Biden pledges New Deal-like economic agenda to counter Trump
By BILL BARROW and MARC LEVY Associated Press
DUNMORE, Pa. (AP) — Democrat Joe Biden is turning his campaign against President Donald Trump toward the economy. On Thursday, he introduced a New Deal-like economic agenda while drawing a sharp contrast with a billionaire incumbent he said has abandoned working-class Americans amid cascading crises. Biden presented details of a comprehensive agenda that he touted as the most aggressive government investment in the U.S. economy since World War II. He also accused Trump of ignoring the coronavirus pandemic and the climate crisis while encouraging division amid a national reckoning with systemic racism. The economy was expected to be a strength for Trump in his reelection bid before the pandemic.

Ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen back in federal prison
By JIM MUSTIAN and MICHAEL BALSAMO Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, has been returned to federal prison. The federal Bureau of Prisons told The Associated Press on Thursday that Cohen had “refused the conditions of his home confinement.” A legal adviser says Cohen refused to accept conditions requiring him to avoid speaking with media and to not publish his tell-all book. The move comes weeks after the 53-year-old was released in late May to serve the remainder of his sentence at home because of the coronavirus pandemic. Cohen pleaded guilty to tax evasion, campaign finance fraud and lying to Congress.

Keystone State News Connection

Andrea Sears

PHILADELPHIA – Three community-based organizations have received major grants to help underserved Pennsylvanians during the COVID-19 crisis.

Funded by UnitedHealthCare, the Empowering Health grants total more than $200,000. They were given to Philabundance – a hunger relief program in Philadelphia – the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, and the Preeclampsia Foundation – that’s getting blood pressure cuffs to home-bound, pregnant women and new mothers for telehealth visits.

According to Corey Coleman, vice president of Community and Strategic Partnerships at UHC, the goal is to help uninsured individuals and communities at risk lead healthier lives.

“Helping them get more access to health care,” says Coleman. “Helping them get more access to fresh foods and fresh vegetables, and additional services that they may need in their communities.”

He adds that challenges from social distancing, food insecurity and social isolation are among the most urgent problems facing underserved communities during the COVID pandemic.

The grants are intended to address what Coleman calls the social determinants of health for these communities, including barriers that often prevent access to health and health care.

“Barriers that could include things like the ability to access public transportation, or the ability to access your hospital system,” says Coleman, “not being able to get access to fresh food and fresh groceries.”

Coleman notes that the economic impact of the COVID pandemic has made food banks in particular critical resources for the populations they serve.

“A number of individuals in Pennsylvania have been negatively impacted in terms of losing their jobs,” says Coleman. “And these are organizations that are serving as a safety net for vulnerable families who don’t have access to food.”

Since launching in 2018, more than $12 million in Empowering Health grants have been awarded in 21 states across the country.

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today reminded Pennsylvanians to wear masks while enjoying the outdoors when they are not able to consistently maintain social distancing from individuals who are not members of their household.

“It’s critical that Pennsylvanians take opportunities to go outside and enjoy our many parks, trails and beaches. It’s good for our mental and physical health. But we must do so safely,” Gov. Wolf said. “Park attendance has increased dramatically, so Pennsylvanians should protect themselves and their fellow outdoor seekers by wearing a mask.”

Secretary Dunn said recent Bureau of State Park attendance figures show people turning to the outdoors in record numbers. May 2020 attendance reports show 5.8 million visitors compared to 4.2 million last year. The parks system increased by over 1.5 million visitors, a 36 percent increase, and 18 parks experienced more than a 100 percent increase.

“Last weekend brought a crush of visitors to almost all our state parks, and those numbers reinforce the need for all park visitors to be smart and safe by wearing masks,” Dunn said. “Our park officials tell us the holiday crowds were orderly and, for the most part, observing self-distancing but masks were not being worn by many. For the safety of all, masks should be worn, especially in areas where park visitors gather: pools and beaches when not in the water; restroom areas; and state park offices and visitor centers.”

For updated state park and forest facilities, visit DCNR’s What’s Open and Closed map.

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine signed an order mandating mask-wearing on July 1. It remains in effect. Frequently Asked Questions about the mask-wearing order can be found here.

Court rulings keep Trump’s financial records private for now
By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has issued a mixed verdict on demands for President Donald Trump’s financial records. The decisions will likely keep his tax returns, banking and other documents out of the public eye for the time being. In one case, the court rejected broad arguments by Trump’s lawyers and the Justice Department that the president is immune from investigation while he holds office. The Manhattan district attorney is conducting a criminal investigation that includes hush-money payments to women who claim they had affairs with Trump. In Thursday’s other ruling, the court kept a hold on Trump’s financial records that Congress has been seeking for more than a year.

Layoffs stuck at high level as 1.3 million seek jobless aid
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 1.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, a historically high pace that shows that many employers are still laying people off in the face of a resurgent coronavirus. The persistently elevated level of layoffs are occurring as a spike in virus cases has forced six states to reverse their move to reopen businesses. Those six — Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan and Texas — make up one-third of the U.S. economy. Fifteen other states have suspended their re-openings. Collectively, the pullback has stalled a tentative recovery in the job market and is likely triggering additional layoffs

(Moon Twp. Pa.) The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has reminded us that A HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO

8 PM EDT Today. Heat index values around 100 expected throughout the area. Hot temperature and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.

AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR Thursday JULY 9...

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
has issued a code ORANGE air quality alert for Thursday in
Liberty/Clairton.

A code ORANGE air quality alert means that air pollution
concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for
sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, the elderly,
and people suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other lung
diseases. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by
avoiding outdoor exercise or strenuous activity.

For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles,
visit http://www.airnow.gov and http://www.aqpartners.state.pa.us