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/kutztown-accepts-1850-donation-from-hobos
Why focus on Lancaster County’s youngest kids could break cycle of poverty
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/why-focus-on-lancaster-county-s-youngest-kids-could-break/article_7aad7a56-822c-11e8-aed3-3f18b82e4a92.html
Mayor: Lancaster city police officer who fired stun gun at Sean Williams will not be fired or suspended
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/mayor-lancaster-city-police-officer-who-fired-stun-gun-at/article_d813d858-813b-11e8-858e-d372585a0a8a.html
National News
74 sailors died during a Vietnam warfare exercise, but their names aren’t on D.C. memorial
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/vietnam-veterans-memorial-wall-washington-dc-uss-frank-e-evans-20180709.html
Protesters confront McConnell outside Kentucky restaurant
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/congressional/20180708_ap_e4b1ef92933f4f4eae21e09bff6ad730.html
Delaware to expunge single pot convictions
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/delaware-to-expunge-single-pot-convictions/article_448b1bfb-0554-5691-a979-4cc01de5844f.html
New Jersey
N.J. racetrack that won legal battle over sports betting now wants NFL, NBA to pay up
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/nj-racetrack-wants-nfl-nba-mlb-pay-millions-for-blocking-sports-betting-20180709.html
Opioid Crisis
Erie County drug deaths slowing in 2018
http://www.goerie.com/news/20180709/erie-county-drug-deaths-slowing-in-2018
Philly
Philadelphians feel squeezed as U.S. economy seems to hum. That’s a poverty problem
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/us-economy-philadelphia-wages-unemployment-poverty-20180709.html
Kids and guns: Study finds urban-rural divide that changes with age
http://www.philly.com/philly/health/kids-families/kids-and-guns-study-finds-urban-rural-divide-that-changes-with-age-20180709.html
‘Trump wants us out of here. It’s pushing us to do more’: Philly Latinos on Trump’s America
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/trump-wants-us-out-of-here-its-pushing-us-to-do-more-philly-latinos-on-trumps-america-20180708.html
Why Philly men who say Lowe’s racially profiled them are urging a boycott
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/philly-lowes-receipt-racial-discrimination-bias-will-mega-starbucks-race-20180707.html
My son saved the lives of three other kids because of one decision | Perspective
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/organ-donation-black-community-medicine-perspective-20180709.html
Pitt
From the border to Pittsburgh: The journeys of two unaccompanied migrant children
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/07/09/unaccompanied-migrant-youth-Pittsburgh-undocumented-border-casa-san-jose-latino/stories/201806270126
State News
Grand jury rights: Release the report on dioceses according to process
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/07/09/Grand-jury-rights-Release-the-report-on-dioceses-according-to-process/stories/201807070011
Where does a priest get the money to retain an expensive lawyer?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/07/where_does_a_priest_get_the_mo.html#incart_2box_news
State law puts few restrictions on how municipalities handle public comment at meetings
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/13830341-74/state-law-puts-few-restrictions-on-how-municipalities-handle-public-comment-at
Study looks at boosting solar energy’s future in Pennsylvania
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/study-looks-at-boosting-solar-energys-future-in-pennsylvania
Spurs rebuilding around Lonnie Walker
http://www.readingeagle.com/sports/article/spurs-rebuilding-around-lonnie-walker&template=ourcityart
The Rundown: Reconciling U.S. House, Senate Farm Bills
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/the-rundown-reconciling-us-house-senate-farm-bills
Study aims to accurately evaluate broadband availability in Pa.
http://www.witf.org/news/2018/07/research-aims-to-more-accurately-evaluate-broadband-availability-in-pa.php
Invasive plant a toxic ‘horror’
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/07/invasive-plant-a-toxic-horror/
Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking about this year’s doe season
https://www.centredaily.com/latest-news/article214492399.html
How many rattlesnakes have been spotted in central Pennsylvania? A few live in York County
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2018/07/08/rattlesnakes-have-taken-up-residence-central-pa/766583002/
Transportation
North Huntingdon debuts new traffic signal pattern Monday for Route 30
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2018/07/08/North-Huntingdon-Route-30-traffic-signals-better-traffic-flow/stories/201807080052