Elections/Politics

For now, Pa.’s ballot-counting extension intact as Supreme Court declines to hear appeal
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/10/28/Supreme-Court-decision-Pennsylvania-three-day-ballot-extension-GOP/stories/202010280162

U.S. Supreme Court refuses to expedite Pa. mail ballot case, but could still intervene
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/spl/pa-election-mail-ballots-us-supreme-court-denies-motion-republican-party-20201028.html

U.S. Supreme Court turns down Pa. Republicans’ request to halt extended ballot deadline
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/u-s-supreme-court-turns-down-pa-republicans-request-to-halt-extended-ballot-deadline-report/

Election Day is less than a week away and officials are scrambling to finalize their plans
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-philadelphia-2020-election-preparations-20201028.html

ELECTION 2020: Potentially thousands of requested mail ballots lost in Butler County, official says
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/10/29/thousands-requested-mail-ballots-lost-butler-county-pennsylvania-election-2020/stories/202010290124

Western Pa. official claims postal service lost mail-in ballots
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/western-pa-official-claims-postal-service-lost-mail-in-ballots/

Erie County restricts activities of openly armed residents near the polls if they aren’t voting
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/spl/pa-erie-county-open-carry-election-polls-intimidation-20201028.html

Some Pa. counties will delay counting mail-in votes, potentially fueling challenges
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/10/some-pa-counties-will-delay-counting-mail-in-votes-potentially-fueling-challenges.html

Biden’s lead over Trump in Pennsylvania hasn’t budged, poll says
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/franklin-marshall-pennsylvania-poll-biden-trump-20201029.html

Biden lead holds steady at 6 points in latest Franklin & Marshall College Poll
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/biden-lead-holds-steady-at-6-points-in-latest-franklin-marshall-college-poll/

Biden leads Trump narrowly in Pennsylvania, according to Franklin & Marshall poll
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/elections/biden-leads-trump-narrowly-in-pennsylvania-according-to-franklin-marshall-poll/article_87c430f4-187f-11eb-8017-6fa93d9a8a18.html

Biden touts Scranton roots in video message, virtual event broadcast from childhood home
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/biden-touts-scranton-roots-in-video-message-virtual-event-broadcast-from-childhood-home/article_29e272d6-617c-5baa-b8db-03f712bc3f52.html

The Editorial Board endorses Joe Biden: Here are seven reasons why | PennLive Editorial
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/10/seven-reasons-for-pennlives-endorsement-of-the-next-president-of-the-united-states-pennlive-editorial.html

Latino voters in Pennsylvania are diverse, growing in number — and could sway the election
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-latino-voters-trump-biden-20201029.html

With carbon capture funding, Trump and Biden have common ground on energy jobs
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2020/10/28/National-Energy-Technology-Laboratory-Trump-Biden-Dan-Brouillette-secretary/stories/202010280029

Trump sees Latino voters as a rare bright spot in Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/trump-latino-voters-pennsylvania-20201029.html

Ivanka Trump near Portersville: U.S. ‘much more capable of combating this virus as we wait for the vaccine’
https://triblive.com/local/regional/ivanka-trump-near-portersville-u-s-much-more-capable-of-combating-this-virus-as-we-wait-for-the-vaccine/

Trump to hold rally at WB/Scranton International Airport Monday evening
https://www.timesleader.com/top-stories/807766/trump-to-hold-rally-at-wb-scranton-international-airport-monday-evening

Trump to make campaign stop at Butler County airport on Saturday
https://triblive.com/local/regional/butler-county-airport-among-3-trump-stops-in-pennsylvania/

7 taken to hospitals after Trump’s airport rally in Omaha: police
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/10/7-taken-to-hospitals-after-trumps-airport-rally-in-omaha-police.html

The battle for the Pa. 11th Congressional District is a political and a generational scuffle
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/the-battle-for-the-pa-11th-congressional-district-is-a-political-and-a-generational-scuffle.html

Masser, Bourinski spar in election forum
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/local_news/masser-bourinski-spar-in-election-forum/article_38aec652-dbf2-5b23-b323-e04b44595cc2.html

Millions of mail ballots not yet returned in key states, including Pennsylvania
https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-election-2020-voting-outstanding-mail-ballots-20201029-c4kba46hp5dyvpu2kmqo37cq2a-story.html

Berks County election officials outline what to expect on Election Day
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/elections/berks-county-election-officials-outline-what-to-expect-on-election-day/article_dbcc9546-1948-11eb-b133-e78aafd5c135.html

Voter advocacy groups accuse Berks of suppressing voters by not using text messaging service
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/elections/voter-advocacy-groups-accuse-berks-of-suppressing-voters-by-not-using-text-messaging-service/article_cde26f32-1925-11eb-999d-232e4f61e0b9.html

Controversial Luzerne County recusal request for U.S. Supreme Court justice in withdrawal process
https://www.timesleader.com/top-stories/807774/luzerne-county-councilman-pushes-to-keep-supreme-court-justice-recusal-request-filing

Recusal request dispute, on party lines, appears to be moot
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/recusal-request-dispute-on-party-lines-appears-to-be-moot/article_d1122e1d-eea7-5028-9a66-8ac5592f8025.html

Election board hears complaints about slow ballots, election issues
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/election-board-hears-complaints-about-slow-ballots-election-issues/article_d0759a78-d0a2-5155-b00f-9d1d3778f05e.html

Live from Wilkes-Barre, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/live-from-wilkes-barre-nbc-nightly-news-with-lester-holt/article_0a9fbe17-78ad-516b-b42c-3e810322284d.html

After 2016, pollsters express confidence and cite lessons learned
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/10/after-2016-pollsters-express-confidence-and-cite-lessons-learned.html

Will Pa. be at the center of another Bush v. Gore? These 8 lawyers and scholars weigh in.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/will-pa-be-at-the-center-of-another-bush-v-gore-these-8-lawyers-and-scholars-weigh-in.html

Some final thoughts on Pennsylvania’s choice for president | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/10/some-final-thoughts-on-pennsylvanias-choice-for-president-john-baer.html

Coronavirus – COVID-19

COVID cases in Pa. exceed April numbers; N.J. hospitalizations match July rates: ‘Exponential spread is moving in’
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-pa-nj-philly-rising-cases-deaths-hospitalizations-rates-20201028.html

State crosses 200,000 COVID-19 cases
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/state-crosses-200-000-covid-19-cases/article_7b6b26cb-4d5b-53fa-8769-7fa3831c5c64.html

New Allegheny County COVID-19 cases hit 199, reflecting rising rates elsewhere
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/10/28/Allegheny-County-COVID-19-cases-199-rising-rates/stories/202010280159

Allegheny County reports 2nd-highest new covid-19 case total in nearly 3 months
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-reports-2nd-highest-new-covid-19-case-total-in-nearly-3-months/

Allegheny County officials: There is ‘no pattern’ in new cases
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/allegheny-county-officials-there-is-no-pattern-in-new-cases/

Westmoreland County reports 5 new coronavirus deaths, 91 new cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-reports-5-new-coronavirus-deaths-91-new-cases/

135 more coronavirus cases for Berks County; state records second-highest day
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/135-more-coronavirus-cases-for-berks-county-state-records-second-highest-day/article_34f09272-187b-11eb-a74e-6fd035b92892.html

York County hits record-high case increases, infection rate up
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2020/10/27/york-county-hits-record-high-case-increases-infection-rate-up/3747001001/

Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations increasing during fall surge in Montgomery County
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/coronavirus-cases-hospitalizations-increasing-during-fall-surge-in-montgomery-county/article_3b2b0189-85bf-5d3e-b0df-73b704284f3b.html

Local communities outline plans for federal COVID-19 grants
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/local-communities-outline-plans-for-federal-covid-19-grants/article_90ad654e-0564-5dba-9249-6eddedbf0390.html

5 BARTA employees test positive for COVID-19
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/transportation/5-barta-employees-test-positive-for-covid-19/article_23c395da-1920-11eb-9f71-cb09ef92d4ad.html

SOS Program delivers PPE to area nursing homes
https://www.timesleader.com/news/807798/sos-program-delivers-ppe-to-area-nursing-homes

Yudichak: Program to aid nursing homes in pandemic successful
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/yudichak-program-to-aid-nursing-homes-in-pandemic-successful/article_b213c74f-e91d-58e6-ba0a-4e137d4b6c71.html

Legislature

Deana’s Law back on track after hiccup, says Killion
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/deanas-law-back-on-track-after-hiccup-says-killion/article_a5f438d8-189a-11eb-9c60-ebc4c613d222.html

Rep. Brown quarantines with family after husband tests positive for COVID-19
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2020/10/28/rep-brown-quarantines-after-husband-tests-positive-covid-19/6061879002/

Business

Coronavirus struggles of Pennsylvania restaurants, bars deepen: ‘It’s as bad as it has been’
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-restaurants-hurting-oct28-20201028-h52oydgnhbguhiasm5s3ls2cb4-story.html

Education

Two local districts among most underfunded by state in new study
https://www.timesleader.com/news/807806/two-local-districts-among-most-underfunded-by-state-in-new-study

Highlands High School to close immediately due to covid-19 case with ‘significant’ quarantines
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/highlands-high-school-to-close-immediately-due-to-covid-19-case-with-significant-quarantines/

Kiski Area School District will remain open, citing low transmission locally
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/kiski-area-school-district-will-remain-open-citing-low-transmission-locally/

Connect the kids with the free meals
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2020/10/29/Connect-the-kids-with-the-free-meals-covid-19-schools/stories/202010240024

PIAA: Executive director Bob Lombardi still ‘cautiously optimistic’ about winter sports starting on time
https://www.mcall.com/sports/varsity/mc-spt-piaa-meeting-oct28-20201028-lsa76a5oxnh2zblw4kazlbuct4-story.html

Five Fine Arts programs to end at IUP as school restructures
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/10/27/State-System-of-Higher-Education-IUP-Indiana-Driscoll-APSCUF-faculty-cuts-arts/stories/202010270155

Gaming

Mount Airy Casino fined $90,000
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/mount-airy-casino-fined-90-000/article_3437a4ba-1437-5f02-89e1-0e3a90b563c4.html

National News

Budd set to be 1st Black female chief of state Supreme Court
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/across_america/budd-set-to-be-1st-black-female-chief-of-state-supreme-court/article_ee75c735-90c5-5633-b9de-7efb14bba914.html#/questions

Postal Service ordered to increase late trips for election mail
https://triblive.com/news/world/postal-service-ordered-to-increase-late-trips-for-election-mail/

Philly

Overnight curfew lifted in Philly as tensions over the police killing of Walter Wallace Jr. continue
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-shooting-walter-wallace-jr-protests-unrest-20201028.html

Video shows SEPTA officer assaulting protesters with baton during May demonstration
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-police-sergeant-assault-video-municipal-services-building-20201028.html

Feds arrest prominent West Philly activist, 2 others in a case tied to torched police cars, as protests continue
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philly-protests-anthony-smith-arrested-fbi-federal-charges-20201028.html

Philly City Council bill aims to curb police stops of Black drivers for minor infractions
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-racial-bias-vehicle-stops-council-member-isaiah-thomas-black-drivers-20201028.html

Public health in Philadelphia defines this year’s ballot | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/public-health-philadelphia-pennsylvania-election-2020-20201028.html

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier: After Walter Wallace Jr.’s killing, Philly police need transparency and change | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/walter-wallace-jr-death-protests-west-philadelphia-20201028.html

In Philly, experts offer advice on healing after racial trauma
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/in-philly-experts-offer-advice-on-healing-after-racial-trauma/

City Council looks to boost police funding to purchase Tasers
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/city-council-looks-to-boost-police-funding-to-purchase-tasers/article_82bd624a-f8d6-53a9-bd98-8ce601532e11.html#/questions

Pitt

Skipping the neighborhood polls? Allegheny County voters have lots of reasons for using mail ballots instead
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/10/28/Allegheny-County-mail-ballots-drop-off-County-Office-Building-hours-Downtown-Pittsburgh-Forbes-Avenue/stories/202010280153

Sen. Bernie Sanders joins commemoration for Tree of Life victims, spotlights election
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/10/28/Tree-of-Life-mass-shooting-pittsburgh-Bernie-Sanders-commemoration-victims-Bend-the-Arc/stories/202010280181

Pittsburgh Public Schools students to stay mostly virtual until at least January
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/10/28/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-coronavirus-COVID-students-mostly-virtual-learning/stories/202010280170

Pittsburgh Public Schools extends remote learning for most students until Jan. 4
https://triblive.com/news/education-classroom/some-pittsburgh-students-will-return-to-school-nov-9/

August Wilson’s literary archive is coming home
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2020/10/29/August-Wilson-University-of-Pittsburgh-buys-literary-archive-Pittsburgh-Cycle-Pulitzer/stories/202010280135

Bill Hillgrove — radio voice of Steelers, Pitt — to serve 2 years of probation after DUI charge
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/28/Bill-Hillgrove-Steelers-Pitt-radio-voice-probation-DUI/stories/202010280165

City plans to reduce sewage discharges into region’s rivers
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/10/28/City-plans-to-reduce-sewage-discharges-into-region-s-rivers/stories/202010280130

Pittsburgh Art Commission votes to remove Columbus statue; legal challenge continues
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-art-commission-vote-to-remove-columbus-statue-legal-challenge-continues/

State News

PLCB waives nearly $28 million in 2021 alcohol licensing fees
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/10/28/Pennsylvania-LCB-approves-waiver-fees-coronavirus-bars-restaurants/stories/202010280145

PLCB waives $27.7 million in alcohol licensing fees for businesses
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/plcb-waives-27-7-million-in-alcohol-licensing-fees-for-businesses/

Pennsylvania should keep fracking and oil as pro-energy policies | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/news/oil-pennsylvania-energy-policy-fracking-rggi-20201028.html

Pa. town hall on unemployment compensation, job search set for Thursday afternoon
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/pa-town-hall-on-unemployment-compensation-job-search-set-for-thursday-afternoon.html

Washington

Former DHS official says he wrote ‘Anonymous’ Trump critique
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/dhs-official-wrote-anonymous-trump-letter-book-20201028.html