May 15th Playbook
President Donald Trump delivered a 30 minute address at a medical equipment distribution center in the Lehigh Valley. Here is the Playbook.
Here’s What Trump Said About PA During His Lehigh Valley Visit: In President Donald Trump’s first visit to the Lehigh Valley since being elected president, he talked about Gov. Tom Wolf, manufacturing, and a GOP congressional hopeful in the state.
Perry Leads Both Dems in Q1 Fundraising: Rep. Scott Perry’s campaign raised $450,000 during this first quarter of 2020, while Eugene DePasquale raised slightly under $350,000, and Tom Brier raised just over $85,000 in the same time period.
PAGOP Delegation Minus Fitzpatrick Blasts Wolf on COVID-19 Response: Eight of the nine members of the state’s GOP congressional delegation issued a joint statement on Wednesday criticizing Gov. Tom Wolf for his threat to withhold funds from counties that don’t abide by the state’s stay-at-home restrictions.
Harrisburg & DC
AP: In Pennsylvania, Dem governor aims to contain GOP revolt
AP: Trump says he’ll replenish stockpile for future pandemics
Spotlight PA: Wolf says requests for business waivers could reveal proprietary information as GOP presses court case
Spotlight PA: Pa.’s largest nurses’ union accuses hospitals of misinforming state officials about PPE
Washington Examiner: Trump to Salena Zito: ‘Joe has absolutely no idea what’s happening’
New York Times: G.O.P. Defiance of Pennsylvania’s Lockdown Has 2020 Implications
Philly Clout: The Trump campaign has ‘walked away’ from the Pennsylvania Republican Party as 2020 heats up, sources say
Inquirer: Trump comes to Pennsylvania and urges the state to reopen faster
Inquirer: Another 3 million Americans filed unemployment claims and Pa. has paid out almost $7 billion in jobless benefits
Inquirer: Universal coronavirus testing at Pennsylvania nursing homes? Some say it’s ‘an idea without a plan.’
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf says Pa.’s coronavirus reopening metrics aren’t changing; N.J. beach openings bring hope and worries for Shore mayors
Morning Call: ‘With your help, we’re going to vanquish the virus’: President Trump praises Pennsylvania workers, calls on state to reopen during visit to Upper Macungie medical supply distributor
Morning Call: 5 takeaways from President Trump’s inaugural visit to the Lehigh Valley
Patriot News: Which Pennsylvania counties could be next to start reopening from coronavirus closure orders?
Patriot News: PennDOT announces reopening of some services in yellow phase counties
Patriot News: Health Secretary Rachel Levine’s removal of mom from care home amid epidemic draws scrutiny
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The latest on COVID-19 in Pa.: 59,636 confirmed cases in 67 counties
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Under fire for her policies, Health Secretary Levine remains an icon to Pa.’s trans community
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As parts of the state reopen, Levine urges routine vaccinations for children
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: From plumbers to pet groomers, Wolf discloses list of businesses denied waivers to open
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Zoom to open R&D outpost in Pittsburgh
PA Post: Is Your County Planning To Move To ‘Yellow’ On Its Own? Here’s The Latest
WITF: Workers In Pennsylvania With Preexisting Conditions Fear A Call To Return To Work
PLSReporter: As COVID-19 underscores rural broadband need, lawmakers propose retooling tax credit for deployment
PLSReporter: DePasquale outlines scope of audit into controversial business waiver program
KYW Newsradio: Wolf, GOP legislators continue grappling over business reopenings
KYW Newsradio: Pa. auditor general looking into Pennsylvania’s business waiver process during pandemic
KYW Newsradio: Wolf ‘understands frustration’ among business owners, but points to common enemy: COVID-19
Fox News: Pushing back at Trump, Biden stresses ‘we all want to reopen’
Fox News: President Trump to visit Pennsylvania amid battle over state’s coronavirus shutdown policies
Fox News: Pennsylvania health official draws fire after her mother leaves care facility as coronavirus patients return
Fox News: Laura Ingraham torches liberal ‘frauds and tyrants’ for actions during coronavirus shutdowns
Fox News: Watters: Trump support for lockdown protests showing Dem govs to be ‘moms grounding their citizens’
Observer-Reporter: DePasquale provides update on business-waiver process
Express Times: Trump’s visit to Pennsylvania: Recapping his first presidential stop in the Lehigh Valley
Express Times: Joe Biden says Trump’s visit to Pennsylvania presents a ‘false choice’
Pittsburgh Business Times: Here’s the industry making the most complaints about Wolf’s waiver process
KDKA: ‘Business Owners Deserve To Know’: Pa. Auditor General Says Audit Of Business Shutdown Waivers Continues
KDKA: Health & Human Services Deputy Chief Of Staff For Policy Working To Replenish Federal PPE Stockpile
KDKA: New Bill Proposes Increasing Fish For Free Days
National Journal: Buttigieg PAC Endorses Candidates for State Offices
Philly Voice: Pa. Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine checks ‘insulting’ reporter who called her ‘sir’
The Hill: Kentucky, Georgia, Hawaii saw highest percentages of their workforce file unemployment claims since March
The Hill: Trump goes without mask on trip to Pennsylvania PPE factory
The Hill: Watch live: Trump speaks at Pennsylvania medical equipment distribution center
The Hill: Trump attacks point to Pennsylvania’s critical role in reelection bid
Politico: ‘They are angry:’ Pandemic and economic collapse slam Trump across Rust Belt
Philadelphia Magazine: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Filling in Your Surprisingly Complicated Mail-In Ballot
CNN: Trump touts reopening message in Pennsylvania
StateImpactPA: Study finds methane leaks in PA are much higher than state reports
StateImpactPA: Coronavirus delays conservation efforts in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
Philly Clout: The Trump campaign has ‘walked away’ from the Pennsylvania Republican Party as 2020 heats up, sources say
Philly Clout: The Trump Store in Bucks County reopened as a ‘life-sustaining’ business by selling Trump face masks
Inquirer: The Philadelphia voters most likely to vote in person — or not at all — live in coronavirus hot spots
Inquirer: 150 homeless people camped out at Philadelphia airport will be relocated, officials say
Inquirer: Philly-area stay-at-home orders slowed the coronavirus’ spread — but not dangerous drivers
Inquirer: Who’s showing up for school during the pandemic? In Philly, it’s just over half of students.
Inquirer: Federal, state and city programs that can help you if you’ve been affected by the pandemic
WHYY Newsworks: Coronavirus update: Philly death toll crosses 1,000
WHYY Newsworks: Just over half of Philly students participating in school online, early data says
WHYY Newsworks: 35 years after MOVE bombing, the path to reconciliation is still unclear
KYW Newsradio: Philly commissioners cut number of polling places, hope everyone votes by mail
KYW Newsradio: Philly death toll hits 1,000; mayor creates COVID-19 Recovery Office
KYW Newsradio: Federal, state coronavirus relief trickling in for small business owners — but will it be enough?
KYW Newsradio: They have their Chromebooks, but are Philly students logging in and learning?
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia forms Covid-19 Recovery Office to recoup coronavirus-related costs
Philadelphia Business Journal: Area health care providers landed $579M from the CARES Act. Here’s how much each received.
Billy Penn: Philly students can now officially change their school district names, thrilling LGBTQ advocates
Billy Penn: Procrastinator’s Guide to the 2020 primary election in Philly
Philadelphia Tribune: School District of Philadelphia to host virtual graduation for Class of 2020
Philadelphia Magazine: Here Are All the Businesses That Have Received Money from Philly’s Coronavirus Relief Fund So Far
Philadelphia Citizen: Ideas We Should Steal: Mailing Ballots To Every Voter
Philly Voice: Philly releases list of businesses benefitting from COVID-19 relief fund
Philly Voice: Philly surpasses 1,000 deaths from COVID-19 as city forms recovery office
SEPA
Bucks Local News: President Trump, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick meet in Allentown to discuss bipartisan COVID-19 legislation
Bucks Local News: Governor Wolf to Bucks County Commissioners: County ‘rapidly moving’ toward reopening
Bucks County Courier Times: 200 more cases of COVID-19 drug coming to Pa., Fitzpatrick reports
Bucks County Courier Times: Judicial Watch sues Bucks, state over voter rolls
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks courts to reopen June 1
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks gov’t reopens while businesses stay closed
Delco Daily Times: Delco to start awarding grants to small businesses in 10 days
Delco Daily Times: Delco sues to block ‘murky’ DELCORA trust deal with Aqua Pa.
Inquirer: Delaware County sues to block $276 million sale of public sewer system by outgoing Republicans
KYW Newsradio: Republican state lawmakers urge governor to move Chester County to ‘yellow’ phase
KYW Newsradio: With dozens of letters, Delco tells isolated nursing home residents they’re not alone
Montgomery Media: Montco coronavirus death toll climbs to 454; hospitals receive antiviral drug
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsburg to vote on reopening borough businesses against Wolf orders
Daily Local News: Chester County surpasses 200 deaths, but still one of safest counties regionally
Daily Local News: Local lawmakers call on Wolf to move Chester County to yellow
Daily Local News: Chester County commissioners won’t defy Wolf lockdown orders; shutdown continues to June 4
Daily Local News: Chester County courts set to get back to ‘normal’ in June
Pittsburgh
WESA: Glitch Sends Duplicate Ballots To Voters, But System Prevents Double-Voting, County Says
WESA: Peduto Looks Ahead To Opportunities, Concerns As Region Moves To Yellow
WESA: PA Revises Death Toll Upward Again, But Other Numbers Paint Brighter Picture
WESA: What’s Open As Southwest PA Enters The ‘Yellow’ Phase? Your Reopening Questions Answered
WESA: May 11-15 Explained: Daycares Reopen, Counties Defy Wolf & Some Pennsylvanians Face A Dire Choice
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County says bug allowed voters to get duplicate mail-in, absentee ballots
Post-Gazette: Back to business: How will life be different under Gov. Wolf’s yellow phase?
Post-Gazette: City launches housing resource website
Post-Gazette: Beaver County reports 4 new COVID-19 nursing home deaths; Levine urges routine vaccinations
Post-Gazette: City schools still uncertain about reopening and preparing ‘multitude’ of options for fall
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Zoom to open R&D outpost in Pittsburgh
KDKA: ‘Listen To What The Experts Are Saying’: Local Congressmen Split On Pres. Donald Trump Calling For Pennsylvania To Reopen
KDKA: Mayor Bill Peduto Says Big Changes Coming Slowly To Pittsburgh As Allegheny County Enters ‘Yellow’ Phase
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports No Additional Deaths, Only 6 New Coronavirus Cases
KDKA: City Of Pittsburgh Launches Online Portal To Provide Housing Resources
KDKA: ‘It’s Either Open Or Close My Doors For Good’; Area Businesses Prepare To Reopen As Allegheny County Moves Into ‘Yellow’ Phase Of Reopening Plan
KDKA: ‘I Don’t Think We’re Ready’: Doctor Warns Of Dire Consequences If Western Pennsylvania Moves Too Hastily In Reopening
KDKA: Health & Human Services Deputy Chief Of Staff For Policy Working To Replenish Federal PPE Stockpile
KDKA: Dozens Of Fine Wine & Good Spirits Stores Opening On Friday
KDKA: Gov. Wolf Proclaims May 22 Pennsylvania’s Second-Annual 1-4-3 Day
KDKA: Superintendent Says Pittsburgh Public Schools Planning For Next Year Amid Coronavirus Uncertainty
Tribune Review: Some Allegheny County voters received duplicate mail-in ballots due to system glitch
SWPA
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Changes made to polling places in Cambria County
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Going from red to yellow’: State will be tracking COVID-19 trends
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: New drug arrives for ‘severely ill’ patients; Cambria, Blair each add a COVID-19 case
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Somerset partnership launches effort to keep spending ‘local’ during virus recovery
Beaver County Times: Sources: Wolf to move Beaver County into the yellow phase of COVID-19 reopening plan on Friday
Beaver County Times: Bernstine joins GOP letter asking DAs to ignore COVID-19 shutdown violations
Beaver County Times: National Guard deploys more members to Brighton Rehab
Beaver County Times: PA COVID-19 deaths surpass 4,200; restaurants warned about dine-in service
KDKA: State Rep.: Beaver County Will Move Into ‘Yellow’ Phase Of Reopening Next Week
Post-Gazette: Greene County judge charged with judicial misconduct
Post-Gazette: Beaver County reports 4 new COVID-19 nursing home deaths; Levine urges routine vaccinations
Post-Gazette: Legislator: Beaver County expected to move into yellow phase next week
Tribune Review: Lawmaker: Beaver County to begin reopening May 22
Tribune Review: Small businesses in Western Pa. eager to reopen, but not sure how public will respond
Tribune Review: Westmoreland voters in some precincts will see changes for June 2 election
Altoona Mirror: Back in business
Altoona Mirror: Centre virus deaths grow
Altoona Mirror: COVID-19 deals big hit to Blair’s pension plan
Observer-Reporter: Greene County president judge charged with judicial misconduct
NEPA
The Times Leader: Mail-in voting applications adding up in Luzerne County
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre finances take a hit from virus, Brown says
The Times Leader: Luzerne County can’t be evaluated by zip code for coronavirus reopening, state says
The Times Leader: Yudichak announces $10M for proposed business park in Hazle Twp.
The Times Leader: 10 new COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County; 1 new death
Citizens Voice: Officials: Zip code plan not feasible
Citizens Voice: Wyoming County expects to enter yellow phase next week
Citizens Voice: W-B mayor joins others calling for virus relief
Citizens Voice: 1 more death, 10 new cases in Luzerne County
Citizens Voice: Mayor: W-B City Hall storm damage is more extensive
Citizens Voice: Pandemic deals big blow to LCTA ridership
Times-Tribune: Wyoming County expected to be among next group allowed to ease coronavirus restrictions
Times-Tribune: Scranton, Wilkes-Barre mayors join in joint letter asking feds for financial help
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 – Complete Coverage
South Central
Lebanon Daily News: Coronavirus mystery in Lebanon County: Why is the per capita rate so much higher here?
LNP | LancasterOnline: Sen. Martin’s brother, a nurse, criticizes him on Facebook post for National Nurses Week
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘The right thing to do’: Here’s why lawmakers jump-started conversations to move the county to yellow phase
LNP | LancasterOnline: Friday’s COVID-19 updates: Lancaster County up to 2,364 cases, 254 virus-related deaths
LNP | LancasterOnline: Commissioners, county officials hosted reopening press conference Thursday
Patriot News: Red? Yellow? Lancaster County’s informal declaration of pandemic reopening makes it every business for itself
Patriot News: ‘Stand up with me’: Crowd, GOP politicians roar support for central Pa. barber defying COVID-19 closure order
Patriot News: Police in Harrisburg prepare for another anti-shutdown protest Friday at the Capitol
York Dispatch: Helfrich, other Pa. mayors, ask Congress for $250 billion aid package
York Dispatch: GOP continues attacks on Wolf ahead of Friday reopening announcement
York Dispatch: York County has one new death linked to COVID-19, 14 new cases
Carlisle Sentinel: County’s state legislators call for businesses to defy COVID-19 shutdown
Carlisle Sentinel: Watch Now: DOH Data – 14 new cases of COVID-19 reported for Cumberland County Thursday, 2 additional deaths
York Daily Record: Petition for impeachment of Gov. Tom Wolf demands reopening of economy
York Daily Record: Coronavirus updates: More Pa. counties to move to yellow phase; protest in Harrisburg
York Daily Record: Coronavirus updates: President Trump to be in Pa. today; statewide cases near 60K
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Chambersburg-Waynesboro area could be one of country’s hardest-hit economically by pandemic
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: 5 takeaways from President Trump’s inaugural visit to the Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pennsylvania health secretary plans to consult two Lehigh Valley infectious disease specialists who believe region can safely lift some restrictions
Morning Call: ‘With your help, we’re going to vanquish the virus’: President Trump praises Pennsylvania workers, calls on state to reopen during visit to Upper Macungie medical supply distributor
Morning Call: Supporters finally got to welcome Trump to the Lehigh Valley, and protesters also turned out for his visit
Morning Call: Allentown transfers $400K for small business loans until coronavirus aid comes through
Morning Call: With $8 million budget hole, Allentown School District mulls tax hike, staffing needs
Reading Eagle: Berks leaders say they’re keeping an open mind about reopening the county and encourage the public to do the same
Reading Eagle: Panelists clear up misconceptions about the coronavirus for Berks Latino community
Reading Eagle: Berks County schools receive $18M in federal coronavirus relief funding
Reading Eagle: 45 more coronavirus positives, 5 deaths in Berks County
Reading Eagle: Berks Stand Up urges caution in reopening county from coronavirus shutdown
Express Times: Lehigh Valley mayors join 12 others in Pa. in asking Congress to pass $250B stimulus bill
Express Times: Trump’s visit to Pennsylvania: Recapping his first presidential stop in the Lehigh Valley
Express Times: Rate of new coronavirus cases still falling in Lehigh Valley, key for reopening | Analysis
Express Times: ‘Say ‘hello’ to Larry’: Trump ends speech with shout out to Easton Assassin
Express Times: Trump’s visit to Pennsylvania: A quick welcome as Air Force One lands in Allentown
Express Times: ‘Dozens of Allentown residents have perished,’ Democrats blast Trump ahead of warehouse visit
Express Times: Trump arrives at Owens & Minor for tour of Lehigh Valley facility (PHOTOS)
Express Times: Excited supporters line Upper Macungie roads to welcome President Trump
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: state nears 60K cases; surpasses 4K deaths; Wolf to announce new yellow counties Friday | COVID-19 case map (5/14/20)
Express Times: ‘Wear a mask and go home:’ Protest caravan rolls through Lehigh County for Trump visit
North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County preparing for spike in mail-in ballots
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County commissioners vote to purchase machine to help with primary election
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Tax deadline not delayed yet
Centre Daily Times: Centre County adds 1 new COVID-19 death, 2 new cases, Pa. Department of Health reports
Opinion
Glenn Thompson and Dwight Evans: The GROCER Act will support food supply workers
Joanna McClinton: It shouldn’t take a pandemic to address societal inequality
Ryan Aument, Scott Martin, Ray D’Agostino and Josh Parsons: ‘Necessary to act on the will of the people’: county GOP officials answer LNP Editorial Board questions on reopening
Scott L. Bohn: Saving early childhood programs is essential — especially during a pandemic
Inquirer Editorial Board: More transparency needed from Gov. Wolf as some Pennsylvanians protest pandemic shutdown
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Fighting the good fight: Senators tackle online child abuse the right way
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Reopen garden centers: Local stores can be as safe as big retailers
Paul Muschick: Why coronavirus testing in nursing homes could delay Lehigh Valley’s reopening
Kevin Flowers: Erie continues 2020 census push
John L. Micek: Stacey Abrams part of new group targeting climate voters in Pa. in 2020 | Thursday Morning Coffee
Lorene Cary: Philadelphia needs to get youth voting
Maria Panaritis: Suburban Philadelphia incomes lagged for years. Now there’s COVID carnage and no cushion.
Michael Fichman: Philadelphia should become a 24-hour-city to survive the pandemic
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Testing our patience
Judge Andrew Napolitano: Does the government work for us or do we work it?
Will Bunch: Native Americans wage war against new virus and a 400-year disease of bias, ignorance
Trudy Rubin: The Swedish model holds coronavirus lessons for America if the White House will learn them