Legislature
West Chester’s plastic-bag ban was ‘the right thing to do,’ officials say, even if it defies state law https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/west-chester-plastic-bag-ban-state-budget-20190803.html
Overhaul of Pa.’s medical transport program on hold after counties raise concerns https://www.inquirer.com/news/medicaid-medical-assistance-transportation-program-pennsylvania-study-delay-broker-20190802.html
Property tax elimination plan that taxes retirement income gets 45 percent favorable reaction statewide, sponsor says https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-tax-plan-reaction-20190802-thayc44icnexhddxfrxkeejrcq-story.html
Business
Apple says its contractors will stop listening to users through Siri https://www.inquirer.com/business/technology/apple-says-its-contractors-will-stop-listening-users-through-siri-20190802.html
How Trump’s latest China tariffs could squeeze US consumers https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-china-tariffs-cost-consumers-20190802.html
Delivery drivers involved in multi-million-dollar Amazon theft ring: FBI https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2019/08/delivery-drivers-involved-in-multi-million-dollar-amazon-theft-ring-fbi.html
Crime/Punishment
Curtis Institute offers another apology — for voices ‘not heard at critical moments’ https://www.inquirer.com/news/curtis-institute-lara-st-john-roberto-diaz-jascha-brodsky–20190803.html
Ex-Pittsburgh homicide detective, accused of lying, pleads no contest to hindering apprehension https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/08/02/margaret-peg-sherwood-pittsburgh-police-homicide-detective-lying-plea-court-allegheny-county/stories/201908020082
Protesters rally against solitary confinement as inmates reportedly go on hunger strike https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/protesters-rally-against-solitary-confinement-outside-doc-headquarters.html
Central Berks Regional police asking citizens, businesses to register their security cameras https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/central-berks-regional-police-asking-citizens-businesses-to-register-their-security-cameras
Elections/Politics
Scott Perry: Progressive groups are trying to ‘hijack’ town halls and make ‘mockery’ of legislative process https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/scott-perry-progressive-groups-are-trying-to-hijack-town-halls-and-make-mockery-of-legislative-process-media-putting-out-fake-news.html
At Ohio rally, Trump escalates attacks on liberal cities https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-elijah-cummings-baltimore-liberal-swing-state-20190802.html
Trump to tour cracker plant in Beaver County next week https://www.post-gazette.com/local/west/2019/08/02/Trump-tour-cracker-plant-Beaver-County-august-8-shell-chemicals-ethane/stories/201908020119
Health Care
#MeToo Meets Medicine: Philly doctors fight sex harassment, pay gaps by joining Time’s Up Healthcare https://www.inquirer.com/business/times-up-healthcare-sexual-harassment-gender-medicine-doctors-nurses-20190803.html
Sesame allergy is far more common – and dangerous – than previously thought https://www.inquirer.com/health/sesame-allergy-peanut-milk-reaction-emergency-label-food-and-drug-administration-northwestern-20190802.html
Philadelphia officials declare health emergency over hepatitis A outbreak https://www.inquirer.com/health/hepatitis-a-outbreak-emergency-philadelphia-20190801.html
Duquesne’s med school plan part of national trend to train more doctors https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/08/02/Duquesne-med-school-national-trend-doctors-osteopathic-medicine-pittsburgh/stories/201908010181
Local News
For two weeks every summer, this Chester County sunflower field is an Instagrammer’s dream https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/please-wash-me-sunflowers-elverson-pa-20190803.html
Crash at Williams Grove Speedway kills spectator https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/accident-at-williams-grove-speedway-kills-spectator.html
US Secret Service, local law enforcement participate in two upcoming school safety events https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/08/us-secret-service-local-law-enforcement-participate-in-two-upcoming-school-safety-events.html
City council proceeds with cyber security measures https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/city-council-proceeds-with-cyber-security-measures/article_2f94161a-b485-11e9-9369-ef37feea8eaf.html
Pipelines fuel panelists’ enthusiasm for natural gas https://observer-reporter.com/business/pipelines-fuel-panelists-enthusiasm-for-natural-gas/article_27510c90-af0f-11e9-b8c6-93e65c11810f.html
A new day: Avant Publications acquires Times Leader Media Group https://www.timesleader.com/news/751485/a-new-day-avant-publications-acquires-times-leader-media-group
Luzerne County releases details of proposed borrowing https://www.timesleader.com/news/751481/luzerne-county-releases-details-of-proposed-borrowing
With more bikes on Johnstown’s streets, safety for riders, pedestrians a growing concern https://www.tribdem.com/news/with-more-bikes-on-johnstown-s-streets-safety-for-riders/article_904d9380-b57c-11e9-aab3-87ac9aa4e276.html
Opioid Crisis
Montco doctor’s ‘pill mill’ traded cash for powerful narcotics, feds say https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spiro-kassis-pill-mill-montgomery-county-federal-court-20190802.html
Ohio governor: ‘No doubt’ drugmakers caused opioid crisis https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/ohio-governor-no-doubt-drugmakers-caused-opioid-crisis-20190802.html
National
Collapsing California cliff claims 3 lives along beach https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/california-collapsing-cliff-grandview-beach-san-diego-20190803.html
How can states fight soaring housing prices? Oregon is capping rent increases and cutting single-family zoning. https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/affordable-housing-rising-rent-single-family-zoning-oregon-california-20190803.html
New Jersey, 11 other states and D.C. sue Trump administration again over fuel efficiency standards https://www.inquirer.com/politics/new-jersey/trump-obama-fuel-efficiency-standards-lawsuit-new-jersey-20190802.html
Puerto Rico governor resigns as promised; successor sworn in https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/puerto-rico-governor-resigns-ricardo-rossello-pedro-pierluisi-20190802.html
Freed from Swedish jail, rapper A$AP Rocky lands in US https://www.phillytrib.com/news/freed-from-swedish-jail-rapper-a-ap-rocky-lands-in/article_657a079e-ba6b-5d8a-9025-143d08671dcd.html
Philly
The ‘father of ice cream’ was a black Philadelphian who served in the White House. Or was he? | Maria Panaritis https://www.inquirer.com/news/columnists/father-of-ice-cream-augustus-jackson-white-house-philadelphia-maria-panaritis-20190803.html
He’s fighting urban heat — and violence — with Super Soakers https://www.inquirer.com/news/hes-fighting-urban-heat-violence-with-super-soakers-20190803.html
Philly Free Streets closes North Broad for five hours on Saturday. Here’s how to enjoy it. https://www.inquirer.com/life/philly-free-streets-2019-north-broad-closure-times-events-20190731.html
Pitt
After combative meetings, board chair Judge David Cashman resigns from the Jail Oversight Board https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/08/02/Judge-David-Cashman-resigns-as-chair-of-Jail-Oversight-Board/stories/201908020095
Turning kids around: Program for at-risk youth merits expansion https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/08/03/Turning-kids-around/stories/201907290022
Gene Therapy: In an unsettling world, Father Paul settles in as Saint Vincent’s 18th president https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/gene-collier-columns/2019/08/03/Saint-Vincent-Steelers-new-college-president-Gene-Collier-father-paul-taylor/stories/201908020077
Contemporary Craft receives $500,000 from state https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2019/08/02/Contemporary-Craft-receives-500-000-from-state/stories/201908010209
$1 million state grant ‘another important layer’ in Hunt Armory ice rink redevelopment https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/08/02/million-state-grant-capital-Hunt-Armory-ice-rink-redevelopment-Mosites/stories/201908020107
Police frustrated by wide-ranging juvenile car thefts in Allegheny County https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/police-frustrated-by-wide-ranging-juvenile-car-thefts/
State News
‘Very validating and very affirming:’ PA to add gender neutral option for driver’s licenses next year https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/very-validating-and-very-affirming-pa-to-add-gender-neutral-option-for-drivers-licenses-next-year/
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture offering classes for businesses to obtain spotted lanternfly permit https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pennsylvania-department-of-agriculture-offering-classes-for-businesses-to-obtain-spotted-lanternfly-permit
Washington
U.S.-Russia arms control treaty dies; U.S. to test new weapon https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2019/08/02/US-Russia-arms-control-treaty-dies-US-test-new-missile-trump-reagan/stories/201908020090
World
Scientists link Europe heat wave to man-made global warming https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/scientists-link-europe-heat-wave-man-made-global-warming-20190803.html