Legislature
Street, Rabb seek to repeal death penalty
https://www.phillytrib.com/metros/northwest/street-rabb-seek-to-repeal-death-penalty/article_351ffd2b-211d-5ba9-b8c4-3442ab38aaa9.html
Area state lawmakers introduce bill to transition to renewable energy
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/area-state-lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-transition-to-renewable-energy/article_1acf8e96-71df-11e9-877b-e7ed323705ea.html
Sen. Dinniman raises questions on pipeline during Senate hearing
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/sen-dinniman-raises-questions-on-pipeline-during-senate-hearing/article_a3c0cd92-71c0-11e9-9b0b-83576a50e0a5.html
‘The people of Pennsylvania expect better from us:’ Outrage-filled week punctuated with bipartisan call for civility
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/people-of-pennsylvania-expect-better-from-us-outrage-filled-week-punctuated-with-bipartisan-call-for-civility/
Pa. House leaders lecture members about their behavior in rare public scolding
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/pa-house-leaders-lecture-members-about-their-behavior-in-rare-public-scolding.html
‘We can’t ask any questions:’ Environmental official gets OK from Senate committee over pipeline objections
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/we-cant-ask-any-questions-environmental-official-gets-ok-from-senate-committee-over-pipeline-objections/
School safety bill package seeks to go beyond locking doors and security cameras
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/school-safety-bill-package-seeks-to-go-beyond-locking-doors-and-security-cameras.html
How to make farming more stable? The Senate has seven ideas.
https://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/05/how-to-make-farming-more-stable-the-senate-has-seven-ideas.php
Sappey to introduce trauma informed education legislation
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/sappey-to-introduce-trauma-informed-education-legislation/article_9f083178-7242-11e9-8320-875b3cdf7c1f.html
Schuylkill IU backs bills on cyber charter schools
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-iu-backs-bills-on-cyber-charter-schools-1.2480332
All Pennsylvanians deserve a fair workweek | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/fair-work-week-legislation-pennsylvania-philadelphia-fiedler-gym-20190508.html
Information denied: State’s open-records law needs a big update
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/05/09/Pennsylvania-open-records-law-update-reform/stories/201904280052
Moms push for common sense bill to take guns away from dangerous people | PennLive Editorial
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/05/mom-demands-action-after-loaded-gun-points-to-her-baby-pennlive-editorial.html
A modest proposal to fund transportation — without raising taxes | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/a-modest-proposal-to-fund-transportation-without-raising-taxes-opinion/
Three Mile Island
This is not a drill: Struggling Three Mile Island nuclear power plant runs out of lifelines
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/this-is-not-a-drill-with-lack-of-consensus-on-saving-three-mile-island-struggling-nuclear-station-runs-out-of-lifelines.html
Three Mile Island will close this fall, as time runs out for Legislature to advance nuclear bills
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/three-mile-island-will-close-this-fall-as-time-runs-out-for-legislature-to-advance-nuclear-bills/
Three Mile Island nuclear plant to proceed with closure
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/three-mile-island-nuclear-plant-to-proceed-with-closure/
What does a Three Mile Island closure mean for state energy rates, reliability?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/what-does-a-three-mile-island-closure-mean-for-state-energy-rates-reliability.html
Three Mile Island nuclear plant to close in September
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190508/three-mile-island-nuclear-plant-to-close-in-september
TMI closure was ‘inevitable,’ lawmakers say
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2019/05/08/tmi-closure-inevitable-lawmakers-say/1141230001/
Administration
Pa. Gov. Wolf started second term with hefty raises to senior aides
https://www.philly.com/politics/pennsylvania/wolf-started-second-term-with-hefty-raises-to-senior-aides-20190508.html
Catholic Church
Pope Francis issues groundbreaking law requiring all priests, nuns to report sex abuse, cover-up
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/05/09/Vatican-law-Priests-nuns-must-report-sex-abuse-cover-up-pope-francis/stories/201905090084
Deadline looms for victims of clergy sex abuse to file for compensation settlements
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/deadline-looms-for-victims-of-clergy-sex-abuse-to-file-for-compensation-settlements.html
Crime/Punishment
Truck driver charged in fiery Interstate 78 accident that killed couple headed to their wedding
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/truck-driver-charged-in-fiery-interstate-78-accident-that-killed-couple-headed-to-their-wedding
Education
Penn Hills students to receive free lunches, breakfasts next school year
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/all-penn-hills-students-to-receive-free-lunches-breakfasts-next-school-year/
Salary increases could be part of Scranton School District recovery plan
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/salary-increases-could-be-part-of-scranton-school-district-recovery-plan-1.2480583
Harrisburg tops the state in teacher turnover: Five former teachers explain why
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/harrisburg-tops-the-state-in-teacher-turnover-heres-why-5-teachers-say-they-left-the-district.html
How many teachers left your school district last year?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/05/how-many-teachers-left-your-school-district-last-year.html
Reading School District introduces $291 million budget, tax increase
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-school-district-introduces-291-million-budget&template=ourcityart
Saquon Barkley returns to Whitehall, as a star and an older brother
https://www.mcall.com/sports/giants/mc-spt-saquon-barkley-returns-to-whitehall-20190508-aoptwmt2r5gqnl2kyyyn5fngca-story.html
Why Allentown and Bethlehem’s school budgets are night and day
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-allentown-bethlehem-school-budgets-20190508-w7awte5puzer5p5vbwcizzm5tu-story.html
Fishing teaches lessons, builds bridges at Valley High School in New Kensington
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/fishing-teaches-lessons-builds-bridges-at-valley-high-school-in-new-kensington/
Parents get tour of new Dallas school, about 80 percent done
https://www.timesleader.com/news/742889/parents-get-tour-of-new-dallas-school-about-80-percent-done
More states moving toward teaching Scripture in public schools
https://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/bible-classes-public-schools-scripture-teaching-kentucky-20190509.html
Elections/Politics
In 12th District special election, Friedenberg faces an uphill fight
https://www.witf.org/news/2019/05/in-12th-district-special-election-democrat-marc-friedenberg-faces-uphill-fight.php
3 things to know about the Pa. Superior Court candidates: Their legal heroes, fundraising, and biggest weaknesses
https://www.philly.com/news/pa-superior-court-things-to-know-election-2019-20190508.html
Reading mayoral candidates talk economic development
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-mayoral-candidates-talk-economic-development
Gaming
Pennsylvania’s sports betting is not a good investment | Opinion
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/sports-betting-pennsylvania-new-jersey-casinos-online-revenue-20190508.html
Local News
N. Washington St. bridge project in Wilkes-Barre funded, moving ahead
https://www.timesleader.com/news/742939/n-washington-st-bridge-project-in-wilkes-barre-funded-moving-ahead
Residents raise concerns over W-B bridge project
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/residents-raise-concerns-over-w-b-bridge-project-1.2480435
Upgrades planned for Mohegan Sun Arena
https://www.citizensvoice.com/sports/upgrades-planned-for-mohegan-sun-arena-1.2480448
Beekman hired as arena’s new GM
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/beekman-hired-as-arena-s-new-gm-1.2480454
Keystone Sanitary Landfill officials withdraw proposed zoning amendment
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/keystone-sanitary-landfill-officials-withdraw-proposed-zoning-amendment-1.2480384
Trail circling Lake Scranton set to open by month’s end
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/trail-circling-lake-scranton-set-to-open-by-month-s-end-1.2480232
City council begins probe of process to vacate HCA seat
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/city-council-begins-probe-of-process-to-vacate-hca-seat-1.2480378
Brackenridge nursing home celebrating grand reopening
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/brackenridge-nursing-home-celebrating-grand-reopening/
Wyomissing deadly home invasion investigation likely to be ‘drawn-out process,’ police said
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/wyomissing-deadly-home-invasion-investigation-likely-to-be-drawn-out-process-police-said
National News
Voters make Denver the 1st U.S. city to decriminalize ‘magic mushrooms’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/05/08/voters-Denver-first-US-city-decriminalize-magic-mushrooms-psilocybin/stories/201905080172
New York Senate OKs giving US House Trump state tax return
https://www.philly.com/politics/nation/ny-senate-oks-giving-us-house-trump-state-tax-return-20190508.html
Trump: GM to sell Lordstown, Ohio, plant to electric truck company
https://triblive.com/local/regional/trump-gm-will-to-sell-lordstown-ohio-plant-to-electric-truck-company/
Mexico says tariffs will send tomato prices soaring in U.S.
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/mexico-says-tariffs-will-send-tomato-prices-soaring-in-us
TV pitches for prescription drugs will have to include price
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2019/05/tv-pitches-for-prescription-drugs-will-have-to-include-price.html
New Jersey
Long held up as a model, N.J. school funding system facing legal challenge
https://www.philly.com/news/school-funding-new-jersey-taxes-governor-phil-murphy-jersey-city-lawsuit-20190509.html
Philly
‘These properties are mine to buy!’: Emails show confusion, backroom deal-making in North Philly public land sale
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-land-sales-darrell-clarke-shawn-bullard-temple-university-20190509.html
Updating an old newspaper building for Philadelphia’s new Schuylkill Yards innovation district | Inga Saffron
https://www.philly.com/real-estate/inga-saffron/philadelphia-schuylkill-yards-bulletin-building-architecture-george-howe-20190509.html
Like goPuff, but for used cars: Two Philly guys want you to ‘Gettacar’ without visiting a dealership
https://www.philly.com/business/gettacar-online-car-buying-philadelphia-gopuff-auto-dealership-20190509.html
After reversing more than 100 overdoses in Kensington, I’m feeling the toll that trauma is taking on me | Perspective
https://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/kensington-narcan-overdose-naloxone-20190509.html
Phillies chairman David Montgomery was the face of courage and grace in his final years | Mike Sielski
https://www.philly.com/phillies/david-montgomery-phillies-chairman-memories-20190508.html
Thousands of Philly homeowners are still waiting for 2019 assessment appeal hearings — and will be for months
https://www.philly.com/news/brt-hearing-appeal-assessment-market-value-20190508.html
No prison time for North Philly’s ‘Camel Prom Mom’ in $37K government disability benefit fraud
https://www.philly.com/news/camel-prom-mom-saudia-shuler-sentenced-country-cookin-philly-disability-payments-20190508.html
Activists say Councilman Allan Domb shouldn’t vote on tax abatement due to his real estate business
https://www.philly.com/news/allan-domb-ethics-tax-abatement-city-council-20190508.html
#OccupyPHA: Why people have been protesting outside of PHA headquarters for 15 days and counting
https://www.philly.com/news/pha-philadelphia-sharswood-development-norman-blumberg-towers-20190508.html
Report: DA Krasner ‘very close’ to rolling out policy decriminalizing drug possession
https://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner-drug-possession-20190508.html
Joe Biden announces details of Philadelphia rally May 18
https://www.philly.com/news/joe-biden-philadelphia-rally-may-20190508.html
Philadelphia Orchestra, Art Museum, and others to roll out the red carpet for Penn Medicine and Drexel workers
https://www.philly.com/arts/philadelphia-orchestra-art-museum-kimmel-center-cultural-pass-penn-medicine-drexel-20190508.html
Primary school: The soda tax | Editorial
https://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-soda-tax-supporters-opponents-20190509.html
Pitt
Audit says there was no bidding process in most large Allegheny County contracts
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/05/08/allegheny-county-contract-bid-audit-government-piggybacking-chelsa-wagner/stories/201905080106
Some of city’s ride-hailing drivers boycott Uber, Lyft during global strike
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2019/05/08/uber-lyft-strike-ipo-pittsburgh-independent-drivers-guild-new-york-ride-hailing-sharing/stories/201905080027
Where’s my money? PWSA customers want reimbursement for private lead line replacements
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/05/08/PWSA-customers-reimbursements-lead-line-replacement/stories/201905060079
‘They messed with the wrong woman,’ lawyer says of client suing North Versailles cop
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/05/08/melanie-carter-north-versailles-police-lawsuit-excessive-force-movie-theater-cellphone/stories/201905080118
Few take advantage of county’s free measles vaccine clinic
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/05/08/Allegheny-County-health-free-measles-vaccination-clinic/stories/201905080140
3 firefighters injured in Etna warehouse fire
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2019/05/08/2-firefighters-injured-in-Etna-warehouse-fire/stories/201905080162
Three Pittsburgh senior centers receive state funding for upgrades
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/05/08/Pittsburgh-living-housing-senior-centers-aging-receive-state-funding-upgrades/stories/201905080110
The Great American Rail-Trail is coming through Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/recreation/2019/05/08/Great-American-Rail-Trail-Pittsburgh-bike-cross-country-route-Allegheny-Passage/stories/201905030099
LifeCare Hospitals declare bankruptcy
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/05/08/LifeCare-Hospitals-declare-bankruptcy/stories/201905080155
Allegheny Land Trust eyeing former Churchill Valley Club site
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-land-trust-eyeing-former-churchill-valley-club-site/
State News
With measles cases still rising, what religion has to say about vaccination
https://www.philly.com/news/measles-religion-faith-tabernacle-vaccination-philadelphia-amish-christian-science-ultra-orthodox-20190509.html
Pennsylvania embarks on 5-year survey of ticks
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-embarks-on-5-year-survey-of-tick-populations/
Schwager to serve as president-elect of Pennsylvania Bar Association
https://www.timesleader.com/news/742850/schwager-to-serve-as-president-elect-of-pennsylvania-bar-association
Tree of heaven, a spotted lanternfly favorite, is named Pennsylvania’s newest noxious weed
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/tree-of-heaven-a-spotted-lanternfly-favorite-is-named-pennsylvanias-newest-noxious-weed
Washington
‘Loot boxes’ would be outlawed in many video games under a forthcoming federal bill
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/gaming-plus/2019/05/08/loot-boxes-bill-Senator-Josh-Hawley-introduced-video-game-legislation/stories/201905080175
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey introduces bill to help victims of gun violence
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190508/us-sen-bob-casey-introduces-bill-to-help-victims-of-gun-violence