Legislature
‘The time to end prohibition against cannabis has come’; advocates call for action in Pa. on marijuana legalization
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/the-time-to-end-prohibition-against-cannabis-has-come-advocates-call-for-action-in-pa-on-marijuana-legalization.html
The Legislature’s silence on a minimum wage hike when so many are in need speaks volumes | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/the-legislatures-silence-on-a-minimum-wage-hike-when-so-many-are-in-need-speaks-volumes-opinion/
State moves forward with climate initiative despite opposition
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/09/16/climate-pact-moves-forward/5818488002/
Scarnati’s petty lawsuit disgraceful
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/scarnatis-petty-lawsuit-disgraceful/article_a8d566b3-d177-5423-9d9b-b2cc6cd6ac88.html
Pennsylvanians deserve a more responsive legislature | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-state-senate-house-legislature-election-2020-20200916.html
Pa.’s fight over crowds at high school sports isn’t as simple as it seems | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/pas-fight-over-crowds-at-high-school-sports-isnt-as-simple-as-it-seems-john-baer.html
Following Senate COVID cases, Pa. Capitol tours suspended, top leader says
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/following-senate-covid-cases-capitol-tours-suspended-top-leader-says/
Sen. Bob Mensch: Wolf continues to bypass Pennsylvania Legislature
https://www.phoenixvillenews.com/sen-bob-mensch-wolf-continues-to-bypass-pennsylvania-legislature/article_51660a37-6517-5f5b-a562-dffe7c5bb651.html
Stefano working to lift restaurant restrictions
https://www.dailyamerican.com/news/local/somerset/stefano-working-to-lift-restaurant-restrictions/article_336b78c8-f787-11ea-b9b9-432c1bd5a654.html
Bill would speed teacher certification
https://www.bedfordgazette.com/news/bill-would-speed-teacher-certification/article_10f82a0f-6394-5ad2-8d48-665906774778.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Gov. Wolf seeks stay on crowd size limits, arguing virus deaths will climb
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/09/17/Pennsylvania-Governor-Wolf-restrictions-events-judge-ruling-gatherings-coronavirus-appeal/stories/202009160154
Gov. Wolf argues ‘life and death’ while seeking stay in pandemic restrictions ruling
https://triblive.com/local/regional/gov-wolf-argues-life-and-death-while-seeking-stay-in-covid-restrictions-ruling/
Shapiro asks judge to retain limits on crowd size
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802293/shapiro-asks-judge-to-retain-limits-on-crowd-size
Chester County will notify thousands of ‘questionable’ COVID results, in wake of Inquirer story
https://www.inquirer.com/news/chester-antibody-test-false-positives-coronavirus-20200916.html
Kutztown Borough Council delays enforcing part of controversial COVID-19 ordinance
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/kutztown-borough-council-delays-enforcing-part-of-controversial-covid-19-ordinance/article_f31473d8-f817-11ea-b9ef-b3b8cae90807.html
Kutztown puts hold on coronavirus gathering rule after federal judge’s ruling against Pennsylvania restrictions
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-kutztown-covid-restrictions-delayed-20200916-titmepjqefeitohxlkofkmy7gm-story.html
Officials announce coronavirus testing opportunities for Montgomery County ‘s Latino community
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/officials-announce-coronavirus-testing-opportunities-for-montgomery-county-s-latino-community/article_df4480dd-e2db-59c8-b076-42a9579963e9.html
Mt. Lebanon School District employee tests positive for COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/09/16/Mt-Lebanon-School-District-Howe-elementary-teacher-covid-19-positive/stories/202009160162
Dallas reports third COVID-19 case
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/education/dallas-reports-third-covid-19-case/article_468a3d63-e825-58ef-9cd2-39b0241be156.html
Conrad Weiser East Elementary School employee tests positive for coronavirus
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/conrad-weiser-east-elementary-school-employee-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/article_f4098a3a-f849-11ea-a57b-8f229d372b9d.html
COVID-19 cases prompt weeklong closure at Pen Argyl High School
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-pen-argyl-covid-closure-20200916-64c5q4sujrh55lyuod3p6n4iey-story.html
Back to class: Which school districts in York County have reported COVID-19 cases?
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/09/02/school-districts-york-adams-counties-reported-covid-19-cases-reopening/5690495002/
3 Port Authority workers test positive for COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/09/16/Port-Authority-of-Allegheny-County-garage-West-Mifflin-workers-positive-COVID-19/stories/202009160176
State reports 776 new COVID-19 cases, as Westmoreland County exceeds the 2,000 mark
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/16/COVID-19-coronavirus-allegheny-county-western-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-57/stories/202009160118
Westmoreland County surpasses 2,000 coronavirus cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-surpasses-2000-coronavirus-cases/
59 more coronavirus cases for Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/59-more-coronavirus-cases-for-berks-county/article_121ebc6c-f80d-11ea-bebf-a353a2a4b95f.html
State COVID-19 deaths exceed local new case count
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/state-covid-19-deaths-exceed-local-new-case-count/article_7cca1f82-20a4-5859-a629-e23b5b9ae526.html
Two Philly doctors break down the science behind COVID-19 safety precautions
https://www.inquirer.com/health/expert-opinions/covid-19-safety-scientific-evidence-20200916.html
Testimonials from six months of pandemic lockdown
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/inq/coronavirus-six-months-pandemic-stories-oral-histories-20200917.html
Some people still think putting on a mask is too much to do to save lives
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/09/some-people-still-think-putting-on-a-mask-is-too-much-to-do-to-save-lives-social-views.html
Trump contradicts top government health officials on vaccines and masks
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-free-vaccines-united-states-plan-20200916.html
Administration
‘He has a fresh start’: Gov. Wolf signs pardon for McKeesport man denied council seat
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2020/09/16/Governor-Wolf-signs-pardon-McKeesport-barber-corry-sanders-council-seat/stories/202009160106
A blow against tyranny
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/09/17/A-blow-against-tyranny/stories/202009160065
Business
National Cart Co. expands with opening of Hanover Township facility
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802297/national-cart-co-expands-with-opening-of-hanover-township-facility
National Cart opens third location in Hanover Twp.
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/business/national-cart-opens-third-location-in-hanover-twp/article_22b0d308-8803-5617-a7df-2782e07336d8.html
Mack Trucks completes $84 million investment in Lower Macungie as plant manager wraps up tenure
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-mack-trucks-lehigh-valley-tour-rickard-lundberg-20200917-afp6o7vdkbgvlamkdycqimm5x4-story.html
Crime/Punishment
Head of Pittsburgh area gambling ring, son, plead guilty to running numbers
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/head-of-pittsburgh-area-gambling-ring-son-plead-guilty-to-running-numbers/
All LCP inmates in quarantined prison cellblock test negative for COVID-19
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/all-lcp-inmates-in-quarantined-prison-cellblock-test-negative-for-covid-19/article_5bae15c1-4a89-5049-a8ac-d705db68da4e.html
Education
As pandemic lingers, teachers retiring in record numbers
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/as-pandemic-lingers-teachers-retiring-in-record-numbers/article_91d17e2a-f850-11ea-9968-d7ef71229f82.html
Parents have been a force in Pennsylvania’s high school sports debates, but do Mom and Dad know best?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/parents-have-been-a-force-in-pennsylvanias-high-school-sports-debates-but-do-mom-and-dad-know-best.html
PIAA takes no action on high school sports crowd limits, awaits new state guidance on fans
https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/2020/09/piaa-takes-no-action-on-high-school-sports-crowd-limits-awaits-new-state-guidance-on-fans.html
Hearing again postponed for ‘leftist lie’ principal
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/education/2020/09/16/hearing-again-postponed-leftist-lie-principal/5818205002/
Friends’ Central teacher abused student, lawsuit says
https://www.inquirer.com/health/friends-central-teacher-abuse-assault-20200916.html
Cal U. issues faculty layoff notice, announces integration with Edinboro
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/cal-u-issues-faculty-layoff-notice-announces-integration-with-edinboro/article_d5be2f36-f781-11ea-9ad3-2fd81b91e5bb.html
NCAA announces start date for Division I hoops
https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports/ncaa-start-date-basketball-november-villanova-temple-20200916.html
Which local institutions of higher ed did well in latest ranking? It depends
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802289/which-local-institutions-of-higher-ed-did-well-in-latest-ranking-it-depends
Attorney: Duquesne’s ‘knee-jerk’ move to fire professor for using racial slur threatens academic freedom
https://triblive.com/news/education-classroom/attorney-duquesnes-knee-jerk-move-to-fire-professor-for-using-racial-slur-threatens-academic-freedom/
Should college students get tuition refunds during COVID as virtual learning continues? | Pro/Con
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/tuition-refunds-coronavirus-colleges-universities-penn-drexel-20200916.html
Elections/Politics
Biden due here for CNN town hall tonight
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/biden-due-here-for-cnn-town-hall-tonight/article_be4f0ca4-2f80-5e42-96ef-a920820c5768.html
Luzerne County Democrats film welcome video ahead of Biden’s local appearance
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/luzerne-county-democrats-film-welcome-video-ahead-of-bidens-local-appearance/article_2e0560ab-cad8-5ffb-90a8-d9a11c9964e5.html
Could the return of Big Ten football help President Trump in Pa.? Maybe
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/could-the-return-of-big-ten-football-help-president-trump-in-pa-maybe.html
Donald Trump Jr. goes on the attack during Dauphin County stop
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/donald-trump-jr-takes-attack-dog-role-during-dauphin-county-stop.html
We’re Pa. veterans: U.S. Rep. Scott Perry puts loyalty to Trump ahead of service members, vets
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/were-pa-veterans-u-s-rep-scott-perry-puts-loyalty-to-trump-ahead-of-service-members-vets/
Up to 10,000 poll workers still needed in Pennsylvania for Election Day
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/09/16/pa-needs-thousands-poll-workers-reach-usual-staff-levels/5821041002/
Gaming
Workers at Rivers Casino Philadelphia complain of coronavirus secrecy and lax safety
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/rivers-casino-reopening-coronavirus-cases-philadelphia-20200916.html
Gambling revenues get online boost
https://www.delcotimes.com/business/gambling-revenues-get-online-boost/article_17c550e6-f85c-11ea-bea6-f3c1d169d8d4.html
Local News
PA Commonwealth Court questions ruling limiting Scranton’s taxing power
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/pa-commonwealth-court-questions-ruling-limiting-scrantons-taxing-power/article_d18ef0cf-3c1a-5e81-ac28-18416b1c82b3.html
Commissioners approve extension of KOZ tax benefits in Archbald, joining other taxing bodies
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/commissioners-approve-extension-of-koz-tax-benefits-in-archbald-joining-other-taxing-bodies/article_907be561-ed31-5d0f-9255-a46747d6a7fe.html
Reading Area Water Authority settles unpaid water bill with Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-area-water-authority-settles-unpaid-water-bill-with-berks-county/article_b022da5c-f861-11ea-9c57-d3a9ec3c56bd.html
11-year-old Bethlehem girl recovering from shooting has jaw wired shut, will require expensive cosmetic surgery, family says
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-bethlehem-girl-shot-fundraising-help-20200916-rs62gn54bneq5moldlsgbcu2ie-story.html
Stormwater fee-funded catch basin project topic of WVSA video
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802291/stormwater-fee-funded-catch-basin-project-topic-of-wvsa-video
Wilkes-Barre Zoning Hearing Board denies cell tower application
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802261/wilkes-barre-zoning-hearing-board-denies-cell-tower-application
Larksville’s fire funding referendum missed deadline, solicitor says
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/larksvilles-fire-funding-referendum-missed-deadline-solicitor-says/article_ffcc17b2-36d2-5939-8e7c-2e3e3fae9f73.html
National News
Fed sees rates near zero through 2023, perhaps longer
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/09/16/Federal-Reserve-sets-rates-near-zero-at-least-through-2023/stories/202009160139
Whistleblower: Feds sought ‘heat ray’ ahead of clearing D.C. protesters
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/09/16/Whistleblower-Feds-sought-heat-ray-ahead-of-clearing-protesters/stories/202009160181
Louis DeJoy’s Postal Service policies delayed 7% of the nation’s first-class mail, a Senate report says
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/louis-dejoy-postal-service-usps-mail-delays-20200916.html
Philly
Poverty in Philadelphia dipped in 2019, while income edged up slightly, before the coronavirus rearranged our lives
https://www.inquirer.com/news/us-census-bureau-american-community-survey-poverty-income-coronavirus-20200917.html
As ATVs and dirt bikes continue ‘menacing’ city residents, Council is again looking into possible solutions
https://www.inquirer.com/news/atv-dirt-bike-philadelphia-resident-complaints-city-council-20200917.html
How COVID-19 is changing the way this Philly pediatrician practices medicine | Expert Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/health/expert-opinions/covid-pediatrics-changing-practices-flu-kids-hospitals-20200917.html
2 men killed in quadruple shooting in Spring Garden
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-homicide-multiple-shooting-spring-garden-20200916.html
‘Nothing but watermelons since 1950.’ A Philly fruit stand celebrates 70 years.
https://www.inquirer.com/food/craig-laban/family-business-watermelon-stand-philadelphia-20200916.html
In Philly, Black clergy warn voters of color will face challenges casting their ballots in November
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/in-philly-black-clergy-warn-voters-of-color-will-face-challenges-casting-their-ballots-in-november/
Proud Boys reportedly planning rally in West Philadelphia this weekend
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/proud-boys-reportedly-planning-rally-in-west-philadelphia-this-weekend/article_78f3cb8c-6402-5190-9ef1-1d16c27fb85b.html
Amazon to lease newly built Northeast Philly warehouse amid North American hiring binge
https://www.inquirer.com/business/amazon-warehouse-northeast-philadelphia-jobs-development-20200916.html
Kamala Harris is coming to Philly as Biden makes a push for Black voters
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/kamala-harris-philadelphia-pennsylvania-campaign-stop-black-voters-20200916.html
I live by the Parkway homeless encampment and see it offering public services, not nuisance | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/homeless-encampments-philadelphia-parkway-residents-evictions-20200916.html
Philadelphia offers COVID-impacted tenants more help with rent — up to $1,500
https://www.witf.org/2020/09/16/philadelphia-offers-covid-impacted-tenants-more-help-with-rent-up-to-1500/
Pitt
Hairstyle bill fails in Allegheny County Council committee; Juneteenth bill is held
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/09/16/Allegheny-County-Council-hair-style-amendment-committee-Juneteenth/stories/202009160170
Pittsburgh council debates proposed restrictions on facial recognition program
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-council-debates-proposed-restrictions-on-facial-recognition-program/
Pittsburgh Public Schools looks to commission school police data analysis
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/09/16/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-district-police-data-analysis-school-board-meeting/stories/202009160160
Pittsburgh Public Schools opens tech support centers for students
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/09/16/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-opens-tech-centers-computer-issues/stories/202009160122
Beltzhoover residents laud URA’s investment in former elementary school
https://triblive.com/local/beltzhoover-residents-laud-uras-investment-in-former-elementary-school/
USW lights up iconic Pittsburgh landmarks with Biden-Harris message without permission
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/usw-lights-up-iconic-pittsburgh-landmarks-with-biden-harris-message/
Allegheny County officials pleased with covid numbers
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-officials-pleased-with-covid-numbers/
Who is Alwyn Cashe and why did Alejandro Villanueva choose to honor him?
https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/who-is-alwyn-cashe-and-why-did-alejandro-villanueva-choose-to-honor-him/
State News
Elaine L. Chao: Trump’s administration is boosting infrastructure in Pa.
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2020/09/17/Elaine-L-Chao-Trump-is-boosting-infrastructure-in-Pa/stories/202009170037
Worker killed in road roller incident near Ridley Park Middle School
https://www.inquirer.com/news/worker-construction-ridley-park-middle-school-contractor-road-roller-police-investigating-20200916.html
Washington
Proposed Vanessa Guillén law would transform military’s sexual misconduct inquiries
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/17/Proposed-Vanessa-Guillen-law-sexual-misconduct-inquiries/stories/202009170107