PENNSYLVANIA
Harrisburg: Wolf vetoes liquor privatization bill
Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the bill that would have put beer and liquor at grocery stores and gas stations. He said he’d rather modernize the existing system. Read more about that and the budget negotiations here.
Pittsburgh: Attorney General sues operator of 14 nursing homes
Fourteen Golden Living Centers are being sued by the office of Attorney General Kathleen Kane for inadequate staffing and care of its elderly residents. The nursing home chain is accused of deceiving Department of Health inspectors, falsifying reports and not performing basic care. PublicSource wrote about the Golden Living Center in Lancaster, Pa., in December.
Washington County: Your judge on drugs
Robert Urwin was convicted of a 1977 murder four years ago. His nonjury trial was settled by Judge Paul Pozonsky, who has admitted to stealing and using cocaine confiscated as evidence. Urwin’s trial overlapped with Pozonsky’s use, so Urwin’s requesting a new trial with a judge from a different county.
Pittsburgh: Unpaid gambling debts
The City of Pittsburgh is suing the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority for failing to turn over $11 million of in-state gambling money. The ICA was supposed to have paid its $10 million annual dues to the city by July 1. It also owes more than $1 million so far this year.
Pittsburgh: Choosing the color of the Three Sister bridges
The Andy Warhol, Roberto Clemente and Rachel Carson bridges need new paint jobs to fend off rust. Mayor Bill Peduto asked the public to vote on a poll concerning the color choice — will it be the iconic Pittsburgh Yellow (Aztec Gold), silver or green? Yellow’s winning, but the poll closes today; get your vote in.
Philadelphia: Cigarette taxes enough to fund schools
Last October, Philly instituted a $2 per pack cigarette tax, and it collected more than $45 million in revenue. The state is keeping $700,000, but the rest goes to Philadelphia city schools, supplying them with a lot of their budget.
NATIONAL
No evidence of shooting at Washington Navy Yard
The scene of a 2013 killing spree, an individual at the Washington Navy Yard called 911 early Thursday morning claiming to hear gunfire. After authorities investigated, an “all clear” was issued around 10 a.m. Police found no evidence of a shooter or weapons.
BP settles with Gulf states
On Thursday, Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi agreed to a settlement of $18.7 billion to be paid by BP for damages from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Train carrying toxic chemicals derails near Knoxville, Tenn.
On Wednesday night, one tank car on a CSX rail line derailed and burst into flames. About 5,000 people living nearby were evacuated, and 10 first responders were hospitalized. The train was also carrying crude oil; read more about crude oil derailments here.
One for the Democrats
Former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb announced on Thursday that he’d add his name to the Democratic presidential candidate pool.
IN OTHER NEWS
A breakdown of PA’s troublesome fireworks laws
Pennsylvania laws prohibit residents from buying fireworks that leave the ground. Fireworks stores ask for IDs like you’re in a bar, so only out-of-state people can buy mortars and bottle rockets (after they sign a waiver saying they’ll take the fireworks back to their home state). PA’s grounded fireworks law went into effect in 1939, and has been inconveniencing amateur pyrotechnicians ever since.
The daily report was compiled by Stephanie Roman, a PublicSource intern. You can reach her with questions or suggestions at sroman@publicsource.org.
