Legislature
State Sen. Santarsiero opens district office in Tullytown
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190730/state-sen-santarsiero-opens-district-office-in-tullyto
It’s time for Pa. to raise its minimum wage, and lift so many out of poverty | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/its-time-for-pa-to-raise-its-minimum-wage-and-lift-so-many-out-of-poverty-opinion/
Editorial: Schwank has good idea on fireworks issue
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-schwank-has-good-idea-on-fireworks-issue
Pa. should pass 5G legislation to lead in wireless tech | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/5g-legislation-pennsylvania-wireless-infrastructure-20190731.html
Administration
Gov. Tom Wolf orders state overhaul after abuses at Glen Mills Schools
https://www.inquirer.com/news/governor-wolf-pa-glen-mills-schools-executive-order-abuse-20190731.html
Gov. Wolf’s tax proposal could fund trail improvements at French Creek State Park, officials say
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/wolfs-tax-proposal-could-fund-trail-improvements-at-french-creek-state-park-officials-say
Business
Amazon to open fulfillment center in Findlay promising 800 jobs
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2019/07/30/Amazon-fulfillment-center-Findlay-hq2-tech-hub-south-side-pennsylvania/stories/201907300083
Amazon warehouse project to bring 800 jobs to Allegheny County
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/amazon-warehouse-project-to-bring-800-jobs-to-allegheny-county/
Benefits of Clairton Coke Works settlement agreement debated at public hearing
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2019/07/30/Benefits-of-Clairton-Coke-Works-settlement-agreement-debated-at-public-hearing/stories/201907300145
U.S. Steel settlement agreement met with praise, criticism
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/u-s-steel-settlement-agreement-met-with-praise-criticism/
Chester plant slapped with $750K fine for years of air quality violations
https://www.inquirer.com/health/chester-pq-corporation-pollution-dep-fine-20190730.html
Who owns the marijuana company shut down this week by Pennsylvania?
https://www.inquirer.com/business/agrimed-harvest-weed-wars-who-owns-pennsylvania-permit-20190730.html
From UPMC to Wood Mode: Thousands of people were laid off in Pennsylvania in the first half of 2019
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/07/thousands-of-people-were-laid-off-in-pennsylvania-in-the-first-half-of-2019.html
Crime/Punishment
West Mifflin police ID woman caught urinating on produce in Walmart
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/07/30/West-Mifflin-police-seeking-woman-accused-of-urinating-on-food-inside-Walmart/stories/201907300101
Former AG Kathleen Kane to go free Wednesday
https://www.inquirer.com/news/kathleen-kane-released-jail-attorney-general-pennsylvania-grand-jury-leak-20190730.html
Ex-Attorney General Kathleen Kane set for release from jail Wednesday
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/ex-attorney-general-kathleen-kane-set-for-release-from-jail-wednesday/
Ex-AG Kane set for release from jail Wednesday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ex-ag-kane-set-for-release-from-jail-wednesday-1.2514526
Former Chester County school resource officer had ‘inappropriate’ relationship with teen, DA says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/stefanie-dunne-downingtown-west-high-school-teenager-relationship-20190730.html
Clergy sex abuse victims have until midnight tonight to register for program
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/clergy-sex-abuse-victims-have-until-midnight-tonight-to-register-for-program-1.2514636
York, Lancaster lead nation in number of fatal overdose charges, data shows
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/crime/2019/07/30/york-lancaster-lead-nation-number-fatal-overdose-charges-data-shows/1804961001/
Education
Recovery plan details academic improvements, end to ‘social promotion’ in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/recovery-plan-details-academic-improvements-end-to-social-promotion-in-scranton-1.2514477
Transparency itself form of recovery
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/transparency-itself-form-of-recovery-1.2514496
State investigators seek information on Scranton principal
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-investigators-seek-information-on-scranton-principal-1.2514481
School tax bill mailings delayed again; aftermath of cyber attack
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/school-tax-bill-mailings-delayed-again-aftermath-of-cyber-attack-1.2514638
Holy Cross High School to suspend football program
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/sports/holy-cross-high-school-to-suspend-football-program-1.2514582
Dinner for Kids program expanding to W-B school
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/dinner-for-kids-program-expanding-to-w-b-school-1.2514589
How do you teach a kindergartner what to do when a shooter opens fire in school?
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2019/07/31/school-security-how-teach-kindergartners-react-when-shooter-attacks/1840360001/
These states have the largest amount of student loan debt. Where does Pa. rank?
https://expo.pennlive.com/news/g66l-2019/07/a9a9ff95c41415/these-states-have-the-largest-amount-of-student-loan-debt-where-does-pa-rank.html
Elections/Politics
After complaints, Fayette County GOP takes down dartboard pasted with pictures of Democratic ‘Squad’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/07/30/fayette-county-republicans-fair-democrats-squad-aoc-tlaib-omar-pressley-dartboard/stories/201907300105
New voting machines arrive in Beaver County
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190730/new-voting-machines-arrive-in-beaver-county
Health Care
Republicans don’t have a Plan B if the Affordable Care Act is struck down. And Pa. will suffer | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/republicans-dont-have-a-plan-b-if-the-affordable-care-act-is-struck-down-and-pa-will-suffer-opinion/
Local News
State clearance expected soon for stormwater fee-funded projects
https://www.timesleader.com/news/751273/state-clearance-expected-soon-for-stormwater-fee-funded-projects
Spruce Street Park reopens in Wilkes-Barre
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/spruce-street-park-reopens-in-wilkes-barre-1.2514523
Goal for Plymouth lemonade seller reduced through discounted price
https://www.timesleader.com/news/751286/goal-for-plymouth-lemonade-seller-reduced-through-discounted-price
Rafting trip brings police, teens together on Lehigh River
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/rafting-trip-brings-police-teens-together-on-lehigh-river-1.2514545
McAdoo seeks sidewalk grant
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/mcadoo-seekssidewalk-grant-1.2514549
Harrison takes another step in year-long battle to tear down blighted buildings
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/harrison-takes-another-step-in-year-long-battle-to-tear-down-blighted-buildings/
Hyde Park fire department names honorary chief, dedicates new equipment
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/hyde-park-fire-department-names-honorary-chief-dedicates-new-equipment/
Norwin library to host PUC consumer help program
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/norwin-library-to-host-puc-consumer-help-program/
Reading boy whose dad drowned trying to save him near Atlantic City plans to step in and help his mother, as his father always had
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-boy-describes-dads-attempt-to-save-him-before-drowning-off-atlantic-city
DELCORA employees upset about potential sale to Aqua
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/delcora-employees-upset-about-potential-sale-to-aqua/article_a7eefa70-b2dd-11e9-b30d-033a148f016b.html
National News
California’s new election law requiring tax returns to be disclosed is called ‘just plain dumb’ by GOP
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2019/07/californias-new-election-law-requiring-tax-returns-to-be-disclosed-is-called-just-plain-dumb-by-gop.html
Opioid Crisis
Opioid epidemic cost Pennsylvania criminal justice system $526 million, Penn State researchers say
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/opioid-crisis-cost-medical-criminal-justice-child-welfare-20190731.html
Philly
How opioid painkillers became big business in a Philadelphia neighborhood already ravaged by drugs
https://www.inquirer.com/news/opioid-painkiller-pill-sales-dea-data-philadelphia-20190731.html
Why Philly’s traffic lights still aren’t synchronized — and won’t be anytime soon
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-traffic-light-congestion-technology-20190731.html
How slow-to-act Philadelphia came to pass some of the most cutting-edge worker laws in the nation
https://www.inquirer.com/news/fair-workweek-labor-laws-worker-organizing-20190731.html
Philadelphia officials, including Mayor Kenney, visit supervised injection sites in Canada
https://www.inquirer.com/health/supervised-injection-site-philadelphia-tour-canada-jim-kenney-20190730.html
Ex-Eagles star LeSean McCoy ordered to pay $55K to Philly cop over 2016 Old City nightclub brawl
https://www.inquirer.com/news/lesean-mccoy-old-city-brawl-philadelphia-police-officers-payment-20190730.html
FSD Pharma removes doctor who left Jefferson’s marijuana center over sexual harassment
https://www.inquirer.com/business/drugs/fsd-pharma-cannabis-pollack-kaiser-jefferson-temple-20190730.html
What Philadelphian made his own prosthetic thumb out of silver? This guy. | We The People
https://www.inquirer.com/news/michael-manthey-jeweler-silver-thumb-20190731.html
‘We failed’; Philly DA’s Office apologizes to man imprisoned 28 years for a wrongful murder conviction
https://www.inquirer.com/news/chester-hollman-exonerated-philadelphia-krasner-wrongly-imprisoned-testilying-20190730.html
At Philly’s Parking Authority, ‘family values’ need to get the boot | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-parking-authority-ashdale-finerty-henon-audit-20190731.html
On top of everything, the PPA is a family business now — and Daddy’s got to go | Mike Newall
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/philadelphia-parking-authority-scandal-hiring-joseph-ashdale-20190730.html
Gentrification displaced my family from Point Breeze | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/gentrification-philadelphia-federal-reserve-bank-study-20190730.html
Pitt
Allegheny County launches landslide portal with maps and other guidance for municipalities
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/07/30/allegheny-county-landslides-portal-environment-rain-erosion/stories/201907300118
Three Rivers Regatta canceled; board and city officials blame event promoter
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/07/30/eqt-three-rivers-regatta-problems-wayne-fontana-lionheart-event-group-pittsburgh/stories/201907300080
Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Regatta canceled amid money, insurance concerns
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/three-rivers-regatta-canceled/
‘We stood up for ourselves’: A deep dive into Tuesday’s Pirates-Reds brawl
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2019/07/30/pittsburgh-pirates-cincinattie-reds-brawl-amir-garrett-dugout-fight-trevor-williams-baseball/stories/201907300149
Citing heavy rains, city lags on providing free lawn mowing promised to elderly, vets and disabled
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/07/30/City-Pittsburgh-extreme-rainfall-free-lawn-mowing-senior-citizens-veterans-disabled/stories/201907290097
Apostle of the streets: Rev. Sheldon Stoudemire yearned to save others
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/07/31/Sheldon-Stoudemire-street-preacher-yearned-to-save-others/stories/201907310143
New Allegheny County GOP chair’s past tweets show support for voter fraud conspiracy theories
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/new-allegheny-county-gop-chairs-past-tweets-show-support-for-voter-fraud-conspiracy-theories/Content?oid=15527983
State News
Bottled water tainted with PFAS? New England testing raises alarm
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pfas-bottled-water-new-england-pennsylvania-regulation-20190730.html
The retiree hosts who help keep Pennsylvania’s state parks running
https://www.inquirer.com/news/camping-hosts-pennsylvania-outdoors-hiking-campground-scenic-20190730.html
Attorney general drops charge against suspended Aliquippa assistant police chief
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/07/30/Attorney-general-drops-charge-against-suspended-Aliquippa-assistant-police-chief-Joseph-Perciavalle/stories/201907300100
Bucks County trash hauler tripled prices with little notice, new report on consumer complaints says
https://www.inquirer.com/business/republic-services-bucks-county-consumer-federation-america-top-complaints-20190730.html
Pence is heading to Pennsylvania again to tout Trump’s trade pact
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/pence-pennsylvania-trump-trade-pact-20190730.html
Guns and suicide risks the focus of roundtable discussion
https://www.timesleader.com/news/751278/guns-and-suicide-risks-the-focus-of-roundtable-discussion
AG Shapiro lobbies for gun safety, mental health help
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ag-shapiro-lobbies-for-gun-safety-mental-health-help-1.2514516
Berks taxpayers may soon have to pay for constables’ firearms training and certification
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/state-may-dump-constable-costs-on-county-taxpayers
Amish upset by Pa. township plan to require buggy registration, horse diapers and rubber horseshoes
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/amish-upset-by-pa-township-plan-to-require-buggy-registration-horse-poop-collectors-and-rubber-horseshoes.html
Beaver County lacks overnight shelter for homeless men
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190730/beaver-county-lacks-overnight-shelter-for-homeless-men
Transportation
Chestnut Street bridge over the Schuylkill to close for a year
https://www.inquirer.com/news/chestnut-street-bridge-closure-philadelphia-20190730.html
Renew smartbridge program
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/renew-smartbridge-program-1.2514498
Speed cameras coming to work zones on Interstate 78 in Berks County
https://www.mcall.com/business/transportation/road-warrior/mc-biz-berks-county-i-78-speed-cameras-20190730-wtvk2kawnjckbnsa2fecyh3syu-story.html
Washington
Key takeaways from the debate: Should Democrats go big or get real?
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/07/31/Key-takeaways-democratic-debate-presidential-election-2020/stories/201907310198
Democrats debate how to win: Liberalism of Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, or pragmatism?
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/democratic-debates-detroit-presidential-election-elizabeth-warren-bernie-sanders-moderates-progressives-20190731.html
Watching debate, local Democrats like what they see
https://www.timesleader.com/news/751275/watching-debate-local-democrats-like-what-they-see
A top Pentagon nominee denies sexual assault allegations
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/07/30/sexual-assault-allegations-Trump-nominee-Pentagon-general-denies-misconduct/stories/201907300150
Lawmakers reach deal for $3 billion to repair ailing bridges
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/07/30/Congress-structurally-deficient-bridges-Pennsylvania-Ohio-Sherrod-Brown/stories/201907300070
Rep. Scott Perry takes middle ground on question about Trump’s comments: ‘I lament the discourse I hear from both sides’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/07/republican-scott-perry-gets-mixed-reviews-on-his-first-town-hall-in-more-than-two-years.html
Unable to get into Rep. Scott Perry’s town hall, group protests outside it
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2019/07/unable-to-get-into-rep-scott-perrys-town-hall-group-protests-outside-it.html