Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pennsylvania posts another day of new covid-19 cases below 1,000
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-posts-another-day-of-new-covid-19-cases-below-1000/
Pa. to hire more coronavirus contact tracers, starting at $18 an hour
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pa-to-hire-more-coronavirus-contact-tracers-starting-at-18-an-hour/
Western Pa. reports 422 new COVID-19 cases, as Allegheny County cases top 200
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/07/31/COVID-19-allegheny-county-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-data-cases-deaths-pandemic/stories/202007310095
Erie County sets record three-day COVID count
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200731/erie-county-sets-record-three-day-covid-count
Westmoreland surpasses 1,400 covid-19 cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-surpasses-1400-covid-19-cases/
13 new COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/13-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-luzerne-county/article_f65041b7-336d-5c34-9b1c-62a4d811f0d9.html
Rising coronavirus transmission in New Jersey could mean new restrictions on indoor gatherings; Pa. to hire 1,000 more contact tracers
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-nj-pa-philly-rising-case-spread-deaths-shore-phillies-20200731.html
Westmoreland judge, staff being tested for covid-19 after inmate tests positive
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-judge-staff-being-tested-for-covid-19-after-inmate-tests-positive/
Westmoreland Manor halts family visits after employee tests positive for coronavirus
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-manor-halts-family-visits-after-employee-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/
Study: Children of all ages susceptible to coronavirus
https://triblive.com/news/study-children-of-all-ages-susceptible-to-coronavirus/
COVID-19 has made Pa. driving tests easier, and business is booming. Safety experts are concerned.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/driving-20200801.html
Lawmakers at aid impasse as benefits expire for millions
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/08/01/Lawmakers-at-aid-impasse-as-benefits-expire-for-millions/stories/202008020103
Legislature
State ignores green fuel potential
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/state-ignores-green-fuel-potential/article_47bbae4b-1c65-59cd-a747-1979d1501104.html
Church leaders criticize Sen. Mastriano’s views on Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 restrictions
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2020/07/31/covid-19-church-leaders-criticize-sen-mastriano/5554361002/
Four Pa. Republican lawmakers sign letter opposing federal bailout of states
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/four-pa-republican-lawmakers-sign-letter-opposing-federal-bailout-of-states.html
Bernstine disappointed spectators barred from high school games
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200731/bernstine-disappointed-spectators-barred-from-high-school-games
Administration
If coronavirus has caused financial hardships, help is available, Pa. official says
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/if-coronavirus-has-caused-financial-hardships-help-is-available-pa-official-says/article_41f72150-d33b-11ea-9722-77684d81b01b.html
Business
Pennsylvanians worry how they’ll pay bills as $600 in pandemic unemployment assistance expires
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pandemic-unemployment-assistance-pua-600-pennsylvania-new-jersey-20200801.html
Loss of $600 weekly benefit a blow for area unemployed
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/loss-of-600-weekly-benefit-a-blow-for-area-unemployed/article_02b09e70-9f66-55a6-a606-13edde935e39.html
Feds putting $35 million for economic development into region to help save small business jobs
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/07/31/Feds-putting-35-million-for-economic-development-into-region-to-help-save-small-business-jobs/stories/202007310122
7 arrested, around 150 people told to leave at Kennywood Park for ‘disruptive behavior’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/07/31/Kennywood-Park-Multiple-people-arrested-disruptive-behavior/stories/202007310136
Company seeks water for proposed bottled beverage facility in Hazle Twp.
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/company-seeks-water-for-proposed-bottled-beverage-facility-in-hazle-twp/article_32d70a85-b2cc-5fee-bd8c-87abcbe56c1d.html
32 warnings, 2 notices handed to restaurants, bars not following COVID-19 requirements: police
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/32-warnings-two-notices-of-violation-of-liquor-code-given-to-restaurants-bars-not-following-covid-19-requirements-police.html
Crime/Punishment
Man gets 20 years for threatening Trump, prosecutor
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/07/31/Man-gets-20-years-for-threatening-Trump-prosecutor/stories/202007310102
Report: probation, parole ‘feed mass incarceration,’ and the ‘problem is particularly acute’ in PA
https://www.witf.org/2020/08/01/report-probation-parole-feed-mass-incarceration-and-the-problem-is-particularly-acute-in-pa-2/
Education
WPIAL delays start of fall sports, shortens seasons
https://www.timesonline.com/sports/20200731/wpial-delays-start-of-fall-sports-shortens-seasons
Contact sports ‘unlikely’ for Abington Heights this fall
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/sports/high-school/contact-sports-unlikely-for-abington-heights-this-fall/article_1cfe866f-a340-5490-b873-bfe2e30aea2a.html
Leagues across Pa. considering delayed start to high school fall sports
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/high-school/leagues-across-pa-considering-delayed-start-to-high-school-fall-sports/article_8fa41510-d33c-11ea-b602-0fea2966d68d.html
Three more Pa. school districts suspend school, athletic activities over COVID-19 concerns
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/07/three-more-pa-school-districts-suspend-school-athletic-activities-over-covid-19-concerns.html
Exeter Township School District superintendent proposes school open virtually
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/exeter-township-school-district-superintendent-proposes-school-open-virtually/article_24c6ba1e-d37c-11ea-a82c-370860682e87.html
How suburban school districts like Lower Merion can show that Black lives matter | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/lower-merion-achievement-gap-black-lives-matter-ardmore-20200731.html
How Philly-area colleges are planning to test students and staff for coronavirus
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-area-colleges-coronavirus-testing-20200731.html
Elections/Politics
Pennsylvania to cover the cost of stamps for mail-in ballots in election
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-2020-election-stamps-mail-in-ballots-20200731.html
Pennsylvania will cover postage for mail-in ballot returns
https://www.timesleader.com/news/794641/pennsylvania-will-cover-postage-for-mail-in-ballot-returns
Gaming
Four video gaming terminals opened at Pa. truck stops this week
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/07/four-video-gaming-terminals-opened-at-pa-truck-stops-this-week.html
Health Care
Health care business is down. Insurance premiums are another story, experts say
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/coronavirus-covid-19-health-insurance-premiums-20200801.html
Pediatric surgeon diagnosed with ulcerative colitis as a child seeks cure
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/07/31/Doctor-pediatric-surgeon-Kevin-Mullen-Childrens-Hospital-Pittsburgh-IBD-ulcerative-colitis-research-Crohns/stories/202007270102
Capital BlueCross to issue rebate checks months early because of COVID-19
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/capital-bluecross-to-issue-rebate-checks-months-early-because-of-covid-19.html
Local News
Lackawanna County holds first outdoor judicial sale; generates $1.63 million
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/lackawanna-county-holds-first-outdoor-judicial-sale-generates-1-63-million/article_0f51c351-8bbe-5892-9c66-0df1c4e4bc8b.html
Coronavirus causes Reading to suspend all special events
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/coronavirus-causes-reading-to-suspend-all-special-events/article_c37bdc8e-d35e-11ea-ae9c-677960e86b4f.html
McBride working on law to prevent, punish racial profiling by Wilkes-Barre police
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/mcbride-working-on-law-to-prevent-punish-racial-profiling-by-wilkes-barre-police/article_17c476ac-d482-519b-adae-87350283971a.html
Wilkes-Barre applies for state grant to address blight
https://www.timesleader.com/news/794654/wilkes-barre-applies-for-state-grant-to-address-blight
Luzerne County accepting coronavirus funding requests from municipalities and sports leagues
https://www.timesleader.com/news/794658/luzerne-county-accepting-coronavirus-funding-requests-from-municipalities-and-sports-leagues-2
A blaze left 150 people homeless in Chester County. Then neighborhood support poured in.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/fire-apartment-north-coventry-chester-county-ashwood-20200731.html
Socially distanced, layers of Plexiglass and with clear face shields, jury trials set to resume in the Lehigh Valley
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-lehigh-county-jury-trials-restarting-covid-20200731-hirr67ekcng5bemro6wliuq37m-story.html
Montgomery County court officials establish pretrial services unit; address bail reform
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-court-officials-establish-pretrial-services-unit-address-bail-reform/article_41c05686-68eb-52c5-a5e7-0fc44614c898.html
New Jersey
N.J. law replaces expiring federal health tax with state levy
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/new-jersey/new-jersey-health-insurance-tax-20200731.html
Philly
Faculty, alumni pressure Penn to make payments to support Philly schools in push for ‘racial and economic justice’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/penn-pilots-payments-taxes-philadelphia-schools-university-of-pennsylvania-20200801.html
Thousands are in limbo as Philly courts remain mostly stalled by coronavirus: ‘It’s just been mass confusion’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-criminal-court-coronavirus-pandemic-shutdown-jury-trials-preliminary-hearings-20200801.html
A Philly man who warned not to share protest photos online was charged with trashing cop cars based on pics posted to his Instagram
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philly-protests-676-arrests-social-media-state-police-instagram-facebook-sammy-rivera-luke-cossman-20200731.html
Frederick L. Voigt, who spent a half-century overseeing Philly elections, dies at age 76
https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/fred-voigt-obituary-20200731.html
Citing pandemic, PAFA announces job cuts
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-pennsylvania-academy-fine-arts-pafa-layoffs-job-cuts-pandemic-20200731.html
Woman killed in North Philly triple shooting
https://www.inquirer.com/news/north-philadelphia-homicide-triple-shooting-woman-20200731.html
Roosevelt Boulevard speed cameras will start issuing hefty fines to violators Saturday
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/roosevelt-boulevard-speed-cameras-roosevelt-boulevard-fines-20200731.html
I’m an immigrant doctor in Philadelphia. It shouldn’t be so hard for us to do our jobs. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/international-doctors-visas-united-states-philadelphia-coronavirus-20200731.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh Public Schools votes to start school year online only
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/07/31/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-board-vote-start-school-year-online/stories/202007310129
Pittsburgh Public Schools to delay classroom instruction for first quarter
https://triblive.com/news/education-classroom/pittsburgh-public-schools-will-delay-classroom-instruction-for-first-quarter/
Michael Sriprasert named president of city’s oldest preservation organization
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/07/31/Michael-Sriprasert-named-president-of-city-s-oldest-preservation-organization/stories/202007310132
Murrysville veteran organizes ‘Vets for Black Lives’ protest Downtown on Sunday
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/murrysville-veteran-organizes-vets-for-black-lives-protest-downtown-on-sunday/
Union probes Port Authority dress policy, barring political statements on masks
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/union-probes-port-authority-dress-policy-barring-political-statements-on-masks/
City of Pittsburgh awarded over $4.6 million in grants in 2020
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/city-of-pittsburgh-awarded-over-4-6-million-in-grants-in-2020/
State News
Army Corps to spend $12.9M to install new gates at Beaver County locks-and-dam facility
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/army-corps-to-spend-12-9m-to-install-new-gates-at-beaver-county-locks-and-dam-facility/
Pennsylvania cancels vehicle auction due to covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/pennsylvania-cancels-vehicle-auction-due-to-covid-19/
Pandemic prompts shortened Sept. 11 program at Flight 93 National Memorial
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pandemic-prompts-shortened-sept-11-program-at-flight-93-national-memorial/
Pa. must provide a bigger funding stream to preserve its parks, forests for future generations | PennLive Editorial
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/07/pa-must-provide-a-bigger-funding-stream-to-preserve-its-parks-forests-for-future-generations-pennlive-editorial.html
Census countdown is on, but a lot of Pennsylvanians haven’t been counted
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/census-countdown-is-on-and-a-lot-of-pennsylvanians-havent-been-counted.html
Transportation
Bridge work will close Pa. Turnpike between Allegheny Valley, Pittsburgh exits early Sunday
https://triblive.com/local/regional/bridge-work-will-close-pa-turnpike-between-allegheny-valley-pittsburgh-exits-this-weekend/
Washington
Trump says he’ll act to ban TikTok in U.S. as soon as Saturday
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/tiktok-china-trump-20200731.html