Legislature
Pa. Senate confirms Elliot Howsie as Allegheny County judge
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/05/07/Elliot-Howsie-allegheny-county-public-defender-judge-nomination-judiciary-commitee-senate-pennsylvania/stories/201905070125
Pa. Senate unanimously confirms Elliot Howsie as Common Pleas judge
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-countys-top-public-defender-unanimously-confirmed-as-common-pleas-judge/
State Senate confirms Piccinini as Erie County judge
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190507/state-senate-confirms-piccinini-as-erie-county-judge
PA lead review prompts broad plan of attack
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/snyder_county/pa-lead-review-prompts-broad-plan-of-attack/article_de3c02c7-bba6-5032-b0ae-7008977821f8.html
Springdale senior citizens fair to highlight available resources
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/springdale-senior-citizens-fair-to-highlight-available-resources/
Pennsylvania Senate passes a series of bills aimed at bolstering farm economy
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/pennsylvania-senate-passes-a-series-of-bills-aimed-at-bolstering-farm-economy.html
Pa. House votes to add $100M to private school program
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/pa-house-votes-to-add-100m-to-private-school-program.html
House passes $100 million expansion of private school scholarship tax credit
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/eitc/
Private school tax credit may get boost after two-day debate
http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/05/private-school-tax-credit-may-get-boost-after-two-day-debate.php
Lawmakers consider lifting auto emissions testing in Westmoreland County
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/lawmakers-consider-lifting-auto-emissions-testing-in-westmoreland-county/
Philly Democrat Brian Sims sparks firestorm after posting videos of him scolding Planned Parenthood protesters
https://www.philly.com/news/brian-sims-planned-parenthood-philadelphia-video-20190507.html
Community homes more beneficial than state institutions
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2019/05/08/Community-homes-more-beneficial-than-state-institutions/stories/201905070027
Deadly force: Better police training will reduce fatal encounters
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/05/08/Police-training-deadly-fatal-encounters-use-of-force-michael-rosfeld-antwon-rose/stories/201905080052
Ban gifts for lawmakers
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/ban-gifts-for-lawmakers-1.2479744
Administration
Gov. Tom Wolf gave raises of $25,000 to $33,000 to some top staffers
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/gov-tom-wolf-gave-25000-to-33000-raises-to-some-top-staffers.html
Wolf commutes life sentences of 3 more Pennsylvania inmates
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/wolf-commutes-life-sentences-of-3-more-pennsylvania-inmates/
Business
Coca-Cola’s research contracts allowed for quashing negative health findings, study finds
https://www.philly.com/health/coke-coca-cola-research-terminate-sugary-beverage-health–20190508.html
Fortune 500 company PPL not only paid no federal taxes last year, it got a $19 million rebate; it says its invested those savings
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-ppl-paid-zero-federal-tax-20190508-mtgdgiy6ijdzpjys7kdm4x2qxi-story.html
Study: Losing Wabtec jobs would be $400 million blow to Erie
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190507/study-losing-wabtec-jobs-would-be-400-million-blow-to-erie
Education
Attorney: Insurance will cover Hanover Area bus dispute losses
https://www.timesleader.com/news/742818/attorney-insurance-will-cover-hanover-area-bus-dispute-losses
Athletes of all abilities team up in unified event
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/athletes-of-all-abilities-team-up-in-unified-event-1.2479965
North Schuylkill STEM team places 2nd in statewide highway safety competition
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/north-schuylkill-stem-team-places-2nd-in-statewide-highway-safety-competition-1.2479845
Reading School District introduces $291 million budget, tax increase
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-school-district-introduces-291-million-budget
School in Delaware County drops ‘God bless America’ after pledge
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/05/school-in-delaware-county-drops-god-bless-america-after-pledge.php
Lock Haven University has not effectively accommodated female athletic interests: judge
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/lock-haven-university-has-not-effectively-accommodated-female-athletic-interests-judge.html
Elections/Politics
GOP candidate for Alloway’s state Senate seat accused of spreading Islamophobia
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/politics/2019/05/07/gop-candidate-alloways-state-senate-seat-accused-spreading-islamophobia/3661917002/
Voting absentee in the 2019 Pennsylvania primary? Do it soon. Here’s how.
https://www.philly.com/politics/election/pa-absentee-voting-2019-primary-election-20190508.html
Contested primaries all on GOP side in Schuylkill County
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/contested-primaries-all-on-gop-side-in-schuylkill-county-1.2479770
Gaming
Gaming and Leisure stays busy in first quarter
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/gaming-and-leisure-stays-busy-in-first-quarter
Health Care
Moms die in about 17 out of every 100,000 U.S. births; most deaths are preventable
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/us-pregnancy-deaths-up-and-report-says-most-are-preventable
Local News
Group still seeking donations to initiate stormwater fee legal challenge
https://www.timesleader.com/news/742814/group-still-seeking-donations-to-initiate-stormwater-fee-legal-challenge
Engineer: WB site could become adult care center
https://www.timesleader.com/news/742816/engineer-wb-site-could-become-adult-care-center
Victims from Interstate 81 crash include daughter of Hugo Selenski
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/victims-from-interstate-81-crash-include-daughter-of-hugo-selenski-1.2479751
W-B council removes resolution to rename local sports complex after murder victim
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-council-removes-resolution-to-rename-local-sports-complex-after-murder-victim-1.2479871
W-B extends deadline for improvement program
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-extends-deadline-for-improvement-program-1.2479864
Empty lot, site of home razed by Scranton last year, got $300 household trash bill for 2019
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/empty-lot-site-of-home-razed-by-scranton-last-year-got-300-household-trash-bill-for-2019-1.2479960
Chris Kelly: You just can’t make this stuff up
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/chris-kelly-you-just-can-t-make-this-stuff-up-1.2479924
Olyphant makes nearly 1,000 acres of land eligible for large tax break
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/olyphant-makes-nearly-1-000-acres-of-land-eligible-for-large-tax-break-1.2479964
After fatal fire that killed four, West Chester nursing home rebuilds
https://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/west-chester-nursing-home-fire-barclay-friends-rebuild-20190507.html
Greensburg planning session focuses on region’s needs over next 75 years
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-planning-session-focuses-on-regions-needs-over-next-75-years/
Tarentum considering exonerating unpaid property taxes officials say can’t be collected
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tarentum-considering-exonerating-unpaid-property-taxes-officials-say-cant-be-collected/
Editorial: Renamed food bank deserves continued support
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-renamed-food-bank-deserves-continued-support
Harrisburg’s wish list includes money for technology upgrades, police patrol vehicles
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/harrisburgs-capital-projects-wishlist-includes-funding-technology-upgrades-police-patrol-vehicles.html
Marijuana
Lt. Gov. Fetterman’s marijuana legalization listening tour is coming to Philadelphia
https://www.philly.com/business/weed/fetterman-marijuana-legalization-cannabis-listening-tour-philadelphia-dates-20190507.html
National News
1 dead, 8 hurt in Colorado school shooting; 2 in custody
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/05/07/Sheriff-says-shots-fired-at-school-in-suburban-Denver/stories/201905070138
John Singleton had ‘leg problems’ on a long flight before his stroke. That was a red flag.
https://www.philly.com/health/john-singleton-deep-vein-thrombosis-stroke-20190507.html
Philly
Community members tell Mayor Kenney, city officials that new gun-violence prevention plan doesn’t go far enough
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-anti-violence-report-mayor-jim-kenney-richard-ross-gun-violence-homicide-20190507.html
City labor unions won’t sue Kenney administration over glitches that affected thousands of paychecks
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-payroll-paychecks-one-philly-labor-unions-mayor-kenney-engler-20190507.html
1 dead, 4 others wounded in separate Philly shootings
https://www.philly.com/news/shootings-dead-philadelphia-nicetown-boy-graze-20190508.html
After stones fall again from Fishtown’s St. Laurentius, church’s potential developer weighs how to move forward
https://www.philly.com/real-estate/st-laurentius-catholic-church-fishtown-stones-fall-developer-voloshin-weighs-redevelopment-apartment-decision-inspections-20190507.html
Boy, 15, killed by tractor-trailer in Bridesburg
https://www.philly.com/news/boy-scooter-accident-truck-dead-bridesburg-20190508.html
Philly’s Black clergy group endorses Williams for mayor
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philly-s-black-clergy-group-endorses-williams-for-mayor/article_0a860192-9438-53c8-998a-45d6a7f5778a.html
Philly Uber and Lyft drivers will join a global day of action on Wednesday
https://www.philly.com/news/uber-lyft-philadelphia-drivers-strike-day-of-action-ipo-20190507.html
Primary school: The 10-year tax abatement | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/property-tax-abatement-philadelphia-ten-years-primary-editorial-20190508.html
Is Philly Human Relations Commission up to the task of investigating incident at local Islamic center? | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/muslim-american-society-islamic-center-philadelphia-20190507.html
Don’t let disturbing video of children at Philly site repeating awful things in Arabic smear all Muslims | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.philly.com/opinion/muslim-video-arabic-rhetoric-philadelphia-ayisha-sims-ummah-jenice-armstrong-20190507.html
Pitt
‘People were enraged:’ Not even mayor can stop a determined tow operator
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/05/07/pittsburgh-mayor-peduto-tow-operator-warnings-marathon/stories/201905060127
Peduto searches for towing improvements after Shadyside ‘pandemonium’
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/peduto-searches-for-towing-improvements-after-shadyside-pandemonium/
Students tell Pittsburgh City Council: Fight gentrification, buy a house
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/05/07/Students-propose-gentrification-fighting-measure-to-Pittsburgh-City-Council/stories/201905070137
Pittsburgh council authorizes $32M in spending on I-579 ‘cap
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-council-authorizes-32-million-in-spending-on-i-579-cap/
CMU creations help the visually impaired navigate the airport
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/05/07/Pittsburgh-International-Airport-Carnegie-Mellon-University-BBeep-NavCog-suitcase/stories/201905070066
Remake Learning Days expands beyond Pittsburgh with maker spaces and more
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/05/07/Remake-Learning-Days-education-makers-STEM-STEAM-Grable-Carnegie-Corporation/stories/201905070124
Allegheny County provides free measles vaccinations Wednesday to high-risk people
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/05/07/Allegheny-County-Pittsburgh-free-measles-vaccine-clinic-Homewood-YMCA/stories/201905070130
Actress Kristen Bell gives Arsenal teachers a big classroom boost
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/05/07/Arsenal-School-Pittsburgh-Kristen-Bell-Instagram-donated-classroom-supplies/stories/201905070108
Former Pittsburgh Playhouse demolition inches closer
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/05/07/Point-Park-University-Pittsburgh-Playhouse-Oakland/stories/201905070142
A Taste of Two Towns to serve up the best of Oakmont and Verona
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/a-taste-of-two-towns-to-serve-up-the-best-of-oakmont-and-verona/
State News
In Pennsylvania, May 23 will be ‘143 Day’ in tribute to Mr. Rogers, the state’s kindest native son
https://www.philly.com/news/mr-fred-rogers-neighborhood-143-day-in-pennsylvania-kindness-campaign-i-love-you-neighbors-good-deeds-20190508.html
Driver injured in police-involved shooting in Kennedy
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/05/07/Police-involved-shooting-Kennedy-Township-Kenmawr-Plaza-parking-lot-driver-injured/stories/201905070132
Hemp farming applications swamp Pennsylvania agriculture department; Lancaster County leads the tally
https://www.philly.com/business/hemp-cannabis-applications-pennsylvania-agriculture-20190507.html
Lancaster County man reels in record breaking catfish
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/lancaster-county-man-reels-in-record-breaking-catfish/
Saluting an American hero
https://www.timesleader.com/top-stories/742830/saluting-an-american-hero
In return to NEPA, Tuskegee Airman overwhelmed by support
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/in-return-to-nepa-tuskegee-airman-overwhelmed-by-support-1.2479878
92-year-old liberator still grapples with horrors of the Holocaust
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/92-year-old-liberator-still-grapples-with-horrors-of-the-holocaust-1.2479747
Paying tribute to PennDOT workers killed in line of duty
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/paying-tribute-to-penndot-workers-killed-in-line-of-duty-1.2479755
Washington
Tax documents show Trump businesses lost over $1B in a decade, the NYT reports
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2019/05/07/Trump-tax-business-losses-1-billion-New-York-Times-Mnuchin-House-request-returns/stories/201905070163
Sen. Bob Casey, Rep. Dwight Evans seek federal advisory council to assist gunshot victims
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-anti-violence-report-mayor-jim-kenney-richard-ross-gun-violence-homicide-20190507.html
Lamb to advocate for Beaver County officials
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190507/lamb-to-advocate-for-beaver-county-officials
Rockhill PFAS concerns aired during congressional panel
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190507/rockhill-pfas-concerns-aired-during-congressional-panel