Andrea Sears, Keystone State News Connnection

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A new report shows Pennsylvania needs to do much more to meet its goal under the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint.

Three states are responsible for about 90% of the pollution damaging the bay. The report, from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, says Virginia and Maryland have plans in place that should meet their pollution-reduction goals – but Pennsylvania’s plan falls far short, and the state hasn’t budgeted the hundreds of millions of dollars needed to implement it.

William Baker, foundation president, said by approving that plan, the federal Environmental Protection Agency isn’t holding the state accountable.

“The U.S. EPA has failed to do its job during this,” said Baker, “the final and most important phase of the cleanup effort.”

The most recent report from Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection found almost 25,500 miles of impaired waterways in the state, a 25% increase from 2016.

Harry Campbell, director of the Pennsylvania Science Policy and Advocacy with the foundation, said the General Assembly has not invested enough in conservation to keep up with the state’s commitment to reduce water pollution from farms, wastewater and stormwater runoff.

“As a result, the state is significantly behind in achieving its load reductions from the agricultural sector,” said Campbell, “and our urban and suburban sectors as well.”

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is helping coordinate efforts to plant 95,000 acres of streamside forested buffers in the state to keep pollution from reaching rivers and streams.

Baker called for federal funds, matched by the state, to assist Pennsylvania farmers in reducing agricultural pollution. He added the other watershed states have roles to play, as well.

“When the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council holds its annual meeting next week,” said Baker, “its members can address Pennsylvania’s shortfall and commit to their own plan, as a partnership, to get the Commonwealth back on track.”

District Attorney announce 23 prison corruption indictments
UNIONTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania district attorney announced charges against more than 20 people Thursday after a months-long grand jury investigation into the smuggling of contraband, drugs and other alleged corruption at a county prison outside of Pittsburgh. The indictments stem from a grand jury investigation that began last fall and originally focused on illegal drugs such as K2, Suboxone and Xanax being smuggled into the Fayette County prison. The investigation branched out to include other allegations of oppression and corruption both inside and outside prison walls and resulted in 30 cases against 23 people including a former deputy warden.

Pennsylvania asks court to extend mail-in voting deadlines
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration is asking the state Supreme Court to extend deadlines for mail-in ballots to be received in the November election when Pennsylvania will be a premier presidential battleground. The filing, submitted late Thursday, cited a letter dated July 29 by the general counsel of the U.S. Postal Service, Thomas Marshall. In it, Marshall warns that Pennsylvania’s election-day deadline for mail-in ballots is “incongruous” with the postal service’s delivery standards. As a result, Wolf’s administration is asking the state Supreme Court to order that ballots postmarked by election day be counted if they are valid and received during the three days following the election.

Biden calls for nationwide mask mandate
By ALEXANDRA JAFFE and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Joe Biden is calling for a nationwide mask mandate, citing health experts’ predictions that it could save 40,000 lives over the next three months. Biden and vice presidential running mate Sen. Kamala Harris spoke briefly Thursday after being briefed by public health and economic experts on the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has caused the deaths of more than 166,000 Americans and plunged the global economy into the worst economic recession since World War II.

Trump opposes postal money that would help vote-by-mail
By DEB RIECHMANN and ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he opposes additional funding for the U.S. Postal Service, acknowledging that his position would starve the agency of money Democrats say it needs to process an anticipated surge in mail-in ballots during the coronavirus pandemic. The Republican president said Thursday on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria” that among the sticking points over a new virus relief package were Democrats’ demand for billions of dollars to assist states in protecting the election and to help postal workers process mail-in ballots. The campaign of Trump’s Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, jumped on Trump’s comments, likening the president’s actions to sabotage.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano 

(Monaca, Pa.) Mario l Leone, Jr.  resigned his position at Tuesday night’s meeting to take  the borough manager’s job in Ambridge. Leone, said his last day  as  Monaca’s manager is September 3. He said yesterday he will  serve as a  consultant to monaca when needed.   He has served as Monaca’s manager for 13 years  and is responsible for   grants being written and received.  for the streetscape project which is ongoing .

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Beaver, Pa.) PA Attorney General Josh  Shapiro issued a statement yesterday afternoon  announcing that Brighton Rehab and Wellness  Center is one of the agency’s subjects of their criminal investigation into neglect at nursing homes during the pandemic.   He said his office is dedicated to protecting seniors  and our most vulnerable citizens in the care of others. He said, “We won’t  tolerate mistreatment  of older Pennsylvanians  and will hold facilities that break the law  accountable.”