Legislature
The true fight for police reform is in statehouses across the U.S. This is why | State Sen. Art Haywood
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/the-true-fight-for-police-reform-is-in-statehouses-across-the-u-s-this-is-why-opinion/
Mullery bill in Democratic package to help restaurant, bar workers
Struggling restaurant owners tell Pa. lawmakers: ‘We’re limping along here’
https://triblive.com/local/regional/struggling-restaurant-owners-tell-pa-lawmakers-were-limping-along-here/
Politicians spooked by ghost guns
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/politicians-spooked-by-ghost-guns/article_46fa1965-c17a-57b4-b08b-ad167657adb6.html
Utility shutdowns are the COVID-19 consumer threat no one’s talking about | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/utilities-shutdown-moratorium-coronavirus-pennsylvania-philadelphia-20200730.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 834 more cases reported on Wednesday; Lehigh Valley new-case counts move higher
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-july29-stats-20200729-i5krs7shgzbqji5b44pdbp56bu-story.html
Across Philadelphia region, coronavirus cases are rising fastest in Delaware County
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-delaware-county-new-cases-rising-20200729.html
N.J. officials alarmed as cases increase; Philly’s total infections pass 30,000, and Fauci warns states on the rise to stop the surge
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-nj-philly-pa-parties-spread-indoors-murphy-schools-20200729.html
Allegheny County hits triple digits of new coronavirus cases for 7th straight day
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-hits-triple-digits-of-new-coronavirus-cases-for-7th-straight-day/
Resurgence in COVID-19 reaches NEPA
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/resurgence-in-covid-19-reaches-nepa/article_6d37f3b7-b6bf-5ca2-a9fd-687c1fa960e9.html
No clear answer on cause of county’s recent spike in COVID-19 cases
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/no-clear-answer-on-cause-of-countys-recent-spike-in-covid-19-cases/article_acf79c00-2e4f-5b55-bf6a-f64c162aab95.html
Your weekly midstate coronavirus update: COVID-19 cases surge in Franklin County
https://www.witf.org/2020/07/29/your-weekly-midstate-coronavirus-update-cases-surge-in-franklin-county/
Westmoreland County adds 24 new coronavirus cases, 1 death
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-adds-24-new-coronavirus-cases-1-death/
Westmoreland Manor residents can have in-person visits for first time since March
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-manor-residents-can-have-in-person-visits-for-the-first-time-since-march/
With universal testing completed, Beaver County sees more COVID in nursing homes
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200729/with-universal-testing-completed-beaver-county-sees-more-covid-in-nursing-homes
Majority of Pennsylvanians favor face masks, support Gov. Wolf amid pandemic, new poll says
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/majority-of-pennsylvanians-favor-face-masks-as-support-for-gov-wolf-endures-new-poll-says.html
Poll: Pennsylvania voters split on party lines when it comes to mask wearing
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/poll-pennsylvania-voters-split-on-party-lines-when-it-comes-to-mask-wearing/
Virus tracing app could go live in Pennsylvania next month
https://www.witf.org/2020/07/29/virus-prompts-new-grace-period-for-expiring-pennsylvania-driver-licenses/
Costly COVID-19 mistakes: Testing shortage was a key factor in virus spreading across Pa.
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200730/costly-covid-19-mistakes-testing-shortage-was-key-factor-in-virus-spreading-across-pa
Montgomery County contact tracers see signs of COVID-19 ‘super spreader events’
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-contact-tracers-see-signs-of-covid-19-super-spreader-events/article_b5dadab9-e7c7-5f0e-9635-74bd4ddc0307.html
Montgomery County signs deal for quick coronavirus test results
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200730/montgomery-county-signs-deal-for-quick-coronavirus-test-results
State Health Department says ‘a number of’ positive COVID-19 tests from Centre County not valid
https://www.witf.org/2020/07/29/state-health-department-says-a-number-of-positive-covid-19-tests-from-centre-county-not-valid/
As virus aid talks reach stalemate, Trump shuns cities looking for help
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/07/29/Trump-dismisses-virus-aid-for-cities-lashes-out-at-GOP/stories/202007290114
Reschenthaler self-quarantines after House colleague tests positive for covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/regional/reschenthaler-self-quarantines-after-house-colleague-tests-positive-for-covid-19/
Pelosi orders masks for voting after Texas congressman tests positive
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2020/07/pelosi-orders-masks-for-voting-after-texas-congressman-tests-positive.html
Coronavirus bills stuffed with F-35 money, help for cannabis firms
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/07/coronavirus-bills-stuffed-with-f-35-money-help-for-cannabis-firms.html
Business
First Commonwealth to close bank branches as it deals with pandemic
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2020/07/29/first-commonwealth-q2-earnings-2020/stories/202007290100
Sales tax data: Restaurants, bars battered by COVID-19 rules
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2020/07/29/sales-tax-data-restaurants-bars-battered-covid-19-rules/5521398002/
Crime/Punishment
Juvenile suspect sought in shooting death of 16-year-old in Uniontown
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/07/30/Police-investigating-after-fatal-shooting-in-Fayette-County/stories/202007290151
A Bucks County program is turning local cops into ‘ambassadors’ and connecting drug users with treatment
https://www.inquirer.com/news/bucks-county-drug-treatment-police-assisted-bpair-20200729.html
Education
Pa. to provide $3 million for preschool early intervention pandemic-related supplies
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/state-to-provide-3-million-for-preschool-early-intervention-pandemic-related-supplies/
Enrollment rises for cyber schools and online academies
https://triblive.com/local/regional/enrollment-rises-for-cyber-schools-and-online-academies/
PIAA intends to start fall sports on schedule
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/highschool/2020/07/29/PIAA-intends-to-start-fall-sports-on-schedule/stories/202007290136
PIAA gives fall sports green light, but some proceed with extreme cuation
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/sports/high-school/piaa-gives-fall-sports-green-light-but-some-proceed-with-extreme-cuation/article_947cb8be-0568-5740-8706-a669d2f7def9.html
Collins: PIAA makes easy call; hard decisions remain for state, districts
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/sports/high-school/collins-piaa-makes-easy-call-hard-decisions-remain-for-state-districts/article_0612e843-10ce-550e-bcc2-3afdaf9715b3.html
PIAA approves return-to-play guidelines, hoping to start fall sports season on time
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/07/piaa-approves-return-to-play-guidelines-hoping-to-start-fall-sports-season-on-time.html
Coming weeks to reveal Scranton School District’s fiscal shortfall from pandemic
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/coming-weeks-to-reveal-scranton-school-districts-fiscal-shortfall-from-pandemic/article_ce3e07ff-f82e-5ff6-9b5b-5d7e9083ec1b.html
Greensburg Diocese releases plan to reopen schools with in-person classes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/07/29/Diocese-of-Greensburg-COVID-19-schools-classes-reopening-in-person-education/stories/202007290128
Wilkinsburg School District to open with online classes in August
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/wilkinsburg-school-district-to-open-with-online-classes-in-august/
Penn Hills School District’s reopening plans to focus on hybrid learning
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/penn-hills-school-districts-reopening-plans-to-focus-on-hybrid-learning/
Find out how your school plans to reopen and keep students safe
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-school-safety-plans-20200729-2cyn25ta45ej3gnr5loqaercfi-story.html
Bucks County school board president calls Black Lives Matter ‘anti American’
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/state_and_region/bucks-county-school-board-president-calls-black-lives-matter-anti-american/article_c10f351e-d25e-11ea-b679-3b4fab1cf82e.html
Boyertown School District superintendent leaving for Bucks County post
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/education/boyertown-school-district-superintendent-leaving-for-bucks-county-post/article_165e01de-d256-11ea-a1f1-d7a82f98318b.html
PA cyber charter schools are flourishing | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/07/pa-cyber-charter-schools-are-flourishing-opinion.html
Protect our children from going back to school too soon | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/07/protect-our-children-from-going-back-to-school-too-soon-opinion.html
Clarion University’s fall semester will go online
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/07/29/Clarion-University-COVID-19-fall-online-pandemic-State-System-of-Higher-Education/stories/202007290113
Local higher-ed institutions get shout out in Auditor General online chat
https://www.timesleader.com/news/794264/local-higher-ed-institutions-get-shout-out-in-auditor-general-online-chat
Elections/Politics
Joe Biden camp to Mike Pence before visit: Pa. needs leadership, not a ‘photo-op’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/07/29/mike-pence-greensburg-pa-police-trump-campaign/stories/202007290130
Joe Biden will win the state because he’s the kind of guy Pennsylvanians like | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/07/joe-biden-will-win-the-state-because-hes-the-kind-of-guy-pennsylvanians-like-john-baer.html
New poll shows Trump struggling in Pa., with many planning to vote ‘against’ him
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/07/new-poll-shows-trump-struggling-in-pa-with-many-planning-to-vote-against-him.html
Pennsylvania voters think Trump is bungling the coronavirus pandemic, new poll says
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/donald-trump-joe-biden-pennsylvania-poll-pandemic-coronavirus-20200730.html
Rescinding fair housing rule protects ‘suburban housewives,’ Trump says in campaign stop
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/07/rescinding-fair-housing-rule-protects-suburban-housewives-trump-says-in-campaign-stop.html
In Bucks race, Fitzpatrick and Finello stake out similar, moderate territory on policing
https://www.witf.org/2020/07/30/in-bucks-race-fitzpatrick-and-finello-stake-out-similar-moderate-territory-on-policing/
Bognet challenges Cartwright to 5 debates; Congressman agrees to 1
https://www.timesleader.com/news/794268/bognet-challenges-cartwright-to-5-debates-congressman-agrees-to-1
Poll: More than half of young people lack resources to vote by mail
https://www.witf.org/2020/07/30/poll-more-than-half-of-young-people-lack-resources-to-vote-by-mail/
Lehigh elections board asks county, state prosecutors to investigate Allentown elections judge for ballot tampering
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-lehigh-election-board-hearing-enid-santiago-20200729-5qg6iptfhrct7e47pbor5yox3u-story.html
State mistakenly declares Laughlin Democratic nominee
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200729/state-mistakenly-declares-laughlin-democratic-nominee
Gaming
New VP named to oversee development of 2 state casinos including Westmoreland site
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/new-vp-named-to-oversee-development-of-2-state-casinos-including-westmoreland-site/
Health Care
CHOP taps employees for COVID-19 cost cuts
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/chop-covid-19-employees-reduced-pay-hours-furloughs-20200729.html
Local News
In last-minute decision, Lackawanna County offers virtual bidding option
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/in-last-minute-decision-lackawanna-county-offers-virtual-bidding-option/article_564ce00c-7cc8-598f-9eff-688c8c0cad5d.html
Griffith accused of bullying women; ‘Don’t pull a gender card,’ he replies
https://www.timesleader.com/news/794225/griffith-accused-of-bullying-women-dont-pull-a-gender-card-he-replies
Our Opinion: Work toward meaningful police oversight in Wilkes-Barre
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/editorial/our-opinion-work-toward-meaningful-police-oversight-in-wilkes-barre/article_bbf3a345-a685-58e7-868d-9db5e569d58d.html
Carbon County courts to resume trials with safety measures
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/carbon-county-courts-to-resume-trials-with-safety-measures/article_52ae3c88-a91e-5711-875e-4a1a19d4e427.html
Black Lives Matter, Back the Blue protests face off outside Allentown City Council hearing on police funding
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-city-council-protests-20200730-ex5b7i3f4bb2hnw7a7sxrhpz2m-story.html
South Main Street in Greensburg to close Thursday during Pence visit; Rally for Black Lives to be held, too
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/south-main-street-in-greensburg-to-close-thursday-during-pence-visit/
New Jersey
I was exonerated and proved innocent. It could have been me facing COVID-19 in prison. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-covid-prison-new-jersey-release-20200729.html
Philly
Beset by gun violence, coronavirus, and systemic racism, members of a West Philadelphia church lead a call for change, and they’re hopeful that America is listening.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/a/church-of-christian-compassion-west-philadelphia-cobbs-creek-20200730.html
Mayor Jim Kenney has tapped Tumar Alexander to be Philly’s acting managing director
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philadelphia-managing-director-tumar-alexander-brian-abernathy-20200729.html
How long does it take to finish an investigation into a pathetic Philadelphia detective? Too long. | Helen Ubiñas
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/philadelphia-police-komorowski-homicides-murder-unsolved-dui-20200729.html
Organizers and city officials still talking as Day 50 of the Parkway homeless encampment dawned
https://www.inquirer.com/news/homeless-encampment-benjamin-franklin-parkway-mayor-kenney-20200729.html
Philly promises public school students will have internet access as coronavirus keeps classes online
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-schools-reopening-plan-internet-access-20200729.html
Philly chooses developers for big Navy Yard expansion that includes housing
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/navy-yard-redevelopment-ensemble-mosaic-south-philadelphia-apartments-pidc-mustin-historic-downtown-20200729.html
Philly will hire 120 temporary workers for trash pickup as big delays drag on
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-trash-collection-delays-temporary-workers-20200729.html
Community College of Philly teach-in will focus on transgender violence
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/community-college-of-philly-teach-in-will-focus-on-transgender-violence/
Should police departments get funding from foundations? | Pro/Con
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/police-foundations-department-funding-philadelphia-norristown-20200729.html
Police misconduct in Philadelphia: Unsealed records name the city’s most cited cops
https://www.witf.org/2020/07/30/police-misconduct-in-philadelphia-unsealed-records-name-the-citys-most-cited-cops/
Pitt
PPS board hears from community days before reopening decision
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/07/29/pps-reopening-covid-19-pittsburgh-public-schools-plan-online-classes/stories/202007290141
New airport technology combats fake IDs — and COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/07/30/Pittsburgh-International-Airport-covid-19-tsa-drivers-license-CAT-units/stories/202007300100
‘A new jolt of excitement’: Target project raises hopes for re-energizing Downtown retail
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/07/30/Target-Downtown-Pittsburgh-Kaufmanns-Macys-Core-Realty/stories/202007290053
More transparency from local arts groups
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/07/30/More-transparency-from-local-arts-groups-Pittsburgh-culture-music/stories/202007280028
Allegheny County’s covid-19 investigators find most restaurants complying with guidelines
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-countys-covid-19-investigators-find-most-restaurants-complying-with-guidelines/
Post-Gazette newsroom union to vote whether to strike; objects to ‘unfair’ changes
https://triblive.com/local/regional/post-gazette-newsroom-union-to-vote-whether-to-strike-objects-to-unfair-changes/
I-579 ‘cap’ project remains on schedule despite pandemic; 1st concrete slabs set into place
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/i-579-cap-project-remains-on-schedule-despite-pandemic-1st-concrete-slabs-set-into-place/
Port Authority reports 3 new covid-19 cases
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/port-authority-reports-3-new-covid-19-cases/
State News
High-stakes court case over church abuse draws legal arguments
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/07/29/Pennsylvania-court-case-Renee-Rice-lawsuit-church-abuse-legal-arguments-Diocese-Altoona-Johnstown/stories/202007290085
Gig workers score a victory in Pa. Supreme Court ruling on Uber drivers’ unemployment benefits
https://www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/uber-drivers-unemployment-benefits-pennsylvania-20200729.html
Transportation
Unmarked abandoned mine discovery puts stability of Painters Run Road in Scott into question
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/unmarked-abandoned-mine-discovery-puts-stability-of-painters-run-road-in-scott-into-question/
Public comments could lead to ‘minor changes’ to Springhill Road project in Harrison
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/public-comments-could-lead-to-minor-changes-to-springhill-road-project-in-harrison/
Even as coronavirus kept more people off roads, fatal crashes did not drop. Here’s why
https://www.mcall.com/business/transportation/mc-biz-pa-crash-fatalities-covid-19-20200729-hukric54yzghhbtexzs3v7ppxa-story.html