Legislature
Voting rights and election reform are hot topics with Pa. lawmakers. It’s a moment three decades in the making.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/voting-rights-elections-legislation-pa-20190624.html
When it comes to grading teachers in Pa., test scores could carry less weight
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/test-scores-de-emphasized-in-proposed-teacher-evaluation-system-in-pennsylvania.html
The Rundown: Muth joins rally for renewable energy
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/the-rundown-muth-joins-rally-for-renewable-energy
Volunteer firefighter bill passes Senate committee
https://www.phoenixvillenews.com/volunteer-firefighter-bill-passes-senate-committee/article_33eb8dd6-a1e0-5725-9544-1bd7fe6d7b04.html
‘It’s extremely important’: Senate schedules marathon hearing on probation and parole reform
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/its-extremely-important-senate-schedules-marathon-hearing-on-probation-and-parole-reform/
House spars over cash cuts
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/06/house-spars-over-cash-cuts/
Defending the status quo of the Local Share Account
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/defending-the-status-quo-of-the-local-share-account/article_bd54d1b6-8df1-11e9-b72e-ab90857df4ed.html
Increasing minimum salary can help to solve the teacher shortage | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/teacher-salary-increase-education-retention-20190624.html
This 80-year-old reader touched my heart | John Baer
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/john-baer-pennsylvania-general-assistance-larry-jackson-20190624.html
EDITORIAL: Working together to end sex trafficking
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/editorials/2019/06/23/editorial-working-together-end-sex-trafficking/1491934001/
Business
A retail rainbow: Vendors mark LGBTQ Pride on sales racks
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/06/23/A-retail-rainbow-Vendors-mark-LGBTQ-Pride-on-sales-racks/stories/201906230163
Chip-maker Utz opened a primary-care clinic to help employees in ‘Snack Food Capital’ Hanover, Pa., get healthier
https://www.inquirer.com/health/utz-hanover-workplace-wellness-clinic-employer-health-insurance-costs-20190620.html
Dead and dying malls of Pennsylvania, updated: More shopping centers are bleeding retailers
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/revisiting-the-dying-malls-of-pennsylvania.html
Favorite restaurant can’t get a liquor license? Giant, Sheetz might be to blame
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2019/06/24/pa-liquor-licenses-costs-rise-making-hard-open-restaurants-small-businesses/3706843002/
Another business in Chester; medical pot facility opens doors
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/another-business-in-chester-medical-pot-facility-opens-doors/article_726f98d6-9614-11e9-81a5-e358ec7736a9.html
Crime/Punishment
Study: Parole violators are filling up Pennsylvania’s prisons at an alarming rate
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/06/23/probation-parole-violations-filling-Pennsylvania-prisons-bloating-budgets/stories/201906230030
MONDAY UPDATE: Extension of inmate phone contract will generate more revenue for county, officials say
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/monday-update-extension-of-inmate-phone-contract-will-generate-more-revenue-for-county-officials-say-1.2500157
Cocaine makes a comeback; officials say $1B bust shows rising demand in Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/cocaine-makes-a-comeback-officials-say-1b-bust-shows-rising-demand-in-pa.html
Arrest made, bomb rendered harmless in Myerstown
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/state-police-called-to-myerstown-apartment-building-for-report-of-bomb
Prison to install tracking system
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/06/prison-to-install-tracking-system/
Education
Program cuts, other issues sparking controversy at Upper Bucks County Technical School
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190624/program-cuts-other-issues-sparking-controversy-at-upper-bucks-county-technical-school
Student loans were canceled? Great, but you are still on the hook for taxes.
https://www.inquirer.com/business/student-loans-itt-tech-corinthian-for-profit-colleges-tax-irs-20190624.html
Editorial: Medical school promises plenty of benefits for Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/medical-school-promises-plenty-of-benefits-for-berks
Health Care
AG, governor to announce ‘major development’ in UPMC-Highmark dispute
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/06/23/AG-governor-expected-to-announce-major-development-in-UPMC-Highmark-dispute/stories/201906230187
Study: Ellwood hospital one of highest in state on revenue gap, Medicare use
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190624/study-ellwood-hospital-one-of-highest-in-state-on-revenue-gap-medicare-use
Local News
Council to discuss vehicle registration fee this week
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/council-to-discuss-vehicle-registration-fee-this-week-1.2500108
Luzerne County’s proposed $5 vehicle fee spending plan in report
https://www.timesleader.com/news/747851/luzerne-countys-proposed-5-vehicle-fee-spending-plan-in-report
Luzerne County reassessment won’t be requested for 2020, manager said
https://www.timesleader.com/news/747807/luzerne-county-reassessment-wont-be-requested-for-2020-manager-said
Municipality accords with county SPCA help nonprofit stay afloat
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/municipality-accords-with-county-spca-help-nonprofit-stay-afloat-1.2500110
Ribbon-cutting today for new trail section
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ribbon-cutting-today-for-new-trail-section-1.2500031
Mary Kroptavitch named Pittston’s Main Street coordinator
https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/747813/mary-kroptavitch-named-pittstons-main-street-coodinator
Opening for Democrat on county election board
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/opening-for-democrat-on-county-election-board-1.2500077
Scranton settling lawsuit by UGI over city pave-cut rules
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-settling-lawsuit-by-ugi-over-city-pave-cut-rules-1.2500192
Your neighbor has a secret garden you didn’t even know about, Hill Section opens up during ‘Rooted’ tour
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/your-neighbor-has-a-secret-garden-you-didn-t-even-know-about-hill-section-opens-up-during-rooted-tour-1.2500155
Apartments hide behind old assessment
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/apartments-hide-behind-old-assessment-1.2499990
Volunteers raise $4.6Kfor Weatherly ambulance
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/volunteers-raise-4-6kfor-weatherly-ambulance-1.2500046
Couple’s effort grows New Kensington’s sense of community
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/couples-effort-grows-new-kensingtons-sense-of-community/
Reading waiting for a green light on renewable energy
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-waiting-for-a-green-light-on-renewable-energy
Editorial: Next Reading mayor should end fight with DoubleTree
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editor-next-mayor-should-end-fight-with-doubletree&template=ourcityart
Pagoda Hillclimb draws car enthusiasts, fans
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pagoda-hill-climb-draws-car-enthusiasts-fans
Bethlehem mayor opposes proposal for student housing in residential neighborhood near Lehigh University
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-mayor-against-zoning-20190623-ytmfudjmkffbrfnrmkz7lvtuqa-story.html
Rally held to mark Carlisle’s inaugural pride week celebration
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/rally-held-to-mark-carlisles-inaugural-pride-week-celebration.html
Hundreds gather for the inagural Doylestown Pride Festival
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190623/hundreds-gather-for-inagural-doylestown-pride-festival
Allentown shooting: Community leaders call for youth engagement and gun control in wake of Deja Vu attack
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-allentown-gun-violence-rally-20190623-xuklwvpbd5djbk6y46ghlgod4y-story.html
National News
Fracking in Ohio: How Ohio compares to Pa. for oversight of gas industry
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/06/fracking-in-ohio-how-ohio-compares-to-pa-for-oversight-of-gas-industry.php
Philly
Refinery fire has been extinguished; investigation begins Monday
https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-refinery-fire-explosion-chemicals-20190623.html
Philadelphia to convene group to look at South Philly refinery’s safety
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philadelphia-to-convene-group-to-look-at-south-philly-refinery/article_32406f42-7553-55f3-aa86-857931901868.html
Quadruple shooting among more weekend gun violence in Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/philadelphia-gun-violence-shooting-jim-kenney-20190623.html
Philly has had enough ‘bad apples’ excuses; time to bring real change to police | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/ross-police-72-facebook-plain-view-reform-editorial-20190623.html
Pitt
Port Authority reviewing ways to reduce crowding on buses
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/06/23/Port-Authority-Pittsburgh-crowded-buses-efficiency-lines-routes-transportation/stories/201906230104
‘God created us all in one humanity’: Pittsburgh’s many faithful attend sermon at targeted North Side church
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/06/23/interfaith-pittsburgh-north-side-legacy-international-worship-center-isis-bomb-fbi-Alowemer-peduto-rabbi-symons-wasi-mohamed/stories/201906230183
Dozens gather to support to Pittsburgh church targeted by alleged terrorist
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/dozens-gather-to-support-to-pittsburgh-church-targeted-by-alleged-terrorist/
With Ohio ‘heartbeat bill,’ Pittsburgh abortion clinics expect to see increase in patients
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/06/23/pittsburgh-abortion-clinics-ohio-heartbeat-bill-increase-patients-planned-parenthood/stories/201906170115
Brian O’Neill: Spruce up the parks. But a tax increase?
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/brian-oneill/2019/06/23/Brian-O-Neill-Spruce-up-parks-tax-increase-pittsburgh/stories/201906230049
Fans break down, cry at sight of mural at Roberto Clemente museum
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/fans-break-down-and-cry-at-sight-of-mural-at-roberto-clemente-museum/
State News
What it’s like to work in child care, raise your kids and just get by in the Mon Valley
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/blog/mckeesport-child-poverty-glassport-child-care/
Church group warns about drag queen bingos
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/local-church-group-warns-about-drag-queen-bingos/
Task force takes aim at human trafficking in NEPA
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/task-force-takes-aim-at-human-trafficking-in-nepa-1.2500079
County cyber attack a warning to local governments
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/county-cyber-attack-a-warning-to-local-governments-1.2499845
100 Years Ago – Pennsylvania becomes the eighth state to ratify the 19th Amendment
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/100-years-ago-pennsylvania-becomes-the-eighth-state-to-ratify-the-19th-amendment-1.2500147
Berks County suffrage supporters faced opposition
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-suffrage-supporters-faced-opposition
Chester County officials recognize 100th anniversary of 19th Amendment
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/chester-county-officials-recognize-th-anniversary-of-th-amendment/article_e5e5352a-95e5-11e9-8bd1-1bc0f4d8d8f0.html
Mahoning Drive-In last in US showing 35 mm movies
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/mahoning-drive-in-last-in-us-showing-35-mm-movies-1.2500102
A slimy invader: Berks and the state try to stop snakehead, aka frankenfish
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/a-fine-kettle-of-fish-berks-and-the-state-try-to-stop-another-asian-invader
Some Berks pools bounce back from deluge to reopen Sunday
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/some-berks-pools-bounce-back-from-deluge-to-reopen-sunday
Transportation
Change may be coming for Westmoreland transit authority
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/change-may-be-coming-for-westmoreland-transit-authority/
Kutztown Road headaches expected in Muhlenberg Township and Laureldale
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/kutztown-road-headaches-expected-in-muhlenberg-twp-and-laureldale
Washington
Joe Sestak, former Delaware County congressman, is running for president
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/joe-sestak-2020-president-campaign-delaware-county-20190623.html
Buttigieg faces intense scrutiny during a town hall in the wake of a police shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/06/23/South-Bend-Mayor-Pete-Buttigieg-town-hall-police-shooting-black/stories/201906230193
Trump puts Saudi arms sales above Khashoggi inquiry
https://www.inquirer.com/wires/ap/trump-wont-say-if-hell-ask-fbi-probe-khashoggi-killing-20190623.html