Legislature
Pa. essential workers say they have to choose between their health and a paycheck
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/pa-essential-workers-say-they-have-to-choose-between-their-health-and-a-paycheck-we-need-to-know-that-the-state-has-our-back.html
Workers to Pa. lawmakers: Take risks to keep us safe and paid during COVID — and after
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/workers-to-pa-lawmakers-take-risks-to-keep-us-safe-and-paid-during-covid-and-after/
Editorial: Pa. essential workers deserve raise to minimum wage
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorial-pa-essential-workers-deserve-raise-to-minimum-wage/article_a5aafb19-20ce-57f9-9444-9fac15b9de7e.html
The Legislature is guilty of the same overreach of which Gov. Tom Wolf is accused.
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/07/28/Who-is-in-charge/stories/202007250007
Strip immunity from aid bills
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/strip-immunity-from-aid-bills/article_3fb80524-54db-5e33-b59a-afb39585da0f.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pennsylvania posts 839 new covid-19 cases on Monday
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-posts-839-new-covid-19-cases-on-monday/
Who will get the first shot when the coronavirus vaccine arrives?
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/who-should-get-a-coronavirus-vaccine-first-20200728.html
New hospitalizations for covid-19 remain low for Allegheny County
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/new-hospitalizations-for-covid-19-remain-low-for-allegheny-county/
12 new COVID-19 cases reported in county; 839 statewide
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/12-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-county-839-statewide/article_5fb1de6c-fd12-52ad-9eb9-461387be83df.html
Four new COVID-19 deaths statewide, but one in NEPA
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/urgent/four-new-covid-19-deaths-statewide-but-one-in-nepa/article_fcea1c26-e4a8-5679-9849-07c872ceb715.html
Beaver, Lawrence COVID-19 cases continue to rise
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200727/beaver-lawrence-covid-19-cases-continue-to-rise
Pennsylvania child care facilities struggling under pandemic conditions
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-child-care-facilities-struggling-under-pandemic-conditions/
Parties indoors are ‘playing with fire,’ N.J. governor warns; Philly outlines steps to reduce coronavirus risk in communities of color
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-nj-philly-parties-outbreaks-racial-disparity-beach-20200727.html
Nursing home resident describes constant fear of COVID-19, isolation from family and beloved dog
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/nursing-home-resident-describes-constant-fear-of-covid-19-loss-of-closeness-with-family-and-beloved-dog.html
Here is where Allegheny Health Network is conducting covid-19 tests this week
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/here-is-where-allegheny-health-network-is-conducting-covid-19-tests-this-week/
Beaver County police: poor mask behavior could be disorderly conduct, trespassing
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200727/beaver-county-police-poor-mask-behavior-could-be-disorderly-conduct-trespassing
It’s not too late to learn life-saving lessons from reopening failures | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-covid-reopening-marshmallow-experiment-20200728.html
Pa. college students and their families need Toomey to step up on COVID-19 relief funding | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pa-college-students-and-their-families-need-toomey-to-step-up-on-covid-19-relief-funding-opinion/
Administration
Jobless could wait months for stimulus if $600 aid is altered, says Pa. official
https://triblive.com/local/regional/jobless-could-wait-months-for-stimulus-if-600-aid-is-altered-says-pa-official/
State: New stimulus package would affect unemployment
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200727/state-new-stimulus-package-would-affect-unemployment
Business
Wawa agrees to pay $21.6 million to settle case brought by retirees forced to sell shares
https://www.inquirer.com/columnists/wawa-esop-settlement-lawsuit-workers-20200728.html
Pa., N.J. vineyards brace for invasion of the spotted lanternflies
https://www.inquirer.com/business/small-business/spotted-lanternfly-vineyard-winery-philadelphia-penn-state-20200727.html
Steelers camp cancellation hits Latrobe-area businesses in bottom line
https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/steelers-camp-cancellation-hits-latrobe-area-businesses-in-bottom-line/
Poland-based company expected to spend more than $300 million to build large manufacturing plant in Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/poland-based-company-expected-to-spend-more-than-300-million-to-build-large-manufacturing-plant-in-pa.html
Crime/Punishment
Philly teen stabbed ex-girlfriend to death at Montgomery County train station, DA says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/stabbing-jenkintown-train-station-murder-montgomery-county-20200727.html
Wilkes-Barre Police Department testing body cameras
https://www.timesleader.com/news/793966/wilkes-barre-police-department-testing-body-cameras
Westmoreland officials fear growing jail population could lead to virus outbreak
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-officials-fear-growing-jail-population-could-lead-to-virus-outbreak/
Two new COVID-19 cases in York County Prison, warden says
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/crime/2020/07/27/two-new-covid-19-cases-york-county-prison-warden-says/5522310002/
Education
Pennsylvania school leaders to state: We need more help
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/07/28/Pennsylvania-school-superintendents-reopening-plans-students-pandemic-covid-19/stories/202007280090
Parents in Mars Area School District asked to fill out a survey for reopening plan
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/07/27/Parents-survey-Mars-Area-School-District-reopening-plan-education-students/stories/202007240010
Valley View School Board approves plan to start year with online learning
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/valley-view-school-board-approves-plan-to-start-year-with-online-learning/article_7ebc471d-e6ec-5cca-8a78-f6b4cbc4acb6.html
Scranton School District could create equity plan
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-district-could-create-equity-plan/article_eb1d8064-92fd-52e3-bab1-999d56052ab7.html
Weary parents are on the fence about sending their kids back to school — even if they can
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/weary-parents-are-on-the-fence-about-sending-their-kids-back-to-school-even-if-they-can.html
York County school districts’ focus shifts to virtual learning amid shutdown uncertainty
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/education/2020/07/27/york-county-focus-shifts-virtual-learning-shutdowns-loom/5473666002/
Carbondale Area administrators consider hybrid return to classes
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/carbondale-area-administrators-consider-hybrid-return-to-classes/article_922e9d94-1f88-56d1-a8f6-4c3012e59730.html
Teachers enter new year of uncertainty
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/education/teachers-enter-new-year-of-uncertainty/article_817b5908-dac7-57b5-b4d0-31c86c2d54e4.html
PIAA board to hear committees’ recommendations for return to sports
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/sports/high-school/piaa-board-to-hear-committees-recommendations-for-return-to-sports/article_c276bcee-1d7b-5d19-a142-b1f19a8ed70f.html
Amid COVID-19 pandemic, an education system re-boot is needed | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/07/amid-covid-19-pandemic-an-education-system-re-boot-is-needed-opinion.html
Millersville University to offer mostly online classes for the fall in light of rising number of COVID-19 cases nationally
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/millersville-university-to-offer-mostly-online-classes-for-the-fall-in-light-of-rising-number-of-covid-19-cases-nationally.html
Elections/Politics
Another Pennsylvania poll shows Joe Biden leading Trump
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-2020-poll-joe-biden-leads-donald-trump-20200728.html
Health Care
Allegheny General Hospital’s new $78 million center caps a rush to expand W. Pa. cancer treatment options
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/07/27/allegheny-health-network-highmark-health-david-holmberg-cancer-treatment-78-million-expansion/stories/202007270061
Barring visitors from hospitals can worsen patient care during COVID | Expert Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/hospital-visits-coronavirus-philadelphia-pennsylvania-regulations-20200727.html
Mothers, midwives, doulas and others share their stories in fight to keep Reading Birth and Women’s Center open following Tower Health announcement
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/mothers-midwives-doulas-and-others-share-their-stories-in-fight-to-keep-reading-birth-and/article_acb11906-c1d9-11ea-bc49-6fd411bcb4fd.html
Local News
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area does poorly in ranking of ‘most educated cities’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/793964/wilkes-barre-scranton-area-does-poorly-in-ranking-of-most-educated-cities
Crispell’s conflict: Ex-Luzerne County election director must pay ethics violation fine
https://www.timesleader.com/news/793889/crispells-conflict-ex-luzerne-county-election-director-must-pay-ethics-violation-fine
State ethics commission fines former county election director Crispell
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/state-ethics-commission-fines-former-county-election-director-crispell/article_2617d188-69f7-536e-a831-418f0972a1b1.html
Demolition will make way for new LCTA headquarters
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/demolition-will-make-way-for-new-lcta-headquarters/article_bfba368b-4936-5c44-b905-8ffb42c8daa9.html
Reading & Northern’s Lehigh Gorge train trips returning to Jim Thorpe
https://www.timesleader.com/news/793961/reading-s-lehigh-gorge-train-trips-returning-to-jim-thorpe
Mosquito season in Berks about to get more uncomfortable
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/mosquito-season-in-berks-about-to-get-more-uncomfortable/article_15ba6496-cdda-11ea-b0e3-f3067990e979.html
Nanticoke route for Rockin’ the County announced
https://www.timesleader.com/news/793863/nanticoke-route-for-rockin-the-county-announced
Westmoreland controller does about-face on mask wearing
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-controller-does-about-face-on-mask-wearing/
Westmoreland County allows furloughed workers to pay into pension accounts
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-allows-furloughed-workers-to-pay-into-pension-accounts/
Questions raised about West Chester’s finances, plans
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/questions-raised-about-west-chesters-finances-plans/article_dd34a4b2-d02f-11ea-b295-47e4f6a99351.html
Philly
Philly is stepping up enforcement of coronavirus rules for outdoor dining
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/philadelphia-outdoor-dining-coronavirus-rules-enforcement-20200727.html
Philadelphia detective, under investigation for racial incident, busted for DUI and threatening an officer
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-police-dui-komorowski-racial-slur-20200727.html
SEPTA is launching a COVID-19 memorial fund following seven employee deaths
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-disaster-relief-memorial-fund-coronavirus-covid-20200727.html
State NAACP condemns Philly chapter president’s anti-Semitic meme, won’t act without national guidance
https://papost.org/2020/07/28/state-naacp-condemns-philly-chapter-presidents-anti-semitic-meme-wont-act-without-national-guidance/
How Philly’s troubled system leaves some tenants blindsided and locked out of their homes.
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/a/philadelphia-eviction-system-philly-renters-tenants-blindsided-20200728.html
SEPTA and other transit systems are in dire need of more coronavirus relief | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/septa-funding-coronavirus-relief-packages-transportation-20200727.html
Pitt
New Downtown apartment building features music rehearsal rooms, duckpin bowling and maker’s space
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/07/28/Terminal-21-Downtown-First-Avenue-Art-Institute-of-Pittsburgh-Dormitory-The-Davis-Companies/stories/202007280076
North Side shelter unveils memorial to anti-violence minister who was fatally shot on site
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/07/27/rev-sheldon-stoudemire-memorial-shooting-death-north-side-common-ministries/stories/202007270099
Emsworth’s primary lock will close for repairs starting in late August
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/07/27/Emsworth-Locks-Dams-US-Army-Corps-Engineers-Pittsburgh-District-Ohio-River-Upper-Ohio-River-Valley/stories/202007270096
More frequency, better connectivity cited by Allegheny County residents as goals for NEXTransit campaign
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/07/27/More-frequency-better-connectivity-cited-by-Allegheny-County-residents-as-goals-for-NEXTransit-campaign/stories/202007270087
Pittsburgh officials: Floating cinema promoter hasn’t sought required permits
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-officials-floating-cinema-promoter-hasnt-sought-required-permits/
AHN Cancer Institute at Allegheny General unveiled in Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/ahn-cancer-institute-at-allegheny-general-unveiled-in-pittsburgh/
Allegheny County to distribute rabies bait by land, air to vaccinate raccoons
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/county-to-distribute-rabies-bait-by-land-air-to-vaccinate-raccoons/
State News
PLCB appoints new executive director
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/plcb-appoints-new-executive-director/article_f790b11a-c73e-5602-919d-a038285492cd.html
Man’s body found at Delaware Water Gap, fourth drowning in recreation area this summer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/mans-body-found-at-delaware-water-gap-fourth-drowning-in-recreation-area-this-summer.html
Free speech and firearms raise tensions in suburban Pennsylvania
https://papost.org/2020/07/27/free-speech-and-firearms-raise-tensions-in-suburban-pennsylvania/
PA Game Commission shoots down proposal to set minimum caliber for deer, bear
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/pa-game-commission-shoots-down-proposal-to-set-minimum-caliber-for-deer-bear/article_51ce07ae-d063-11ea-8010-b7190f2391f0.html
Washington
U.S. Senate approves Pittsburgh attorney for federal bench
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/07/27/William-Scott-Hardy-Senate-Bob-Casey-Pat-Toomey-Western-District-Court-judge-confirmation/stories/202007230088