Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell signed 22 bills into law Tuesday, but left at least one critical piece of legislation untouched for more review — a bill that essentially turns coroners’ reports into state secrets, allowing the release only of minimal information, such as names and causes of death. Read More…

Nearly half of all sick days taken by Easton firefighters so far this year have been combined with other paid time off, city records show, a pattern that city officials say suggests the department may be misusing its leave. A Morning Call analysis of city payroll records obtained through the state Right to Know Law found that 46 percent of the total sick days taken by firefighters through mid-October have been combined with holidays, personal days or vacation days for extended time away from work. Read More…

The Easton Area School Board sidestepped a growing firestorm lit last week when it banned public comment at workshop meetings by scrapping the workshops and reinstating several committees that will welcome public input. The unanimous decision to return to the committees — a format used in the past to discuss items such as finance, policy and buildings and grounds — came as community members mobilized to challenge the public comment ban should the board not change course. Read More…

I'm stubborn enough to feel that someone has to say what every Coplay resident should be saying: Their borough officials appear to be violating the spirit and the letter of the open meetings law, and their solicitor is providing them with legal cover for doing it. Read More…

In what the school board describes as a time-saving measure, public comments will no longer be allowed at Easton Area School Board workshop meetings. Read More…