Legislature

Gov. Wolf vetoes bill on high school sports fans; lawmakers will attempt to override
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/highschool/2020/09/21/tom-wolf-veto-high-school-sports-fans-pennsylvania-bill/stories/202009210089

Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes high school sports attendance bill, setting up possible override vote in General Assembly
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/09/pa-gov-tom-wolf-vetoes-high-school-sports-attendance-bill-setting-up-possible-override-vote-in-general-assembly.html

Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes spectator bill; state House and Senate expected to override
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/high-school/gov-tom-wolf-vetoes-spectator-bill-state-house-and-senate-expected-to-override/article_3cb94e62-fc48-11ea-b3dd-f7452dc81df9.html

Wolf vetoes school sports spectator bill, setting up override bid
https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/wolf-vetoes-school-sports-spectator-bill-setting-up-override-bid/article_4f3f8253-a18b-5e40-8bcf-9f39290de092.html

Gov. Wolf vetoes House Bill 2787, leaving high school sports spectators in limbo
https://tribhssn.triblive.com/gov-wolf-legislation-to-allow-more-sports-spectators-will-be-vetoed-today/

Gov. Wolf vetoes bill on crowd sizes at school sporting events; N.J. surpasses 200,000 virus cases
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-school-sports-wolf-bill-veto-restaurants-indoor-dining-20200921.html

Senate panel passes bill that would improve nursing home access
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/senate-panel-passes-bill-that-would-improve-nursing-home-access/article_e46ec3ac-fc2b-11ea-9f82-2f4a3823d7bf.html

Pgh. Rep. Frankel wants Allegheny County to make it easier for businesses to build gender-neutral restrooms
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/state-rep-dan-frankel-wants-allegheny-county-to-make-it-easier-for-businesses-to-build-gender-neutral-restrooms/

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Gov. Wolf, Dept. of Health to officially launch COVID Alert PA app
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/09/gov-wolf-dept-of-health-to-officially-launch-covid-alert-pa-app.html

Counties that won ruling against Wolf’s restriction orders fight request for stay
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/21/Counties-fight-stay-request-against-Gov-Tom-Wolf-orders-restrictions-COVID-19/stories/202009210117

Plaintiffs fighting Gov. Wolf’s shutdown order say a stay is unnecessary
https://triblive.com/local/regional/plaintiffs-fighting-gov-wolfs-shutdown-order-say-a-stay-is-unnecessary/

20 residents at Westmoreland Manor test positive for coronavirus; more cases expected
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/20-residents-at-westmoreland-manor-test-positive-for-coronavirus-more-cases-expected/

Gracedale once again allowing visits after recent tests show staff and residents are free of coronavirus
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-nazareth-gracedale-allowing-visits-20200921-ufos6tbkcbfmllncjdxpzqoude-story.html

Kutztown University reopened, COVID spiked, and now a wary college town wonders: What’s next?
https://www.witf.org/2020/09/22/kutztown-university-reopened-covid-spiked-and-now-a-wary-college-town-wonders-whats-next/

Saucon Valley latest Colonial League football program to shut down over positive COVID-19 test
https://www.mcall.com/sports/varsity/football/mc-spt-covid19-saucon-valley-football-20200921-illgpzphiva2tpqkfjrav6mhua-story.html

10 Pa. counties listed as areas to watch for coronavirus; statewide, positive rate drops
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/10-pa-counties-listed-as-areas-to-watch-for-coronavirus-statewide-positive-rate-drops.html

Montgomery County coronavirus positivity rate decreases; Chester, Berks remain on watch list
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-coronavirus-positivity-rate-decreases-chester-berks-remain-on-watch-list/article_89449a93-20f0-5977-9ed6-03adc565eab6.html

State reports nearly 1,000 new COVID-19 cases and 48 deaths over 2-day period
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/21/covid-19-coronavirus-allegheny-county-western-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-58/stories/202009210079

Berks County adds 61 new coronavirus cases in a 2-day span; Pa. now has more than 8,000 deaths
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-adds-61-new-coronavirus-cases-in-a-2-day-span-pa-now-has/article_c22e99d8-fc31-11ea-930f-434f32b55d88.html

CDC changes, then retracts, its take on how the coronavirus spreads
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/09/cdc-changes-then-retracts-its-take-on-how-the-coronavirus-spreads.html

Administration

New wave of unemployment fraud leads to delays in benefit payments for some
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-unemployment-fraud-identity-verification-payments-delayed-20200921-iq4xpcqg35ebpfai4hfuzy6k5q-story.html

Business

Allowed to open at 50% capacity, restaurant owners still hoping for 100%
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/allowed-to-open-at-50-capacity-restaurant-owners-still-hoping-for-100/article_dec56b2b-2474-55d6-9317-b1a5d872dfab.html

Vine tuned: Berks-area wineries say this year’s harvest will be superb
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/vine-tuned-berks-area-wineries-say-this-years-harvest-will-be-superb/article_da361a12-fb9e-11ea-a611-2300e486f42f.html

Security at Lehigh Valley Mall questioned following shooting, third high-profile incident in two years
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-mall-shooting-follow-security-20200921-4mado6s2engzthyws6mrjls5ge-story.html

Now hiring: Hundreds of Lehigh Valley jobs available from FedEx Ground and UPS
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-fed-ex-ups-hiring-20200921-6j5cxy7euza65nelwjckgc5mpu-story.html

Community celebrates $19 million expansion of Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center in Doylestown
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/local/2020/09/18/19-million-expansion-pa-biotechnology-center-begins-doylestown/3482533001/

Crime/Punishment

Beaver County hotel sweep turns up 16 suspected drug dealers, human traffickers
https://triblive.com/local/regional/beaver-county-hotel-sweep-turns-up-16-suspected-drug-dealers-human-traffickers/

Former Glen Mills counselor gets probation in assault
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/former-glen-mills-counselor-gets-probation-in-assault/article_9c73ff62-fc54-11ea-97f4-93ca412a9696.html

Education

Court rules Scranton School District could lay off teachers for financial reasons
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/court-rules-scranton-school-district-could-lay-off-teachers-for-financial-reasons/article_d9f8d101-ec91-5016-8bcd-3caa35889ad6.html

Reading elementary schools receive federal money to provide students with fresh fruits and vegetables
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-elementary-schools-receive-federal-money-to-provide-students-with-fresh-fruits-and-vegetables/article_e758be3e-fc34-11ea-aa22-0f6546a37120.html

Reading School District shifts to weekly meal distribution for kids
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/education/reading-school-district-shifts-to-weekly-meal-distribution-for-kids/article_20e0b466-fc19-11ea-ba48-5ff637a52365.html

Mt. Lebanon school board member resigns after using profanity before last week’s meeting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/09/21/Mt-Lebanon-School-District-board-member-Michael-Riemer-resigns-profanity/stories/202009220078

North Hills School District sues Juul, contending e-cigarette company targets young people
https://triblive.com/local/north-hills/north-hills-school-district-sues-juul-contending-e-cigarette-company-targets-young-people/

Norwin rejects efforts to ask controversial director to resign; Censure move fails
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/norwin-board-to-vote-on-asking-controversial-director-to-resign/

Central League approves a plan for a return of fall sports
https://www.delcotimes.com/sports/central-league-approves-a-plan-for-a-return-of-fall-sports/article_ae40b588-fc58-11ea-8cac-9be62bd8f0ae.html

People in Unionville, West Chester and Downingtown demand change, unite with concurrent peaceful protests to ‘open the schools’
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/people-in-unionville-west-chester-and-downingtown-demand-change-unite-with-concurrent-peaceful-protests-to/article_77199688-fc62-11ea-bfd1-0f109d578208.html

Elections/Politics

Franco Harris, Ben Simmons, Cory Booker and more urge Pa. Dems to get out the vote
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/09/21/presidential-election-2020-PA-Democrats-get-out-vote-Franco-Harris-Ben-Simmons/stories/202009210116

How Trump and Biden look in a county that’s picked 4 of Pennsylvania’s last 5 winners
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/berks-county-pennsylvania-presidential-election-20200922.html

How faith groups in Pa. align with Biden and Trump and why they could play a pivotal role in the election
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/how-faith-groups-in-pa-align-with-biden-and-trump-and-why-they-could-play-a-pivotal-role-in-the-election.html

How ‘naked ballots’ in Pennsylvania could cost Joe Biden the election
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-naked-ballots-supreme-court-philadelphia-20200921.html

Third parties could play a lesser role in 2020 campaign in Pennsylvania and other battleground states
https://www.witf.org/2020/09/22/third-parties-could-play-a-lesser-role-in-2020-campaign-in-pennsylvania-and-other-battleground-states/

Survey finds Pennsylvanians sure about who will get their votes — but less certain about who will win election
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/09/survey-finds-pennsylvanians-sure-about-who-will-get-their-votes-but-less-certain-about-who-will-win-election.html

President Trump back in Western Pa. to rev up base, win over ‘slivers’ of wavering voters
https://triblive.com/local/regional/president-trump-back-in-western-pa-to-rev-up-base-win-over-slivers-of-wavering-voters/

A Pennsylvania House race looks a lot like the campaign between Trump and Biden
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-10th-congressional-district-scott-perry-eugene-depasquale-20200922.html

To save democracy, Pennsylvania voters need to do more than vote | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/election-2020-pennsylvania-voter-suppression-delay-coronavirus-20200921.html

Local News

Lawyers argue about legality of Scranton local services tax
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lawyers-argue-about-legality-of-scranton-local-services-tax/article_125eafc8-9127-59ab-865d-8d1af2d40d5c.html

Four Mon Valley towns consider consolidation of police
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/21/Two-councils-decide-consolidation-Mon-Valley-police-departments-rankin-braddock-north-east-pittsburgh/stories/202009210100

Eastern Allegheny County boroughs discuss cooperative police force
https://triblive.com/local/eastern-allegheny-county-boroughs-discuss-cooperative-police-force/

Luzerne County’s new hazard mitigation plan details lurking potential dangers
https://www.timesleader.com/news/803065/luzerne-countys-new-hazard-mitigation-plan-details-lurking-potential-dangers

Institute study: Northeastern Pennsylvania facing a housing divide
https://www.timesleader.com/news/803059/institute-study-northeastern-pennsylvania-facing-a-housing-divide

Two local non-profits up for $25,000 — and you can help them win
https://www.timesleader.com/news/803052/two-local-non-profits-up-for-25000-and-you-can-help-them-win

Luzerne County Councilwoman impressed with safety protocols during jury duty
https://www.timesleader.com/news/803048/luzerne-county-councilwoman-impressed-with-safety-protocols-during-jury-duty

County council agenda packed with issues
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-council-agenda-packed-with-issues/article_97face00-d384-56df-bf85-7c6f50f2406a.html

Federal grant covering Allentown police’s COVID-19 expenses gets thumbs-down from two city council members
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-police-grant-siegel-gerlach-vote-no-20200921-su4p63rt6jdxnd5iyk5astxnnu-story.html

Five municipalities say ‘yes’ to regional sewer authority, want deal with York City
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2020/09/21/five-municipalities-say-yes-regional-sewer-authority-want-deal-york-city/5854214002/

National News

4-year-old boy killed, four adults wounded in shooting near Youngstown
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/21/Struthers-Ohio-shooting-4-year-old-boy-killed-four-adults-injured-near-PA-border/stories/202009210112

Philly

South Philly’s Washington Avenue gets city approval for major transformation beginning in summer 2021
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/washington-avenue-changes-safety-construction-south-philadelphia-20200921.html

This Philly charter school is trying to grow the ranks of Black male teachers
https://www.inquirer.com/news/black-male-teachers-philadelphia-boys-latin-charter-20200922.html

We saw a ‘Democrats for Trump’ billboard in Roxborough and asked questions about it. Then it went away.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/democrats-for-trump-billboard-roxborough-philadelphia-20200921.html

Two dead, including teen, in separate Philadelphia shootings
https://www.inquirer.com/news/shooting-philadelphia-murder-teenager-port-richmond-20200921.html

Parkway encampment is unsustainable and untenable | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/parkway-encampment-philadelphia-logan-square-neighborhood-association-20200921.html

North Philly residents demand to be included in search for new Temple University presiden
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/north-philly-residents-demand-to-be-included-in-search-for-new-temple-university-president/article_2b555937-c8a9-55ad-a2b7-320ca308cdf9.html

Pitt

Health department closes seven bar/restaurants in county for breaking COVID-19 rules
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/09/21/Allegheny-County-Health-department-COVID-19-Potenza-Pizza-Roundz-Wilson-s-Seven-Culture-Savoy-Hottie-s-Bridgez/stories/202009210107

Allegheny County offering free flu vaccinations at Downtown clinic
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/21/Allegheny-County-offering-free-flu-vaccinations-Downtown-clinic-Hartley-rose-building/stories/202009210104

Medical examiner called to scene of Lincoln-Lemington shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/22/pittsburgh-Lincoln-Lemington-shooting/stories/202009220091

Pittsburgh Foundation establishes racial justice fund
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-foundation-establishes-racial-justice-fund/

Pittsburgh officials to hear from outside experts about how to tackle lead issues
https://triblive.com/news/health-now/pittsburgh-officials-to-hear-from-outside-experts-about-how-to-tackle-lead-issues/

State News

Pennsylvania Lottery officials warn players about new phone scam
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-lottery-officials-warn-players-about-new-phone-scam/

Eliminate punitive bail
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/eliminate-punitive-bail/article_e766ca8b-519b-55cc-a45b-6133b39ad89b.html

Lanternfly sightings more than double locally, dogs trained to sniff out eggs
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lanternfly-sightings-more-than-double-locally-dogs-trained-to-sniff-out-eggs/article_cefd8f5e-fc43-11ea-a088-172694052cec.html

Washington

EDITORIAL | Lioness: Ruth Bader Ginsburg
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/09/22/Liberal-Lioness-Ruth-Bader-Ginsburg-Supreme-Court/stories/202009220021

Sen. Toomey mum on Trump’s rush to replace Justice Ginsburg; Casey balks at GOP hypocrisy
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/sen-toomey-mum-on-trumps-rush-to-replace-supco-justice-ginsburg-casey-balks-at-gop-hypocrisy/

With fight looming over Ginsburg’s replacement Pa.’s Casey lines up in opposition, Toomey still silent
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/with-fight-looming-over-ginsburgs-replacement-pa-s-casey-lines-up-in-opposition-toomey-still-silent/

Trump to make his Supreme Court pick by Saturday, before Justice Ginsburg’s burial
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/09/21/Trump-says-he-will-announce-Supreme-Court-pick-Friday-or-Saturday/stories/202009210074

Toomey’s legacy depends upon “principle”
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/toomeys-legacy-depends-upon-principle/article_d5b315cc-c8c8-5322-aabf-4f63eae77ff8.html

Juvenile abuse bill prompted by Glen Mills investigation passes House
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/glen-mills-abuse-juveniles-for-justice-act-congress-scanlon-pennsylvania-20200921.html

Pennsylvania representatives are part of a bipartisan effort to rein in the debt before it’s too late | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/09/pennsylvania-representatives-are-part-of-a-bipartisan-effort-to-reign-in-the-debt-before-its-too-late-opinion.html

World News

Arctic sea-ice extent nears a record low, despite growth during a frigid winter
https://www.inquirer.com/weather/arctic-ice-melt-record-low-climate-change-antartica-20200921.html