COVID-19
Berks County registers 63 new coronavirus positives, 8 deaths
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-registers-63-new-coronavirus-positives-8-deaths/article_0e3b95ee-96c3-11ea-aff7-7713c51fba29.html
Medication used to treat COVID-19 patients is being distributed to more Pa. hospitals
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/medication-used-to-treat-covid-19-patients-is-being-distributed-to-more-pa-hospitals.html
Free coronavirus testing available for any adult – no symptoms required
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/free-coronavirus-testing-available-for-any-adult—no-symptoms-required/article_6705065e-961b-11ea-8bd2-676d50f5c494.html
Schuylkill County courthouse confirms 2nd virus case
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-county-courthouse-confirms-2nd-virus-case-1.2628669
Lancaster County coroner reports 11 more COVID-19 nursing home deaths since Monday
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-county-coroner-reports-11-more-covid-19-nursing-home-deaths-since-monday/article_5acab430-96c8-11ea-858c-db5c4c31ee1a.html
Coronavirus pandemic causes shift in environmental, sustainability efforts
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/environmental-tradeoffs-are-a-part-of-coronavirus/
COVID-19 update: Statewide deaths increase by 124, Western Pa. reports 4 more
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/15/COVID-19-western-pennsylvania-deaths-cases-data/stories/202005150116
Geisinger: Many COVID-19 patients recovering
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/geisinger-many-covid-19-patients-recovering-1.2628617
Lehigh Valley’s only children’s hospital treats 3 with rare syndrome linked to COVID-19
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/lehigh-valleys-only-childrens-hospital-treats-3-with-rare-syndrome-linked-to-covid-19.html
Reopening
Gov. Wolf to ease COVID-19 rules in a dozen new counties
https://observer-reporter.com/news/ongoing_coverage/gov-wolf-to-ease-covid-19-rules-in-a-dozen-new-counties/article_8c30cfdc-96e1-11ea-b4eb-3b861c521f9e.html
Some counties move to “yellow” on their own
https://www.witf.org/2020/05/16/some-counties-move-to-yellow-on-their-own/
Wolf acknowledges red counties’ virus frustrations
https://www.timesleader.com/news/783857/wolf-acknowledges-red-counties-virus-frustrations
Shoppers head to stores as county moves to yellow phase
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/shoppers-head-to-stores-as-county-moves-to-yellow-phase/article_e36e4350-96a1-11ea-8076-ab418023f121.html
Carbon County moving to yellow phase
https://www.standardspeaker.com/coronavirus/carbon-county-moving-to-yellow-phase-1.2628680
Coronavirus in Pa: Wolf moves York County into yellow phase of reopening plan
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/05/15/coronavirus-pa-wolf-announces-next-counties-reopen-yellow-phase-friday/5197269002/
Harrisburg protest draws nearly a thousand asking Wolf to reopen Pennsylvania’s economy
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/05/15/harrisburg-protest-reopen-pa-wolf-rally-draws-crowds-cars-vendors/5191316002/
State moves Beaver County from red to yellow reopening phase
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/west/2020/05/15/State-moves-Beaver-County-from-red-to-yellow-reopening-phase/stories/202005150143
Legislature
Gov. Wolf plans to veto a bill to reopen real estate throughout Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/real-estate-coronavirus-veto-tom-wolf-20200515.html
Houlahan votes to support small businesses, expand testing
https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/coronavirus/houlahan-votes-to-support-small-businesses-expand-testing/article_ab0f0f93-be82-5934-86ad-310271bd68f0.html
Capitol Roundup: Legislators take issue with Wolf’s economic reopening plan
https://www.timesleader.com/news/783884/capitol-roundup-legislators-take-issue-with-wolfs-economic-reopening-plan
State
Pa. Supreme Court rejects suit to delay mail-in ballot deadline
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/pa-supreme-court-rejects-suit-to-delay-mail-in-ballot-deadline.html
Auditor General Eugene DePasquale reviewing coronavirus business shutdown waiver process for fairness
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/auditor-general-eugene-depasquale-reviewing-coronavirus-business-shutdown-waiver-process-for-fairness/article_a0a5b617-3f41-509e-9049-638d369e65b9.html
Despite high death roll, inspections reveal no missteps at Southeast Veterans Center
https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/despite-high-death-roll-inspections-reveal-no-missteps-at-southeast-veterans-center/article_a894a32a-9096-11ea-b786-a7878ba4dcaf.html
Business
J.C. Penney files for bankruptcy protection, becoming latest retail casualty of pandemic
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-jc-penney-bankruptcy-20200515-wpqp46b4pvh47eruoxmoh35kza-story.html
Cellphone data reveals foot-traffic collapse on Pennsylvania economy in coronavirus pandemic
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/cellphone-data-reveals-foot-traffic-collapse-on-pennsylvania-economy-in-coronavirus-pandemic/article_94d96550-96bd-11ea-8627-3fcf18604646.html
Could coronavirus surcharges be coming? It’s likely and here’s why: report
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/could-coronavirus-surcharges-be-coming-its-likely-and-heres-why-report.html
Some convenience stores, others keep their ‘skill games’ plugged in despite orders to shut them down
https://www.pennlive.com/business/2020/05/taking-a-gamble-many-pa-convenience-store-operators-other-businesses-are-keeping-their-skill-games-plugged-in-despite-pandemic-orders-to-shut-em-down.html
Round the Clock Diner earns warnings from state
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/05/14/round-clock-diner-earns-warnings-state/5196170002/
Utz Quality Foods might be acquired for $1 billion by Collier Creek Holdings
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/05/15/utz-quality-snack-foods-hanover-pa-might-aquired-collier-creek-holdings/5198847002/
Some businesses open; others wish they could: Here’s what our reporters found Friday in Lancaster County
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/some-businesses-open-others-wish-they-could-heres-what-our-reporters-found-friday-in-lancaster/article_7eea8bfe-96ed-11ea-94e0-ef3dbae9a226.html
People didn’t wait for coronavirus shutdowns to stop spending. And reopening the economy doesn’t reopen their wallets.
https://www.inquirer.com/consumer/coronavirus-pa-economy-reopening-consumer-spending-20200515.html
Pennsylvania racetracks idling, wondering whether COVID-19 restrictions will empty tanks
https://www.inquirer.com/news/racing-sprintcar-wolf-coronavirus-nascar-track-20200516.html
Chester County businesses preparing to reopen
https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/coronavirus/chester-county-businesses-preparing-to-reopen/article_6f615b28-490b-542f-a09e-2abe6c699510.html
Education
I-LEAD Charter School in Reading preparing to close by end of June
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/i-lead-charter-school-in-reading-preparing-to-close-by-end-of-june/article_d00351c2-963b-11ea-8491-9f6d2e8f5952.html
Seniors, ‘you’ve lost a lot.’ Coronavirus pandemic steals graduations, proms and memories
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-lehigh-valley-high-schools-senior-year-20200513-du5uqoqpkve47m7cuwsfywxntu-story.html
With $8 million budget hole, Allentown School District mulls tax hike, staffing needs
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-allentown-school-board-20200515-ia2bjs3ry5emdigjveu6ma3fxi-story.html
Students still on campus: Dozens, in some cases hundreds, couldn’t go home
https://www.inquirer.com/education/penn-state-students-international-residence-hall-coronavirus-travel-20200518.html
COVID-19 layoffs are coming for N.J. teachers. How bad will it get?
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/covid-19-layoffs-are-coming-for-nj-teachers-how-bad-will-it-get.html
Crime/Punishment
Pa. judge accused of mishandling criminal cases
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/pa-judge-accused-of-mishandling-criminal-cases.html
Coronavirus Masks A Boon For Crooks Who Hide Their Faces
https://hosted.ap.org/standardspeaker/article/f97b4914b4159dec0c98359fac123d52/coronavirus-masks-boon-crooks-who-hide-their-faces
Philly
10 weeks after the coronavirus pandemic reached Pa., more counties come out of total lockdown, while Philly region waits and watches case counts
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-nj-reopening-counties-yellow-20200515.html
What do independent restaurants need to survive? A Philly chef weighs in
https://www.inquirer.com/food/independent-restaurant-coalition-irc-120-billion-fund-coronavirus-effects-tyler-akin-20200516.html
Philly pet groomers want to know why they’re closed amid the coronavirus shutdown: ‘I don’t see my industry as a threat’
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-pet-groomers-essential-business-pennsylvania-philadelphia-new-jersey-20200516.html
‘We can only do so much’? Here’s what experts say Pa., Philly can do to protect workers during the coronavirus.
https://www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/coronavirus-worker-safety-protection-laws-osha-cities-states-20200516.html
Pittsburgh
Penguins’ withdrawal from Lower Hill development surprises leaders
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/penguins-withdrawal-from-lower-hill-development-surprises-leaders/
Union rep says Post-Gazette seeking buyouts in bid to shrink newsroom by 20%, slash 24 positions
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/union-rep-says-post-gazette-seeking-buyouts-in-bid-to-shrink-newsroom-by-20-slash-24-positions/
Visitors to Pittsburgh International Airport required to wear masks
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/visitors-to-pittsburgh-international-airport-required-to-wear-masks/
Allegheny County doesn’t know how many duplicate ballots it mailed out
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/vote2020/2020/05/15/Allegheny-elections-manager-doesn-t-know-how-many-duplicate-ballots-were-mailed-out/stories/202005150137
No 4th of July fireworks, pools this summer due to pandemic
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/05/15/No-4th-of-July-fireworks-city-swimming-pools-this-summer-due-to-pandemic/stories/202005150115
Local
Human Services union objects as Northampton County calls employees back into workplaces Monday
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-northampton-county-return-to-work-seiu-20200515-75qyzte2pnbp3pfkqmavxmvfiu-story.html
Delco sues to block ‘murky’ DELCORA trust deal with Aqua Pa.
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/delco-sues-to-block-murky-delcora-trust-deal-with-aqua-pa/article_ca20e7d2-9632-11ea-bc93-073f02b7b897.html
Delaware County to start awarding grants to small businesses in 10 days
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/delaware-county-to-start-awarding-grants-to-small-businesses-in-10-days/article_eac33c46-9629-11ea-8b20-376e2ea8d4b6.html
McAdoo council cuts borough’s police hours by unanimous vote
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/mcadoo-council-cuts-borough-s-police-hours-by-unanimous-vote-1.2628631
North Huntingdon police won’t cite businesses for violating governor’s orders
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/north-huntingdon-police-wont-cite-businesses-for-violating-governors-orders/
PennDOT set to start signal upgrades, light-timing changes in downtown Greensburg
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/penndot-set-to-start-signal-upgrades-light-timing-changes-in-downtown-greensburg/
Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge posted for 15 tons
https://www.timesleader.com/news/783849/nanticoke-west-nanticoke-bridge-posted-for-15-tons
Easton restaurants launch #CurbsideFirst to thwart delivery companies taking too much off top
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/easton-restaurants-launch-curbsidefirst-to-thwart-delivery-companies-taking-too-much-off-top.html
Federal
Democrats push $3T coronavirus relief bill through House, but it figures to go ‘nowhere fast’ in the Senate
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/democrats-push-3t-coronavirus-relief-bill-through-house-but-it-figures-to-go-nowhere-fast-in-the-senate.html
