Legislature
Teachers, education officials ask Senate Democrats for state guidance on school reopening
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/teachers-education-officials-ask-senate-democrats-for-state-guidance-on-school-reopening.html
Pennsylvania schools ‘being set up to fail,’ witnesses tell Senate Democrats on first of three days of education hearings
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-schools-democrats-20200804-tplfzbecczf7pfxouv5rhfr4re-story.html
Student safety is top priority
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/student-safety-is-top-priority/article_e6a7dc36-d5bf-11ea-9e2c-87826ec01383.html
Review of Pa. primary prompts state elections agency to seek changes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/08/03/Pennsylvania-primary-review-elections-agency-changes/stories/202008030084
State election officials urge swift legislative action on voting reforms
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/state-election-officials-urge-swift-legislative-action-on-voting-reforms.html
Harrisburg legislator wants citizen oversight of Dauphin County prison
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/harrisburg-legislator-wants-citizen-oversight-of-dauphin-county-prison.html
GOP lawmakers urge Gov. Wolf, PIAA to allow parents to attend fall sports events
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/highschool/2020/08/03/gov-wolf-letter-piaa-fall-sports-parents-coronavirus/stories/202008030122
Statewide panel discusses challenges of rural hospitals
https://observer-reporter.com/business/statewide-panel-discusses-challenges-of-rural-hospitals/article_a13065f8-d58b-11ea-879b-5fce8f59e42f.html
Bucks Rep. John Galloway quarantines after coronavirus exposure
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200803/bucks-rep-john-galloway-quarantines-after-coronavirus-exposure
Restaurants need our help now
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/08/04/Restaurants-need-our-help-now/stories/202007300092
State’s stream health declines since 2018
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/editorial/states-stream-health-declines-since-2018/article_58b7f388-f63f-5ed6-ad17-dc0514b8abd8.html
Yes, Rep. Diamond should be censured for mocking LGBTQ rights (opinion)
https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/2020/08/03/yes-rep-diamond-should-censured-mocking-lgbtq-rights-opinion/5576597002/
Coronavirus – COVID-19
State reports no new COVID-19 deaths; Allegheny County reports 68 new cases
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/08/03/covid-19-coronavirus-Allegheny-County-Western-Pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-44/stories/202008030073
For 1st time since March, Pennsylvania reports no new covid-19 deaths
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/for-1st-time-since-march-pennsylvania-reports-no-new-covid-19-deaths/
New reported cases of covid-19 trending lower in Allegheny County
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/new-reported-cases-of-covid-19-trending-lower-in-allegheny-county/
State investigating COVID-19 case spike in Luzerne County
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/state-investigating-covid-19-case-spike-in-luzerne-county/article_02f7902b-5702-567f-977b-bbdcfc54c984.html
Coronavirus cases rise by 28 in Berks County as Pennsylvania also reports 0 new deaths
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/coronavirus-cases-rise-by-28-in-berks-county-as-pennsylvania-also-reports-0-new-deaths/article_2e817234-d5ab-11ea-b3a8-9fb61aeb22cc.html
Pa. cancels on volunteer coronavirus contact tracers, moves to hire 1,000 paid staff
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-coronavirus-contact-tracing-volunteer-cancel-paid-positions-20200804.html
Pennsylvania reported a 30% drop in coronavirus hospitalizations Friday, but why?
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-hospital-data-20200803-qflwcxobwrgrreypn2cxnsx7rq-story.html
ManorCare nursing home in Ross reports surge of COVID-19 cases
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2020/08/03/ManorCare-nursing-home-Ross-COVID-19-casesresidents-employees/stories/202008030057
Pa. state office building custodial worker tests positive for the coronavirus; cleaning to be ramped up
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-capitol-complex-coronavirus-cleaning-contract-20200803.html
Walmart to open 9 added covid-19 test sites in Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/walmart-to-open-9-added-covid-19-test-sites-in-pennsylvania/
Newberry Twp. Walmart among nine new COVID-19 testing sites in Pa.
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2020/08/04/newberry-twp-walmart-among-nine-new-drive-through-covid-19-testing-sites-pa/5579638002/
Pitt researchers involved in clinical trial for covid-19 treatment option
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pitt-researchers-involved-in-clinical-trial-for-covid-19-treatment-option/
Our view: Erie task force takes aim at disparity
https://www.goerie.com/opinion/20200804/our-view-erie-task-force-takes-aim-at-disparity
Coronavirus mask violence: Some shooters defending liberties will ironically lose freedom behind bars
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-mask-shooting-muschick-20200804-2wy4t3cfozfgbccnmckftyaeaa-story.html
Administration
Wolf showcases enforcement muscle, but says he’ll still depend mostly on warnings to get businesses to abide by masks, social distancing
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/wolf-showcases-enforcement-muscle-but-says-hell-still-depend-mostly-on-warnings-to-get-businesses-to-abide-by-masks-social-distancing.html
Landlords increasingly frustrated by eviction moratorium
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/landlords-increasingly-frustrated-by-eviction-moratorium/article_b00da8a4-1b47-5444-acdf-306934120dda.html
Unemployment fraud investigation stopped $44 million from reaching scammers
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-unemployment-identity-theft-scam-20200803-d6cn4bycmzacrdqgnq2lqbl5ia-story.html
On anniversary of landmark case, DHS faces allegations it violated law protecting those with disabilities
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/on-anniversary-of-landmark-case-dhs-faces-allegations-it-violated-law-protecting-those-with-disabilities/
State launches database to track, reduce firearm deaths
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200803/state-launches-database-to-track-reduce-firearm-deaths
Budget
Tax collections in Pa. rebound on pent-up shopper demand, but state still faces huge budget deficit
https://www.inquirer.com/economy/spl/pennsylvania-july-revenue-state-budget-deficit-coronavirus-20200803.html
Business
Philadelphia Uber driver wins Pa. Supreme Court ruling on unemployment benefits
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2020/08/03/Uber-gig-workers-unemployment-benefits-Pennsylvania-Supreme-Court-independent-contractor/stories/202008030106
Dunkin’ continues to open new locations despite plans for 800 restaurant closures
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2020/08/04/Dunkin-franchisee-opening-new-restaurants/stories/202008030087
Boeing secures contract for nine more Chinooks
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/boeing-secures-contract-for-nine-more-chinooks/article_34ccd01e-d5cb-11ea-aa90-97c74c563503.html
Crime/Punishment
‘I can show you what a real hate crime is’: Bucks teen faces criminal charges after race-fueled threats on Snapchat
https://www.inquirer.com/news/bucks-county-central-bucks-west-andrew-smith-hate-speech-snapchat-20200803.html
Arrest made as hit-and-run victim remembered as ‘phenomenal worker’
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/arrest-made-as-hit-and-run-victim-remembered-as-phenomenal-worker/article_2e8052b2-addd-52cf-8af3-c955693c1ad5.html
Police release video of shooting that followed cigar store mask dispute in Bethlehem Township
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-cigar-store-video-20200803-36ypltrbevethl7mgabmvebqwi-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
Education
Teachers unions concerned about safely returning to school
https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/teachers-unions-concerned-about-safely-returning-to-school/article_31be01c6-d5e0-11ea-8ed1-f74f0207162b.html
Chester County teachers, students brace for start of school year unlike any other
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/chester-county-teachers-students-brace-for-start-of-school-year-unlike-any-other/article_bc1727c4-d5b0-11ea-9920-cb8293304f8c.html
Scranton teachers urge district to implement fully virtual plan
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-teachers-urge-district-to-implement-fully-virtual-plan/article_1b942873-9394-5de0-b872-6399591daa08.html
Scranton School Board approves preliminary budget with 16% tax increase, vows to cut costs
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-board-approves-preliminary-budget-with-16-tax-increase-vows-to-cut-costs/article_b1999d51-4ab6-59be-bb63-2c674bbe5ccb.html
Camp Hill school superintendent announces retirement as district settles on reopening plan
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/camp-hill-superintendent-retires-amid-back-to-school-plans.html
Hempfield releases additional details before next week’s vote on reopening plans
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/hempfield-releases-additional-details-before-next-weeks-vote-on-reopening-plans/
Northwest Area considering hybrid reopening plan
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/northwest-area-considering-hybrid-reopening-plan/article_d97a8f9d-51b4-5d89-a178-d091a8af1eb0.html
Student athletes at Ambridge, Beaver test positive for COVID
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200803/student-athletes-at-ambridge-beaver-test-positive-for-covid
Norwin director ripped over controversial posts; some call for resignation
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/norwin-director-ripped-over-controversial-posts-some-call-for-resignation/
Bullying tops local list of calls to Safe2Say state tipline
https://www.timesleader.com/news/795045/bullying-tops-local-list-of-calls-to-safe2say-state-tipline
BCIAA schools appear to be split on when to start fall sports, source says
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/high-school/bciaa-schools-appear-to-be-split-on-when-to-start-fall-sports-source-says/article_9461a2b4-d5d2-11ea-bef3-a35da0654a1e.html
Mid Penn Conference delays start of fall sports practices 18 days to September 4
https://www.ydr.com/story/sports/2020/08/03/mid-penn-conference-delays-start-fall-sports-practices-september-4/5577761002/
As IUP shifts to mostly remote instruction, Wolf sending $28M to help with safety at colleges
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/08/03/Indiana-University-of-Pennsylvania-State-System-COVID-19-Michael-Driscoll-fall-IUP/stories/202008030064
State unveils grant program for college reopening
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-unveils-grant-program-for-college-reopening/
Colleges try to pull off the incredible: Bringing thousands of young adults safely together in the midst of a pandemic.
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/08/colleges-try-to-pull-off-the-incredible-bringing-thousands-of-young-adults-safely-together-in-the-midst-of-a-pandemic.html
Elections/Politics
Casey named a DNC vice chairman
https://www.timesleader.com/news/795041/casey-named-a-dnc-vice-chairman
Obama endorses Cartwright for re-election
https://www.timesleader.com/news/795034/obama-endorses-cartwright-for-re-election
Trump’s warning that Biden will ‘destroy’ the suburbs is falling flat outside Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/trump-biden-philadelphia-suburbs-pennsylvania-20200804.html
Westmoreland election director resigns 3 months out from election day
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-election-director-resigns-three-months-out-from-election-day/
Local News
Scranton Together Neighborhood Initiative kicks off in West Side
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-together-neighborhood-initiative-kicks-off-in-west-side/article_f7fe3027-a85c-5762-a1b2-fd41b83a3cac.html
Former DPW director no longer employed by city
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/former-dpw-director-no-longer-employed-by-city/article_e02f569f-60a1-52a5-914f-cfcdd2fc65cc.html
Reading plans to install gates around the Pagoda to keep people out after dark
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/reading-plans-to-install-gates-around-the-pagoda-to-keep-people-out-after-dark/article_e75fea16-d5dc-11ea-9f2e-4bf636f78458.html
Helping Harvest distributing 90,000 pounds of fresh produce
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/helping-harvest-distributing-90-000-pounds-of-fresh-produce/article_c57bee64-d5bd-11ea-967e-ff8ecf8be043.html
Aug. 5 planning meeting likely last open discussion for proposed Springfield quarry
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200803/aug-5-planning-meeting-likely-last-open-discussion-for-proposed-springfield-quarry
Three Upper Chichester fire departments join forces
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/three-upper-chichester-fire-departments-join-forces/article_faaad3ba-d5d7-11ea-9fca-87b081977ffc.html
Community leaders call for carrying on the work the late civil rights activist John Lewis championed
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/community-leaders-call-for-carrying-on-the-work-the-late-civil-rights-activist-john-lewis-championed.html
Luzerne County Cares Commission debuts with moving story from member
https://www.timesleader.com/news/795069/luzerne-county-cares-commission-debuts-with-moving-story-from-member
Repaving Richmond Street tops Arnold’s plans for $300K in grant money
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/repaving-richmond-street-tops-arnolds-plans-for-300k-in-grant-money/
New Jersey
Twelve people used New Jersey’s new aid-in-dying law in 2019, state says
https://www.inquirer.com/health/new-jersey-medical-aid-in-dying-law-how-many-died-2019-20200803.html
Philly
Philly police actions on 52nd Street under investigation, but distrust of cops keeps some witnesses silent
https://www.inquirer.com/news/52-street-philadelphia-police-protest-tear-gas-rubber-bullet-20200804.html
Protesters demand that Comcast provide internet access to all Philly kids
https://www.inquirer.com/education/comcast-internet-access-philadelphia-schools-online-learning-20200803.html
Pennsylvania nonprofits get a green light for more endowment spending
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pennsylvania-nonprofits-endowment-spending-increase-covid-19-20200804.html
Free Library of Philadelphia workers take their anti-racism protest to board president’s house
https://www.inquirer.com/news/free-library-philadelphia-pamela-dembe-siobhon-reardon-black-employees-racism-protest-20200803.html
Black-owned businesses are finding new opportunities in today’s justice movement
https://www.inquirer.com/business/small-business/black-owned-business-diversity-supply-chains-20200804.html
The pandemic has led to an uptick of worker complaints filed with Philadelphia’s labor office
https://www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/philadelphia-coronavirus-workers-labor-law-enforcement-20200803.html
Frustration building inside local, state NAACP over Rodney Muhammad
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/frustration-building-inside-local-state-naacp-over-rodney-muhammad/article_58f60431-9fca-5b64-b539-e87cf4b83046.html
On-duty parking enforcement officer stabbed near Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-parking-officer-stab-jefferson-hospital-20200803.html
7-year-old Zamar Jones, shot in the head in front of his West Philadelphia home this weekend, has died, police say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/7-year-old-zamar-jones-shot-west-philadelphia-charges-20200803.html
Pitt
By design: Downtown architectural firm heading for new space — keeping COVID in mind
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/08/04/Perkins-Eastman-Pennsylvanian-525-William-Penn-Place-work-from-home/stories/202008030096
Allegheny County Jail food service company disagrees with audit
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/08/03/Allegheny-County-Jail-food-service-audit-Shuman-Juvenile-Trinity-Services/stories/202008030080
URA trying again to develop key Beechview property
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/08/04/Beechview-Avenue-Anthony-Coghill-Bernardo-Katz-Atlas-Development-URA/stories/202008030113
State News
Pa. group sues feds over delayed $500 payments for children of low-income, disabled Americans
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/08/03/Pennsylvania-group-federal-lawsuit-delayed-payments-checks-children-low-income-disabled-Americans/stories/202008040014
Three Mile Island decommissioning fight nears end amid lack of local input
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/08/three-mile-island-decommissioning-fight-may-be-nearing-settlement.html
Transportation
What would it take to bring passenger trains back to Reading? A new study tries to answer that question
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/transportation/what-would-it-take-to-bring-passenger-trains-back-to-reading-a-new-study-tries/article_c02b92b6-d28e-11ea-b535-5f65cb4d1de0.html
Washington
Sen. Bob Casey said federal agents ‘kidnapped’ protesters in Portland. Is that true?
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/bob-casey-portland-protesters-fact-check-20200803.html