TEMP_BLOG: 2018

Pennsylvania Volunteer Firefighters To Receive $55.1 Million In Funding « CBS Pittsburgh

(Note: Several news stories and press releases from elected officials have made this sound like it's "new" money. It is not. It is the annual distribution of the tax on foreign fire insurance to volunteer fire department relief associations and career department pensions.)

Pittsburgh Fire Chief: Sprinkler System Saved Lives During Hill District Senior High Rise Fire « CBS Pittsburgh

States Display the Promise of the Pending First Step Act

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Police Union Protests ‘Armed And Angry’ Staten Island NYPD Commander | WCBS Newsradio 880

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Pittsburgh circuit judge rules city’s #AmazonHQ2 proposal as public record, demands its release • MuckRock

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Amazon’s HQ2 Spectacle Should Be Illegal - The Atlantic

Monday, November 12, 2018

Veterans Day Gift: 430 More VA Medical Staff (at No Cost to Taxpayers)

Friday, November 9, 2018

Bensalem voters approve tax increase to support fire companies - News - Bucks County Courier Times - Levittown, PA

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Allegheny County voters reject Children's Fund referendum | TribLIVE

Pittsburgh establishes public safety fund after outpouring of support | TribLIVE

12 Pittsburgh Mapping Projects You Should Know About - Made In PGH

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Allegheny County voters reject Children's Fund referendum | TribLIVE

Monday, October 29, 2018

Marine Corps first sergeant at SC's Parris Island led $1.5 million razor theft, feds say | News | postandcourier.com

Friday, October 19, 2018

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Issues Decision in City of Phila. Fire Dept. vs. W.C.A.B. (Sladek)

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Donald Trump asks Cabinet agencies to cut 5 percent from budgets - Washington Times

Flushed wipes cause Charleston Water System backup

Court says Atlanta policies violate First Amendment freedoms of former fire chief, others - Alliance Defending Freedom

Chief Who Was Fired for Marriage Views Wins Major First Amendment Victory

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

FBI raids San Juan city offices weeks after Trump alleges corruption | TheHill

California high speed rail project needs review, leaders say | The Fresno Bee

Feds Collect Record Individual Income Taxes in FY 2018; Still Run $779B Deficit

Why haven’t a majority of Amazon HQ2 finalists released their proposals? • MuckRock

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Los Angeles passes motion: City contractors with NRA ties must disclose them – likely to pass

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Report: Pennsylvania's debt much higher than reported, up to $82 billion | Pennsylvania | watchdog.org

Friday, October 12, 2018

City controller warns against privatization of Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority

Saturday, October 6, 2018

City of Pittsburgh employees earning the most in 2017. - Pittsburgh Business Times

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Police: Employee stole $52,000 from Windburne Fire Company | WJAC

Saturday, September 22, 2018

City worker took a $1K bribe. Now, he'll spend 3 years in prison. | NJ.com

Monday, September 17, 2018

Federal regulations cut at record pace, saving $1.3 billion - Washington Times

Sunday, September 16, 2018

County airport board could bar its members from investing in airlines | TribLIVE

Thursday, September 13, 2018

'Gross': 19-ton fatberg removed from sewer line

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Tropical Tidbits — [Monday Evening] Florence an Extreme Threat to the Southeast U.S.; Isaac to Hit Antilles; Olivia to Hit Hawaii; New Storm Could Form Near Texas/Mexico

President Trump Declares Emergency In Carolinas - Breaking911

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Why Pittsburgh's light rail only goes to the South Hills - Elevating the news in Pittsburgh

Monday, August 27, 2018

Louisville's Urban Bourbon Movement | Manhattan Institute

Chicago’s Fiscal Storm | City Journal

New Jersey raids 911 fees, then asks for 911 subsidies | Americans for Tax Reform

7 ON Your Side: County compels 91-year-old woman to tear down home wheelchair ramp | WJLA

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Katherine Johnson, who hand-crunched the numbers for America's first manned spaceflight turns 100

Katherine Johnson, who hand-crunched the numbers for America's first manned spaceflight turns 100

(Note: If you haven't seen Hidden Figures, please do!"

PWSA poised to introduce stormwater fee | TribLIVE

Saturday, August 25, 2018

THE BELL TOLLS CITY'S LAST FIREHOUSE MATRON DIES AT 102 - NY Daily News

THE BELL TOLLS CITY'S LAST FIREHOUSE MATRON DIES AT 102 - NY Daily News

(Note: This is a great story. RIP Georgianna.)

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Offensive Yards: The Worst Stadiums in the NFL

Man Who Swindled $13 Million from VA Sentenced to 6 Years | Military.com

School district suspends pole-dancing teacher - Education Week

Ross Twp. Passes Ordinance Banning Intentional Deer Feeding « CBS Pittsburgh

Workers Rally Against Privatization Of U.S. Postal Service « CBS Pittsburgh

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

EAST PITTSBURGH POLICE: East Pittsburgh to shut down police department | WPXI

Saturday, August 18, 2018

Louisiana deputy fired for being part of Facebook group

The Growing Gap in Pension Funding - Article - POLICE Magazine

‘It just shows there’s hope:’ Pittsburgh police officer donates bike to boy whose mother was killed

Sunday, August 12, 2018

How You Recycle Plastic Is About To Change | 90.5 WESA

Sunday, August 5, 2018

Unions Take a Hit After Supreme Court Ruling - WSJ

Saturday, August 4, 2018

5 Ways Rank-and-File Leathernecks Are Disrupting the Marine Corps | Military.com

Jasper, MO taxpayers learn the hard way school districts need financial oversight after embezzlement scandal | EAGnews.org

‘What does it cost to educate a child?’ Turns out a lot, thanks to expensive school administrations | EAGnews.org

Friday, August 3, 2018

Illinois Appeals Court Agrees With Union That Residency Award Invalid – Fire Law Blog

Sunday, July 29, 2018

AFGE | Day after massive #RedForFeds protests, AFGE launches videos touting America’s workforce

Chicago Fire Settles Pregnancy and Nursing Mothers Lawsuit – Fire Law Blog

Seattle Mariners Want Taxpayers to Fork Over $180 Million, Or Else - Hit & Run : Reason.com

California Supreme Court Removes Question on Splitting Up State from November Ballot - Volokh Conspiracy : Reason.com

Cleveland City Councilman Got Order Requiring Two Citizen Critics to Stay 500 Feet Away from Him - Volokh Conspiracy : Reason.com

Calibre Press |Developing Smarter, Safer, More Successful Law Enforcement Officers

L.A. County Sheriff Announces Inquiry Into Deputies' Secret Societies - News - POLICE Magazine

After Janus: Vindication and Hope — The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal

City of Pittsburgh issues new guidelines on handling protests after weeks of demonstrations

New Haven takes another credit rating hit - NewsTimes

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Construction crews make $23 million mistake on Iowa highway

Chicago Named The ‘Rat Capital’ Of The U.S., Study Says « CBS Chicago

Study: Chicago, LA, Detroit top list of cities people are leaving - UPI.com

KDKA Investigates: Is Your School Hoarding Cash? « CBS Pittsburgh

Mayor Peduto Defends Court Appeal To Keep Amazon HQ2 Bid Sealed « CBS Pittsburgh

Thursday, July 19, 2018

The insane tales of a 1960s NYC ambulance attendant

Monday, July 16, 2018

SF Mayor: 'There's More Feces ... Than I've Ever Seen' - NBC Bay Area

Saturday, July 14, 2018

Don't Drink the Water: DC Warns Thousands of Contamination Risk - NBC4 Washington

Friday, July 13, 2018

Arnold mayor accused of using taxpayer money for attorney fees relating to ethics investigation

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Wagner, Wolf tangle over politics of funding public schools

Wholey's gives free fish sandwiches to PWSA workers as 'thank you' for work in Strip District

Elon Musk vows to fix Flint water contamination issue | Fox News

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Survey: Washington DC, New York Among The Worst-Run Cities In U.S. « CBS Detroit

Millvale community cleaning up following flood | TribLIVE

PWSA adds 20,000 properties to 'lead map' | TribLIVE

American public schools spending bigly on top-heavy administrative salaries, benefits | EAGnews.org

Pittsburgh school officials sometimes don’t know who’s paying for their travel | EAGnews.org

Former Pittsburgh chief McLay withdraws from consideration for Seattle job | TribLIVE

Arnold City Council to ask governor, Senate to remove mayor after social media post | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Allegheny County Council takes first step toward citizens' police review board | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Arnold Mayor Refuses To Resign Amid Outcry « CBS Pittsburgh

PennDOT Memorial Reminder Of Road Hazards In Construction Zones « CBS Pittsburgh

Monday, July 9, 2018

FBI releases long held Nikola Tesla documents

M-74 Nike Missile Site – Waukesha, Wisconsin - Atlas Obscura

Nike Nuclear Missile Site S-13/14 – Redmond, Washington - Atlas Obscura

From defending nation's capital to defending the skies, 35th ADA celebrates 100 yrs guarding freedom | Article | The United States Army

Commonwealth Foundation - School Choice Momentum in Pennsylvania

Commonwealth Foundation - What does Janus mean for school choice?

Commonwealth Foundation - Janus v. AFSCME: SCOTUS Upholds Workers' Rights

Commonwealth Foundation - Troubling Features of Pa. Teacher Contracts

A Long Overdue Reckoning on Public Unions - Allegheny Institute for Public Policy

Act 47 Conflict - Allegheny Institute for Public Policy

A Closer Look at Two County Funds - Allegheny Institute for Public Policy

Proposal Would Prohibit Local Business Mandates - Allegheny Institute for Public Policy

Wyoming Supreme Court Rules Firefighter Unions Must Include Volunteer Firefighters – Fire Law Blog

Sunday, July 8, 2018

7 More Reasons Pittsburgh is the Greatest City in the World | Pittsburgh Beautiful

VA lost more than $1.1 million worth of medical equipment -- in Ohio alone - Washington Times

Petition calls on mayor of Arnold to resign following controversial social media posts

Pittsburgh Police’s New K-9 Dies « CBS Pittsburgh

Anthrocon Takes To The Streets With Annual Fursuit Walk « CBS Pittsburgh

After Janus Ruling, Teachers Are Suing for Return of Fees They've Paid Their Unions - Teacher Beat - Education Week

Saturday, July 7, 2018

De Blasio fighting unlimited sick leave for EMTs, other city workers with 9/11-related illness - NY Daily News

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Former Pittsburgh chief McLay facing pushback as finalist for Seattle job | TribLIVE

Court hearing reveals new details in effort to keep Pittsburgh Amazon HQ2 bid secret

Hundreds Caught Up in Detroit Scam, Show Up Hoping For Free Houses and Cash | Law & Crime

Puerto Ricans accused of misusing $8M in funds | Fox News

Associates Vouch for Integrity of Ohio Lawmaker Amid Accusations He Ignored Sexual Abuse of Student Athletes as College Wrestling Coach

Judge Dismisses Virginia Beach Cheating Scandal Suit – Fire Law Blog

Burning Question About Bully Bosses and Insubordination – Fire Law Blog

Population migration: US cities Americans are abandoning

19 ICE Agents Ask DHS Secretary to Reorganize their Agency Over Immigration Enforcement - News - POLICE Magazine

FOP President: IMPD Experiencing a "Mass Exodus" of Officers - News - POLICE Magazine

Conservative Website Reports Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel to be Removed from Office - News - POLICE Magazine

Vista, CA school district refuses to detail how it spent over $322,000 on hotels, travel | EAGnews.org

TV news team discovers rapidly rising travel costs in Georgia school district | EAGnews.org

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

What happened to Philly's $40 million 911 surplus?

Monday, July 2, 2018

Judge orders Pittsburgh, Allegheny County to turn over Amazon HQ2 proposal to court

Monessen Mayor Still Absent As Council Avoids City Shutdown « CBS Pittsburgh

The Latest: Arizona honors 19 firefighters killed in 2013 | Fox News

Gov. Wolf Boosts Minimum Wage Again For State Employees « CBS Pittsburgh

Aerial fireworks could net $2.5M for Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh Business Times

City of Monessen on verge of government shutdown

Friday, June 22, 2018

Sessions: Peter Strzok No Longer Has Security Clearance | Sara A. Carter

"This Is a Great Idea": Consolidate Cabinet-Level Departments - Hit & Run : Reason.com

White House proposes a narrowing of FDA's mission — and a new name

Friday, June 8, 2018

Tom Wolfe: A New York ‘Man in Full’ | Manhattan Institute

Pennsylvania Could Be Hit Hard by the ‘Janus Effect’ | Manhattan Institute

Wolf Severance Tax Could Kill the Natural Gas Goose that Laid the Golden Egg | Americans for Tax Reform

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Trump Signs $55 Billion Bill to Replace VA Choice Program | Military.com

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Prevailing wage law repealed in Michigan | MLive.com

Sunday, June 3, 2018

New purpose sought for Johnstown Flood Tax | TribLIVE

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Port Authority expects $1.9 million increase in diesel fuel costs in next year | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Friday, May 25, 2018

Trump Moves to Ease the Firing of Federal Workers - The New York Times

Thursday, May 24, 2018

UPDATED: Here's Why $19 Billion $43 BILLION Won't Fix New York's Subway—or Your Local Transit System - Hit & Run : Reason.com

Monday, May 7, 2018

Controversial FBI officials Lisa Page, James Baker resign - Washington Times

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Louis DeBroux: Public Employees Resist Pension Reform as Crisis Looms — The Patriot Post

Former City of Atlanta Official Indicted on Federal Charges - Breaking911

Board orders pension cuts, studies Puerto Rico wage increase | Fox News

Pittsburgh poised to take 11 properties for Banksville intersection construction | TribLIVE

Woman Fakes Pregnancy To Get Ambulance Ride Back To Hometown « CBS Pittsburgh

PWSA urges property owners to respond to free waterline replacement offer | TribLIVE

Pennsylvania Might Improve Its Dreadful Drinks Laws — A LittleThe American Spectator

Sluggish recovery from Hurricane Maria reignites calls for Puerto Rico’s statehood, independence

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Butler Co. Sheriff Boycots the Boycotters

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/western-pennsylvania-sheriff-challenges-nra-boycotters

Friday, April 13, 2018

Billionaire seeks to split California into 3 states | Fox News

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Erie City Council President Indicted, Accused Of Theft « CBS Pittsburgh

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Four Departments Got Larger Percentage Funding Increases Than Defense

Harvey firemen's union says half the department laid off after court orders payment to pension fund | abc7chicago.com

Mapp, Carson, Announce Record-Setting $1.6 Billion For U.S. Virgin Islands ‹

Ambridge council votes to put police chief on leave

Flint mayor diverted water-crisis money to political PAC, suit says - CNN

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

DC Is Tired of Lyft and Uber Being Better Than Its Awful MetroThe American Spectator

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

President Trump Fires VA Secretary David Shulkin… | The Last Refuge

President Trump Fires VA Secretary David Shulkin… | The Last Refuge:

Terry Albury, FBI agent, charged with leaking classified documents to The Intercept - Washington Times

Map shows all the commuter rail lines Pittsburgh had in 1942 | TribLIVE

Map shows all the commuter rail lines Pittsburgh had in 1942 | TribLIVE

PADM303

Another time bomb for Chicago taxpayers - Chicago Tribune

Trump Shifts Focus of Transportation Grants From City to Country - WSJ

Woman Fakes Pregnancy To Get Ambulance Ride Back To Hometown « CBS Pittsburgh

Facing backlash, California county rescinds homeless shelter plan | Fox News

Saturday, March 24, 2018

S. 1692, National Emergency Medical Services Commemorative Work Act | Congressional Budget Office

Friday, March 23, 2018

Gov. Jerry Brown curses high-speed rail critics in forceful speech to labor leaders

Agents Raid Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office « CBS Pittsburgh

Flint mayor diverted water-crisis money to political PAC, suit says - CNN

Monday, March 19, 2018

Firefighter Sues FDNY And Colleagues For Race and Religious Discrimination – Fire Law Blog

Local Taxes: Death by "Special Revitalization" | Cato @ Liberty

Security clearance process remains ‘broken’ despite 2016 changes - The Washington Post

San Francisco Neighborhood Official Calls for Chief’s Resignation During Four-Alarm Fire - Fire Fighter Nation

Truck driving groups sue over Pennsylvania Turnpike toll increases

Andrew McCabe's 'lack of candor' a serious FBI breach - Washington Times

Andrew McCabe's 'lack of candor' a serious FBI breach - Washington Times: When Attorney General Jeff Sessions accused former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe of "lack of candor," he was lodging one of the most damning accusations for a bureau man to have lodged against him.

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Five women now say they were sexually harassed or assaulted by former Provo Police Chief John King — and a new criminal investigation could be coming - The Salt Lake Tribune

Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe fired | Fox News

Friday, March 16, 2018

Etowah County sheriff talks about making money from feeding inmates

Westmoreland County sheriff headed to court for theft, corruption charges

Oakland coffee shop says no cops allowed, for physical and emotional safety of customers

Nashville Mayor Resigns After Affair With Police Officer - Law Officer

McCandless council adopts statement on diversity, hears complaints on shooting range | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

List of local PennDOT bridges built using similar process as Florida pedestrian bridge that collapsed

911 call between student, dispatcher day of Parkland school shooting

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

West Hazleton Fire Company Raided after State Audit

Monday, February 12, 2018

Financially distressed no more: The city of Pittsburgh finally exits Act 47, free from state oversight

Friday, February 9, 2018

The death knell for unions? Supreme Court gets to decide | Fox News

Q&A for federal workers: Incentive payments - The Washington Post

Q&A for federal workers: Incentive payments - The Washington Post:

O’Hara Township plans to continue talks on police consolidation | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

O’Hara Township plans to continue talks on police consolidation | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Pittsburgh City Council worries about financial impact of raising police retirement age | TribLIVE

Pennsylvania to fund 8 Allegheny County transportation projects | TribLIVE

A look back at every government shutdown in US history | Fox News

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Calibre Press |Developing Smarter, Safer, More Successful Law Enforcement Officers

Pittsburgh might increase mandatory retirement age to keep experienced officers | TribLIVE

Sharpsburg council joins with neighboring communities to regionalize police departments | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Judge Sentences Larry Nassar To 40-175 Years In Prison « CBS Pittsburgh

Judge Sentences Larry Nassar To 40-175 Years In Prison « CBS Pittsburgh:

Pittsburgh Federation Of Teachers Seeks Strike Authorization « CBS Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Federation Of Teachers Seeks Strike Authorization « CBS Pittsburgh:

Palmyra firefighter injured after woman drives over hose at fire scene

California Considers $1,000 Fine for Waiters Offering Unsolicited Plastic Straws - Hit & Run : Reason.com

California Considers $1,000 Fine for Waiters Offering Unsolicited Plastic Straws - Hit & Run : Reason.com:

Pittsburgh Tried to Hide Its Amazon Proposal by Claiming It Was a 'Trade Secret' - Hit & Run : Reason.com

Friday, January 26, 2018

Missing texts between FBI officials trashing Donald Trump recovered - Washington Times

Thursday, January 18, 2018

The Trump administration just changed its overtime guidance — and business cheers - The Washington Post

Husband-wife team have almost 80 years in serving Etna | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Husband-wife team have almost 80 years in serving Etna | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

(A great story about some really nice folks!)

KDKA Investigates: Thousands Spent On Pittsburgh School Travel « CBS Pittsburgh

City Outlines Plans To Improve Snow Removal Procedures « CBS Pittsburgh

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Trump’s disruption of government could aid top federal employees, survey says - The Washington Post

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Secrets & subsidies - Allegheny Institute for Public Policy

NASEMSO Recommendations On Fatigue In EMS | The Social Medic

NASEMSO Recommendations On Fatigue In EMS | The Social Medic:

Peduto says Pittsburgh 'clearly needs to do a much better job' removing snow | TribLIVE

"New California" declares independence from ret of state

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-california-declares-independence-from-rest-of-state/

Monday, January 15, 2018

Police regionalization could be on tap for Aspinwall, Sharpsburg, Blawnox and O'Hara | TribLIVE

The Next Page: Dark days in the Electric Valley | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Next Page: Dark days in the Electric Valley | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Historian and former chief union steward Charles McCollester revisits the little-known Westinghouse walkout of 1914

The Corrupt Politics of Low-Income Housing - Reason.com

The Corrupt Politics of Low-Income Housing - Reason.com:

In Raiders' stadium deal, Nevada unable to impose new taxes on team for 30 years - Washington Times

In Raiders' stadium deal, Nevada unable to impose new taxes on team for 30 years - Washington Times:

Friday, January 12, 2018

What Happened To Skybus? The Futuristic Transit System That Pittsburgh Didn't Choose | 90.5 WESA

What Happened To Skybus? The Futuristic Transit System That Pittsburgh Didn't Choose | 90.5 WESA: Lewis Marascalco remembers the buzz he and his fellow engineers felt while they were working on a futuristic transportation system everyone was calling “