Legislature
Editorial: State must take fresh look at fireworks law
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-state-must-take-fresh-look-at-fireworks-law/article_82492812-c2be-11ea-a1b9-e736291e0243.html
Report to the People: We’re back to serve you in my district office [column]
https://www.readingeagle.com/living/report-to-the-people-were-back-to-serve-you-in-my-district-office-column/article_fe58c528-bafa-11ea-bc4e-5b30eca47492.html
Bill authorizing robot deliveries is quietly making its way through the Pennsylvania Legislature
https://lancasteronline.com/news/bill-authorizing-robot-deliveries-is-quietly-making-its-way-through-the-pennsylvania-legislature/article_fa043e20-c221-11ea-a4f8-8f8e37674894.html
Gun violence must still be a priority for Pa. and Philadelphia | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-pennsylvania-gun-violence-homicide-crisis-20200712.html
Kaufer: Medicaid fraud most hurts those who depend on it
https://www.timesleader.com/news/791341/kaufer-medicaid-fraud-most-hurts-those-who-depend-on-it
State
Firearms checks, denials much higher in second quarter than 2019
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/firearms-checks-denials-much-higher-in-second-quarter-than-2019/article_ec2ee630-c2b5-11ea-8cf9-6352499c5eec.html
‘The worst-case scenario’: Regulators, watchdogs fear plan to dismantle damaged TMI nuclear reactor
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/the-worst-case-scenario-regulators-watchdogs-fear-plan-to-dismantle-damaged-tmi-nuclear-reactor/article_f4dad25c-c225-11ea-954a-d334122df630.html
Editorial: Pennsylvania should value first responders
https://triblive.com/opinion/editorial-pennsylvania-should-value-first-responders/
Reaction mixed to environmental grand jury findings
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/insight/2020/07/12/shale-gas-regulation-pa-grand-jury-investigation-josh-shapiro-fracking-health/stories/202007030120
COVID-19
With mask enforcement varied across Centre County, residents use social media to push for compliance
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/07/with-mask-enforcement-varied-across-centre-county-residents-use-social-media-to-push-for-compliance.html
4 more states added to Pennsylvania’s quarantine list over coronavirus surges
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/07/4-more-states-added-to-pennsylvania-travel-quarantine-list.html
COVID-19 positive closes Mad Mex; Racetrack Rd. Sheetz employee tests positive for COVID-19
https://observer-reporter.com/series/coronavirus/covid-19-positive-closes-mad-mex-racetrack-rd-sheetz-employee-tests-positive-for-covid-19/article_67c11f74-c43d-11ea-9c37-9b8d96c32104.html
COVID-19 cases continue to rise; 20 new positives in Wash. Co. Saturday
https://observer-reporter.com/series/coronavirus/covid-19-cases-continue-to-rise-20-new-positives-in-wash-co-saturday/article_bc1dc594-c394-11ea-8d5d-8f8d944eb406.html
COVID-19 test rates are still low in Pa., and high in N.J. How much is enough?
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-testing-philadelphia-pennsylvania-new-jersey-surge-20200711.html
Coronavirus deaths take a long-expected turn for the worse
https://triblive.com/news/world/coronavirus-deaths-take-a-long-expected-turn-for-the-worse/
Allegheny County reports 215 new coronavirus cases, 1 new death
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-reports-215-new-coronavirus-cases-1-new-death/
Positive cases are spiking in Pa., but the death rate isn’t following that. Why?
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/07/12/allegheny-county-covid-19-cases-hospitalizations-upmc-ahn/stories/202007080081
Pa. issues alert to health care providers as COVID-19 cases reach younger patients
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/07/11/COVID-19-Allegheny-County-215-new-cases-one-death/stories/202007110035
Pandemic, school closures pose challenges for measuring trends
https://www.timesleader.com/news/791414/pandemic-school-closures-pose-challenges-for-measuring-trends
Pa. coronavirus update: Gracedale’s COVID-19 unit is empty as state cases near 95K
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/coronavirus/2020/07/pa-coronavirus-update-gracedales-covid-19-unit-is-empty-as-state-cases-near-95k.html
ICE, Pa. courts push back on bids to free immigrant families in Berks Center due to COVID-19
https://www.witf.org/2020/07/11/ice-pa-courts-push-back-on-bids-to-free-immigrant-families-in-berks-center-due-to-covid-19/
Education
Black Lives Matter movement prods Bethlehem and other districts to review how history is taught
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-bethlehem-schools-history-curriculum-diversity-20200708-4jfhkvbsjrcu3je2hnty2p666a-story.html
Middletown’s school reopening plan includes masks, online options, more; could other districts follow?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/middletowns-school-reopening-plan-includes-masks-online-options-more-could-other-districts-follow.html
Time ticking away as PIAA stays mum on fall season sports
https://www.delcotimes.com/sports/time-ticking-away-as-piaa-stays-mum-on-fall-season-sports/article_0a2de734-c3c5-11ea-98f1-a328b4d244ec.html
Hazleton Area School District asks parents their choice for schooling in fall
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hazleton-area-school-district-asks-parents-their-choice-for-schooling-in-fall-1.2642150
Lincoln U. alumni decry board’s vote not to renew president’s contract, citing violation of state law
https://www.inquirer.com/news/brenda-allen-lincoln-university-contract-trustees-20200711.html
Brick or click? NEPA school districts considering all options for fall return
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/brick-or-click-nepa-school-districts-considering-all-options-for-fall-return/article_a26fdcb5-3e69-545a-b087-09a0c2ca344a.html
Crime/Punishment
Man charged with kidnapping Amish teen, who was last seen walking home from church
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-amish-kidnapping-20200711-fsdork243jcdlf45hls4w2372q-story.html
Philly
How Philly area nursing homes are preparing for the next round of coronavirus
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/nursing-homes-assisted-living-prepare-for-more-coronavirus-pennsylvania-new-jersey-20200711.html
‘We failed’: Amid accusations of racism, calls for resignations, Philly theater organization cancels season
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/playpenn-postponed-conference-racism-misconduct-accusations-20200711.html
How the coronavirus threatens everything from high-rise buildings and condos to retail and SEPTA in Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/business/covid-virus-high-rise-buildings-colleges-eateries-center-city-philadelphia-tax-revenues-20200712.html
Philadelphia hotels are slowly seeing more guests. But workers say conditions aren’t safe.
https://www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/coronavirus-hotel-housekeepers-cleaning-masks-safety-20200712.html
Antifa rumors and hoaxes have stoked real fear in Philadelphia neighborhoods
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/insight/2020/07/12/Antifa-rumors-and-hoaxes-have-stoked-real-fear-in-Philadelphia-neighborhoods/stories/202007120021
Pittsburgh
The rush to keep businesses afloat sent more than $3 billion in government loans to Pittsburgh-area employers
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2020/07/12/PPP-loans-pa-small-business-covid-19-layoffs-jobs-pittsburgh/stories/202007090156
Local
Pepsi partners with Alvernia for CollegeTowne initiative in downtown Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/pepsi-partners-with-alvernia-for-collegetowne-initiative-in-downtown-reading/article_620f9e90-c2ec-11ea-a01a-2f07a28df03c.html
Protesters confront Allentown mayor, police Saturday night about video of officer kneeling on man’s neck
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-allentown-black-lives-matter-protests-video-20200712-wu5dqi37e5fufhcq52u6ikmvzi-story.html
Gettysburg’s Confederate monuments should come down, county commissioner says
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/obvious-hoax-adams-county-commissioner-criticizes-july-4-counterprotesters-in-gettysburg-report.html
Community Fest celebrates Black businesses and performers
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/community-fest-celebrates-black-businesses-and-performers/article_62a8d7e4-c392-11ea-9b96-aff49a838cea.html
Low water brings rare glimpse of old bridge and Pa. Canal at Conemaugh River Lake
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/low-water-brings-rare-glimpse-of-old-bridge-and-pa-canal-at-conemaugh-river-lake/
Split in Washington over abandoned mine reclamation fund pits Wyoming industry against Pennsylvania scars
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/insight/2020/07/12/Split-in-Washington-over-abandoned-mine-reclamation-fund-pits-Wyoming-industry-against-Pennsylvania-scars/stories/202007120012
With major work at Ohiopyle finished, debate over the value of the project continues
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/07/12/Ohiopyle-State-Park-road-work-pedestrian-tunnel-Route-381-Department-Conservation-Natural-Resources/stories/202007110013
Phoenixville rail study shows $350M in economic benefits
https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/phoenixville-rail-study-shows-350m-in-economic-benefits/article_ef6bb6b6-c2ec-11ea-9adc-97f38d21091b.html
Montgomery County officials preparing for November election with eyes on pandemic
https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/montgomery-county-officials-preparing-for-november-election-with-eyes-on-pandemic/article_db21b380-c2e8-11ea-b3e0-dfd5924cf5b6.html
Lackawanna County, Scranton officials exploring potential for local health department
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/lackawanna-county-scranton-officials-exploring-potential-for-local-health-department/article_47696bb9-9456-511f-baf0-928677318426.html
Art installation spending the weekend in Allentown encourages residents to vote
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/2020/07/art-installation-spending-the-weekend-in-allentown-encourages-residents-to-vote.html
Washington
Veterans left out of census count
https://triblive.com/local/regional/veterans-left-out-of-census-count/
