HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania Turnpike officials have announced yet another toll increase — 6% beginning early next year — as well as a new 45% surcharge for non-EZ-Pass users whose tolls are assessed by mail based on their license plates. Officials said the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission on Tuesday approved a 6% increase for EZ-Pass users as well those without passes in the “Toll by Plate” program. But they also approved an average 45% increase over the 2020 cash rate “to reflect the costs of collections for this tolling method.” The new rates are to take effect Jan. 3.

NEW YORK (AP) — A retail venture owned by licensing company Authentic Brands Group and mall owner Simon Property Group has agreed to buy Brooks Brothers for $305 million. The offer from Sparc Group LLC, announced late Thursday, has been designated as a “stalking horse” and therefore subject to court approval and any higher or better offers as part of the company’s ongoing auction process. A court hearing to approve the bid has been set for Aug. 3., and competing offers are due by Aug. 5. The sale process is expected to take place Aug. 11. The iconic 200-year-old clothier, which has dressed nearly every U.S. president, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this month. At the time, it had over 200 stores.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sales of new homes rose a sharp 13,8% in June, the second straight increase after two months when sales plunged as the country went into lockdown because of the coronavirus.The Commerce Department reported that the June gain pushed sales of new homes to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 776,000. The June increased followd a 19.4% jump in May sales. The sales increase for new homes sales followed a report Wednesday that sales of previously owned homes surged 20.7% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.72 million. Even with the gain, which followed three months of declines, new home sales remain roughly 20% below pre-pandemic levels.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly half of Americans whose families experienced a layoff during the coronavirus pandemic believe those jobs are lost forever. That’s according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. It’s a sharp change from April, when 78% of those in households with a job loss thought they’d be temporary. It’s a sign of increasing pessimism that would translate into roughly 10 million workers needing to find a new employer, if not a new occupation. Still, the poll shows 72% of Americans would rather have restrictions in their communities to stop the spread of COVID-19 than remove them to help the economy. Just 27% want to prioritize the economy over efforts to stop the outbreak.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia’s government has reached a $3.9 billion settlement with Goldman Sachs in exchange for dropping criminal charges against the bank over bond sales it organized for the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund. Malaysian and U.S. prosecutors had alleged the bond sales provided one of the means for associates of ex-Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to steal billions from the fund. Najib is on trial on multiple corruption charges after his election ouster in May 2018. Goldman and 19 of its former executives were also charged in the fraud. The finance ministry says Goldman has agreed to pay $2.5 billion in cash and guarantee that Malaysia gets at least $1.4 billion in proceeds from assets bought with the bond money that have since been seized.

Authorities: Woman slain when gunman fires into wrong house
DERRY, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a man angry over a botched drug deal fired several shots into a Pennsylvania residence where he mistakenly thought someone involved in the deal lived, killing a woman who was asleep in her bed. Nathan Joseph Quidetto remains held without bond on charges of criminal homicide, reckless endangerment and weapons offenses. Authorities say Quidetto wanted to scare someone who was involved in the botched drug deal but drove to “the completely wrong residence” early Monday and fired several shots at the home. A 52-year-old woman fatally struck by a shot initially thought she’d been bitten by something.

Pennsylvania Reports First Human Case of West Nile Virus in 2020 

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania’s first probable human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in 2020 has been detected in a Potter County resident. Samples are being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmatory testing. The departments of Health and Environmental Protection strongly recommend that all residents minimize their exposure to mosquitoes.

“While we encourage Pennsylvanians to enjoy the outdoors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, we also want them to take proper precautions from mosquitoes while outside,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “With the first human case of West Nile Virus detected, we want people to protect themselves. Several simple steps can help protect yourself and loved ones from mosquito-related diseases.”

Although mosquitoes can bite at any time of the day or night, the mosquitoes that transmit WNV are most active at dawn and dusk. When outdoors, people can avoid mosquito bites by properly and consistently using DEET-containing insect repellants and covering exposed skin with lightweight clothing. To keep mosquitoes from entering a home, make sure window and door screens are in place and are in good condition.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conducts regular surveillance and control to manage mosquito populations around the state. DEP has detected WNV-infected mosquitoes in five counties.

“The first human positive case of the year should be a reminder to all Pennsylvanians to use a personal insect repellent or stay indoors during dawn and dusk to help prevent exposure to the mosquitoes that can carry West Nile Virus,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “DEP monitors mosquito populations across Pennsylvania for the presence of disease.”

The mosquitoes that transmit WNV breed in areas with standing and stagnant water. These areas can include urban catch basins, clogged gutters, discarded tires, poorly maintained swimming pools, flower pots and other types of plastic containers.

Simple steps to eliminate standing water around the home include:

• Remove tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, discarded tires or any object that could collect standing water. Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors.
• Have roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves from nearby trees have a tendency to clog the drains.
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Do not let water stagnate in birdbaths.
• Aerate ornamental pools, or stock them with fish.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and remove standing water from pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.
• Treat standing water that cannot be eliminated with Bti products, which are sold at outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. Bti is a natural product that kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.

DEP will continue to survey affected communities to monitor mosquito activity and WNV. DEP biologists have initiated a survey of the mosquito population to determine the risk for further human illness. If necessary, adult mosquito populations will be reduced. These efforts will continue through October.

For a fact sheet on WNV, including symptoms, please click on the Department of Health’s West Nile Virus Fact Sheet.

For more information, including current WNV test results for mosquitoes, birds and horses, visit www.dep.pa.gov/westnile, or call 1-877-PA HEALTH.

For more information on West Nile Virus, visit www.health.pa.gov or www.dep.pa.gov or follow Department of Health and Department of Environmental Protection on Facebook and Twitter (@PAHealthDept, @PennsylvaniaDEP).

(File Photo)

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf signed several bills into law today including HB 1459, which establishes a mental wellness and stress management program for emergency responders who experience post-traumatic stress injuries or traumatic brain injuries on the job. The legislature passed the bill unanimously.

“This COVID-19 emergency has been another reminder of how all of us depend on first responders during a crisis,” said Gov. Wolf. “First responders face traumatic situations on the job that can have lasting consequences and this new program gives them access to the help they need. It is the right thing to do and I’m proud to sign the legislation.”

Support for first responders under the bill includes peer-to-peer programs, training for peer support efforts, a toll-free helpline, statewide and regional stress management support, trauma and suicide awareness training, and support for nonprofit organizations offering the services.

“We know that some groups are more likely to suffer from serious mental health issues and suicide,” said Rep. Mike Schlossberg. “Our first responders are in that category. We must do more to protect our heroes and I am grateful to the governor for his support of these efforts.”

The governor also signed into law today:

HB 256, which strengthens state law to make an assault on a corrections employee at a local, county or state facility a felony of the second degree. It is a felony of the first degree if a weapon likely to cause serious injury is used. The bill also establishes a third-degree felony if a law enforcement officer or correctional facility employees engages in a sexual act with an inmate or detainee.

HB 943, which is intended to improve transparency and reduce prescription drug costs by ensuring that pharmacies and pharmacists may inform customers about lower priced alternatives, including generic medications. The bill prohibits pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacy services administration organizations from restricting these discussions.

SB 836, which requires student athletes and parents to receive information each school year about sudden cardiac arrest and electrocardiogram (EKG) testing to detect underlying heart conditions. The bill requires students and parents to sign an informational sheet before students participate in athletic activities.

HB 632, which expands the use of a secure power of attorney for the transfer of vehicles by licensed dealers and insurers including the use of electronic signature and extends the time period during which a limited power of attorney may be used for the sale, purchase or transfer of manufactured homes during a disaster emergency.

HB 672, which amends the act of February 13, 1970 (P.L. 19, No.10), entitled “An act enabling certain minors to consent to medical, dental and health services, declaring consent unnecessary under certain circumstance.” Specifically, the bill amends the provisions relating to consent for voluntary inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment for minors.

HB 732, which establishes a local resource manufacturing tax credit and exempts transfers of real estate to or by a volunteer EMS company, volunteer fire company or volunteer rescue company from real estate transfer tax.

HB 1437, which amends the Tax Reform Code of 1971 concerning the City Revitalization and Improvement Zones program and the Rural Jobs and Investment tax credit program.

HB 2455, which requires the governor and Department of Health to submit information to the legislature about COVID-19 testing.

HB 2484, which increases the cap on the percentage of the value of assets held by or for an electing charity from 7 percent to 10 percent for fiscal years 2020, 2021 and 2022. The bill adds a new provision regarding nonjudicial settlement agreements.

SB 320, which enacts the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act; providing for user direction and agreements, for disclosure of digital assets and electronic communications, for functions of fiduciaries and for compliance and immunity for custodians of digital assets and electronic communications; and making conforming amendments.

SB 927, which provides the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation shall independently validate documentation of veteran status and immediately issue a driver’s license or identification card displaying veteran designation without submitting the documentation to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for review and approval.

SB 1125, which gives school districts the option during the 2020-21 school year to extend the real estate property tax discount period, waive penalties for late payments or both.

SB 1188, which provides for delegation of taxing powers and restrictions thereon and for tax limitations.

Joe Biden has a long to-do list if he wins the White House
By ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden wants to address health care disparities, toughen gun control, overhaul policing, provide free community college, erase student loan debt, invest in green energy and improve the nation’s infrastructure. But that’s just the start. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has also proposed measures to help Americans buy their first homes, raise the federal minimum wage and boost taxes on the wealthy and corporations. That’s to say nothing of his massive plans tied to the coronavirus. But such ambition may inevitably lead to disappointment as even some fellow Democrats warn Biden’s lengthy to-do list faces long odds in Congress.

Christopher Columbus statues taken down at 2 Chicago parks
CHICAGO (AP) — A statue of Christopher Columbus in downtown Chicago’s Grant Park was taken down early Friday, a week after protesters trying to topple the monument to the Italian explorer clashed with police. Crews used a large crane to remove the statue from its pedestal as a small crowd gathered to watch. Hours later, a second statue of Columbus was also removed from Arrigo Park in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood. The Associated Press sent an email Friday seeking comment from Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office. The statues’ removal come amid a plan by President Donald Trump to dispatch federal law enforcement agents to the city to respond to gun violence.