Legislature

State Senate bill would eliminate vaccination exemptions for religious, philosophical reasons
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190520/state-senate-bill-would-eliminate-vaccination-exemptions-for-religious-philosophical-reasons/1

Berks lawmakers predict smooth Pennsylvania budget process
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-lawmakers-predict-smooth-pennsylvania-budget-process

Constitutional conundrum: Pa. Senate divided on how to handle child sexual abuse claims, statute of limitations law
https://www.sharonherald.com/news/constitutional-conundrum-pa-senate-divided-on-how-to-handle-child/article_36185d0e-a758-5b67-870d-1987049c923a.html

Will Brian Sims become Pennsylvania’s Jussie Smollett? | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/05/will-brian-sims-become-pennsylvanias-jussie-smollett-opinion.html

Administration

Gov. Wolf designates May 23 as ‘143 Day’ in honor of Fred Rogers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/05/20/Fred-Rogers-143-Day-Pennsylvania-acts-of-kindness-May-23/stories/201905160126

Business

Agencies mobilize aid for displaced Wood-Mode workers
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/agencies-mobilize-aid-for-displaced-wood-mode-workers/article_39d58ebf-fe5c-56b8-aa5f-25e402efcff8.html

Business owner to begin planting industrial hemp locally
https://www.republicanherald.com/news/business-owner-to-begin-planting-industrial-hemp-locally-1.2485017

Catholic Church

THE COST OF ABUSE | Victims seeking compensation may face inconsistent rules, opportunities across different dioceses
https://www.tribdem.com/news/the-cost-of-abuse-victims-seeking-compensation-may-face-inconsistent/article_f46a106a-7a2a-11e9-ad8d-5b620d536ce4.html

THE COST OF ABUSE | ‘Independent’ administrators play key role in compensation fund process
https://www.tribdem.com/news/the-cost-of-abuse-independent-administrators-play-key-role-in/article_02cb47bc-7a2d-11e9-a277-33fc06af6625.html

THE COST OF ABUSE | Costly legal struggles prompt dioceses to find ways to raise money
https://www.tribdem.com/news/the-cost-of-abuse-costly-legal-struggles-prompt-dioceses-to/article_c132acc8-7a2c-11e9-9adf-a7a5aa2a4480.html

THE COST OF ABUSE | Attorneys find no shortage of clients amid clergy sexual abuse reports
https://www.meadvilletribune.com/news/the-cost-of-abuse-attorneys-find-no-shortage-of-clients/article_05233e2f-ca02-50c8-91ab-7a4092f3e226.html

Education

Breakfast gets a boost at several area schools
https://www.theintell.com/news/20190520/breakfast-gets-boost-at-several-area-schools

Amid #MeToo, states debate teaching consent to kids
https://triblive.com/news/world/amid-metoo-states-debate-teaching-consent-to-kids/

Holy Cross mock trial team finishes ninth in nation
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/holy-cross-mock-trial-team-finishes-ninth-in-nation-1.2484988

Former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz delights King’s graduates
https://www.timesleader.com/news/743982/former-notre-dame-coach-lou-holtz-delights-kings-graduates

Former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz offers advice about life, faith during King’s College graduation
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/former-notre-dame-coach-lou-holtz-offers-advice-about-life-faith-during-king-s-college-graduation-1.2484974

Monday Update: Student dismissed for being gay earns degree at Lackawanna College
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/monday-update-student-dismissed-for-being-gay-earns-degree-at-lackawanna-college-1.2484890

Leslie Odom Jr. evangelizes at CMU’s graduation ceremony
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2019/05/19/Leslie-Odom-Jr-Hamilton-Carnege-Mellon-University-graduation-commencement-2019/stories/201905190135

A billionaire pledges to pay off the student loans of Morehouse College’s graduating class
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/05/19/billionaire-Robert-F-Smith-pay-off-student-debt-Morehouse-College-class-2019/stories/201905190138

Elections/Politics

Westmoreland voters might be using current voting machines for the last time
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-voters-might-be-using-current-voting-machines-for-the-last-time/

Officials say voting is safe, secure
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/officials-say-voting-is-safe-secure-1.2484702

The Pennsylvania primary election is Tuesday: Here’s what you need to know
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2019/05/the-pennsylvania-primary-election-is-tuesday-heres-what-you-need-to-know.html

Montgomery County’s new voting system features paper ballots
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/05/montgomery-countys-new-voting-system-features-paper-ballots.php

Vote, if only because the powers that be don’t really want you to | John Baer
https://www.philly.com/opinion/john-baer-primary-election-voter-turnout-philadelphia-20190520.html

We need to make sure every registered voter can vote. Here’s how to make that happen | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/we-need-to-make-sure-every-registered-voter-can-vote-heres-how-to-make-that-happen-opinion/

Local News

Assessment appeal refunds racking up in Luzerne County budget
https://www.timesleader.com/news/743964/assessment-appeal-refunds-racking-up-in-luzerne-county-budget

Fine Arts Fiesta closes out successful weekend
https://www.timesleader.com/news/743972/fine-arts-fiesta-closes-out-successful-weekend

Fine Arts Fiesta’s 64th run a success in W-B
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/fine-arts-fiesta-s-64th-run-a-success-in-w-b-1.2484955

Northeast Fair off for second year
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/northeast-fair-off-for-second-year-1.2484945

Dog park opens in Wright Twp.
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/dog-park-opens-in-wright-twp-1.2484700

Missing 14-year-old safe, but only after dozens of people, dog teams searched
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/missing-14-year-old-safe-but-only-after-dozens-of-people-dog-teams-searched-1.2485008

New Jersey man dies in Dunmore ATV wreck
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-jersey-man-dies-in-dunmore-atv-wreck-1.2484989

Royalty of nuisances?
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/royalty-of-nuisances-1.2484845

Youngwood firefighter memorial 5K run raises funds for scholarships
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/5-years-after-youngwood-firefighter-perished-memorial-5k-run-raises-funds-for-scholarships/

Some Washington Township residents could get hit with stormwater fees
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/some-washington-township-residents-could-get-hit-with-stormwater-fees/

Tarentum police officer saves ducklings trapped in a storm sewer
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tarentum-police-officer-saves-ducklings-trapped-in-a-storm-sewer/

Children with special needs get chance at bat in Camp Hill Challenger Baseball
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/children-with-special-needs-get-chance-at-bat-in-camp-hills-challenger-day.html

Memorial garden planted for Berks couple killed in crash
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/memorial-garden-planted-for-berks-couple-killed-in-crash

Officials weigh fees on runoff
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/05/officials-weigh-fees-on-runoff/

National News

A nationwide tax on soda? Economists say it would be good for the country, and here’s their ‘optimal’ rate.
https://www.philly.com/news/soda-tax-federal-economist-cost-benefit-20190520.html

How do mass shooters choose their weapons?
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/05/19/How-do-mass-shooters-choose-weapons-semiautomatic-guns-mass-shootings/stories/201905080126

Delaware lawmakers reintroduce bill to legalize marijuana
https://www.philly.com/business/weed/marijuana-delaware-recreational-adult-use-20190519.html

New Jersey

New Jersey’s free community college program should expand | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/free-tuition-community-colleges-new-jersey-20190520.html

Marijuana legalization: Social equity becomes a key question in New Jersey, other states
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-marijuana-legalize-social-justice-20190519-bkm365kxuzfktcgnjuypftfdhi-story.html

Opioid Crisis

Drop the Drugs van will be at opioid forum
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/drop-the-drugs-van-will-be-at-opioid-forum-1.2484894

Philly

Elections require poll workers. And there’s a ‘critical shortage’ of them.
https://www.philly.com/politics/election/philly-poll-worker-shortage-election-day-20190520.html

4 archdiocese parishes in lower Northeast Philadelphia to merge effective July 1
https://www.philly.com/news/archdiocese-philadelphia-four-parishes-merge–20190519.html

From church pews to diner booths, Philly candidates reach out ahead of Tuesday’s primary
https://www.philly.com/politics/election/primary-election-mayor-kenney-anthony-hardy-williams-alan-butkovitz-city-council-20190519.html

Pitt

No arrests or citations related to Garth Brooks concert at Heinz Field
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/05/19/No-arrests-or-citations-related-to-Garth-Brooks-concert-at-Heinz-Field/stories/201905190130

Chrissy Teigen partners with AHN to spread word on postpartum depression
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/05/20/Chrissy-Teigen-postpartum-depression-AHN-Steven-D-Achille-mywishformoms/stories/201905200012

Quickly, but carefully: Suicide prevention efforts at Allegheny County Jail must be done right
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/05/20/Suicide-prevention-efforts-Allegheny-County-Jail-done-right/stories/201905200022

State News

Mennonite, Amish face growing recognition of widespread sexual abuse in their communities
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/coverings/mennonite-amish-sexual-abuse-forgiveness-in-their-communities/

All first-year construction at Ohiopyle finished except parking lot
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/05/19/Ohiopyle-State-Park-Youghiogheny-River-construction-parking-lot/stories/201905180006

Roman Catholic church in Swarthmore vandalized with pro-choice slogan
https://www.philly.com/news/catholic-church-vandalized-pro-choice-slogan-spray-pain-20190520.html

The defunct Bethlehem Steel’s Martin Tower is imploded
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2019/05/19/defunct-steelmaker-Bethlehem-Steel-21-story-Martin-Tower-headquarters-imploded/stories/201905190143

On-duty state trooper dies on turnpike in Bucks County
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/05/19/On-duty-state-trooper-Donald-Brackett-dies-medical-Pennsylvania-turnpike-Bucks-County/stories/201905190133

Flags ordered at half-staff for trooper who died on duty
https://www.readingeagle.com/article/20190519/AP/305199828/1009

Thank the dreary weather for gypsy moth decline
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/thank-the-dreary-weather-for-gypsy-moth-decline-1.2484888

Severe storms cause injuries, home damage, road closures in eastern Lancaster County
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/severe-storms-cause-injuries-home-damage-road-closures-in-eastern-lancaster-county

Winds of 50 to 60 mph measured last night with possible funnel cloud sightings
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/winds-of-50-to-60-mph-measured-last-night-with-possible-funnel-cloud-sightings.html

Beer ye, Beer ye: 3 towns mull end to ‘dry’ status
https://www.delcotimes.com/business/beer-ye-beer-ye-towns-mull-end-to-dry-status/article_4a2e1538-78db-11e9-b64f-5b5901430100.html

Transportation

Teens drivers with ADHD are more likely to crash and get ticketed for moving violations, CHOP study finds
https://www.philly.com/health/adhd-teen-driver-crash-traffic-violation-childrens-hospital-philadelphia-20190520.html

Washington

Schiff: Amash criticism not enough to push Trump impeachment
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/schiff-says-amash-criticism-not-enough-to-push-trump-impeachment-20190520.html

Trump denies plans to fly migrants from border to Florida
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/trump-denies-plans-to-fly-migrants-from-border-to-florida-20190519.html

Female lawmakers speak about rapes as abortion bills advance
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/female-lawmakers-speak-about-rapes-as-abortion-bills-advance.html

Pa. is ‘ground zero’ for 2020 presidential election — it’s showing already
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/pa-is-ground-zero-for-2020-presidential-election-its-showing-already.html